DescentBB

Watching the birds out at the feeder I've noticed that when squirrels or rabbits approach, the birds fly away. Let a cat (even a very small one) approach and the birds fly away. Why?
I've had a blinding insite but before I post it I would like to hear your responses. Put your thinking hats on (no not the tinfoil one).
Hint: something visual triggers the response (no shiat sherlock)

One would assume the birds are being defensive. They see (or hear) a threat and fly to safty.

That can't be a serious question..

We got fu*king starlings out here, those ass holes attack my cats, even if they are just standing around minding their own business. One pellet with 12 pumps brings the bitches down though.

Hahahaha, bird shooting. lol

Felines are natural predators of birds.

ya stingy,
why do you have to help your cats? are they part of the pussification of america? they can't kill birds?

;-0

parrots that feed at the bird feeder hanging on my back porch don't fly away when my cat is only 2 feet away. the feeder is just outof reach and if the cat were to jump at the parrots it would fall 1 story to the concrete. those parrots are smart, and have balls.

so yeah, depending on the kindof bird, depends it's behaviour. not all birds are scared and stupid.

to respond to woodchip. uh, would would assume that something that looks like a predator would be the VISUAL TRIGGER you speak of. even small cats eat birds. when really pissed off my cat goes for my throat, no ****.

Here a question on birds.

Why do Robins all always fly right in front of my car? It's like their brain is telling them fly across the car stupid.

"Watching the birds out at the feeder I've noticed that when squirrels or rabbits approach, the birds fly away."

I meant "don't" fly away. When predators approach the birds do fly away.

The visual cue may be that predators like cats and dogs have eyes to the front of the head (like we do) and non-predators like squirrels and rabbits have eyes to the side of the head.
Hows that for the power of observation?

Dunno..I've known that since I was 5..

when i think of it, most predators do have eyes on teh front of their head, it makes it better for hunting. mostly eyes on the side of the head are good for watching out for predators.

but then again, some birds are predators. but then again, they all look forward with both eyes (eagles, owls, hawks, actually i'm not too sure about hawks). and birds still quickly recognize a predator bird.

i think the birds just know what species is what, instinctive knowledge.

Preditors have eyes in the front of their heads because it gives them better binocular vision.

what was the point of this post?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Arial" size="3">Originally posted by Nexus_One:
what was the point of this post?</font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

to ask the question "what was the point of this post?".

harhar i am THE PEDANTIC MASTAH1!@