Chickadees

[vaneramos]

Yesterday we went and bought a birdfeeder. It usually takes a while for birds to notice one, but chickadees are smarter than average. Already today a tribe has begun a stready stream of activity. Much like aquaria, feeders offer hypnotic entertainment. This reminds me of good times.

A red squirrel found it first, but this model is called the Eliminator. When something heavier than a bird hops on the perch the feeding holes close. Right now the squirrel is standing outside raging at the food gods. The birds will scatter enough seed for him to benefit without spoiling the party and draining our coffers.

Chickadees make me happy. They're clever little creatures with a rudimentary language identifying different types of predators (by land or by air) and possibly the location of cached food. They can be encouraged to feed from your hand. Other birds should notice their discovery before long.

Comments

[djjo.livejournal.com]

Yay birdies!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Now there are goldinches!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

The window behind my computer station in Gloucester (where I am not currently) looks out into a large Northern Red Cedar (which is actually a juniper, and not a cedar at all), which is typically occupied by several chickadees. They're fun to watch.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

You just cleared up some confusion for me. Since university I've known the plant you describe as northern red cedar. We learned its identity but not its phylogeny. I should have paide more attention to the scientific name. My favourite bird, the cedar waxwing, loves its berries. Occasionally I've heard people call the tree a juniper. I thought they were confused. During my recent visit to Prince Edward County I walked through a small conservation area covered with a near monoculture of red cedar. I had never seen such an abundance. To my indignation, the adjacent beach was named Juniper Beach. Now I understand.

[apel.livejournal.com]

LOL I recognize that indignation. Don't get me started on dandelions. Some people will call anything yellow by that name.

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

Squirrels are very opportunistic and will find a way to defeat the feeder, it just needs time to learn.

:)

[apel.livejournal.com]

I like chickadees. The American name is so much nicer than the British one. Wrens are awfully cute too.

We have gold finches too. They're a bit dumb actually. They constantly perch on things that they're too heavy for. Lots of broken stems in their wake. Juncos are another frequent visitor here. They're much heavier but the know, so they don't break my flowers. Do you have juncos too?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Yes, in fact juncos were the third species to show up yesterday!

[rsc.livejournal.com]

What is the British name for the chickadee?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

North America has a few species we call titmice from this family, but the Eurasian species are known as tits.