We love birdwatching—and we’re always happy to see the wide variety of birds flapping through the skies of our neighborhood. While we’re on pretty good terms with the local crows, sparrows, and (most) pigeons, some of the feathered fauna is less than polite. And don’t even get us started on their attitude!
We’re featuring some of the funniest photos from the ‘Birds Being [Jerks]’ online community to show you just how mean our avian buddies can be when their mood sours. Scroll down for a good laugh and a reminder to treat your neighborhood birds kindly. Or else!
#1 “Kindly Eff Off Thataway!”
Image source: TismeSueJ
#2 Bluejay Taking Squirrel’s Lunch
Image source: JohnPjj
#3 Get Away From My Part Of The Lake
Image source: TurnedEvilAfterBan
The main thing to keep in mind is that birds aren’t exactly “mean” as human beings might be to one another or other species. We interpret birds’ aggressive, unfair, chaotic, and territorial behavior as being intentionally jerk-like.
However, these birds are very likely simply doing whatever they need to do to survive. They’re probably being “mean” rationally, with a specific goal in mind, not for the joy of making your day a smidgen more miserable.
#4 Sand Hill Crane Yanked Feeder Off Tree
Image source: Bryllant
#5 The Face He Makes When You Take The Last French Fry
Image source: Latter-Reason7798
#6 Seagulls Caught Stealing Potato Chips From A Child In A Stroller
Image source: stammerton
Broadly speaking, hearing birdsong is good for your mental health. Birdwatching also satisfies your curiosity and makes you feel more connected to nature. It’s also entertaining!
So, you should aim to find a way to coexist with your avian neighbors, even if they’re sometimes hard to understand. You can start by building a small bird oasis if you’re feeling generous.
The David Suzuki Foundation suggests growing plants that provide local birds with food and habitat. You can also set up a bird bath, provide nesting material, and set up feeders.
#7 My Street!
Image source: Hefty-Status8681
#8 Birds Hate This Car
Image source: teddypickerr96
#9 Black-Crowned Night Heron Flew Across The Pond And Stuck His Tongue Out At Me. Naughty Boy!!
Image source: ANorthernGirl
Meanwhile, the National Audubon Society emphasizes that the 5 basics you should provide birds are:
- Clean water
- Plants with flowers for nectar and insects
- Fruit-bearing plants to provide fuel for migration and winter
- Layers of plants for cover and thermal protection
- Nesting habitat and materials
#10 Jerk Trying To Eat My Phone
Image source: Kisrah
#11 My Jogging Path… Daily…
Image source: SuperSilly_Goose
#12 Friggin Geese Spying On Me
Image source: dewdetroit78
“Native plants are key—their architecture, flowers, fruits, and scents are ideal for restoring the communities and relationships birds depend on. Yards that mimic surrounding natural plant communities not only attract more kinds of birds, they could help reverse the loss of urban biodiversity,” the Society says.
#13 Standing In Grass… Dirtying Up Sidewalk
Image source: SuperSilly_Goose
#14 Wild Turkey Claiming A Six Lane Blvd. And Winning
Image source: bosogrow
#15 Bully Bluejay Takes Cardinals Spot. Cardinal Gives Blue Jay Death Glare While He Eats
Image source: Background-Row106
Previously, the Bored Panda team got in touch with birders Hannah and Erik, the hosts of the Go Birding Podcast. They were kind enough to tell us all about avian behavior. They noted that while birdwatching, they’ve noticed some species showing “jerk-like” behaviors.
“One species that comes to mind is the Northern Mockingbird, a fairly common bird throughout much of the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean.”
#16 Look At My Backside. Look At It
Image source: Mr_Tort_Feasor
#17 He Can Read; He Just Don’t Care
Image source: udumslut
#18 Great Blue Herons Bark And Fly Away If You Get Too Close And Annoy Them
Image source: Electrical-Orchid313
“These birds become very territorial during the breeding season and drive off potential threats and competitors. We’ve even seen two individuals fighting in the road, almost as if to push one another in front of a car!” the husband-and-wife duo told Bored Panda during an earlier interview.
According to Hannah and Erik, corvids, such as crows and jays, have higher intelligence than many other birds. And so, they are more likely to act “mean,” as we, humans, would define it.
“This [intelligence] helps them adapt and thrive in harsh environments. Sometimes this causes them to be a bit mischievous,” they said.
#19 Gull Resting Spot
Image source: hmspearl
#20 These Guys
Image source: PapaBuds
#21 How To Keep The Birds Away?
Image source: Impressive_Low_9182
“For example, jays are incredible mimics and will often mimic the call of a raptor, which confuses smaller birds (and sometimes birders). They use this to scare all the little birds away from feeders so they can have it to themselves,” Hannah and Erik told Bored Panda.
However, broadly speaking, birds aren’t acting like “jerks” intentionally. They are only doing what animals prioritize—their survival.
“The goal for animals is to survive and pass their genes on. So any actions that might be considered mean or ‘jerk-like’ are likely helping that bird to fulfill this purpose. Some birds tend to have more attitude than others, which could help them protect their territory, find mates, or chase off predators.”
The couple suggests watching a bird for a while and putting yourself in its shoes so that you try to figure out its motivations. Often, there are very rational reasons for them being “mean.”
#22 Territorial Dunking
Image source: Fangdy
#23 Cosa Si Staranno Dicendo?
Image source: mattia_cecchi
#24 Seeking Shelter From The Rain!!!
Image source: 11EmeraldEyes11
Meanwhile, Isabelle Manseau, owner of Birdzy, told the Bored Panda earlier that birds can definitely behave in ways that people interpret as chaotic or jerk-like.
“One of the most chaotic examples is the behavior of seagulls in coastal areas. They are notorious for their bold food-stealing antics, often snatching food directly from people’s hands or even swooping down to steal snacks from outdoor tables,” she said.
“Another example is the common grackle, which forms large, noisy flocks that can dominate bird feeders, pushing out smaller birds and creating a lot of commotion. Additionally, blue jays are known for their aggressive behavior at feeders, often scaring away other birds and even mimicking hawk calls to clear the area for themselves,” Isabelle explained.
#25 This Felt Personal
Image source: Feedeve
#26 Wilbur Loved Waking Me Up At 6 Am
Image source: ANorthernGirl
#27 My Bird Stole My Chips And Straight Up T-Posed On Me
Image source: lobbmlyskark
According to her, certain species are definitely more likely to behave in what we’d call mean ways.
For instance, European starlings, an invasive species in many regions, often outcompete native birds for food and nesting sites. Human beings see this as aggressive behavior. And yet, from the starlings’ perspective, they are doing what they can to survive and thrive.
Furthermore, house sparrows are also known for their aggressive behavior at bird feeders. They tend to chase other birds away so they can dominate resources.
Red-winged blackbirds are also “fiercely territorial during breeding season.” Isabelle explained to our team that they will “aggressively dive-bomb anything that comes near their nests, including humans and larger animals.”
#28 A Very Sassy Egret
Image source: devoroberts
#29 Can Someone Tell Me Why This Bird Likes My Car So Much And Keeps Pooping On It?
Image source: Visible_Pen_7027
#30 My Parrot Desroying My Breakfast For Pomegranate
Image source: Jazzlike-Rise4091
The thing to keep in mind is that birds tend not to have the same emotional complexity as us, human beings. So, they aren’t “mean” in the same way that other people might be mean.
“Their behaviors are often driven by survival instincts, such as securing food, defending territory, or protecting their young. For example, a bird stealing food from another bird isn’t being ‘mean’ on purpose—it’s simply trying to survive,” she said.
“Understanding the motivations behind bird behavior can help reframe these actions as natural and necessary for their survival, rather than labeling them as ‘mean’ or ‘jerks.’”
#31 Bird Seems To Hate My Neighbor’s Car For No Reason
Image source: elegant-atrocities
#32 This Bird Is Trying To Break Into My House
Image source: avidmar1978
#33 I’m Gonna Need A Bigger Bird Feeder
Image source: Bryllant
The ‘Birds Being [Jerks]’ online group has been amusing the internet with funny bird photos since February 2013.
We want to hear your stories after you’ve upvoted your favorite pics in this list.
What kinds of birds do you most commonly see around your home and work? How friendly are they?
Are there any mean birds in your neighborhood that like to bully everyone around them? If so, have you managed to handle them gracefully?
Tell us all about it in the comments.
#34 These Birds Keep Eating Our Mangos Off The Trees, Any Clue How To Deal With This
Image source: ImmediateUpstairs485
#35 Caught What I Thought Was An Injured Goldfinch Today. That Bird Was A Faker
Image source: One-Sandwich2149
#36 Nice Place To Build A Nest
Image source: Andrew_Dazai
#37 A Chicken Has Hurt Before
Image source: BigFunkyTurd
#38 Didnt Tell Me That I Didnt Told You
Image source: n0-homo
#39 Another Day, Another Scolding
Image source: CovetFashionBiz
#40 Yelling At The Cam Again
Image source: CovetFashionBiz
#41 Take That!
Image source: Hummers_and_Such
#42 Carolina Wren Carjacker!
Image source: Butter-n-biscuits
#43 Why Is It Doing This??
Hey all,
This little jerk has been banging on my 6yr old’s window every morning, very early, at around 6-6:30am for about a week now. Naturally, it wakes him up way earlier than his alarm goes off, which means he’s at our door super early waking us up.
Why is this happening? Is it because he sees his reflection possibly? What can we do to stop it? We don’t want to hurt the little guy, and he is too high up for us to catch from outside.
Image source: Uzelia
#44 Approaching 100f And A Turkey Vulture Is Giving Me The Side Eye
Image source: HazardousWeather
#45 He Dismantled His Perch, Stole My F9 Key, And Now He’s Laughing At Me
Image source: Slight-Degree8348
#46 Egret On The Roof. Southeast Louisiana
Image source: AnhedoniaLogomachy
#47 They Are Watching… Sensing Our Cameras… Calculating
Image source: aaron78704
#48 Goofy
Image source: mattia_cecchi
#49 Buddy, You Are Kind Of Impolite
Image source: SantreeFORlife
#50 Pigeon Isnt Scared
Image source: creetswayonj3
#51 Get Out My Way Or I Will Bite Your Behind
Image source: Lucalebowski
#52 Funny Bird
Image source: FitOstrich7126
#53 Nice Gift Left On My Car By A Pterodactyl I’m Guessing
Image source: ForNothingAtAll12
#54 Is This A Mocking Bird?
Image source: Plastic_Sea_micro
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