Bird Watchers

[dontpanicbobby]

Back in the 1980's I told a co-worker in the Boston Financial District (we guarded a garage) that a hawk totally caught and ripped apart and ate a pigeon on Milk Street (Ben Franklin was born there). He didn't believe me.

TOT: Are American Eagles becoming pests?

 

[lunatic59]

Are the hawks as messy as our owls are? I'm always finding rabbit and chipmunk parts in the back yard. And, why don't the hawks eat more squirrels?

 

[Clementine_3]

I sometimes find owl pellets and feathers but not much else. For the most part the hawks don't eat in the yard, they fly to woods at the fenceline. It's also probable that the dogs get to any gore before I see it. Ugh. There are feral cats around too, I know they come into the yard at night so they are probably cleaning it up for me. And yeah, no one seems to take the squirrels on, I have plenty of Red Tails around that could easily have a nice snack...

 

[lunatic59]

I suppose they are too squirrely we've got enough grays to feed a whole flock of redtails, but the hawks, owls and other predators seem to leave them alone. The only thing that does get the squirrels are Firestone 255/70R14's ... and then the turkey vultures clean up.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

@lunatic59 - That hawk feast was less than a half a block away from me. Not much blood but the carcass was messed up, truly mutilated. That hawk ate that pigeon but didn't know where the trashcan was.

 

[lunatic59]

If they get any birds here, we are usually left with just a mess of feathers. Small animals on the other hand end up being a bloody paw and an entrail or two right in the middle of the Patio, almost always at night, which is Owl time.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

BOT: Sparrows in my neighborhood but they never leave. Seriously; Never.

 

[Clementine_3]

I've asked the hawks to get the sparrows and leave the others but they don't listen.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

They're too small.

 

[Clementine_3]

Not really, I get Sharpies and Cooper's hunting in the yard so that's pretty much the right size. Junco's are a smidge smaller and the Sharpie got it no problem.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Smaller than Sparrows? Hummingbirds?

 

[zuben el genub]

I had a Cooper's chasing a Black Capped Chickadee one time. The Black Cap was feebeeing so loudly I heard him inside. Went out to look and there was the Cooper's sitting close by on a stump. Chased the accipiter, he circled around and started WALKING towards the bush where the Black Cap was hiding. If you have ever seen one of these birds walk --- they roll like the proverbially drunken sailor.

Chased him twice more and he finally got the idea and left.

 

[Clementine_3]

I've not seen one walk, just hop because their talons are full.

I've also never intentionally chased one off. I put the feeders out knowing I was feeding all the birds, hawks included. I hate seeing the whole cycle in action but kind of enjoy it too, hawks are really cool. They all have to eat to survive, I'm not going to interfere with that. I just do wish they'd take the sparrows only. Nature ain't pretty sometimes but I respect it and let it take it's course as much as possible.

 

[zuben el genub]

I got tired of the noise. The Cooper's couldn't get it.

 

[lunatic59]

Today's visitors.

 

[lunatic59]

And one uninvited guest.

Damn tree rats.

 

[Unforgiven]

And one uninvited guest.

View attachment 115550

Damn tree rats.

Hot sauce, spicy suet. The birds love it and the squirrels hate it.

 

[Unforgiven]

I just had a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers in my front yard. I couldn't get a great pic, as they flew over to my neighbors yard. They are both on the tree in the center of this pic on the opposite side of the driveway (you can clearly see the red and white on the back of its head). They are huge.

 

[zuben el genub]

They are about $125, so if I get one I'm putting it where the squirrels can get to it. I will need to be doubly entertained (birds and dizzy squirrels) to make it worth the money.

I've got 2 of those. It is funny to try and watch the squirrels get into them. We also have a squirrel guard on the flat feeder.

 

[zuben el genub]

Today's visitors.

View attachment 115547 View attachment 115548 View attachment 115549

I've been hoping the Cardinals (birds) would move up from AZ. We have mockingbirds here and the weather isn't that much different than NE.

The Blue Jays moved in after we moved to the Springs. One year I had Blue Jays, Stellar's Jays and Pinyon Jays at the feeder at the same time. Big fire up the canyon and no food, so the Stellar's came lower.

 

[zuben el genub]

@Clementine_3

Try an Audubon Christmas Bird count. They like volunteers and you don't have to join.

We got a Northern Pigmy Owl in the Evergreen, CO area one year.

 

[Clementine_3]

I was going to do it but, well, maybe next year

I do want to, I really enjoy watching/finding the birds in the 'hood.

 

[zuben el genub]

I was going to do it but, well, maybe next year

I do want to, I really enjoy watching/finding the birds in the 'hood.

They have a feeder count, also. You do your feeders and report

 

[dontpanicbobby]

Lot's of birds in Boston. I think they live off of Dunkin Donuts.

 

[iowabowtech]

The grackles are emptying my large hole feeder daily now. Either I need to shorten the perch rods or I'm going Carl from Caddyshack real soon.