Pre-Sandy Saturday - 10/27/2012

With the approach of Hurricane Sandy, the so-called Frankenstorm, I decided to spend some quality time watching the birds in the back yard before the heavy weather hits in the next couple days.  It is amazing what just a few hours of staring at the feeders can do for a person's mental state!  After a crazy week at work I wanted nothing more than to zone out and deal with nothing but the birds.

The resident Female Red-Bellied Woodpecker.  Is she stocking up for the storm?

As the Thistle Feeder Turns

It seems the Goldfinches have regained some control over the Nyjer seed feeder in the past couple of weeks.  The loud negotiations between these little finches in the bushes near the feeder are quite comical.  Lots of "zreeees" and questioning "su-weets!" in the yard today!  At this point they are about half and half at any one time in the yard, so they must have come to some kind of agreement!  I am so glad they are now sharing!

All My Nuthatches

This is my feeder!

Is this the widow or widower?

It seems there has been a murder in the yard!  The two pairs of White-Breasted Nuthatches have been reduced to just one pair and a lonely widow or widower.  Upon my arrival home for lunch earlier this week I did witness the suspect, one of the local Red-Tailed Hawks leaving the scene of the crime.  The only evidence of this act of violence was a fluffy pile of feathers under the maple tree.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch & Pine Sisken

On a brighter note, the Red-Breasted Nuthatch still hangs around, although he is having a tough time standing up to his larger cousins.  I witnessed him take a sunflower seed from the feeder only to have it snatched away by a White-Breasted once he reached the tree trunk.  He (or she) is very persistent though, and has been at the feeder pretty much all day today.

Guiding Flight

My home is not far at all from the section of overlap between the more northern Black-Capped and their southern Carolina Chickadees. Being in central Montgomery County I really only have to drive 45 minutes north to see a bona-fide Black-Capped Chickadee.  I was still surprised to find one at the feeders this morning.  Seeing them side by side was incredibly informative and diagnostic.  The size, proportion, and coloring of the Black-Capped per pretty distinct when side by side with his cousins.

Black-Capped Chickadee. Note white markings on the wings and back, grayish cheeks, and larger head in proportion to body size.

Carolina Chickadee.  Note smaller head size and duller white markings.  He also just looks a little bit smaller and more streamlined.

I think what I found even more interesting was the difference in behavior!  There are about 3 Carolina's that frequent my feeders and this Black-Capped was really quite agressive with them.  I have heard that they will flock together, but I have never heard of them having conflicts with their smaller relatives.  It was really quite interesting to witness.

Another shot of those great diagnostic markings on the Black-Capped from a different angle. What a difference!

Well, I am off to batten down the hatches!  Have a happy and safe Hurricane Weekend!