What physical display accompanies the Western Kingbird's aggressive defense behavior?
Answer
Displaying hidden crimson crown feathers
The famously aggressive behavior used by the Western Kingbird to defend its foraging grounds—chasing off larger birds like jays, crows, and hawks—is often accompanied by a specific visual threat display. When asserting dominance over resource-rich areas, the bird will actively display hidden feathers located on its crown which are colored crimson. This visual element, combined with bill snapping, serves to reinforce the territorial boundary necessary to ensure a consistent supply of high-protein insects for rearing altricial young.
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