Ornithology (Bird) Thread

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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Paladin »

Our first Hummer stopped in this week. She was just around for a short while so no photos.
Are your Hummers already on site?

Ray
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Haven't observed any Hummers so far.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Had two Canadians in a neighbor's field, but only one would stay in the frame. Had to take these from my moving car.


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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by philco »

HELP !!!

My neighbor sent me this photo asking if I could identify this bird. She said it has been frequenting her feeder. I've looked through my bird guide and could not find anything that came close to a match. I'm thinking it may be some mutant form. I think it's body, head, and beak look reminiscent of a red winged blackbird. (shot in the dark )

Any of you fine folks have any idea what it is ?
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Paladin »

Beats the tar outta me.

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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by cudgee »

These are some Eagle Talons compared to a mans hand, you can see how they can do so much damage.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Phil: 1. I don't know. 2. I think your suggestion of a RW Blackbird is plausible based on the general conformation of the bird.

I had a House Finch turn up this afternoon. First time in two years.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Google tells me that this bird is leucistic, i.e. has leucism. Obviously not a true albino.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by bighomer »

Paladin wrote: Thu Apr 08, 2021 5:47 pm Our first Hummer stopped in this week. She was just around for a short while so no photos.
Are your Hummers already on site?

Ray
Saw my first the 8th (posted above no picture) put a couple of feeder out the 5th.
My first thrasher of the year yestiddy.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by TripleF »

Was sitting right behind me as I watched a small Gopher Tortoise.....thius Barred Owl
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by doglegg »

TripleF wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:12 am Was sitting right behind me as I watched a small Gopher Tortoise.....thius Barred Owl
Wow Scott, right when you least expect it. Wonderful experience and picture. ::nod:: ::nod::
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Great incident. Great shot.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by bighomer »

Great photos fellers ::tu:: x10.
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Turkeys are worrying poor Sissy to death.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by doglegg »

I always enjoy your yard bh. ::nod::
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by jmh58 »

TripleF wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:12 am Was sitting right behind me as I watched a small Gopher Tortoise.....thius Barred Owl
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Ivoryman »

Good ones Homer. Yeeaaaaaaah.

Watching a woodpecker when a red headed Sap Sucker showed up in the same tree.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Paladin »

Guys,
I have a visitor to my bird feeder this afternoon that I have never seen before. I have been feeding birds for quite a long while but I am not a student of the different birds. I am reasonably sure this little guy is a first time visitor. He is about the size of a cardinal and mostly blue.
I'll attach photos and will appreciate any help.

Ray
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by FRJ »

What a beautiful bird, Ray.
Plays well with others and makes himself at home.

Reminds me of the Waxwing family with that strong beak. Other than that I can't offer much.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by WillyCamaro »

Paladin wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:41 am Guys,
I have a visitor to my bird feeder this afternoon that I have never seen before. I have been feeding birds for quite a long while but I am not a student of the different birds. I am reasonably sure this little guy is a first time visitor. He is about the size of a cardinal and mostly blue.
I'll attach photos and will appreciate any help.

Ray
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Paladin, what you have there is a Blue Grosbeak which may turn up in the summer across the south and even further north.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Paladin »

Quick Steel wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:16 pm Paladin, what you have there is a Blue Grosbeak which may turn up in the summer across the south and even further north.
Wow, thank you QS. I am trying to keep an eye out for him to stop by again. All I had this morning were the usual suspects, plus one ratty grackle. I am happy to have something other than grackles, white wings, sparrows and tree rats.
I sure appreciate the information.

Ray
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Quick Steel »

Most welcome Ray. If you place your bird feed on the ground you will get an abundance of the less desirable birds, e.g. grackles, doves, sparrows etc. Using feeders will give other birds a better chance. Also you might upgrade your feed by adding sunflower seeds. Most feeds will have a few sunflower seeds but increasing the amount (I buy a bag of only sunflower seeds and add them to the mix.) may draw in some different species.

If possible, placing feeders near bushes or trees gives the birds a quick escape if predators show up. Bird baths should prove popular during the heat of summer.

Well these are just a few stray thoughts. I know the house sparrows are a pain, but there are other species of sparrows that are quite handsome. A bird guide such as Perersons Guide to Western Birds may add to your enjoyment. Excuse me now, I have to go renew the bird bath water.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Paladin »

Quick Steel wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 3:16 pm Most welcome Ray. If you place your bird feed on the ground you will get an abundance of the less desirable birds, e.g. grackles, doves, sparrows etc. Using feeders will give other birds a better chance. Also you might upgrade your feed by adding sunflower seeds. Most feeds will have a few sunflower seeds but increasing the amount (I buy a bag of only sunflower seeds and add them to the mix.) may draw in some different species.

If possible, placing feeders near bushes or trees gives the birds a quick escape if predators show up. Bird baths should prove popular during the heat of summer.

Well these are just a few stray thoughts. I know the house sparrows are a pain, but there are other species of sparrows that are quite handsome. A bird guide such as Perersons Guide to Western Birds may add to your enjoyment. Excuse me now, I have to go renew the bird bath water.
QS,
I do put some on the ground but not a lot. I use the bird bath to feed as I cannot fill it during the warm months because of mosquitos. I have a feeder above and I use it to feed my blue jays peanuts, raw and in the shell .
So long as I do not put a great amount of seed out, the grackles stay away pretty good. I do have some sunflower seed that I use to trap the squirrels. They have smartened up enough that they are almost impossible to trap. I think some lead poisoning may be necessary.
I sure appreciate all the help.

Ray
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Dinadan »

Cool sapsucker photos, Ivoryman.

Nice photos of that Grosbeak and White winged Dove, Ray. Blue Grosbeaks very rarely appear in my garden, and only during spring migration.

The Brown Thrashers have fledged a brood in the brush behind my garden. The young ones are pretty awkward flyers, and Momma is keeping a close eye on things.
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Here is another member of the same family: a Catbird. They are pretty common in my area, but they tend to stay well hidden in the brush. This one was also at the back of my garden this week - I would like to see them raise a brood.
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread

Post by Ivoryman »

Well, feeding peanuts to Blue Jays for a couple of years has resulted in them hanging around more. They just started building a nest outside our living room window in a Rhododendron bush. Never had them nest in the yard before. Looks like we'll be seeing more of them.
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