My friends and I were watching the two pairs of Gray Catbirds when a beautiful male Baltimore Oriole came to bathe. He literally glowed in the late afternoon sun. A particular thrill was seeing two Red-headed woodpeckers. It would be fabulous if they nested nearby as they did two years ago.
I saw a young female housefinch with tufts. Wouldn't that be this year's bird? Seemed early, but then Bluebirds have fledged already as well.
The Pileateds coming to the suet are a bit rough looking. Their white turns a bit yellowish. I'm assuming it's from going in and out of the cavity. Happens every year.
Interesting factoid. Unlike woodpeckers and some other songbirds, the Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, and Northern Mockingbirds eat upside down, from the suet basket against the tree trunk. I wonder why.
There is a cute little male Housefinch on the patio with just stubs for tail feathers. He has no trouble flying or eating.
This morning I saw my first Indigo Bunting in the birdbath. So pretty.
