Cardinal Shenanigans

[4rum]

Was wondering why all my Sparrows were showing up at the feeders without tails. Winter is NOT molting season here. This was not an isolated incident. It happened a lot!

Sparrow has no tail.

 

[Hardus Nameous142 90]

Can it still control itself in the air?

 

[4rum]

Can it still control itself in the air?

Yes but they do struggle, especially with landing. Straight, forward, flight seems fine.

 

[Jeff1574 74]

Three and four for me ...

 

[Kotobukicat]

Cardinals can be aggressive, especially in nest locating season and when the eats are scarce. I have a colony that lives near me all year. I have seen them fight with their reflections in the windows on my house until they keel over dead. Drives my cats nuts! They tell me in kitty language that if those silly birds want to commit suicide by slamming themselves in the windows, that I should just let them out so that they can help them in their mission!

Joe

 

[Kotobukicat]

P.S. If you like to have them around to establish a colony, put lots of sunflower seeds outside in the winter. They will soon realize that this is the place to get food no matter the time of year, and they will not stray far.

 

[4rum]

P.S. If you like to have them around to establish a colony, put lots of sunflower seeds outside in the winter. They will soon realize that this is the place to get food no matter the time of year, and they will not stray far.

Yes, I feed year 'round. Sunflower seed, suet cakes, oranges, and dry dog food. I do have another series where a male Cardinal gets his comeuppance from a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak, but I think I should consult one of our fine Mods before posting too many sequence or series posts. I like it here. Don't want to ruffle feathers ... so to speak.

 

[jeffashman35 8]

Nice set of images! Add Cardinals to the list of avian bullies...

 

[4rum]

Thank you. Shot from the kitchen through a duo pane thermal window. Got to observe several times. Only got this one sequence with the culprit caught in the action. Many, many Sparrows were left tailless over the course of that winter.