What Did You See In Your Yard Today?

[espo]

20 hours ago, Bainford said:

Ducks are cool birds. Used to live beside a large pond or small lake depending on your definition as to the size of a body of water. Had ducks that nested under some big cedar trees, and one raised the 6 or 7 babies on summer. The next year they all came back and nested under our trees again and this went on for several years. They learned to sneak under the trees and get the bird seed from the ground under the bird feeders.   

[Bainford]

25 minutes ago, espo said:

They learned to sneak under the trees and get the bird seed from the ground under the bird feeders.   

Ha, that's exactly what started bringing them to my yard. My neighbour and I both have a few feeders in the yard, and often toss out some corn for the pheasants that stroll through. About 15 years ago a couple pairs of ducks found this loot. And of course, the neighbour and I both welcomed our new guests with some complimentary corn. Word got out, and in a few years there were 30-40 ducks visiting the yard. And they kept coming over the next few years, soon 60, then 80. This year some days are between 100 -120 on peak days, usually bad weather days, but 60-80 can be expected daily. Most show up at dawn and stay until sunset during the fall and winter months, just hanging out in the yard, usually outside my garage door. A safe place to hang out I guess, and sheltered from the wind. And of course, snacks!

They are cool. Mostly mallards, a few black ducks, and this year three pairs of northern pintails are daily visitors. I enjoy observing their interactions and behaviours. As we get closer to spring, the males are starting to engage in shoving matches, pushing against each other in a show of strength. Fun stuff.  There are lakes and ocean around me, though none of it is immediately close.

[slusher]

21 hours ago, Bainford said:

that’s a bunch of ducks, thanks for sharing!

9 hours ago, A modeler named mike said:

I know this is What did you see in your yard today, and this wasn't in my yard but rather at our local landfill's yard. To cool not to share.

Great picture thanks for sharing Mike!

[jaymcminn]

This guy hung out with me for a while today eating bugs out of the plants while I detailed the cars. 

[Falcon Ranchero]

14 minutes ago, jaymcminn said:

This guy hung out with me for a while today eating bugs out of the plants while I detailed the cars. 

Wow that's cool an American White Ibis; more of a tropical bird. Cool sighting.

[jaymcminn]

Just now, Falcon Ranchero said:

Wow that's cool an American White Ibis; more of a tropical bird. Cool sighting.

I'm in Southwest Florida. The surprising thing was that he was by himself, there's a good-sized flock of them that usually roam my neighborhood together!

[espo]

On 2/27/2025 at 7:00 PM, Bainford said:

Ha, that's exactly what started bringing them to my yard. My neighbour and I both have a few feeders in the yard, and often toss out some corn for the pheasants that stroll through. About 15 years ago a couple pairs of ducks found this loot. And of course, the neighbour and I both welcomed our new guests with some complimentary corn. Word got out, and in a few years there were 30-40 ducks visiting the yard. And they kept coming over the next few years, soon 60, then 80. This year some days are between 100 -120 on peak days, usually bad weather days, but 60-80 can be expected daily. Most show up at dawn and stay until sunset during the fall and winter months, just hanging out in the yard, usually outside my garage door. A safe place to hang out I guess, and sheltered from the wind. And of course, snacks!

They are cool. Mostly mallards, a few black ducks, and this year three pairs of northern pintails are daily visitors. I enjoy observing their interactions and behaviours. As we get closer to spring, the males are starting to engage in shoving matches, pushing against each other in a show of strength. Fun stuff.  There are lakes and ocean around me, though none of it is immediately close.

We never got that great of a turnout, but that was fine by me. From what I have read about many Waterfowl birds is that the mated pair will usually return to the female's original body of water and territory for breeding. We had a concrete settee at the water's edge and the female would bring her chicks there to get into the shade under it during very hot days. Spiders also liked to build webs in that area as there seems to be a lot of insects as well. The chicks would go after any spider or insect to feed upon. The couple that bought our old home 4 years ago had mentioned that the ducks still keep coming back. 

[espo]

1 hour ago, jaymcminn said:

This guy hung out with me for a while today eating bugs out of the plants while I detailed the cars. 

I also like how birds become so trusting after a time and realize that you're not going to bother them. When I go to refill the feeders, the birds will often wait until I'm in arm's length of the feeder before flying off. Often before I can even walk back to the house they are on the feeder before I even get inside. 

[rattle can man]

A small hawk flew three feet in front of me while I was planting my onions.

[JollySipper]

After my hamster picks out what he wants from his food, I throw the leftovers out for the birds and squirrels to have......... These two male Cardinals started having a pushing match of sorts over it. They both lit up into a tree, where bird #2 started threatening the first one by edging his beak on a branch, like he was sharpening it! I've never seen a bird 'sharpen' his beak at another bird over something........ Almost like he was saying 'I'll cut you good, esse!'

[bobss396]

17 hours ago, JollySipper said:

After my hamster picks out what he wants from his food, I throw the leftovers out for the birds and squirrels to have......... These two male Cardinals started having a pushing match of sorts over it. They both lit up into a tree, where bird #2 started threatening the first one by edging his beak on a branch, like he was sharpening it! I've never seen a bird 'sharpen' his beak at another bird over something........ Almost like he was saying 'I'll cut you good, esse!'

Cardinals are very territorial. This is why you usually see a pair and rarely an odd one mixed in. 

The exception is juveniles, which soon enough do fly the coop.

[espo]

On 3/15/2025 at 12:09 PM, JollySipper said:

After my hamster picks out what he wants from his food, I throw the leftovers out for the birds and squirrels to have......... These two male Cardinals started having a pushing match of sorts over it. They both lit up into a tree, where bird #2 started threatening the first one by edging his beak on a branch, like he was sharpening it! I've never seen a bird 'sharpen' his beak at another bird over something........ Almost like he was saying 'I'll cut you good, esse!'

 

7 hours ago, bobss396 said:

Cardinals are very territorial. This is why you usually see a pair and rarely an odd one mixed in. 

The exception is juveniles, which soon enough do fly the coop.

All true with many birds and male Cardinals seem normally even more so. That said, the two feeders in our back yard have been a lifeline this winter to our fine feathered friends. We have at least four and five males at one time eating or waiting their turn on the one feeder and I have seen up to three female cardinals at one time as well. They all seem to get along with no issues.  As for the rubbing of the beak on a tree branch, I have seen others doing that as well and wondered if it may be like us rubbing our nose or something like that.  

[A modeler named mike]

1 hour ago, espo said:

 As for the rubbing of the beak on a tree branch, I have seen others doing that as well and wondered if it may be like us rubbing our nose or something like that.  

I read that this behavior is common for birds. Cleaning their beak is only one reason. Sharpening it as do parrots and also some use it as a form of communication or to show affection as did my Love bird Kiwi would do when we would interact. I've even seen my backyard buddies the squirrels rub their snouts after eating. We and wildlife aren't much different in some instances. 🤔°° Although our species seems to be reverting backward with our social skills. 

Edited March 16 by A modeler named mike

[bobss396]

I read up on Cardinals a while back. They are not flocking birds and have a certain range. I'm guessing a couple hundred yards perhaps. Another thing generally hard-wired into them.

[TonyK]

Hey, where's my breakfast?

[A modeler named mike]

31 minutes ago, TonyK said:

Hey, where's my breakfast?

Very cute and polite little guy you have there. Looks like you've been feeding him/her well. 

[A modeler named mike]

I have one in particular that's very trusting. I guess you can say he's in training. I kneel down to their level when I feed them all by hand now.

Edited April 12 by A modeler named mike

[espo]

22 hours ago, A modeler named mike said:

I have one in particular that's very trusting. I guess you can say he's in training. I kneel down to their level when I feed them all by hand now.

Cool, but reminds me of the old sight gages and comedy sketches where the squirrel runs up the inside of someone's pants leg. 

[rattle can man]

I remember a Ray Stevens a song about a squirrel.

Lilacs are blooming in my backyard.

[slusher]

On 4/12/2025 at 1:45 PM, A modeler named mike said:

I have one in particular that's very trusting. I guess you can say he's in training. I kneel down to their level when I feed them all by hand now.

That’s really nice Mike !

[bobss396]

This was on my Bird Buddy the other day. He hopped up off a cart I had too close to the feeder. Now that is moved, I only have birds.

[NOBLNG]

On 4/12/2025 at 1:45 PM, A modeler named mike said:

I have one in particular that's very trusting. I guess you can say he's in training. I kneel down to their level when I feed them all by hand now.

Who’s the one being trained?😁

Edited April 19 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

[Musclecars]

Grass growing at an unbelievable rate.....lol

[espo]

4 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

You do not want to mess with a Racoon. That cat is in grave danger and doesn't know it, yet.