Search This Blog

Sunday, June 10, 2012

June Birds and their babies!

The yard is alive with families of birds right now including chickadees, spotted towhees, woodpeckers, and robins. It's hard to get any work done - so much fun watching them ... 



Baby chestnut-backed chickadee waiting to be fed


It's been so entertaining watching the baby chickadees, who peep peep peep like crazy, practicing their flying from one tree to another. I'm pretty sure I hear the parents cheering them on! (By the way, chickadees eat caterpillars!)



Baby Spotted Towhee on back deck


Several baby towhees fledged about 10 days ago. I haven't seen the nest although it must have been somewhere well-hidden in the back garden since they always retreat there.


Mama towhee feeding baby


 Sorry about the poor quality of the above photo - I took it through the window.



Mama Hairy WP feeding baby


The baby's feathers are so fluffed out, it almost looks bigger than the parents!


More June Yard Birds


Female Black-headed Grosbeak



Her mate




A Pair of Hairy Woodpeckers sharing suet



American Goldfinch


The goldfinches are here now and some will stay to breed. They use thistle down to line their nests (their mating season coincides with its blooming) so if you want to encourage them to make a nest close by, be sure to leave some thistle plants in your yard or garden. One less thing to weed!


Red-breasted Nuthatch

These guys often hang upside down to feed. And they eat caterpillars too!

That's all for today. I hope you're enjoying the abundance of birds around now!


No comments: