AWAY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS … Marilyn Armstrong

02/12/202002/14/2020 / Marilyn Armstrong

We are taking a few days off, leaving in a few hours. I have posted new material while we are away, but it’s possible I won’t have time to answer comments. I’ll try, but not making any promises.

There’s a LOT going on around here and we’ve been very busy, especially since we aren’t normally busy. We actually need and use an alarm clock.

Owen will be here to care for the pups and make sure the birds are fed. And just for reference, it turns out if you feed the squirrels separately, everyone eats and I don’t have hanging squirrels trying to get into the feeders. The problem is, we feed the squirrels on the ground, so I don’t get any pictures. Oh well. I think they are happier not hanging from the feeder and the birds are less agitated. Cooperation works well with birds and squirrels, too.

Back by the weekend, so if I’m not in touch until then, have a great rest of the week!

BIRDS OF A FEATHER SOMETIMES FLOCK TOGETHER – Marilyn Armstrong

02/12/202002/11/2020 / Marilyn Armstrong / 9 Comments

Fandango’s February Expressions #11

As a very birdie lady, I have this to say about that.

Cardinal (boy)

Lady Cardinal

Some birds — like finches — flock together. The Goldfinches show up in bunches, often more than a dozen at a time and they don’t mind taking in the House and Purple Finches who also live in the woods with them. They apparently don’t care whether you are red, raspberry, or bright yellow.

Goldfinches – just beginning to change to their breeding feathers.

Goldfinch and flying Titmouse

On the other hand, while the Cardinal often shows up with his mate, he will not tolerate the presence of another male Cardinal in his “patch” of woods. If they meet, they go at it like World War 1 aces, whirling and attacking each other in the air. It’s quite a thing to see.

Two bluebirds

Two more Goldfinches

“Can we talk about this?”askes the Mr. Jay.

Red-bellied Woodpecker with a very pointy beak

A good look at the beak and head. This is a small, tough bird!

300-confrontation-blue-jay-and-red-belly-woodpecker-11-2-20191103_167

Woodpecker

Downy Woodpecker

Red Bellied Woodpecker and a Junco

One Woodpecker

A pair of (I think) Hairy Woodpeckers

300-ladderback-redhed-woodpecker-final-tuesday-birds-01292019_218

Flocks of Goldfinch

The Hairy Woodpecker doesn’t like anything or anyone but will tolerate his mate if she doesn’t get in his way. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker will tolerate other birds nearby … as long as they don’t poach on his piece of feeder. The Tufted Titmouses show up in groups, but not flocks and all the other birds are perfectly okay with them. Ditto the Nuthatches. Bluebirds only show up in groups (protection?).

More golden ducks

Ducks on a golden pond

Ducks waiting along the pond on Boston Common

Can you see the ducklings?

Whitin’s pond

They rarely leave each others’ sides short of death

Together forever, swans mate for life

Protecting the nest — Incoming geese and nesting swan

300-Contrast-Blackstone-River-Heron-Mar-090618_0046

72-bw-black-crowned-night-heron-juvenile-curley-09222016_108

In the watery world of fowl, Canada Geese and Swans hate each other. Meanwhile, Herons will eat the eggs of any other fowl if they can find the nests.

But all of these fighting birds are happy to hang around with ducks. No other bird has a problem with ducks and when the ducks hang out, they don’t care what kind of duck you are. Whatever feathers you wear are fine with all the ducks.