Bird Migration and Misc Birding Thread

nfrine

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Some of the birds at the feeders so far this AM...Red-Headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting, Red Breasted Grosbeak, Downy Woodpecker, Purple Finch, Gold Finch, Nut Hatch, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Catbird,,, good day.
 

Fishhead

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Some of the birds at the feeders so far this AM...Red-Headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting, Red Breasted Grosbeak, Downy Woodpecker, Purple Finch, Gold Finch, Nut Hatch, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Catbird,,, good day.
Sure your purple wasn’t a house finch?
 

Fishhead

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I'll try to get a photo for you. Definitely had the purple (Lighter red) over it's head. House finches have less (and in streaks). We do have house finches too.
That’s ok. Sounds like you know the difference. Nice bird to have
 

BoxsterCy

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I'll try to get a photo for you. Definitely had the purple (Lighter red) over it's head. House finches have less (and in streaks). We do have house finches too.

Haven't seen a purple in long time. House finch seems to have totally displaced them in my Twin Cities hood. Decades ago would see both at the feeder, then no purples.
 

StClone

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Haven't seen a purple in long time. House finch seems to have totally displaced them in my Twin Cities hood. Decades ago would see both at the feeder, then no purples.
The Purple Finch is not common anymore in Iowa. It was fairly common in NE Iowa in migration/wintering in the late sixties and has declined since. That said I had two females for six days in April at my feeder for the first time in memory. They nest here in Central WI and I may find one or two singing on rural bike rides

. th-3929401470.jpg
 
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Kinch

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The Purple Finch is not common anymore in Iowa. It was fairly common in NE Iowa in migration/wintering in the late sixties and has declined since. That said I had two females for six days in April at my feeder for the first time in memory. They nest here in Central WI and I may find one or two singing on rural bike rides

. View attachment 129779
Thanks for the clarification.
 

BoxsterCy

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Got preoccupied with trying to photograph owls this winter through early spring. Warbler migration, as far as warbler frenzies or rare birds, was sort of a bust in the Twin Cities, at least for me. On to chasing egrets/herons and trying to spy woodpecker babies. Have spied them catching all sorts of prey from bullheads to panfish to minnows to dragonfly nymphs but none catching a frog.

Here's a Great Egret strutting its stuff at Veteran Memorial Park in the Twin Cities. I like the neon green lores they get during mating season.

DSC_0308 egret at vet mem park CF scale.jpg
 

jdcyclone19

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Just saw my first purple finch of the year in Ames. Idk why, but this year it seems like I'm seeing much more of a diversity of birds this year. Have 2 sets of eastern bluebirds, cedar wax wings, purple finches, among others around this year that usually haven't been in the past.
 

BoxsterCy

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We have a few catbirds in our yard. I think they are pretty cool.

They annoy me when I am out doing a birding walkabout with all of their mimicking of other birds calls. I am the worst person in the world in trying to different bird calls and they just make it harder for me. "Oh, what's that I hear? Never mind, catbird." :rolleyes:
 
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Kinch

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Talked to a farmer who does a lot of row cropping and he said Pheasants are very destructive to corn plants. They go after Seeds or right after it sprouts. He said one Pheasant destroyed an area equal to six rows wide and 30 feet long.
 

Ms3r4ISU

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Talked to a farmer who does a lot of row cropping and he said Pheasants are very destructive to corn plants. They go after Seeds or right after it sprouts. He said one Pheasant destroyed an area equal to six rows wide and 30 feet long.
How did he know it was just one? Watching? Camera? Not doubting, just wondering how he knew.
 

Kinch

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How did he know it was just one? Watching? Camera? Not doubting, just wondering how he knew.
He saw the nest and then the little ones with momma Pheasant. Could have been more, but probably just that one.
 

StClone

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They annoy me when I am out doing a birding walkabout with all of their mimicking of other birds calls. I am the worst person in the world in trying to different bird calls and they just make it harder for me. "Oh, what's that I hear? Never mind, catbird." :rolleyes:
Maaaaaeow!
 

Kinch

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NPR talk of Iowa had a good birding program this week. This is nesting season and birds need more protein and calcium.
 

madguy30

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Back in eastern Iowa and Monday before the rain came in I'd guess I saw well over 50 pelicans in the Wapsi River area.

Also saw another Sandhill crane in the same area.

Their populations must be up or the Pelicans are super confused.
 
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