Ornithology (Bird) Thread

[doglegg]

Common bird but exciting every time I see one. Cool!

[Quick Steel]

Nice Shot. The Red-Tails around here refuse to pose.

[Dinadan]

Cool photo, Ike. It is funny how a hawk on a power pole will fly when I stop my vehicle for a photo. Of course, most of the birds in my back yard take wing at the sight of my camera: no reason a hawk should be different.

[bighomer]

These little fellers are leaving heading south, but I'm getting a few from farther north I reckon.

[QTCut5]

most of the birds in my back yard take wing at the sight of my camera

I'm glad to know that it's not just me who has this problem

About 15 years ago I cultivated a pineapple patch which a small flock of 20-30 purple finches would visit daily. When I stopped growing pineapples they disappeared. So I was quite surprised to see this lone purple finch in my yard today. I was very fortunate to get a couple shots of him since I had to shoot through window glass from about ten yards away. If I had gone outside I'm sure he would have taken off immediately because, like many small birds, purple finches are very skittish and difficult to get close to. But this little guy was busy hunting and eating insects so he was a bit distracted. I first noticed him sitting on an areca palm stump staring intently at a patch of long grass where the mosquitoes hang out (waiting for me to go outside, no doubt). Then he swooped down to the ground and would flutter up and snag mosquitoes over and over as they buzzed overhead. It looked like an avian ballet. I took about a hundred pictures trying to capture him mid leap, but it always happened so much faster than I could press the shutter.

[doglegg]

Sweet shots Q.

[bighomer]

Just waiting my turn.

[doglegg]

Following the pecking order. Great pic oh.

[Quick Steel]

Q, do you ever get a Shasma Thrush? I used to enjoy their singing very much.

[QTCut5]

Q, do you ever get a Shasma Thrush? I used to enjoy their singing very much.

Garry, according to my Pocket Guide to Hawai'i's Birds, there are several varieties of thrush in the islands including the White-rumped Thrush (aka Shama Thrush). Apparently it is more common on O'ahu and Maui while it's cousin, the Melodious Laughing Thrush is more common on Kaua'i, Maui and the Big Island (where I live). However, I believe they prefer the ohi'a and koa forests at higher elevations than where I live at sea level. Would really like to see/hear one someday, though. Keeping my eyes & ears peeled, my camera ready and fingers crossed.

[FRJ]

Our local Heron.

[Paladin]

Guess where I put the birdseed.... There are 10-12 whitewings in the dry birdbath this morning.

Ray

[doglegg]

Ray, it is season you know.

[Quick Steel]

Ray, very smart. I never thought of a dry bird bath. So you fill it with dirt the birds flit around in it to defeat mites or whatever. Is that correct?

[Paladin]

Ray, very smart. I never thought of a dry bird bath. So you fill it with dirt the birds flit around in it to defeat mites or whatever. Is that correct?

Actually, I keep it dry to avoid a mosquito breeding and egg laying habitat. As soon as we get into winter I'll fill it with water again. For now I just sprinkle a heavy layer of seed in there and they all go to town on it. I had avoided doing this for quite a long time in fear that the dreaded Grackles would take over but they have not gathered at the trough. I have had one old crippled male Grackle but I decided to let him hang around since he was sorta beat up.

Ray

[Quick Steel]

Thanks for the explanation. I thought you were providing a place for the birds to take a dust bath which I have seen birds do from time to time.

[Dinadan]

Nice Heron, Joe: and nice White-winged Doves, Paladin. The doves, both Mourning and White-winged, seem to have moved on from my neighborhood now that nesting season is over.

This afternoon I enjoyed watching a mixed flock of small birds in my garden. The weather in the Gulf has been a bit unsettled for a couple of weeks now, and it seems like bird numbers are building up in my neighborhood while they wait for a chance to cross the Gulf.
Lots of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. They are really hitting the Cypress Vine.

Ruby-throat

Ruby-throat

A couple of Yellow Warblers are hanging around in my Live Oak.

Yellow Warbler

And some Pine Warblers.

Pine Warbler

Anyone recognize this fellow? I am thinking maybe Swainson's Warbler, but they are kind of rare in my area and I am not certain.

Unknown

Unknown

[Waukonda]

Nice shots, Mel, very nice. I have seen a few warblers in the last 2 or 3 weeks, but not in my yard!

I am looking at your "unknown" bird, Red Eyed Vireo?

[doglegg]

Don't know your mystery bird Mel but I love the pics. Thanks.

[Mumbleypeg]

Mel, your mystery bird looks to me like a Red-eyed Vireo. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-eyed_Vireo/id Nice pics!

Ken

[Dinadan]

Thanks fellows. I am thinking that Ike and Ken are correct and my unknown is a Red-eyed Vireo. They are actually pretty common in this area in the summer.

[TripleF]

Wish I knew more birds.....but I do see these frequwntly.

Sand Hill Cranes and wild turkeys!

[Quick Steel]

Saw Black Vultures in the neighborhood. Not soaring but each sitting by itself on hay bales, fence lines etc. About a dozen all waiting for something to die. These infrequent visitors give me the creeps.

[Dinadan]

I like those Sandhill Cranes, Scott. I very rarely see one of those. Turkeys are more common my area.

[bighomer]

Having a fine ole time in the swimming pool.