Number 1 confusion bird
for many seems to be this species. This is a Brown-headed Cowbird, and he is growing his adult feathers. The hues in the black portions as well as the simple brown of the youngsters and females can make it hard for people to identify this bird. When I was still a birdwatching beginner, at one point I thought, “Everytime I don’t know what it is, it is very likely a Cowbird.” And that was often the case. I love this particular look on them and am happy this one came to the camera. He seems to have some bumps on the feet but I haven’t seen them on any other bird.
Today when I walked outside
to refill the feeders, I heard a familiar birdsong that I hadn't heard in way too long. And lo and behold - there was a group of at least three Tufted Titmice, happily checking out the buffet and singing away. I hope they stay, I have been missing them! (The one in the picture appears to be a young one.) Interestingly enough, I also recently heard people say they spotted red-breasted Nuthatches. I haven’t had any of those guys last winter, so I hope this year they will be back too. And Pine Siskins!
Chuck, as we have decided
to call the quirky and vivacious young woodpecker, is really enjoying the treats in the camera bowl. And I am enjoying the details his portraits give me into the feather detail of a young Red-bellied Woodpecker.
A Moltey Crue
The Grackles are starting to grow their feathers back (and one youngster is getting adult feathers), resulting in all shades of a dark rainbow.
I have said before
that birdwatching is a bit like eating seasonally for me. I try to make the best of what is available at the moment. So here is another Hummingbird photo, from yesterday. If you look closely, you can see a tiny red feather coming in as the start of the characteristical gorget of this teenage Rubythroated Hummingbird.
I am not sure
if this young Red-bellied Woodpecker is a boy or a girl, but it seems to love the camera feeder - it comes for snacks every day. Red-bellied Woodpeckers are beloved regular visitors in my yard, but the babies can be kind of elusive. This is the first year that a youngster is not camera shy, and I absolutely love it. Also just as much a goofball as the parents :D
Tiny case of "Nope"
I saw a male Hummingbird today on the regular feeder and then decided to try and get video eith this cute little homemade button feeder. He did not come, but this one did, a female or younrgster. Also not happy about it haha I’ll give it another try tomorrow. I took the video with the GitUp camera at 60 fps and slowed it down a lot to show some of the cool flight movements.
Sunday sunshine!
Baltimore activity is still quite high, even though this will soon change when the first ones start their fall migration. I always thought it was interesting to see their plumage variety, so here is a little gallery. I especially love the “Sunrise Tequila” one.
This lady is a goofball
and she cracks me up! In the middle photo she saw another Hummingbird approaching. I am really enjoying it that their activity has picked up. This almost feels normal.
Molting birds
can be tough to look at, but these Blue Jays are already growing their new feathers back.
They have been scarce for a bit,
but the Chickadees are also slowly making their comeback. And they are exploring all options, including the hummingbird feeder.
The Blue Jay babies
come in different shades and marking, something which I always find somewhat fascinating because the adults seem so much alike. This one sticks out a bit because it has hardly any markings. It looks so cute against the flower backdrop. (I am still super busy with work for the next couple of days but then I will hopefully find time to go through the big pile of photos that have been accumulating.)
The Hummingbird feeder
is more popular than ever during this summer with so little Hummingbird action. They are here, they are even still nesting, so keep those feeders up and clean and make sure the nectar is fresh. Avoid the red stuff from the stores, you can easily make it yourself with one part sugar and four parts water (no chlorinated tap water). I also still have Orioles, but the males are becoming rarer. This one might be a migrant on his way south.
More teens
Namely: Cardinal (it was getting dark so the photo is not superb but I was so excited to finally get her), Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, House Finch (she is the most adorable little thing, and somehow the only young House Finch I have been seeing on a regular basis around the feeders. She has some odd feathers on her tail, maybe that’s why.)
I am having a very busy work week, so I haven’t posted many photos, but I put the cams out and they have been diligently taking photos. I just need to find the time for editing. Hopefully, things calm down a bit next week. Have a beautiful Friday and weekend!
We got a good amount of rain
the other day, so here are some birds with rain drop jewelry.
(Common Grackle, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove)
Teenagers!
The yard is full of teenage birds, so here is a little gallery. In order of appearance: Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Common Grackle, European Starling, Red-winged Blackbird, Blue Jay and Red-bellied Woodpecker.
The balding Blue Jay
is not making a lot of progress, and I am not sure if he is molting. The patterns and textures on his head are fascinating, though.