Birds: Interesting and Returning

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OldTrad
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by OldTrad »

greenonion wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:30 am It's that time of year again for migrating birds. Anyone see anything interesting lately, or since last spring?
Since last spring? Lots! A feeder in the yard and a new pair of binoculars did not hurt my quest either. Most of my pics aren’t good enough to post, unfortunately

Location is Centennial CO, btw

Lots of resident Black Capped Chickadees
Red Breasted Nuthatches
Coopers Hawks - in fact an entire family that returns every year. The juveniles loved chasing the rabbits in our yard. Also saw the kids flying 3-abreast in hot pursuit of a rabbit, just a few feet off the ground!
Spotted Towhees (very similar to the pic SunNFun posted)
Northern Flickers (male and female pair)
Finches (peach color - I think they are “House Finches”)
Other generic ? (brown) finches
Downy Woodpeckers

Plus, we hear owls at night, though I haven’t lucky enough to see them

Tho all fascinating, the woodpeckers were all gorgeous and brilliant, and can’t say enough about the hawks - amazing animals!
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greenonion
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by greenonion »

OldTrad wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:10 pm
greenonion wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:30 am It's that time of year again for migrating birds. Anyone see anything interesting lately, or since last spring?
Since last spring? Lots! A feeder in the yard and a new pair of binoculars did not hurt my quest either. Most of my pics aren’t good enough to post, unfortunately

Location is Centennial CO, btw

Lots of resident Black Capped Chickadees
Red Breasted Nuthatches
Coopers Hawks - in fact an entire family that returns every year. The juveniles loved chasing the rabbits in our yard. Also saw the kids flying 3-abreast in hot pursuit of a rabbit, just a few feet off the ground!
Spotted Towhees (very similar to the pic SunNFun posted)
Northern Flickers (male and female pair)
Finches (peach color - I think they are “House Finches”)
Other generic ? (brown) finches
Downy Woodpeckers

Plus, we hear owls at night, though I haven’t lucky enough to see them

Tho all fascinating, the woodpeckers were all gorgeous and brilliant, and can’t say enough about the hawks - amazing animals!
Do you (or anyone else) see chipping sparrows in CO or front range area? Orangey head on sparrow looking bird?
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OldTrad
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by OldTrad »

greenonion wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:47 pm Do you (or anyone else) see chipping sparrows in CO or front range area? Orangey head on sparrow looking bird?
I haven’t yet, but apparently they are in CO and all over the western US. Gorgeous too, I’ll keep my eyes open for them.
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by dwoodward13 »

greenonion wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:47 pm Do you (or anyone else) see chipping sparrows in CO or front range area? Orangey head on sparrow looking bird?
I haven't seen them yet this year. Looking at eBird (great website), they've only been recorded around Roxborough in the Denver area so far this year.
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by highpilgrim »

Saint Louis and no surprise.
mizzery after all.jpg
mizzery after all.jpg (193.41 KiB) Viewed 2760 times
Call on God, but row away from the rocks.
Hunter S Thompson

Walk away from the droning and leave the hive behind.
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by Christian Nunes »

@greenonion,

Chipping Sparrows are very common throughout CO in the summer months, but they leave the state completely by Nov. They are then replaced by their northern cousins, the American Tree Sparrow, from Nov-March. They are in the same genus, Spizella, and are somewhat similar. On an American Tree Sparrow, look for the bi-colored yellow-and-black beak, a black spot on the chest, and a chestnut crown as well as chestnut eye-line. Chipping Sparrows have a black beak, no spot on the chest, and they have a black eye-line that contrasts with the reddish cap.

Happy birding,

Christian
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Chipping Sparrow- common summer visitor
Chipping Sparrow- common summer visitor
2516429947_9159552eba_c.jpg (73.99 KiB) Viewed 2728 times
American Tree Sparrow- common winter visitor
American Tree Sparrow- common winter visitor
3106226324_996425760d_c.jpg (66.45 KiB) Viewed 2728 times
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by greenonion »

Christian Nunes wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 9:50 am @greenonion,

Chipping Sparrows are very common throughout CO in the summer months, but they leave the state completely by Nov. They are then replaced by their northern cousins, the American Tree Sparrow, from Nov-March. They are in the same genus, Spizella, and are somewhat similar. On an American Tree Sparrow, look for the bi-colored yellow-and-black beak, a black spot on the chest, and a chestnut crown as well as chestnut eye-line. Chipping Sparrows have a black beak, no spot on the chest, and they have a black eye-line that contrasts with the reddish cap.

Happy birding,

Christian
Thanks, Christian. I appreciate knowing the differences/similarities between those 2.

Stu
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by BostonBD »

I couldn't resist, here's a few.........
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Burrowing Owl BD.jpg
Burrowing Owl BD.jpg (118.75 KiB) Viewed 2629 times
Kestrel BD.jpg
Kestrel BD.jpg (60.83 KiB) Viewed 2629 times
American Bald Eagle BD.jpg
American Bald Eagle BD.jpg (75.27 KiB) Viewed 2629 times
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greenonion
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by greenonion »

All very beautiful. Especially that kestrel!
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nyker
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by nyker »

Nice shots there BostonBD!
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by SunNFun »

P1020639.JPG
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Northern Flicker
SunNFun
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Re: Birds: Interesting and Returning

Post by SunNFun »

P1020642.JPG
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Brown Thrasher
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