ML646419079

Media notes

The European Starlings got really loud (vocalizing?) and they flew over close to the doves, trying to run the Mourning Doves away from the European Starling nest over in the corner to the birds' left (off the right side of pic by about 5 feet). It worked. Within about 30 seconds the two doves closest to the starlings flew away, which in turn startled at least another 3 off the rain gutter, then another 3 flew away, and it kept going until all were gone.

Observation details

The nesting European Starlings, who seem to have made their way into the attic where the East-facing gutters meet the South-facing gutters, are quite aggressive at times, defending what they perceive to be their home territory.

Additional species

• Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura