Blue jays are a familiar and noisy presence in our yard. We didn't have many visits from them until this year, when I put a feeder in a secluded spot in front of the computer room window.The Blue Jay's "Jay! Jay!" calls each morning. He is a big bird and the little ones scramble when they hear this loud call. Jays are mostly vegetarian, but once in a while they eat a baby bird or an egg. They have a reputation of being a bully around the feeder. Sadly, I think that their reputation is wrong. They might be a bit bossy, but it seems that they little birds adapt to that. They are around here for most of the cold winter...I don't know if any of them migrate.
I'm sitting here at my computer and trying to concentrate on what I'm doing. It's very hard for me with all kinds of activity going on just outside my window. The very full feeder is teeming with birds this morning. All kinds of Sparrows, a couple of Chickadees and a small bird with a very red breast was just here. I watched him closely, to try to remember everything about him, when I go to my bird book later. The Gold Finches have their winter coats on. I don't hang a finch feeder in the winter, but mix their seed with the other mixture. Oh, here's mama Cardinal. She's out without her man....wonder how that happened? She just blends in with the Sparrows...you wouldn't even notice her if you just glanced. I hear a "Jay...Jay!" off in the distance. I know from other mornings that this is a good morning call from Mr. Blue. The "Jay...Jay!" gets a little closer. Some of the little birds scatter along with mama Cardinal. Soon a flash of blue swoops into the Ash tree. He's just a few feet from the feeder...balancing on a branch. The birds all scatter now...the boss is here. He swoops down and sits on the swinging feeder....grabs a few seeds and then he's off on his way, without cracking the seeds or taking the time to find more. The minute he's gone the feeder fills up with little birds. This goes on everyday. It is the small birds way of coexisting with the bigger ones. The Blue Jay doesn't take much food...plenty left for the others. As I look at the feeder, I see many different kinds of birds. All wearing their winter coats. They look similar, but I know there are at least six different kinds of birds there right now. My bird book has a worn binding and some loose pages. It is used almost everyday. I bought it one year, when the snow was deep. I developed this interest of birds out of boredom that year. Since then, I couldn't say that there's anything boring about my life. I can always find something of interest to look at. Especially if it has wings.
Balisha
9 comments:
I have my bird feeder positioned so I can see it from my chair. Which reminds me--I need to go and get a 40# bag of seed at the tractor supply store. I too love to watch the birds and the occasional squirrel that comes to try and get some for his lunch.
Our feeders are back up and in business. I hope the snow holds off awhile. I'm not ready yet.
Balisha, I do not have many birds at the moment - wonder why.
But they will return - maybe woods are still full of food for them.
We don't have the Blue Jay although we do have Jays. It's beautiful.
The sun shining on the trees are your header is beautiful Balisha.
Sounds like you had a colorful group! We don't have gold finches until..February I guess. I do hang up a seperate feeder as I heard the gold finches are not social and like to eat alone. Do they feed along with the other birds in your yard? (PS--your bird guide must look like mine!) :)
The Blue Jay is known as the "policeman of the bird world." They also will occasionally take another birds nest by force. They are so beautiful up close.
Eileen
We feed the birds all winter, but never get the real good song birds as we don't have lots of trees. I worry about them all and marvel at how tough the little juncos are. We get the Horned Lark when it gets extremely cold. How can they stand it??!
I am a bird watcher too! I have some very aggressive robins at the bird bath in the summer. The Jays also make the other birds scatter but the undisputed champ in my yard is the
mockingbird! Gotta get the recipe made to start feeding them since Izzy is in the house most of the time now and not as likely to catch them.
Balisha, I am unable to access any of your posts past this one. I have no idea why but my ability to read your newer two posts has been blocked, I guess.
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