FAT SEXY said:

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Obviously this is the thread to ask this in..

Anybody got any recommendations on good feeders? I'd like to find something that clamps on a pole(I have an old dish mount pole not being used), but I'm open to all other suggestions.

Solid and Made in the USA is preferred.

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I have one like this one that I really like. It mounts on top of a pole, and lots of different species really like it. Many birds don't like the feeders that require landing on a perch surrounding feeding holes and this one fits the bill, no pun intended.

If you have squirrels in your area, I also highly recommend a baffle like this to go on the pole under the feeder. It keeps them from climbing up and getting on the feeder.

I also have one of the Droll Yankee tube feeders I keep sunflower seed in, but it mounts best from a hook or horizontal pipe or similar support. It was fun watching the squirrels get spun around and try to hang on when I first put it up. Now they know to pretty much just leave it alone.

Oh boy! Duck and migratory bird photos could be a thread of their own. Super cool to watch!

Nice pics!

Their actual common name is gray Jay... So good guess.

Pretty awesome. Have to admit, that is a weird spot.

siclaro said:

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I have a pair of road runners building a nest in a cedar elm by my driveway. I have no idea why they chose this location as I have 100 or so trees on my property. I hope I don't run them off.

Road Runner Building Nest

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How cool for you! We will definitely be interested in updates later.

You wonder why birds build nests in places like that, but I have a theory. It is commonly known that, in Arizona at least, hummingbirds build nests in close proximity to hawk nests in the same area. Most would think that flies in the face of logic, being so close to a feared predator. However, it is thought that the hummers know the hawk is no threat to them, since they are way too small for a hawk to consider as a meal. Plus, the hawks give them some protection from their own natural predators such as larger birds and rodents.

There is a pair of Great Horned Owls that have nested in Brazos Bend SP near the entrance and visitor center for several years running now. Many would say they are crazy to do that, since people congregate near the nest to view them, and some think people should not be allowed near the nest. I think the owls are wiser than people give them credit for, as we may be unwittingly offering a bit of protection for them the same way the hawks do the hummingbirds.It is well known the owl parents had to fend off a bobcat one year, and our constant presence may help prevent more incidents like that.

So it may be the roadrunners are doing the same thing by building their nest close to your own activity. They could be using your presence to deter their own predators from attacking their young. Just a thought.

FAT SEXY said:

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Cute as a button on the outside, savage killers on the inside.

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And they have an annoying song.

Edit to add that they are invasive. They belong in Europe. The story is that they originally were released in Central Park in NYC (with starlings) early last century by a group of Shakespeare fans who wanted to bring birds mention in his plays. The birds decimated the bluebird population until the 1960's when parks and individuals started putting up bluebird nesting boxes.

FAT SEXY said:

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Do starlings cause problems as well?

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Yes. They also take over cavities for nesting. Since starlings are larger, they are easier to keep out of bluebird houses by having a 1-1/2" hole for the eastern bluebird and a 1-9/16" hole for western and mountain bluebirds. Many purple martin houses have half moon and other shapes to keep starlings out.

Starlings are also brutes at the feeders. The eat a lot and chase other birds away.

That is so cool! I'm pretty jealous myself. Thoughts and prayers for the lizards in your neighborhood.

labmansid said:

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That is so cool! I'm pretty jealous myself. Thoughts and prayers for the lizards in your neighborhood.

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Right on. I was mowing the other day and one had a toad in its mouth. A couple of laps later, the other had a small snake. I haven't seen any snakes on my place for the last few years.

Mockingbirds can be pretty vicious in their own right. I once watched one snag a baby hummingbird out of its nest and fly off with it.

FAT SEXY said:

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Do Mockingbirds pull stunts like the House Sparrow does and ravage the young of other birds?

The more I've been watching birds lately, the more I've noticed how feisty these dudes are. Squirrels, cats, hawks, pretty much all other birds.. doesn't matter, they go after everything it seems.

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Mockingbirds and jays might prey on a nest. The starlings and house sparrows want to take over the cavity in which the bluebirds are nesting. I know of one instance where the sparrows killed the baby bluebirds and the mother sitting on the nest then built their nest on top of the bodies.

By the way, woodpeckers can be vicious also. Do a YouTube search for Zombie woodpeckers if you are not faint of heart.

That's awesome! Looking forward to more.

I don't think it will be an issue, as long as you can give them their space. If you get too close, they will likely let you know somehow. They may start calling or flying over you if you get too close.