Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Toronto Reports => Topic started by: Bird Brain on May 23, 2009, 10:11:21 PM

Title: Lake Aquitaine: RWBB hitches a ride!
Post by: Bird Brain on May 23, 2009, 10:11:21 PM
Hi everyone.

Early this morning, went for a walk around Lake Aquitaine.  While observing some Canada Geese, a male Red-winged Blackbird landed on one of the geese and was riding around on it's back for awhile.  Quite hilarious to watch!  

All of a sudden the RWBB decided to peck the Canada Goose head.  :shock:  The goose was not impressed, reared up, flapped it's wings and the RWBB took off.  :lol:

Other: There are still 5 goslings at the lake, getting bigger every day!
Lots of Goldfinches (m&f) plus saw a Cottontail Rabbit.  

Jo-Anne  :)

Lake Aquitaine:  SE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Aquitaine Ave. behind the community centre.
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Post by: Kin Lau on May 23, 2009, 10:30:09 PM
Like this? There's a few more in my album under "RWBB attacks".

(http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/RWBB-attacks/7386_BWBB_hasseling_cg_tt_05_22_06.sized.jpg)
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Post by: Bird Brain on May 24, 2009, 07:53:32 AM
Kin ... Yes!  :lol:  Great photo!  I also just took a look at your photos of the male RWBB on the Mute Swan.  I guess there's nothing too big for a RWBB - they seem to go after anything and everything!  :shock:  

The Canada Goose yesterday was completely calm and relaxed, didn't even seem to be aware of the RWBB riding around on it's back until it got pecked - then the goose was completely ticked off!

Jo-Anne  :)
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Post by: Raven11:11 on May 24, 2009, 04:47:00 PM
Great pic, I saw a pic with one on the back of a hawk a while back too.
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Post by: Bird Brain on May 24, 2009, 10:58:35 PM
Quote from: "Raven11:11"
Great pic, I saw a pic with one on the back of a hawk a while back too.


A bit ironic as earlier this evening, I heard some very loud screeching/screaming outside.  Just figured it was some kid being an idiot then realized it sounded like a bird.  Looked out the window and saw a male RWBB attacking/pecking a Red-tailed Hawk in flight and chasing it all the way to the other end of the lake.  The hawk was screaming bloody murder!, eventually turned North at the end of the lake and flew away - probably couldn't wait to get away from the irritant! :shock:
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Post by: Kin Lau on May 24, 2009, 11:25:37 PM
It's hilarious to see RWBB's shooting up like a bunch of surface to air missiles when a harrier or crow flies across a marsh.

I don't have a picture of the RWBB on a hawk, but I have one of two Kingbirds, one Eastern, one Western harrassing a Swainsons. This was out in Sask. Notice that the Eastern Kingbird is actually _on_ the hawk.
(http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/2008-Canada-Trip/Swainson_Hawk_and_Kingbirds.sized.jpg)
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Post by: Bird Brain on May 25, 2009, 10:46:22 AM
Quote from: "Kin Lau"
It's hilarious to see RWBB's shooting up like a bunch of surface to air missiles when a harrier or crow flies across a marsh.
Great and accurate description!  :lol:
I've also seen them recently going after a Great Blue Heron at Lake A.  Cripes!

Quote
I don't have a picture of the RWBB on a hawk, but I have one of two Kingbirds, one Eastern, one Western harrassing a Swainsons. This was out in Sask. Notice that the Eastern Kingbird is actually _on_ the hawk.
(http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/albums/2008-Canada-Trip/Swainson_Hawk_and_Kingbirds.sized.jpg)
This is both bizarre and funny! :D
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Post by: Raven11:11 on May 25, 2009, 08:14:43 PM
I will try to find the pic - it should be saved at work.