The recent changeable weather has altered some of our birds’ regular patterns of activity, as their young have finally fledged and are now making their own way in the avian world, of which they are such an important part. They are no longer the unruly teenagers they once were, but are now slightly older and wiser birds, competing to establish their own “pecking order” in the hierarchy of their particular society! Of course, the usual center of attention is whatever food they can find and compete for, so with their increased numbers, things can get a bit more tense on that account! Obviously, many of the juveniles have to move away to a new territory in order to be able to fend for themselves and not have to compete with their own parents, as they too seek food.
Food, of course, is not the only concern for the birds, as we ourselves know of the necessity to find water, especially on these very hot days that we have been experiencing. Our birdbaths and other water-containing vessels become very important to them and us, as you well know, when these days are upon us and we all seek some sort of relief from the heat and subsequent dryness that ensues! Bird baths become very busy all of a sudden and birds we don’t normally associate with bathing or drinking from them either “take the plunge “, or take a drink, which is what I have witnessed quite a lot of recently.
Grackles gather as families on the side of the birdbath and one of them might be brave enough to get in and, in its exuberance, splash the others! Great fun! Another less adventurous bird to land on the bath was a Downy Woodpecker, who nervously sipped the water to slake its thirst, after eating some very dry peanuts at one of my feeders! Of course, to do this it had to stand, in an upright position (or as near as it could be) to do this, which is quite an unusual physical body attitude for it to be in! Well, it succeeded and took a long drink from the bath before flying off. A lovely unusual sight to behold, for the short period of time which had elapsed, from its landing to its departure.
Maybe you too have seen some unusual bird behaviour, in this respect, during the abnormal heatwave. I hope so, but stay safe and well, whilst doing so. Stay cool and enjoy!
Cheers,
John Baldwin
