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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsWhat is/are your favorite kind of bird or birds? Mine is the hummingbird.
Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2024, 12:31 PM - Edit history (1)
50 Shades Of Blue
(10,043 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)Chainfire
(17,640 posts)They scream like a woman in distress and roost and poop all over everything. They are pretty, but don't make good neighbors.
debm55
(25,352 posts)FM123
(10,054 posts)There is a place near us called Flamingo Gardens where they give sanctuary to permanently injured or non-releasable Florida native wildlife, but it is also open to the public to visit and see all their beautiful birds and animals, especially flamingos.
debm55
(25,352 posts)GreenWave
(6,766 posts)But I got one that likes me!
Right back at you buddy!
debm55
(25,352 posts)GreenWave
(6,766 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)jpak
(41,759 posts)Yup
SARose
(255 posts)Of course! They are the most majestic birds I have ever seen.
debm55
(25,352 posts)3catwoman3
(24,045 posts)
chickadees, so Im fond of those birds because of that.
My own favorite is slate-colored juncos. I also really enjoy it when the downy woodpeckers show up at our suet feeder.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Different Drummer
(7,642 posts)They are very plentiful around here in Georgia and like to nest around people.
Walleye
(31,050 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)I know it was a Carolina wren that serenaded me every morning on a recent visit south to Maryland. Such a cheerful song!
Ocelot II
(115,836 posts)I have a bunch of bird feeders in my yard so I see all the common city birds - cardinals, house finches, blue jays, etc. I like all of them and I enjoy knowing that they are actually dinosaurs.
I also like penguins and puffins but I don't get to see a lot of those around here. Maybe I should put fish on my bird feeders.
debm55
(25,352 posts)can fly but not to far. they had to fly over my fence and when I went into the backyard they flew up to the the neighbors shed. that was only about 6 feet tall.
Walleye
(31,050 posts)But I love all of them, Ive seen two new ones this year, a warbler and a Cedarwaxwing. I also like watching the hawks in my yard
debm55
(25,352 posts)beuatiful little creatures. You can not help but love them
Walleye
(31,050 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)Srkdqltr
(6,317 posts)Traildogbob
(8,801 posts)Wildlife pros tried to re establish them here in high elevation grassy balds in Shinning Rock Wilderness in the 80s.
I did. It work out.
Bigger than Bald and beautiful to see fly with that wing span.
debm55
(25,352 posts)My generation almost saw the Bald be gone. Now there are a lot of them here in WNC near the many lakes. I do like the big raptors and also the many hawks and owls.
Really is also nice to hear ALL the singing now the weather is springlike.
The wildfire students at the college I worked had to learn 100 bird songs in Ornithology class. And each ones scientific name. Not an easy accomplishment.
The class began before sunrise to travel to forest types to hear all the species required.
Boy they bitched about that.
debm55
(25,352 posts)here them singing at the crack of dawn. I think they are wrens, Two different neighbors on my street have chickens and both have a rooster. Everyday the roosters wake me up too, The only think that confuses me is that the roosters do that all day. I don't know why they do it all day.
Traildogbob
(8,801 posts)The lab session were so early, 6 hour mornings to Tavel to the Forest types and waterways to hear them. They are most vocal pre sunrise and a little after. You have a great day and spring full of birdsongs and bird colors. And wildflowers on forest floors. Great time of the year to step back and watch and listen.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:11 PM - Edit history (1)
Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)I was gardening. I couldnt believe my eyes. Unmistakable in size and color, it was flying very low. A very rare sight here.
Traildogbob
(8,801 posts)RainCaster
(10,914 posts)Ounce for ounce, they are the fiercest birds on the planet. Some species migrate each year between Mexico and Alaska. That's a long trip for such a small bird. I love to watch them around my feeders- they are so territorial.
debm55
(25,352 posts)for the hummers.
RainCaster
(10,914 posts)The Rufous still migrate, as do the Anna's. But about 10 years ago we started seeing them year round. We had hung up some shiny red balls in the dining room window for Christmas, and then we noticed an Anna's hovering outside right in front of that ball. We've kept feeders out year round ever since.
We do have more of the Anna's that migrate through in spring but it's nice to have about 8 or so that stay all year. It was originally just a pair.
beaglelover
(3,489 posts)our fountain in the front courtyard which is covered by a loggia so it's nice and cool for them to come fly by for a quick drink!
debm55
(25,352 posts)multigraincracker
(32,719 posts)Chickadees and then Nuthatches.
I spend lots of time out side and have grown to love the one that seem to enjoy interacting with me.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)Lots of fun to be recognized by them.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)I will always have a soft spot for the jays.
But I love them all. Especially the crested and pointy-headed ones: jays, titmice, cardinals, waxwings and mergansers.
And the haunting singers: woodthrush, hermit thrush and vireos and loons!
Oh! And owls! Who cooks for you?
And funny upsidedown creeping nuthatches.
And friendly chickadees and towhees.
And spring singing robins and song sparrows and buzzing redwing blackbirds.
And soaring swallows scooping mosquitoes.
And laughing pileated woodpeckers with their amazing wingspan.
And eastern bluebirds, bringing good fortune.
And indigo buntings, flashing iridescence across the fields.
And woodcocks with their funny beeping call and spiraling, wing-whistling aerial courtship.
And grouse running across the road, neck outstretched.
And busy paddling, dabbling and diving ducks of all kinds and colors, in companionable pairs.
Booming bitterns, rails sounding like frogs, and stately herons, looking like pterodactyls in flight. And kingfishers, scolding my passing canoe.
Terns and plovers and sandpipers. I love the way the pipers scurry along the shore.
And turkey vultures. I met one once; it had a gorgeous ivory beak and wise aware eyes.
And all the raptors; so dramatic, from tiny merlin to golden eagle.
And of course, hummingbirds!
(And these are only those I see here in Maine, and I left out the finches and kinglets and warblers. Apologies to all those I missed. Im just inside resting from shoveling. 8 inches of snow and its still falling. Happy me!)
In Japan I was thrilled to hear nightingales.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)It was fun free associating. And I cant believe I left out my much beloved phoebes!
EarnestPutz
(2,121 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)I appreciate all the bird lovers here. It was a fun thread.
multigraincracker
(32,719 posts)Added a little variety to their treats. Talk very softly now.
Last year theyd take off for a couple of hours after I put the food out. This year its down to 15 minutes.
The little birds just want me to sit for a while and not move. They seem more trusting.
Sandhill Cranes
debm55
(25,352 posts)Thunderbeast
(3,419 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)Thunderbeast
(3,419 posts)hlthe2b
(102,360 posts)due to West Nile Virus and to some degree, Avian flu. Sweet little birds with lovely song.
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I live in an area with lots and lots of raptors--red-tailed hawks, Great Horned Owls, Prairie Falcons, Golden and Bald Eagles (breeding ground nearby), and others. So, of course, I enjoy them too--albeit I see the sad remains of their prey all too often. Still, wonderful to see.
debm55
(25,352 posts)beautiful creatures,
True Dough
(17,321 posts)it's this one:
I'm especially fond of the fellow delivering it!
I do try to reserve it for special occasions, however!
debm55
(25,352 posts)grumpyduck
(6,255 posts)Parakeets, lovebirds, all of them.
And macaws are awesome.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Niagara
(7,659 posts)Blue Jays: They mate for life. They can mimic the screams of hawks. They like acorns and shelled peanuts. They go through a molting phase in which new feathers grow in but the tops of their heads look prehistoric during this phase.
Cardinals: They mate for life and live an average 15 years. The male helps bring material to build the nest but once the female sits on the eggs, he brings her food. Cardinals go through a molting phase as well but I've never seen one go through that phase.
Woodpeckers: Excellent for pest control and have a no nonsense attitude. One day I watched a Gackle try to pick a fight with Pileated Woodpecker on Sapsucker Woods online streaming. The woodpecker wasn't having any of it.
Owls: I've heard Barn, Eastern Screech and Long Eared Owls in my area. I sometimes go for walks at night and I love hearing the calls of the owls while on my walks.
Hummingbirds: I have at least 3 hummingbirds that visit my feeders and at least 1 Baltimore Oriole that attempts to consume from my hummingbird feeders.
Happy Birding!
debm55
(25,352 posts)Niagara
(7,659 posts)Deuxcents
(16,330 posts)Polly Hennessey
(6,804 posts)mopinko
(70,215 posts)ive never taken a trip just to bird watch, but i might make an exception to finally see a great grey.
debm55
(25,352 posts)They had a separate section for the raptors and owls. The Snowy Owl was the most beautiful. I was shocked to see that the American Eagle was as large as it was.
Deuxcents
(16,330 posts)A poster commented on the raptors..all of them are remarkable in their own way..majestic, too. You always have such interesting ideas for us to post on.🙏
happybird
(4,623 posts)Its so hard to choose and I almost went with chickens because I adored my little flock. Locally, I love female Cardinals and Blue Heron. But sitting here thinking about birds, I realized the ones who have brought me the most joy (besides my goofy chickens) are the little beach birds on Cape Hatteras.
The closest Ive ever been to heaven is sitting on the beach, book in hand, listening to the ocean, feeling the breeze, and just watching the Sanderlings zip, zig and zag and scurry in and out of the water on their crazy little legs. The way they move is mesmerizing and puts me in an almost meditative state of pure relaxation. I love the silhouette/shape of the beautiful Willets cruising around on their absurdly long legs and pecking around for snacks with their long bills.
These birds somehow manage to be both silly and stunningly graceful at the same time.
Willet
debm55
(25,352 posts)happybird
(4,623 posts)Hatteras has been our vacation spot for decades.
Its about 6 hours away.
debm55
(25,352 posts)OldBaldy1701E
(5,157 posts)Spent many a summer day lounging on the sand and watching them run around. The 'winged rats' as well.
(I am referring to the gulls for those of you who have not lived among them.)
vapor2
(1,249 posts)Raised 2 of them and the 2nd one brought her 3 babies back to greet us. They are fearless and saw one taunt a hawk once.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 23, 2024, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)
Used to be rare here, but not so now. Just love listening to one go through his repertoire and hearing the different birdsongs in it.
coprolite
(182 posts)but, my favorite is the Osprey with it's rotating talon.
debm55
(25,352 posts)malthaussen
(17,216 posts)Earlier in the century, I had one who parked himself outside my window on a light standard and ran through his whole repertoire every day. He was very talented, he could even do a car alarm (which a number of mockers can do these days).
He hung out there every year for about five years, and then came no more. I miss the dude still.
-- Mal
debm55
(25,352 posts)malthaussen
(17,216 posts)Tops of trees, light standards, telephone poles. Take a walk around 2:00 am, and you can often hear several of them.
-- Mal
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)Never saw them in person, but here's a vid:
The whole vid is interesting, but the landing fails start at 17:50. Goonies are famous for their landing fails.
-- Mal
debm55
(25,352 posts)Doodley
(9,124 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)I finally told them it was a bird. Then I thought , I have to be honest with them and told them it was a yellow breasted tit. There were a few remarks but they let the remarks die off.
Doodley
(9,124 posts)Joinfortmill
(14,456 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)Easterncedar
(2,323 posts)Went on a birding boat ride to a little north Atlantic island some years ago. Such an adventure.
debm55
(25,352 posts)applegrove
(118,778 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)Chainfire
(17,640 posts)I am not revolted by buzzards way of making a living and enjoy watching the masters of the soar in flight. Hawks are amazing hunters and I hear and see them almost daily in my little patch of woods. They are the terror of my huge squirrel population. Crows are smart as whips and I like the way they work in groups each seeming to have his or her identifying call.
I had a close encounter with a buzzard; I had noticed one on the ground behind my work shop, but didn't think anything about it until I saw it there the next day. It had a damaged wing and could not take off, it was bound to be the meal for a coyote. I carefully caught it and put it in a large cage until I could get the rescue folks to respond. (a couple of days) The poor thing was hungry as the dickens and I fed it canned dog food which it seemed to enjoy. I was happy that it did not panic in the cage I liked to think that it knew I was trying to help.
When the rescue people got back with me they asked me to bring the injured bird to them. I put the cage in my van and headed out. I had only gone a couple of miles when the bird farted the dog food. It was an incredible study in just how foul a smell can be. (and I am a plumber and have a learned immunity to foul smells). The only description that comes close is Don Pearce's description of the smell that Cool Hand Luke produced after eating 50 boiled eggs. As I remember the qoute, it was something like, "It was like a green fog, floating across the room, taking the paint off the walls and making grown men cry." (it may be a bit off, but that is the way I remember it) I do not know what happened to the bird, I am afraid that it was destroyed. If it had healed properly they should have released it where I found it. I never asked because I didn't want to know. I am bit of a softie...
debm55
(25,352 posts)Chainfire
(17,640 posts)Without them doing roadside cleanup, our highways would be awful and that is more of a valuable service than a Bald Eagle has ever performed. I recently drove down a 12 mile strech of road between two small towns and counted 6 dead dear on the right-of-way. (Yea, I know that Eagles are guilty of feasting on road kill to, but we try to ignore it.)
debm55
(25,352 posts)peacebuzzard
(5,182 posts)They are really nutty! This one that comes around is kind of bumbly, and a schoolyard bully with one of the feeders.
He won't stay long, just long enough to scare a sweet cardinal away, then toss his head to the right and then left; each with a slight upturn while cackling his rattle, grab a bite, then fly off to work away on his trees.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Sneederbunk
(14,300 posts)claudette
(3,593 posts)the red male cardinal. But its close to a tie with the mourning dove.
debm55
(25,352 posts)don't see any more is pigeons, ty claudette.
claudette
(3,593 posts)in the city there were lots of pigeons. There are two mourning doves who come to my bird feeder and just sit there like they own it!
Danascot
(4,694 posts)If you have the chance, visit Ecuador where they have over 130 species.
Here's an example. Watch from about 1:10 to 3:00
And another. Watch from about 3:00 to 4:25
debm55
(25,352 posts)looking for books on hummingbirds on amazons.
Danascot
(4,694 posts)Hummingbirds of Ecuador by Robert S Ridgley. Unfortunately it seems to be out of print and I couldn't find a copy on Amazon, eBay or the other booksellers. Highly recommended if you can find one.
However, the good news is that it appears there's an app that contains (all?) the same information and photos.
http://www.worldwildzoom.com/hummingbirds-of-ecuador.html
Danascot
(4,694 posts)David Attenborough Presents: Hummingbirds - Jewelled Messengers
debm55
(25,352 posts)Hassler
(3,390 posts)The osprey because the first one I ever saw forty years ago was circling Heart Lake in Yellowstone Park, then it dove, hit the water and flew off with a cutthroat trout. The hummer because it is amazing to watch it maneuver.
debm55
(25,352 posts)They frequently circle around my pool riding thermals. I like to watch them while sunbathing.
debm55
(25,352 posts)elleng
(131,107 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)elleng
(131,107 posts)on platforms people construct for them.
This one is larger and older than most; it's been on top of 'boat house' for a long time, well before I arrived 10 years ago, and I suspect the couple decided they liked the location and just built and maintained it.
debm55
(25,352 posts)LeftyLucie
(26 posts)Roadrunners are pretty common around here, but they're pretty skittish and will run away quick, fly/glide if they feel they absolutely must.
And yes, we also have lots of coyotes.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Frances
(8,547 posts)The hummingbird is fun to watch and easy for me to feed. I live in a mild climate. I planted 2 pots of Mexican heather on my deck They bloomed all winter. I also have an abutilon and red fuscia that bloom many months. My succulents bloom in late summer. Its fun to see a hummingbird going from one plant to the next to feast.
debm55
(25,352 posts)doc03
(35,367 posts)rookery, this one huge sycamore tree has dozens of nests. I always stop and watch them. Crows are
my favirite of all though, they are everywhere. Don't care much for the Canadian Geese the shit everywhere
and I was attacked by one.
debm55
(25,352 posts)trail along the Mongahallia River.( East Carson street. ) There is an Eagle Cam you can watch. I believe KDKA, that is shown all year road. There all over the place along these areas now.
doc03
(35,367 posts)trail in Pittsburgh, there are always people photographing them.
debm55
(25,352 posts)doc03
(35,367 posts)LakeArenal
(28,845 posts)Toucan (named Sam)
Resplendent Quetzal
Aracaris
Blue-grey tanager
Magpie
Motmot
]
Parakeet (named Gerry)
debm55
(25,352 posts)Hummingbirds.. The parakeet you posted is larger than those I remember when young. Ty,
LakeArenal
(28,845 posts)The parakeets from Woolworths are actually Budgies, I think, from Australia.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Because theyre so smart. They warned me about a bobcat in the alley behind my place one day. We lose pets around here and I appreciate them looking out for mine.
I love how they constantly talk amongst each other.
2nd favorite is mocking birds.
debm55
(25,352 posts)pretty cool also.
JoseBalow
(2,455 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)one up close , at the Pittsburgh Aviary.
JoseBalow
(2,455 posts)People think they can't "fly", but they can... just not in the air
Many years ago, I took a "behind the scenes" tour at SeaWorld in Orlando. I got to see the whole penguin operation there that the public never sees. It was awesome, I have never forgotten that experience. If you (or anyone) ever goes there, it's definitely worth signing up for.
Aristus
(66,462 posts)They are both clumsy and ridiculous looking when on the ground. But when they are flying, they are things of remarkable and breathtaking beauty.
debm55
(25,352 posts)hydrolastic
(488 posts)But lately there is a owl that live behind my house and I hear it in the morning sometimes.
debm55
(25,352 posts)where nocturnal animals and was surprised it was hooting.
Charlie Chapulin
(172 posts)I am endlessly fascinated by by the corvids.
debm55
(25,352 posts)if..fish..had..wings
(666 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)jmowreader
(50,562 posts)Mainly because Ive got a flock of them living in my shrubs.
Robins, I can do without. I have two cherry trees in my back yard I consider bird feeders because of those little bastards.
debm55
(25,352 posts)brewens
(13,620 posts)cross between a butterfly and hummingbird. You can really see those white stripes in their wings flashing as they make crazy maneuvers.
I see them in the middle of chain link fences too. They are small enough to land between the wire.
I never get very close to one.
debm55
(25,352 posts)Bayard
(22,149 posts)Haven't had as many in recent years though.
We currently have bluebirds nesting in an old birdhouse in the front yard. I like watching them. We have feeders all over the place, and get tons of cardinals, along with goldfinches, house finches, nuthatches, chickadees, titmouse, blue jays, and the occasional woodpecker on the suet cakes. We also have swallows in some of the gourds.
I see a few mourning doves around, but they are very quiet. I love their song. And Bob Whites, don't know why we don't see them here.
I've always loved the raptors, but its hard to watch a hawk swoop down and carry off one of your smaller chickens. My favorite is barn owls, but haven't seen any of those either.
My grandmother in South Carolina always had a male peacock. I have vivid memories as a little kid, waking up early morning to the peacock sounding off, along with calls of, "bob white."
debm55
(25,352 posts)OldBaldy1701E
(5,157 posts)Majestic and dangerous...
(Also Cardinals, but that is my home state's bird, so it comes naturally.).
debm55
(25,352 posts)other.
Rebl2
(13,551 posts)and Titmouse. The titmouse has such a loud call for a small bird. Also like wrens. So tiny, curious and on the hunt for that next bug or spider to eat or feed their babies! Also like watching them gather nesting material.
debm55
(25,352 posts)people at work thought I parked under a tree or the wires. I told them it was in the garage.
we can do it
(12,194 posts)debm55
(25,352 posts)stollen
(419 posts)All the birds on that country are stunning.
debm55
(25,352 posts)SWBTATTReg
(22,166 posts)out in our big yard, near a state park and near the river, we would see the Pileated woodpeckers come up from the bottom lands that almost look exactly like the Ivory-billed woodpeckers. They say that the Ivory-Billed birds are still hidden in the deep woods of Missouri, I hope so. Some of these Ozarks woods are deep, dark forests, w/ rivers running through them, which if you canoe or Jon Boat down the river, you can visit.
These are beautiful birds and always have a distinctive tap tap tap as they probed the barks of their favorite trees for grubs/insects. Woodpeckers are very common in our Ozarks Woodlands.
Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Rediscovered in Arkansas
APRIL 28, 200512:00 AM ET