pretty sure it is a pet finch , most pet stores sell several varieties. I actually had one or two at one time but that was long ago.

That is so cute!

Not my best shots, but it's been slow here. I was taking butterfly pictures when I noticed a Carolina Wren hopping around on the trash cans. Dad said he saw a flock of about 25-30 of them the other day. I wonder what they were doing?



I had to take the seed feeder and the hummingbird feeder down to run them through the dishwasher. I dumped the old seed on the ground which totally confused the birds. Some of them came down and ate on the ground, but others flew to where the feeder usually is, flailed around or landed in the Hawthorne, and then flew away. I just put it back out there about an hour ago and I even remembered how to put all the pieces back together again! Dad also bought me more seed and a scoop made for bird feeders. It's probably good not to attract rodents to my spillage on the lanai.

That's a cute shot of the Carolina wren teetering on the edge of the trash can, Melanie. You been fermenting any of your seeds? Surprising to hear of a whole flock of them, they're usually just in pairs, or if they have babies, then there will be 3 or 4.

All my birds are used to feeding off the ground as well as the feeders, but most of the seed that falls lands on paving stones, so the seeds are easy to see. Then I have my rebellious brown thrasher who does indeed "thrash" the leaves and mulch on the ground, but it seems he/she enjoys the seed from the feeder and even the suet cakes once in a while. The only ones I never see feeding off the ground are the titmice.

I also have two families of blue jays around now, so there are often 5 or 6 of them out there making a racket. This one thinks he's an owl!

Elaine, the Wren was just taking off as I took that photo. I've seen flocks of 5-8 before, but I'm not sure what was going on the other day. Dad said they all took off together, too.

more goldfinch -

Spring cometh. The honeyeaters are very happy and should start nesting soon. These Noisy Friarbirds defend the Grevillea banksia flowers aggressively and will even dive bomb larger parrots at the blooms.





They are called friarbirds because the head is like a tonsure. Bare and featherless.

These Masked Lapwings have started nesting. I can watch them through my bedroom window. Already I have seen other parents on the island walking around, grazing with their precocious young.

Lovely shots there, Glen. Must admit, the friarbirds are prettier from the back . . . My son had a book when he was very tiny that featured lapwings in the story. Do your masked ones say "pee whit, pee whit" too?

Glad to hear your spring is springing - we have no signs of fall just yet, here. Whew, hot and muggy!

How cute are they!? They really do look like they're wearing masks.

Had two juvenile White Ibises wandering around today. They must breed all the time in Florida. I feel like I'm always seeing juveniles, but I have to admit, these were more brown than usual. They don't have the blue eyes yet, either.



Hairy Woodpecker (I think)



The Cardinal was hiding in the oak tree. I can't blame it. We've been making a lot of noise around the house today. Plus, our neighbor's were having a yard sale so lots of unfamiliar vehicles coming and going.

I'm enjoying the birds of OZ as always.

Elaine I love the blue jays. Yes, they can get noisy but they're funny scamps.

J, those goldfinches! They get bright here just before leaving to points north but not anything like what you get to see. I so wish they would get their full color here before leaving. I would love to see it in person.

Melanie I think you're right about the Ibis's breeding year round here. One hardly ever sees them without seeing a juvie in the bunch. That cardinal looks like a juvenile to me.

Tickles me that cardinals think they can hide at all - especially the bright red males! Can't imagine how evolution arrived at that bright color for these birds? I suppose if they weren't so bright they would overpopulate?

So, I saw a new bird today, but darn it, couldn't get a picture of it. A tiny little guy smaller and more slender than a sparrow, but with dramatic black and white markings on the face and wings. I looked out the window and jumped up when I saw it. Two steps to the camera, and as I turned it on, the bird flew away

Oh well, I got a bunch more cute shots of the blue jays.

Black & White Warbler maybe? I am on my tablet so I can't get a link here.

Sounds like a black and white warbler . I think I had a pair this year, but they move too fast to id, for sure.They were a little later than my yellow rumped warblers.

Thanks, Claudia for that name. Here's the link: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/...

It did look a lot like that on the markings but . . I'm thinking this bird of mine was even slimmer than that. Also the B&W warblers aren't supposed to be here until winter.

I'll sure keep my eyes peeled for it to show up again, and get a picture at all costs.

@dyzzypyxxy
Could it have been the Yellow Throated Warbler?
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/...
http://www.audubon.org/field-g...
http://identify.whatbird.com/o...
Depending on the reference, the range varies


Also on the black & white warbler, my Field Guide says:
One of the first warblers to arrive each fall. Fall migrants arrive in August & depart in May.

I didn't see any yellow on the little birdie, Ann but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I have had a Yellow Throated Warbler visit at least once before.

Won't know for sure until I get a picture, I guess. Hoping he/she will show up again this afternoon, and I've been keeping my eyes open.

I went out to fill the bird feeder before the deluge hits. All the little birdies scattered pretty quick. But I can tell the woodpecker's noise now when it's annoyed at me. It flew to my neighbor's tree but I was like, "I have a superzoom camera!" Red-Bellied Woodpecker



I got back in the house, washed my hands and face, and everyone was back on or under the feeder. Here's male and I think juvenile Cardinal under the feeder and Titmouse on the feeder.



Everybody seems to clear out when the Woodpecker comes in for a landing. Except male Cardinal who is still on the ground. The Woodpecker throws so much seed out I think the other birds should sit there and let it rain down on them like Cardinal was doing.