Most of you who read my "leftist" posts on P* have probably suspected I was a bird brain. Well, I am now serving notice to the masses, I really am a bird brain. I am totally fascinated with birds.

The thing which has prompted me to write this post was my first sighting this morning of two Indigo Buntings in one of my many feeders. For those of you who have never seen an Indigo Bunting, they are a beautiful bird, about the size of a sparrow, and are a solid bright blue in color. I had never seen one before, except in photographs.

There is nothing more relaxing for me, than sitting at my kitchen table drinking coffee and watching all the different birds come to feast at my feeders.

This little insanity of mine even carries over to my workplace. While my coworkers go out for lunch to eat, I carry a bag of birdseed outside to feed the sparrows and pigeons near my office. I do this every day, year round. People pass and watch the pigeons sit on my arm and eat the seed out of my hand. The pigeons all know me now and when I leave my building at the end of the day, they'll all swoop down to me from the surrounding buildings and hover in front of me, waiting for a handout. I don't like to disappoint them, so I'll spend a few minutes feeding them before I walk off to catch my bus.

Just curious, but am I alone?  Are there any other crazy people out there who share my fascination with birds?

sensei, the birds are fascinated watching me.  ;)

The Indigo Bunting sounds beautiful.  Give him a chirp from Queenie, will you?

;)

qh1 the percoliscious birdbrain 

Sensei, Your avian lunch break evokes an image of St. Francis of Assisi (he used to preach to the birds). When I lived in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, I was "bird crazy" too (Audubon Life List, etc.). If you're a serious birder, plan a trip there in late fall or winter. Be sure to visit Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park near McAllen, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Laguna Atascosa N.W.R., South Padre Island, and Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary near Brownsville. My wife once wrote: "Your first look at the shimmering iridescence of a green jay may convince you that you're in the right place. But after you've spotted a buff-bellied hummingbird and heard the cha-cha-lac of a flock of chachalacas, you'll know why the Rio Grande Valley of Texas is considered a bird-watcher's paradise." Out here in California, Elkhorn Slough N.W.R. used to hold the North American birding record for most species (144, I recall) sighted from one location in a single day. Another amazing place is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in Costa Rica: Imagine nine species of hummingbirds flitting around you with quezal birds lurking in the trees above.

Well,how about that.

Sensei,I have bird nest boxes throughout my yard and all around my pond.Saw a couple of orioles last week.They did not look at my boxes,but stayed high in the trees.We have swans,egrets and heron as well as ducks and geese residing in the pond.

I enjoy reading the morning paper and having coffee early each day in the back yard.I get up about the same time all the birds do and we have breakfast together.

I also raise canaries at the present time.In the past we have raised a variety of both hookbills and softbills.Everything from hand tame parakeets to huge blue and gold macaws.

Ray 

Have enjoyed bid watching, hiking and tracking wildlife for many years. For the past several years I've spent my time photographing wildlife in the Methow Valley and nearby mts. Wached osprey fledge last year up near Sun Mt.

closer,

I'm not that far "gone" yet when it comes to birds and bird watching.:)

I really enjoy the pigeon thing. Pigeons are often viewed with contempt by many because they are considered a "messy" bird. On the other hand they are fond of Mourning Doves, supposedly because the pairs mate for life. However, pigeons are part of the dove family and are actually called Rock Doves. True, pigeons are considered messy because they have to do their business on the sidewalks, streets and window sills, so the mess is visible. They don't have the luxury of going in the woods or on lawns like most birds in the suburbs.

It's spring time here in Pittsburgh and I'll often walk to a small park near my workplace and observe the birds. This is mating season for the pigeons and it's funny to watch them go about it. This small park is like a large singles bar for pigeons. The males will strut around puffing out their chests hoping to impress a female. When the female is approached, they often drop their butts and splay their tail feathers, as if to tell them they aren't interested.:) So, the male then moves on and attempts to impress another female with the same strutting and the same result.:)

In our downtown area, we have families of Perrigine Falcons which nest high atop several of the tall office buildings. Of course, their favorite food is, you guessed it, pigeons. I guess they're the answer to that age-old question of why you never see baby pigeons.

Yes, at times I do look like St. Francis with all the birds sitting on me.  This usually happens during the dead of winter when it's bitter cold and there's little food to be had.  Amazingly they have never "dumped" on me, but I guess there's always a first time. Also, If you happen to be folliculary disabled like me, it's smart to wear a hat. Pigeons happen to have sharp nails and you really feel them when they're perched on your head.:)

Ray,

Orioles are intersting birds. While they are beautiful to look at, the thing I find most fascinating about them is their nests. They look like a long sock woven from grasses etc, when you see them hanging from a  tree branch. Used to see them more frequently as a kid in Iowa, but rarely see them in Pennsylvania. There's still hope.

Sensie...very cool. I had a pair of Painted Buntings come to my feeder years ago, and it was the most exciting bird watching experience I've had.

I have a one-legged Mottled Duck that has taken up temporary residence during the day in my back yard with her mate. They are vegetarians and eat the seed kicked out of the feeder by the other birds. She has a nasty disposition. I've named her Heather Mills.

-dale 

My wife and I moved out of town about 15 yrs ago.  So far this year we have been visited by a pair of Orioles, blue jays and cardinals.  The gold finches are again bright yellow.  Earlier this year there was a pair of loons that visited for about a week. 

We are loccated on a small lake and there is always someone new stopping by.  We have had to buy an audobon book just to find out who s visiting.  Probably the most interesting bird is the hummingbird that feeds from the feeder that is suctioncupped to our window.  They aren't here yet, but we expect them in about a month (it's still cold up here in WI and was 30F this morning).  Until we put feeders out, we had no idea the number of different birds that exist in our area.  Ken

When it comes to birds, I'm indifferent to most, some I love, and there are a few I absolutely detest.  My particular species of choice is the hummingbird, and I have a couple of nectar feeders in my back yard to attract them.  Over the last few years, 3 or 4 mother hummers have made nests close by to such a reliable food supply, and I've been able to photograph the chicks from the time they hatch until they learn to fly and leave home.  Almost all the hummers in this area are Anna's Hummingbirds, so I'm very envious of a place where a person can watch "nine species of hummingbirds flitting around you",  I'd love to see that.  I also like the wild finches that go through my backyard in waves.

But some birds "just need killing", and that includes pigeons, IMO.  Other birds perch in trees where their droppings fall to the ground and do some good, pigeons insist on perching on the open framing timbers above my large concrete patio, and pooping all over it.  They also have the most godforsaken, monotonous, 5 note foghorn-like love call, it drives me nuts this time of year.

I also can't stand crows, they're obnoxiously loud and there's way too many of them in my area, plus they steal eggs from other birds.  The only time I enjoy seeing a crow is  when it's being chased out of the sky by mockingbirds, who won't tolerate them anywhere near their nests (the crows then do the same thing to the occasional hawk that comes by).

The one type of bird I'm bipolar about is sparrows.  They're smart little critters, and normally I like them well enough, but their intelligence can cause them to be a PITA: being larger and heavier than hummers, they've learned that by perching on my feeders, they can make them sway, spilling the nectar, which they then slurp up.  Unfortunately, the spill also attracts ants, which I'd prefer to not have to live with.  So when sparrows start mobbing the feeders to the point hummers can't get at them, I'll kill one with an air rifle, hoping the carcass will keep the others away - unfortunately they're not THAT smart.

 

There are many finches as welll as sparrows............what kind are you referring to? The english sparrow is unprotected and I will shoot on sight. the same goes for the starling.

The red-winged blackbirds are back on our Cape Cod pond, red-bellied woodpeckers are working on the trees, and my wife and I are serving as beach monitors for Audibon's (protected) piping plover project here on Cape.

Regards to all fellow birders,

Dick 

They say the passenger pigeons once darkened the skies. Now that would have been something to have seen!  Along with the great buffalo herds! My great grandmother was full blood Cherokee and I have always had a great connection with the earth and it's wildlife.

How about Bird Listening?
Central wooded New Jersey near wetlands ..... the wood thrush!
More beautiful than I can describe - sounds like bells in the wood.
They act like robins, but have white speckled breasts and brown/reddish backs. Their calling - in spring is in two sections separated by a long pause. The Beethoven of birds. Anyone ever heard a wood thrush?  Can you speak of it?  One of life's greatest pleasures.

Outside my bedroom window is a feeder where a family of cardinals have provided hours of entertainment for me, and our cats. Right now the large male is coming around, the smaller hen, and a couple of even smaller hens.

A few days ago I was outside on my deck, and saw a HUGE woodpecker, since identified as a Pileated Woodpecker. That bird was so much larger than the typical redheaded woodpecker we normally see.

We also have a large red-tailed hawk that lives right behind our subdivision. He makes frequent stops to sit on the corner of someones roof, then swoops down to get insects and even a snake or two. When my outside cat was very small, I worried about him swooping down and grabbing it. Kitty for dinner.

A couple of times I have seen a great horned owl in one of my trees.

The little strip of woods behind our subdivision has so many animals; raccoons, opossums, gopher turtles, even a fox has been spotted.

There are several burrow holes under my deck. Lord only knows what's living under our feet.

It's nice just to sit and watch all the birds and other critters.

Animals are far more adaptable than people give them credit.

Thankfully we don't have any ponds nearby to attract gators. Too many idiot people feed them so they lose their fear of people, and start dining on pets.

Rick  

 

Rick,

In the old cartoon series, Woody Woodpecker, Woody was based on the Pileated Woodpecker. Have never seen one myself - don't think they live this far north. I have seen the Red-Bellied Woodpecker and the Downey. They do love the suet cage I have set out.

Here in Western PA we have lots of wild turkeys. It's not unusual to see a flock of them in my backyard, or my neighbor's. It's always great to see a male puff out its chest and spread its tail feathers.  Always reminds me of Thanksgiving when I see it.

Although I've seen the Great Horned Owl, it's appearance has been rare in our neck of the woods.

We don't have gators around here, but we do have more than our share of deer.and chipmunks:)

sensei, a little bird story for ya.  I just came back from an errand.  My building has an enclosed lobby and semi-sub parking, but inside it's a open air courtyard with some big trees....the walkways have Art Deco'ish wall sconces to light your way after dark.

I swore I saw something on top of the sconces.  Yep, Mr. and Mrs. Mourning Dove, cooing and checking out the real estate. Approaching quietly, I inquired if they were nesting?  They did their little squeaky sounds and flew off.

Now I'm wondering, if they do try to nest there, will it be nice & warm for the eggs or too hot for survival? 

Yesh, I'm a sucker for critters.
 

Two crows landed on the Palace patio this AM and spent a long time looking in at the Palace Felines, who expressed their interest in pursuing said birds.  The winged ones shrugged, took off, now came back for another rest.  I'm calling them Russell and Sheryl.

;)

Queenie Mae Clampett 

 

Breaking News:  Monsieur et Madame Dove are now on the patio, perching 'round the light fixture there.  So they are def looking for just the right HQ's.  

Starter homes on the Westside at a reasonable price are very difficult to find.

Q. 

 

Hetty, are there any pine or spruce tree's with low branches in the area?  Mourning Doves like to nest in them within a few feet of the ground. 

A couple of weeks ago myself and my better half participated in the annual Crane count here in central Wisconsin.  We staked out a spot that was above a marshy pond where we knew Cranes frequented.  Just before dawn we could hear the Cranes beginning to wake up and talk to their mates, but we had no idea how many were in the marsh.  Things got noisier and noisier as sunrise approached.  Finally the sun rose over the horizon and the whole marsh came alive.  We counted 128 Cranes as they lifted off to go feed in the surrounding fields.  I have no idea how many we missed, but it was quite a sight. 

uh

  

uh, in my complex, we have tall palm and ficus trees in the atrium, so these are probably too high up for the couple. However, across the street is a large townhome development with every type, size and shape of tree imaginable.  Perhaps they'll find something there?  Nevertheless, I enjoyed their visit to check out potential nurseries LOL.

I also live near the Ballona Wetlands. Much of it has been and is being developed, but there's still a large area set aside where you can see all types of flora and fauna.

That crane lift off must have been absolutely beautiful to witness.

(they always told me I was for the birds....)

 

Hetty Heron 

"That crane lift off must have been absolutely beautiful to witness"

Hetty,

Your comments remind me of that classic foreign movie, "The Cranes Are Flying". :) Knowing you, you've already seen it.:)

 

[quote user="sensei"]

"That crane lift off must have been absolutely beautiful to witness"

Hetty,

Your comments remind me of that classic foreign movie, "The Cranes Are Flying". :) Knowing you, you've already seen it.:)

 

[/quote]

Da, I have, Comrade Sensei.  I thought of mentioning it *blush* but I'm already tarred with the brush of elitism.

Oh well, no looking back now! 

Mentally, I am already a Crane....were I a television sitcom character, I'd be Frasier's and Niles' sister.

BTW Mr. and Mrs. Dove are still thinking about the patio light fixture.  While I don't think they'll be nesting, they like to drop in and tease the Royal Felines.   

;)

qh1