“Can you describe a specific bird behavior you’ve observed in your backyard that surprised you? What conditions in your yard do you think encouraged this behavior?”
A blue jay collecting and burying acorns
Observing bird behavior in your backyard can reveal important ecosystem dynamics. For example, a blue jay collecting and burying acorns, despite the abundance of feeders, highlights an unexpected foraging behavior. This was likely due to favorable conditions, including various trees supplying acorns, a thriving garden for insects, and minimal disturbances, which encouraged the bird to engage in its natural behavior.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
A pair of blue jays actually burying acorns in my garden beds like little feathered squirrels
Last spring, I witnessed something absolutely fascinating that I’d never seen before – a pair of blue jays actually burying acorns in my garden beds like little feathered squirrels. I was having my morning coffee on the back deck when I noticed one jay land near my tomato plants with an acorn in its beak. Instead of just eating it, the bird used its beak to dig a small hole in the soft soil, dropped the acorn in, and then carefully covered it with dirt and leaves. What really amazed me was how methodical they were – the jay would step back, check its work, and even rearrange the covering material to make it look natural. Over the next hour, I watched both birds repeat this process at least a dozen times throughout different areas of my yard.
I think several conditions in my yard made this behavior possible and appealing to them. First, I have three large oak trees that had produced an abundant acorn crop the previous fall, giving the jays plenty to work with. Second, I’d recently expanded my garden beds with fresh, loose soil that was easy for them to dig into – much easier than the compacted clay soil in other parts of my yard. I also keep my yard pretty quiet and pesticide-free, which seems to make the birds feel safe enough to engage in this kind of time-intensive caching behavior. It made me realize that what I was witnessing was probably their version of meal prep – storing food for leaner times when acorns wouldn’t be as readily available.
Henry Timmes, CEO, Campaign Cleaner
A pair of robins in my backyard building a nest in the middle of a very busy section of the yard
I was surprised to see a pair of robins in my backyard building a nest in the middle of a very busy section of the yard. Normally, robins are quite cautious and prefer quieter, more secluded areas. But these two seemed unbothered by our presence and worked tirelessly for days. I realized the dense shrubbery and the large tree nearby offered plenty of cover, while the consistent water source from the birdbath kept them hydrated. I also noticed that the surrounding area had a steady supply of worms and insects, which likely made it an ideal spot for them to nest. The combination of safety, food, and water created a perfect environment for them to feel comfortable despite the activity around them. It was a rare and unexpected display of how adaptable birds can be when their basic needs are met.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
She engineered the whole situation for a better mate
I witnessed a very surprising set of events in my back garden a few years ago.
We had two pigeons nesting in a tree for a while, and then one day there were a lot of feathers in the garden, something had obviously taken place, and now there was only one pigeon living in that nest.
A couple of days later though, I watched out of the window as a magpie swooped down to attack a cat on the fence. The cat wasn’t sure what to do, it maneuvered about, but the magpie kept warning it off… the magpie was putting itself between the cat and the pigeon, which was watching from the nest. Each time the cat made an attempt, the magpie went berserk and scared it away.
In the following weeks we would see the magpie sitting on the fence with the pigeon, and then in the nest, and then they were both gone.
I like to think that, the magpie was quite heroic here, seeing what I assume was a lone lady pigeon in need of a protector after her (husband?) was taken out, and the magpie stepped up.
My wife came up with a more cynical possibility (and perhaps a warning for me), that the male pigeon wasn’t pulling his weight, so she engineered the whole situation for a better mate… that’s dark thinking!
Steve Ollington, ADHD Researcher, ADHDworking
How Indian sparrows (house sparrows) take turns “guarding” their feeding spot
One surprising behavior I’ve observed is how Indian sparrows (house sparrows) take turns “guarding” their feeding spot. In my backyard, I’ve placed a small earthen bowl filled with grains, and what’s fascinating is that sparrows don’t rush in all at once. One or two hops down, check the surroundings, and only then signal others with short chirps. It’s almost like a coordinated entry system!
What I believe encouraged this behavior is the safe, consistent environment I’ve unintentionally created—shade from a neem tree, low human disturbance, and accessible food and water. They’ve become regular visitors, and over time, I’ve noticed this subtle sense of order and alertness among them.
It’s a reminder that even the most common birds display remarkable intelligence and social behavior when given a secure space. Watching them has become one of my simplest joys.
Kritika Kanodia, CEO, Estorytellers
A hummingbird hovering just inches from my face.
One of the most surprising bird behaviors I’ve ever observed in my backyard is something that still stops me in my tracks: a hummingbird hovering just inches from my face.
It happens most often in the early morning. I’ll be sitting quietly on the patio, coffee in hand, surrounded by hanging baskets overflowing with nectar-rich blooms—fuchsias, petunias, and salvias. It’s a haven for hummingbirds, who dart in and out of the flowers with their signature energy. But every so often, one will pause its frenzy, hover right in front of me, and just… look. Not for a second, but for several heartbeats. Eye-level. Curious.
At first, I thought it was coincidence—maybe I sat too close to a favorite bloom. But it kept happening. So I did some research.
What I learned was both charming and humbling. Hummingbirds have incredibly sharp vision and strong spatial memory. They recognize patterns, colors, and even individual humans. Some studies suggest they can recall which flowers they’ve visited and even associate people with the presence—or absence—of food sources. In my case, I think they’re simply curious. I’m part of their environment now, sitting there nearly every day like a statue in their garden. To them, I may be an oddly shaped flower—or at least an interesting object worth investigating.
The conditions I’ve created in my yard certainly support this behavior: abundant nectar sources, quiet mornings, and an absence of sudden movement or loud noise. But I also think it’s the stillness—my presence without interference—that invites them closer. It’s a subtle reminder that when we slow down and blend into nature, we’re not just observers—we’re participants.
Kristen Manieri, Owner, Easy Breezy Porch Swings
A pair of Carolina wrens building a nest inside my garage
One spring morning here in Virginia Beach, I watched a pair of Carolina wrens building a nest inside my garage, in an old tackle box I hadn’t touched in weeks. What surprised me most wasn’t just the location—it was how bold and persistent they were, flying in and out past the dog and even when I was nearby.
I think what encouraged it was the quiet, shaded space, plus the availability of nesting material nearby—lots of pine straw, leaves, and even some soft spiderwebs in the corners. It was a reminder that if you give birds a little peace and a few natural resources, they’ll find the safest, coziest spots—even if it’s right next to your fishing gear.
Katelyn Monigle, Lead Receptionist/Veterinary Assistant at Birdneck Animal Hospital, Birdneck Animal Hospital
A hummingbird land on the hood of one of our black Suburbans parked outside
One morning I saw a hummingbird land on the hood of one of our black Suburbans parked outside. It perched there for almost a full minute, with its wings still, simply observing its reflection in the paint. At first I thought this must be a fluke. But later that week I saw the same thing again-different bird, same spot.
It turns out our car fleet’s highly polished black finish mirrors the sky so exactly that they think they are seeing opponents or mates. Since our fleet is always parked under a jacaranda tree in bloom, it must be that the color contrast-purple blossoms above, black gloss below-creates the visual phenomenon.
As owner of a premium private driver service in Mexico City, I have come to appreciate the small things that most overlook-like how nature interacts with machines. I have now consciously changed the order of which vehicle parks under that tree, to keep the birds from becoming confused or otherwise agitated.
The behavior was unexpected, but nevertheless beautiful. It reinforced for me that even in a city of 22 million people, nature still finds clever adaptation to human possibility.
Martin Weidemann, Owner, Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com
