Some birds are attracted to shiny objects, such as chimes, coins, jewelry. This is a behavioral trait that these animals developed in order to make it easier for them to find food. This article discusses the topic of some birds being attracted to shiny objects and how this can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the circumstances.
Birds that have an attraction for things like jewelry and other items with reflective surfaces have done so because they are often found near food sources. In some cases this is caused by an issue with the bird’s eye called Uveitis.
This disorder can cause irritation in the bird’s eyes which then causes them to become highly attracted to shiny objects. Many people may not know that there are certain kinds of birds that have a higher level of Uveitis.
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Blue Jay
The Blue Jay is a bird native to eastern North America. It breeds in both deciduous and coniferous forests, but primarily lives in deciduous trees near open fields or residential areas. Blue Jays are known to be attracted to shiny things. These birds are easy to be attracted by reflective things such as bits of tin foil or keys to coins.
They have been seen pecking at aluminum cans and even discarded automobile trim, not realizing that these objects were not food. While the blue jay may seem like a nuisance for some people, it is actually just trying to find something edible. They have a fascination with anything that is bright, especially if it is moving quickly in their direction.
American Crow
The American Crow is a large, black bird that can be found in North America. The crow lives mainly on land but will also spend time living near water sources such as rivers or lakes. This bird has a very distinct voice and they are the most common corvid in North America. These birds have also been known to live as long as 8 years!
Crows love shiny things such as keys, coins, anything metal; which is why you’ll often find them picking through your garbage or stealing your food. It’s not uncommon to see a crow fly down and grab something reflective from the ground, even the foil from a gumwrapper can get their attention.
Eurasion Magpie
Magpies are a black and white bird that can be found all over the world. They have a beautiful plumage, with glossy feathers and bright colors. They also chatter, which is something you will notice when they fly overhead or walk across your lawn. They are mostly known for their penchant for stealing shiny objects, but this reputation isn’t completely deserved.
It’s true that they do sometimes take shiny things back to their nest, but it’s not because they want to steal them; instead, these birds become scared when people come near and fly away with whatever items were on the ground at the time, so they can take it back and inspect it further. These birds also chatter loudly and are very social creatures.
Mynah
The mynah bird is a bird that is part of the starling family, that lives in tropical and subtropical climates. They can be found all over Australia and Asia but they are not native to the continent, they were introduced there from Africa and southern Europe about 200 years ago. These birds are very curious and get easily attracted by reflective objects.
You can create an enticing space in your backyard or even on your porch if you have one that they will be able to perch and observe. For best results hang reflective objects like chimes or mirrors from branches and leave a few hanging around. They can be found in parks or gardens because they enjoy eating insects like grasshoppers and crickets that are abundant there.
Western Jackdaw
The Western Jackdaw is a, omnivorous bird that can be found across Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The jackdaw is often seen around bins, streets and gardens in cities as they are scavengers of human waste. They are also known to imitate other birds such as crows or magpies. Jackdaws are a type of crow that have been seen as thieves for centuries.
It’s not just what they steal that makes them outcasts, it’s how they do it- they swoop down on their target with speed and precision, then fly off into the distance with whatever shiny object has caught their eye. Jackdaws are intelligent birds with strong social skills and this intelligence may be why they go after things that stand out.
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl is a species of owl native to the Americas. Burrowing owls hunt at night and eat mostly small mammals such as rodents, which they find by using their excellent hearing to locate prey under cover of darkness. Owls have special feathers on their face called ‘whiskers’ that help them detect objects. They are often overlooked when people think of birds, but they’re actually quite fascinating. They’re typically seen collecting small shiny objects from the ground to use in their nests.
They are found all over North America and can be identified by their large heads and wide yellow eyes with brown stripes that wrap around them. Burrowing owls love collecting shiny things for their nests such as caps from bottle, pieces of glass, jewelry or anything else that catches the light easily.
Satin Bowerbird
The Satin Bowerbird is found in Eastern Australia. They build structures made from sticks, called bowers, and they furnish it with shiny objects, like gumwrappers, plastic straws ,pens and whatever else. This type of bird has a unique talent for turning trash into treasure. The males are known to spend weeks building their bowers and decorating them with colorful items they find around the forest floor or human settlements. This unique talent has attracted the attention of scientists for years.
It turns out that these bird have a genetic mutation that makes them more interested in the shiny stuff than other birds! Males see these objects as opportunities to use in mating rituals or in other behaviors that result from an instinctive need for shininess.
