Posted on 03/05/2005 8:07:37 AM PST by sweetliberty
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As it turned out, the previous thread on this topic generated a lot of interest and several people recommended doing it as a regular thread, so here is the second installment.
How you go about creating a bird sanctuary in your yard, or outdoor space, will depend on a number of givens, some which can modified, and others over which you have no control. One of these is geographical location or climate zone. If you live in the Colorado Rockies, you are not going to attract Cardinals, no matter how many black oil sunflower seeds you put out, and if you're on a beach in Florida, it's a pretty safe bet that there will be no snow buntings visiting your yard, the cornucopia of insects notwithstanding. Of course, if global warming keeps encroaching on us, we may soon find Alaska overrun with Parrots and Flamingos, but, I digress.
Within any given area, there are a variety of habitats, so no matter what your specific location, it is possible to vastly increase the types and numbers of birds in your immediate environment by modifying your habitat to make it more bird friendly to a wider array of birds native to your region.
Another "given" is your available space. If you live in a cottage in the woods by a stream, you will obviously have a lot more options available to you than if you live in an urban apartment with nothing more than a small porch or balcony. Of course, I think the majority of us live somewhere between those extremes. The point is, even if you have nothing more than a porch, you can still make it bird friendly, thereby increasing your enjoyment of these highly entertaining creatures. If you don't even have so much as a porch, I would suggest moving!
The purpose of this thread is to share ideas for maximizing our outdoor spaces to make them appealing to birds and butterflies, to share our experiences and knowledge or expertise, photos and resources. The discussion is pretty free-flowing and may expand to include gardening, landscaping and related topics. The direction the thread takes will really be up to the FReepers who post on it. We can focus on a different topic every week or two, or just keep it open and casual, updating the thread periodically. The main thing is that we learn and have fun.
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LOL! Well, I can't help with the flycatcher type bird, but I'm curious about the hummingbird in rustbucket's post # 1335. The bill isn't right for a Violet Sabrewing. Wonder if it is a Violet-bellied Hummingbird?
Wow, that is a pretty hummingbird in your picture. However, the Nature Conservancy person at the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve where I took the picture in Arizona said the only birds they had with an orange beak like that were broad-billed hummingbirds. There are other hummingbirds with orange beaks, but apparently not at that particular area.
Patagonia site description: Link
I looked up the male vermilion flycatcher in a book. You aren't kidding there sure is a contrast. He's brilliant red. :)
Okay...now I feel sheepish! Didn't realize you already knew what type of hummer that was, rustbucket.
Sorry..........It's been a loooooong week. :)
Here is a Say's Phoebe from Big Bend National Park:
Titmouse, chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches, downey woodpeckers, red breasted wood peckers, bluejays, brown creeper, carolina wren, American gold finch, juncos, sparrows.
Yesterday I had a goldfinch hit the door and knock himself out. I picked him up, tooks a picture, then put him in the tree in my garden where he was safe, (the cat was in the house), and about 15 minutes later he flew off:)
When I first picked him up he couldn't even hold his head up. He just laid in my hand, I didn't think he would make it, but then sat up.
Here's looking out my new patio window door. Every morning while I drink my coffee, I sit in front of it and watch the birds. I have added a bird bath since taking this picture. They really seem to like it alot.
Becky
We had an Owl in the yard last night and I said, I have to tell you all. :) Unfortunately, I didn't see him but my son did. I have to check it out tonight. I sometimes have voles so I'm pleased there is an Owl around.
The fall birds are the best. Besides my year rounders, I have seen more of Flicker, Red breasted Nuthatches, White Breasted Nuthatches, White Throats by the dozens, I have 3 tube feeders out for the Gold Finches and I think I have to get another there are so many.
Although I love to see them, I have plenty of Hawks that scope out the feeders. I think they are beautiful but don't want them hunting the birds here.
That happened to a Finch here recently also. I thought he had broken his neck. He hit the window and was down in the garden. I went out to check on him. He was flat on his back and didn't look good. As I got closer, he popped up and flew off. That must have been incredible having him in the palm of your hand. Good happy endings. :)
Excellent pictures Becky! :)
I also had a bird show up this morning that I've seen several times but have been unable to ID. I couldn't get a very good picture, but he came up to one of the feeders this morning and I "think" it may be a juvenile yellow belly sapsucker. I'm just wondering tho, would there still be juveniles this time of year?
I really like your new view. Looks like the birds are liking it as well. I would love to have a glass door next to my computer chair, but since I rent, it isn't really practical. Enjoy it!
I'm really excited. I just had a male and female bluebird visit my birdbath:) I read in my bird book that bluebirds like bird baths. I was surprised, I would have thought that would have left in the winter, I've never noticed seeing them in the winter.
I have tons of goldfinch. They are so different from the chickadees, and titmouse's. The chickadees, and titmouse take a bite and leave, the goldfinch sit there and eat and eat and eat:). They're the smallest bird, but will chase the others away from the feeders.
Becky
I had never seen one, or even realized we had them around here till this year, the same with the brown creeper:) The wrens do have a very pretty call. I saw one sitting in a tree while it was singing, now I hear that sound all the time and Know what it is. I wish I new the sounds they all make. I know the wren, jay, and nuthatch. The rest I still don't know.
Becky
I had a BrownCreeper regularly visiting, quite a few years ago. The first bird I ever photographed. :) Then I saw Brown Creeper a few times through the years but I haven't seen one this year at all. Aren't they neat. Learning calls can be tricky for me because each bird has so many more than just the common calls that ids them. :)
Those are beautiful, incredible looking birds. They must have been so impressive to see in person!
We have almost five acres of land, most of which is forested. We also have two brooks running through part of it and a wetlands area. We have seen pileated woodpeckers, crows, bluejays, cardinals, downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, hummingbirds, goldfinches, wild turkeys and sharp-shinned hawks, as well as other more common birds. We feed the goldfinches, hummingbirds, cardinals and woodpeckers.
Wow. Those are fantastic pictures!
I still have bluebirds around also...and yes, they DO love the birdbath. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen any other birds so throroughly enjoy their baths as the bluebirds do.
You are so right about how much the finches eat. They go through these feeding frenzies in spring and fall, and man do they ever consume a lot of finch food!
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