[EBB Sightings] Steller's Jay imitations

Stellar's Jays are one the most proficient mimics
around - more so, even, than the Mockingbird.
They can imitate almost anything, including car
alarms, various hawks and other birds.  I once heard
one braying like a donkey and was completely convinced
until I realized the sound was coming from about 15
feet above my head (it was near the little farm in
Tilden, hence the braying lessons).
The why I am unsure of but would speculate that there
are a variety of reasons for this behavior.  Sometimes
to scare other birds, sometimes as a defensive
mechanism and I believe just for fun at other times.

Pamela Llewellyn


--- Jerry & Linda Fishman Ott

> This morning as we watched a large, almost black
> Steller's Jay hopping 
> around the branches of the oak tree overhead, we
> heard the call of a 
> Red-tailed Hawk each time the Jay opened its beak.
> 
> Having witnessed this phenomenon before, this
> morning's occasion caused 
> me to wonder why they do it. Anyone out there have
> any answers or theories?
> 
> Linda Ott
> Martinez
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