I thought that the jays, being somewhat bullish & gluttonous by human
standards (particularly at the feeders), have through time found that
mimicking the red-shouldered hawk is as effective an action as the skua
striking a gull bearing food. The result is that the bird with the food
close at hand would rather drop it and fly away rather than risk a
threatening encounter. Jays seem to accomplish that at the feeder with
their imitation. And, of course, this may or may be the case, but since the
behavior seems to befuddle the small birds in the area, the jay must find
this result somehow gives him the upper hand, and so he continues to do it.
Bill
WILLIAM B SCHREITZ CABINETMAKER INC
VIRGINIA STREET ANNAPOLIS MD 21401
cabmkrwbs@xxxxxxxxx
----- Original Message -----
From: <PlanetWaves99@xxxxxxx>
To: <va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 11:45 AM
Subject: [va-bird] Re: hawk or jay?
counterproductive make hawk noises as well as give warnings of approaching
Are there any theories on why jays mimic hawks?
I know jays often warn other birds of hawks in the area, but it seems
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Maybe they're all having a little joke on us birder types?
Bart Hutchinson
Alexandira, VA
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