Alright Guru, you have had your facts (or observations), lets hear about this attack birds.

Alright Guru, you have had your facts (or observations), lets hear about this attack birds.

 

I have an elevated deck about 10x20 that faces a wooded area, three Cardinals simultaneously flew onto the deck while a fourth took a watch position in a tree directly centered away from my deck about 40 feet away. What I believe was a female came to the exact center point of the deck closest to the open air while the other two searched each side of the deck. Additionally they flew up and inspected the covered corners of the deck. This whole process took about seven seconds. I believe I recognized what I was seeing because of some of the tactical law enforcement training I have had. They definitely appeared to be working as a group and they were deliberate, fast, and highly organized.

 

I believe it breaks down as two workers that did the dirty work, one lookout on the deck that also would serve as a closer/killer if need be, and one long range look out.

This may shed some light on your question.

This may shed some light on your question.

Really cool. Is that outside your place?

Just a minute ago, I looked outside my window at my bird feeder. I get all kinds of birds out there, but almost always several Cardinals. A Bluejay came up for some of the seeds on the ground where most of the birds were. Now, the Bluejay is almost twice the size of the Cardinal, but the male Cardinal kept attacking him chasing him off. Pretty tough little bird too. I will be interested to see what happens when the Mockingbirds want some seeds.

Just a minute ago, I looked outside my window at my bird feeder. I get all kinds of birds out there, but almost always several Cardinals. A Bluejay came up for some of the seeds on the ground where most of the birds were. Now, the Bluejay is almost twice the size of the Cardinal, but the male Cardinal kept attacking him chasing him off. Pretty tough little bird too. I will be interested to see what happens when the Mockingbirds want some seeds.

Catbirds are some nasty motherscratchers. My money is on them.

Catbirds are some nasty motherscratchers. My money is on them.

 

That's what I'm thinking tool.

This may shed some light on your question.

Oooops

Really cool. Is that outside your place?

No, a friend posted it on Facebook, it made me think of Guru's thread, so I stole it.

I have an elevated deck about 10x20 that faces a wooded area, three Cardinals simultaneously flew onto the deck while a fourth took a watch position in a tree directly centered away from my deck about 40 feet away. What I believe was a female came to the exact center point of the deck closest to the open air while the other two searched each side of the deck. Additionally they flew up and inspected the covered corners of the deck. This whole process took about seven seconds. I believe I recognized what I was seeing because of some of the tactical law enforcement training I have had. They definitely appeared to be working as a group and they were deliberate, fast, and highly organized.

 

I believe it breaks down as two workers that did the dirty work, one lookout on the deck that also would serve as a closer/killer if need be, and one long range look out.

 

I realize I am quoting myself...

 

The other night I was watching a show on killer whales and they told a story of how the male and female hunt together which reminded me a little of this. In short, the male sizes up seals near the beach and then attacks coming onto the beach. On the small chance that the seal escapes and heads out to sea the female killer whale is waiting for the kill much like the the bird centered in the middle of the deck and/or the long range lookout.

I have an update on life at my bird feeder. It is clear that a Red-Breasted woodpecker rules the roost. When he feeds on the suet, all others back off....I guess he can be a real pecker

 

Then a Downey Woodpecker, although much smaller, rules the world of the small birds.

 

The cardinals seem to be pretty happy just fitting in with the others.

 

(BTW, we keep a book about birds near the window, and it has become a challenge to determine the type of birds that visit)

 

Took these sitting at my dining room table looking out the window this morning, it made me think of this thread.