I see the same activity but let's not anthropomorphize ; "that a
common avian strategy . . . , indicating no predators around . . .., a
really smart sharp-shinned hawk or cat. . . . "
Yes they probably can think - observation or training - to a degree -
but not to predict.

Bill Kaufman
Woodinville, WA


on 10/6/06 6:47 PM, Dennis Paulson at dennispaulson at comcast.net wrote:

Hello, tweets.

I just observed a remarkable phenomenon in my yard that I've seen many
times, but I thought I'd pass it on.

The yard was pretty quiet, then a few birds showed up, then I noticed a
number of robins coming to the fountain/bird bath. I started watching, and
within minutes, one species after another came to the water, chickadees,
juncos, House Finches, House Sparrows, Song Sparrow. Meanwhile, there were
birds at all the feeders, birds flying back and forth across the yard, birds
picking insects off the windowsill, and just a flurry of birds everywhere. I
watched in amazement as a goldfinch came to the fountain - first one I've
seen in the yard in 7 years. Then my only Townsend's Warbler so far of this
fall right after it. Then activity died down somewhat, but there were still
a few birds in sight, and 20 minutes later there was an Orange-crowned
Warbler in the fountain, first one I've seen here this year. You have to
understand that my yard isn't exactly jumping with warblers, and in fact I
don't see as many as I used to. I don't think it's because I'm looking out
the window any less.

Anyway, quite some time ago it seemed obvious to me that a common avian
strategy is to come out in the open only when other birds are already out
there behaving normally, indicating no predators around, and that's what I
see over and over again in my yard. No birds at all, then a burst of
activity with numerous species, then back to dead quiet. A really smart
Sharp-shinned Hawk or cat would wait until the middle of one of those
flurries, then strike, but it may be that the predators' strategy is to
attempt to catch the first bird they see, as (a) it might be the only bird
around or (b) another predator might be watching and get there first.?


-----

Dennis Paulson

1724 NE 98 St.

Seattle, WA 98115

206-528-1382

dennispaulson at comcast.net


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