A Bird Quickly Learns to Tell Urban Friend From Foe

nytimes ^ | May 18, 2009 | HENRY FOUNTAIN

[JoeProBono]

It’s hard to make it in the city. That’s true for people, but it applies to other species as well. Some animals thrive in urban settings, amid reduced habitat and increased predation, while others don’t. Scientists don’t know why, although it’s thought that certain species are more receptive to their environment and better at adapting themselves to it. In a study at the University of Florida, Douglas J. Levey, an evolutionary ecologist, and his colleagues show that mockingbirds quickly learn to recognize humans who are perceived as threats.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[fishtank]

I miss seeing and hearing the mockingbirds.........

none in my area.......

[JoeProBono]

[mamelukesabre]

“Other species don’t have it and don’t make it,” he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bull.

Name one species that doesn’t have it.

[B-Chan]

The Mockingbird (mimus polyglottis) is dauntless in defense of nest and territory, often driving away preadators many time her own size. I have personally seen mockingbirds drive away redtails, jays, crows, cats, possums, dogs, and humans without showing the slightest fear. Yet despite her fearlessness and ferocity in battle, she is a songbird, not a bird of prey. This is why we chose the mockingbird as our fammily symbol.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

All birds learn this. They read your body language very well.

[JoeProBono]

[fullchroma]

We had a mockingbird who would come when we called and then, of course, we’d put out treats for him/her. He regularly visited a neighbor who offered treats as well. This went on for years after I put one of the fallen baby birds back into the nest. “Chirpy” would visit us regularly and even alight on my husbands lawnmower when he took a break.

[EggsAckley]

Where I grew up we had a mating pair of Mocking Birds. I loved their songs but in the spring for two or three weeks we couldn’t go out to the back yard because they would attack us and peck us on the head.

Very protective of their young,

[JoeProBono]

[Grammy]

We had studio in a section of Nashville filled with studios. Our mockingbird used to sing guitar riffs.

True.

[JoeProBono]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMpe34Aign4

[WOBBLY BOB]

[mamelukesabre]

uh oh, a future dodo right there.