Today at the feeder (8 Viewers)

[snowyowl]

I must fill this ant guard a dozen times each day. The Chickadees love bathing in it.

That's pretty neat. I haven't seen one before.

 

[amasara]

Thought I posted this but try again. Saw a great blue heron fly thru front yard
They nest on island in OH river Nests r visible until leaves mature. At least 5 in tallest tree ! Amazed that such a tall bird nests so high! Also see osprey cruising the river.

 

[amasara]

Reading wonderful book by Julie Zickefoose -Blue Bird Effect
A wonderfilled compilation of personal experiences with birds accompanied by her sketches & watercolors! Her first book is Letters from Eden a year at home in the woods.
She lives upriver from me in Marietta OH & her husband(Bill Thompson) publishes
Bird Watchers Digest in which she writes & paints

 

[snowyowl]

I am familiar with Julie's work. I used to subscribe to BWD and exchanged emails with Bill a few times.
I cute scene outside my window this AM. There is a Mourning Dove on the phone wire and beside it is a hummingbird. Great contrast in sizes.

 

[amasara]

Photo Dan? Sounds like a prize winner!
Need to fill feeders AGAIN! Grackles @ squirrels hogging seed!
Training dog to sic squirrelies!

 

[snowyowl]

Unfortunately I missed getting a picture. This admission from the guy with three DSLRs and half a dozen lenses!!!:-C
I too just had to refill my feeders. I think that you were right the other day when you suggested that he grackles were hitting them when I wasn't watching.

 

[snowyowl]

A beautiful male Rose-breasted Grosbeak stopped by the feeders yesterday. There was one around several weeks ago but then he disappeared. If he is back now then I hope they are nesting near by.

 

[amasara]

Lucky you! Usually get to see one or two in early spring as they pass thru here. Wondered where they nested ! Saw a female (green) on window feeder!

 

[snowyowl]

It has been a pretty good week at my feeders considering the time of year. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is still here comes to the feeders several times each day. We also have our Blue Jays, A. Goldfinch, Purple Finches, Mourning Doves, Common Grackles. Not along list but colourful.

 

[amasara]

Nice pics. Still envy the rbg! Think there r 3 more baby phoebes in nest. Hope to my porch back soon!

 

[amasara]

Name this bird! Cardinal w/head lice? Any ideas?

 

[snowyowl]

Yesterday's posts disappeared because of tech problems with the site. I had posted that I have seen very similar baldness in Blue Jays. I have always consdiered it to be part of molting but I could be completely off about that.

 

[snowyowl]

My feeders are down for now. I ran out of sunflower seed and don't want to make a trip to town just for that. I have to go tomorrow anyway so I'll stock up then. My small seed feeder got soaked in the recent rain, to a point where seed was starting to sprout so I've taken it down to clean and dry properly. It should be OK to put back out today.

 

[amasara]

I thought re molt but looks so extreme ! Revised Phoebe count-5 in nest (3 last nesting) cant imagine how they'll fit in a few days. Hope they don't get unnested! Busy w/ le Tour this month. They'll probably fledged while I'm in basement with big Tv!

 

[snowyowl]

Had to go into town yesterday so I picked up a sack of Black Oil Sunflower seed. Filled that feeder and the Blue jays are right there - so are the squirrels and chipmunks. I may move the sunflower feeder to the shepherds crook that has the baffle.
Today I have to fill the birdbath and the suet feeder. Oh, just soooo much to do!:-C

 

[grobble]

to a point where seed was starting to sprout

Should have left it there !

Very nutritious food, that is.

 

[snowyowl]

Unfortunately they weren't eating it.

 

[amasara]

New development w/phoebes. Had bad rain storm last night & female p never came to nest
She's loyaly been there every nite guarding 5 nestlings
I emailed Julue Zickefose & she answered! Wait for male in morning ( he was there 6am sharp w/ food). One busy bird!!! Got hubby to run to petland for mealworms!
He's already gone thru 30 smalls. I attached a tin to rail below nest. Saw him hover over it! Have another tub of 50 large. Will dole them out Sat/Sun.
Looks like they can fledge soon but wil cont to help out for couple wks.
Had to do this w/ female bluebird last yr when male was window hit just at hatching.
Got 5 fledged then. Even got the "mad bb" pic on roof outside my computer window
Feels good to assist nature!!

 

[snowyowl]

Good for you, Sara! Keep up the good work>:clap::clap::clap:

 

[Socar MYLES]

Seeing these pictures of bald birds, it reminds me of a bird that comes to visit my feeder, and has been coming since last year. It's a little female house sparrow, with the back of its neck picked completely bare of feathers. It always seems perfectly healthy, apart from that patch of baldness, and even brings little ones with it, to the feeder.

Lately, I have noticed the baldness spreading to the upper parts of its wings, and the sides of its tail. And then, a couple of days ago, I saw another bird land beside it at the feeder, and start picking feathers off its tail, while it ate. It seems like this poor bird has a compulsive mate, which overgrooms it. I had never heard of feather-picking happening in wild bird populations, before, but it seems to be the case, here.

Maybe some of these baldies are also victims of picking.