Trouble has come to town

[MitchP]

The Red Winged Blackbirds are starting to show up in numbers. Possibly the most ill tempered and aggressive beast on the planet!

 

[Jeff15]

He looks OK to me.....

 

[terri]

Really? I've not personally witnessed any bullying behavior in the flocks that have appeared in my yard(s) over time. They are beautiful to watch taking off together.

What I don't like seeing are the grackles. And the worst offender ever was a single mockingbird, in Georgia, who literally staked out my yard as his personal territory. He'd sit in one of my trees and go after anyone - including these blackbirds - who dared swoop in to a feeder. I'd watch him run everyone clear out of my yard and back to the treeline, then he'd return to his station in the tree. He was a little jerk!

 

[jeffashman]

Nice shot! I've had a pair visiting the feeder for the past couple of months. Once the catskills grow back down at the pond, there will be a large number nesting down there. Haven't really seen any aggression from them.

 

[John 2]

Nice quality.

 

[MitchP]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, I have been maligning these sweet little creatures

 

[jeffashman]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, I have been maligning these sweet little creatures

View attachment 264290

They're just providing an escort...

 

[terri]

Thanks everyone!

Yes, I have been maligning these sweet little creatures

View attachment 264290

That's a hawk! They're chasing a known predator away from nesting grounds, more than likely. That's not bullying; it's defending.

 

[MitchP]

That's a hawk! They're chasing a known predator away from nesting grounds, more than likely. That's not bullying; it's defending.

Haha! I watch these little demons attack everything from hawks to crows, to sparrows. Anything that dares enter their territory! Including photographers and their sweet little dog!

 

[jeffashman]

That's a sweet shot!

 

[slat]

Nice shots.