Jay mimicking a cat fight

Gemini21 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2011, 10:56 AM

This morning, I left my house and surprised a jay that was on the grassed area at the front. The jay made a noise exactly like that made by two cats fighting each other (a sort of RIEEAWR, RIEEAWR - sorry, but that's the best description I can give it in type).
It then flew up into a low branch and made the same sound again. It had obviously heard a cat fight at some point and decided to add this sound to it's repertoir. Perfect mimicry.
I was completely amazed by it. I was telling friends about it when I arrived at work, and they just smiled and looked at me as if I was bonkers.
Anyway, thought I would let you guys know - thought you might understand (and believe me!). It seemed like the world was a bit upside-down for a moment - birds Meaowing - whatever next??

All the best,

Paul

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2011, 07:06 PM

Pity you didn't record it..there is a thread somewhere about Starlings mimicking..

Welcome to WAB...we believe you thousands wouldn't lol

GCN lova · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2011, 07:16 PM

we believe u!!

Gemini21 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 10:39 AM

Aw, thanks guys

I wish I had recorded it, but it was so quick. I will see if I can record it if it happens again.

Paul

Gill Catton · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2011, 10:46 AM

This year I have been spending quite a bit of time in woodland in the spring and I have learnt a whole new range of sounds that jays seem to make in association with courtship and/ or territorial behaviour that I have never heard at any other time of the year. All sorts from sounding like a grey squirrel to purring sounds that sounded more like a frog. I'm not sure any of these were 'mimicking' type sounds because they seemed to be contact calls rather than a burst of song. (and it seems that most other birds that mimic do so in proper territorial song to impress females)

Gemini21 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2011, 05:25 PM

Thanks Gill. I wonder if the Jay was using the sound as an alarm or a warning to me because I had surprised it. It certainly had an effect! I have often heard cats having fights here, the sound was identical. I don't think it was a mating call, more a weapon in it's armoury. Very clever if that's what it was doing.