What's a Bird Blog?

Good morning birders! Before I share with you the birds at my feeder this morning, let me explain the Bird Blog. Here I'll post birding observations, facts, and tips to help you become a birder. We'll also be discussing topics related to my book, The Legend Awakes, as well, but more on that later. I also encourage you to comment to any posts any time! Look for the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Now on to this morning's visitors. It's raining steadily here in Clearfield County, where I live just atop the Allegheny Plateau. If you don't recognize the birds I list here, then go to my favorite online birding site: All About Birds (sponsored by Cornell Lab or Ornithology). http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/ At All About Birds, select the Bird Guide and enter the bird's name to obtain lots of information, a photograph, and a sound clip of its call or song. This a wonderful source to learn about birds!

 So what am I seeing and hearing this morning outside my kitchen window? Well, the regular group is here (those discussed briefly above): Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Juncos (though I haven't seen the Northern Cardinals this morning). Otherwise, the neighborhood Blue Jays are making quite a racket (but then they usually do). Blue Jays are quite a boisterous species. Right now one sits atop the wooden support beam from which my feeders hang. It's calling aloud to its friends as if to say, "Chow's on!" A moment ago, the pretty black and white Downy Woodpecker made an appearance. He never stays long; just grabs a seed and hurries off somewhere to pry open the seed shell. The male has a red patch of color on the back side of his head, while the female does not. Above you see the female Downy Woodpecker (image provided by Fish & Wildlife Service Digital Library). This message is getting too long but I must mentione the finches that are here: American Goldfinch and the House Finch. More on these later. If you don't know these birds, look them up now at All About Birds! Till next time . . . Happy birding! Georgia Anne