BirdNoir: Nestboxes and Snake Skins
5/1/20262 min
Private Eye Michael Stein investigates a possible break in when a kindly neighbor fears a snake has attacked a nestbox occupied by nesting Great Crested Flycatchers. What he finds is an ingenious way that birds sometimes use a predator’s survival instincts to their own advantage.
More info and transcript at BirdNote.org.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsMichael Stein· Host0:00
[gentle music] This is Bird Noir. I'm private eye Michael Stein. Spring was in the air when I got a call from my neighbor, Ms. Wigenwax, about a frightful sighting.
Ms. Wigenwax· Guest0:14
[phone ringing] Oh, Michael, I was just sitting on the porch when I thought I saw a snake flying into my new nest box. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, but I'm worried about the birds.
Michael Stein· Host0:28
That does sound shocking, Ms. Wigenwax. Now, do you know if any birds are using the nest box?
Ms. Wigenwax· Guest0:35
Why, yes. A lovely pair of great crested flycatchers.
Michael Stein· Host0:40
[flycatcher chirping] Aha. Well, those great crested flycatchers aren't being attacked by a snake with wings. They're building a nest, and using shed snakeskin to scare away intruders. [flycatcher chirping] Cavity nests are often raided by hungry rodents, but a little bit of snakeskin may trick would-be egg eaters into thinking that they're on the menu instead.
Ms. Wigenwax· Guest1:09
Oh, thank you, Michael. It's good to know that my flycatchers and their chicks will be safe.
Michael Stein· Host1:16
[flycatcher chirping] Eh, if only home security were that simple for humans. Well, for