Tempers Flare Up
This week the weather temperatures average 86º F and the humidity about 80%, of course that feels like about 5º higher. You can bet that everybody is in an edgy mood and I mean including birds.
Yesterday I could see bird fights all over the backyard. First time for me to see a fight between a Chipmunk and a bird!. I’ve never seen anything like that before.
I mean tempers were flaring up no kidding. I saw a group of Northern Cardinals, about 12 of them between juveniles and adults deep into a melee to take possession of the feeders. But as you may have suspected there were other birds wanting to eat as well. I was observing the ruckus developing rapidly, I wanted to find out what’s going on. In conclusion it came down to the peak temperatures under a brilliant summer sun. I gave them a refill of seeds and that helped a bit to calm them down, most larger birds left and the rest had more opportunity to grab some meal.
It really felt hot out there! Believe me!
Text and photos © HJ Ruiz – Avian101
H.J. Ruiz - Avian101 
Usually chipmunks are chipper-looking, but you’re right, HJ, this one is definitely warning, “Don’t mess with me.” It’s good you came along with a topper. 🙂
Here in my backyard is like the Serengeti of Georgia! I offer no tours though.
Thanks Jet for your comment! 🙂
I am not surprised in that heat.
Yep! Thanks Tom! 🙂
These ones are like a cartoon, HJ ! 😀 Every frame is telling a story, but they are all adding up to the one story. The chipmunk is a scream ! – do they all have cheeks like that ?
You don’t know much about chipmunks I see. They store seeds in their cheeks until they cannot take any more and then go to their burrow and deposit them for later. This guy form the picture has like half a pound of seed in his cheeks already. Without the seeds they are nice looking creatures. 🙂
You’re wrong: I know NOTHING about chipmunks ! – never seen one in all me days.
However, I now know a bit, eh, HJ ? 😀
😀 Really enjoy the activity that goes on in your backyard, HJ!!
I do too! Thanks so much A.! 🙂
When it’s really hot here, the birds line up at the water dish. I now know as much as M-R about chipmunks!
That’s ok! I like it when people ask instead of pretend to know and stay quiet.
I believe that ‘it’s never too late if you want to learn’ Thanks Christine! 🙂
Fun to hear about the goings on in your backyard. Thanks HJ.
It’s fun for me too! Thanks so much Barbara! 🙂
From your yard to the streets of Chicago. I have to pay more attention to my indoor birds now and see if they have more arguments when it’s hot. Great post! 🙂
Don’t worry about your indoor birds they more likely have AC. 🙂 Thank you Lisa!
Great narrative, H.J, and I love the shot of the grumpy chipmunk! You can keep your heat and humidity down there in the south, thank you! 🙂
Thanks Amy! 🙂