Do swallows attack eagles? (1 Viewer)

[ehrodz]

During a recent trip along the Snake river just north of Idaho Falls, Idaho I saw swallows closely chasing after bald eagles and hawks as if in attack. This caught my attention because of the difference in size between these pairs , especialy between swallows(wing span 6'') and eagles(wing span 84"). I dismissed defensive/territorial behaviour and food-mooching as possible explanations because the eagles, particularly, were soaring hundreds of feet high far from any nest, territory or food. Could this be play-like behavior? Does anybody know?

 

[Allen S. Moore]

During a recent trip along the Snake river just north of Idaho Falls, Idaho I saw swallows closely chasing after bald eagles and hawks as if in attack. This caught my attention because of the difference in size between these pairs , especialy between swallows(wing span 6'') and eagles(wing span 84"). I dismissed defensive/territorial behaviour and food-mooching as possible explanations because the eagles, particularly, were soaring hundreds of feet high far from any nest, territory or food. Could this be play-like behavior? Does anybody know?

Here in the Isle of Man I have seen swallows mob hen harriers, our largest breeding raptors. Admittedly, they have been fairly near swallow nests, but the harriers are much less of a threat to swallows than sparrowhawks probably are. My thought it that many birds mob much larger species if they perceive them as a potential threat. The classic one here is the case of herring gulls, which always mob grey herons, when and where ever they are.

Whatever the reason, it must be a fine sight, eagles being mobbed by swallows. Did the eagles appear to be bothered by the attacks?

Allen S. Moore

 

[samuel walker]

I've never seen swallows mob a raptor I have seen Redwing BB,kingbird,starling and crow run them off. Only once I saw one fight back as an a mixed group of blue jays and flickers mobbed a sharp shinned hawk. The return fire from the sharpie was fierce and the jays and flickers were lucky to escape. I conclude that bald eagles and large buteos don't fight back because they can't perform the aerobatics of accipiters and falcons.
Sam

 

[ehrodz]

Allen,

Actually, these were single swallows chasing the bigger birds. And no, neither eagles nor hawks seemed to be bothered by the swallows. They seemed to be oblivious of the chase. It was nevertheless quite a sight.

 

[Jamspangle]

Allen,

Actually, these were single swallows chasing the bigger birds. And no, neither eagles nor hawks seemed to be bothered by the swallows. They seemed to be oblivious of the chase. It was nevertheless quite a sight.

Just last week I saw swallows chasing Little Terns. I have heard of Swallows playing 'flying games' with feathers, dropping it and others catching it etc. - could it be they are just enjoying the thrill of it? I know i would if i could fly like that!