there's a chickadee w/o a tail! dad says, "i'm going to call him stumpy" we've been seeing him regularly this last month, visiting the feeders just like nothing was wrong.
but i know its got to affect him! tails are very important to birds. they provide lift, stearing, and breaking for a bird's flight. they provide balance for the acrobatic chickadee. but this little guy doesnt seem to have a problem! he must be very clever to compensate! i think this is just a sign of diversity that may not be so essential to life, but instead exists for diversity and to show creativity.
he's so cute!!! chickadees are so round anyways, like a little bouncy ball. now he looks so much more like a little ball!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
today i saw...
a sharp-shinned hawk! i never see those! as i walked up to my house, he was sitting in the big oak by the bird feeders. the feeder regulars were, needless to say, MIA. the tiny hawk looked at me nervously and bobbed his tail. he eventually disappeared into the woods, and the songbirds were free to feed in safety once more.
so i guess i'm feeding more than just songbirds??
:P
so i guess i'm feeding more than just songbirds??
:P
Saturday, January 16, 2010
today i saw...
today i saw a red-tailed hawk, sitting atop a cedar tree. and he was on the very tippy-top! like the star on top a christmas tree!
Monday, January 11, 2010
today i saw...
a red-headed woodpecker. what a beauty! at my feeder. while i was eating breakfast. he's an uncommon sighting in my yard, but i know he lives here permanently.
unlike most woodpeckers, this one isnt striped or speckled. w/ just simple, huge swathes of color, this bird is regal! most other woodpeckers have red on their heads, but this one gets the name b/c its the only one w/ an all-red head. then there's a black back and wings. and a white breast and rump. finally, more black at the end of the tail. and when he flies, the white of the secondary feathers in the wings joins w/ the white rump to make a very flashy get-away!
what a treat!
unlike most woodpeckers, this one isnt striped or speckled. w/ just simple, huge swathes of color, this bird is regal! most other woodpeckers have red on their heads, but this one gets the name b/c its the only one w/ an all-red head. then there's a black back and wings. and a white breast and rump. finally, more black at the end of the tail. and when he flies, the white of the secondary feathers in the wings joins w/ the white rump to make a very flashy get-away!
what a treat!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
footprints in the snow
IT SNOWED!!!! u dont understand, it never snows here in TN!
feeder activity increases! like they r hurrying to fill their bellies before an impending blizzard! its all i can do to keep the feeders full.
and all over the ground, are the tiniest, most adorable footprints!
most of the feeder birds are passerines, perching/songbirds. and their preferred method of ambulating is hopping. so lots of right/left foot marks side-by-side, then a little space, and another one. perfectly formed prints cuz theres no dragging of feet. all w/ three forward-facing toes, and one back. for perching. this is why theyre called perching birds. :)
makes me wish i lived by the ocean so i could track prints.
made a walmart run to add to my offerings at the feeder. some millet/milo/corn b/c i just had black-oil sunflower seed. some suet blocks. and some peanut butter, that i will make projects out of. if i get around to it, i will slice up some apples/oranges and string them out there too. havent had much luck w/ it in the past, but birdies r more willing to try new things when they r extra hungry. the millet/milo/corn combo was a huge hit!
birding rule #7: know when to look: 1.before a snow or during light flurries.
feeder activity increases! like they r hurrying to fill their bellies before an impending blizzard! its all i can do to keep the feeders full.
and all over the ground, are the tiniest, most adorable footprints!
most of the feeder birds are passerines, perching/songbirds. and their preferred method of ambulating is hopping. so lots of right/left foot marks side-by-side, then a little space, and another one. perfectly formed prints cuz theres no dragging of feet. all w/ three forward-facing toes, and one back. for perching. this is why theyre called perching birds. :)
makes me wish i lived by the ocean so i could track prints.
made a walmart run to add to my offerings at the feeder. some millet/milo/corn b/c i just had black-oil sunflower seed. some suet blocks. and some peanut butter, that i will make projects out of. if i get around to it, i will slice up some apples/oranges and string them out there too. havent had much luck w/ it in the past, but birdies r more willing to try new things when they r extra hungry. the millet/milo/corn combo was a huge hit!
birding rule #7: know when to look: 1.before a snow or during light flurries.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
today i saw...
today i saw a mockingbird, perching on the nose of a reindeer, u know, the ones that sit outside and r lit up w/ christmas lights. :)
***brrrrrrr****** its cold!!!!!
i really dont know how those birdies do it! REMEMBER to keep your feeders going! the seeds r a HUGE part of the birds diet this time of yr. and try to put out some water too. i know its hard, cuz it freezes over, but thats why its needed. the natural supplies r all frozen over too! so even if u have to put out a dish for a few hrs a day, or replace it/break the ice.
birdies do stay warm! notice how cute they suddenly r? that's cuz theyre all fat. not really fat, but the feathers are all puffed out. makes like a big winter coat. [remarkably designed!!!]
birding rule #6 always, ALWAYS feed the birds. go w/o food, let your dog go w/o food, but always feed the birds! :p no, if u really have a tight budget and have to pick, feed in winter. theyre ok in summer.
***brrrrrrr****** its cold!!!!!
i really dont know how those birdies do it! REMEMBER to keep your feeders going! the seeds r a HUGE part of the birds diet this time of yr. and try to put out some water too. i know its hard, cuz it freezes over, but thats why its needed. the natural supplies r all frozen over too! so even if u have to put out a dish for a few hrs a day, or replace it/break the ice.
birdies do stay warm! notice how cute they suddenly r? that's cuz theyre all fat. not really fat, but the feathers are all puffed out. makes like a big winter coat. [remarkably designed!!!]
birding rule #6 always, ALWAYS feed the birds. go w/o food, let your dog go w/o food, but always feed the birds! :p no, if u really have a tight budget and have to pick, feed in winter. theyre ok in summer.
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