The main thing to keep in mind is that birds aren’t exactly “mean” as human beings might be to one another or other species. We interpret birds’ aggressive, unfair, chaotic, and territorial behavior as being intentionally jerk-like.
However, these birds are very likely simply doing whatever they need to do to survive. They're probably being "mean" rationally, with a specific goal in mind, not for the joy of making your day a smidgen more miserable.
Broadly speaking, hearing birdsong is good for your mental health. Birdwatching also satisfies your curiosity and makes you feel more connected to nature. It’s also entertaining!
So, you should aim to find a way to coexist with your avian neighbors, even if they’re sometimes hard to understand. You can start by building a small bird oasis if you’re feeling generous.
The David Suzuki Foundation suggests growing plants that provide local birds with food and habitat. You can also set up a bird bath, provide nesting material, and set up feeders.
Meanwhile, the National Audubon Society emphasizes that the 5 basics you should provide birds are:
- Clean water
- Plants with flowers for nectar and insects
- Fruit-bearing plants to provide fuel for migration and winter
- Layers of plants for cover and thermal protection
- Nesting habitat and materials
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“Native plants are key—their architecture, flowers, fruits, and scents are ideal for restoring the communities and relationships birds depend on. Yards that mimic surrounding natural plant communities not only attract more kinds of birds, they could help reverse the loss of urban biodiversity," the Society says.
Previously, the Bored Panda team got in touch with birders Hannah and Erik, the hosts of the Go Birding Podcast. They were kind enough to tell us all about avian behavior. They noted that while birdwatching, they’ve noticed some species showing “jerk-like” behaviors.
"One species that comes to mind is the Northern Mockingbird, a fairly common bird throughout much of the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.”
“These birds become very territorial during the breeding season and drive off potential threats and competitors. We've even seen two individuals fighting in the road, almost as if to push one another in front of a car!" the husband-and-wife duo told Bored Panda during an earlier interview.
According to Hannah and Erik, corvids, such as crows and jays, have higher intelligence than many other birds. And so, they are more likely to act “mean,” as we, humans, would define it.
"This [intelligence] helps them adapt and thrive in harsh environments. Sometimes this causes them to be a bit mischievous,” they said.
