I had a feeling when I was watching the earlier video of the Juvenile Greenfinch feeding that the Sparrow did more than just scare the youngster away. I slowed the action down to 10% and you can see how the Sparrow lands on the Greenfinch and appears to use its feet to throw the youngster bodily from the perch.
I agree John - that was a deliberate move by the Sparrow. Interesting too how the Greenfinch was studiously watching its arrival - poor wee thing!!
ReplyDeleteHi Tricia. Every now and then there is an argument between a Greenfinch and a Sparrow in the nearby tree. Mind you the Sparrows are nearly as argumentative as the Starlings some days.
ReplyDeleteI think I will have to get a larger feeder with more perches. It was bedlam this morning as so many small birds were jockeying for the four perches.
Brilliant bit of video there, John! That's definitely a red card for the sparrow, I reckon - going for the player and not the perch.
ReplyDeleteA little thug, these videos are really informative and entertaining, thanks Adrian.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that when I first I watched it John, right at the end of the clip. Then when he's dislodged him, he goes to another perch on the feeder.
ReplyDeleteThe slowed down footage is excellent.
Thanks Rob. Ulead VideoStudio 11 seems to do a good job of slowing the action down. Things happen so fast it is often easy to miss exactly what is going on.
ReplyDeleteThank you Adrian. I enjoy taking them and it is an nice extra when others enjoy watching them.
ReplyDeleteYes Keith. I had noticed that the Sparrow was aggressive but thought initially it was just barging in. Maybe it was making room for its own young as there are quite a few juvenile Sparrows about at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWow! Nasty sparrow!! Very clever piece of video.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick. It all happens here! Every aspect of birdy life. Sparrows can be very aggressive, especially considering how small they are.
ReplyDeleteYes that really emphasises the dastardly deed, caught on camera indeed! The Sparrow won't be able to deny it! Time to call in Inspector Bobby to issue a warning or an arrest warrant for disorderly behaviour:)
ReplyDeleteThe Sparrows can be very aggressive sometimes. I was really surprised just what the Sparrow did when I made the slow motion version.
ReplyDeleteBobby is keeping a low profile trying to find the coolest spot where he can still keep an eye and an ear on everything and everybody.
That's fascinating John! I am studying animal behaviour at the moment (mostly dogs actually) but I have read a bit about the origins of the word 'henpecked' and how birds really do have a 'pecking order' in their society. I guess the greenfinch was lower down the pecking order!
ReplyDeleteHi Matron. There is plenty of behaviour variation to study in the animal kingdom. Even the different barks dogs use I find interesting. All my dogs have had a tentative 'is there another dog about' bark which is very quiet with a listening period between each short, single bark. Then there are the excited, warning and aggressive barks / growls and probably others in between.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Matron. It isn't just the male of our species which is henpecked :)