A bird following you can be a curious experience. While it might feel unique, there are often straightforward biological and behavioral reasons behind such attention. Birds are highly attuned to their environment, and this behavior usually stems from instinctual responses to perceived opportunities or threats.
Reasons Birds Follow
Birds often follow humans due to their strong association with potential food sources. Urban species like pigeons, gulls, and crows have learned that human presence can mean access to discarded food or direct handouts. This opportunistic behavior reinforces their tendency to approach and follow.
Territorial behavior is another common reason, especially during nesting season. Birds may perceive a human as an intruder to their nesting or feeding grounds. This can lead to mobbing behavior, where birds follow or even dive-bomb to deter a perceived threat. They are protecting their nests and young, viewing your presence as a direct challenge.
Curiosity also plays a role, particularly for intelligent bird species. Wild birds may view humans as intriguing and cautiously investigate from a safe distance. They might tilt their heads or hop closer to observe human actions. This inquisitive behavior can manifest as following, as they try to understand novel elements in their surroundings.
Parent birds protecting their young frequently exhibit following behavior. Fledglings, young birds not yet fully capable of flight, often spend time on the ground or in low vegetation. Their parents closely monitor them, attempting to deter perceived threats, including humans, by moving near or following. This protective instinct ensures their offspring’s survival.
Common Birds That Exhibit This Behavior
Corvids, including crows, jays, and ravens, are known for their intelligence. They often associate humans with food, learning routines and making them frequent followers where food is accessible. Their curiosity also drives them to investigate human activities.
Mimicry birds, such as mockingbirds and thrashers, are highly territorial, particularly during nesting season. They can be aggressive towards humans who approach their nests. Their following behavior is typically a defensive display to warn off perceived threats to their young or territory.
Raptors, like hawks and kestrels, may also appear to follow humans, though their motivation differs. These birds of prey observe humans from a distance, as human activity can disturb prey, making hunting easier. They capitalize on environmental changes brought about by human presence.
Gulls and pigeons, common in urban environments, frequently associate humans with readily available food. Pigeons have become accustomed to relying on people for food and water. Gulls observe humans eating and use that information to pick food items. This strong food association leads them to approach and follow people in hopes of a handout.
How to Respond
When a bird follows you, respond by respecting wildlife and minimizing intervention. It is not advisable to feed wild birds, as this reinforces unwanted following behavior and creates dependency. Feeding can also change bird behavior and potentially spread diseases. Birds primarily rely on natural food sources.
Maintain a respectful distance, especially from nesting sites or young birds. Birds become aggressive when threatened, and guarding a nest is a primary reason. Experts recommend keeping distances of at least 60 meters from nests of large birds like raptors and herons. If you are near a nest, move away calmly to avoid distress or a defensive reaction.
Observe the bird’s behavior without trying to interact or provoke it. Birds can tell if you are watching them, and direct eye contact can be interpreted as a threat. If a bird seems nervous or agitated, it may stop its normal activities or make alarm calls. If you notice these signs, stop your approach and allow the bird time to relax.
If a bird seems aggressive or persistent, calmly move away from the area. Recognizing aggressive behaviors, such as loud calls or feather puffing, indicates the bird is defending itself or its young. Moving away allows it to return to its usual activities without further disturbance.