ScoutTN Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Dd saw a red tailed hawk in our neighbors' yard today. There were only sparrows on the feeder when I first looked out today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 Jays are beautiful but a bit bullish too. They kind of take over everything and aren't too keen on sharing. True, although I've seen some other birds at my feeders with Blue Jays. They're also good about warning everyone of danger. I've heard the Blue Jays start squawking and making quite a fuss whenever the hawk is nearby, which helps all the birds and squirrels not just the other Blue Jays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 True, although I've seen some other birds at my feeders with Blue Jays. They're also good about warning everyone of danger. I've heard the Blue Jays start squawking and making quite a fuss whenever the hawk is nearby, which helps all the birds and squirrels not just the other Blue Jays. Yep, I got Blue Jay. Such bird jerks you gorge that they're actually pretty birds... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 This afternoon brought red-winged blackbirds, mourning doves, and squirrels. It's too bad I read The Goldfinch (which has nothing to do with birds) a few years ago, since I'm apparently going to have The Year of The Goldfinch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 I've never heard of this but it sounds like fun. We usually have a ton of songbirds at our feeder and it's even topped up but I haven't seen a single bird all day. The weather's been cold and damp and not even the birds want to be outside. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legomom Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 This is such a fun thread! We are getting a lot of snow here today, so I went outside to check on my husband and son while they were shoveling snow and we saw some turkeys sitting in the neighbor's tree across the street, so it is the year of the turkey for us! The turkeys look so funny sitting in the trees! My husband keeps reminding me that they were recommended by Benjamin Franklin to be the national bird. My goal this year is to see my first snowy owl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 White-breasted Nuthatch for me. It's my son who loves birds favorite bird so that is nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 I had a nice hike, two different trails, the second along a streamway game trail. I was looking for a kingfisher, and while I heard him, I couldn't sight him. I added mallards, wood ducks, geese, gulls, and another duck-like water fowl species that I'm going to have to pull out my field guide to identify to today's "first day" list. The biggest surprise for me today - and thus will be my bird of the year - was eastern bluebird. They turned up in both locations and could be heard in larger numbers than could be seen. So to further this game, I challenge each of us to become really knowledgable about the bird that is "ours" this year. Let's learn to... -identify male, female and juveniles by sight (in both breeding and nonbreeding plumage, if it varies) - identify by call/song - what it eats - where it lives (winter, summer, year round) - how to draw it - why it's important - what are the benefits to man/local ecology - several fun facts about it to share with others - pay attention to where it turns up it in art, literature & song 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Mine is a white-eared bulbul. They're pretty common in my garden in Riyadh and they look a tiny bit like a black-capped chickadee which is one of my favorite US birds for lots of reasons. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) mine was a Crimson Rosella We have a huge amount of different species of birds living in and around our property. that is what comes from having a wetland through the middle of the property and native bush abutting national part surrounding us. Edited January 2, 2017 by Melissa in Australia 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 I was interested to learn the other week that rainbow lorikeets don't grow quite as large in Far North Queensland as they do down here in Victoria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Pine warbler? Those are close to the right color. The bird I saw did not have gray wings--or any markings I noticed. And I haven't seen her since yesterday. Maybe she was just traveling through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Now I'm afraid to look outside, because there's a good chance I'll see a crow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Day 2--still rainy and cold, still no birds ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberries Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Mine is a Carolina chickadee. I like those. The Cornell page describes them as "inquisitive and acrobatic," which sounds promising for the year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Is that a crack on the second egg on Eagle Cam?? I'm obsessed with those eagles. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolate-chip chooky Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 And I love how the Eaglet's head just seems way too heavy. :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 My bird was yucky. I want a do over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalmia Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) Okay, one more thing because I am a bit bird-obsessed. I love that we occasionally spot a tawny frogmouth. They are so cool. They look a bit owl-like, but they aren't owls. One night recently I was picking my husband up from the bus stop and there was a tawny frogmouth in the middle of the road. It looked like a juvenile and it didn't move as I was driving closer. I stopped in the middle of the road while my husband jumped out and shoo-ed it to safety. We are very, very spoilt for wildlife here, but we appreciate it all. So, so lucky to live here. I'll try not to hog this thread any longer .... I remember the tawny frogmouth from my year abroad in Victoria. They look like muppets invented by Jim Henson. I could not believe how cute! They are cuter in real life than in photographs. Still my favorite Australian bird even though I also saw a lyrebird and emu and rainbow lorikeets in the Whitsunday Islands and heard bell birds on that trip. I must get back to Australia one day... As for Maine, I still haven't seen my New Year's Bird (unless you count my hens, which I don't). I suspect it will be a raven as a group lives near my house, and they are often raucous and attract attention to themselves. Edited January 3, 2017 by Kalmia 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I decided to change my computer background to a lovely photo of a Nuthatch, just to remind myself of my bird this year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-M- Posted January 3, 2017 Author Share Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) My computer seizes up when I try to like more than two or three posts. Consider everyone's post liked. *smile* The mention of tawny frogmouths delighted me as I adore finding them at the zoos we visit. To the poster whose daughter found the crow on New Year's Day: Those are my favorite birds of all. They amaze me. Other birds that make us particularly happy were also mentioned: juncos, blue jays, goldfinches, etc. I am always excited when something "exotic" visits: rose-breasted grosbeak, Baltimore oriole, hummingbird, indigo bunting, eastern bluebird, but they are unlikely to be what I see on New Year's Day -- and that's all right. I came to backyard birding as an adult and thanks to home education. It really is a lovely pursuit, isn't it? Here's a image of my bird of the year. It was taken this fall. Edited January 3, 2017 by M-- 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Cardinal at the park. Such a bright spot. I may have seen something else first but I couldn't identify what it was, so my bird of the year will be a cardinal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) As for Maine, I still haven't seen my New Year's Bird (unless you count my hens, which I don't). I suspect it will be a raven as a group lives near my house, and they are often raucous and attract attention to themselves. Right?!? Seriously, where are they? I haven't had a bird at our feeders in days, and it's been mild! :( Usually this time of year we have downy and hairy woodpeckers, chickadees, dark eyed juncos, blue jays, cardinals, nuthatches, sometimes goldfinches...all the usuals...but lately it's been nothing. No birds at all. I miss them. :(. We need a good storm. They always come in droves before a big snow. :) Edited January 3, 2017 by MEmama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 This was one of our poetry reads last year :) https://www.amazon.com/AUSTRALIAN-FROGMOUTHS-NIGHTJARS-Tracey-Morris/dp/094730410X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483485762&sr=1-1&keywords=australian+owls%2C+frogmouths+and+nightjars Pretty, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 My bird was a Carolina wren. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Finally--a chickadee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Finally! My first feeder bird of the year was a red bellied woodpecker. I'm taking that over the flock of ducks. My feeders are usually a very busy place. I have no idea why it's been so quiet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Finally! My first feeder bird of the year was a red bellied woodpecker. I'm taking that over the flock of ducks. My feeders are usually a very busy place. I have no idea why it's been so quiet. When my feeders go quiet, it's usually because there's a hawk around (sometimes on the roof where I can't see it). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) I decided to change my computer background to a lovely photo of a Nuthatch, just to remind myself of my bird this year. I had a red-bellied woodpecker as my background. It was a photo I took several years ago in my backyard. When the goldfinches first showed up I took a photo and posted on facebook to ask my bird nerd friends if I identified it correctly. I think I'll use that as my background now. This morning we had a bunch of brown-headed cowbirds. Ugh. My least favorite bird. We also had a bunch of robins on the lawn. They never come to the feeder because I only put out seed - no suet or worms. Those get nasty really fast in our humid climate. I love seeing robins. They'll only be here another few weeks before they head north again. We see them in large numbers every year in Sept.-Oct. and Jan.-Feb. Edited January 4, 2017 by Lady Florida. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 When my feeders go quiet, it's usually because there's a hawk around (sometimes on the roof where I can't see it). It's been quiet for awhile. Usually it gets really busy before a big snow, but the weather has been lame and mild. I guess they don't need to stock up on the extra calories just yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I figured it would be a crow for sure, but it turned out to be a small red-tailed hawk. It was standing on the ground over its prey, looking fierce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-M- Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 This was one of our poetry reads last year :) https://www.amazon.com/AUSTRALIAN-FROGMOUTHS-NIGHTJARS-Tracey-Morris/dp/094730410X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483485762&sr=1-1&keywords=australian+owls%2C+frogmouths+and+nightjars Pretty, no? So pretty, in fact, that I bought a copy. There was a like-new edition available for a reasonable price. Thank you for the link! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 (edited) European robin. I'm actually going to think hard about robins. I'm sure they have unattractive characteristics too, but I'm drawn to their style as a theme for this year - hopeful, cooperative, persistent, unfazeable. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_robin ETA, I often have a robin follow and observe me when I garden, waiting for me to throw it a worm. Edited January 7, 2018 by Laura Corin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 We've had king parrots in our conifer for the first time ever. Usually it's the crimson rosellas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinevere Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 A flock of geese! A herd of geese? I'm not starting off well, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Fun thread, my family notes our FOY birds too. My 2018 started with a Carolina Chickadee. My most memorable was 2012. I heard sandhill cranes while inside the house. I went outside and 20-50 were flying over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I can't do this unless I refuse to look about me while outside, rush to our national park with a pair of binoculars and hope for something less mundane than an American Robin. LOL From the title of this post I was hoping that this had something to do with the most interesting bird you've seen all year. I saw a Green Heron for the first time last year and was enthralled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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