Robins are Back!

[897tgigvib]

In Montana when I lived there, at the University I used to see a Robin that was different than all Robins I've ever seen. This one had an almost black brown breast instead of that normal orangish red. None of the other Robins seemed to notice the difference though. Other than that it was a normal Robin.

Here we have some that stay all winter, but the numbers do increase about now, and are.

 

[so lucky]

One of my favorite summer sounds is that of robins making their little chirps and calls at dusk. It reminds me of mothers calling in their children before dark.

 

[canesisters]

Robins stay all winter here. Although I don't remember them doing that when I was a kid. This time of year we see them in huge flocks - 30-40 birds - just swarming over any open grassy area. I guess that they are gathering up and heading north.
Now blue jays are another story. When I was a kid, my neighborhood was FULL of blue jays. They pestered my cats something awaful. But I noticed a few years ago that I couldn't remember the last time I had seen one. I asked around and nobody could remember seeing or hearing one in a long time either. But then again, it seemed that I was the only one missing them. Well, late last summer I heard THAT call and searched through the tree tops till I spotted him. Royal blue with black and white, what a lovely sight. I was THRILLED to find him a regular visitor and I'm hoping to see Mrs. Jay this year.

 

[Nyboy]

The robins here still fly south for winter. The canadian goose don't, as a kid we would see the flock in their v patteren flying south. Now they stay all winter.

 

[digitS']

The Canadian geese fly in every direction here in the fall! I think they are much more focused on following the grain harvest north. Then they are everywhere thru the winter, it seems.

In Montana when I lived there, at the University I used to see a Robin that was different than all Robins I've ever seen. This one had an almost black brown breast instead of that normal orangish red. None of the other Robins seemed to notice the difference though. Other than that it was a normal Robin.

Here we have some that stay all winter, but the numbers do increase about now, and are.

Marshall, you must have had the Townsend's Solitaire in the Montana mountains. They seem like such a special bird to me - maybe just because they act like their much more common cousins, the robins. But, the Townsend's Solitaire is kind of a ghost gray and, tho' I don't remember ever seeing them other than in pairs, they are very much a hidden forest bird. Here is what "All About Birds" says about them:

"A long-tailed gray bird of the high western mountains, the Townsend's Solitaire descends in the winter to lower elevations where it feeds almost exclusively on juniper berries."

I didn't know that was what they were doing in the juniper forests of the high desert. I guess I'd never hung out there long enuf to figure out they were eating berries. Also, the birds probably weren't interested in hanging out with me long enuf for me to figure out what was on their menu .

There are other thrushes, also. Of course, the bluebirds . I have seen the Varied Thrush around. Now there is one strange looking "robin!"

Steve

 

[curly_kate]

We have bunches of blue jays around here. I know they can be bullies, but I do think they are so pretty. We have had Canada geese coming and going on our pond almost all winter. The other day, there was a mallard, a black-ringneck (I think) and a female of one or the other hanging out together. It seemed odd to have 2 different kinds together, but I guess they know better than me. Last year, there was 1 harlequin duck that would hang out with the geese on the pond.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

after searching online trying to figure out what i'm actually seeing in my backyard, i finally realized it is a flock of bluebirds! i've never seen them before or i've just never paid any attention till we moved to this house. the mocking birds have also been around too so i have started enjoying their crazy songs. it was nice a few days ago while taking my dog out and checking the chickens and hearing all the birds singing while we ended up with another foot of snow. even with the snow it is starting to signal that spring is coming soon!

 

[digitS']

Bluebirds in February! Well, that must be wonderful! I don't suppose they could have their spring colors yet, tho'.

There are 2 species of bluebirds here. I don't understand why they don't interbreed but should agree with Kate, "I guess they know better than me."



The Western bluebirds look like the Eastern bluebird but they are separated by what looks like the real dry part of the prairies - from looking at the map. If the Easterner likes to sit in trees and then leap out at butterflies and things, I guess they aren't going to be too happy about miles and miles without trees.

Do you have bugs for your bluebirds, Chickie's Moma? I think that's about all they eat . . .

Steve

By the way, Chickie'sMoma, your new avatar goes real well with "Garden Ornament."

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

they've been picking apart the sumac buds near my chicken coop so far this winter. but yes, i have been growing meal worms so i should have some to give them as treats. they must also be enjoying the sunflower seeds and cracked corn i've been throwing down for the chickadees since i've occasionally seen them on the ground too. right now they all appear grayish blue on their backs so i thought they looked like odd colored robins but bigger. i actually started seeing them in January. i think they've also been enjoying the cherries in a neighbor's trees across the street. i haven't seen the male cardinal yet this winter and i hope he will be back this spring once we thaw out.

 

[canesisters]

We've had blue birds all winter.

Do you think that the different behaviors that we've noticed ARE actully different? Or are we just NOTICING them?
For instance, I don't remember seeing blue birds in the winter.... Until this year. And the blue jays disapearing for so long... or did I just not notice them for a while??? Chickie's blue birds too?? And CurlyKate's mocking bird????