| Author | Content |
PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:01 PM Post #4396607
| This morning when I went outside, I made the sad discovery of a dead bird in the flowerbed, right near one of my feeders. My first thought was "oh no! I hope something hasn't decided to stalk my feeders!" But then I quickly realized that if that were the case, the bird wouldn't by lying there on the ground.
First, I don't know what type of bird it is. I don't remember seeing it at the feeders in life. I've just been seeing titmice, chickadees, Goldfinches, and Rose Crowned Kinglets for the most part. It's a fairly drab little bird. Not much variety of color or wingbars. It does seem to have a mottled brown and grey back though.
Here are pics:
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:03 PM Post #4396616
| Here is a pic of its mottled color back. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:06 PM Post #4396632
| Peeper,
Oh no! How sad! It's a sweet little Junco! :-((
So sorry to hear about him/her!
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Dark-ey... |
PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:07 PM Post #4396639
| Looking through my Birds of Texas book, I thought it *could* be a Wood-Pewee except its beak is pinker. Maybe a sparrow, but it seemed like even the sparrows have more color.
Last pic. I opened its wing in case that gives a clue, and to show size perspective. Don't worry, I went right in and washed my hands.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 13, 2008 8:10 PM Post #4396655
| I agree Dark-eyed Junco. Female
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PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:14 PM Post #4396670
| Oh, thanks Marylynnbeth. I had wondered if I'd see juncos, but hadn't gotten a look at one yet. I would never have guessed that from the picture in my book. They only show a picture of the male slate-colored Junco and it doesn't look anything like the picture. They describe other juncos, but it's hard to tell from that.
Here is the culprit. I just took this photo a few minutes ago, in the afternoon, but in the morning, the sky reflects off the windows, so I'm sure that's why it flew into it.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:16 PM Post #4396675
| My younger daughter has those cling window stickers on her window which is also on that side of the house. I didn't want to put them on the rest of the windows, but maybe I'll have to do that.
Has anyone used the ones that are supposed to be visible only to the birds? I think they reflect UV light only.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 13, 2008 8:19 PM Post #4396685
| The second picture down in that link is a female dark-eyed junco. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:24 PM Post #4396702
| Peeper,
I have those cling ons for the birds too. You can get them at Duncraft
http://www.duncraft.com/search.aspx
I have the 'maple' leaf ones
http://www.duncraft.com/Leaf-WindowAlerts-Prevent-Bird-Strik...
I've gotten a pack at Wild Birds Unlimited before too. My guess is that most online bird supply companies carry them.
I had wondered how close your windows were to the Junco on the ground. Thought that's what happened to him. |
PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:27 PM Post #4396714
| Thanks Pelle, I was talking about it not looking like the one picture in my book.
Looking at the pics on the link, I think it looks most like the pink sided form, but my Birds of Texas book says the three who most commonly overwinter in Texas are the Slate-colored, the Oregon and the Grey-headed Juncos. I don't think it's the Oregon because its head isn't that dark, but it could be either of the other two from what I can see. Of course it could be a mixture like my titmice, lol. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:33 PM Post #4396748
| Here's a photo I took that shows them on a window outside in Oct. 2006.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:34 PM Post #4396751
| Well, it crossed my mind that it could be a problem out there, but I hoped it wouldn't.
Are those UV reflective ones really invisible to people, and do they work for the birds?
Thanks for the link by the way. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:35 PM Post #4396757
| Another pic from the same time of them 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 8:36 PM Post #4396760
| LOL, we posted at the same time. Great pic. That answers my question about how much they show up and that's not bad at all. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:39 PM Post #4396773
| I don't have any photos of mine that show them from the inside looking out, but looking at this Duncraft link gives you an idea. They aren't too noticeable to us, but great for the birds, which matter. I have them on the patio doors and need to add more when it gets warmer and nicer.
http://www.duncraft.com/Leaf-WindowAlerts-Prevent-Bird-Strik...
Marilyn |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:40 PM Post #4396776
| LOL Peeper! I'm trying to find more pics of mine that show them on the outside what they look like. |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:43 PM Post #4396781
| Another photo from Oct. 2006
I have them on both sides of the patio door, but they are showing up a little better in the pic on the left side.
This message was edited Jan 13, 2008 3:44 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
January 13, 2008 8:54 PM Post #4396829
| One from Jan. 2007. Look at the patio door just above the feeder post and you'll see one of the ones I have and its shadow from the sun on the glass. The shadow shows up better than the leaf 'cling on'. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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LouC
Desoto, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 9:00 PM Post #4396863
| I once had a thrill by finding a male painted bunting. He was knocked out for about 20 minutes. He finally revived and I sort of protected him until he could get his wings going again. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 13, 2008 9:01 PM Post #4396866
| That must have been a thrill! |
PeeperKeeper
Georgetown, TX (Zone 8a)
January 13, 2008 9:24 PM Post #4396962
| I'm glad your Painted Bunting was okay, Lou. I wish this little lady had been so lucky, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I guess on the bright side, now I know what the juncos look like so I can watch for others. |
