Date: Fri, 31 May 2002 07:53:05 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Walter Ellison Subject: Re: unusual bird behavior; atlas query MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Linda Baker asked: > 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? The correct code for this would be "A" because you are observing agitated aggressive behavior by one species attacking or mobbing the other. For what its worth interspecific territoriality does occur sometimes among closely related species, e.g. Alder and Willow flycatchers, Red-eyed and Philadelphia vireos up north. I hope this helps, Walter Ellison MD/DC Atlas Coordinator - MOS 23460 Clarissa Rd Chestertown, MD 21620-3645 410-778-9568 "A person who is looking for something doesn't travel very fast." - E. B. White ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================