It’s interesting that while north Georgia is at the northern end of the range of this small bird, I only recall seeing it visit us during the winter. Either it’s attracted to our feeders during the winter due to reduced forage in the winter, or I’m just missing it. I’ve really enjoyed the visits.
Brown-headed Nuthatch - Sitta pusilla
Even though I’m sure these have been around our feeders for quite a while, I’m going to claim “lifer” for them. I previously thought they were goldfinches, but recently saw Pine Siskins (probably on Twitter) and realized that these are different.
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This is what our “bluebird” birdhouse looked like last year, the first year it was up. Things are more hopeful this year. Read on to check out the prospective occupants checking out their prospective digs.
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The “Northern” in “Northern Mockingbird” (Mimus polyglottos) seems strange for a bird now found throughout the United States, especially since in the past the range did not include the northern part of the country. Turns out, however, that there is a cousin species, the Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus,) found from southern Mexico down into Brazil, so I assume that would be the “southern” mockingbird.
In any case, this bird, full of personality, is one of our year-round residents. This one was on a post at Reflection Riding Aboretum in Hamilton County, Tennessee on January 3 of this year, and appears to be enjoying a meal of an insect.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) on a snowy day in early January.
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The Black-Billed Magpie, Pica hudsonia, is a common bird in the west. However, since we don’t have them in the east, I always enjoy observing this member of the crow family (Corvidae) while we’re in Boise. Aside from the black and white color, one of the eye-catching features of this bird while in flight is the long scissor-like tail.
On one of my drives up Bogus Basin Road this American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) sat in this tree for me while I got my camera out, changed to my long lens, and took a series of photos. He was still hitting there when I headed on up the mountain.
