Have you ever been bombed by an angry bird? Have you ever seen a bird attack another? You better believe that birds get angry! they get excited in different situations and to varying degrees; Most notably in defense of:
· province
· family
Food source or sources
The tufted titmouse has marked its territory by declaring its claim from the treetops of that area. By doing so, attract the attention of a potential mate. She likes to pronounce him, cut off his arm. Then another man-tufted titmouse flies in; This will not do! Our intrepid little friend got there first, and he’ll hastily dispatch the intruder.
Titmice tend to be quite feisty, even though they are small birds. Our hero has proven his mettle in front of the female lead, and in fact he has sealed the deal! He showed her that their offspring would carry the same traits and be able to take care of themselves when the time was right.
The happy couple has built a cozy nest, and their eggs have just hatched. Mr. Titmouse stands guard at various points around his lands. He vigilantly watches for four-footed or winged creatures that dare to approach his family. Any attacker like that would face the wrath of this warrior man! If a loud scolding does not do the trick, he will go so far as to peck them with his beak, snatch them with his claws, and whack them with his body, despite the potential danger to himself.
Food sources are protected like gold bars. You can imagine how you would feel if someone tried to break in and steal the contents of your fridge and pantry. Providing nourishment to the growing family is a powerful motivator to defend those reserves. The same is true in the animal kingdom. It’s hard work finding enough food for a set of large, wide-open beaks. Small birds have big mouths!
American crows tend to get easily excited and angry when they become aware of potential dangers to their family, territory, or food supply. Being very large birds, they will not hesitate to attack a potential intruder. If necessary, they will mobilize their gang to assist in the attack.
Not all birds react violently when they perceive a threat. Just like humans, they all have distinct personalities as well as different thresholds for anger responses. Some species are quite docile in nature and are not at all prone to violence. For example, an eastern bluebird will stand by while another bird moves into its birdhouse and destroys its nest!
So we need to find out why some birds “retreat” and wait for other birds to fly away. Or, if two birds of the same species come to the feeder at once, why should one perch and let the other eat his fill before he can eat?
When birds meet, signs visible to them in the ultraviolet wavelength of light transmit information that allows other birds to know who is who, so to speak. These markings identify higher-ranking birds, those of other species known to be easily angered, older fliers, and so on.
Hierarchy is not only for ownership in the human world. Class distinctions and the rule of seniority are also in the ornithological world. Younger birds must wait for older birds; Birds with less intense colors should yield to those with richer colors, etc. If the bird tries to “override the system”, you can be sure that it will be met with angry responses from its “bosses”.
Who would have thought that such birds occur on a daily basis all over the world. It’s tough out there in the wild bird world. As always, in the natural world, it is the “survival of the fittest,” sometimes the angrier, that determines the victor.