Our yard right now is full of birds. Food and water is of a short supply so they drop in to feed and drink. American Goldfinch; White-winged and Mourning dove; Field Sparrows; Titmice; Cardinals, and others come in numbers; not to overlook the pesty English Sparrow. They are all fun to see and study. It doesn't take much to scare them to nearby trees. We also have frequent hawk visitors. A large shadow overhead will quickly scatter the little birds. Yesterday a shadow was from a Turkey Vulture. It made no difference to the birds. They fled for cover! A Turkey Vulture would only be interested in a dead bird.
But all birds do not fly at warning.A few will simply "freeze" where they are, hoping they might not be seen by the sharp-eyed hawk. Who has the better chance of survival....freezer or flyer? I don't really know. There seems to be safety in numbers, for the hawk is only interested in catching a single bird. He is very capable when it comes to that.
We all deal with similar issues in life. Have you been in the "flow of traffic" (nice way of saying group speeders) and suddenly come upon a police car or motorcycle with the radar gun pointed at you? Are you safest by speeding ahead or slowing down? I guess it depends on the operator. It looks at times like the slower vehicle is nailed.
What about an impending storm? Is it safer to flee or take cover? You make the call. I have heard horror stories of folks caught in miles of jammed freeway traffic while trying to escape a storm.
What about the sound of a rattlesnake close to your feet in grass or weeds and you cannot see it? Freeze or run? You make the call. Helppp!!!!
You see we human birds have our own confrontations with impending dangers and have to decide what to do or not do. Solution? When possible, avoid getting INTO a situation where there is danger. Leave early before a storm. Maintain a legal speed. Check where you are walking. O yes, and when necessary cry.....Heelllllllllpppp!!!!
