What's up with Birds and Cycling
#1
Medicinal Cyclist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Posts: 2,807
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What's up with Birds and Cycling
Just so you Brits know, I'm talking about the kind with feathers and beaks.
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Birds ain't stupid--they ought to be able to figure it out.
With the exception of dogs, most domestic animals don't care about cyclists. Wild animals like deer are wary, but rarely flee at the mere sight of me coming down the road.
Is there an ornithologist in the house?
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Birds ain't stupid--they ought to be able to figure it out.
With the exception of dogs, most domestic animals don't care about cyclists. Wild animals like deer are wary, but rarely flee at the mere sight of me coming down the road.
Is there an ornithologist in the house?
#2
Junk Mile Junkie
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Webster, NY
Posts: 6,465
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just so you Brits know, I'm talking about the kind with feathers and beaks.
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Birds ain't stupid--they ought to be able to figure it out.
With the exception of dogs, most domestic animals don't care about cyclists. Wild animals like deer are wary, but rarely flee at the mere sight of me coming down the road.
Is there an ornithologist in the house?
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Birds ain't stupid--they ought to be able to figure it out.
With the exception of dogs, most domestic animals don't care about cyclists. Wild animals like deer are wary, but rarely flee at the mere sight of me coming down the road.
Is there an ornithologist in the house?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know but birds have been here a heck of a lot longer than humans so their system seems to be working.
#4
Medicinal Cyclist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Posts: 2,807
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, dinosaurs with wings. I keep waiting for a botto triple facepalm.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 2,745
Bikes: S-Works Roubaix SL2^H4, Secteur Sport, TriCross, Kaffenback, Lurcher 29er
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#6
Member from- uh... France
Join Date: May 2009
Location: St Petersburg, FL
Posts: 329
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Bianchi Volpe
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Birds often take off and fly for several seconds right along side or directly in front of me. It takes them three or four seconds to realize I'm keeping up with them and then they veer off, left or right, or they climb. But for those three or four seconds you have a front row seat watching them in the act of flying. It always fascinates me. I keep thinking if only I had some sort of helmet cam and could record it, it would probably be invaluable footage to a nature show. I'm not a bird watcher, but people who are would just die if they could see a bird fly up close for several seconds like I have. It's but one of the many things I love about cycling.
#7
Medicinal Cyclist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Posts: 2,807
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Crows are pretty smart. Obnoxious, but smart.
I love to watch them soar in front of me, too. Yesterday I was descending at about 30 mph and a flock of crows (of course) took off when they saw me. A couple flew the same direction I was going and I was surprised to note that we were traveling at about the same speed. Like pharasz says, once they figured out that they weren't getting away, they changed course. On a few occasions I've had hawks fly right above me for a couple hundred yards. Yeah, I feel kind of like a bird when that happens. Love the freedom.
I love to watch them soar in front of me, too. Yesterday I was descending at about 30 mph and a flock of crows (of course) took off when they saw me. A couple flew the same direction I was going and I was surprised to note that we were traveling at about the same speed. Like pharasz says, once they figured out that they weren't getting away, they changed course. On a few occasions I've had hawks fly right above me for a couple hundred yards. Yeah, I feel kind of like a bird when that happens. Love the freedom.
#8
Wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: /world/europe/switzerland/berne
Posts: 56
Bikes: '04 BMC Harry custom · '06 BMC Streetfire SS01 · '09 BMC SL 01 Road Racer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can't really say the same - I find that I get much closer to birds on my bike than off. It happens often enough that I pass a crow on the side of the road, literally no more than 2 metres without it flying off. And I've had to swerve because a few sparrows wouldn't get out of the way...
__________________
There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls. --George Carlin
2009 BMC SL 01 Road Racer
2006 BMC Streetfire SS01
There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls. --George Carlin
2009 BMC SL 01 Road Racer
2006 BMC Streetfire SS01
#9
Mostly Harmless
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Chittenango, NY
Posts: 56,477
Bikes: Have two wheels
Mentioned: 169 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13642 Post(s)
Liked 4,450 Times
in
2,470 Posts
Vultures don't seem to care about cyclists. I've passed a couple that were dining on a deer and they just kind of looked me over as I passed. They were probably wondering if I could be their dessert.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Jackson, NH
Posts: 205
Bikes: Cannondale 2.8 R700 circa 1997; 2009 Cervelo S2; Trek 930 mountain bike; various others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I regularly ride by a small flock of geese. They are nasty, ill tempered, evil birds, but I've never had trouble with them on the bike.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 254
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just so you Brits know, I'm talking about the kind with feathers and beaks.
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me.
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me.
back to bicycles now?
#12
VFL For Life
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 51,053
Bikes: Velo Volmobile
Mentioned: 780 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28441 Post(s)
Liked 1,832 Times
in
1,300 Posts
#13
.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 3,981
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Comp, Soma ES
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's not stupidity, it's instinct.
I do have the occasional bird follow me overhead. I assume it's not interested in me but rather wants to crap on my head.
I do have the occasional bird follow me overhead. I assume it's not interested in me but rather wants to crap on my head.
__________________
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: kennett sq. pa
Posts: 912
Bikes: 2008 Lynskey R220 2005 Lemond
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For all the billions of birds in the world, you see
very few dead ones.
very few dead ones.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
When it rains the river near the greenway rises a lot. For some reason, you'll also seen an increased number of geese around the grenway in various puddles. One stretched is just littered with poo. They also hiss at you... more so if you sneak up on them, which I did, once.
I stopped on time to see how close I had to get before they start hissing. Once you start moving at them, the bigger ones seem to turn at you and start hissing. However, if you get too close they'll run off.
I was actually taking pictures (which I don't have anymore) of my commuter to sell it. A bunch of geese came from the river and started walking over. They got pretty close to my bike (I wish I still had those picture to show), but not me.
I stopped on time to see how close I had to get before they start hissing. Once you start moving at them, the bigger ones seem to turn at you and start hissing. However, if you get too close they'll run off.
I was actually taking pictures (which I don't have anymore) of my commuter to sell it. A bunch of geese came from the river and started walking over. They got pretty close to my bike (I wish I still had those picture to show), but not me.
#17
Medicinal Cyclist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Posts: 2,807
Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#18
I like beans
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Meffa, MA
Posts: 3,353
Bikes: Tarmac Pro, Bianchi Zurigo, Raleigh Gran Sport, Fuji Del Rey, Ironman Centurion
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I almost crashed into about 10 turkeys gathered at the bottom of a descent. There was a gap right up the middle of them, which was very fortunate for all of us.
#23
en fuego
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Davenport, IA
Posts: 2,685
Bikes: Trek Madone 3.1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would like to declare Jihad on every red-winged blackbird that attempts to latch on my helmet.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Boston
Posts: 4,556
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
OP,
I keep a couple of birds. They're flighty with anything they don't trust, and it's hard to get them to trust anything. Even new food is something they'll run from.
You may not be a threat, or have been the last 5,000 times you road by. But they don't know that cause they ran away the last 5,000 times: Cause you could have been a threat.
If a bird can't get into the air it's done for if you turn out to be a threat. And taking off is a relatively slow and difficult process. Once it's in the air it's safe from ground animals. So it opts to fly to the nearest tree, wait for you to leave, and return to scavenging.
I keep a couple of birds. They're flighty with anything they don't trust, and it's hard to get them to trust anything. Even new food is something they'll run from.
You may not be a threat, or have been the last 5,000 times you road by. But they don't know that cause they ran away the last 5,000 times: Cause you could have been a threat.
If a bird can't get into the air it's done for if you turn out to be a threat. And taking off is a relatively slow and difficult process. Once it's in the air it's safe from ground animals. So it opts to fly to the nearest tree, wait for you to leave, and return to scavenging.
#25
Ridin' South Cackalacky
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just so you Brits know, I'm talking about the kind with feathers and beaks.
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Birds ain't stupid--they ought to be able to figure it out.
With the exception of dogs, most domestic animals don't care about cyclists. Wild animals like deer are wary, but rarely flee at the mere sight of me coming down the road.
Is there an ornithologist in the house?
Why do bicyclists freak birds out so badly? Every time I ride near a bird or flock of birds, they take off as soon as I approach. Presumably they perceive me as some kind of a threat. Seems like a waste of energy to me. Birds ain't stupid--they ought to be able to figure it out.
With the exception of dogs, most domestic animals don't care about cyclists. Wild animals like deer are wary, but rarely flee at the mere sight of me coming down the road.
Is there an ornithologist in the house?