I’ve observed jays swooping in and the other birds scattering, but I wonder about the deliberate intent of that action. They don’t “guard” the feeder, they grab a few seeds and leave, so I think it appears more aggressive than it actually is. I’ve many times seen red-bellied woodpeckers land and scatter the jays and other birds. A bird I have often observed staying on the feeder and actually chasing other birds away are mourning doves.
Typically, I only find mourning doves in the middle of poorly paved streets: collecting teeth (grist for the gizzard), dust baths, and just resting, oblivious of cars until the last minute. Never at feeders.
jillifitz over 7 years ago
YES!!! We had an aggressive Jay that always swooped in and chased off the little birds
Helen Ferrieux over 7 years ago
Solution: put up several feeders.
Plods with ...™ over 7 years ago
Usually a squirrel.
NaturLvr over 7 years ago
I’ve observed jays swooping in and the other birds scattering, but I wonder about the deliberate intent of that action. They don’t “guard” the feeder, they grab a few seeds and leave, so I think it appears more aggressive than it actually is. I’ve many times seen red-bellied woodpeckers land and scatter the jays and other birds. A bird I have often observed staying on the feeder and actually chasing other birds away are mourning doves.
wildfiregal over 7 years ago
around my parts they’re call magpies…big noisy stinkers!!
Boise Ed Premium Member over 7 years ago
Just a few minutes ago, a pair of doves swooped in and scattered the sparrows and finches.
hippogriff over 7 years ago
Typically, I only find mourning doves in the middle of poorly paved streets: collecting teeth (grist for the gizzard), dust baths, and just resting, oblivious of cars until the last minute. Never at feeders.