Confidence Birds

I am more convinced than ever that wildlife recognizes communications and behavior patterns from non-same species. For example - blue jays squawking will bring other birds into the fray. A hawk just flying over will cause all other wildlife - squirrels to small birds to freeze. And from what I noticed today, trumpeter swans serve as confidence birds to greater white-fronted geese.

My wife first spotted the greater white-fronted geese (she refers to them as “squeakers”) early this morning. A few minutes later I drove to where she saw the geese and photographed them.

About a half-hour later, while I was digging around in the backseat of my truck, two trumpeter swans flew over very low. When the pair saw me they became very vocal. Since they were so low and had been approaching silently, I did not know they were close. Their loud calls actually startled me as they passed just feet overhead.

When I finished what I was doing at the cabin I went back to check on the greater-white fronted geese and to see if the swans were with them. Sure enough, the swans were swimming on the shallow pond and the greater white-fronted geese were nearby, very close - as if “the swans are here, so it must be safe.” I took a few photos and left them to enjoy the day.

For those wondering… I continue to be under the weather. I was hoping this “fresh air” activity would be healing, but instead it was tiring.