Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[treefarmer]

bighomer,
Is the little blue one an Indigo Bunting? We see them once in a coons age, also the Painted Bunting is pretty rare around our camp.
Treefarmer

[bighomer]

bighomer,
Is the little blue one an Indigo Bunting? We see them once in a coons age, also the Painted Bunting is pretty rare around our camp.
Treefarmer

That's what it is Farmer I see them occasionally on a nearby road that has a lot of under growth on it but they rarely visit my yard.

[Dinadan]

Cool photos, fellows. I always like to see an Indigo Bunting. I have seen them nesting in my area in overgrown fence rows, but mostly just passing through on migration. The Yellow-billed Cuckoos and the Great Crested Flycatchers are back on the Gulf Coast now. I think they are some of the last migrants to arrive, so I guess migration is pretty much over in my area.

[doglegg]

BH, glad for you to see the buntings.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Difficult to get good sharp photos through window glass, but here are a couple of Hairy Woodpeckers, I think, at the suet blocks.

Charlie

[Steve Warden]

Had a catbird at the suet cake today. I've seen them around before, but this was the first time at the feeder. Went to get my camera and he was gone when I got back. Oh, well. Just gotta be ready for next time.

[RobesonsRme.com]

We had a bright yellow bird, small, at one of our seed feeders a couple of weeks ago. Couldn’t get a photo and haven’t seen it since.

Charlie

[Dinadan]

I always like seeing woodpeckers, of any kind, at the feeder. Usually Red Bellied Woodpeckers are the only ones that show up at our feeder.

Here is the Great Crested Flycatcher. He was in a treetop behind my house yesterday. They have a very piercing and distinctive call, so if you know their call it is easy to know when they arrive in the spring.

Great Crested Flycatcher

This morning I was fortunate enough to spot a gathering of Mississippi Kites and Swallow Tailed Kites. There probably over a hundred feeding over a field along the Alabama-Mississippi state line. I stopped and watched a half hour: quite a sight to see. here are three photos which did not turn out that great. I have a hard time with the fast flying birds.

Kites

Mississippi Kite

Swallowtail Kites

[Steve Warden]

Those kites are kool!

[Steve Warden]

Catbird showed up again. Not the best photo, but he's there.

[treefarmer]

Steve,
We never see a Cat Bird in the yard or around the feeders. They are always in an old grown up fence row, I like to hear them. They have to be a close relative of the Mocking Birds.
The Wren nest we've been watching is a critical stage, it's about time for the little one to leave, hope they make it. They have to out smart cats, Blue Jays, a certain little black hearted Dachshund and Oak Snakes.
Treefarmer

Thursday May 2nd, almost transparent little birds

Today May 6th, looks like they are about feathered out

[basser5]

How did I miss this thread? I love it fellas!

[Quick Steel]

basser5, Those are great shots. Was the photo of the Black Vultures taken in Illinois?

[royal0014]

Only thing I could get a picture of around here would
be buzzards and crows ....

We do have a whipoorwill or two that visit every evening, always put a little light in my heart.
Caught a glimpse of a humming bird last week.
And the wife and I saw a momma goose and 3 or 4 goslings in a neighbor's yard.
That was very unusual ....

[basser5]

basser5, Those are great shots. Was the photo of the Black Vultures taken in Illinois?

Yes, somewhere around Rend lake

[Quick Steel]

[Steve Warden]

Treefarmer, catbirds are insect eaters. Only reason I can figure they're attracted to the feeder is the suet. The first one I saw at the feeder was getting into the suet.

Basser5 - WOW!!!

[Steve Warden]

P1010314.JPGP1010318.JPGP1010317.JPG

What are you using for feed to draw 'em in?

[Quick Steel]

Steve, this was the only time they set down on our property, to my knowledge. Certainly don't try to draw them in. Of course we do get them circulating above us and nearby fields; not everyday but with some frequency.

[doglegg]

QS, I don't know if I am more impressed with the buzzards are with the fly in that first photo. Good catch of both.

[Quick Steel]

That is not a Hummingbird?

[RobesonsRme.com]

Morning Doves nesting on our downspout. I thought they were ground nesters. Wrong.

Love to hear their call. I used to be able to duplicate it blowing into my cupped fists, but not any longer.

Charlie

[doglegg]

That is not a Hummingbird?

[doglegg]

Hummingbird comment reminded me that I got a couple of pic's from a Seattle trip. The 2nd is my favorite.

[Doc B]

That 2nd picture is an exceptional one!