Western Bluebird and House Finch Atop a Nest Box
I had the opportunity to do some birdwatching in my Mom’s backyard last weekend while we were in the Sacramento area. I caught this interesting pair of birds atop this bluebird nest box I built for my Mom last year.
The male Western Bluebird is most likely staking claim to, or at least, investigating this site for breeding this season. A pair of Western Bluebirds fledged at least five young from this very nest box last year. (I’m not exactly sure how many birds fledged because I was unable to be down there when they took flight, and my 90 plus, year old Mom was afraid to harm the birds by opening the box. She’s a sweety).
The House Finch, on the other hand, is most likely simply looking for food and thought this location gave him a good bird’s eye view of the yard. House Finches will usually build their nests in cavity openings in buildings, trees, or bushes, or one of their favorite places, hanging potted plants! See the nest in my neighbors hanging planter here. They will build nests in nestboxes but, living out in the country, I have not had any House Finches build nests in my nest boxes.
Enjoy the birds where you live and to see some more great critter photos, go visit Camera Critters!
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What a beautiful colorful duo! Get some white in there and you’d think they were celebrating the inauguration! Great capture, Larry.
Terri – teelgees last blog post..Round Robin: Not of This Season
You know, I’ve never been fortunate enough to see an actual bluebird, not once in my entire life! Finches on the other hand, I’ve had plenty at the feeders when I used to live in New York.
I have cows today, of all things!
Southwest Florida Rent-A-Cows at My Mobile Adventures *~*~*
Tink *~*~*
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I love bluebird! I saw a couple of chickadees yesterday but right now, most of our birds went south for the winter!
Thanks for stopping by TBD.
Such a beautiful capture! I think after I left home my mom put up a bluebird house in her back yard, and they had a nest in it every year!
Not to mention the wrens that ALWAYS built a nest somewhere about the house all the years I remember.
Thanks so much for the kind words on my ‘about me’ post.
Roses last blog post..Camera Critters–featuring wild turkeys
Came by way of Tootie’s blog. You have some really nice bird photo’s. I have a photo of a hawk, I’m not sure if it a red tail or not. could you stop by and give me your opinion.
janeywans last blog post..Hawk in Aurora
@Terri thanks for the comment. I know I’m celebrating the inauguration!
@Tink you have to have Eastern Bluebirds down there in Florida unless you’re in the very southern tip. Seek some out, please. You have to see at least one bluebird during your lifetime. This time of year you may be able to see flocks of them, all in one place!
@TwoBarkingDogs thanks for stopping by, I love your dogs!
@Rose thank you for visiting. Once again, I invite everyone reading this post to go read Rose’s “about me” page for a real treat, here: http://picsandpiecing.blogspot.com/search/label/About%20me
@Janey I would be happy to
What a delightful photo! I really love the coloring of the Bluebird and I never get tired of watching the House Finches at our feeder. Thank you for the informative post!
Debbies last blog post..Camera Critters #42
I havn’t had the chance to see these two birds together at the same time. Nice moment Larry.
Natural Momentss last blog post..Black Turnstone’s Sleeping
@Janey you definitely have a Red-tailed Hawk there and beautiful captures of it too!
You answered the first thing that came into my mind when I looked at the photo – ‘I wonder if he built the bluebird nest box”? And you did! I think that’s great.
Hope you enjoyed the inauguration celebrtations – and I wish all Americans the best for 2009! (that goes for the whole world!!).
As for birds and nests, we have what seems to be the same couple of birds bread in a nest they built above an outdoor light – I think they like the warmth.
Can you tell me – do the same birds breed together each year, and would they return to the same place? I’d love to know if our birds are the same ones each spring.
I think they are calle “Willy-wag-tails” 🙂
Manzs last blog post..Floods are fun for some…
Ah..red and blue..perfect…
@Manz some birds mate for life, some do not. Some return and even use the same nest, some do not. It depends on the species. According to Wikipedia, the Willie Wagtail does mate for life and I wouldn’t be surprised if you have the same pair breeding in the same place every year. Apparently they are insectivores, fearlessly defend their territory, which can consist of 2 – 7 acres of land and have some very interesting behaviors that you can read about here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Wagtail
@Ramblingwoods thank you for your comment
Hi Larry! Beautiful picture! I just recently got into bird watching myself. Today I saw a beautiful male cardinal perched in a tree. He was just so vibrant and red.
Thank you for your praise about the picture of Weezer. I have a room dedicated to my boys. They get along great with the cat but I don’t trust them around the dog otherwise I would let them run the house. 🙂
Kims last blog post..Camera Critters!
superb capture!
magiceyes last blog post..Camera Critters
Thank you for your comments on my blog.
That is a beautiful photo, both birds are so pretty.
Samantha, Holly & Zacs last blog post..Camera Critters Sunday #42
Sweet to have both of them in one frame!
Cheers, Klaus
Beautiful shot!
Very nice blog you have going here with excellent information. I will be stopping back checking on some of your birdhouse plans for my winter projects.
Saltys last blog post..Soaring on High: Bald Eagle
@Kim birdwatching is a lot of fun. I would love to see a pair of Cardinals. Guess I will have to make a trip to the East Coast. BTW, I think the female cardinal is a prettier bird
@Magiceye thank you
@Samantha thanks for stopping by with a comment
@Klaus yes, I thought so too
@Salty excellent! Thank you very much
thats lovely. its like they are guarding their little house
Thanks for the reply Larry, and for dropping by my cc post last week.
I’ll definitely check out that link you supplied.
We do love watching them, and they do “patrol” the area – approx 2 -5 acres in area, and then back to the nest. We’ve also seen the female (I think) get mad at the male when he isn’t “alert”!
Sounds like what you described 🙂
Manzs last blog post..Jonesy’s Wild Ways…