Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[Paladin]

Very odd. All the birds have disappeared all day long.

I'll bet the ole' hawk is in the neighborhood.

Ray

[Quick Steel]

That was my first thought also Ray. Tried to locate a predator but none were evident. Just minutes ago a male and female Cardinal returned.

[Boji]

I have them disappear at times too. Yesterday was a constant flurry of activity at the feeders, this morning only a couple of sparrows. No idea why. No real predators around.
Maybe they ate too much yesterday

[doglegg]

Interesting seeing the different kinds of Pheasants. Been seeing the RingNecks in the campground across the road, too far away to get pictures but they drive my dog crazy. She wants out to chase them.
This fellow sent me looking to ID. Knew he was a woodpecker. Red-bellied it is. I’m on the very northern edge of the normal range. Along with Downies they keep the suet feeder busy.
IMG_7988.jpeg

Lots of red bellies around here Boji. I love their call.

[doglegg]

Nice shot, Boji

The ever elusive Kalij Pheasant cock finally showed up outside my window yesterday but he's so skittish as soon as I reached for my phone to take a picture, he darted behind the areca ferns.

I'll keep trying, but for now this is the best I could do.

Cool bird Q

[doglegg]

The Pelicans were quite the surprise on our Saturday walk.

American White Pelicans

American White Pelican

Double-crested Cormorants

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

[FRJ]

Great pictures, doglegg.

I was finally able to get some pictures of some birds.

[doglegg]

Great pictures, doglegg.

I was finally able to get some pictures of some birds.

You did good Joe.

[FRJ]

Thanks, doglegg.

[Dinadan]

Very nice shots of the Pelicans, Cormorants, and Heron, Doglegg.

Cool photos, Joe. I kind of think that those are the first photos I have seen of Starlings on this thread. Your photos show how attractive they can be.

[doglegg]

Very nice shots of the Pelicans, Cormorants, and Heron, Doglegg.

Cool photos, Joe. I kind of think that those are the first photos I have seen of Starlings on this thread. Your photos show how attractive they can be.

Thanks.

[Quick Steel]

Superb shots doglegg and Joe.

[doglegg]

Superb shots doglegg and Joe.

Thanks QS.

[Waukonda]

I hadn't had any Flickers all Winter, this morning I had 5 in the yard. They keep their distance which makes it difficult to get good pics.

[Quick Steel]

Visited by a handful of Robins today.

[Waukonda]

Visited by a handful of Robins today.

Which begs the question.....how big are your hands?

I haven't been seeing any Robins.

[Quick Steel]

My medium size hands would, theoretically, have to hold about 5 of the Robins I am seeing. So, I will rephrase. I am seeing a crockpot full of Robins.

[Waukonda]

My medium size hands would, theoretically, have to hold about 5 of the Robins I am seeing. So, I will rephrase. I am seeing a crockpot full of Robins.

[philco]

My medium size hands would, theoretically, have to hold about 5 of the Robins I am seeing. So, I will rephrase. I am seeing a crockpot full of Robins.

And that begs the question; Do they taste like chicken?

[Paladin]

My medium size hands would, theoretically, have to hold about 5 of the Robins I am seeing. So, I will rephrase. I am seeing a crockpot full of Robins.

And that begs the question; Do they taste like chicken?

My Dad (born 1907) told me that when he was young that they did cook 'em and eat 'em.

Ray

[Quick Steel]

In the unlikely event food becomes scarce around here, I might surprise myself with what goes into the crockpot.


A short time ago I thought I had my first Purple Finch at the feeder. Spent a lot of time going back and forth between binoculars and book. It was unusually large and its red scalp and chest were unusually vivid. It remained next to the Cardinal, not having any hesitation around it. Finally, based on the length of the tail, I decided it was just an unusually large House Finch with unusually bright color.

[philco]

Garry I have a hard time telling the house finches and purple finches apart.

[Quick Steel]

Phil, in a sense it is reassuring that others have difficulty on this. I'm still not completely certain. I wish my bird book had indicated better field marks, but I guess there are none available.

[Waukonda]

Phil, in a sense it is reassuring that others have difficulty on this. I'm still not completely certain. I wish my bird book had indicated better field marks, but I guess there are none available.

Garry, I haven't seen Purple Finches all Winter. I am wondering if there wasn't enough severe weather to push them this far South. I haven't had Red Breasted Nuthatches either, both birds are normally common Winter visitors here.

As far as ID, if I you are having trouble distinguishing by the color hue, check the streaking on the breast. Purple Finches seem to have a much plainer, less streaked breast than the House Finch.

[Quick Steel]

Thanks for the tips, Ike.