Backyard Birding in Chico California



 © All Rights Reserved



White-Crowned Sparrow ~ Zonotrichia leucophrys

 



There was a time when I referred to any smallish bird in my yard as a 'sparrow'.  It wasn't until I revisited my love for photography, purchased a DSLR digital camera and added a zoom lens along with several bird ID books that I realized all those 'sparrows' actually had names.  Bird feeders and lots of cover have been an open invitation to the number of birds that frequent our garden.



Western Scrub Jay ~ Aphelocoma coerulescens

One constant visitor to our backyard for quite a number of years is this Western Scrub Jay.  He was given the name 'Cracker' when he first arrived by our oldest granddaughter, Ashlyn.  He continues to be a wonderful source of entertainment often begging for peanuts, his favorite.   His rowdy behavior in the yard is sometimes disruptive, however his antics around the feeders during periods of 'better' behavior can be quite entertaining.

Winter migration brings a number of colorful birds to the feeders.  There are several species of sparrow as well as different ground scavengers that welcome the seed that is provided.  The first sighting of the White-Crowned Sparrow in the late fall signals the start of our winter migrants.   Soon, others join in around the feeders.




 

Male White-Crowned Sparrow ~   Zonotrichia leucophrys



Male White-Crowned Sparrow and Male House Finch 



Male House Finch ~ Carpodacus mexicanus




Male House Sparrow ~ Passer domesticus




Male House Sparrow



Female House Sparrow

Another winter visitor is the Golden-Crowned Sparrow



Golden Crowned Sparrow ~ Zonotrichia atricapilla

 

Golden-Crowned Sparrow ~ Zonotrichia atricapilla  

The Spotted Towhee is an elusive bird in the garden.  Most often he is seen dashing out from bushes and back to scavenge the seeds knocked from the feeder.  Occasionally, he will land long enough for a quick snap, or hesitate just long enough on the ground to catch a view.



Spotted Towhee  ~ Pipilo maculatas

 Equally as elusive, and another ground feeder is the Dark-eyed Junco.   This sweet little bird is also referred to as the Dark-eyed Junco Oregon     Subspecies.  ~ Junco hyemalis

 In the flurry of winter activity around the feeders, the Oak Titmouse and White-Breasted Nuthatch make an appearance in search of their favorite, sunflower seeds.  Both tend to be year round residents in our garden.


Oak Titmouse ~ Baeolophus inornatus

 White-breasted Nuthatch ~  Sitta carolinensis 

  The warmer days and hint of spring bring the brilliance of American Goldfinch and Lesser Goldfinch in search of the niger feeders.  They arrive and depart in great numbers and can sometimes be seen completely covering the sock feeder.  By this time the winter sparrows, Towhees and Juncos have returned to their spring breeding grounds to the north.

Male American Goldfinch ~ Carduelis tristis

The month of April usually sees the migration of the Rufous and Calliope Hummingbirds through our area of Northern California.  The activity around the hummingbird feeders really heats up with our resident Anna's, along with the summer resident Black Chin and migrating Rufous and Calliope. 



Female Rufous Hummingbird ~ Selasphorus rufus

While the hummingbirds are quite magical to watch at the feeders, it was a real surprise when a male Hooded Oriole and his mate who are nectar lovers, helped themselves to the sweet sugar water.




Male Hooded Oriole ~ Icterus cucullatus

 The vegetation of my back garden seems to have a lure all its own.  A nesting Western Bluebird pair have helped with the bug population the last two seasons as they busily work at feeding hungry mouths in the nest.

Female Western Bluebird ~  Sialia mexicana

Male Western Bluebird

It's always exciting when I find a new visitor in the yard.  The Yellow Warbler below was busy checking out the sunflower leaves last fall in search of a suitable insect meal.



Female Yellow Warbler ~ Dendroica petechia



The female Black-headed Grosbeak was a spring visitor this year.  Unlike her mate, she was not shy when I brought out my big lens while she patiently waited her turn at the feeder.  The male is quite colorful and although he didn't offer a photo op in my yard, I've included one taken last year on the Sacramento River.



Female Black-headed Grosbeak ~ Pheucticus melanocephalus

 Female Black-Headed Grosbeak

Male Black-Headed Grosbeak

The shrill call of the Woodpecker is unmistakable as he flies in and out of the yard.  This Nuttalls's Woodpecker makes several trips daily to the suet feeder I have hanging in his favorite tree.

Nuttall's Woodpecker ~ Dendrocopos nuttallii

Thanks for joining my backyard birding venture.  Birding can be a source of year round entertainment as the activity is ever changing.  I leave you with two of my favorite shots.  Happy Birding!!



The Home Inspector



Forget the seed.  Where are the peanuts?



 

© All Rights Reserved on contents and photos contained in this blog