Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Bird Brain on May 13, 2010, 05:36:09 PM

Title: It's that time of year again!
Post by: Bird Brain on May 13, 2010, 05:36:09 PM

Hi everyone.

This morning I was walking around Lake Aquitaine.  2 male Red-winged Blackbirds attacked from the rear and pecked the back of my head!   :shock:   It's that time of year again and today was a case of "double whammy!".

There are dozens of male and female RWBB's currently at the lake.  At the moment, the males are completely nuts and dive bombing everyone and everything!  

Jo-Anne  

Lake Aquitaine:  SE corner of Glen Erin Dr./Aquitaine Ave., behind the Meadowvale Community Centre.

Title: aggressive birds
Post by: Howieh on May 13, 2010, 09:25:58 PM

You must be getting very close to some nests. There are lots of nesting RWBs at Oakbank pond but even when I get close to a nest they usually just make a lot of noise and don't come too close to me.

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on May 14, 2010, 09:22:48 AM

Hi Howieh.

It's an odd experience/feeling.  First you can hear/feel the wings fluttering behind your head, then the back of your hair gets fluffed up.  All of a sudden there's a "ping" off the back of your head.  It actually doesn't hurt, just startles you a bit.  Then the RWBB will fly to a nearby branch, look at you and "laugh"!   :shock:

I'm sure today's New Moon isn't helping matters.  :lol:

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Post by: Moira on May 14, 2010, 12:28:59 PM

Are you kidding me Jo-Anne?  Yikes!

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Post by: Bird Brain on May 14, 2010, 06:28:54 PM

:shock: Moira ... it happened again today!   Probably a combination of nesting birds, New Moon and perhaps my shiny hair due to using Pantene shampoo?  :D  My mom was visiting today and they were trying to get her too!  The RWBB's hover first then attack.  You should see when they go after the squirrels and dogs!

This head pecking happens every Spring here at the lake - last year I got pecked in March, usually it happens in April.

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Post by: MEGHAN on May 17, 2010, 06:56:49 PM

Hey Jo-Anne,
Not even the Herons are safe.
I watched this guy get to close to a RRBB and he made himself know...Hit the Heron on the back of the head and popped the fish right out of its mouth.
Did I laugh!!  :lol: It was so funny. The Heron didn't even know what hit him. Just started "honking" in anger at the fact his lunch just got away.
This is the only shot I managed to get. Laughing way to much to get "the" shot..would of been a classic one though.
Meghan
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/DSC_0973.jpg)

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on May 17, 2010, 08:48:02 PM

Hi Meg ... that is absolutely hilarious!   :lol:

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Post by: MEGHAN on May 19, 2010, 04:43:16 PM

Jo-Anne
I thought you'd like it.
After being konked in the head I figured you would appreciate it.   :lol:
meghan

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Post by: Bird Brain on May 19, 2010, 07:55:53 PM

:lol:

Meg ... I should get a t-shirt that says "I've been konked!" with photo of male RWBB on it.  Ha Ha!  :D

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Post by: MEGHAN on May 19, 2010, 08:18:02 PM

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:
How funny would that be??

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Post by: Bird Brain on May 19, 2010, 08:23:19 PM

It would have to go on the back of the t-shirt as well since they always attack from the rear and peck the back of one's head!   :lol:

Lately, the secret to dealing with these guys ... toss them a 1/2 peanut.  Keeps them occupied for awhile and lets a person walk by in peace.  :D

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Post by: Moira on May 20, 2010, 01:40:10 PM

Jo-Anne & Meghan:  Just seeing this string now.  You guys are hilarious.  Lesson from the GBH to you Jo-Anne - don't eat your lunch there :)

Title:
Post by: Bird Brain on May 20, 2010, 05:09:11 PM

Quote from: "Moira"

Jo-Anne & Meghan:  Just seeing this string now.  You guys are hilarious.

:lol: Thanks.  Must be something in the air in Mississauga.  haha.  

Quote

Lesson from the GBH to you Jo-Anne - don't eat your lunch there :)

I will be sure to eat my fish (and chips) indoors!  :D

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Post by: shorebird on May 20, 2010, 09:34:53 PM

Out of curiosity, I'm wondering if it ever happens in nature that a territorial bird like the blackbird meets another species equally hard-headed. For instance, could a red-winged blackbird ever hold its own against, say an eastern kingbird, if both met, and waste a lot of time in a brawl?

Or do aggressive territorial birds generally mutually avoid one another?