Kurt

The Blue Jays around my house imitate Cooper's Hawks regularly.  Sometimes I 
mimic back to see what reaction I will get.  Last year I saw a Cooper's Hawk 
carrying a Blue Jay, and the jays were extremely upset.  Cooper's have 
nested locally, so it was no surprise to heard jays mimic Cooper's for me. 
It is neat to learn new things anyway.  Congrats Kurt.

George

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kurt R. Schwarz" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:13 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Blue Jays Imitating Accipiters?


>I know that Blue Jays issue convincing imitations of Buteo calls.  I 
>certainly know that a heard Red-shouldered can't be counted on!   Today I 
>was thrown a real curve ball, a Blue Jay giving a "kek" call that was a 
>perfect (to my ear) rendition of a Cooper's Hawk call.  I've just had a 
>look on the BNA account for the Blue Jay, and as far as I can tell, the 
>issue of imitating hawks is not dealt with at all.  Just wondering if 
>anyone else has ever noticed Jays imitating Accipters, and to issue a 
>warning:  that Cooper's Hawk you thought you heard, may not be one after 
>all.
>
> Kurt Schwarz
> HowCo
> goawaybird at comcast dot net
>