Defence of young (1 Viewer)

[Sal]

Having written about rock dove hatchlings in an earlier thread got me to thinking about some fierce protectors of their offspring. One that must be known pretty well world wide is the plover. Our crowned plover for example will take on anything from an elephant to a mongoose, and the noise they make and the angry flying at and around and across the path of the invader are often enough to divert it to a new route. (Crowned plover pic attached - I know it looks one legged, but it isn't - just resting the other one!)Another nesting bird whose aggression I have experienced is the Indian mynah. As I was walking along a path beside a one storey building one day, two of them suddenly started dive-bombing me, shrieking all the time. One of them flew so low that it hit me on the head , drawing blood, and they kept up the attack until I was well out of range. I've seen them do this to cats and dogs as well. Yet if you walk very close to the nests of some birds, such as the doves, they will sit quietly the whole time. Who else has agressive birds/ has had experience of agressive birds in their country?

 

[birdman]

I'm sure they aren't the only agressive protectors in the UK, but I understand that Skuas (Jaegers) can be pretty vigourous in their efforts to escort you away from their nest.

I've never personally experience this, but I recall a TV show here (hosted by Bill Oddie), where he was subject to some serious bombardment.

The way to avoid being continually pecked, he said, was to carry your hat on a stick, as the birds would concentrate on the highest point of your "body".

I don't recall how successful this was!

 

[Sal]

Hmmnnn - maybe I'll try this on the mynahs next breeding season, sounds logical! Thanks Birdman. As I recall, skuas next in colonies don't they? Must be quite dangerous! I also seem to remember a story about some sea bird that will bomb you with regurgitated semi-digested fish - am I dreaming?

 

[Marysan]

Our Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus, which is also a Plover, is highly protective of its young. It lays it's eggs in open areas with no real nest and then goes bonkers when anyone gets near them. The parent then screams stridently and feigns injured wing or leg all the time trying to draw the intruder away from it's eggs. I have pictures of this in my "Lake Murray Scenes" Album, Vol. 5, at www.picturetrail.com. Here's a direct link to the Killdeer pics if you'd like to see them.

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=714239&uid=432834&members=1

 

[birdman]

I think most gulls are not aversed to vomiting on you if you approach their nests, but I think you are probably thinking of Fulmars, who seem to excel.

Once again - I'm pleased to say - no personal experience.

 

[Booga]

Hi Birdman,

What you were saying about the Skuas and mr.oddie remind me of a program I saw about the wildlife of ramsey st from neighbors, australia a couple of years back. Although the street is fictional people do actually live in the houses.

It concerned the local postman who was attacked every morning from above by this manic magpie, always from behind. In the end, they painted large eyes on the back of his hat, and the magpie never attacked him again as it 'knew' the postie could see it comming!

Take care

Boogs

 

[colinandalex]

Personally I've found the Blacksmith Plover more aggressive than the Crowned when you go anywhere near its nest.

What about those birds (can't remember what they're called or even where they're found) that divebomb and, er..., s**t on anyone or anything that gets too close.

 

[alan_rymer]

When I was little, I climbed a tree to get to a Missel Thrush nest. I was attacked, blood drawn and shit on( In the ear ) by the diving adults. Not nice. Thats the only bird I have seen protecting its nest so in the U.K.

 

[Sal]

Marysan, those are stunning pictures, thanks. Your killdeer looks a little like our 18cm threebanded plover (Charadrius tricollaris) - are they about the same size?
Yes Birdman - fulmars, the oil that Tony mentioned is what I remember reading about.
Colin you are probably right, I have not had personal experience of disturbing one of their nests but they sure do make a lot of noise and dive bomb approaching animals pretty fiercely.
Thanks everyone for your fascinating stories - Alan I think yours wins the prize! In the ear - yeuch.

 

[Marysan]

Thank you, Sal. The Killdeer are 10.5 inches (21 cm?) in length with a 24 " (48 cm?) wingspan, wt 3.3 oz (9.5g).

 

[The Merlin]

Eastern Screech Owls are the only real aggresive birds that I have around me, though the Eastern Bluebirds try to act like they're vicious and mean divebombers, but they won't get within 10 feet of you . Once Boo, my ESO, attacked me while I was checking the Nest Box and completly knocked me off the ladder to the ground and it hurt!!!! Plus, she left two pinhole scars in my hand!!!! Then Hoo has "beak-snapped" at me from 6 inches away, while checking her Box!!! It was quite loud indeed and quickly got the point across!!!3

 

[T0ny]

On the Farne Islands, in Northumberland (UK) Arctic Terns will dive-bomb humans when nesting. Since they nest right next to the path, headgear is advisable.

Tony

 

[Reader]

Not so long ago I put a photo (albeit not a good one) of a Bonxie (Great Skua) that was eyeballing me. This is a favourite trick of theirs. On this particular day we had been looking for Bonxie nests so that we could ring the chicks. The chicks are usually in a shallow indentation on the ground and are well hidden. Where these chicks were was on the side of a slight hill and the trick was to walk around this hill in ever decreasing circles until you eventually come across one. The parents of these chicks stay some way off from the nests at the summit of the hill and keep out a watchful eye on any possible dangers to the nests. Once danger is seen they take off and go behind the hill and out of sight and appear in attack mode. They fly straight at you and literally head straight for your face and only turn away from you at the very last second. One of my mates shouted for me to look out and as i turned I saw this Bonxie screaming towards me and managed to fire off three shots. The third shot was of its trailing legs passing right by my face. Intimidating but equally a fantastic experience to be a part of.

I have attached the photo of this attacking bird but you have to realise that things happened so fast that I didn't have time to set up my camera only to just fire off some shots at whatever the camera was set at. This bird virtually skimmed my face it was that close before veering off. I apologise to the members who have seen this photo before but I thought it appropriate for this thread.

 

[Marysan]

John J,

Great story, great photo- I'd not seen it before. Good one, thanks, Marysan.

 

[NE Birds Plus]

We have the Northern Goshawk which nests in the New England area. They have taken the hat off of a friend of mine on several occasions and would do great damage should you linger near the nest.

I have watched a bander work with Great Horned Owl chicks. He wears a hard hat and brings at least 2 people to watch for the return of the mother Owl. Last I saw of him he still had all of his pieces intact. A dangerous past time..

I have stumbled on Killdeer nests as well and have attached a shot of one of the parents and a couple of chicks, with the chicks legs being the only visible part.

Hmmm.. Fulmar vomit.. what a pleasant thought..

 

[Sal]

Amazing photo John and wonderful story - you showed great presence of mind under attack!
Interesting description too of the precautions taken when banding Great Horned Owl chicks,from these posts it seems that owls could be one of the most dangerous in terms of not hesitating to make contact. Phil your pic of the kildeer with young is great, thanks. It is certainly larger than our threebanded plover. Does anyone know why it is called a killdeer? Seems a strange name for a small bird - is it maybe something to do with the sound it makes?

 

[NE Birds Plus]

Sal, you are right on the money. From the American Dictionary of Bird Names, by Ernest A. Choate the Killdeer is named in imitation of its call.

 

[LuBird]

Great thread! I enjoyed all the photos and information.

Blue Jays can be protective too! I was dive bombed as well as having her try to knock me off the ladder with her wings,tore my hair all apart, drew blood on my cheek, and the noise she made during the attack was frightening.

All I was doing was wildlife rescue of her 2 offspring that fell out of the nest.

 

[Sal]

Thanks Phil.
LuBird -wow! Did the rescue work -did she accept them back?

 

[steve_nova]

You don't get many of these flying through the UK skies (so no first hand experience) but the larger Macaws are renowned for being aggressive when nesting, in fact they are down right dangerous, what with those bone cracking bills.

Not quite in the same vane but my dad told me when he was pre-teen, he found a huge Seagull on the beach which looked sick so he picked it up. It promtly turned it's head round and clamped it's huge beak on his nose. His eyes were streaming from the pain he said and mine were streaming with laughter when he told me!

The two holes lasted for weeks in his nose he said!