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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 7:51 pm
by Mumbleypeg
Paladin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:59 pm
Are Cow Birds and Grackles the same bird? I hear the terms used interchangeably here and it causes me to wonder.
Ray
They’re not the same. And cowbirds are parasitic birds - they lay their eggs in the nests of songbirds, then leave them to be raised by the songbird parents. If that’s not bad in and of itself, the real problem is that cowbird chicks are typically bigger and more aggressive so they get most if not all of the food brought to the nestlings by parents, often starving their nest mates.
Two years ago a cardinal nested in a bush near a window in our house. One day I looked out and saw a cowbird sitting on the nest. After she left I found a speckled egg, larger than the other eggs in the nest. I removed the speckled egg. The next day the nest was torn up and all the eggs scattered on the ground under the bush. The vindictive cowbird had destroyed the nest. I have read that is not uncommon.
Ken
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:26 pm
by doglegg
Paladin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:59 pm
Are Cow Birds and Grackles the same bird? I hear the terms used interchangeably here and it causes me to wonder.
Ray
They are not Ray.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:31 pm
by doglegg
A Eurasian Collared Dove was hanging around my feeder today. Not rare but not common either. An immigrant. It's the top bird in the pics.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 11:57 pm
by Paladin
Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 7:51 pm
Paladin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:59 pm
Are Cow Birds and Grackles the same bird? I hear the terms used interchangeably here and it causes me to wonder.
Ray
They’re not the same. And cowbirds are parasitic birds - they lay their eggs in the nests of songbirds, then leave them to be raised by the songbird parents. If that’s not bad in and of itself, the real problem is that cowbird chicks are typically bigger and more aggressive so they get most if not all of the food brought to the nestlings by parents, often starving their nest mates.
Two years ago a cardinal nested in a bush near a window in our house. One day I looked out and saw a cowbird sitting on the nest. After she left I found a speckled egg, larger than the other eggs in the nest. I removed the speckled egg. The next day the nest was torn up and all the eggs scattered on the ground under the bush. The vindictive cowbird had destroyed the nest. I have read that is not uncommon.
Ken
doglegg wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:26 pm
Paladin wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 6:59 pm
Are Cow Birds and Grackles the same bird? I hear the terms used interchangeably here and it causes me to wonder.
Ray
They are not Ray.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the help on this.
Ray
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2026 9:47 pm
by Waukonda
On the subject of Blackbirds.....have any of you who feed, noticed that male and female RW Blackbirds don't flock together during Winter months? I will have either a flock of females, or a group of males, not that either is desirable. Here are some females that showed up today along with the Grackles, 2 days ago I had males.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 3:26 pm
by Waukonda
This Carolina Wren flew into my garage this morning. I shooed him out and it landed in a nearby tree and began to sing like it was a Spring day. It is far from being Spring, but it was good to hear his song.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 3:36 pm
by doglegg
Waukonda wrote: ↑Thu Jan 29, 2026 3:26 pm
This Carolina Wren flew into my garade thos morning. I shooed hom out and it landed in a nearby tree and began to sing like it was a Spring day. It is far from being Spring, but it was good to hear his song.
They can sure be loud to be so small. Great pic.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 3:41 pm
by Paladin
We have those, or similar, here and they are one of my favorite birds. They are so industrious, always busy.
Ray
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:11 pm
by Mumbleypeg
Wrens are fun to watch, and yes, they are noisy! For such a small bird they’re feisty too. I’ve seen them chase off bigger birds. Usually have several pairs nesting around here. The Merlin app on my phone identifies them a lot more than I can see them. Occasionally we get a pair nesting in one of the bluebird boxes.
Ken
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 10:06 pm
by Waukonda
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2026 11:46 pm
by doglegg
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2026 12:42 am
by Waukonda
doglegg wrote: ↑Thu Jan 29, 2026 11:46 pm
Super pics Ike!!!
I can't take much credit for the pics. I noticed a few hundred geese (couldn't miss 'em
) as I was driving along. I slowed to about 40mph, rolled down the window, and took several pics with my phone...not taking my eyes off of the road. These 3 were the best of the bunch, I mostly got some good pictures of the interior of my truck.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2026 2:05 am
by knifeaddict1965
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2026 5:31 pm
by Waukonda
I couldn't manage to get a better pic, but here are a couple of Baldies shining in the Winter sun.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2026 9:40 pm
by Waukonda
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:41 pm
by doglegg
The Baldies look better. The gobblers taste better. Good pics.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2026 7:01 am
by CarMan
The first photo is almost funny. He was eating fine though. The next 2 photos are of the biggest hummingbird I have ever seen lol.
If I can I will try to get a picture of the American Kestrel that seems to think my garage overhang is home, but he usually takes off before I get there.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 6:30 pm
by Waukonda
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Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:34 pm
by doglegg
At last a great pic of the infamous red headed snowpecker! Very cool (I couldn't help myself) pic.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 10:05 pm
by Waukonda
doglegg wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:34 pm
At last a great pic of the infamous red headed snowpecker! Very cool (I couldn't help myself) pic.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 11:20 pm
by Boji
Sorry guys, that is NOT a Red-headed Woodpecker. It is a Re-bellied Woodpecker.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 12:01 am
by Waukonda
Boji wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 11:20 pm
Sorry guys, that is NOT a Red-headed Woodpecker. It is a Re-bellied Woodpecker.
The Red Bellied is so common that I didn't bother to list a name when I posted the pictures. But hey, are you sure Floyd is not correct? I think he may be, go back and read his post again.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 3:14 am
by doglegg
Boji wrote: ↑Wed Feb 04, 2026 11:20 pm
Sorry guys, that is NOT a Red-headed Woodpecker. It is a Re-bellied Woodpecker.
Oh Boji, I feel like mom just stepped in and yelled for us to straighten up. We have mostly those here in DFW. But...it kinda resembles a red headed snowpecker...just a little.
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 12:38 pm
by Boji
Well, guess I missed the humor. They aren’t common here, this year is the first I have had them at my feeders.
And I think they should be called Red Crested, where is the red belly?
Re: Ornithology (Bird) Thread
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 3:06 pm
by doglegg
Boji wrote: ↑Thu Feb 05, 2026 12:38 pm
Well, guess I missed the humor. They aren’t common here, this year is the first I have had them at my feeders.
And I think they should be called Red Crested, where is the red belly?
Boji you have to catch their tummy just right to see the red. It's usually more pink. And usually my humor is pretty weak so it's easy to miss.