Roaming Woodland Flock
An assortment of small birds which flock together. They come into town to the
feeders in winter and return to the forest to nest in the spring. They are
sociable birds.When I hear a nuthatch (that nasel, nuk nuk sound), I can usually look out and see a downy woodpecker in the same tree.
Ground feeding slate grey junco's and various small brown birds also appear to be part of the flock.
Backyard Sign Language
LOOK
When you point with your hand,
birds will look at your hand.
When you point with your nose,
birds will look where you look.
When a bird points with its beak,
it wants you to look
else it is leaving
in that direction.
Water Sign
When a bird sharpens its beak on a branch,
it is hungry.
When a bird touches its beak to a branch,
it is thirsty.
Bullies
When a bird presents it self
and then hops behind a leaf
to play peek-a-boo with you,
it is telling you that it
is afraid of something.
Shivers
Birds leave in a rush.
Others sit and shiver
- even on a warm day -
squirrels freeze in silence.
Look up for a hawk!
LOOK
When you point with your hand,
birds will look at your hand.
When you point with your nose,
birds will look where you look.
When a bird points with its beak,
it wants you to look
else it is leaving
in that direction.
Water Sign
When a bird sharpens its beak on a branch,
it is hungry.
When a bird touches its beak to a branch,
it is thirsty.
Bullies
When a bird presents it self
and then hops behind a leaf
to play peek-a-boo with you,
it is telling you that it
is afraid of something.
Shivers
Birds leave in a rush.
Others sit and shiver
- even on a warm day -
squirrels freeze in silence.
Look up for a hawk!
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House finches have complex, non-repeating calls. I suspect these calls
have structure and syntax. I think I've discovered at least one house finch "word". 
Three times, always at first light,
I heard finches "talking" up and down the street. One of the
"sentences" ended in a long, downward rizzing sound.
Each time, after about half a minute, I heard a crow caw
in the distance !
Sometimes a short downward rizz
changes to another sound and does not indicate the presence
of crows.
While a house finch was communicating with a distant finch,
mid-call, it mimiced a robin. Was it talking about neighbours?
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House finches seldom repeat an exact call. Exceptions:
when it is really noisy outside.
when the sentence is appended; usually with 2 tones.This may translate into something simple like:
"I'd like to eat worms over there."
"I'd like to eat worms over there, with you."You gotta like that! So, come on you scientists. No more waving pictures of snowmobiles over chickens' heads. Get some audio/video set up out in the woods. Put food on a pedestal. Change the food. Move the pedestal. Correlate bird activities with calls and figure out the house finch language ! |
Move naturally indoors or out.
Sudden moves or sounds will startle birds.
Sitting perfectly still and silently staring at them also makes them nervous.
An exception is when hand feeding squirrels. They like you to be still while they screw up their courage to take the treat. I usually prefer to just drop a few peanuts near where I am sitting then appear to ignore the squirrels. They will soon start wandering comfortably around you.
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Get the point... Understanding
MORE IMPORTANT than bird speech is the understanding that goes on among wild creatures. There's a lot of it. Birds watch and they have memory. Much can be 'said' using only a few gestures - in context. Some mourning doves endlessly point: Yes, the neighbour's dog is outside. Yes, the birdbath has turned. They do try to help. I especially like it when birds and squirrels stand directly behind a budding leaf and look straight at me. Acknowledge by pointing your nose and perhaps give a wink. There are different kinds of winks...
Squirrels love …
! Frozen Peanut Butter Bars !
Squirrel antics include cleaning up after eating a messy peanut
butter sandwich. But here is how to make it easy for them to have
a dignified meal and to carry a sandwich to safety:
Sleeping Dove Photo
The banner image was taken through my window. The leader of the flock is basking in the warmth of the early spring sun. |
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When I'm away from home, it is a challenge to feed the squirrels.
Bluejays quickly scoop up any peanuts left out and other birds will eat
the peanut butter sandwiches.
In any case, when a squirrel gets really hungry, it will chit
at my window!