jcarscadden

thank you again akandula

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

I do not have a picture - it was too fleeting. The bird was a light green (I think) and small but about twice the size of the hummingbirds we get. But it seemed to hover like a hummiingbird for a few seconds before flying away. I am in Baltimore County Maryland and saw this in my backyard yesterday July 10th. I have not seen anything like this before and as I said it was only fleeting. I do not have any other details so just hoping....

hmmmmmmmmmmm wondering if the males from my backyard are traveling to SC this year and your females are flying up here??? NAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH.

have just started on second brood in my box

this year, I have seen at least 4 to 6 Ruby Throated hummingbirds at my feeder - Baltimore County Maryland. But have yet to see a male . All have been lacking the red thoat - almost black in the right light....of lack of direct light. Just wondering what is going on

thank you Charlie - we have picked a lot at the back of the development and close as we can to trees and water. They are planting some trees now but it will take a while. I do not expect to see the woodpeckers we see now but will take your advice and keep my fingers crossed for others....not starlings or HOSP!. I do have a large feeder that has suet cages on either end. Have been using suet dough in those and suet in logs I drilled out. I will bring that one or get a smaller one And as i said...keep my fingers crossed thanks again

agree with Hairy...the bill does it for me

I expect to be moving in a year or two to a new housing development...some houses built and I have visited them....When i asked about bird feeders was told you can put them out but do not expect a lot of birds. The reason given is that there are no mature trees around. Any advice

I have two bluebird boxes - one uses 3 years ago but not since - the other last year had two fledglings that left the nest but when i went to clean it there were two dead fledgings there this year - did not think the box was being used but about a month ago..saw that it was...again only two left - when I went to clean the box , I was fully expecting to find others that did not get out,, But the nest was empty.....it is usual to have only two??

agree with purple finch.. And the house finch near me (Baltimore Co MD) have a brownish cap . We have had many purple finch at our feeders the past week or two..then they seem to leave and the house finch come