HAWK ALARM MADE BY ROOSTERS NOT JUST AN ALARM

[centrarchid]

I have been watching free-ranging flocks of chickens for many years. Over this time it became easy to discern the purpose of most vocalizations but several still are not entirely clear to me. One involves the call related to something flying overhead. Most people think it is related to a potential threat posed by raptors or other large birds like herons and pigeons. My birds also do it for other bird species like swallows and robins. Often times I can discern a difference associated with the type of bird stimulating the call. Hawks just flying by elicit a different call than hawks on an attack run. I am also able to discern the calls for red-tail hawk (threat) and red-shouldered hawk (not a threat). What has been throwing me for a loop has been when a hawk like alarm call is made for overflying juveniles and hens. I think the call gets such overflying birds to want to land. Then the rooster making call can court and try to make such birds part of his harem. In my flocks this may not be occurring but in wild jungle fowl the pullets / hens looking for new cocks to associate with may be doing so by flying over areas where such cocks night be lurking.

 

[chicknmania]

I always just figured they did that b/c they were startled and weren't SURE what was flying overhead, just saw the movement. Ours will do that if the peafowl fly over, and I know they are not trying to court THEM! It is interesting to figure out what they are saying though, and your'e right, ours can tell many times that there are red tailed hawks, (not particularly a threat here) as opposed to a Cooper's hawk (very definitely a threat), and their alarm calls and actions tend to be different. I have also figured out that they will crow an "all clear" to each other when the threat is removed;, and they will make a different type of alarm call when they see the predator leaving. I also think it is interesting that the peafowl and chickens, wild birds, squirrels, and rabbits, all will communicate with each other, and understand each other, regarding potential threats. Very cool.

 

[Pullet Surprise]

Then the rooster making call can court and try to make such birds part of his harem. In my flocks this may not be occurring but in wild jungle fowl the pullets / hens looking for new cocks to associate with may be doing so by flying over areas where such cocks night be lurking.

WOW!!! Absolutely fascinating thought! If it is so, it makes perfect sense. What a study that would make!

 

[Den in Penn]

Certainly a thought. I have noticed my rooster will sometimes gives a soft churrl like an alarm call and get some of the nearer hens in, even when I don't see a threat. Could he be trying to prove he is on the watch? I always just assumed he saw something that just went out of sight.

 

[chicknmania]

OUrs just chase em til they can catch one and shove her face in the dirt...:/ I have noticed the hens making a "come hither" call...just noticed that recently.

 

[centrarchid]

OUrs just chase em til they can catch one and shove her face in the dirt...:/ I have noticed the hens making a "come hither" call...just noticed that recently.

As a kid I used to stagger release of hens on walks so they came off nest with chicks about a month apart. Often by then the first hen would be on nest for a good week by time second hen brought out and rooster was alone for all but about 30 minutes of each day. The second hen would often fly out of bag a good 100 yards before hunkering down to get lay of land. Rooster would make alarm call and sometimes launch after hen and fly after her the entire distance then put her face in dirt. Shortly after he would lead her back to the roost area. For such roosters the "alarm" call was part of the their pickup line.