When I look up at birds in the sky, a lot of the time you see a hawk or large crow or eagle and they always seem to have these little black birds that seem to be dive bombing them or attacking them. I have always been curious about that. Anyone have more information to enlighten me???
2007-05-29 06:39:03 · 6 answers · asked by mleone82 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
It is a behavior called "mobbing."
Crows will mob hawks and owls, smaller birds will mob crows and small hawks and owls. They mob the birds because they perceive them as predators, and by attacking these birds and harrassing them from above and behind, they can chase them out of their territory without the other bird being able to catch them and make a meal of them.
Here's a good article on mobbing: http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/article.cfm?issueID=28&articleID=692
2007-05-29 06:45:33 · answer #1 · answered by margecutter 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's interesting to note that while the hawks and eagles are predators, they lack the sheer speed and grace which is achieved by smaller birds in flight.
This is to the small birds advantage. While they are easy prey while perched or nesting, they can easily create enough of a problem for a flying bird of prey to drive it off. This protects their territory.
You'll also see them do this to ravens who are notorious egg thieves.
2007-05-29 07:09:20 · answer #2 · answered by Theresa A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bird dive bombing the hawks crows and eagles are only protecting there nest if u get too close to there nest beware
2007-05-29 06:59:20 · answer #3 · answered by nadine 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LOL! I've seen grackles (my favorite songbird) divebomb hawks, turkey vultures and even a golden eagle! They are fearless! I've seen the grackles attack when they have eggs in the nest and predators get too close. Cracks me up every time!
2007-05-29 06:50:06 · answer #4 · answered by susann 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi, most of the time it can be a mother bird trying to keep a preditor away from her nest, other times it can be a small pain in the butt bird following a hunter to get scraps of leftovers when he finds a meal. either way its funny to watch.
2007-05-29 06:44:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some of the smaller species of birds are quite aggressive when defending their nests. Most likely they have babies to protect and that instinct over comes any fear.
2007-05-29 06:43:37 · answer #6 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋