| Author | Content |
cshirsch
Sugar Land, TX
October 29, 2009
02:59 PM Post #7220988
| Well, it seems the Nutmeg Mannikins have officially moved into my back yard. I have at least 25 of the little guys now. I guess they like my brand of bird seeds. They seem to really like to hang out in the cane that grows in part of my yard.
Chris
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pelletory
Marlton, NJ
October 29, 2009
03:19 PM Post #7221063
| That is quite a family Chris! |
gardenpom
Melbourne, FL
(Zone 9b)
October 29, 2009
08:16 PM Post #7222009
| Keep those adorable visitors well fed, Chris! |
Grasmussen
Anchorage, AK
(Zone 4a)
October 29, 2009
10:26 PM Post #7222448
| The Mannikins with spotted breasts are the adults. The juveniles have the paler plainer buff colored breasts. |
JuneyBug
Dongducheon CpCasey
South Korea
(Zone 4b)
October 29, 2009
11:00 PM Post #7222567
| How neat is that!?! |
ducbucln
Kelseyville, CA
(Zone 8b)
November 01, 2009
04:32 PM Post #7230877
| Sorry I missed this earlier, they're adorable! |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 01, 2009
05:38 PM Post #7231060
| What beautiful birds! I've never heard of the Nutmeg Mannikin ... going to google and read about them! |
plantladylin
East Central, FL
(Zone 9b)
November 01, 2009
05:44 PM Post #7231074
| Chris, you may have already seen this but thought I'd post the link about reporting sightings: http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx?act=newsletter.as...
I wonder if they've been spotted anywhere else in mainland U.S. besides Texas? |
sacarvounis
Mashpee, MA
November 01, 2009
06:47 PM Post #7231291
| Gorgeous little bids...love the photo! |
Elphaba
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
November 05, 2009
10:57 AM Post #7243927
| Wow! Never seen one. What bird seed are you using? Do you know if the goldfinches are back?
Plantladylin -- thanks for that fascinating link. I also clicked on the Orange Bishop which it says can be seen regularly in Arthur Storey Park. I've never even heard of that park. I have some birding to do! |
Elphaba
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
November 05, 2009
11:27 AM Post #7244060
| Chris, one more question -- how do you keep the doves off that feeder? If I had a platform feeder, the White-winged doves would cover it until all the seed was gone. I'm very jealous of people with platform feeders, but I just can't figure out how to have one without being overrun by doves. All I have are clinging feeders and small bird feeders. My poor cardinals don't get anything. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
November 05, 2009
11:40 AM Post #7244099
| Heehee... I understand that Elph! They are a pain. |
cshirsch
Sugar Land, TX
November 06, 2009
05:48 PM Post #7248318
| Well, as far as keeping the white-wings off it, I really don't try. They used to clean it out regularly but they have slacked off thanks to a Coopers hawk that hunts my neighborhood. Now the dove may come in once a day, usually early. Then a few at a time after that. The Nutmegs do not seem to be intimidated by them even though they are a fraction of the dove's size. The photo is of the Cooper's hawk that hunts my area. It is having lunch...a White-wing. It's nature's way. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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