I can sense when birds become nervous by my presence, because they start fidgeting and positioning themselves to fly off, if need be. I usually stop my approach at this point and wait for them to calm down. More often than not, if I am still enough, they go back to their regular routine very quickly.
I think that, over time and with repeated interactions, birds learn to recognize humans as individuals. If they see me over and over again in close proximity, and I never harm them, I can sense that a feeling of trust arises in the bird toward me. How else can you explain extremely skittish birds, like the California quail, walking right past me if I am still enough?
However, I don't think I'll ever get closer than a hundred feet to a great blue heron.
Mathew Tekulsky writes a regular column about bird-watching in his backyard and neighborhood in Bel Air, California. You can follow his encounters with the birds of the Santa Monica Mountains here on National Geographic News Bird Watcher every fortnight or so.
Previous columns by the Birdman of Bel Air
Birding Column: Mesmerized by Western Bluebirds
Birding Column: Wrens' Twice-a-Minute Feeding Frenzy
New Bird-Watching Column: "The Birdman of Bel Air"
The California Towhee, Boldly Bland
At Home With Hooded Orioles
Scrub Jays Go Nuts for Peanuts
Northern Mockingbird is a Wary Neighbor
Christmas With the Pelicans
California-Quail Close Encounter
Yosemite Steller's Jay Encounter
Banding Birds at Devils Postpile
California Condor Close Encounter
California Condor Rebound
Going Nuts With Wilderness Ravens
Hummingbird Chicks Fly the Nest
Mexican Jays' Dogged Pack Mentality
National Geographic BirdWatcher
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