Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Jacksaw brutality

I've just witnessed an odd spectacle in the centre of Todmorden. A fledged Jackdaw juvenile in one of the car parks was being attacked by 2 or 3 adults. I must admit to a soft spot for this most engaging of urban birds, and I stepped towards the scene and scared the adults away. The youngster, which could only just fly, moved off a few yards, and it seemed to be being watched over by one adult. We didn't have time to linger, and passing the scene a couple of hours later there was no sign of the youngster (dead or alive).
I have always thought of them as very sociable birds - has anyone seen this sort of behaviour elsewhere?
Posted by at

2 comments:

David Sutcliffe said...

I have not seen this sort of behaviour before Jeff - interesting! I did see a Coot today having a right go at it's own young, biting them at the back of the neck and them squeeling, moments later the adult was feeding them - strange behaviour.

9:41 pm
J.uttley said...

Husband was watching one of newly fledged jackdaw on the barn roof. It was being inspected by the jackdaw neighbours, who then called in about 12 others from the area. They walked round it seeming to inspect it then obviuosly decided they didn't like it; and suddenly attack it sending it tumbling to the ground. As this was about 6am it was a while before he arrived to check out the scene and there was no sign of the youngster. Interesting or not.

4:46 pm

Post a Comment