Chickadees, Flickers and Crows

I hoped to see the Northern Shrike again, or maybe a Pygmy Owl yesterday but I ended up seeing many other birds instead. I sometimes wonder if the birds I would love to see that day visit my home when I set out to look in other directions!

Northern Flicker male visiting my feeder.

Northern Flicker looking for food

This male Northern Flicker is a regular visitor to my feeder who spends a lot of time poking in the snow for suet that has fallen on the ground.

A Common Crow calling to others in its flock

On my way through town I stopped to watch a group of crows feeding. They walked towards me, confident that they could fly off if I showed signs of “crow-icide”. Being able to fly must be a great feeling of freedom! On my way home, I picked up a Northern Flicker female that had been hit and lay stunned on the highway. I put her in some small cedar trees nearby where I hope she recovers in familiar territory. There were two crows watching what I was doing, and while I do not begrudge them a good meal, I hope the flicker made it.

A Common Crow in town

A Mountain Chickadee feeding with a flock of Goldfinches up the lake

I have not seen the Mountain Chickadees at my feeder lately but I spotted two feeding with a group of Goldfinches further up the lake. I saw a juvenile eagle fly overhead at the same spot.

A Chestnut-backed Chickadee at my feeder.

The Chestnut-backed Chickadees have been coming to the feeder since summer and are still regular visitors. It would be nice if they brought their young around this summer.

A Male House Finch coming in to feed on sunflower seeds.

The House Finches visit regularly too – and they do bring their young around in summer. They like to drink sugar water from the hummingbird feeder. Opportunists with a sweet tooth (er..beak?)

photos and writing copyright J.A. Siderius 2013.