Northern Mockingbird Attacks!

I went over to see the Hooded Mergansers after our weekly banding session and found the small flock being harassed by something much larger. A Red-tailed Hawk.

The hawk was pretty jumpy and as I got closer for a shot it flew up to a nearby tree. You can still see that bright red tail, though.



I was really struck by those leg feathers of this darker-than-usual bird for our area.



I drove around the retention pond to hopefully get a better view but it flew off again. Suddenly, the van came under attack from a more ferocious opponent. A Northern Mockingbird!



I haven't seen a bird attack my car before. It spent a lot of time sitting on the rearview mirror and would then attack the passenger side window. Yes, it was hopping mad!



From time to time it would fly to the back of the van for a shot and then come back to the mirror. Occasionaly it would fly onto the hood and attack the windshield wipers.



Crazy bird. Go pick on that hawk!