[NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour

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From: David Simpson <david.sonsimp@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 May 2020 14:43:58 -0300
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
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I could imagine a sticking point at your panel discussion being the
definition of a "bird study". If I am casually walking in the woods and
*pssh* out a bird or use a callback because I'm curious, that would be me
practicing my hobby. But if I then upload the observation to *ebird,* does
that make it a study?

Regards

*Dave in Curry's Corner*

David Simpson
(902) 580 8007
david.sonsimp@gmail.com


On Wed, May 20, 2020 at 2:06 PM John Kearney <j.f.kearney@gmail.com> wrote:

> A meeting on this subject seems like a great idea!
>
>
>
> *From:* naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca *On Behalf Of *Diane LeBlanc
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 20, 2020 13:39
> *To:* naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour
>
>
>
> Your point is well-taken John, thank you.  I understood the ABA as lumpin=
g
> playback and mob calls together as =E2=80=9Crecordings and other audio me=
thods.=E2=80=9D
> Given that using audio in the field is stressful for birds, why doesn=E2=
=80=99t the
> ABA Code of Ethics state that audio is only acceptable for bird studies a=
nd
> not for hobby birding?
>
>
>
> I would love to have a members meeting on this topic, a panel discussion
> on the pros and cons of using audio (with regard to the birds needs and n=
ot
> our own).  And while I am dreaming, an outline of what the =E2=80=98limit=
s=E2=80=99 are:
> when it is okay and when it is not okay, assuming it is okay at times.
>
>
>
> I will admit (gulp!) that I have used audio and have been a bystander to
> its use.  A clear ethical code and explicit agreements about its use in
> Nova Scotia may help change practices here.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *"naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
> on behalf of John Kearney <j.f.kearney@gmail.com>
> *Reply-To: *"naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
> *Date: *Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 1:07 PM
> *To: *"naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
> *Subject: *RE: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour
>
>
>
> Please note Diane that I directed my remarks about unethical birding to
> the play-back of mobbing calls, which does not avoid but instead aims to
> stress birds. I do agree with you that many dimensions of birding and
> ornithology disturb birds. We need to reassess our actions continually. H=
ow
> much of our intervention in the life of birds stems from meeting their
> needs or our needs? Science-based evidence is a useful tool, but it is no=
t
> enough. We also need to decide what kind of relationship we want to have
> with them. If it is one of respect, and understanding our lives as
> intertwined with theirs, then many of our practices may have to be called
> into question.
>
> John
>
>
>
> *From:* naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca *On Behalf Of *Diane LeBlanc
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 20, 2020 11:50
> *To:* naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour
>
>
>
> With regard to playback and mob calls, the ABA Code of Ethics limits but
> does not ban the use of audio: Here is an excerpt from their Code of Ethi=
cs:
>
>
>
> =E2=80=9CAvoid stressing birds or exposing them to danger. Be particularl=
y
> cautious around active nests and nesting colonies, roosts, display sites,
> and feeding sites*. *Limit the use of recordings and other audio methods
> of attracting birds, particularly in heavily birded areas, for species th=
at
> are rare in the area, and for species that are threatened or endangered*.=
*
> Always exercise caution and restraint when photographing, recording, or
> otherwise approaching birds.=E2=80=9D
>
>
>
> Audubon is more lenient: Here is an excerpt from their website:
>
>
>
> =E2=80=9CPlayback is one of the most powerful tools in a birder=E2=80=99s=
 struggle to see
> birds in the wild. It will arouse the curiosity of any species at any tim=
e
> of year, but it works best on territorial species during nesting season.
> Birds that might otherwise be too shy to come into the open can be
> attracted by the sound of a potential rival. Whether this trickery has an=
y
> significant impact on the birds is not so clear.
>
>
>
> Fundamentally, birding disturbs birds. Everything we do has an impact on
> them. But in some situations playback can be less disruptive than other
> methods of attracting birds, at times even less disruptive than sitting
> quietly and waiting for a bird to show. Proponents argue that playback
> reduces the need to physically enter and disturb a bird=E2=80=99s habitat=
 and,
> unlike pishing, targets a single species.=E2=80=9D
>
>
>
> So, it is no wonder that birders may feel that it=E2=80=99s okay to use m=
ob calls
> and bird recording to attract birds.
>
>
>
> I suggest that changing this birder behaviour requires scientific evidenc=
e
> followed by strong peer pressure.  I=E2=80=99d be very interested to see =
studies,
> and, in particular, meta-analyses on this topic. The NSBS is strongly
> committed to putting birds first but we need to be in a defensible positi=
on
> before making recommendations.
>
>
>
> Just my thoughts!
>
>
>
> Diane
>
>
>
>
>
> *From: *"naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
> on behalf of Shouty McShoutsalot <desolatechair@gmail.com>
> *Reply-To: *"naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
> *Date: *Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 11:04 AM
> *To: *naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
> *Subject: *Re: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour
>
>
>
> Education is incremental.  However there birders who should know better
> who still employ pishing.
>
>
>
> On Wed., May 20, 2020, 08:08 John Kearney, <j.f.kearney@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> That is unfortunate, and those who are doing so are not following the
> ethical guidelines of Birds Canada and the American Birding Association. =
In
> some cases, judicious use of playback is considered permissible for
> conservation research. However, as noted in an earlier discussion in this
> forum, this is increasingly unnecessary with the availability of autonomo=
us
> recording units.
>
>
>
> *From:* naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca *On Behalf Of *Shouty McShoutsalot
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 20, 2020 07:21
> *To:* naturens <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
> *Subject:* Re: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour
>
>
>
> Re mobbing calls regrettably it is still a common practice among birders.
> With cell phones and birding apps its easy to produce and playback them a=
t
> will.
>
>
>
> On Tue., May 19, 2020, 21:38 John Kearney, <j.f.kearney@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Burkhard,
> Many bird species have mobbing calls. You may have seen the Black-capped
> Chickadee doing this many times. Perhaps you thought it was curious about
> you but more likely, it was letting other birds know of your presence. On=
e
> of the fascinating things about mobbing calls is that some species
> understand the unique mobbing calls of another species as a mobbing call
> and will join in multi-species harassment of a predator. Mobbing works, i=
t
> is believed, not so much because the predator is frightened, but because =
it
> has been outed. It has lost the advantage of a surprise attack. In the
> past, birders would play recordings of mobbing calls to attract a wide
> variety of species, and with the hopes flushing out a rare bird. Birders
> have abandoned this practice since it causes unnecessary stress to the
> birds and distracts them from more important tasks such as feeding young =
or
> building up fat reserves for their migration.
> John
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca On Behalf Of Burkhard Plache
> Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 18:59
> To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
> Subject: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour
>
> Hello fellow naturalists:
>
> We have a pair of starlings is raising its brood in a former hairy
> woodpecker cavity in our front yard. Today, there were some 10-12 starlin=
gs
> scattered in the nearby branches. A few minutes later, a big ruckus broke
> out, with a squirrel departing the tree at high speed pursued by some 5-6
> of the starlings.
>
> My question is: Are starlings known to band together in times of trouble?
> If so, they must have some means of calling for help in case of a threat.
>
> Curious,
> Burkhard
>
>

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div>I could imagine a sticking point at your panel discus=
sion being the definition of a &quot;bird study&quot;. If I am casually wal=
king in the woods and <i>pssh</i>=C2=A0out a bird or use a callback because=
 I&#39;m curious, that would be me practicing my hobby. But if I then uploa=
d the observation to <i>ebird,</i>=C2=A0does that make it a study?=C2=A0</d=
iv><div><br></div><div>Regards</div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr" cl=
ass=3D"gmail_signature" data-smartmail=3D"gmail_signature"><div dir=3D"ltr"=
><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><di=
v dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-siz=
e:small"><i style=3D"color:rgb(255,0,0);font-size:large">Dave in Curry&#39;=
s Corner</i></div><div style=3D"font-size:small"><i style=3D"color:rgb(255,=
0,0);font-size:large"><br></i></div><div><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><font c=
olor=3D"#000000" size=3D"2">David Simpson</font></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><fon=
t color=3D"#000000" size=3D"2">(902) 580 8007</font></div><div><font color=
=3D"#000000" size=3D"2"><a href=3D"mailto:david.sonsimp@gmail.com" target=
=3D"_blank">david.sonsimp@gmail.com</a></font></div></div></div></div></div=
></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></=
div><br></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmai=
l_attr">On Wed, May 20, 2020 at 2:06 PM John Kearney &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:=
j.f.kearney@gmail.com">j.f.kearney@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><block=
quote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1=
px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div lang=3D"EN-CA"><div class=
=3D"gmail-m_6053234362529438407WordSection1"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span s=
tyle=3D"font-size:12pt">A meeting on this subject seems like a great idea!<=
u></u><u></u></span></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:12p=
t"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></span></p><div><div style=3D"border-right:none;bord=
er-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);paddi=
ng:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span lang=3D"EN-US">From:</span>=
</b><span lang=3D"EN-US"> <a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" =
target=3D"_blank">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Dia=
ne LeBlanc<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 20, 2020 13:39<br><b>To:</b> <a h=
ref=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.=
ns.ca</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour<u>=
</u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></=
u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">Your point is well-taken John, thank you.=C2=
=A0 I understood the ABA as lumping playback and mob calls together as =E2=
=80=9C<span style=3D"font-size:11.5pt;font-family:&quot;PT Sans&quot;,serif=
;color:rgb(66,66,66);background:white">recordings and other audio methods</=
span>.=E2=80=9D=C2=A0 Given that using audio in the field is stressful for =
birds, why doesn=E2=80=99t the ABA Code of Ethics state that audio is only =
acceptable for bird studies and not for hobby birding?=C2=A0 <u></u><u></u>=
</p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">I=
 would love to have a members meeting on this topic, a panel discussion on =
the pros and cons of using audio (with regard to the birds needs and not ou=
r own).=C2=A0 And while I am dreaming, an outline of what the =E2=80=98limi=
ts=E2=80=99 are: when it is okay and when it is not okay, assuming it is ok=
ay at times.=C2=A0 <u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u=
></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">I will admit (gulp!) that I have used audio=
 and have been a bystander to its use.=C2=A0 A clear ethical code and expli=
cit agreements about its use in Nova Scotia may help change practices here.=
 =C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><p =
class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><div style=3D"border-right:none=
;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(181,196,223);=
padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p><p clas=
s=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">From: </span>=
</b><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">&quot;<a href=3D"mailto:natu=
rens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca<=
/a>&quot; &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_b=
lank">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>&gt; on behalf of John Kearney &lt;<=
a href=3D"mailto:j.f.kearney@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">j.f.kearney@gmail=
.com</a>&gt;<br><b>Reply-To: </b>&quot;<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.=
ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>&quot; &lt;<a href=3D"m=
ailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a=
>&gt;<br><b>Date: </b>Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 1:07 PM<br><b>To: </b>&quo=
t;<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens@che=
bucto.ns.ca</a>&quot; &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=
=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>&gt;<br><b>Subject: </b>RE: [NatureN=
S] Question: Starling Behaviour<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal"><u></u>=C2=A0<u></u></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><s=
pan style=3D"font-size:12pt">Please note Diane that I directed my remarks a=
bout unethical birding to the play-back of mobbing calls, which does not av=
oid but instead aims to stress birds. I do agree with you that many dimensi=
ons of birding and ornithology disturb birds. We need to reassess our actio=
ns continually. How much of our intervention in the life of birds stems fro=
m meeting their needs or our needs? Science-based evidence is a useful tool=
, but it is not enough. We also need to decide what kind of relationship we=
 want to have with them. If it is one of respect, and understanding our liv=
es as intertwined with theirs, then many of our practices may have to be ca=
lled into question.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span st=
yle=3D"font-size:12pt">John</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=
<span style=3D"font-size:12pt">=C2=A0</span><u></u><u></u></p><div><div sty=
le=3D"border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt =
solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span=
 lang=3D"EN-US">From:</span></b><span lang=3D"EN-US"> <a href=3D"mailto:nat=
urens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca=
</a> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Diane LeBlanc<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 20, 2=
020 11:50<br><b>To:</b> <a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=
=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NatureNS] Q=
uestion: Starling Behaviour</span><u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class=3D=
"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">With regard to p=
layback and mob calls, the ABA Code of Ethics limits but does not ban the u=
se of audio: Here is an excerpt from their Code of Ethics:<u></u><u></u></p=
><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><spa=
n style=3D"font-size:11.5pt;font-family:&quot;PT Sans&quot;,serif;color:rgb=
(66,66,66);background:white">=E2=80=9CAvoid stressing birds or exposing the=
m to danger. Be particularly cautious around active nests and nesting colon=
ies, roosts, display sites, and feeding sites<b>. </b>Limit the use of reco=
rdings and other audio methods of attracting birds, particularly in heavily=
 birded areas, for species that are rare in the area, and for species that =
are threatened or endangered<b>.</b> Always exercise caution and restraint =
when photographing, recording, or otherwise approaching birds.=E2=80=9D</sp=
an><u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p clas=
s=3D"MsoNormal">Audubon is more lenient: Here is an excerpt from their webs=
ite:<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p cla=
ss=3D"MsoNormal">=E2=80=9CPlayback is one of the most powerful tools in a b=
irder=E2=80=99s struggle to see birds in the wild. It will arouse the curio=
sity of any species at any time of year, but it works best on territorial s=
pecies during nesting season. Birds that might otherwise be too shy to come=
 into the open can be attracted by the sound of a potential rival. Whether =
this trickery has any significant impact on the birds is not so clear. <u><=
/u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"Ms=
oNormal">Fundamentally, birding disturbs birds. Everything we do has an imp=
act on them. But in some situations playback can be less disruptive than ot=
her methods of attracting birds, at times even less disruptive than sitting=
 quietly and waiting for a bird to show. Proponents argue that playback red=
uces the need to physically enter and disturb a bird=E2=80=99s habitat and,=
 unlike pishing, targets a single species.=E2=80=9D<u></u><u></u></p><p cla=
ss=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">So, it is n=
o wonder that birders may feel that it=E2=80=99s okay to use mob calls and =
bird recording to attract birds. =C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNor=
mal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">I suggest that changing=
 this birder behaviour requires scientific evidence followed by strong peer=
 pressure.=C2=A0 I=E2=80=99d be very interested to see studies, and, in par=
ticular, meta-analyses on this topic. The NSBS is strongly committed to put=
ting birds first but we need to be in a defensible position before making r=
ecommendations.<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u=
></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">Just my thoughts!<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"=
MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">Diane<u></u><u></=
u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"=
>=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><div style=3D"border-right:none;border-bottom:none=
;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(181,196,223);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm=
"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">From=
: </span></b><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">&quot;</span><a hre=
f=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D=
"font-size:12pt">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</span></a><span style=3D"fon=
t-size:12pt;color:black">&quot; &lt;</span><a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner=
@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt">naturens-=
owner@chebucto.ns.ca</span></a><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">&=
gt; on behalf of Shouty McShoutsalot &lt;</span><a href=3D"mailto:desolatec=
hair@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt">desolatech=
air@gmail.com</span></a><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">&gt;<br>=
<b>Reply-To: </b>&quot;</span><a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" ta=
rget=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</spa=
n></a><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">&quot; &lt;</span><a href=
=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-s=
ize:12pt">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</span></a><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;c=
olor:black">&gt;<br><b>Date: </b>Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 11:04 AM<br><b>=
To: </b>naturens &lt;</span><a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" targ=
et=3D"_blank"><span style=3D"font-size:12pt">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</span>=
</a><span style=3D"font-size:12pt;color:black">&gt;<br><b>Subject: </b>Re: =
[NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour</span><u></u><u></u></p></div><div>=
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class=3D"MsoNo=
rmal">Education is incremental.=C2=A0 However there birders who should know=
 better who still employ pishing.<u></u><u></u></p></div><p class=3D"MsoNor=
mal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">On Wed., May =
20, 2020, 08:08 John Kearney, &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:j.f.kearney@gmail.com" =
target=3D"_blank">j.f.kearney@gmail.com</a>&gt; wrote:<u></u><u></u></p></d=
iv><blockquote style=3D"border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:non=
e;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 6pt;margin:5pt=
 0cm 5pt 4.8pt"><div><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:1=
2pt">That is unfortunate, and those who are doing so are not following the =
ethical guidelines of Birds Canada and the American Birding Association. In=
 some cases, judicious use of playback is considered permissible for conser=
vation research. However, as noted in an earlier discussion in this forum, =
this is increasingly unnecessary with the availability of autonomous record=
ing units. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"f=
ont-size:12pt">=C2=A0</span><u></u><u></u></p><div style=3D"border-right:no=
ne;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225=
);padding:3pt 0cm 0cm"><p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span lang=3D"EN-US">From:=
</span></b><span lang=3D"EN-US"> </span><a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@ch=
ebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span lang=3D"EN-US">naturens-owner@chebuct=
o.ns.ca</span></a> <b><span lang=3D"EN-US">On Behalf Of </span></b><span la=
ng=3D"EN-US">Shouty McShoutsalot<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 20, 2020 07=
:21<br><b>To:</b> naturens &lt;</span><a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.n=
s.ca" target=3D"_blank"><span lang=3D"EN-US">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</span>=
</a><span lang=3D"EN-US">&gt;<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NatureNS] Question: S=
tarling Behaviour</span><u></u><u></u></p></div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=
=A0<u></u><u></u></p><div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">Re mobbing calls regrettab=
ly it is still a common practice among birders.=C2=A0 With cell phones and =
birding apps its easy to produce and playback them at will.<u></u><u></u></=
p></div><p class=3D"MsoNormal">=C2=A0<u></u><u></u></p><div><div><p class=
=3D"MsoNormal">On Tue., May 19, 2020, 21:38 John Kearney, &lt;<a href=3D"ma=
ilto:j.f.kearney@gmail.com" target=3D"_blank">j.f.kearney@gmail.com</a>&gt;=
 wrote:<u></u><u></u></p></div><blockquote style=3D"border-top:none;border-=
right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);paddin=
g:0cm 0cm 0cm 6pt;margin:5pt 0cm 5pt 4.8pt"><p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D=
"margin-bottom:12pt">Hi Burkhard,<br>Many bird species have mobbing calls. =
You may have seen the Black-capped Chickadee doing this many times. Perhaps=
 you thought it was curious about you but more likely, it was letting other=
 birds know of your presence. One of the fascinating things about mobbing c=
alls is that some species understand the unique mobbing calls of another sp=
ecies as a mobbing call and will join in multi-species harassment of a pred=
ator. Mobbing works, it is believed, not so much because the predator is fr=
ightened, but because it has been outed. It has lost the advantage of a sur=
prise attack. In the past, birders would play recordings of mobbing calls t=
o attract a wide variety of species, and with the hopes flushing out a rare=
 bird. Birders have abandoned this practice since it causes unnecessary str=
ess to the birds and distracts them from more important tasks such as feedi=
ng young or building up fat reserves for their migration. <br>John<br><br>-=
----Original Message-----<br>From: <a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebuct=
o.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca</a> On Behalf Of B=
urkhard Plache<br>Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2020 18:59<br>To: <a href=3D"mailt=
o:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" target=3D"_blank">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a><br=
>Subject: [NatureNS] Question: Starling Behaviour<br><br>Hello fellow natur=
alists:<br><br>We have a pair of starlings is raising its brood in a former=
 hairy woodpecker cavity in our front yard. Today, there were some 10-12 st=
arlings scattered in the nearby branches. A few minutes later, a big ruckus=
 broke out, with a squirrel departing the tree at high speed pursued by som=
e 5-6 of the starlings.<br><br>My question is: Are starlings known to band =
together in times of trouble?<br>If so, they must have some means of callin=
g for help in case of a threat.<br><br>Curious,<br>Burkhard<u></u><u></u></=
p></blockquote></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></blo=
ckquote></div>

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