Bella
ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ ᕙ ᕗ
Yes, they're starlings. They descend en masse, scaring away the other birds and making a mess!
Pictures From My Smart Bird Feeder
- Thread starter Medusa
- Start date
Pam
Well-known Member
- Location
- Cumbria, England.
Thank you for this thread, @Medusa. I used to go bird watching with my grandson when he was little, either to the nearby park or sometimes we would take a train to the nature reserve. We carried a little I-Spy bird book with us and it was great fun. Of course, he is now almost 21 and working but, bless him, he still comes with me once a year to the nature reserve.
As I've mentioned before, I don't have a garden so it's lovely to see all the birds that visit yours. I do love the beautiful cardinals.
As I've mentioned before, I don't have a garden so it's lovely to see all the birds that visit yours. I do love the beautiful cardinals.
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
They are! After reading @RadishRose's comment I looked it up and sure enough!Yes, they're starlings. They descend en masse, scaring away the other birds and making a mess!
That is a grackle on the left and a starling on the right. Starlings are definitely what's been visiting my feeder as you guys have already noticed. I'm learning so much about the birdie world with this feeder and you all along this ride with me.
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
MarciKS
SF VIP
- Location
- Great Plains
Enjoyed the pics I missed. TY Medusa!
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Glad you're here. (And also that you're home safe.)
Bella
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The starlings would overrun my feeder and wreak havoc. I called them the Mafia.They are! After reading @RadishRose's comment I looked it up and sure enough!
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Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
They've done that here a bit, but I've noticed in the last several days their visits are few and short so, I'm feeling more tolerant. If they get "bad," I might start researching ways to deter them. You know, strangely, it was that dove that really bugged me. She parked herself in the seed and wouldn't move!The starlings would overrun my feeder and wreak havoc. I called them the Mafia.Thankfully, I haven’t seen them for the last few years; wherever they are, they can stay there!
Bella
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Yeah, doves are like that. They make themselves comfy and quickly feel at home, and they don't scare easily, as you've seen. Soon she'll be asking you to bring her a latte.They've done that here a bit, but I've noticed in the last several days their visits are few and short so, I'm feeling more tolerant. If they get "bad," I might start researching ways to deter them. You know, strangely, it was that dove that really bugged me. She parked herself in the seed and wouldn't move!
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
OMG, she did have that look about her!Yeah, doves are like that. They make themselves comfy and quickly feel at home, and they don't scare easily, as you've seen. Soon she'll be asking you to bring her a latte.
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Lady Cardinal showed up today. It's like they're taking turns, she and Mr. Cardinal.
Husband shared this one with me. Looks like a heated discussion.
One of those cool, in-flight pictures.
Another in-flight. Not sure who the finch on the feeder is yelling at. There seemed to be a lot of yelling today.
And the feeder is empty. Aw, hang on buddy; more is coming.
Husband went out to fill the feeder shortly after this.
Husband shared this one with me. Looks like a heated discussion.
One of those cool, in-flight pictures.
Another in-flight. Not sure who the finch on the feeder is yelling at. There seemed to be a lot of yelling today.
And the feeder is empty. Aw, hang on buddy; more is coming.
Husband went out to fill the feeder shortly after this.
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
There we go.
I just like this one.
Just behave and you can stay... for a minute.
I just like this one.
Just behave and you can stay... for a minute.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
The inflight picture of the finch looks pretty cool.
I wish we could have a bird feeder. Then again I get lots of enjoyment looking at the photos you post daily, so thanks for that.
I wish we could have a bird feeder. Then again I get lots of enjoyment looking at the photos you post daily, so thanks for that.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
We've had a few little wrens flying around during the freeze. Of course, they prefer being under cover during the freezing rain. One was perched under a chair on the patio so hubs put bird seed right under the chair so it could eat. I don't know what we would do without our birds!
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
You know, I thought it was one of the Juncos, but I don't know. It would be really cool if it was a mockingbird.Mockingbird second from top?
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
I had to jump on and post because I'm so charmed by this brave little finch standing his ground against a starling this morning.
Lady Cardinal stopped by.
And Mr. Cardinal, apparently annoyed at something or someone.
Mr. Cardinal at a different time of the morning, still mad. Maybe he's not a morning bird. I get that.
Pretty picture of the back of a red finch.
The starlings have eaten all the food this morning. I've read that they do not like safflower seeds so I'm looking into a safflower hot mix from Amazon. Husband is sweet and feels like, "Well, they're birds too and we're feeding the birds." I get that but they're chasing the little birds away and this seed is expensive. He was thinking of maybe putting some food for them on the other side of the yard, which is a nice idea.
Lady Cardinal stopped by.
And Mr. Cardinal, apparently annoyed at something or someone.
Mr. Cardinal at a different time of the morning, still mad. Maybe he's not a morning bird. I get that.
Pretty picture of the back of a red finch.
The starlings have eaten all the food this morning. I've read that they do not like safflower seeds so I'm looking into a safflower hot mix from Amazon. Husband is sweet and feels like, "Well, they're birds too and we're feeding the birds." I get that but they're chasing the little birds away and this seed is expensive. He was thinking of maybe putting some food for them on the other side of the yard, which is a nice idea.
MarciKS
SF VIP
- Location
- Great Plains
I can totally hear this convo in my head. Starling with a british accent asking "What on earth are YOU doing here?" Finch saying "look man, I'm just here to grab a bite. I don't want no trouble."
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
I love that, Marci! Hilarious!
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Pictures are a bit sparse so far today with no sign of Lord or Lady Cardinal. My husband put some of the regular seed in the feeder and the starlings have been having their way with it all morning. It's empty now so I'm going to put some hot seed in it. Husband would do it, but he's at work today.
I learned (from a youtube video) that starlings do not like safflower seeds. So we have some hot safflower seed mix coming, but it won't be here until Sunday so we're trying to stretch things out a bit by supplementing with the regular seed.
Ugh.
I learned (from a youtube video) that starlings do not like safflower seeds. So we have some hot safflower seed mix coming, but it won't be here until Sunday so we're trying to stretch things out a bit by supplementing with the regular seed.
Ugh.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
Starlings are birds too of course but they are marauding pack of thugs.
They will chew on a small hole in a birdhouse meant for tiny birds into a big hole, in order to squeeze their bodies in and kick out the tiny birds, taking over the house.
I know because it happened to us, many years ago.
They will chew on a small hole in a birdhouse meant for tiny birds into a big hole, in order to squeeze their bodies in and kick out the tiny birds, taking over the house.
I know because it happened to us, many years ago.
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
It's funny because it's true!
I'm hoping the hot safflower seed deters them. I was so impressed with that little finch that stood up to the starling yesterday. Brave little guy.
PeppermintPatty
🐢. 🐳. 🐢
- Location
- Canada
Beautiful pictures as usual Medusa.
Yayyy for the brave finch. He stood his ground. Good strategic move for alienating the starlings. No thugs allowed.
And the crowds cheers in agreement.
Yayyy for the brave finch. He stood his ground. Good strategic move for alienating the starlings. No thugs allowed.
And the crowds cheers in agreement.
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Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
Beautiful pictures as usual Medusa.
Yayyy for the brave finch. He stood his ground. Good strategic move for alienating the starlings. No thugs allowed.
Medusa
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic
The starlings have been munching up the food lately and husband is trying to make it last (new supply arrives on Sunday) by mixing the hot sunflower seeds with the regular seed.
Some pictures from the last couple days. I have tons, but chose a few.
Pretty in-flight.
The little Juncos always seem to be the ones at the feeder before the light.
Looks like either a discussion or a minor disagreement. Things sometimes get testy at the feeder.
Someone is getting chewed out! Yeesh I love how the guy on the right is completely unconcerned. Not his problem. lol
Lady Cardinal inspecting the seed.
Some pictures from the last couple days. I have tons, but chose a few.
Pretty in-flight.
The little Juncos always seem to be the ones at the feeder before the light.
Looks like either a discussion or a minor disagreement. Things sometimes get testy at the feeder.
Someone is getting chewed out! Yeesh I love how the guy on the right is completely unconcerned. Not his problem. lol
Lady Cardinal inspecting the seed.