I remember when the first Bullock's Oriole landed on this feeder. It was late afternoon and the sun was streaming in through the window. It was hot inside The Palms, so I had closed the shade down almost to the bottom of the feeder. Suddenly, "Thunk," and I looked over and saw the bottom of the feeder with this big yellow tail hanging down. And that, for sure, was not a hummingbird! Of course, I jumped up with my camera, slowly tried to raise the shade and he flew off. Rats! But you always have more chances in this life - right? - and all these photos are proof of that.
And then he looked right at me before he flew off.
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| My own personal Angry Bird! :) |
Later while taking a walk, I looked up and discovered there were lots of nests in the Cottonwood trees. They looked like the Bullock's Oriole nests I saw at Pancho Villa State Park, and I think the Western Kingbird that was hanging around this nest was maybe trying to use it?
This bird appeared to be guarding this nest, and didn't go very from from it. I thought maybe this was his nest, but it's not the type of nest Kingbirds make.
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| Can you see the fishing line that was used to attach this nest to the tree? |
He sure was trying to get inside.
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| If you look at the bottom of the nest on the right side, you'll see another bird's head and tail. :) |
He seemed a little large for the nest, but could sit on the edge of it.
I thought it was strange this bird seemed so interested in an Oriole's nest - I know some nests are re-used by different kinds of birds, but this nest is so different than the ones Kingbirds construct. Did he want to use it for his own nest? I think that's exactly what this nesting couple is doing.
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| A Western Kingbird's nest? |
They build their nests with grass, twigs, leaves, and other materials they find - like string, paper, thread and fabric or wool pieces. They line the nests with the cotton material from the Cottonwood trees, feathers, and other soft materials.
I did a lot of research on-line, and did find one photo from Se Etta Moss in Canon City, CO that was an Oriole's nest used by a Western Kingbird. Their nest that was on a pole had blown down, and they took over this nest. You can see the eye and beak and white throat of the Kingbird as well as her tail sticking out on the left side. I didn't notice the bird itself until I read the text and really looked.
Can you see the bird? It's lying on it's back. Is that a cool photo, or what? I wondered how the Western Kingbird would fit in the Bullock's Orioles' nest - and here's the answer. A good example of "a photo is worth a thousand words" as well as "where there's a will, there's a way."
This is another nest here in the park with the fishing line more visible. It's nice to see the old filament line that sloppy fishermen leave behind being used for something positive:
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| Look at all that fishing line! |
From me and Katie, have a great Friday, everyone! :)
