Observations of agonistic and mutulistic interactions between birds and non-avian vertebrates on the E. S. George Reserve, Michigan

Abstract

Only two interactions between birds and non-avian vertebrates, other than direct acts of predation and mobbing behaviors, were observed during an 18-year turtle study on the University of Michigan's E. S. George Reserve. The first involved a pair of Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis) that attacked a Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor), and the second observation involved a White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that appeared to solicit cleaning activities from a male Redwinged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)