Now it’s just getting funny out there. Birds are in family groups and youngsters are chasing their parents all over. Others still are with their parents, but awkwardly foraging on their own, such as the baby magnolia warbler I saw this week that was all mouth and no tail. I offer up a potpourri of silly observations today, and invite you to notice what’s going on around your house and add to the list.
Crows. These days, you seldom see just one. Youngsters are full size when they leave the nest, but they beg mom and dad for food long after fledging. Families are still foraging together, but the kids are now able to find their own goodies. They make a lot of weird noises this time of year.
Blue jays. If you thought the crow noises were funny, just listen to the jays. Family groups are making sounds unintended by Mother Nature. There’s no telling what they all mean, though “pass the biscuits” is a good bet.
Chickadees. Most of the year, they limit themselves to their simple chickadee calls. But this time of year, it’s a mix of squeaks and chortles, with the family unit moving around and foraging together.
Chipping sparrows. Goodness gracious, how many babies did you have? They’ve been all over my yard, chattering for weeks. One pair was being chased around by at least eight youngsters. When I walked out the front door earlier this week, a cloud of sparrows took flight from the lawn.
American goldfinches. Goldfinches are seed eaters, especially small seeds from weedy plants, such as thistle. The most prolific food supply becomes available later in summer, so goldfinches are among the last species to nest. They seem to be absolutely everywhere at the moment, creating quite a racket as they fly over or sing from treetops. They’re also spending more time at my bird feeders. It’s baby-making time.
Winter wrens. These tiny denizens of tangled forest do most of their singing in the spring, but once they’ve established a territory, they can raise multiple broods per summer in that spot. Several pair gave me quite a tongue-lashing earlier this week. I was trying to attract the attention of some warblers, but the wrens were next to the trail and took exception to the noise. Both mates scolded me in several locations.
Warblers. They’re quiet. Insect eaters nest when their food supply is greatest, namely bug season. By mid-August, the only time you might hear a song is when the kids are learning. The trees above my house are infested with pine warblers, which typically sing a lot. But I haven’t heard one in weeks. Warblers just aren’t very curious right now.
Golden-crowned kinglets. These diminutive residents of Maine’s forest have a unique breeding strategy. As soon as the first nestlings fledge, dad raises the brood while mom starts another brood. Due to their small size, winter is hard and mortality is high. They’ve got to make a lot of babies to perpetuate the species. Currently, whenever I’m squeaking and pishing and making whatever weird sounds will draw curious birds, it’s the male coming to check me out, followed by his heavily streaked offspring.
Mourning doves. These are also prolific breeders. In southern climes, they can produce up to six broods a year. For the first time, mourning doves nested on the ledge of my deck, just under the eaves. I decided to let them continue, so I avoided using my deck through June. And through July. No sooner did she fledge the first brood then she started a second. Finally, last week, the second brood fluttered away. They are now out foraging on their own. Instantly, courtship began anew. In fact, courtship began while she was still feeding her second pair of fledglings. I hosed off the deck before they could lay a third clutch. Sooner or later, I’m going to enjoy my deck.
Common terns. These guys prefer to nest on offshore islands where they are safe from mainland predators. But much of their food supply is closer to shore, so they fly back and forth to feed their nestlings through the first half of summer. Once the chicks have fledged, they all head for the shoreline. Right now, there is not a bay, cove, or estuary that isn’t overrun with terns.
Identifying birds is fun but watching their behavior is fascinating.
Bob Duchesne serves as vice president of Maine Audubon’s Penobscot Valley Chapter. He developed the Maine Birding Trail, with information at mainebirdingtrail.com. He can be reached at duchesne@midmaine.com.