Date:         Fri, 31 May 2002 00:52:19 +0100
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         Linda  Baker <quiltbird@ANNAPOLIS.NET>
Subject:      unusual bird behavior; atlas query
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MDOsprey--

While working our blocks in Dorchester County, Dotty Mumford and I watched an interaction that we both found unusual.

A male Red-wing blackbird was vigorously chasing another bird around a small field.  Checking the ID of the "chasee" we found it to be a female Brownhheaded cowbird.  The chase continued in and out of trees and around this small meadow for a few minutes.  The red-wing put an impressive amount of energy into this pursuit.

Query:  Territory seem a  strange word to use when describing the actions of cowbirds and if I recall the definition in the atlas handbook correctly, territorial disputes are defined as between members of the same species. Any suggestions how to code this behavior?

Similarly, when a male cowbird sings, is it considered territorial?

Linda Baker
quiltbird@annapolis.net

PS Will post some of the other interesting sightings later.

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