#feeder bird

Pretty sure this new feeder visitor this morning is a fox sparrow based on the size (significantly larger than the two white throated sparrows that wander through about half way through the video), streaking on belly, dark spot in chest and slender bill. Common feeder bird in our area according to research and likes black oil sunflower seed, which is what I put out.

I thought at first glance it was a brown thrasher, but it didn’t have the long tail or yellow eye, the build is slightly chunkier as well.

Sometimes you need not go far to find birds. Bird feeders are an excellent way to attract a nice variety of birds to your yard. Even if you live in an urban area boxed in by other houses, you may be surprised by the birds that visit your yard. This week, I focused my attention to the birds that visit my yard in Weston CT. 

One chilly afternoon I watched as the ravenous birds flew in from all directions. Finches, chickadees, sparrows and woodpeckers were all aggressively vying for space at the feeders. This past week we have been in a cold snap, sending temperatures down into the single digits at times. In this weather birds need extra fuel to fight the cold. If its cold enough they may go through a whole feeder of food in a day! In our yard, we have three seed feeders filled with black oil sunflower seed, and a suet feeder that the woodpeckers love. Commonly seen birds include Tufted Titmouse, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, White-throated Sparrow, Mourning Dove, Purple and House Finches, White-breasted Nuthatch, as well as Downy, Hairy, and Red-bellied Woopeckers. 

A Northern flicker has been regularly dining at the suet feeder for the past few weeks. Northern Flickers are large brownish birds with bright yellow feathers on the undersides of the tail and wings. Their chest is abundantly patterned with black spots, similar to those found on various thrush species. The back of the head is gray with a red patch. The male's facial markings make it seem like they sport a black handlebar mustache. The Northern Flicker spends most of its time on the ground in search of their favorite food - ants.   

 After watching the birds for a while, I went to my computer to enter my species list to Ebird. When I returned, I noticed that the smorgasbord had ceased. Then I saw why. A large Cooper's Hawk was perched on top of the feeder hunting for lunch. While I was taking pictures the large hawk spotted a sparrow and took off straight for the window in which I was standing. Reacting properly I ducked forgetting that there was an invisible glass shield between us. The hawk did not end up getting the sparrow and took off into the woods. Hawks will often try and go after feeder birds, and at times will be successful in securing a meal.

Another frigid morning this week brought a large species of woodpecker to my yard. A pair of Pileated Woodpeckers flew from tree to tree cackling away. Upon seeing these two beauties, I foolishly ran outside without a jacket trying to snap a few pictures. With temps barely above zero, I dashed back inside but not before losing feeling in my extremities. Unfortunately, the woodpeckers were not very close, so the pictures did not turn out well. Pileated Woodpeckers are the largest species of woodpecker in the US. These birds are mainly black with a red crest, and white stripes through the face and underneath the wings. Pileated Woodpeckers are usually found in older forests with plenty of standing dead trees which they enjoy drilling their large bills into. They create unique square holes in dead wood searching for Carpenter Ants and other insects.

No matter where you live, you can almost always attract birds to your yard by using a feeder. Not only is it wonderful to watch for your entertainment, but many times these birds rely on feeders, especially in the winter months. Just make sure you stay on top of refilling them! 

There's something about a Northern Cardinal in the snow. 

White-throated Sparrow. These birds are mainly ground feeders. 

This Red-breasted Nuthatch was seen at my sisters house. They are found throughout the US mainly in coniferous forests. 

This is a White-breasted Nuthatch which inhibits mature forests. They are commonly seen climbing up the large tree trunks of older forests. 

This Song Sparrow is not a regular visitor to my feeder. It was probably the cold weather that brought it to the feeder. 

Another new visitor that I had never seen at my feeder. A Red Squirrel, which is a nice alternative to the more common Gray Squirrels. 

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is by far at the top of the food chain on the feeders, chasing away every bird that gets in his way. They will even go after the Blue Jays if need be. 

  This is the Northern Flicker showing off his handlebar mustache. 

  On the bottom of the suet feeder is a Downy Woodpecker, trying to avoid being noticed by the Northern Flicker. 

The Dark-eyed Junco is a bird found in large flocks during the winter months. In the summer, these birds migrate back up to Canada. 

 This Cooper's Hawk was looking for a meal. Lucky for the feeder birds, this hawk failed to acquire lunch. 

The Carolina Wren is a small brown bird with a very loud song. Not a frequent visitor to the feeder, but more of an occasional guest.