Birds Of Northern Colorado

Night Time Shenanigans - The raccoons are back. This is the third year we’ve documented the one-eyed mom (on the feeder in the back) with some of this season’s babies. Time to put the spicy seed mix in this feeder…

Adorable Downy Woodpecker on the peanut feeder after a snowstorm

Townsend’s Solitaire. I submitted this photo from today to “eBird” It identified it as Townsend’s Solitaire. It is an uncommon species.

A New Bird! It looks like an American Robin but is completely gray. There are no oranges or beiges anywhere on it. It’s roughly the size of an American Robin. My Colorado birds book does not have this one listed anywhere, but Sibley Birds West includes the Townsend’s Solitaire, which seems to be this one. I’ll keep my eyes out for future videos and photos of this unique visitor

Beautiful White Crowned Sparrows

The evil House Sparrow is common in urban areas, but here at NoCoBirds it is seen only on occasion. I believe they are uncommon here because we feed high grade seeds that encourage the native species. (More natives = fewer non-natives) We also do not have birdhouses where they might build a nest. The last time I saw a house sparrow was last spring. The snow brings more birds to the feeders.

House Sparrows are non-native and are the enemy of many native bird species. They are predators to nests and are known to enter bird houses and attack (and kill) nesting birds.

Bushtits - Showing their bushtits flocking and feeding behavior. Forgive me for being rather obsessed with these little gray balls of fluff.

December 27, 2022

Female northern Flicker, some red winged blackbirds, and a male northern Flicker.

A male downy woodpecker at the peanut feeder.

Blue Jay Bath

Not quite 2 inches of fresh snow fell yesterday and last night. The worst part of it is that temperatures are frigid; it’s 6 F tonight! The best part is that feeder activity is up. Here is a beautiful blue jay.

Surprise this morning when the female red shafted Northern Flicker was joined by a male at the peanut feeder. Looking forward to a new brood of flickers.

On this day, honoring and thanking all Veterans, past and present, who have served our country.

It was a surprise to see a flock of bushtits at the feeders this week. They are such friendly sociable little birds that chitter amongst themselves when they perch in trees.