More Feathered Friends and Foes

STELLER'S JAY

Though pretty, this bird is generally thought to be a nuisance.  In its greed for more food, it scares away the other visiting birds at the feeders.  They screech and swoop in boldly, and live in abundant amounts in our yard.  Their favorite food seems to be the peanuts and the suet.

AMERICAN ROBIN

A common bird everywhere in the USA, this rusty red-breasted male robin differs from the female in that it has a brighter red breast and black head.  The female's breast is a duller red, and its head gray with more white on it. 

There are many of them, too, in our yard.  They are very territorial, and even can be seen fighting its own reflection in windows.  Perhaps that is why this fellow is constantly at our upper window peeking in and pecking at the glass!

BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

Similar to the Chestnut-Back Chickadee, it lacks the chestnut color on the back, but retains the tan belly.  They are a common bird at the feeders, and usually the first ones to find them.

It is said that these birds are easy to tame and hand feed.  I can be putzing near the feeders and yet they still hang around and eat.

BARRED OWL

I am angry at this chunky brown and gray owl with the dark brown eyes!  He is snatching my ducklings for his meals!  This owl feeds during the daylight hours as well as nighttime.

He is hanging around close to the pond and spooks us with his dog-barking eight-hoot call.  We have put netting over the pond, in hopes that it will be a deterrent.