7 replies to this topic

[rkitt]

I saw this pair of what I *think* are Eastern Kingbirds in Northern Colorado a few days ago. But I'm feeling a little uneasy because the shape of their heads looks slightly different than the pictures I'm finding online (though I *think* it's just because most of the birds in the pictures have their head-feathers slightly erect, and mine don't) and also because my brain keeps insisting that the birds I saw are a very dark brown on the back and head, whereas the pictures online look dark grey to almost black. Can anyone confirm or deny the Eastern Kingbirdiness of these two?

[Liam]

Indeed you have! Congratulations!

Welcome to Whatbird.

[rkitt]

Thank you on both counts! I moved out to CO from Oregon and am having so much fun seeing new birds here. I saw my first Western Meadowlark last month, and Western Kingbirds, which were also new for me, are *everywhere* here,

[psweet]

You're right about the head shape. Black on birds can sometimes appear dark brown based on lighting, or especially feather wear.

[Clip]

rkitt - Welcome to Colorado! And Welcome to WhatBird.

They are indeed Eastern Kingbirds. Not as plentful here as the Western Kingbird in the summer but we get quite a few in the summer. I'm looking forward to all the birds that migrate through here this fall.

[rkitt]

Thanks, Clip! I'm enjoying the wildlife here so much-- but probably the Blue Jays most of all. I spent my whole life living way too far west for them, and they are gorgeous! (I may be more than a little biased towards corvids, to be fair.)

[Clip]

rkitt-Blue Jays love in the shell peanuts if you want them to come around regularly. They will let you know when they run out

Funny cute story- I used to feed Blue Jays regularly. And one day I was watching one out my window. This Blue Jay apparently full for the time being was hiding peanuts in various places around the yard. Then it took one and hid it between the legs of a stuffed lion dog toy that was in the yard. Then it got some leaves from near by and put the leaves over the peanut it had just hidden there. I couldn't help but laugh and then called my husband. I showed him later what the Blue Jay had done. I still get a kick out of it thinking about it.

[rkitt]

Clip, that's a great story! Jays are hilarious. I have a pair of Blue Jays I'm feeding at work, and another pair at my apartment. (It helps to make up for the lack of Western Scrub Jays around here-- I had a pair where I worked in Oregon who used to follow me around the grounds; they were excellent company.) And never fear- I always have a good supply of peanuts laid in, and I even keep them in the car because you never know when you'll run across a hungry corvid!