Just a Bird Looking for Lunch / myLot

Paso Robles, California

January 22, 2018 2:49am CST

As I was taking photos of the construction of the medical building for my recent blog post, I also took photos of the acorns and oaks just north of the construction site. I was photographing the site from there. Even though I was focused on the construction, I could not ignore the oak trees. It was while I was looking for acorns in the branches that I spied this bird on the wire in the middle. I think it may have wanted some acorns for lunch. What do you think? I've always wondered why birds love to hang out on wires so much when there are plenty of trees around. Does anyone have an opinion on this?

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9 responses

Morley Hunt

@Morleyhunt (21741)

• Canada

22 Jan 18

I think they congregate on a wire for the view and so that there is room for all their bird buddies. It's also an easy spot for a quick getaway.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

22 Jan 18

That's a reasonable explanation. Biologists confirm that the unobstructed view is one reason, especially for birds of prey.

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Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (52905)

• Mojave, California

22 Jan 18

OOH ooh, know exactly why. You ever ever go to a bar with someone who might have been a criminal at one time. They want to sit in a place where they can see whole bar and also have a quick getaway if need be. Birds sit on the wire because they can see everything from there where a tree can constrict their view with branches.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

22 Jan 18

Sounds like a reasonable explanation to me. I've never been to a bar, so I had no idea!

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Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (52905)

• Mojave, California

22 Jan 18

@bagarad You did not miss anything other than criminals looking paranoid.

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changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (17240)

• China

22 Jan 18

I am stuck by your question.I am not sure if the way their visual line isn't blocked and they can perch on the wire in a row.

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changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (17240)

• China

23 Jan 18

@bagarad That seems to be the reasonable explanation for it.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

22 Jan 18

Better visibility is one reason. A biologist says another reason birds gather on wires is to assemble before a group migration.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

22 Jan 18

I have no idea but it is interesting to see them all congregating on the wires.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

25 Jan 18

@just4him I've heard it, too.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

22 Jan 18

It is. But God made trees before man made wires, so you'd think trees would be more appealing and natural to them.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (323168)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

23 Jan 18

@bagarad I would think so. Somehow I wonder if the birds feel some kind of hum or vibration in the wires and it attracts them. It's the only thing I can think of. I remember as a kid hearing a hum from the wires as I was walking along country roads going home from school.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (381931)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 Jan 18

No I don't really. Maybe they have a clearer view of what is around them.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

22 Jan 18

I always wondered if the wires warmed their little feet or massaged them in some way with vibrations. I often hear those wires buzz.

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Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

5 Mar 18

I have no clue. Sometimes I think birds just like to hang out. We have birds that come and talk to each other and when my Sophie wants to join in they ignore her. I think that is rude.

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Barbara Radisavlejvic

@bagarad (14283)

• Paso Robles, California

5 Mar 18

Birds of a feather flock together they say. Maybe Sophie is different.

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Hanni Harel

@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

5 Mar 18

@bagarad Sophie is different Barbara.