Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[Boji]

Boji, Since I scarred off a squirrel the other day, none have been back. But they are sort of entertaining in their own way even tho they are a hassle.

Yes, they are entertaining. It is losing battle for me, but there are too many. Except my yard and a couple of neighbors, the entire neighborhood is huge oak trees. Guess they get tired of nuts. In the fall they bury nuts in my flower planters too. At least they don’t bother the mixed bird seed feeder.

[WelderBob]

This last bit of snow got the big birds out..looks like I'll planting more corn next year

[Waukonda]

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[Boji]

Hope that goose doesn’t have the bird flu.

[chickenman62]

Seems like lots of Blue Jays in the morning then the Cardinals in the afternoon.

[doglegg]

Seems like lots of Blue Jays in the morning then the Cardinals in the afternoon.

Blue birds and snow. Nice.

[Boji]

I’ve pretty much given up keeping my local tree rats out of the suet feeder. At least he waited till it was almost gone. Mr Bushy Tail is a big one, I’m guessing his tail is about 18 inches long and 6 inches across in full fluff mode

[Quick Steel]

They can be a bother, but fun to watch.

[doglegg]

Treerats, the other dark meat.

[chickenman62]

If you don't like squirrels raiding your bird feeders how would you like these guys wiping you out everyday? I could only get about half of them in the shot. There is a one antlered buck in with them also.

[Boji]

I’d be calling my friend that bow hunts and I’d be having venison blackstrap a few days later.
My back yard is completely fenced, 5’ because of 30+ years of large dogs, have seen deer right up to the fence and in the non-fenced front yard.

[Waukonda]

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[wlf]

This cardinal was itching for a fight.

[Quick Steel]

In past years I have had to cover my side-view mirrors because both male and female Cardinals were so aggressive.

[doglegg]

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Love Mocking birds. In the hot weather they will sing all night.

[doglegg]

This cardinal was itching for a fight.

Jealousy and competition are deadly.

[Waukonda]

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Love Mocking birds. In the hot weather they will sing all night.

Growing up, we had a Mock Orange bush not too far from the back door of our house. Mockingbirds would nest in it every year, and attack us leaving/entering the door. We were also serenaded at night.

[doglegg]

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Love Mocking birds. In the hot weather they will sing all night.

Growing up, we had a Mock Orange bush not too far from the back door of our house. Mockingbirds would nest in it every year, and attack us leaving/entering the door. We were also serenaded at night.

They can be bullies.

[OLDE CUTLER]

Just wondering if any of you who have bird feeders out have seen any dead birds laying in your vicinity, such as those that come to your feeders? In the past 2 weeks I have found 3 birds, all house finches, dead on the lawn or behind the house. While I cannot say for sure what killed them, (bird virus?) this is something I have never seen here before.

[Waukonda]

Just wondering if any of you who have bird feeders out have seen any dead birds laying in your vicinity, such as those that come to your feeders? In the past 2 weeks I have found 3 birds, all house finches, dead on the lawn or behind the house. While I cannot say for sure what killed them, (bird virus?) this is something I have never seen here before.

I usually have 1 or 2 every Winter, species vary. I just assumed it was normal end of life occurrence, maybe helped by stress of cold weather, migration etc.
3 of the same species in a short period of time does sound a little unusual.

[Quick Steel]

OC, I recently read a report that bird flu has killed millions of wild birds. Farmers have culled millions of chickens in an effort to stop the spread of this particular virus. This contributes to high prices for eggs in many areas.

I have not encountered dead birds around my feeders.

[OLDE CUTLER]

My brother in law, who is an avid goose hunter said that in his hunting trips in Eastern South Dakota in the last few months that snow geese were being heavily affected by bird virus with thousands dying on the bigger lakes. Doesn't seen to affect Canada geese though.

[Boji]

My brother in law, who is an avid goose hunter said that in his hunting trips in Eastern South Dakota in the last few months that snow geese were being heavily affected by bird virus with thousands dying on the bigger lakes. Doesn't seen to affect Canada geese though.

We are seeing the same here in the Okoboji chain of lakes. A lot of concern because the bald eagles feed on the dead ones. So far no dead eagles have been found. Juvenile eagles have been reported dying from the bird flu other places. The eagles have just established themselves here in the past few years.
My opinion, no big lose on the snow geese.

[bighomer]

[Quick Steel]

Some nice snapshots, bighomer. Am I looking at a flock of Red-Winged Blackbirds?