Kicking fanny and taking names,

Late yesterday evening, this mourning dove came in and completely dominated all the other birds, including the other dove. This went on for about 30 minutes.

With all the juvenile birds testing their strengh and abilities there has been a lot of mock fighting in my yard lately. I have not gotten any photos because it is in the shade and I don't have enough light to get a fast enough shutter speed to capture action.

That's the biggest problem I have. I have tall trees to the East of me and a high ridge to the West of me. Morning and late afternoon the feeding area is in the shade and of course thats when the birds are most active. I'm almost always taking pics in low light.

Early this evening a Mourning Dove came in and stayed for awhile and got along with every body.

Then the grouch came in and started pushing every one around. Two other Doves came. They stayed clear of the grouch and didn't stay long.

"The Grouch," LOL, adelbertcat! I know what you mean. The mourning doves are usually so placid, but there have been some bullies by me, too. It's a bit shocking to see. Must be like fchisolm said, juvie birds testing out their might. Adelbertcat, what's that orangey bird in your 2nd pic?

~Kris

Ah ha. I thought it was some kind of grosbeak. I didn't know they were that orangey. Hey Resin, are cardinals in the grosbeak family or related to them?

~Kris

Awwww, learn somethin new everday, lol. Thanks, Resin!

~Kris

The grouch fond someone he could get along with. (I think it's a male)

Iris. There are twenty or more Black-headed Grosbeaks that come to my feeder daily and they range in colors. Here is a sample.

sample 2

sample 3

sample 4

and a back view.

Very nice adel!

Wow, that's pretty cool, adelbertcat. Thanks! ;D

~Kris

I'm wondering how much you had to pay those birds to pose for you like that Adel?

Great shots everyone! I watch these threads every day so I've been seeing all of the beautiful birds you folks are posting. Thanks for sharing birds I wouldn't otherwise get to see.

I haven't had my camera out back lately, or I'd share some photos with you all.

Janet

Grosbeaks are natural hams.

I've never seen one, other than here on Dave's. They are beautiful birds.

I'm not sure what this one is doing. Maybe like Tonto...listening for hoofbeats.

LOL!

~Kris

These are great photos - make me laugh!

I have noticed that behavior. I think they are trying to watch for hawks and look for feed at the same time.

Yeah, the "sideways head thing" birds do is so they can get a better look at something - since their eyes are on the sides of their heads. I don't know if they can focus on something with both eyes at the same time, though. Hard to imagine how seeing like that would be, isn't it? My parrot does that, when he really wants to get a good look at something. But adel's grosbeak does look like he's listening to the ground - similar to how the robins appear to be "listening" for worms. But they're really just looking for them. Great pix, adel, keep 'em coming!

~Kristy