The Pigeons at the World's Largest Culver's, Cedar Waxwings, and a Sleepy Robin

Here is a very tall Mobil sign, an eye catcher for all the nearby highways with pigeons on the top.

Just down the hill there is an apple sign, for the Big Apple Restaurant, with pigeons on the top.

 And triangulating with the previous two, see a tall Culver's sign, connected to, yes folks, the largest Culver's in the world, also with pigeons on top of that sign as well.

Now I'm supposed to be inside the Culver's taking pictures during a meeting of an antique tractor club.  No I'm not shirking.  I took  the pictures but then....

 ....how many pictures can you take of this?  (Don't worry I took pix with the windows at my back so you could actually see the people but after awhile....on a supposed trip to the ladies room, I ducked out the front door because I've been wanting to knew for months what the birds on the signs were up to....it's mid afternoon??? Besides the birds had to be doing something ever so much more interesting  than above.

And they were.  On the Mobil sign a pair of pigeons were copulating.  Not that I think that would be appropriate for the humans in the meeting but you catch my drift.

In fact on another day, I had noted that the pigeons on one sign would fly by twos or threes to other signs.  Visiting?  What?

I wanted to know.

 A few pigeons have taken to their wings from the Mobil sign...

And are going over to visit the pigeons on the giant apple.

2:33PM Perhaps some of the pigeons on the right are puffed up and napping?  Come to think of it, how is that pigeon managing to perch on the the tip of that leaf?  Drat.   Time for me to head back to the meeting before I'm missed.

I slip back in.

2:47PM  Then 12 minutes later I look out the window and see what?  Cedar Waxwings eating... tiny crab apples maybe?

I head for the door again.

The Waxwings appear to be having a grand time.

Look at how many have a fruit in their mouths.  They are eating as fast as they possibly can.

Then some of them notice me.

And some don't.  Great view of the rear of the species in the top right corner.  Note the yellow tip of the tail.

The side view.

And all this is going on right next to the drive-thru...and no one notices.  I go back to check on the meeting. 

They are currently discussing  a display of construction equipment and earth moving equipment.  A segment of people who have a tendency to get drunk and push down trees for fun if they aren't watched every second.  

Don't get me started. 

I leave by another door.

There's a Robin resting in a small tree.  Likely some kind of ornamental.

 He gives me a look.

And as I am much further away than this appears, he rests his beak on a twig, closes his eyes and appears to catch a nap.

I slip back in to finish my job.

Happy Hawking!

Donegal Browne

A Hummingbird Foot, a Photograph Missed, a Mysterious Night Visitor, and Collusion Between Species

Though there is obviously something going on between the bee and the hummingbird, the star of this photograph for me, is the hummingbird's foot.

Why?

When is the last time you had a good look at a hummingbird foot? 

 Never, right?

When is  the last time you saw a hummingbird walk?  

Never again?  Yes?

That's because they don't walk.  According to report they can grip a perch and kind of hop sideways on a perch and that is about it.

Had you noticed?   

Exactly.

The prevailing thought as to why hummingbirds don't walk much is that they've traded really workable feet and legs for less weight and therefore better flight specs.

The above photograph has sat in my photo program tray for days.  I knew I was fascinated by that foot but it took time for the why of the fascination to reveal itself.

Yesterday I attempted to write a blog about the missed photographs, or inexplicable moments or mysterious whatevers  which tended to keep me from writing about a particular topic or animal behavior moment because I didn't have a photograph of the behavior to document it, or I had a photograph but didn't have the capper picture to explain what had gone on before.

I'd begun to find it a trap or at least limiting.  Besides many readers have their own experiences which might help illuminate mine.  

We are in this together after all.

Some weeks ago, I'd gone outside, turned in front of the garage and there was a female Robin at the bird bath.  She had a dense patch of mud on her breast about the size of a large chicken egg and was busily wetting a piece of grass.  But the most riveting part of this activity was that she looked happy and excited while she busied herself with the water and the grass. She cocked her head while she worked, her eyes glittered, she was building a nest and looked like she just might bust out in a laugh any second.

Okay, I know.  How does a Robin look happy and excited?  

That was the kicker that stopped me from publishing the observation.

I'd run for my camera but when I got back she was gone.  I watched for her as I went about my business all day.  Somehow I kept missing her because just as dusk was coming on I saw the below object where it had never been before.

 She'd been in the throes of nest building.   And the urge to do the activities it took to make a nest made her look...well the only word I had was happy.

I can trust you to visualize that right?

as

I'd been working in the yard when I suddenly realized that part of the flower bed had been completely squashed as if something had lain there for sometime.

It struck me that the particular spot being depressed to some extent with slightly higher foliage in front, and other foliage from a very large lilac on one side in particular that would block the street light, made it a good stealth hunting or hiding spot.  

The length was about two and a half feet. The depth slightly shorter.

A little later in the day a neighbor stopped by to talk to me in the back yard and she found a rabbit's foot by the fence.  Just the foot.  No blood or guts.  No entrails as one sees with a kill of a Great Horned Owl ordinarily.

Therefore a mammal larger than a house cat, if indeed the flower bed was used for hunting purposes, as I suspected.  A Bobcat perhaps?  A fox?

No tracks. 

I didn't put the two together right away.  In fact I may have found the depressed spot after the rabbits foot.  Not only do I not have a picture of whatever was there, I didn't even think to take a picture of the rabbit's foot before the woman pitched it away.

Therefore though  a mystery, somehow I didn't feel I had enough evidence even to talk about it.

Geez, words should do in a mystery if that is all you have.  But as some unkind bloggists have taken umbrage  with the tiniest detail of an unphotographed moment one can become over wary.  After all most of us do this for love and curiosity not for profit, fame, or a dissertation. 

Jealousy and pettiness can take ever so much joy out of things.

Best to ignore it, and ENJOY!

Then of course there are the moments when you know SOMETHING is going on between two animals but they don't let you know what it is.

An example...

Silver can make some very intense expressions while bathing.  But in this case, he's rather hot under the collar and I'm betting Squirrel did something he shouldn't have in Quicksilver's opinion.

I'll never know because a split second after the shutter clicked they both looked back at me with their innocent  "What?' faces on.

So get out there and keep your eyes open. 

And remember, you don't need a photograph to talk about it.

Happy Hawking...and other things as well.
Donegal Browne

Wednesday Miscellany

 Photo courtesy of palemale.com

 

927 Fifth Avenue, the nest of Pale Male and Zena,  is quite possibly the best nest site in Manhattan for the hawks and for viewers as well but no nest site is perfect. 

 

 A foible of the 927 nest is that in the afternoon the sun beats down on it and the inhabitants.  They have to pant the heat off.  

 

Zena attempts to shade the eyasses with her body or by mantling them with her wings.  It's still a scorcher up there on hot sunny days.

 

Though the sun is no doubt pleasant for the formel in Spring when things can get downright chilly up there. 

Speaking of young birds, yet another clutch of Robins has appeared.   

 And another litter of mini-cottontails is hip-hopping around the yard.  These are from the doe who lives under the hedge. 

Though parent Grackles appear sleek and shiny if somewhat arrogant, young Grackles give a rather dull rumpled effect.   Somehow they all have a disreputable look reminiscent of bag ladies. 

And up in the Maple, here are nest mates, a young Starling and young Cowbird taking each other on while Dad Starling scans the ground for foodstuffs with a complete lack of concern. 

 

Timeout--It is the moment for today's question with the photo answer. 

 

 Here's the question. 

 

 What happens when you disturb yearling sheep who've gone into the woodshed for an afternoon respite from the sun.

             THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS!

 And what happens when you disturb Rocky the Goat during siesta time? 

 Rocky's head pops up and he holds to have his portrait taken.  Or perhaps he just wants to know how the camera tastes.

 

And now back to our regularly scheduled birds.  And this one's a treat. 

 

When I threw out the seed remains from Silver the African Grey Parrot's bowl for the wild birds, I'd forgotten Silver had also been eating some fried chicken.

 

The next time I looked out there was Bohemian Robin.  (That's his new name as he eats corn, bread, mango and who knows what else.) 

  And one of the what elses appeared to be fried chicken.  Adaptable Bohemian Robin Dad had just stuck a very large chunk of hard crisp chicken skin into his offspring's beak.

 Unable to deal with it, young Robin had just dropped it from his beak and gone back to expectedly staring at dad.  Check out the expressions on both their faces.  I've seen these looks between parent and offspring in any number of species.

 

And now to more Raptor News!

 After the death of Franklin Dad, the Institute nest was in real doubt.  Now things are going beautifully at the Franklin Institute Nest thanks to Franklin Mom and T2 the wonder step-dad-

 http://sunnydixie.blogspot.com/

 

In from Robin of Illinois, some good news from Facebook-- Eagle freed from tree entangled in kite string.  

 

 

Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society

Early this morning Steve Harding of Timberwolf Tree Services freed an eagle that was entangled in kite string and dangling from a tree 40' up. Efforts by MARS staff to free the eagle the night before failed and so Steve was called to come and help this morning at first light. This isn't the first time that he has performed tough rescues and he deserves a big thank you once again!

And Washington Square Park's newest fledglings, Boo and Scout--

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/category/hawk-cam-live-from-the-nest/

Multi-fledgling Day and a Catbird Besides

There was a tail flick in the corner of my eye.  It's a Grey Catbird, Dumetella carolinensis, standing on the Big Nest.  Ordinarily a bit shy in the yard,  this species only makes very rare appearances.  Then flick, he's gone again.

 I scan for him, and who should be in the middle of the nest blending into the wood, but a fledgling pair of Mourning Doves.  Could they be Doorstep Dove and Friend's first batch of the season?

  Flick! Then Catbird is back. (Check out his chestnut red underwear.) Ahhhh, he's here for the clementine!  He grabs it and FLICK, he's gone again. 

 The young doves don't seem to be in much of a rush.  Left stretches. Right is alert.   Waiting for the next arrival of regurgitated food from a parent?

She's currently a bit gawky.  She has a little trouble turning on the "perch".  Check out her fledgling plumage.  Young dove has more camouflaged.  There are more dark spots and highly contrasting light edges to the posterior feathers than adults.

Into the fray comes two Grackle fledglings.  A foraging Robin strides between the Grackle parent and his progeny.  The fledglings veer off and follow the Robin.  Grackle parent turns around and sees his young striding off with someone else.  Robin looks around, sees he's being shadowed by strangers and walks faster.  

Apparently these young grackles will follow anybody and they begin to scramble faster after Robin.  Grackle intersects the Robin/Fledgling trajectory and jumps at Robin.  Confused Robin taking the better course of valor, takes to his wings. 

Having computer problems--More to come!

Wednesday Miscellany-Pale Male, Mama Of Queens, the Washington Square Eyasses, Robin Chicks, and Tiny Bunny

Pale Male arrives with a delivery and stares at his nest full of eyasses while Zena looks on.
Screen capture courtesy of palemale.com

Mama of Queens stands her nightly vigil with her eyasses, courtesy of New York City Audubon and http://www.jknaturegallery.com/rth_nestcam.html

Rosie takes a break, leaving the eyasses on their own. Note the parental tail feather, left.  Unusual for one to drop at this time of year.  And once again a clear view through the newly cleaned window.  http://www.livestream.com/nytnestcam

Remember the Robin nest in the four foot bush?  In a year of incessant nest robbing, this Robin pair hatched three and have kept three chicks.

I was moving some wood in the wood pile when suddenly the tiniest of baby bunnies hippity made an appearance and hopped as fast as her tiny haunches would take her into the long grass at the end of the garden.

 And there she stayed, frozen, at least while I was looking.  A half hour later or so, I was at the other end of the garden.  I looked up and there was a mature rabbit about 15 feet away, staring at me.  She then slowly went into the grass where tiny bunny had hidden.  I then went back to watering the straw, which I hope will turn into a Wine Cap Mushroom patch.


Neither reappeared while I was out and I wonder if Mom Bunny nursed tiny bunny in the tall grass.


Donegal Browne

Red-tailed Hawks vs Turkey Vultures and Mr. Robin has Twig Envy

I was foraging twigs for "my nest" when I started hearing a Red-tail screaming--repeatedly. I looked and looked and all I could see was a Turkey Vulture making lazy circles above a tall tree.


And then out of the east came a Red-tailed Hawk with a mission.

This is one of the Steams who's territory includes Thresherman's Park.

I love this moment. Previously Steam had been keeping a tight visual bead on the vulture, but it appears that he is looking at the ground as well. A way to help maintain geographical bearings?

Then back to Vulture management business.

He's quite high. Part of the herding of other birds out of the territory, when alone, is to herd from above. Though one would have thought from all the screaming that there might have been contact but so far none.

Angling down slightly.

Finding a current...

and riding it.

But by the time he gets to where the vulture was circling, V has moved off.

Further...

and toward the west treeline.

Flapping. Wait, he crosses past the treeline and disappears. ???

Vulture is heading west.

Circling.

Circling.

Circling.

Circling.

Steam seems to have gone for reinforcements as Mrs. Steam is now also on the job.

Vulture decides to fly southeast.

(That white patch is interesting as Black Vultures have a pale patch at the tip of each wing. but it's the wrong shape so perhaps glare?)

And THERE is suddenly another vulture. Let me say, I did my best but I just couldn't keep total track of what all four birds were doing at any given time. Like where did the second vulture come from. V reinforcements?

One vulture heads further east. Tailed by one Red-tail. Maybe Steam saw the other vulture coming and that is why he headed off for the Mrs abruptly?

Now it's two vultures to one Red-tail.

Having chased one vulture to the east, I think, an RTH reappears and goes after the next one.

Some screaming ensues. Hawk isn't amused at all by these guys and wants them GONE!

And then they are gone into the trees and POOF! Everybody has disappeared.

(Yes, this Robin looks like a male Robin in the photo and he looked like a male Robin when I looked at him, having them match that way is rather reassuring after the Robin with the Twig issue.)

After having gotten the previous twigs mentioned, I came home to unload them, as I was unloading the twigs I note that a Robin is just standing there watching me. We all know that Robins keep themselves pretty busy this time of year, and don't normally just stare at you.

Still there, I continue putting twigs into the wheelbarrow. Then it comes to me. He's window shopping--looking at my twig inventory.

And likely an unscrupulous Robin thinking of nipping some of my twigs. Okay, okay, I know.

I have hands with opposable thumbs. I can cart my twigs around in a truck and a wheelbarrow and what does he have? Well, wings for one thing but... it's okay, I'll share.

I load up the wheelbarrow and trundle off to the back yard.

Guess who has moved to a better twig debris viewing area? Well actually being different sizes, I admit, for the most part he and I are usually interested in different sized twigs.

I fill up my last load and head again to the back yard.

Still there. Poor guy, feel bad for him so I go in the house. Unfortunately I can't see what he's doing from any of the windows and I don't want to disturb him. I made him wait long enough.

Then later, I look out the back door and who should I see in the feeding area? Mr. Robin again. And it's weird because in all this time I've never had a Robin on the concrete like this. There aren't any worms there after all. But Robin is pecking at something. He's pecking at bread! Robins don't eat bread. They eat worms, bugs, cherries, and apples. Eatables like that. Bread? Bread is for sparrows and pigeons. Birds with humans in their evolutionary history.

Keeping any eye on me as well. He's definitely pecking at bread. Could that be the left over piece of buttered toast? That might seem more attractive. I've decided I don't trust him. He's just doing this to get publicity. Maybe Robins often do this but not in regions where I see them?

There! See. There is actually a crumb in his beak. Okay, that isn't any proof.

Then how about this? Didn't believe me did you?

Seriously, I do go out later and check to make sure that there isn't some kind of tasty insect that has infested the bread and I've been mislead. Nope just old hard dry bread. Tis a mystery.

Donegal Browne