H.J. Ruiz – Avian101 – Page 614 – "My Backyard Visitors" – All about birds

Law and Order

It’s hard for me to understand that some people consider the Northern Mockingbird as a nuisance bird, for others as being too aggressive, a bully, etc. If you were to ask me then I’d say that I am very satisfied to have them in my backyard… always!

You may ask, why? It is because after observing them for a number of years, I always come to the conclusion that I’m lucky to have them as guardians of law and order in my backyard.

I have seen them in many occasions defend and save the lives of small birds from falling victims of larger predators. I can see quite often when a group of birds, not local come and create commotion at the feeders spooking the local birds. Not long after you can see the Northern Mockingbirds diving down on them and starting a chase. They do keep order and keep the avian area safe.

I do not doubt that are very zealous of their territory where they usually nest but get in a defensive mode when strangers (humans) get too close to their babies. No matter the size of the stranger they will ensue a confrontation, which I can’t blame the birds for acting defensible. I used the word “stranger” because mockingbirds have excellent memory and recognize features of previous enemies or friends. That might explain the reason why they have never attacked me even when I’ve been about 2 feet from their nest or every morning when I refill the feeders, in fact I had them already eating near me at my arm length.

I have tried to invite them to eat from my hand by they get close to me and then suddenly change their mind and turn around. I don’t mind, they help me a lot already!

Photo Gallery

Fresh blackberry for lunch!

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

Tags: birds, nature, Northern Mockingbird, photography, photos of birds

Adapt and Live

The last few days I got many visits of birds such as Red-winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Brown-headed Cowbirds and Common Grackles and others.

While shooting pictures of these birds I noticed a particular one, a Common Grackle that got my attention because it was actually limping… it had a damaged leg!. Most likely it had a broken leg that has healed but was set wrong and now that leg is not working properly.

Looking at this bird with a disable leg was sad for me, besides, there’s nothing I could have done to make it better. Incredibly so, the grackle managed to handle all situations and was very active just using one leg. It’s amazing how well they can adapt to the circumstances and keep living their normal life. Even when this bird seems to be doing alright despite the damaged leg, I feel sorry and sad for the little creature… I can’t help it.

Photo Gallery

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101

Tags: birds, Common Grackle, nature, photography, photos of birds

Birds of a Feather

I captured these scenes not so long ago. I, of course, thought that you might be interested to know what happened, when a Song Sparrow met a Chipping Sparrow by the feeder and the following dialog developed this way…

SS – Hey buddy! Would you like to come for dinner?

CS- Only if you stop singing! SS- Do you realize I’m a Song Sparrow?

CS – So what’s for dinner? SS – I have very delicious seeds!

CS – Let me think about it! (thinking, thinking)

CS – Ok! I accept!

CS – So…Do you have any chips? SS – Grrr! CS – Do you realize I’m… SS – Oh shut up!

Tags: Bird Humor, birds, Chipping Sparrow, nature, photography, photos of birds

Growing Pains

Birds in general go through a growing process that is ultra-fast. They have an amazing rate of growth, their size and development of the necessary elements to generate flight are incredibly fast. It takes only a few days and they go from fledglings to juveniles in no time as we folks say.

My backyard is thriving with so many new families, couples in company of their respective broods, all are at different stages of growth as you’ll be able to see for yourselves in the Photo Gallery of this post. As we also say:

“Babies of any kind are always a reason for reaching good emotions and a term of endearment.”

I hope that all the new generations from my backyard grow to be healthy and strong. I know one thing, they eat well and plenty.

These very young birds are still learning the best ways to deal with other species, dangers, confrontations, getting food on their own and dealing with the weather. Then later they’ll find other important things when their hormones begin to activate… That’s another story altogether!

Photo Gallery