Are birds really frightened by bright colours? (1 Viewer)

[manicann]

I've seen so many birders in camo gear and wondered does it really work? Over the years I have noticed an inclination by birds to fly at and even land on my car (which is bright red!). The car has quite an impressive list (I must add that none of the birds concerned was actually harmed), including tawny and barn owls, an eagle(!), jay, buzzard, swallow and a couple of mallards that tried to land on it whilst it was moving through Solihull! It has also been attacked by a Mute Swan at Kingsbury! I always asumed that movement is what frightened birds, but that isn't the case here. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[oncebittern]

Its not so much bright colours that spook birds, as anything that stands out from the background and is seen to move.

Cammo gear WILL be an advantage if it mimics your surroundings, and 'breaks up' your outline. eg, a green/brown outfit will be great in a woodland, but rubbish in snow.




If you love animals why eat them? 'Cos I love ALL things about animals...including the taste

 

[fugl]

It certainly could work since, like ourselves, most birds are highly visual creature relying more on sight for the detection of enemies than on the other senses (except, possibly, for hearing which also tends to be excellent in birds). The question with regard to the camo outfits warn by birders--actually where I live it's mostly nature photographers & hunters, not birders, that wear them--is whether camouflage designed to fool humans also works with birds. Even if it does in principle, I wonder if the average camo user knows how to wear it effectively in order to deceive birds? I'm just asking the question here--I don't have a fixed opinion one way or the other I've never used camo myself but have always relied purely on stealth to approach birds & have had fairly good luck over the years. I wonder what if any research has been done on the question?

 

[Hanno]

I think that birds do not see cars as much of a threat. As for clothes, I am not sure that camo works. I have seen some pretty good birders with white or red shirts and they still manage to see a lot more than I do in my green/brown shirts and trousers.

 

[trey]

As a response to Hanno I think that birds who live on the edge of a busy street or in a city are not very afraid of cars, but when I drive through some of the very rural dirt roads i drive on the birds really don't like it.

I always go birding with a brown or green cloths and i think it helps me see more birds.

 

[LauraL]

Not that I am an expert or anything but it probably depends a lot on the species of bird and what environment the birds are conditioned to. For instance, any bird that is attracted to colorful flowers will be more likely to come and investigate you if you wear bright and shocking colors--at least if you stay relatively still. I've had amazing views of hummingbirds precisely because I was wearing red or had a bright purple climbing rope next to me. In my experience what you wear is less important than how you behave. Unless you are specifically trying to attract hummingbirds camo won't hurt but neither is it really necessary.

 

[Marmot]

Ian always used to go birding in a green jacket [he has 3 of various thickness] and always thought that he blended in well.

But when we were away a few weeks ago he got one of these jackets.
http://jackpyke.co.uk/jack-pyke-clothing/jack-pyke-field-jacket/prod_414.html
he seems to be able to get nearer than before and today a Chiffchaff tried to land on his arm and also 2 GSW got really close to him.

 

[littlerobinredbreast]

Ah, things which stand out from the background sounds quite right. If I stay still, they usually don't bat an eyelid, so I guess that backs up that theory!

 

[lmans66]

I have experimented with colors etc.. So far...I don't see a difference. I wore a red shirt the other day and had a wonderful day so not sure if colors are picked up on... Oh, no hummingbirds attacked me either ;-)

 

[Rose Fletcher]

I have a number of beautiful photos of small birds coming to a pool to bath and drink, while I sat about a metre from the pool, making no effort at all to conceal myself. I think the behaviour of the creature they see is definitely more important than the clothing.

I have a bright red shirt, and some of the best of my photos without a hide, have been taken while wearing it. On the other hand, I have frequently frightened birds away when taking photos from the same position, but concealed by a well camouflaged green tent hide. The slightest movement will cause them to flee while I am hidden, but out in the open, I can very slowly raise a hand to scratch my nose without daunting them.

I'm only guessing, because I couldn't possibly know what a bird was thinking, but I have a theory that my red shirt tells the small birds that I have no reason to attempt to hide from them. Which would also tell them, of course, that I am not a predator. On the other hand, a furtive movement from a place of concealment (i.e. the tent) is predator behaviour, and if they detect it, they will flee. I also get the distinct impression that these small birds are able to see far better through finely woven garden mesh than humans can. Which brings us back to what fugl said about whether camouflage that works for humans also works for a bird's eyesight - which is very much superior to our own.

 

[Fozzybear]

Ian always used to go birding in a green jacket [he has 3 of various thickness] and always thought that he blended in well.

But when we were away a few weeks ago he got one of these jackets.
http://jackpyke.co.uk/jack-pyke-clothing/jack-pyke-field-jacket/prod_414.html
he seems to be able to get nearer than before and today a Chiffchaff tried to land on his arm and also 2 GSW got really close to him.

That's amazing!

I usually try to avoid really bright coloured clothes but it's certainly interesting to read all this. I certainly agree that behavior is the largest factor and that if you are unthreatening then the birds will come that much closer.

 

[silvercrest]

i went birdwatching at Holme in Norfolk in a Hawaiin shirt, and i saw a Barred Warbler, so it didnt make any difference to me. in fact, i got lots of complaints from birders in camo gear - but the birds didnt seem to mind a bit. but i read in a couple of books that its sillouette not colour, that matters. its the human sillouette that strikes fear into the heart of birds -and abrupt movements

 

[thenorthernmonkey]

As Raptors soar very high up with eyesight good enough to pick out a little vole and the likes of Swallow can fly at good speed picking off something as small as flying insects i dont really think it matters what i cover my 5ft 11" frame in. I do wear combat trousers or jacket (but not together) though but only because the pockets are big enough to put my Collins guide in. The trousers today went quite well with the white tee shirt. I think field craft has more to do with it than clothing. The skillful eye will find more than the lazy eye.

Also consider all the big twitches for rarities. Hundreds of people lined up with scope and tripods. I dont think camo makes a difference if your a careful birder...