Really Smart Starlings

[mtbat]

I have to admit that I don't know a whole lot about Starlings( black birds that travel in large groups-they look a lot like mini-crows) But we get lots of them in our back yard because of the bird feeder.

I know they are bullies. They take over the bird feeder and they eat all the food and chase off the smaller birds. The wild doves that live near here don't seem to care much and can hold their own. The sparrows and the other bitty birds usually come around when the starlings are gone and eat what little seed is left. I only fill the feeder once a week, if I filled it every time they emptied it I'd be broke in a month!

Well, earlier this afternoon I looked out into the backyard and saw the starlings were back. I was going to go chase them off, but stopped to watch them. I'm glad I did-because I saw something I thought was amazing.

Most of the starlings were on the ground eating the seed on the ground-they are bigger birds, and more than two can't really fit on the edge of the feeder.

There were two starlings on the feeder. Those two birds were using their beaks and feet to knock the feed out of the feeder and onto the ground for the others to eat. As I stood there and watched, the two starlings on the feeder successfully emptied the feeder by kicking and scooping the seed out and onto the ground.

I never realized that birds could be THAT smart. By working together the gang of starlings managed to empty and eat the feeder full of seed in less than 10 minutes. I didn't know birds worked together like that.

It was an amazing sight. I wish I'd had a video camera to catch it on tape.

Fridai