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| These guys aren't very mannerly( The picture was taken through a window) |
Brewer's blackbirds nest in the northern U.S. and Western Canada. They have adapted to a variety of habitats and food sources. They usually stay together in flocks of about 100. In the winter they stay in the Southern states and Central America down to the Panama canal.
So in a few more days these birds should reach their winter territories and spend their time marching around yards, parks and open areas. They will probably inundate your feeders like they've done here.
It's hard to imagine how hard these birds worked to reach where you are. Messy I'm sure but still a miracle of nature. I hope you're having a terrific weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhen you add hundreds of other species it's really quite an incredible story. You're right it is a miracle.
Deletethanks for the forewarning! :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you know these guys. so I might see some photos of them later on.
DeleteYou know its fall when the blackbirds look like a huge storm cloud. I wonder if they ever crash into each other?
ReplyDeleteStorm cloud is a good description. Usually there are several different species in these huge flocks. sometimes you wonder if the power lines will break.
DeleteThey can clean out a feeder fast
ReplyDeleteFor people who have them around on a constant basis it must be a big nuisance.
DeleteSo! So you are the one who sent them! Well...in return, I am sending you a whole flock of Canada Geese! Enjoy! (But watch where you are walking!). You are welcome!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending the Brewers south, not east, so forget about the geese. We have the vast agricultural areas and the geese seem to get out of town.
DeleteGreat to see them. It looks as if they would eat you out of house and home, a good job they are just passing through.
ReplyDeleteWhere these birds reside full time they are a huge nuisance. They also damage sunflower crops.
DeleteHow lovely that they use you as a 'pit stop' :)
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting to see in such huge numbers. They only bother a platform feeder.
DeleteI remember when blackbirds (not sure which) come through in the fall in huge numbers like giant black leaves they flit through the trees and cover the ground. I do not have my feeders out yet...way too busy, but soon.
ReplyDeleteThere are four species of black birds. Sometimes the flocks are mixed.
DeleteThey are passing through my territory also. With so many flying in flocks together I think it's amazing that there's no smash up accidents.
ReplyDeleteI guess their radar is working.
DeleteThat is so typical for autumn, you see the birds flying away and they are with so many!
ReplyDeleteWe also get huge flocks of ducks and geese , but not in town here.
DeleteI have never seen a Brewer's Blackbird.
ReplyDeleteIf you look on the distribution map you're right in the middle of their summer territory. sometimes grackles and other blackbirds are mixed in.
DeleteThat is a pretty neat set of photos with the blackbirds there Red. We have barn swallows that flock like that here in early fall - they come in the hundreds and it sure is neat to see them sit on the hydro wires all the way up the street. They just sorta string themselves out on the line and clotheslines - they feed at all available feeders and most of them just disappear after a few days to parts unknown. Kinda neat to watch. Neat for you too, Eh :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a barn swallow for years. However, I do remember them sitting on wires.
DeleteSo cool that the blackbirds stop for a visit in your back yard! :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to get many other species but with the song bird population crash I don't see much anymore. I only saw two species of warblers this year.
DeleteThey've been coming through here in large numbers lately as they make their way south. They stop to rest and eat, and then keep traveling. I wish I could join them in a warmer area for the months of January and February!
ReplyDeleteSome how or other you missed the gene for migration !!!
DeleteHahahaha...that was funny! Yes, I missed that gene...darn...
DeleteI miss the blackbirds and robins already!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey do make things interesting. However, once they're gone we see all our little winter friends.
DeleteThey are in the fields of sunflowers east of us in clouds!
ReplyDeleteI've seen those flocks too although we don't grow many sunflowers. They get on the grain that's been swathed.
DeleteOf all the migrating birds I hope these pass me by. :)
ReplyDeleteThey can really overdo things. sometimes there's three species all in the same flock.
DeleteI was noticing last weekend when returning from Brag Creek that the blackbirds were beginning to band together. Last year we came across a large flock of three types of blackbirds with a few types of sparrows thrown in the mix headed south together for greater safety they travel in large numbers.
ReplyDeleteQuite often these large flocks are made up of several different species. Cool when there are hundreds on the power line.
DeleteGlad they visit your yard and not mine. I get enough Starlings passing through.
ReplyDeleteI only get them for a day or two. We rarely see starlings here. There's not enough bush with all the nesting cavities.
DeleteGreat photo of the blackbirds on your bird feeder. Looks like a lovely yard. We have had large flocks of birds land all over our yard lately. They are small birds, but not sure what they are. I think they are on their way south, since it's getting cool here.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful. Red I have all kinds of birds landing in my cherry trees ,. ( inedible cherries ) .. some I have never seen before. Its a joy to sit and watch what comes and goes. I enjoyed this . Im sure you all did too.
ReplyDeletePretty! We have fall warblers passing through right now.
ReplyDelete