This is an image of a Chickadee that has been roosting in an old stump that was by my window every night. I was outside this morning and found him dead at the base of it. He had one missing leg (which looked like it healed over a long time ago) and didn’t look like he was caught by something. I am thinking he either died of old age, or infection, due to his missing leg. Any suggestions as to what happened?
This year, no troubles with House Wrens taking the nest box. Last year, the wrens evicted the chickadees and built their nest atop the completed chickadee nest. The House Wrens did raise two successful broods, though.
This looks like a Chickadee family but I’m not sure. Definitely a fledgling and 2 adults but the one above looks like a Chestnut-backed and the adult below looks like a Black-capped, the baby looks a bit more like a Chestnut-backed too. Do they cross breed?
You can ignore the first mystery, it was a dead hummer at my feeder then after that I had a couple of nest mysteries, the still shots show what I was up against. First, a Black-capped Chickadee nest…and only one ‘hatchling’ with some four or five other eggs that never hatched. Second, a Western Bluebird nest that after the season was over I found a dead what I think was a female Violet-green Swallow in, underneath- and a couple of Bluebird eggs that never hatched. Two nest oddities.
Our new neighbours have developed an intense liking for one of the skylofts in our backyard. It’s conveniently situated near amenities like the suet feeder, bird seed stations, nectar feeder (and the apple and plum trees, which are in full blossom). Lots of renovation has been taking place lately. We have been hearing lots of tapping of the inner walls, seeing removal of the cedar wood chips this morning, and witnessed countless trips to and from their new digs. The exciting question is, will they be raising their family in it soon?
Black-capped Chickadee pair nesting in brain cavity of bull skull hanging on back of house as a decoration. Overhang and proximity to house creates perfect viewing and shelter from elements and predators.