Backyard Bird Watchers

[Danl]

About six years ago we had a pileated woodpecker in our neighborhood that discovered the 100+ foot high metal TVA power line tower that is about 400 yards through the woods from our house. That guy terrorized the whole area for about a month. We hiked over to the tower to watch him. He would hammer on the metal tower for a while then he would let loose with that maniacal kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk call they do for a while and then back to drumming. It was a pretty funny to watch but way too loud.

 

[DancingOutlaw]

A third fern has fallen victim to the finches, and those finches are getting punked by a cowbird.

 

[VolNExile]

A third fern has fallen victim to the finches, and those finches are getting punked by a cowbird.View attachment 375417

What do you do when you find this? Do you pitch the cowbird egg?

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

Horned owl outside, tonight. Usually, barred owls are my visitors. Horned owl passing through is a rare treat.

Barred or barn?

 

[Tin Man]

Barred or barn?

Barred. The “laughing owls.”

 

[Danl]

Had nine silky flycatchers in a tree in our yard this morning. They usually just pass through on their way to who-knows-where, but the last two years they have taken up residence in some pepper trees in our yard.

Couldn't get a good picture so I borrowed one from the Gooleynets.

 

[DancingOutlaw]

What do you do when you find this? Do you pitch the cowbird egg?

An update to this, I checked the nest yesterday and the cowbird egg had hatched but the baby was dead. I don’t know if the finch knew it wasn’t hers and didn’t feed it or what happened. The others haven’t hatched yet.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Hummingbirds are back

 

[Danl]

Hummingbirds are back View attachment 378197

Those Squirrel Tailed Hummers look sickly. I always get good results in cases like this by injecting them with some Vitamin .22LR. Clears things up quickly.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Eagle?

 

[DancingOutlaw]

Eagle? View attachment 382782

Looks more like an osprey.

 

[Tin Man]

A hairy woodpecker paid me a visit. Must be traveling through. Couldn’t get a picture.

 

[malinoisvol]

A hairy woodpecker paid me a visit. Must be traveling through. Couldn’t get a picture.

Had to Google that one. HBPW asked if it was a drink. Lol

 

[Rishvol]

A hairy woodpecker paid me a visit. Must be traveling through. Couldn’t get a picture.

Sure it wasn't an upside downy?

 

[Tin Man]

Sure it wasn't an upside downy?

Yes, I’m sure. Downies are regulars on my property. This bird was larger, had slightly different coloration, and different vocalizations.

 

[Tin Man]

Flock of robins several thousand strong visited my neighborhood this morning.

 

[Tin Man]

A flicker has been calling around my property the past few days. I’m pleased. A mated pair were regulars until development of the tract behind mine began six years ago.

 

[Tin Man]

I’ve heard barred owls the past two weeks. In years past they would pass through in February, on their way to nesting territory north of me. Indication of an early Spring?

 

[Tin Man]

Year round song birds are fussing over mating territory and calling. Even a few robins are hanging around. Tohees are fixing up their nest from last year. Signs of an early Spring.

 

[GoDucks349]

Hummingbirds are back View attachment 378197

A slinky over the vertical pole will thwart those pesky little varmints

 

[Tin Man]

A pair of red tails are flying around my airspace, calling to each other. Once before, red tails nested near me. It would be grand if these chose to do so.

 

[n_huffhines]

A pair of red tails are flying around my airspace, calling to each other. Once before, red tails nested near me. It would be grand if these chose to do so.

Cool. I got pigeons *****ing on my patio off their rooftop nest.

 

[Rishvol]

Cool. I got pigeons *****ing on my patio off their rooftop nest.

Sounds like you need a resident Cooper's hawk

 

[Tin Man]

A couple of barred owls are talking to each other this afternoon.

 

[DancingOutlaw]

Cool. I got pigeons *****ing on my patio off their rooftop nest.

Get some pigeon spikes and knock out the nest so you don't get new guests. If you're sporting you could allow the current eggs to hatch and fly away.