Thursday, August 25, 2011

English Sparrows

There are a lot of English Sparrows at my feeder.  You don't see many pictures of them, because they tend to stay on the ground, and blend in with the colors of the dirt and discarded seeds.  These guys show up a little better because I had just put down fresh cracked corn.  I get a big kick out of the cheeky little things.  They come and go in groups, in a swirl of feathers and excitement.  Never still long, they form a background for the bigger, more colorful birds that get most of the attention.
This Blue Jay found it necessary to supervise their activities, all the time keeping an eye on that squirrel.  After all, squirrels might suddenly turn into carnivores and eat unsuspecting Blue Jays, you know.

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

Such a watchful eye the blue jay has!

Anonymous said...

We don't get house sparrows in the country much. They really are cheerful cheeky little birds.

Sharon said...

The sparrows do kind of keep to a group, don't they? I never see one come by itself. Hadn't thought about it really until you mentioned it.

Good morning!

TexWisGirl said...

i love the sparrows too. such happy little active feathered folk! :) and i wouldn't trust those squirrels either!

Tina said...

Same here, over the last few days I have noticed just flocks of sparrows around the feeder. Looks like they are gathering for something.

My Mind's Eye said...

Great pictures today. Blue Jays tend to be Alpha birds and they have the voice to back that up but I do love their beautiful feathers.
LOL
Hugs Madi and Mom

Reena said...

Louise, this is looking exactly like my backyard! There must be 2 dozen sparrows, many teens, gorging on my food. Where the heck did they all come from. Must have been some big broods this season!

Folkways Note Book said...

Louise, I'm surprised you don't mention owls and hawks as predators swooping in once in awhile. i once lived in a large city for a while and still had hawks and owls showing up for a meal once in a while -- a predator meal -- not a seed meal.
They especially like sparrows as they travel in groups and are so fidgety which excites the big guys. -- barbara

Sarah said...

sparrows are wonderful and plentiful. Its what I have the most of at my feeders usually. I've never heard them referred to as English Sparrows though. Interesting! The blue jay keeping watch is great! Squirrels and Jays...two peas in a pod in many respects!

KB said...

Your birds, even the jays, are so different from ours. I enjoyed the photos.

I also adored your young buck photos from yesterday. What small spike antlers. It was really cool when he was looking at the squirrel!