Any fellow birdwatchers out there?

[Better Than Rubies]

@Better Than Rubies Totally agree. Both wild AND domesticated birds hold an incredible amount of fascination....else why are we all here?

Such a delightful variety you describe! Who wouldn't adore everything from friendly Chickadees to visually appealing Orioles/Goldfinches? Gulls are a hoot. Do you have a favorite bird?

Indeed.

Yep! Hmm, I don't really know. I do really like the blue jays and woodpeckers, and of course the Goldfinches, but I rarely, rarely see them. Which bird in your area might be your favorite?

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures of the waterfowl you took. I guess I forgot to say, that we also have snow geese. I've only seen them when they're migrating in the fall, and flying over our house, but they're like such pretty white gems in the sky.

 

[BantyChooks]

My interest in wild birds doesn't extend far beyond watching the ones that come to the feeder, but I thought you guys might appreciate these shots I got of a hummingbird last year.

 

[Ribh]

I know absolutely nothing about American birds. So looking forward to pictures & your experiences. I know that can be quite different to what the *experts* tell you. For example, everything I read about drongos said they were shy & retiring but not my experience. They are solitary though I have seen them in small family groups, but they are pretty bold round here & definitely clowns. They used to sit on an overhanging branch & dive bomb each other in my MIL's swimming pool & they make a terrible racket when they use the bird bath on my verandah, getting right in & wallowing. My cats won't tangle with them.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

@OhZark Biddies ... What's the best thing you saw during your travels? [/QUOTE]

It's hard to choose favorites I suppose, with each place offering something new... in Canada my favorite might be the common loons...not too original as far as a Canadian favorite... but they are so nice to see and hear... in Mexico I was quite taken by the Yucatan Jay... in south Africa the crowned crane was the most striking bird I saw (although I'd seen them at zoos before) ... but there the hadeda's were so much fun to watch (and hear) that they might have been the favorite... and there were a ton of others that were new and fun to see here and there too... those just come to mind at the moment...

It seems there is always something new to find when traveling in the United States too... I seem to be just always tuned in to the ambient sights and sounds of birds, sort of subconsciously looking and listening for something new, or something not seen in a while...

I'm sure others on this thread suffer from the same affliction, of always devoting some amount background thought to looking for and listening for birds...

 

[itsasmallfarm]

i like waterfowl and upland game birds.
ducks, geese, cranes and sharp tail grouse, ruffed and grey partridges. maybe cause i like hunting and studying them lol.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

My interest in wild birds doesn't extend far beyond watching the ones that come to the feeder, but I thought you guys might appreciate these shots I got of a hummingbird last year.
View attachment 1717897 View attachment 1717898

I think that hummer is in disguise... I'm guessing that's pollen on it's "chin" and not truly yellow feathers... .. but for a second it had me scratching my head!

Nice pictures in any case!

 

[BantyChooks]

I think that hummer is in disguise... I'm guessing that's pollen on it's "chin" and not truly yellow feathers... .. but for a second it had me scratching my head!

Nice pictures in any case!

It had just returned from a trip to my garden, so probably.

 

[itspebbl]

@ECSandCCFS You're more than welcome! I figured I needed a place to share my (and anyone else who cared to join) obsession. Oh my, Wood Storks! I'd say that's a memory of a lifetime! Have you spotted any since? Last time I saw them was several years ago, in Florida.

Thanks for sharing!

~Alex

Yes, I was thrilled to see them, especially after I learned they were endangered (maybe they aren't now, this was several years ago, and I haven't checked any reputable sites to see). I don't think we've ever had any since then, though.
One of my favorite parts of fall/winter is when our Hooded Mergansers fill up the pond. They're some of the prettiest little ducks I've seen.

 

[Kessel23]

I moved my trail camera down a few feet so it is closer to the water. It is getting a lot more pictures now.

The cam is meant for deer so it is kinda hard to catch small animals like wood ducks on it but I think I have got it close enough now.

 

[jnicholes]

Hello,

Fellow bird watcher from South Idaho here. I like to set up my bird feeder in my front yard, and just watch what kind of birds come and eat. So far, I've had mourning doves, house finches, and one I have not identified. But that's not all the birds I've seen.


Aside from the bird feeder, I have seen Mallards, Canada Geese, snow geese, peregrine falcons, turkey vultures, Wild Turkey, quail, and some others I haven't identified.

Sometimes, I sit in my backyard with my duck and Goose call, and see how close I can get the ducks and the geese.

I tell you, peregrine falcons are just amazing.

With my bird feeder I've noticed some interesting habits with the birds. I noticed that the mourning doves cannot Roost on the bird feeder, so they sit on the ground underneath the feeder. The house finches are kind of sloppy, and they spill a lot of food, which drops down to the mourning doves.

Those doves are smart.

Jared