[juniorbirdman]

Today I saw a yellow rumped warbler ouside of st. louis, MO, and heard a few more. The Phoebes are back, and the juncos are starting to migrate north. Pleased to be here on the forum!

-Chris

[Tero]

I saw one too. Two in two weeks, or maybe it was the same one twice.

Also saw a pair of Downies. Actually it was a male chasing a female away. They were talking and acting aggressive. If the birds are paired, isn't the female supposed to chase the female intruder away?

[juniorbirdman]

If the birds are paired, I'm pretty sure the female gets territorial during nesting, but maybe what you saw was the male and female flirting. I'm not exactly sure. Good question though.

-Chris

[Tero]

I have one woodpecker book, and it says the male has a problem adjusting from winter behavior to spring. In winter it chases the female away from inapproprite areas. It may be regions of the tree.

[Tammie]

Originally Posted by Tero

I saw one too. Two in two weeks, or maybe it was the same one twice.

Also saw a pair of Downies. Actually it was a male chasing a female away. They were talking and acting aggressive. If the birds are paired, isn't the female supposed to chase the female intruder away?

From my spring observations of my downy pair here, he tends to chase her away from the feeder he wants but he will 'allow' her to use the feeder beside him. Yesterday, I saw him chase her off the suet but he left her alone on the seed bell 6" away. The hairies act the same way.
In the winter, it's another story. The males will not put up with ANY other woodpecker near them when they are feeding, whether it's the same species or not. It can cause quite a ruckus at times!

[Tero]

Huh! Fun with woodpekers. I did not have time to check them today at that park.

I did see a large white bird over suburbia, where there are some small lakes. It must have been a great egret, which I have an easier time identifying standing.

[juniorbirdman]

Wow!

That's awesome!

The last time I saw egrets.... Oh well, I can't remember!!!


Cool sighting!!!



Cheers,

Chris

[Tero]

Saw a thrush today. I put it down as Hermit, though I never saw the whole bird. It had less spots than a Wood Thrush, which is the more common I guess.