Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[Steve Warden]

Pretty boy comes by several times a day, I have redbellies out the cuzoo.

Is he drilling on that pole, or do you hang suet?

[bighomer]

Suet ,The redbellies will put it in cracks on the pole, the nuthaches and downys will get it out as well as the redbellies. I've never observed the redhead or hairys do that my wife saw a pileated on the pole the other day, unusual they generally visit the front yard and knock chunks of wood out of my ole boxelders.

[just bob]

Was able to get these hummingbird pics this morning. Sorry I don't have better camera equipment.

[Waukonda]

Nice Hummer photos, Bob.

Goldfinches hitting the Thistle hard in my area.

[Steve Warden]

Bob and Ike - love the pics!

[doglegg]

Sweet hummers Bob.


What a beautiful bird Ike, great pic.

[Quick Steel]

Ditto. Like your Gold Finch a lot.

[Mumbleypeg]

Great pictures Bob and Ike.

We get the Goldfinches here in winter when they are not sporting their bright colors. Nice to see what they look like in summer!

Ken

[Waukonda]

Great pictures Bob and Ike.

We get the Goldfinches here in winter when they are not sporting their bright colors. Nice to see what they look like in summer!

Ken

It is interesting to watch the transition from the drab winter colors to the vivid yellow of summer.

[Waukonda]

Out with the dog in the same area as yesterday, forgive me for more pics of the same birds but I couldnt get any yesterday where they were facing me, so here is a couple.

[philco]

Love the Goldfinch photos. They are my favorite.

[Quick Steel]

Wonderful photos.

[WillyCamaro]

Wonderful photo's/birds/nature all . God's creation is still very beautiful, even after the fall, he gives us beautiful things to remind us of His Glory and Power .

[doglegg]

Thanks for sharing Ike.

[Waukonda]

Thank you Phil, Garry, Willynilly, and Floyd.

Nothing quite like the yellow of Goldfinches midst the purple of Thistle. I occasionally see Yellow Breasted Chat and also Prothonatary Warblers are common here, but their yellow can't quite compare to the brightness of a Goldfinch.

[Quick Steel]

Based on your bird species I'm guessing you live near some interesting terrain. A few photos of your surroundings would be of interest.

[TPK]

Thank you Phil, Garry, Willynilly, and Floyd.

Nothing quite like the yellow of Goldfinches midst the purple of Thistle. I occasionally see Yellow Breasted Chat and also Prothonatary Warblers are common here, but their yellow can't quite compare to the brightness of a Goldfinch.

I have some Thistle right outside and I saw a couple of these birds (a bit less yellow than yours) hanging out there last sommer. Reading in Wiki it said they eat mainly plant seeds & of these seeds, they especially like Thistle seeds.

[zzyzzogeton]

Here's something you don't see every day --- A Black Vulture chilling out on the bird bath in my back yard. Fuzzy picture taken with my iphone through a dirty window, range about 30 feet.



Official name is Coragypts atratus aka "Black Vulture". The Latin name translated to "raven-vulture clothed in black".

There have been (failed) efforts made since 2007 to change it to "American Black Vulture" as it's range covers from the northern 1/2 of Argentina up to the southern US, stretching from San Diego County to Maryland. Not officially in the Texas panhandle but I wouldn't discount it being found there or up into Oklahoma and Kansas.

[Mumbleypeg]

Neat picture. All God’s creatures gotta have water.

Ken

[Waukonda]

Based on your bird species I'm guessing you live near some interesting terrain. A few photos of your surroundings would be of interest.

I will post some pics, Garry, prob not too much unlike your backyard except for the strip mined areas here. The many small lakes and potholes left behind by the mines are good habitat for the Prothonatary Warblers and other species which otherwise, may not have set up shop in Southern Illinois.

I have some Thistle right outside and I saw a couple of these birds (a bit less yellow than yours) hanging out there last sommer.
[/quote]
This European Goldfinch is a handsome bird, would that be the one to which you are referring?

[Waukonda]

Definitely have never seen a Vulture in a birdbath! Wow! Thanks for posting that.

[Dinadan]

Very cool Goldfinch photos, Ike!

ZZ - your Vulture photo is not nearly as pretty as the Goldfinches, but even more interesting. I often see Turkey Vultures over my home, and occasionally Black Vultures. None have ever landed here while I was looking. I kind of think it is a bad omen if a Vulture lands on your birdbath!

[zzyzzogeton]

Yeah, kinds surprised the heck out of me when I looked out the window rhis morning.

My sister asked me who I had buried in the back yard. I told her no one she knew.

[TPK]

Based on your bird species I'm guessing you live near some interesting terrain. A few photos of your surroundings would be of interest.

I will post some pics, Garry, prob not too much unlike your backyard except for the strip mined areas here. The many small lakes and potholes left behind by the mines are good habitat for the Prothonatary Warblers and other species which otherwise, may not have set up shop in Southern Illinois.

I have some Thistle right outside and I saw a couple of these birds (a bit less yellow than yours) hanging out there last sommer.

This European Goldfinch is a handsome bird, would that be the one to which you are referring?
[/quote]


Yes, if I remember correctly, that's what they looked like. If they return this year, I'll tryin take a picture.

[TPK]

Here's something you don't see every day --- A Black Vulture chilling out on the bird bath in my back yard. Fuzzy picture taken with my iphone through a dirty window, range about 30 feet.

Official name is Coragypts atratus aka "Black Vulture". The Latin name translated to "raven-vulture clothed in black".
There have been (failed) efforts made since 2007 to change it to "American Black Vulture" as it's range covers from the northern 1/2 of Argentina up to the southern US, stretching from San Diego County to Maryland. Not officially in the Texas panhandle but I wouldn't discount it being found there or up into Oklahoma and Kansas.

Neat picture!