Showing posts with label alarm call. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alarm call. Show all posts

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Blue Jay Alarm Call Alerts Backyard Squirrels and Birds



Blue Jays sound the alarm call and a Gray Squirrel eating mangoes in the Backyard immediately heads for safety without hesitation! After a brief wait the coast is clear and he returns to his mango. Blue Jays in the Backyard work hard for their peanuts as they are largely responsible for the lack of predation of squirrels and backyard birds and their young by feral cats, snakes and Red Shouldered Hawks. This important role is often unrecognized in Backyard ecology. Although there are no doubt many false alarms most animals prefer to be safe than dinner! See Blue Jay taking on a Red Shoulder Hawk!

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The alarm call of the Blue Jay sends a Gray Squirrel running for shelter!


Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Gray Squirrel Alarm Call Decoded



Squirrel language translated - the most common is the alarm call of the Gray Squirrel with the tail waving - crossing their hearts with the front paws and the incessant barking Kuk...Kuk...Kuk....followed by long Quaaas. But there is a lot more to making those calls and speaking squirrel than meets the ear.  I was fortunate to get very detailed video of one of the Backyard squirrels extremely upset at a cat on the other side of the backyard fence and it is clear there is a lot going on physiologically to make these unusual mammal sounds. In particular, close up slow motion shows how the little ones close off their nostrils and draw air in to get those big Quaaa...s following the barking Kuk...Kuk...Kuk's. Watch closely and enjoy! More information on how to speak Gray Squirrel is at:

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Gray Squirrel Alarm Call Decoded