Favorite Wild Bird

That, and when I was still in California we had wild quail and mourning doves. The mourning doves had a deep, haunting song while the quail skittered across the road, occasionally with their tiny chicks.
 
My favorite wild birds are the Grey Catbird, Sandhill Crane, and Barred Owl! And yes, I even think Turkey Vultures are beautiful birds! I love watching and listening to the catbirds every year and occasionally seeing them in the yard plucking green grubs off the ground. I also really like the Barred Owl because there is a pair in the woods who hoot and cackle every now and then. I've even been able to call to them! During late winter, the Sandhill Crane's call is like a blessing to me. They're such a relief from the dull days of snow and cold. Turkey Vultures are quite frequent where I live and I enjoy watching them soar around.
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I like barn swallows and bald eagles for much the same reason. I could watch both species fly all day long. I love the swiftness and agility of the swallows and the effortless soaring of eagles. I wanted to be able to fly like both when I was a kid.

Here in Texas, my favorites are scissor-tailed flycatchers, and cardinals just because they are pretty. I also love Bewicks wrens because they are such bossy, nosy little birds and because they have such a huge song coming from their tiny bodies. I also love that they nest anywhere and everywhere, in planters, in birdhouses, in helmets hanging in the garage.

Two of my all time favorites are chickedees and ravens. I could watch ravens all day. They are clever, and social and so good at problem solving. When we were at Yellowstone, there was a raven and a zip cooler in the back of a pickup. I told my kids to watch, and told them the raven would have the cooler open in five minutes. I think it only took about 30 seconds. The raven walked along the edge of the pickup bed, hopped onto the cooler and opened the zipper. I think his lunch that day was grapes and a ham sandwich.
 
I love Pileated Woodpeckers. They are about a foot tall, have a distinct call and are the bird that Woody Woodpecker was patterned after. Bluejays have a special place in my heart with their striking blue plumage and noisy calls. They will spot a snake and call all Bluejays to join in dive-bombing the intruder. Then on cool fall days when there is not a cloud in the sky, it would be nice to be a hawk and just soar and ride the wind currents.
 
I love the plucky little Carolina wren and all the songs the male sings.

For beauty of song, though it's a fairly plain brown bird, I love to hear the wood thrush in the early evening and very early morning. Just heard the first of the season yesterday morning. It's like a beautiful flute.


http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=32


ETA: So hard to pick just one! Bluebirds nest on my property, as do Scarlett Tanagers. Hummers buzz around my deck, and I've had Rose Breasted Grosbeaks at the feeder (when I used to put up one, before chickens).
 
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Chickadee and Bluebird. But right now I'm watching three wild turkey hens who have nests nearby... can't wait for them to parade their little ones! A Bald Eagle flew over yesterday... they do take your breathe away!
 
Just had a big flock of warblers this morning! Black-Throated Green Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Blue-Winged Warbler, Nashville Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler and Black-and-White Warbler and probably more were heard and seen right outside the house! I also had Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Green Heron, Red-Eyed Vireo, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and a bright orange Northern Oriole(and a modestly dressed female in her dull orange and green plumage). Good morning of birding!
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