Jay, immitatating a Buzzard

[Gaza]

Hi guys
This may, or may not sound silly, but.
I am fortunate, that i am working in a large country house. No neighbours. No roads.
Just lots of wildlife. There are lots of Jays there. I can hear them, even when i cant see them.
Also there are a pair of Buzzards, living in the surrounding trees. They are there most of the time. We often hear them calling and watch them in flight, playing, and eating.

Today while outside, I heard a Jay and watched him for a while. As i went to my van, I heard one of the Buzzards calling.
I turned back and looked to where the call was comming from, in the hope of watching it.
Only to see the Jay was making the sound !

I have not heard of Jays imitating other birds. Is this usual ?

[Veracocha]

I only read yesterday that Jays do actually mimic their arch-enemies. Usually Goshawks but also Buzzards. (Collins Bird Guide 2)

[Dogghound]

Jays are good mimicks and often mimick birds of prey to alarm other species.

[Gaza]

Brilliant !
Thanks for that info both of you.
Thought i was losing my marbles

I stood there, wishing that i had a video camera, at the time

[RKB]

As said, Jays are excellent and frequent mimics (and they seem to like Buzzards and other raptors).

I once saw a group of three Jays in a tree top, all mimicking Tawny Owls. One bird was going 'Ke-wick', and the other two were hooting in response. Incredible, when you think about it, as they must have understood that both calls are related, come from the same birds, and have an appropriate order.

Jays, and all corvids (and Starlings), can be trained to 'talk' (mimicking the human voice) like Mynah birds or parrots.

Why birds mimic other species is not really understood, but many of them do it. Even birds such as Whitethroats are frequent mimics, for example.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by RKB

As said, Jays are excellent and frequent mimics (and they seem to like Buzzards and other raptors).

I once saw a group of three Jays in a tree top, all mimicking Tawny Owls. One bird was going 'Ke-wick', and the other two were hooting in response.

Recordings of Jay's mimicking both Buzzard and Tawny Owl (+Goshawk) can be found here (scroll down to near the bottom of the page);
xeno-canto/Europe :: bird sounds from Europe :: jay

[Gaza]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Recordings of Jay's mimicking both Buzzard and Tawny Owl (+Goshawk) can be found here (scroll down to near the bottom of the page);
xeno-canto/Europe :: bird sounds from Europe :: jay

Thanks for finding that for us, Roy
These birds are more talented that i gave them credit.
Interesting

[FoxtonWildlifeRescue]

I didn't know that.

I wonder if they do it to prevent the 'real' buzzards from coming too close ie encroaching on the phantom buzzard's territory?