Wild Turkey Behavior
Hi all,
Today we're going to take a look at a quick video that we shot from the back yard a few weeks ago, in which our flock of wild turkeys realized that a red-tailed hawk was not only in the neighborhood, but perched in the maple tree right beside them.
Notice how the turkey freezes once she senses danger... What you can't see because we edited it out is that she stayed frozen like that for over two minutes before she fanned her tail -- clearly positioning the tail to make herself look as big as possible to the hawk.
Her flockmates, once they realize the presence of the predator, show exactly the same behavior as they dash for the refuge of the tree line.
The hawk, once spotted, decided that there was easier prey elsewhere and flew away--she was huge and gorgeous, and the only video we have of her is a half-second shot of a wisp of her wing as she flies away (not included in this video).
All in all, it was an interesting view of how even large birds will react to the presence of a predator in the vicinity.
See you by those hawk-free feeders,
CapeCodAlan
Cornell Ornithology Laboratory: Inside Birding
Today we're going to take a look at a quick video that we shot from the back yard a few weeks ago, in which our flock of wild turkeys realized that a red-tailed hawk was not only in the neighborhood, but perched in the maple tree right beside them.
Notice how the turkey freezes once she senses danger... What you can't see because we edited it out is that she stayed frozen like that for over two minutes before she fanned her tail -- clearly positioning the tail to make herself look as big as possible to the hawk.
Her flockmates, once they realize the presence of the predator, show exactly the same behavior as they dash for the refuge of the tree line.
The hawk, once spotted, decided that there was easier prey elsewhere and flew away--she was huge and gorgeous, and the only video we have of her is a half-second shot of a wisp of her wing as she flies away (not included in this video).
All in all, it was an interesting view of how even large birds will react to the presence of a predator in the vicinity.
See you by those hawk-free feeders,
CapeCodAlan
Cornell Ornithology Laboratory: Inside Birding
Cornell Ornithology Laboratory: All About Birding
Comments
CCA, Happy New Year to you and the Mrs.
As an observer of bird behavior, I was curious to know whether the hawk was to the left or right of the main character in the video?
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris
Posted by: Harry Morris | January 5, 2010 1:18 PM
Hi Harry,
Happy New Year to you and yours!
The hawk was to the right in a large elm tree... We tried to get a shot of him as he swooped by about 10' away, but that's like trying to film a bullet.
Harry, since you're interested in bird behavior, one book to check out is "Birds of New England" by Fred J. Alsop III (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789484277/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1551053845&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=13355SFZRVJEM9JFMB70 ... and http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1012159218&searchurl=an%3Dfred%2Bj.%2Balsop%26sts%3Dt%26x%3D58%26y%3D10). In that book, Alsop shows flight patterns of individual birds - nice feature.
Thanks,
CCA
Posted by: CapeCodAlan | January 5, 2010 9:52 PM
It then became obviously apparent that this bird bore all the plumage characteristics of a young wild bird. Now, I have observed a wild turkey now and again that displayed somewhat fearless behavior but nothing so extreme as this individual.
Posted by: r4 ds | January 6, 2010 4:18 AM
CCA
Thanks for the book reference. After I stop/started the video, and realized the dark shadow thingy, was the Hawk. Great video! I took a great still shot of a Morning Dove holding up a wing against a snake that I thought was quite interesting. Morning Doves will follow a snake until its gone and no longer a threat.
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris
Posted by: Harry Morris | January 6, 2010 12:56 PM