Member Seakdiver says in Alaska they call them tree rats. Most wild life shun the cities not only because of danger but lack of food. For rats and raptors that's not a problem... garbage for the rats, and plump juicy pigeons for raptors.

I am now feeding the birds on my windowsill. Well, they're nesting in the tree next to my window. Mostly I attract woodpigeons - possibly my least favourite bird - but I have seen the occasional crow.

I have to scatter the seed late at night, as it's quite a thin ledge and half of what I dole out bounces into the courtyard two floors below. This is birdseed bought when I was in the nuthouse, so even if I only attract woodpigeons it's at least being used.

I saw my first woodpecker up on the Chevin in the last week. And hear them nearly every time I use the outside gym in the park (it's close to a small section of woodland).
Very pleased with myself.
I still have to hear a cuckoo though.

I hear they sound like a clock. you're not missing much.

Our (Eastern US) cuckoos can be listened to here and here. I see a lot of the yellow-billed here but the black-billed are around as well.

Aha, so it was a black-billed Cuckoo I was hearing. :idea: Thanks Griff.

I just saw the full video, I wish it had been subtitled. The story is cute. You just have to watch out for the wheel loaders.

Man. I hate when this happens.

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That little bit of flesh color under the seals whiskers? Yeah, that's dude's hand.

On today's episode of Find The Turkey:

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Attachment 51329

How do I claim my prize?

You already have it, my friend.

Pride of Turkeywing Findership.

An inch to the right and you coulda had Pride of Turkeyhead Findership.

:D

As with any animal you're looking for anywhere...

...look for the eye.

you are one funny jive turkey, Grav.

I was recently reminded of turkeys when I watched "Life", the "Birds" episode when they discussed White Pelicans. They're large birds, about 10 kilograms, and I thought, huh, about the size of a big turkey. What was shocking about the segment was

SPOILER

The pelicans were filmed preying on crested gannet chicks, about the size of a chicken. The pelicans attacked unattended chicks, SWALLOWED THEM WHOLE, then flew back to the pelican nesting site. At the feet of the pelican chicks, the momma/poppa pelicans disgorged the gannet chick, alive but partially digested, presumably to be re-eaten.

WTF.










END SPOILER

Uh, yeah. I was about to post that today I saw oven birds, cowbirds, goldfinches, a gazillion robins, cardinals, yada yada at the feeder, and our male fox hanging out on the back slope - this year we've seen the foxes (dog and vixen) frequently, very unusual ... but that pelican thing sort of took the blush off.