Just For The Birds BlogPast and current articles by Kathy Coward of Just for the Birds in Old Town Spring
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One of the birds I see most often in front of my shop and in my backyard is the Chickadee. It seems so small but bright and cheery in it's black and white colors and it's spritely movements. They make me happy every time I see them . Many times they are with a titmouse , the little small grey and white bird with the crest on top of it's head . As they are with each other so often I call them cousins.
Here in our area we have the Carolina Chickadee. The habitat for this bird is woods, farmland and suburbs. The Carolina Chickadee is about 4 3/4" long. It has a black cap and bib with a white cheek. The feathers on the shoulder are all grey and the lower edge of the bib is clean cut. You can see them up in the tree branches searching for insects, seeds and berries. They come to feeders and like sunflower seeds best. They nest in a natural cavity or excavate in rotted wood but will also use a birdhouse provided for them. Mosses or wood chips make up their nest material and they lay up to six eggs which are white and reddish speckled. In winter time they form flocks but in the spring they disperse into breeding pairs. The males sing and each pair defends its territory. They sing four notes with the 1st and 3rd much higher than the others. As Mr. Roger's use to say "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" and if you see a little chickadee your spirits will be lifted and a little smile may come to your face.
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One of the most colorful birds we have all year round in our area is the Blue Jay. Both the male and female look alike. They are about 12" long and have a crested top head. Both have a black collar and neclace with wings and tail spotted with white and are blue above and grayish white below.
They eat acorns and other nuts, fruit, insects and come to bird feeders for sunflower seed and cracked corn. They are fiercely protective of their own nests which they place in bushes or trees. They have about 4 to 5 eggs that are greenish blue spotted with brown. One reason they are not the favorite bird of many people is that they will eat other birds eggs and nestlings. In the fall they form large flocks and in spring they form courtship flocks. These courtship flocks are believed to be composed of 1 female and a number of males and the female is always in the lead as the birds take flight. Blue Jays are one of the few birds that will mob and dive at hawks. Enjoy all our birds and take an extra look next time at our Blue Jays. |
AuthorKathy Coward, Owner Of Just For The Birds Shop Archives
August 2021
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