Today I became focused on the locomotion of the various species who feed in our garden. Flight is foremost. But once a bird lands… Nuthatches, woodpeckers and some other species mostly ncling to tree trunks, limbs, leaves, feeders, I have nevrr seen a nuthatch or creeper walk on the ground. Woodpeckers–usually only flickers–hop when on the ground. Many small species seem to be hoppers, as well: sparrows, finches, thrushes, scrub-jays. Mourning doves waddle while large corvids (crows, ravens) amble with considerable side-to-side swaying. Almost a deliberate swagger one imagines. The turkeys strut slowly, eyeing every nearby…so do chickens, quail, et al. These birds and shorebirds and many grassland birds are fast runners. Think pipits, Horned Lark, Killdeer.
Our own species is often in motion, like birds. Click here to read about firm building solar-powered three-wheelers.
POULTRY PATTERNS
We get turkeys in our garden at least twice on most days now. Todfay a male,and his harem (ten birds title) appeared while an otcast lone male was tweo blocks away. The “wild” in their common name is more than a little misleading. They move aside but don’t leave when the dog and I are out and about. They are nonchalant about slowly moving aside for cars or trucks. These turkeys are focused fressers, precise peckers. There is never a kernel of sunflower seed left on the ground when they depart. Often they have eaten so much they must rest and digest.
RIVERFRONT PARK
954 Ratcliff Drive SE, Marion, Oregon, US
Mar 11, 2022
13 species
Cackling Goose 30 fly over
Wild Turkey 11
Eurasian Collared-Dove X
Mourning Dove X
Northern Flicker 1
California Scrub-Jay X
American Crow X
Red-breasted Nuthatch 1
European Starling X
American Robin X singing
Lesser Goldfinch X
American Goldfinch X
Dark-eyed Junco X
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