What is Mobbing?

There are at least three hypotheses to explain why birds that are potential prey would mob a predator:

The Move On Hypothesis suggests that mobbing alerts the predator that the mobbers (and other wildlife) are aware of its presence, making the predator move on to look for unsuspecting prey while the mobbers resume normal activities.

The Distraction Hypothesis suggests that mobbers protect their offspring by keeping the predator from concentrating on the search for their vulnerable young.

The Alarm Call Hypothesis suggests that the mobbers alert others (mainly mates and relatives) to the presence of a predator.

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