When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was hearing what sounded like chirping earlier in the week but could not figure out where it was coming from. Now we know. There are drainage holes out on the balcony even though it is enclosed. I put steel wool in them to keep out any curious critters. Turns out sparrows have managed to make a nest on the outside of the steel wool. Surprising since we are on the ninth floor and holes are not all that big. Sparrows around here tend to nest in the bushes. Sounds like there are babies in there but cannot see them. We are having very high winds tonight. Could be dicey.
House sparrows are noisy and invasive and try to make a nest under our awing. We disrupt the process as it goes along. Meanwhile, I went for a walk at the nature trail near home. I packed a little bird seed and peanuts thinking I'd bait a few birds. Spotted a cardinal, and put some bird seed on a railing. No cardinal, but a sparrow.
Up close and personal with the house sparrow. The shell of the seed in the air The shell of the seed is in the air, and some of the seeds on the railing moving from the wind.
Back to birds, but not in my yard. This one struck a nice pose. I wasn't sure what it was. I thought female house sparrow, maybe female house finch (saw some striping on belly), however, I've been told it's a female cowbird. I don't get many of those around my yard, which is good as they are not among birders favorites. Laying their eggs in the nest of other birds, then not supporting their young.
The bird lady I live with said your latest picture is definitely not a cowbird. She agrees with your first two ideas - female house sparrow or female house finch.
The bird lady I live with said your latest picture is definitely not a cowbird. She agrees with your first two ideas - female house sparrow or female house finch.
04-02-2023, 03:15 AM
