Whatbird.com

...sometimes they're watching us.

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Chris from Denver

 You know, now that you mention it....   I knew I thought something funny was going on!  

 http://picasaweb.google.com/obnates/Critters#5271085594013049874

I wondered why the skin on the back of my neck was crawling!

Oh, and great pic, too

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Matthew 6:26
James 1:2-5

Eep!

Speaking of that-----

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/photos/tims_bird_pictures/picture60842.aspx

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Twin Lakes Ranch
Central Texas

...yes they are

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Bellingham, WA

Kind of on the topic. I get the feeling most birds just watch us to see that we don't get too close, and once in a while out of curiosity.

But has anyone else noticed how sensitive most hawks are to being looked at? Hawks in particular. I think they watch us to see if we are watching them. And they don't like it when we do. I've sometimes wondered if they have some kind of ESP, but then again, I suppose with their eyesight they can see exactly where our eyes are. 

Even when observed from very far off, they often stiffen up and fidget. When this happens, I find myself wondering if it isn't more my gaze than my presence that bothers them. 

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Chris from Denver

I know exactly what you mean, Chris. It seems hawks are especially wary of us humans. It may well be because they were hunted and killed for so many years by farmers protecting their chickens, sportsmen thinking that by eliminating birds of prey there would be more Quail, Pheasants, etc. It seems that humans have always been especially hard on predators!

By the way, I was searching for another thread when I found this one. Someone had a thread with a similar name, and there were several neat photos posted of birds looking at the birdwatcher. I couldn't find that thread, so I have one I took today I would like to post here of a Savannah Sparrow who looks like he thought he was hiding while watching me!

Thanks.

EDIT: Okay, this IS the thread I was looking for!!

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We did not inherit Mother Earth from our ancestors...... we have borrowed Her from our descendants.
Chief Seattle (paraphrased)

here is the kiwi's contribution to this thread

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In loving memory of Nancy my darling wife of 10 years who passed away on Monday November the 16th 2009 after an illness

My photo gallery http://thekiwi.org/photography/index.php

you know they don't always use their binocular vision to watch us.  i think i heard this one say "Excuse me. The feeder is empty. What are you going to do about it?" 

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"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song."
--Chinese Proverb