That’s one brave jay!

One time I caught my just family taunting the heck out of the Red Tailed Hawk here. I heard a big commotion outside and just saw this giant mass of fluff up in the tree.

This hawk was all puffed up, jumping after these jays squeaking at it in the branches. I’m the tree they were much more agile and just annoyed it until it left.

From learning so much about owls, at first it’s a wonder these small birds pick on others so much larger and potentially deadly than the actual aggressor is. They don’t seem to actually get physical very often, moreso they just put on their best bravado and annoy the larger bird into leaving.

As the big one has lost the element of surprise, it usually won’t risk an injury and will leave instead. It’s not the obvious tactic one would imagine, but it’s interesting how the tiny birds can level the playing field a bit, just be being loud and giving the bigger birds their equivalent of “crazy eyes.” 😀