Thanks for the note, Robert. And thanks to others who immediately
responded to me. A super squirter sounds like a good idea, and I
could have fun with the squirrels too! Not that I mind them being
here, as all our feeders are protected from them, they just get stuff
that falls to the ground, and, as I've written before, they add a
mammal to the "wild" animals I can enjoy in my yard. Too bad Douglas
squirrels and Townsend chipmunks haven't been able to adapt to the
urban scene.

Some friends of mine years ago wrote a paper describing starlings
stealing worms from robins (kleptoparasitism, just as in jaegers and
terns), something they were doing regularly on the UW lawns. So I
don't know which species benefits from the association. Perhaps
indeed they both do.

Dennis

On Jan 24, 2008, at 3:22 PM, Robert Pisano wrote:

> Hello Dennis, and others ...
>
> As to Robins flocking with starlings, yes. I've noticed the same
> thing here for years now, and surmise they get some mutual benefit
> from the association - much like other wild birds following
> chickadees to the various feeders in the neighborhood. I've seen
> the Starlings dig and peck through the lawns here with great vigor;
> could the Robins be following after for the errant worm or two?
>
> Robert Pisano
> Ravenna Neighborhood / Seattle
>

-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net



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