I'm an avid bird watcher and have 10 different feeders in my yard. Right now I have a Chick-a-dee family in one of my bird houses. They have been fascinating to watch and hear. The babies are now sticking there little heads out of the hole, they sit there in the hole with their beaks open waiting for mom and dad to drop off their next meal{almost like my kids at the drive thru} We have many different birds in our area, here is a partial list of the ones Ive seen
pileated woodpeckers red bellied woodpeckers downy woodpeckers tree swallows whip-poor-will ruby throated hummingbird mourning doves red tailed hawk great crested flycatchers blue jays titmouse carolina wrens{they have actually gone into my house and looked around} eastern bluebirds robins cedar waxwings myrtle warblers rufous sided towhees pine warbler cowbirds goldfinches chipping sparrow
I am in the process now of learning to identify the birds by their calls.
posted
How wonderful...bird watching/hosting is my newest hobby. I have yet to learn what types of birds are visiting my yard & making it home. I try to snap photos when I can get them & then do a search online or post here to find out what I have:) Birds are so beautiful & fascinating. I would love to have the large variety of birds in my yard that you do. So far I have identified:
mourning doves chickadees wrens bluebirds bluejays robins sparrows cow birds seagulls (I live in the 101 lake district of my county. We have 101 lakes within my area, so we get a lot of gulls looking for food...they don't mess with my feeders, but they love bacon grease & kitchen scraps...I often find them eating out of my compost pile)
I have a book that has been invaluable to me in identifying the birds around here. It's put out by Readers Digest. It's called North American Wildlife. I dont know if its still in publication, I found mine at a flea market for $2.00. You might check your local library also.
posted
I've been considering buying an oriole feeder. The one I like the best has nectar reservoirs, spikes for chunks of oranges and depressions for grape jam! Has anybody tried any of these feeders?
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 65.130.85.55
posted
I haven't been on here much in the last week and was trying to catch up a little, reading the posts. I was reading back through this one again, and angelia's robin story reminded me of my little brother (well, he's 41 years old, but still my little brother!). Year before last he made friends with a robin. He was walking in town and saw some kids trying to catch it, because it couldn't fly. It had an injured wing. He scooped it up and took it home, and in a few days it was well enough to fly. He lived in the boonies on my mom's farm, so he figured he'd just turn it loose outside (woods). It wouldn't fly away, and every time his door was open, it would fly inside. It spent more time inside than out, roosting on a shelf at night in his bedroom. In the mornings, it would wake him up by sitting on his chest pulling his chest hairs!
gardenmom... I bought Lola one of those nice clocks from the Audobon Society that has actual recordings of bird calls on it. That's how I learned my bird calls! We have so many different kinds of birds out here all the time, so it was hard to tell which one was making a certain noise, and that clock really did the trick! Lola's newest call is the crow. I have an almost tame crow outside that starts calling as soon as he sees me filling the feeders in the morning. He gets something special every morning just for him, and he knows it! He's right outside in the front bird garden several times a day, and every time Lola sees him she starts her "cawww cawww cawww" right in my ear! (For those who don't know, Lola is a parrot that is permanently attached to my left shoulder.)
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 24.49.153.3
posted
Yep...that's it...a tufted titmouse...thanks!! I guess I need to go and buy a book so I can identify the birds, huh? I don't know why they are here this year. This is the first time I've seen them! We normally just have the cardinals, sparrows, wrens, mockingbirds, bluebirds, mourning doves, woodpeckers, blue jays, crows and the one robin. Perhaps they're just passing through. Their visit has sparked quite a conversation at the breakfast table, though. My monsterboys have been watching them avidly for the past several weeks with their new binoculars (bought expressly for the purpose of birdwatching ) and have offerred several ummmm creative(??)opinions as to their existance. My personal favorite was my youngest son's explanation. He came home from school one day all excited because he "knew" what happened to the cardinals (he insists they are cardinals because of the topknot). He decided that they had "mixed" with an Ostrich (don't ask...I don't know why...lol) and would eventually be big enough to chase him around the yard. He was seriously worried that they would peck him eventually and took to wearing a Bob the Builder hard hat around in the yard. He was certain of it. . Finally his much "wiser" older brother convinced him that they were mutant ant-eating birds and would do well in our yard becase of the many fireant beds we have. He even went so far as to suggest that they would be firebreathing dragons at the finish of their mutation...which was for some reason "cool" to my youngest, and they began to map the evolution those birds have gone through, and will go through to reach the ultimate back yard bird.
I think I'll wait to tell them what they really are, though. They're having so much fun with this, and they'll eventually reach the right conclusion...and be able to "teach Mom"... Plants: 24 | From: Louisiana | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 152.163.252.161
posted
That is so cute Your boys sound adorable. I just love the way kids come up with their little stories. My daughter does that too, so did my older kids when they were young. My 7 yr. old's new theory is that because rubbing dandilions on her skin causes her skin to turn yellow it means that she is "part" lion lol I didn't have the heart to tell her differntly either...she is having a ball with it:)
posted
I saw my first hummingbird of the year on Sunday, so Monday night I bought my first ever hummingbird feeder. I hung it outside my dining room window and it only took a few hours for a hummingbird to find it
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 65.130.86.225
I was so enchanted by angelia's story, I forgot what I was going to post!?
Here on my little corner of the lake there is a large flock of white pelicans. They are the most amazing birds! I saw many brown pelicans when I lived at Muir beach. Bit I had never seen white ones.
They are amazing to see in flight, very different from any bird I have seen. What I thought wewre flocks of 13 to 20 birds, I have discovered are about 150 birds. I am so excited by them and I am afraid they are only here for a few more weeks. I cannot find a way to get near enough to take some pictures and I soooo want to.
Birds are a passion of mine. A flock of Albatross camped next to me on the beach in Kauai one summer, while they taught the kids to fly. That was an unbelievable experience.
I had no idea they had pelicans at the Ft. Worth Zoo. Although only 3. They must be lonesome. cause these guys are very group oriented!
But I bet I can call the zoo and they will tell me, when they migrate away from here.
I am going to Oshman's this weekend and look at little inflatable boats. Then I can get close enough to watch them better. I want to take some pics, but my LOL camera is an old nikon F3 and I'll prolly drop it in the water!
de ni
Plants: 24 | From: rowlett | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 216.253.209.57
posted
You're welcome de~ni My son & husband got a great little inflatable boat for 200 bucks at the bass pro shop online a few years ago. They of course used it for fishing in the swamps & creeks around here, but I loved it to go out on the lakes & get a closer look at the loons:)
posted
I was so excited tonight.....I filled all of my 3 birdfeeders, and birdbath and sat and watched as 2 blue birds appeard, and a woodpecker!!! I called my hubby and said what the heck is that....when he told me a woodpecker I couldn't believe it......we have lots around here, but I've never saw one feed in my yard before....plus I don't usually get blue birds......I get a few red ones, but mostly just sparrows......
Seeded: 63.49.143.94
posted
This evening I saw an indigo bunting at my tower sunflower feeder. I've had them before on the ground, but don't remember seeing them at the feeder. It was a gorgeous sight what with the other 5 feeding ports filled with goldfinches!
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 63.191.161.145
posted
Maybe that's what I saw at one of my feeders the other day. Very small, and the most beautiful iridescent blue! You think so? I wish my bird ID book wasn't packed up. There was another bird out there yesterday that I had NEVER seen before. It was a medium size bird, with snow white on the underside and head, and jet black on top, with red on it's throat.
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 24.49.153.3
posted
Yup, sounds like indigo bunting. The ones I have are a deeper blue than this. The other bird you mentioned is a rose-breasted grosbeak. I don't have any, but my mom has been seeing some at her feeders.
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 65.130.84.140
posted
You were right on both! Thank you! It's hard to describe a bird on "google"! I need to unpack my bird books! Hope I see them again. Now that they know the MotherLoad of bird food is at my house, maybe they'll come and bring the rest of the clan (Kentucky word for "family"!!!).
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 24.49.153.3
posted
I thought I'd also share my joy about seeing an indigo bunting when I came home this afternoon. I've never seen one before, and didn't even know they came here. What a gorgeous color!
Unfortunately, the feeder he was on is broken and he was finishing up the seeds on the bottom. Guess I'll have to run out and get a new feeder soon!
* * * * Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???" Plants: 17066 | From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 67.84.51.43
posted
I have been experiencing the unfortunate situation of a robin REPEATEDLY hours at a time slamming into my windows all accross the front of my house. When I told my mom about it, they had the same problem once too and it did it untill it was bloody and half dead. Well my first thought was that it was trying to get inside the house, not understanding that theres glass between us. But then I called my son "the bird expert" and said it was seeing its own reflection and is a male and is defending its territory. He said to try and cover the windows,,,,,,,,,?????? Or put alot of stuff around to scare him off and hopefully he'll forget or leave. It is just sooo sad to watch!!!!!! He does it constantly all morning and I keep scareing him away, has anyone else ever witnessed this?
* * * * I am old, and repotting wont help! Plants: 292 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 68.190.154.5
posted
O.K., here's where the knowledge of being the neighborhood's "Crazy Bird Lady" comes in!
Your window, to a bird, is like a mirror. It reflects everything OUTSIDE, so it just seems like an extension to the outdoors to them. Here's a good place to start finding out what you can do about it. Window Crashing
(After you read this you will know why I don't keep my windows very clean!!!)
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 24.49.153.3
posted
Thanks Cindy for more info. But I just can't believe the bird thinks my windows are clean . And all the windows on the front of the house face a high traffic street. The neighbors will be certain I'm losing it.........again
* * * * I am old, and repotting wont help! Plants: 292 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2004
| Seeded: 68.190.154.5
posted
Hey, I'm the only entertainment my neighbors have!
* * * * Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car! Plants: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004
| Seeded: 24.49.153.3
gardenmom32210
guest
posted
I saw this in one of my gardening books. You can purchase a glass etching kit and etch attractive designs on your windows(you will still get light through them),it will stop birds from flying into them. You can also get glass paint and liquid leading to create your own faux stained glass design on the windows(I did this one and it looks sooo pretty). Both ideas add an umph to the home and saves the birdies
posted
The last couple of years I haven't had any bluebirds in my bluebird house outside my dining room window. A little red squirrel had chewed the entrance hole too wide. The bluebirds attempted a second nesting both years but were evicted by the wrens!
I finally got around to cutting a piece of flashing to put over the hole, but it was too late for the bluebirds. However, I now have a pair of tree swallows building a nest in the bluebird box. I'd heard treeswallows would use bluebird boxes, but had never seen any before.
Now I'll just put up another bluebird box to see if I can entice the bluebirds to use it for their second nesting. I'll try to get a wren guard installed over the hole first.
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 65.130.84.86
loz
guest
posted
I know birds like fruit, and I had some over ripe bananas to throw out and I was wondering if it's okay to feed them to the birds, and if they'll even eat them.....I mean, I know they eat berries and such but bananas????? My theory is they have to get tired of eating the same old birdseed over and over and over again.....I know I would....lol I'd rather the birds eat them than they just go to waste.....
The birds that feed in my yard seem to be getting used to me......when I'm walking around they'll just keep eating away.....must be getting kind of tame or something.......either that or they are so starving they don't care.....lol We always sit out at night on the back and watch them.....it's tradition.....My birdbath was one of my fav. gifts.....I love watching them splashing around......
Seeded: 63.49.143.82
posted
I know Orioles are supposed to be attracted to oranges and the thrushes and other birds kept getting into my blueberries last year. One of them was acting kind of strange. I could get within about 2 or 3 feet of him before he would start to hop away. He wouldn't fly. I finally decided he was drunk from eating fallen blueberries that had fermented.
P.S. I throw out apple cores for the squirrels.
* * * * Terry
May the force be with you Plants: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
| Seeded: 65.130.86.175
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) and have offerred several ummmm creative(??)opinions as to their existance. My personal favorite was my youngest son's explanation. He came home from school one day all excited because he "knew" what happened to the cardinals (he insists they are cardinals because of the topknot). He decided that they had "mixed" with an Ostrich (don't ask...I don't know why...lol) and would eventually be big enough to chase him around the yard. He was seriously worried that they would peck him eventually and took to wearing a Bob the Builder hard hat around in the yard. He was certain of it. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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Your boys sound adorable. I just love the way kids come up with their little stories. My daughter does that too, so did my older kids when they were young. My 7 yr. old's new theory is that because rubbing dandilions on her skin causes her skin to turn yellow it means that she is "part" lion lol ![[grin]](graemlins/grinnnn.gif)
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ni
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cause these guys are very group oriented!![[thinker]](graemlins/idea.gif)
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