American Robin (male)

Hello, Robin!

He seems to be wondering where Spring is, just like we are.

Western Meadowlark (male)

Too-tee-too tiddle-you!  There's no mistaking the Meadowlark's pretty song.  Especially when he's right outside your window!  The black "v" on his bright yellow chest is unmistakable too.  This is the second "new" bird of spring to come to our yard.

Mourning Dove (adult)

We've been watching for the first new bird of spring to come to our yard. And here it is - a Mourning Dove! I was expecting a Robin and trying to attract Bluebirds, but any new bird is a welcome sight to us. -Amy

When I was playing with my brother Kaden, we heard Mom say there was a new bird in the yard. It was a pretty sight! We don't know if it was a male or female because they look the same. -Kennedy

Sharp-shinned Hawk (juvenile)

These two photos were taken fifteen minutes apart. In the first one, he is perched on the fence near our feeders. In the second one, he is eating his lunch on the back fence.

Sharing the Feeder

This is what a typical day at the thistle seed feeder looks like. We have "Petie" the one-eyed house finch (top left), a pine siskin (bottom left), and two goldfinches on the right.

Below are "Petie" and a goldfinch trying to stay warm in the Aspen tree.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (juvenile)

Our yard has been a popular hang-out for predators this morning! Less than an hour after the Merlin swooped in, this juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk came to take a swipe at our feeder birds.

Merlin (female)

This Merlin swooped in for a surprise attack on our Goldfinches today. The first things I noticed about her were the shape of her wings in flight (very angular and pointed) and her overall small size.

The goldfinches took off in such a hurry that one of them smashed into my patio door window and lay stunned on the porch. Apparently, it recovered just fine because when I went out to pick it up it took off before I could touch it.

House Finch (male)

I just had to post these cute pictures of house finches. They and the goldfinches are the only birds that come every day to the feeders without fail.

American Kestrel (male)

This guy tried to eat one of our birds! -Kennedy

He came two days in a row to scatter the birds at our feeder. Cute and surprisingly small, but deadly! -Amy

Slate-colored Dark-eyed Junco (male)

This little guy was only around for a few days. He caught my eye because he didn't look quite the same as the "Oregon" Juncos we've got. According to my Sibley field guide, he's a "Slate-Colored" Dark-eyed Junco, Canadian Rocky Mountains variant. Big name for such a small bird! Apparently they nest in the Canadian Rockies and this one is spending the winter here in Utah.