4 ms·
> Blue Jays imitate the calls of Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Broad-winged hawks, for example. I've seen this. We've had Red Tailed Hawks nesting in the are
by HankB99 2y ago
> Blue Jays imitate the calls of Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, and Broad-winged hawks, for example.
I've seen this. We've had Red Tailed Hawks nesting in the area and used to hear them calling every morning. (True fact: Most "eagle calls" in media are Red Tailed Hawks because they sound more intimidating than the chittering from Bald Eagles.) One morning I was out and about and heard the "hawk" in the tree directly above me. I stopped and searched through the branches which were just starting to develop leaves. A bird the size of a hawk should have been easy to spot. After searching for a minute or two, I spotted a Blue Jay hopping around the lower branches.
> The function of these imitations is unknown.
I have a couple guesses.
* Blue Jays being jerks.
* Blue Jays mob hawks and maybe just wanted to find one in the area.
* Blue Jays just wanted to see what - if anything - would react to the potential presence of the hawk in the area.
- card_zero 2y agoI heard a blue jay mimic a golf trolley's squeaky wheel. They will mimic any sound, it's a sex thing, it doesn't have to be complicated.