I think they are Bushtits ("Psaltriparus minimus", for Frank), according to my "Birds of Seattle" book.
I just put up a bird feeder a few weeks ago and have been delighted with a mating pair of Goldfinches, a mating pair of House Finches, many Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, lots of Juncos, a few Towhees, and a lone Red-breasted Nuthatch. Even a couple of Steller's Jays have shown up, but they're too big for the feeder.
I've witnessed adults feeding their almost-grown fledglings, too. I had no idea birds did that. I thought that once babies were out of the nest, they were on their own. Shows how much I know! Attachment parenting for birds?
Yesterday morning, it was like birdy Starbucks. They were literally lined up on the porch railing, or hanging off the side of the feeder (a clear plastic one attached to one of the kitchen windows), or hanging from the wind-spinner-thing-y. And they were all pretty grouchy, sniping at each other like people in the morning before their venti triple shot lattes.
Can you tell I've been dying to tell someone about my bird feeder? :-D
My Mom is an avid birdwatcher in the NW (Olympia) and in her infinite bird wisdom gleaned from years of study both from books and in the field she might tell you that this one is an LBJ (Little Brown Jobbie) :)
3 comments:
I think they are Bushtits ("Psaltriparus minimus", for Frank), according to my "Birds of Seattle" book.
I just put up a bird feeder a few weeks ago and have been delighted with a mating pair of Goldfinches, a mating pair of House Finches, many Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, lots of Juncos, a few Towhees, and a lone Red-breasted Nuthatch. Even a couple of Steller's Jays have shown up, but they're too big for the feeder.
I've witnessed adults feeding their almost-grown fledglings, too. I had no idea birds did that. I thought that once babies were out of the nest, they were on their own. Shows how much I know! Attachment parenting for birds?
Yesterday morning, it was like birdy Starbucks. They were literally lined up on the porch railing, or hanging off the side of the feeder (a clear plastic one attached to one of the kitchen windows), or hanging from the wind-spinner-thing-y. And they were all pretty grouchy, sniping at each other like people in the morning before their venti triple shot lattes.
Can you tell I've been dying to tell someone about my bird feeder? :-D
My Mom is an avid birdwatcher in the NW (Olympia) and in her infinite bird wisdom gleaned from years of study both from books and in the field she might tell you that this one is an LBJ (Little Brown Jobbie) :)
Robin, I think you're right. I dug out my mom's bird book, and my guess is "Common Bushtit."
But, Alyse, I think "LBJ" works nicely, too! :-)
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