I have not written much about birds lately, but it’s spring and time. Both our bird houses are occupied. Three rafters supporting our large overhang have sparrow nests in them, and we have a variety of other birds doing the same in nearby trees and bushes. The first fledglings have already been kicked out of the nest, and we’ve learned something new (for us).
Fledgling sparrows flit about the back yard occasionally bouncing off a window or tree trunk. Their landings on the ground under the bird feeders are little more than soft crashes, and their attempts at landing on the feeders are hilarious. But here is what we did not know before. The parent birds are always near. They appear quite deliberate about teaching the chicks how to eat natural foods, but now and then one of them will hop over to put a seed into a chick’s open mouth. I did not know that there was parental aftercare once the fledglings were out of the nest. I thought is was sink or swim and good luck.
As for the flicker, it is nowhere in sight. I guess it finally got the message. Our usual gang of healthy, noisy crows assure us that West Nile has kept its distance. Some sort of small blackbird we can’t identify has moved into the neighborhood. I have no idea where the finches nest but they come here by the dozens for their meals. The resident squirrels have made peace with the birds and seem happy to join them in poking around the yard for fallen seeds. They are bold enough to scavenge a few feet from the patio door with a hysterical Riley the terrier on the other side yelping to get out. Once he’s out and the squirrels are safely up a tree, the birds seem content to resume ground feeding without fear while Riley patrols or dozes.
And that’s the bird report for now.
Those small black birds you mention are often scattered over my pasture and lawns, busily pecking at something in the grass. Although I am a member of the Audubon Society and get their monthly newsletter, full of local bird lore, I do not attend their meetings, where I might ask someone what species of bird they are. They are definitely not the noisy crows, but smaller and quieter. The finches are everywhere, but the flicker you mention I sometimes hear in the trees, I think, but never see. I hope that one is not still drilling on your house! My eight ducks sleep in a house at night, for fear of the raccoon who has killed some in the past, but four of them are also afraid of the white Pekin drake, who chases the 3older Blue Swedish and Buff drakes, and bothers the poor Rouen female with his amorous (and unwanted) attentions. His own little harem of females he guards jealously, the only ones who usually lay eggs, lightly tinted grayish, which I usually give away to my study group to eat, upon request. In winter they all swam together in the creek in back, but with the spring growth of tall weeds, they seem cautious about going there as often. Dr B
Nice post CP and I love Dr. B's response about the wildlife living in his field and yard. It is one of the pleasures of our little town to still be able to hear and see the birds, ducks and whatever other small creatures can manage cohabitation with us pushy hb's.xo
Isn't it wonderful, the finches are, they just are, no need to find out their origin or their processes, they just are.LovelyBruno