Today at the feeder.

A few days ago I stated that I had never seen a House Sparrow at my feeder, or in my yard. Today I think they showed up.

1 of 12. House Sparrow, I think.

2 of 12. Another.

Beautiful pic. A male.

3 of 12. Not sure of this one. Very small looking.

Thank you, fchisolm.

4 of 12. Female, I think.

One of the special things about house sparrows is the other small birds that seem to follow the sparrows. So keep your eyes open and your camera handy.

5 of 12. Male.

I spy on them all the time, fchisolm.

6 of 12. Almost an adult.

#3 is a juvenile male House Sparrow, just starting to moult from juvenile with the first hint of adult male plumage beginning to show.

Resin

7 of 12. Juvie card fighting with sparrow.

Thanks, Resin.

8 of 12. Another challenger.

9 of 12. Sad looking juvie.

10 of 12. Juvie cardinal.

11 of 12. Jay growing new head feathers.

I see these cute birds (sparrows) at my local wal-mart garden center, but have never had one in my yard. Great pics.

This message was edited Aug 12, 2007 8:12 PM

12 of 12. Further along with the new feathers. Like a butch haircut.

Thanks, gardenpom.

Great pics trois!

Male House Sparrows are handsome even though thier nasty.

Thanks, pelletory. I had never had a close look at one of them until I took his picture today.

Pretty pics of your young birds at your feeders. It is so fun to watch them learning the ways of the world, isn't it?!

I am happy that we haven't had many House Sparrows at our feeders, though, as they are an introduced species here and found to be very agressive and even usurp the nests of other birds and destroy nestlings. Here in the states they are one of only three birds not protected by law. We really try to avoid harboring them in our yard.

Strangely, in Europe HOSPs are almost considered an endangered species and their population has diminished considerably in the last few decades.

Beautiful Pictures!!

I had the Cardinal & Blue Jay at the feeder just a couple minutes ago & the Downey on the suet. And a bunny eating on the ground... lol - But my camera doesn't take beautiful pictures like yours.. not even close.
Keep the beautiful pictures coming ;D

Trois, as always your photos are marvelous!

Thanks tabasco, kimsgardenheave, and Murrmur. Lots of rain and bird activity today.
I put up a hummingbird feeder today. No action yet.

trois

Isn't it funny to see all the birds from across the country (and from Resin!) and how we react to them? I don't get excited when I get a house sparrow at my feeder, for instance, because they're pests here and tear through nests and so forth. Others can't stand blue jays and I love 'em.
And I hear people talk about not having many cardinals and we have them year round here.
I'm also being bombarded with hummingbirds and goldfinches! But I'm not complaning for one second.... it won't be long until I'm missing the hummingbirds again.

There are many people that hate all birds, as they poop every 10 seconds, they all have lice and mites, they are feathered rats, and my favorite "I just hate them old crackels" (grackles)
I like them all, and I watch my feeder on a closed circuit camera most of the time. Very heavy activity today from many kinds of birds.
There are jays, cardinals, doves, and English sparrows on or around my feeder right now.

If anyone wants my house sparrows in their yard you're welcome to them. They chase away other birds from bird houses even though they themselves can't fit in the opening, they dominate the feeder, and they're very prolific. They, along with Starlings, are very agressive and both are introduced species. When I was young we used to have tree swallows, purple martins, wrens and many other varieties that are not around the suburbs anymore and I blame, partially, the ubiquitous house sparrow and starling. Just my humble opinion.
Jimbo

tabasco, Please refresh my memory. What are the three birds in the US not protected by law. Is is house sparrow, starling, and rock pigeon?

Judy, Do you have Goldfinches year round or are they migrating to your place now? What zone are you in? We only have them in winter.

gg=alice

Edited by gg


This message was edited Aug 19, 2007 10:13 AM

Yes to the first and I don't know to the second question.

The house sparrows have moved in with a vengeance. So far they have scarred off the Chickadees but the Cardinals and Jays are defending the feeder. Sometimes I they will share with the sparrows. The Mourning Doves will not. They share with no one.
I found the source of the invaders as our new neighbors built a large sprawling barn, and put up many martin houses which have been taken over be the house sparrows. I also noticed they have many pigeons on their roof and on their barn. We have never before seen either around here. I guess they provided food and shelter for them all. I will just provide Black Oil sunflower seeds for a while, maybe discourage them.

Good Luck! Have you ever spoken to that neighbor?

Jimbo, I agree with you. I'd be happy to trade my house sparrows, starlings and pigeons for some tree swallows, martins, goldfinches and hummers. Any takers? ;-)
Sharon

I will be glad to share mine.

And share some more.

Oh good grief, thats bad.

Did you notice the daddy feeding his youngsters in the first?

No point in talking to them. They already know everything. They were going to roundup my pepper vines, thinking it was poison ivy. I had to eat a berry to prove to them it wasn't. Strange people.

Alice.... the gold finches aren't here during the colder winter months but I have them more than just for the summer... they'll head out when it gets colder. They have found my coneflower plant and LOVE it. I bought it just for them so I'm glad they do. They're so vibrant right now. So pretty and sing so sweet. I enjoy them almost as much as my hummingbirds.
Don't know my "zone"... I'm in Atlanta.

Just guessing Judy, but I think Atlanta is probably 8a. Here's one link among many, for determining your "plant hardiness zone". Of course certain areas have "micro zones" that raise or lower the zone ranking a bit. For instance a sheltered area in ones own yard can raise the "micro zone" a bit in winter, like a south facing wall sheltered from north winds.

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

Interesting that you don't have them in winter which is the only time we have them (8a although I have some "micro zones" on my property that are 8b and others that are close to 7b from the strong north winds that whoosh up the gorge and over the hill and those harsh northwest winds that really do a number on everything. When "Blue Northers" come in the temps can drop within a hour or so 40-60 F killing humans and animals who can't get shelter.)

I love it when the GFs (and a few Pine Siskins) come in for winter even though they have lost most of their bright yellow by then. I can't remember when they arrive though. The Juncos are usually here by January.

gg=alice

National Arbor Foundation says 8 also.

http://www.arborday.org/treeinfo/zonelookup.cfm

Here's a couple of links, short description of GF's.

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Carduelis_tristis.html

http://www.passporttotexas.com/birds/feb01.html

And Georgia info:

http://museum.nhm.uga.edu/gawildlife/birds/passeriformes/ctristis.html

Supposedly they breed only in far north eastern Texas. I have never seen one in summer here north central Tx.

gg=alice