From the vantage of my living room couch, I have a perfect view of bird box No. 5.
A Tree Swallow calling dibs on box number Five.
Last summer, House Wrens raised a brood in this box. In late winter of this year, a pair of chickadees showed mild interest in it but then found somewhere better. Then a pair of White Breasted Nuthatches considered the box but decided it wasn't quite suitable. Really, they are spoiled for choice here as there are tree cavities aplenty!
Tree swallows currently occupy most of my 26 bird boxes and one couple decided to nest in No. 5. Unfortunately, a House Wren started to stuff it with twigs as part of his multi-nest/multi mate routine. House Wrens are very cute but are also little hoodlums. Aside from building nests on top of other species' nests, house wrens will peck holes in the eggs of the original owners and even kill defenders.
So I put up a smaller, decoy box to divert the wren's attention. He quickly started filling the new box with twigs as well. But here's the interesting part -- whenever he attempted to enter Box No. 5 which the swallows were using, a male Song Sparrow would drive him away! I'd never seen such a thing before. The Song Sparrow seemed to be acting as a sort of policeman or very keen member of neighbourhood watch. The sparrow himself had no interest in the box as they are not cavity nesters. Perhaps since Song Sparrows are plagued by cow birds, witnessing a home invasion strikes a nerve. At any rate, it was the first time I noticed this behaviour. It now seems the wren has given up his bid to annex Box No. 5 and is sticking with the smaller decoy box (plus three other boxes which I know of). The Song Sparrow was indeed a very useful neighbour to the swallows.
I added the smaller box on the left to divert the wren's attention.
Tree Swallows -- handsome aerialists and mosquito eaters!
The male House Wren. So cute, but also a scoundrel.
Wrennie Boy with a twig. Tree swallow in background.
My Song Sparrow is a sweet singer and also (surprise) a security guard.
As I was browsing through YouTube videos this afternoon, I saw a recent case of another Song Sparrow acting as security guard -- this time on behalf of chickadees. (Little hero appears in the following video at the 2:34 minute point) So it seems that all Song Sparrows have a tendency to protect their neighbour's property. A knight in streaky feathers!
More of my fluttery neighbours:
Fluffed and committed to nesting in Box Number Two.
A handsome guy talks to his mate in Box Number Four.
The same House Wren stuffing yet another box!
A Baltimore Oriole at the grape jelly station.
A hummer saying "Wait your turn!" to someone.
I'm lucky to have a good population of Tree Swallows but I'm also happy to have a pair of Barn Swallows close by. In fact, they've built a mud nest inside my garage. Both the male and the female construct the nest. When they take rest breaks, they converse with each other in an exhuberant, burbly language. If Ellie Mae walks by, they switch to scoldy words. She is no threat to them really, but they are not cat people!
Halfway through their mud and grass construction.
Working closely together, they gather grass clippings.
My clothesline is a favourite perch and sound stage.
Well this sure was a summery post! I loved the story of the protective swallow, but Florence you have 26 bird boxes?? Incredible! I didn't click on all these yet, I need to go back and look at that Baltimore oriole again. He's stunning. I hope all is good with you!
Yes I monitor 26 bird boxes (plus a few others I havn't numbered). I had no idea that Song Sparrows would help protect the homes of other small songbirds. As I get older, I spend more time just sitting and observing the natural world. The world's a stage, etc.
I could not resist adding this to your reply ... " All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts," the thought of those words from so long ago seemed very apt for your 26 bird houses and the occupants. Specially the ones who enter and exit,and those who watch and wait. Loved all the photos and the details about their habits.
Oh thank you, Jean, for quoting more of the Bard's famous monologue! I had to revisit the entire speech and it becomes quite chillingly frank in describing the seven ages (acts) of a person's life. I sure hope things are going well for yourself and Hugh in beautiful NZ.
I so enjoyed this birdy post, Florence. You have your work cut out for you it seems, keeping track of all your tenants. I love how the Song Sparrow is acting as neighbourhood defender. You are so fortunate to have Barn Swallows. Since my arrival here, I'm happy to say the sparrows are around more allowing me to identify three kinds. Enjoy all your watching now as we move into summer.
You are so right about my being fortunate to have Barn Swallows, Jocelyn. Apart from their help in mosquito control, they are so friendly and chatty to be around. I love them! When their young are about to fledge, I always keep Ellie Mae locked in the house. I have renewed respect for Song Sparrows. Little heroes! They must love all my brush piles (which are increasing, especially after our recent ice storm damage).
Actually Robin, my collection of bird boxes sounds more hoard-ish than it really is. My property consists of 99 acres, with wood lots and fields so they are pretty spread out. It's a bit of heaven for me to just watch the birds raising their families and all their little dramas.
Pretty much. Unless I've something special to share, I'll toss something up by month's end to prove to folk I'm still breathing. My life is mostly uneventful and mundane. (And I like it that way.)
Well this sure was a summery post! I loved the story of the protective swallow, but Florence you have 26 bird boxes?? Incredible! I didn't click on all these yet, I need to go back and look at that Baltimore oriole again. He's stunning. I hope all is good with you!
ReplyDeleteYes I monitor 26 bird boxes (plus a few others I havn't numbered). I had no idea that Song Sparrows would help protect the homes of other small songbirds. As I get older, I spend more time just sitting and observing the natural world. The world's a stage, etc.
DeleteI could not resist adding this to your reply ...
ReplyDelete" All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,"
the thought of those words from so long ago seemed very apt for your 26 bird houses and the occupants. Specially the ones who enter and exit,and those who watch and wait. Loved all the photos and the details about their habits.
Oh thank you, Jean, for quoting more of the Bard's famous monologue! I had to revisit the entire speech and it becomes quite chillingly frank in describing the seven ages (acts) of a person's life. I sure hope things are going well for yourself and Hugh in beautiful NZ.
DeleteI so enjoyed this birdy post, Florence. You have your work cut out for you it seems, keeping track of all your tenants. I love how the Song Sparrow is acting as neighbourhood defender. You are so fortunate to have Barn Swallows. Since my arrival here, I'm happy to say the sparrows are around more allowing me to identify three kinds. Enjoy all your watching now as we move into summer.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about my being fortunate to have Barn Swallows, Jocelyn. Apart from their help in mosquito control, they are so friendly and chatty to be around. I love them! When their young are about to fledge, I always keep Ellie Mae locked in the house. I have renewed respect for Song Sparrows. Little heroes! They must love all my brush piles (which are increasing, especially after our recent ice storm damage).
DeleteFlorence, I love these photos! Twenty six + boxes, wow. So much action in your yard. Sounds like heaven to me!❤️
ReplyDeleteActually Robin, my collection of bird boxes sounds more hoard-ish than it really is. My property consists of 99 acres, with wood lots and fields so they are pretty spread out. It's a bit of heaven for me to just watch the birds raising their families and all their little dramas.
DeleteNinety nine acres…that was the size of my grandparents farm.Definitely heaven!❤️
DeleteI guess you are at monthly posts, now! :-)
ReplyDeletePretty much. Unless I've something special to share, I'll toss something up by month's end to prove to folk I'm still breathing. My life is mostly uneventful and mundane. (And I like it that way.)
Delete