jcarscadden

I have seen an anhinga with its wings spread...my icon..but was told it was drying its wings after being in the water

thank you all - the lack of the males is what really had/has me mystified. One more for the books....earlier this year there were no male hummingbirds - now they are back. So perhaps the male house finch will show up soon too

When I first sas these....6-8 of them I thought they were house finch but in the last few weeks...it they are house finch there have been no males. They eat BOSS all day long several lbs a day. I just wanted to get another opinion of these. I do not believe these are the same bird 1 IMG_9998 by Jim Carscadden, on Flickr 2 IMG_9995 by Jim Carscadden, on Flickr

well I guess she had second thoughts - did not see the female in or out of the nest for a while..well over a week. So this morning I checked - she had built a nest but not used it.

I saw that video and was amazed at how many were feeding at one time. Mine tend to be a bit (understatement ) territorial and I went and got a second feeder but had to take the first one down in order for them. - i have at least 4 but think 6. Males for the past month as well...earlier it was only females. Will put the second one back up today about 100 feet away from the other and see what happens

range for the curve billed thrasher - according to sightings map of allaboutbirds - Cornell University is extreme southern and eastern Colorado - so could be. The LaContes has blacker eye. and Crissal is not as brown and seems to have a more curved beak.. According to allaboutbirds...the man who first named this one - curve billed - had not see the others with more curved bills I would vote for Curve Billed but as above..maybe someone more expert should make final decision oh yes agree totally with house sparrow the grey cap and almost black bib are telltale for me

also agree with the gray catbird. almost completely gray except for that black cap and tail feathers can be dark as well, similar to your pick..not black just darker gray. And first time I heard one...it did sound like a cat.

also agree that this is a female great tailed grackle..for all of the reasons akandula mentioned plus...i have found grackles in general to be one of the fiercest looking birds. Perhaps it is the yellow eyes or the stance but have come to believe they could be ID'd ...well close..by the head and stance along

just a comment - akandula, I have seen several of your posts and thank you for the rationale used ...helps us newbies

I must learn to be more patient or something..now the female bluebird is back and and has definetly built a nest in the box. More as things progres (or not)

I think it may have been wishful thinking on my part...the third brood. The female definately came back to the box two or three times that I saw but I have not seen her for the past week. Will still keep looking but hope is fading. But it has been very warm...understatement here in Baltimore County...over 115 heat index. I have been surprised that have had no predators - both the boxes I have up are on trees- the one used this year is more secluded than the other. The male keeps a pretty good watch and chases other birds and squirrels away. Having no problem with hummingbirds now...for at least two or three weeks - all I saw were females but males are there now and what I believe is a juvenile male. I bought a second feeder today because one of the males seemingly has staked out the first. We will see. I have not had a lot of luck with this type - reservoir over the feeder.. They are hard to individually ID but I think I have at least 6 possible 8.

first time ever....the female has started building the nest in the blue bird box for the third time. I was concerned about the last brood but like tclarkwood - have seen no sign of a problem with the last brood but did not see them leave the box. I waited two or three days..then went to look and the nest was empty. I cleaned it out and three days later they are back for the third time

thank you.....I guess it will remain a mystery ..have not seen it since but thank you

agreed we have them in our back yard as well....and thank you all for providing the links and the differences between the chicadee and sparrow. I for one feel that this kine of ID provides a lot more information that we can use later