Top Gun

Last Wednesday I was witness to another action of risky defense attack on part of a Northern Mockingbird versus an American Crow this time, which was most likely trying to steal eggs or hatchling from nests within the proclaimed mockingbird’s territory.

When I took notice of this event I had my camera ready but I was limited by the field of view and distance. The whole chase took only seconds but I was able to catch only glimpses of what occurred although with photos occasionally blurred.

The crow was avoiding the Mockingbird’s diving attacks, pecking his back and neck, from open air the crow moved to the tree area to impede the diving attacks but at the same time limiting itself to a sitting position, not such a good strategy at the moment. The mockingbird was relentless and kept the attack from behind in order to avert the powerful crow’s beak. Finally the crow decided although under duress, to flee the spot in the tree and just fly away as fast as it could from the mockingbird which was still in pursue at short distance; then, once the crow was at a safe distance away from the mockingbird’s territory the chase ended and the mockingbird came back to my backyard and sat on the deck’s handrail… victorious!

“His tenacity, skill and heroic determination had saved the day!”

Photo Gallery

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– Hero- Top Gun!

Tags: birds, Interesting information, Northern Mockingbird, photography, photos of birds

17 thoughts on “Top Gun”

Jet Eliot on April 23, 2015 at 10:27 am said:

Great action story, HJ. This time of year there is a lot at stake. 🙂

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- avian101 on April 23, 2015 at 11:15 am said:
  
  Thank you Jet! Yes, certain predators love to eat eggs and nestlings. 🙂
  
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forgottenmeadows on April 23, 2015 at 11:57 am said:

oh nicely captured and I thought you might take interest in reading this story that happened in my homeland sent to me by my friend ( I used to work at that university in the same building it happened) kind of a sad ending but here is the link :http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/topstories/turkey-bullied-by-university-of-waterloo-geese-flies-through-3rd-floor-window-1.3041413

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- avian101 on April 23, 2015 at 1:07 pm said:
  
  The spring is the time when most birds are mating, nesting or incubating their eggs. These are critical moments when every species of birds is guarding against predators. It happens all the time, unfortunately, mistakes are bound to occur too! Thank you Neha for the info! 🙂
  
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  - forgottenmeadows on April 23, 2015 at 1:18 pm said:
    
    No problem I actually thought of you as I read that news 🙂 and thank you for sharing all the wonderful info and shots as usual!
susanpoozan on April 23, 2015 at 3:37 pm said:

Well done that mocking bird, you caught the story very well in your pictures.

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- avian101 on April 23, 2015 at 3:41 pm said:
  
  Yes, he’s my hero! Thank you Susan! 🙂
  
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clarepooley33 on April 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm said:

What a hero!

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- avian101 on April 23, 2015 at 7:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you Clare! 🙂
  
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Tiny on April 23, 2015 at 10:50 pm said:

Thanks for this good story H.J.! He has a good reason to feel victorious 🙂 I saw a crow trying to get to the Osprey nest the other day. He lost as well.

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- avian101 on April 23, 2015 at 11:03 pm said:
  
  It’s the time when a lot of nests are occupied with nestlings, eggs and being raided by predators. Thank you Tiny! 🙂
  
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neihtn2012 on April 24, 2015 at 9:22 am said:

Bravo for that mockingbird. I wish we had some up here to chase away the crows!

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- avian101 on April 24, 2015 at 11:19 am said:
  
  Thanks for sharing N.! 🙂
  
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Just Jude on April 25, 2015 at 8:46 am said:

Tactics at work. Tenacity! Love it. Play by play action, Great!

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- avian101 on April 25, 2015 at 10:24 am said:
  
  Thanks Judy! hoohah! 🙂
  
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45DegreesNorth on April 25, 2015 at 5:02 pm said:

What a great action story and photos!! I love the final shot, of the victorious mockingbird looking quite pleased with himself! The “Little Engine that could”. 🙂

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- avian101 on April 25, 2015 at 6:17 pm said:
  
  With birds, every day is a new adventure! Thanks Amy! 🙂
  
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