[SBB] Milpitas Backyard

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SBBers,

With the "interesting" weather today, an interesting variety of birds visited our backyard feeders or just to see what all the other birds are interested in.

A pair of Western Tanagers, two pair of Black-headed Grosbeaks, a Brown-headed Cowbird, and a Swainson's Thrush.  

This is a "good" migrant day for our Milpitas backyard.

These in addition to the local resident visitors of Western Scurb-Jay, Mourning Dove, Anna's Hummingbird, House Finch, House Sparrow, Lesser Goldfinch, American Goldfinch, Rock Pigeon and Northern Mockingbird.

An interesting observation with a reoccurring theme brings up another question;  the Northern Mockingbirds only eat our Blueberries (spring), Blue Elderberries (summer) and Pyrocanthia berries (fall).  They freely associate with the other birds feeding on seeds and seem to be tolerant of them.  When Hooded Orioles or Western Tanagers are present (the Orioles feed at the Hummingbird/Oriole feeders), the Northern Mockingbirds aggressively drive them away.  Do they consider them food source threats in some way?

I can't think of any other reason as to why they would tolerate the others and show aggressive behavior to these other two species.

Anyone have ideas?

--
Randy Little 
Milpitas, CA 

“Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It’s the other, lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then – we elected them.” – Lily Tomlin
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