Strong and Confident - II.

Bison and European Starlings can often be seen together on Antelope Island.  Usually, Bison don't mind these birds riding on their backs, but there are times when Starlings annoy them.

 

Generally, life is good!

European Starlings in Flight

 

In winter, European Starlings gather in small groups in the trees to socialize. They cling to the treetops like beads and then they fly away to return.

I was waiting for the moments when Starlings would take off.  Suddenly there were so many of them in the air, such a beautiful short spectacle that impossible to forget.

Generally, life is good.

Time to Run

 

Bisons generally don't seem to mind European Starlings who often get free piggyback rides. They are so accustomed to these birds that they almost never pay attention to them.  Starlings feed on the insects they find in the Bison's fur and help the Bison to stay healthy.

Today clouds of Starlings hung over one Bison.  They irritated and almost blinded the animal.  And the bison had no choice but to run in order to get rid of the annoying birds.

 

Slowly but with determination the Bison decided to get rid of the Starlings.

 

The Bison eventually had to pick up speed hoping that it will work.

After running a short distance, the animal still managed to get rid of the annoying birds. The decision to flee was very timely.

Now the Bison can safely continue to graze.

Generally, life is good.

 

European Starling on the Garr Ranch

 

On my last trip to Antelope Island I wandered around the Garr ranch, secretly hoping to see again Cedar Waxwings, but instead of them I accidentally came across a European Starling who was playing with a fallen dry leaf.

Last year's dry leaf somehow attracted the attention of the Starling, but very quickly it will be torn into small pieces and forgotten. 

Life goes on.

Neighborhood Gossip Session

 

 Harry, what are looking at?...

If it's in the tabloids it must be true.

 

So I have to go, my friends need me.

 

I tweeted it one week ago.  Why of a sudden it went viral?

 

You are just another song bird.

 Harry, stop being secretive and tell us finally what you are still looking at.

 

They said, he heard, she tweeted... A good morning gossip is so soothing.

My first encounter with European Starlings was on Antelope Island. These birds were acting like hitchhikers riding on the back of bisons.  It took a few years before I saw these fascinating birds again. 

European Starlings are not native birds they were introduced to North America in the 1890s. Why did these birds succeed in North America?  There are a few reasons and one of them is that Starlings have very strong jaw muscles that let them open their beaks when poked into the soil, so they can scout and grab insects, even after the first frost.

 

Generally, life is good!