Ever see someone get attacked by a swarm of bees?

[Loupey]

Yeah it was kind of like that

[paulnj]

safety in numbers

[CaraRose]

LOL!

I've seen it happen at a distance before where three or four little birds are going at a raptor. This guy's got a heck of a flock going at him.

The second is my favorite. Lots of action

[AgingEyes]

I always wonder: why don't the hawks, eagles or even the kestrels fight back? Usually I see one small bird chasing out the hawk, etc., not like what you show, but the hawk and such never turn around and fight.

[Loupey]

I always wonder: why don't the hawks, eagles or even the kestrels fight back? Usually I see one small bird chasing out the hawk, etc., not like what you show, but the hawk and such never turn around and fight.

Buteo hawks, eagles, and kestrels don't usually go after such small birds and so I think the harassing birds know this and feel more confident in such actions.

You never see larger (food) birds like ducks, geese, and herons going after raptors. Similarly, you never see these small birds harass "bird hawks" like coopers hawks.

My theory.

[snowblade]

I no expert, but I believe the theories are more based on flying abilities. Smaller birds are much more capable of fast maneuvering, while the big birds/raptors, have the strength, but not necessarily the speed. It's easier/more fuel efficient for them to just go away rather then fight back.

Sara

[WesternGuy]

Great images Loupey!! I have seen similar situations where a mom and dad robin will chase a crow away from the area of their nest. I am assuming that is because crows are know to eat their (the robins) eggs?

WesternGuy

[Loupey]

Thanks for looking, Sara and WG.

It is interesting to watch what will chase what. I see monarch butterflies and swallowtail butterflies "go after" birds that fly overhead all the time.

Over this particular field of red-wing blackbirds, the same birds have gone after turkey vultures. So any perceived threat to their young that can't turn around and catch/eat them gets similar treatment - makes sense.

[CaraRose]

Today stuck in traffic on the expressway I saw a rather large raptor... most likely a hawk, being bombarded, literally, by a single blackbird. The blackbird would fly up, dive bomb down, and bounce off the hawk's back about two feet, recover himself (or herself, I suppose), and go take another wack at the hawk.

Made me think of these pictures

[sparkie1263]

Great series of images.

Frank

[AgingEyes]

I saw something interesting last weekend: a crow got harassed and chased away by a few european starlings. Didn't think I would see a crow got harassed.

[Loupey]

Captured this sequence last night.

1000mm through a lot of hot and humid air so ain't the sharpest.

[CaraRose]

I saw an Egret being chased by four blackbirds the other day. Wish I had had my camera!

[Frog]

I see crows chasing them around here all the time.
I, too, think it is more to do with flight characteristics and protection of nests.

[Daruba]

Nice find! :thumbsup: