Thursday – 4.26.2018

1:00 AM – Peanuts are popular with all the birds, including these uncouth looking Crows. Compared to our usual customers they’re big, rough birds, and carrion eaters, at that. I’d ask them to leave, but I’m afraid to

In contrast to the Crows, we have the return of the Indigo Buntings. Evidently they were just visiting other backyards, in sort of a grand tour of Alabaster, AL before they migrate on.

Finally, a really unusual video of what looks like a young Bluebird watching an Indigo Bunting feed. We haven’t seen any fledgling Bluebirds this year, but that’s what it looks like.

 

Wednesday – 4.25.2018

1:00 AM – Since we moved the platform feeder away, the Cardinals have had to use the Squirrel Buster feeder.

We’ve had lots of Finches this winter, most of them in their striped harlequin feathers. The other day, we saw an old fashioned Purple Finch, with purple feathers. I expect as the summer goes on, we’ll see plenty more.

Another Bluebird tearing it up on the mealworm feeder.

Monday – 4.23.2018

1:00 AM – Closeup of a Carolina Wren at the birdbath. Look for the Indigo Bunting in the background.

The Indigos are gone now, it looks like. We haven’t seen on since last Thursday. Here’s two of the last videos. The first shows both birds, one on the feeder, one in the background on the rail.

This one is just an Indigo eating. Nothing exciting, but a last look at those beautiful birds. Until next year, then.

Saturday – 4.21.2018

1:00 AM – A nocturnal visit from Bruno the Dog, just after midnight. A raccoon had just passed along the path, and Bruno is very interested in the scent. Happily for both, they didn’t meet.

More Indigo Bunting footage. We’ve seen two so far, and the pair were around this feeder all day yesterday. They’re migrators, so we probably won’t see them year round.

More meal worm feeder activity. First, a Yellow-rumped Warbler, followed by the ever-present Bluebird.

 

 

Friday – 4.20.2018

1:00 AM – Just a few days ago we posted a ‘retro’ video that had an Indigo Bunting in it. We hadn’t seen one for a full year, though we would have liked to. Today, by coincidence, we have video of a couple Indigo’s. This will be an all-Bunting all-the-time post, with three clips of Indigo’s on a Squirrel Buster feeder.

According to the online experts, the breeding males are this bright color. In this clip, though, the Bunting seem hesitant about flying, and looks kind of like a fledgling. But fledglings aren’t blue like that, the experts say, so presumably it’s adult.

Unfortunately, the camera is not up close, but there they are:

In this one there’s just one Bunting, having a snack. Not a very dramatic video, but it’s still an Indigo Bunting. It would be wonderful if they stuck around.

And finally, we’ll end with a little excitement. The two Buntings have a brief squabble at the beginning of the clip.

 

Wednesday – 4.18.2018

4:55 AM  Another ‘One Year Ago Today’ post. Last year we had fledgling Bluebirds, this year, none.

Tuesday 4/18/2017

1:53 AM – Maybe we should call this edition of the Backyard Foodcourt “Young Bluebirds Misbehaving”. But before we get to that, here’s a short video of an Indigo Bunting. This is the first of these to show up at the Foodcourt. They’re supposed to be attracted to thistle, so we spread some in the platform feeder. We’d like to see more of this beautiful little bird.

—

Now the young bluebirds. We’ll start with one of the young males going after a couple of goldfinches. One of the finches is very small, and may be an immature goldfinch.

—

In this one, Mrs. Cardinal seems to try to run off one of the young male bluebirds. That doesn’t work out the way she planned. Note the cardinal’s crest rising and falling as she engages the bluebird.

—

To end on a more heartwarming note (sort of), here’s one of the bluebirds getting fed by Mr. Bluebird. Then a male Cardinal lands and the two start a stare-down. The film runs out, so we don’t know what happens next.

Backyard Birds in Central Alabama