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A Bird Quickly Learns to Tell Urban Friend From Foe
nytimes ^ | May 18, 2009 | HENRY FOUNTAIN

Posted on 05/18/2009 3:24:30 PM PDT by JoeProBono

It’s hard to make it in the city. That’s true for people, but it applies to other species as well. Some animals thrive in urban settings, amid reduced habitat and increased predation, while others don’t. Scientists don’t know why, although it’s thought that certain species are more receptive to their environment and better at adapting themselves to it. In a study at the University of Florida, Douglas J. Levey, an evolutionary ecologist, and his colleagues show that mockingbirds quickly learn to recognize humans who are perceived as threats.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: bird


1 posted on 05/18/2009 3:24:30 PM PDT by JoeProBono
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To: JoeProBono

2 posted on 05/18/2009 3:26:34 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

I miss seeing and hearing the mockingbirds.........

none in my area.......


3 posted on 05/18/2009 3:30:15 PM PDT by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
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To: fishtank

4 posted on 05/18/2009 3:33:48 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

“Other species don’t have it and don’t make it,” he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bull.

Name one species that doesn’t have it.


5 posted on 05/18/2009 3:34:15 PM PDT by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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To: JoeProBono
The Mockingbird (mimus polyglottis) is dauntless in defense of nest and territory, often driving away preadators many time her own size. I have personally seen mockingbirds drive away redtails, jays, crows, cats, possums, dogs, and humans without showing the slightest fear. Yet despite her fearlessness and ferocity in battle, she is a songbird, not a bird of prey. This is why we chose the mockingbird as our fammily symbol.
6 posted on 05/18/2009 3:43:13 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
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To: JoeProBono

All birds learn this. They read your body language very well.


7 posted on 05/18/2009 3:44:44 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (THE SECOND AMENDMENT, A MATTER OF FACT, NOT A MATTER OF OPINION)
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To: SWAMPSNIPER

8 posted on 05/18/2009 3:46:36 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: fishtank

We had a mockingbird who would come when we called and then, of course, we’d put out treats for him/her. He regularly visited a neighbor who offered treats as well. This went on for years after I put one of the fallen baby birds back into the nest. “Chirpy” would visit us regularly and even alight on my husbands lawnmower when he took a break.


9 posted on 05/18/2009 3:49:27 PM PDT by fullchroma (right-wing radical in pearls and lipstick)
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To: JoeProBono

Where I grew up we had a mating pair of Mocking Birds. I loved their songs but in the spring for two or three weeks we couldn’t go out to the back yard because they would attack us and peck us on the head.

Very protective of their young,


10 posted on 05/18/2009 4:51:39 PM PDT by EggsAckley ("There's an Ethiopian in the fuel supply." W.C Fields)
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To: EggsAckley

11 posted on 05/18/2009 5:57:24 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: JoeProBono

We had studio in a section of Nashville filled with studios. Our mockingbird used to sing guitar riffs.

True.


12 posted on 05/18/2009 6:11:26 PM PDT by Grammy (It amazes me how much someone with character and integrity offends someone without.)
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To: Grammy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMpe34Aign4


13 posted on 05/18/2009 6:20:11 PM PDT by JoeProBono (A closed mouth gathers no feet)
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To: mamelukesabre
Image Hosted by ImageShack.us

14 posted on 05/19/2009 7:10:57 PM PDT by WOBBLY BOB (ACORN:American Corruption for Obama Right Now)
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To: WOBBLY BOB

uh oh, a future dodo right there.


15 posted on 05/19/2009 7:19:40 PM PDT by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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