I often see small birds 'dive bombing'/pecking at larger birds in flight. Why does this happen?

Question

Peace

Answer 1

This is a defensive behavior called "mobbing".  When predatory birds approach nesting sites, the smaller birds begin to fly all around the predator, taking advantage of their greater agility to harrass and confuse the predator into leaving.

It's not just nesting sites, though.  Crows will also do it to any large bird, due to their territorial natures.

Answer 2

Territorial reasons as well as defense. They want to keep the larger birds away from their nests and they can ward them off much easier in flight than they can on the ground.

Answer 3

I haven't seen this, but I would guess that they are trying to keep the large birds away from their nest.

Answer 4

Especially Mocking birds. They tear into buzzards, crows hawks and even blue jays at a frenzied pace.

I've not seen one lose yet.