Hopefully, today’s is the last snowfall this spring.
Photographing birds feeding at our feeders benefits the birds and it benefits us. The critters are *very* hungry. This year I've added mealworms to the menu ($$) because Robins, Bluebirds and Starlings are crazy for mealworms. And I get to photograph them out my window. Even if I was not a nature photographer, I would still feed them.
Each day I'm here: I pour mealworms into the bottom of an open-top, pint container, and then fill it to the top with sunflower hearts (shelled). This is tossed out the front window so that it spreads onto the ground.
That Bluebird is watching Starlings and a few Robins on the ground eating as fast as they can. The Robins bully the Bluebirds. Starlings simply overrun the Bluebirds with their numbers. So the Bluebirds stay out of the way of all others, waiting for their turn.... which is last.
Just in the last few days, small flocks (20-50) Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are starting to move through (migrating) and everything must get out of their way. The road I live on is oriented almost perfectly south to north. I noticed that when these small flocks of migrants (the Common Grackles and Redwings.) have grabbed as much as they can for energy, they launch in unison and exactly to the north. Each has no confusion on where they are going.
BauerPower wrote:
A photo of the crowd chowing down on the ground scatter might be interesting to see.
Thanks and I think that is a good suggestion.
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later - I tried but the proper FOV is about 24mm, which puts me so close to the window that a lot of them will not descend to the ground to feed. And then they are gone anyway, as they quickly pick-up some seed and leave to the north
NissanPatrol wrote:
Bluebirds are lucky if they are bullied only by Robins. Mina bird is the real vandaliser.
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Interesting Phillip
Do you mean Asia’s Mina bird? Because I recently learned that the Starling is also in that family. They have a large repertoire of melodius notes and other sounds, commonly attributed only to the Myna bird.
Googling this will find pet Starlings singing just like a Myna, because the Starling is one of the Mynas .
Do you mean Asia’s Mina bird? Because I recently learned that the Starling is also in that family. They have a large repertoire of melodius notes and other sounds, commonly attributed only to the Myna bird.
Googling this will find pet Starlings singing just like a Myna, because the Starling is one of the Mynas .
Good job Phillip! I wish I was still down there. I’ll "bet a nickel" your link is accurate; i.e. that this bird is already established at the bottom of Florida.
Really pretty images That coloring and the snow falling are just so peaceful and beautiful.
I hardly see Starlings anymore? Used to see them in huge numbers.
