In Jo's Yard - 42 - All About Birds

There will be no post on December 30, 2019.  Next post January 6, 2020 - Happy New Year!

I thought I would end 2019 with this list of wonderful birds that I’ve observed in my yard.  When I moved into this newly built neighborhood in Fall 2016, there wasn’t even an anole to be found.  Now that the construction crews have left, and neighbors have all added landscaping, the native wildlife is returning.  In my Maryland surroundings, I enjoyed watching a wide variety of birds at the feeder and among the tall trees.  This neighborhood was formerly a Dairy Farm – there was little in the way of trees, so we all started from scratch.  I have a Birds of Florida Field Guide (by Stan Tekiela).  Whenever I see a bird, I add a post-it note to the page in this guide  (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2740531-birds-of-florida-field-guide). 

In 2019, Sandhill Cranes have walked right past me while I was weeding the front yard.   Mockingbirds like dense foliage and frequent the palms in my neighbors’ yards.  In my backyard, I’ve seen an Eastern Bluebird dive bomb a House Sparrow to defend its nest.  As the two seemed to wrestle each other to the ground – a Mockingbird appears to break it up!  The three birds each retreat to separate “corners” - the House Sparrow retreats into my birdhouse, the Bluebird and the Mockingbird to rooftops overlooking the yard.  Here are the birds I’ve observed.  After each, I added a link to the “All About Birds” website.  This is a wonderful website for identifying birds, letting you listen to their birdcalls, and describing their habits. 

·       Boat Tailed Gackle – Seen at my birdbath.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boat-tailed_Grackle

·       Cattle Egret – I think they have a funny walk – like their heads and their bodies are moving independently.  But there are some farms with cattle nearby, and these birds often keep the cattle company!  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cattle_Egret/overview

·       Fish Crow – A pair seen in m Wildflower garden, one feeding the other.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/fish_crow

·       Great Egret – What long necks they have!  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Cattle_Egret/overview

·       Eastern Bluebird – Whenever I see these, I think of “the bluebird of happiness”!     https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_bluebird  

·       House Finch – Seen in my wildflower garden, perching on the Tropical Sage and picking out seeds.  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/house_finch

·       House Sparrow – These birds chase and harass the Bluebirds, but they are very common  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/house_sparrow

·       Mourning Dove – We had a lot of these in the community backyard in Maryland.  They make a sad cooing sound.    https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Mourning_Dove

·       Northern Mockingbird – The state bird of Florida.  While its known for imitating the calls of other birds, it has its own beautiful song.     https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Mockingbird

·       Northern Cardinal –    Cardinals don’t molt and don’t migrate. This female songbird is the one who sings - not the male.     https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Cardinal/

·       Purple Gallinule – Actually seen at the Weichens Preserve.  But so unusual looking, I had to note it.  What amazing colors this bird has – and its big feet means it can walk on floating vegetation  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Gallinule/

·       Red-winged Blackbird – When I first saw one, his red and yellow wing markings really caught my eye!  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird/overview#

·       Sandhill Crane – These are soooo big!  And they move at their own pace.  If they are crossing the road, no approaching car or golf cart or bike or person will make them move any faster!  https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane