Taexalia

wild.life

Mistle Thrush and Dominance

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Amber Status

Yesterday I ramped up the bird feeding opportunities in my garden. This "cold snap", which has brought us our first real winter for as long as I can remember, has brought birds in about who would not normally come so close. At first I thought it was luck, being on the very edge of town, but I have since seen some of these species (Redwing and Fieldfare) near the High Street. The search for food is intense just now, so, in addition to my seed and nut feeders, I chopped up an apple, soaked some dried fruit in a little water to soften it and grabbed some plain porridge oats. I put the food in various spots, all with space around to give the ground birds a clear view of any approaching felines, and then stood at my window to watch.

This is the part I really enjoy, the time after the Human leaves and the garden is deserted but the eyes have seen and the conversation begins.

The Robin came first, always the fearless one, followed by various Tits flitting here and there. It is their energy, movement and chatter which seems to send the message out - once the Tits have begun to dance, the Sparrows follow, Crow sits high in the tree and joins the conversation and the inquisitive zooming begins.

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris)

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) - Red Status

Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Robin, Blackbird - all the usual suspects. But recently the presence of Mistle Thrush, Redwing and Fieldfare have caused a stir. The Mistle Thrush sends the Blackbirds packing and when the Fieldfare arrive, they are also given short shrift. A Redwing makes a daring dart and snaffles a taster before the Mistle Thrush chases it over the tall privet hedge. It is interesting to observe which birds are allowed to eat - all the small birds are left in peace.

A Blackcap arrives and, for a time, he is left in peace but his increasing attention to the fruit bowl leads to a red card from the Mistle Thrush - who has now placed himself on the telephone wires above the centre of the garden.

I watch, enthralled, as nature plays its game before me and I amuse myself with my thoughts and feelings...

My excitement at the presence of a Mistle Thrush over the last few weeks is clouded as I watch it dominate the garden and chase away some of the other birds I want to see who are also unusual and threatened species. I am intrigued by the way it holds itself - that it seems to just sit there and command respect of its space.

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) Holding Court

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - Amber Status

As my laughable little feelings respond to a Redwing removal... "hey I put the food out for all of you"... I am reminded of MisssyM's recent post about thank you cards and thoughts about how we are pressured into writing them - as if the gift arrives with conditions attached. I rather liked the way Misssy described this type of behaviour (dominance, controlling) as "nonsense" in the comments.

Of course it is nonsense to put bird food out and then wish to control how it is shared... and when the row of Black-Headed Gulls arrive on the house behind the shed, I smile and wonder if the Mistle Thrush will chase them away too. One swoops in and grabs a piece of apple and then they all seem to decide that moving on is best. Mister Mistle Thrush remains perched and watchful.

Later, I watch as his lady appears and feeds. She is smaller and it is the first time I have seen her. I hope they will stay and breed and make a stand for returning this species to Green Status.

I ponder the dominance energy that I have seen in human situations recently - energy that in wild birds equates to survival, but in humans just seems to create discord. The Mistle Thrush doesn't know I have enough fruit and apples to feed them all... but why do some humans need to control or silence others when there is space for both to be individual...?

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Posted on January 9, 2010 in Ponderings, Wildlife.

2 Responses to “Mistle Thrush and Dominance”

  1. Mossrose Wilson says:
    January 15, 2010 at 12:40 am

    How big is that Mistle thrush? It looks smaller than a robin… Thanks for the photo I have always
    Wondered what they look like..
    A very nice blog! I will vote for you!!
    Mossrose

  2. Taexalia says:
    January 15, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    Hi Mossrose :)

    Mistle Thrush is much bigger than our Robins – generally measuring in at around 27cm (just short of a foot ;) Bigger than a Blackbird, smaller than a Grey Collared Dove :)

    Thanks for the vote!

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