mellielong said:Too funny! And I understand the excitement over seeing a Summer Tanager. You guys know I just saw my first one a little while ago. It was the female; haven't seen the male yet.
You guys know I'm a new birder, so I have to ask what's up with the Bluebirds in Ann's photos? Are they going through a change in coloring? They're Eastern Bluebirds, right?
Yes, Melanie, the bluebirds are going through changes. Each summer the juveniles that were born start getting out & about and they sort of "flock up" -- all the juvies together. Every afternoon the birdbaths become THE place to be. I call it the bathing frenzy. Starts with a few & that prompts more & more & more to come. They even line up on the carport roof waiting their turn or any available space to get in the bath. This frenzy also attracts the juvies from all the bird species. The young cardinals come, the mockers, brown thrashers, sparrows, house finches, titmice, summer tanager, blue jay, carolina chickadee...... all the juvie birds of differing ages so there are many different looks/colorings to the juvies, even of the same species. The bluebirds are the most prevalent & they really do mob the place. I think they have more broods per year as well as a larger success rate in raising the broods. They also intimidate the other species & run them out of the bath. In the beginning of summer everyone is younger & still unsure of themselves so things are much more peaceful with everyone getting along. As the summer progresses, you see the older ones becoming much more bold and bossy and the maturation continues until many of them have attained their adult plumage. Around this time of year they have split up into their individual species and you start seeing "species wars" where one species will not put up with another species bathing at the same time as them. I have learned so much by observing this behavior. Right now, the mockers had become king of the bath & when they want to take it over they DO. Everyone else is intimidated & has to leave but the other day, the male summer tanager ran the mockers off! I was surprised! He's smaller than the mockers & the mockers can be very tough but the summer tanager managed to not only hold his own but claim the bath as HIS kingdom. It gets pretty funny to watch.
