Tue 17 Jun 2008
The 4 robins have pretty much outgrown their nest, but I haven’t seen them fly out yet.
There are two little woodpeckers like these. Neither has a red spot on the head, so I think they’re both adult females. They’re so small they are probably Downy (not Hairy) Woodpeckers. But the Hairy Woodpecker is probably around as well: I’ve heard its very rapid, almost smooth rapping sound, like a phone buzzing almost. Very unlike the slow and much louder tok-tok-tok of the big pileated woodpecker.
This now is a little bully. Can anyone tell me what kind of bird it is? A juvenile Common Grackle? It has that large tail… He chases away the cardinals and even fought the two Downy Woodpeckers to eat at his heart’s content.
And lastly this little guy I misidentified earlier. Our neighbor pointed him/her out as a Orchard Oriole, not (as I thought) Yellow-throated Vireo or possibly a Yellow Warbler.
We also spotted a Carolina Wren with a huge green caterpillar in it beak.
I started a bird list in the sidebar. Watch it grow!
June 17th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Not sure where you live, but your two mystery birds look like a Gray Catbird and an American Goldfinch. Might I recommend a really good bird book? National Geographic’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America.
Also, come on over and report in on the Quit Now Challenge. We want to know if you’ve lapsed on buying toys and books…
June 17th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Thanks Chile!
The little yellow fellow looks like the American Goldfinch as well, a breeding adult male, but the picture didn’t catch that black forehead. Will try to get a better look.
And you’re right: it is the Grey Catbird! I never saw the red undertail coverts, but the shape of the head with the black cap, the bill, and that prominent tail give it away.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I’ve observed the birds at our feeder enough now to know for certain that this *is* the American Goldfinch, without a doubt. I just love identifying and categorizing.. almost wrote a dissertation about that! Much more fun to actually *do* it than write about it, though.