marsrover said:

I posted more or less the same question last month and got the following reply

joannakat said:
@marsrover, I was wondering the same thing! And we're not alone. Here's a very text-heavy description of some duck behavior you may find interesting:
https://web.stanford.edu/group...
I found what they wrote about the wing flapping to be rather funny considering that I was looking for answers
Whatever the reason, it is neat to watch. It's when they beat the water with their wings or do somersaults in the water that I am really puzzled!

For some reason, in quotes, links don't work. Basically, what it said is that no one knows or can figure out why they do that. It talked a lot about when they do it and whether it's in the presence of males or females (both or either), and so on.

I'm sure this doesn't help at all! Maybe someone else knows more than Stanford about duck behavior?

Rose1656 said:Little Red Capped Sparrow, or is it Chipping Sparrow? The start of the returning birds for us! The Turkey Vultures have been back for a while, but I haven't been able to get a good picture.


I'm ready for these little Juncos to leave!

That's such a nice picture of the junco, why would you want it to leave?

Joannakat,

They are cute, but they're a sign of winter! Time for them to go! Usually they leave when the Grosbeaks start showing up.

Rose1656 said:Joannakat,

They are cute, but they're a sign of winter! Time for them to go! Usually they leave when the Grosbeaks start showing up.

OOOOOOooooooooh, now I understand!

They're year around here. That's why I wondered.

wildflowers said:Wow snow!! Really nice pictures!

It's greening up here.

Female Cardinal

You're so lucky to have cardinals!! I love them. My favorite bird but we don't get them out here. When I went to VA on a visit they were all over!! I collect cardinal knick knacks!!

Rainbow Lorikeets were out in force this morning...







on this

OMG Rainbow Lorikeets wild!! How heavenly!! And I bet they love it being free instead of being in a cage as a pet!!! That's the only way I know them is from pet stores and conventions long ago!! Wow!!

flaflwrgrl said:Silly wing flapping ducks. I wonder why ducks do that? Anyone know?

Mallards are the only ducks we've had coming to our pool (except for one gadwall), and I've taken
gigabytes of video.

Wing flapping to me is part of a routine.......before they flap, usually they dunk several times like they're taking a bath, then rise up & flap,
then waggle their tails.....mostly boys, but the girls, too, especially after a fight or confrontation.
The winner & the lose both do it. "I'm tough!" & "I'm tough, too!"

Or they do it to show off & challenge whomever to take them on. Or a girl might to it to attract attention
of potential mates. It's a sign of being ready for whatever or whomever. "Bring it on!"
But that's just my interpretation.

Is this the Stanford version you were referencing? https://web.stanford.edu/group...
Needs a bit of editing!

Here's a video from Feb 2017 on YouTube I just posted.......you be the judge.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

carolem said:Rainbow Lorikeets were out in force this morning...







on this

• Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus)
• Uploaded by carolem

Bee-utiful birds & blooms, Carole!

marsrover said:

I posted more or less the same question last month and got the following reply

joannakat said:
@marsrover, I was wondering the same thing! And we're not alone. Here's a very text-heavy description of some duck behavior you may find interesting:
https://web.stanford.edu/group...
I found what they wrote about the wing flapping to be rather funny considering that I was looking for answers


Whatever the reason, it is neat to watch. It's when they beat the water with their wings or do somersaults in the water that I am really puzzled!

Thanks!

I liked you YouTubes Cal. Um.....but don't they absolutely trash your pool????

Yes, I noticed links in copied posts do not work but you can usually figure out where it came form & a quick google will find it for you. That's what I did.

EscondidoCal said:Is this the Stanford version you were referencing? https://web.stanford.edu/group...
Needs a bit of editing!

I believe it is. A verbose treatise whose purpose is to say, "no one knows!"

flaflwrgrl said:I liked you YouTubes Cal. Um.....but don't they absolutely trash your pool????

Yes, I noticed links in copied posts do not work but you can usually figure out where it came form & a quick google will find it for you. That's what I did.

Or scroll backward to the original message....

I LOVE Cal's duck videos!

Is a bird in the hand worth six in the bush?:
Also, here are some Red-tailed Hawk images from 9 March:

Those are amazing Red Tailed hawk photos!!😀

flaflwrgrl said:I liked you YouTubes Cal. Um.....but don't they absolutely trash your pool????

It was our pool......it's their pond now. We just keep a good supply of waterfowl pellets in several piles around the periphery.

We are enjoying the pond much more than we ever did the pool. We're in the process of adding fish & plants.
It's a fun project.

joannakat said:
I LOVE Cal's duck videos!

Here's one from yesterday.....I think they like their new pond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

EscondidoCal,

I love your pond!! It's been my dream to have a koi pond. We have a people pool. Not enough room. Love the Mallard 🦆 shots!!

Mindi

Random question. BTW I only have a phone camera so no pics, but maybe you'll know.

What are the tiny little birds, body about the size of your thumb not including tail, that can sit on the dandelions and eat the seeds?? So tiny and cute. I wonder how they get around from eating the fluff or if it's just seeds? Are these tiny funny little guys chickadees? They are definitely seasonal.

@MindiHammerstone, I wonder if the little bird you are seeing might be the Oak Titmouse? Photos and information on these pages:
http://www.audubon.org/field-g...
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/...

Or a Bush Tit.