This is Bird Note. The way that some birds flick, wag, or flare their tails can be as unique to a species as their song.

A junco foraging on the ground rapidly flashes white tail feathers that normally remain hidden.

When a song sparrow walks, hops, or flits from bush to bush, its tail flicks jerkily up and down.

What's it all about? One reason is that a bird's repeated habitual movements communicate information, kind of like a person

using hand gestures to signal to others. The tail flicking can also be used to deceive predators or to

flush out prey. A flicking or flashing tail might suggest to a predator that a bird is particularly alert or hard to catch,

while also warning others in the flock of danger. When a hawk dives at a flock of juncos,

there is an instant eruption of white flashing tails, a visual yell, which may distract a hawk's

aim at a single junco.

A hooded warbler may flare its tail while foraging low to the ground

to cause insects to jump, making them easier prey.

While we often focus on their calls and songs,

there's a lot you can learn about what birds are communicating

by watching their tails.

For Bird Note, I'm Mary McCann.