View Full Version : Mrs. Guido's new passion
guido
05-23-2004, 04:30 PM
Lately Mrs. Guido has been spending alot of her free time with a new hobby.......birds.
She's been putting out different types of houses and feed to attract different type of birds. It's been fun to watch her learn and have fun with it.
Here's her latest:
I've got about eight boxes out now ... trying to help bluebirds find a home ... pretty good success and it's been going on for ten years now. In the fall they all flock together ... beautiful bird.
http://www.seanfitzgerald.com/fennessey/smallbirds/images/bluebirds.jpg
Now this is a neat bird ... mockingbird. We have many around the place. State bird of Texas.
http://www.gladmusicco.com/images/mockingbird.jpg
Now this is a neat bird ... mockingbird. We have many around the place. State bird of Texas.
Mocking Birds, while beautiful to listen to (except when they get that wild hair up their asses at 2:00 a.m. until the break of dawn) are one of the nastiest birds around. They are predators of many smaller birds and I have seen them ravage other birds' nests by throwing out the young just for the hell of it.
Mocking Birds, while beautiful to listen to (except when they get that wild hair up their asses at 2:00 a.m. until the break of dawn) are one of the nastiest birds around. They are predators of many smaller birds and I have seen them ravage other birds' nests by throwing out the young just for the hell of it.
They are very territorial but out here the bluebirds have a nest box, which a mockingbird can't get into. Voracious insect eaters ... other breeds seem to be doing okay, the cardinals and such even with the mockingbird around.
guido
05-23-2004, 05:24 PM
Mrs. Guido is trying to attract orioles now. She's had pretty good success in attracting whichever ones she sets her mind to.
Now here's the world's most unlucky bird. The Starling. When it flies, it looks like a dove. Many a Starling has bit the dust to my trusty 12 ga.
http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/melissa.bateson/starling.jpg
Mrs. Guido is trying to attract orioles now. She's had pretty good success in attracting whichever ones she sets her mind to.
Tell her about the bluebird.... The English sparrow has just about run them extinct taking over their nesting spots ... putting out a bluebird box really helps.
Now here's the world's most unlucky bird. The Starling. When it flies, it looks like a dove. Many a Starling has bit the dust to my trusty 12 ga.
http://www.staff.ncl.ac.uk/melissa.bateson/starling.jpg
good .... I don't think it's a native bird.
guido
05-23-2004, 05:32 PM
Tell her about the bluebird.... The English sparrow has just about run them extinct taking over their nesting spots ... putting out a bluebird box really helps.
I'll tell her
The Chimney Swift: Reportedly chimney swifts mate in flight, and some swifts are believed even to sleep in flight, although this is difficult to imagine.
http://www.indiana.edu/~preserve/nature/birds/photos/chimney%20swift.jpg
The Cliff Swallow
Swallow's Nest Soup with Rock Sugar
Also known as Bird's Nest Soup, this sweet dessert soup is made from the nests of the swiftlet, a type of swallow.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 ounces bird's nests (approximately 6 whole nests)
7 tablespoons crushed rock sugar, or to taste
4 cups water
Directions:
Prepare the bird's nest: soak it in cold water for several hours or overnight. Rinse well. Go over the nests and pick out any loose feathers. Bring a pot of water to boil and simmer the bird's nests for about 5 minutes. Again, rinse well and squeeze dry. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups at this point. If not, adjust the amount of water and rock sugar accordingly).
Place the bird's nests in the pot and add the water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the bird's nests are quite soft. Add the rock sugar, stirring to dissolve. Serve the soup hot.
Note: You'll want to save this for a special occasion. Authentic bird's nests are quite expensive, not surprising given that the nests come from the hardened vomit of the swiftlet swallow. It could be a good choice for a romantic evening, as bird's nest is rumored to be an aphrodisiac.
The Chimney Swift: Reportedly chimney swifts mate in flight, and some swifts are believed even to sleep in flight, although this is difficult to imagine.
http://www.indiana.edu/~preserve/nature/birds/photos/chimney%20swift.jpg
So I guess the Chimney Swift is the original "mile high club" member.
Mrs. Guido is trying to attract orioles now. She's had pretty good success in attracting whichever ones she sets her mind to.
The city of Baltimore has had succes in attracting orioles.
So I guess the Chimney Swift is the original "mile high club" member.
They're quite interesting...as are the swallows. They migrate from Africa to the United States, ergo The Swallows Returning to San Juan Capistrano...big event around here...or used to be. I think they fly non-stop for 15 to 18,000 miles. I've heard stories of people seeing them flying at night to the back ground of the moon.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 06:45 PM
My mother has been concerned because the hummingbirds seem scarce this year. She always feeds them and always has plenty around, but they haven't been coming to her feeder this year. It's a puzzle.
guido
05-23-2004, 07:09 PM
My mother has been concerned because the hummingbirds seem scarce this year. She always feeds them and always has plenty around, but they haven't been coming to her feeder this year. It's a puzzle.
Chris..(Mrs. Guido) says that seems to be a common trend around the country so far this year. Alot of her bird watching discussion group people are saying the same thing.
guido
05-23-2004, 07:11 PM
The city of Baltimore has had succes in attracting orioles.
Yeah, but the Baltimore Orioles haven't had much success in attracting people this year. ;)
Chris..(Mrs. Guido) says that seems to be a common trend around the country so far this year. Alot of her bird watching discussion group people are saying the same thing.
Tons of the little buzzers around here. I saw about 30 the other day.
guido
05-23-2004, 07:18 PM
Tons of the little buzzers around here. I saw about 30 the other day.
Scratch the west coast off the watch list then. ;)
Scratch the west coast off the watch list then. ;)
Is it even Hummer season yet? They're usually out by mid June, early July in droves.
http://www.ruffledfeathersaviary.com/images/hummingbird.jpg
Is it even Hummer season yet? They're usually out by mid June, early July in droves.
I saw three or four a week ago.
I-RIGHT-I
05-23-2004, 07:28 PM
I've got about eight boxes out now ... trying to help bluebirds find a home ... pretty good success and it's been going on for ten years now. In the fall they all flock together ... beautiful bird.
http://www.seanfitzgerald.com/fennessey/smallbirds/images/bluebirds.jpg
I had to move to the Piney Woods before I ever saw a bluebird. You're right they do flock. All they do is play all day long. I've never seen anything like it.
My favorite used to be a Double-Breasted Red-Headed Mattress Thrasher when I was younger.
I-RIGHT-I
05-23-2004, 07:38 PM
My favorite used to be a Double-Breasted Red-Headed Mattress Thrasher when I was younger.
Yeah we know. Now it's the Suthbird.
I-RIGHT-I
05-23-2004, 07:48 PM
Oh shit! ;D
I know. ;D...and Bad thinks he's bad...heheheh
I know. ;D...and Bad thinks he's bad...heheheh
I do not. I'm a gentle puppy.
I-RIGHT-I
05-23-2004, 07:56 PM
My mother has been concerned because the hummingbirds seem scarce this year. She always feeds them and always has plenty around, but they haven't been coming to her feeder this year. It's a puzzle.
We have plenty down here, can't seem to get rid of them.
The Small Breasted Texas Hummer.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 07:56 PM
Chris..(Mrs. Guido) says that seems to be a common trend around the country so far this year. Alot of her bird watching discussion group people are saying the same thing.
How strange. Wonder what happened... :-\
Persephone
05-23-2004, 07:57 PM
Is it even Hummer season yet? They're usually out by mid June, early July in droves.
They are usually in this area by now.
My favorite bird. A Moluccan Cockatoo.
http://www.arcatapet.net/image/molucc01.jpg
Persephone
05-23-2004, 08:20 PM
My favorite bird. A Moluccan Cockatoo.
Beautiful. Have you ever kept a bird as a pet?
Beautiful. Have you ever kept a bird as a pet?
Yep. Just about all kinds. I used to raise tumbler and roller pigeons, I've had a cockatoo, an African Grey, tons of quail, doves, parrots (I prefer the S. Americans), of course budgies, cockatiels and keets, a variety of indigenous wild birds, guinea fowl...ducks, chickens...probably a bunch I've forgotten.
I get along well with birds. We bond some how. They seem to trust me for some unknown reason.
Addendum: Finch of every kind, shape and color, button quail, silver dollar doves...the works.
Yep. Just about all kinds. I used to raise tumbler and roller pigeons, I've had a cockatoo, an African Grey, tons of quail, doves, parrots (I prefer the S. Americans), of course budgies, cockatiels and keets, a variety of indigenous wild birds, guinea fowl...ducks, chickens...probably a bunch I've forgotten.
I get along well with birds. We bond some how. They seem to trust me for some unknown reason.
How weird ... so do I. Had pigeons and quail now it's just chickens. I'm thinking of putting in a small pond and get some ducks.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 08:30 PM
Yep. Just about all kinds. I used to raise tumbler and roller pigeons, I've had a cockatoo, an African Grey, tons of quail, doves, parrots (I prefer the S. Americans), of course budgies, cockatiels and keets, a variety of indigenous wild birds, guinea fowl...ducks, chickens...probably a bunch I've forgotten.
I get along well with birds. We bond some how. They seem to trust me for some unknown reason.
I've never had a bird...unless you count chickens and ducks when I was a kid. They're beautiful. I'd love to have an exotic bird like a cockatoo, but I have no idea how to care for them. Plus...I don't know if that would go over very well in a house of cats.
How weird ... so do I. Had pigeons and quail now it's just chickens. I'm thinking of putting in a small pond and get some ducks.
Bantam roosters crack me up with their 'tude. Especially when they're kicking your ass...the little fuckers. ;D
Bantam roosters crack me up with their 'tude. Especially when they're kicking your ass...the little fuckers. ;D
I've got two running around now ... about the size of a large rat and both of them think they're killers. ;D
I've never had a bird...unless you count chickens and ducks when I was a kid. They're beautiful. I'd love to have an exotic bird like a cockatoo, but I have no idea how to care for them. Plus...I don't know if that would go over very well in a house of cats.
Cockatoos can be dangerous. Their beaks are strong enough to lop off a finger so you have to make sure they're hand raised. They've very expensive...about $1200 at the low end.
I've never gotten into the Macaws except for one Military Macaw.http://www.texasriviera.com/paradise/images/mango1.JPG
They hang on the side of their cages and defecate outwards into the room. Messy birds, but very smart.
Cats would be scared shitless of a Cockatoo.
I want an otter. Of course they are not birds but I thought I'd "share".
Well .... that's special. ;D
What kind of otter? Not one of those ocean kind?
Persephone
05-23-2004, 08:41 PM
Cockatoos can be dangerous. Their beaks are strong enough to lop off a finger so you have to make sure they're hand raised. They've very expensive...about $1200 at the low end.
I've never gotten into the Macaws except for one Military Macaw.http://www.texasriviera.com/paradise/images/mango1.JPG
They hang on the side of their cages and defecate outwards into the room. Messy birds, but very smart.
Cats would be scared shitless of a Cockatoo.
Maybe I'll just go visit a Cockatoo at the zoo every once in a while. $1200 is way over my head for something I'd probably just kill anyway.
Guido does have me thinking about putting up a feeder and some bird houses, though. I enjoy watching the birds that come up outside.
I want an otter. Of course they are not birds but I thought I'd "share".
My brother in law had an otter. Cute as hell until they go vicious...and they always go vicious.
Get a ferret instead.
http://www.jimspetworld.com/ferret.jpg
wellkeptsecrets
05-23-2004, 08:42 PM
Addendum: Finch of every kind, shape and color, button quail, silver dollar doves...the works.
What was the name of that Sun Conure you used to have? The one that loved you so much. :)
What was the name of that Sun Conure you used to have? The one that loved you so much. :)
Oh, yes. The Sun Conure. http://www.petstation.com/sun-conure-jabber.jpg Forgot about her. I sold her to someone who had 20 hours a day to devote to her...which they require.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 08:47 PM
Oh, yes. The Sun Conure. http://www.petstation.com/sun-conure-jabber.jpg Forgot about her. I sold her to someone who had 20 hours a day to devote to her...which they require.
God, that's a gorgeous bird.
My brother in law had an otter. Cute as hell until they go vicious...and they always go vicious.
Get a ferret instead.
Ferret? I know one of those little bastards ran up the pant leg of a friend of mine. Mind you he didn't bite anything when he wound up in the crouch area but those little claws and moving around caused my friend to knock over all the lamps in his living room and broke the TV screen plus ripped off a new pair of pants before he got it out of his pants.
No way would I have a ferret.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 08:52 PM
If I could, I'd have tons of animals...horses, llamas, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, goats...just about everything.
Ferret? I know one of those little bastards ran up the pant leg of a friend of mine. Mind you he didn't bite anything when he wound up in the crouch area but those little claws and moving around caused my friend to knock over all the lamps in his living room and broke the TV screen plus ripped off a new pair of pants before he got it out of his pants.
No way would I have a ferret.
They are FANTASTIC pets. Curious as all hell. Sleep 18 to 20 hours a day and are nothing but little loves...except when they bite the dog shit out of you, but you have to teach them not to do that.
Skunks also make excellent pets (descented, of course).
wellkeptsecrets
05-23-2004, 08:52 PM
Ferret? I know one of those little bastards ran up the pant leg of a friend of mine. Mind you he didn't bite anything when he wound up in the crouch area but those little claws and moving around caused my friend to knock over all the lamps in his living room and broke the TV screen plus ripped off a new pair of pants before he got it out of his pants.
No way would I have a ferret.
Even though they are de-scented they still smell. We had some friends that had two of them. These were supposedly house broken but they would take a dump in her potted plants and my wasn't that a lovely smell in the house. They are long skinny rats. Nope... I wouldn't have one either.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 08:56 PM
My nephew begged for some hamptsers recently, so my brother got him several. Turns out they make excellent cat snacks. They didn't last very long, the poor little things.
A baby Umbrella Cockatoo...so ugly, it's cute. ;D
http://www.parrotville.com/images/Umbrella%20Cockatoo.jpg
Persephone
05-23-2004, 09:01 PM
A baby Umbrella Cockatoo...so ugly, it's cute. ;D
It's half nekkid. :D
My nephew begged for some hamptsers recently, so my brother got him several. Turns out they make excellent cat snacks. They didn't last very long, the poor little things.
I bought my nephews some hamsters once and this is true ... when they got up in the morning, mind you these were young boys, the female hamster had killed the male hamster and had eaten it's entire head down to the skeleton skull ... everything was gone from the neck up.
Persephone
05-23-2004, 09:03 PM
I bought my nephews some hamsters once and this is true ... when they got up in the morning, mind you these were young boys, the female hamster had killed the male hamster and had eaten it's entire head down to the skeleton skull ... everything was gone from the neck up.
Damn!!!
I bought my nephews some hamsters once and this is true ... when they got up in the morning, mind you these were young boys, the female hamster had killed the male hamster and had eaten it's entire head down to the skeleton skull ... everything was gone from the neck up.
Yep, they're awful. I got the kids a "male" hamster once and it turned out it was pregnant. Had a litter and promptly devoured everyone of the babies.
The kids lost interest in it after that.
wellkeptsecrets
05-23-2004, 09:12 PM
Yep, they're awful. I got the kids a "male" hamster once and it turned out it was pregnant. Had a litter and promptly devoured everyone of the babies.
The kids lost interest in it after that.
My mother used to raise hamsters for the local pet shop. Also white mice as feeders for snakes. They often eat the babies. Not very smart critters. I don't like any kind of rodents for pets. Their eyes creep me out. :o
For Wendy...a Bulldog puppy. ;D
http://www.dogwan.com/puppy/french/P10122991.JPG
My mother used to raise hamsters for the local pet shop. Also white mice as feeders for snakes. They often eat the babies. Not very smart critters. I don't like any kind of rodents for pets. Their eyes creep me out. :o
I was mowing one day and uncovered a nest of field mice with six little hairless eyes shut baby mice. I watched it for a while and when the mother came back she bit each baby in the head and killed them all and than ran off. It was amazing ... I guess once discovered that's what they do.
wendy
05-23-2004, 09:33 PM
For Wendy...a Bulldog puppy.
A little baby french bulldog. ;D
They're too cute. :)
ponygurl
05-24-2004, 04:50 AM
Mrs. Guido is trying to attract orioles now. She's had pretty good success in attracting whichever ones she sets her mind to.
It is very uncommon in Ontario Canada to see Orioles close to houses.. they really stick the the fields and trees, since they can find all the seed and nectar they need here, then scoot South out of the godforsaken weather for the winter.
I did have a pair that would come to my feeder and to the Lilac bush.. and I would spot them in the tippy top of my Maple tree.. far above where the dog was tied.
Then one day I found the male on the road beside the lilac bush. Rats.. never saw the female again.
ponygurl
05-24-2004, 04:59 AM
I want an otter. Of course they are not birds but I thought I'd "share".
Ditch otters are pretty boring animals.. you only see a head , and then they dive in and hide in the bank when they hear you coming. You would need to have them in a pond a distance away and watch them play with binoculars for the first while until they got accustomed to you.
I used to hate it when the dog went otter hunting.. damn dog would come back soaking wet and all muddy about the head fromdigging in the embankment..the moron.. and was almost never successful in her hunt..(otters can swim much better under water than a lab)
Anyhow.. good luck in your quest.
guido
05-24-2004, 05:36 AM
Smartest bird I've ever seen
African Grey
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:lidetZC7McQJ:www.cinquini.com/pets/images/koko.gif
Persephone
05-24-2004, 05:48 AM
My sister-in-law raised peacocks. Those are great birds to have. They're beautiful, and they stay outside. When I get my country place, I'd like to try keeping peacocks.
ponygurl
05-24-2004, 05:54 AM
I hate roosters.. Those little christers will attack your bare legs avery chance they get. I nearly killed one smacking it with plastic drain pipe once trying to teach it something, and I couldn't.
My sister-in-law raised peacocks. Those are great birds to have. They're beautiful, and they stay outside. When I get my country place, I'd like to try keeping peacocks.
Ever noticed what a peacock's "song" sounds like?
"Hellllllllllllllllllp. Hellllllllllllllp."
Persephone
05-24-2004, 07:20 AM
Ever noticed what a peacock's "song" sounds like?
"Hellllllllllllllllllp. Hellllllllllllllp."
Heh. She got started with peacocks when a pair just wandered up and decided to stay. They must have belonged to someone, but I don't think she ever found out.
Then she started raising them. She built a pen and had a little house and an incubator for the eggs and everything. The first eggs got eaten by turtles...that's why she built them a house for nesting.
BrandonL
05-24-2004, 12:25 PM
Now this is a neat bird ... mockingbird. We have many around the place. State bird of Texas.
http://www.gladmusicco.com/images/mockingbird.jpg
Texas have to steal Florida's state bird?
http://dhr.dos.state.fl.us/symbols/bird.html
Persephone
05-24-2004, 12:28 PM
The mockingbird is also the state bird of Mississippi.
Persephone
05-24-2004, 12:29 PM
The mockingbird is also the state bird of Mississippi.
Looks like it's the state bird of Arkansas and Tennessee as well.
http://www.audubon.org/statebirds/
The mockingbird is also the state bird of Mississippi.
Neat huh? ;D
guido
05-24-2004, 09:07 PM
It is very uncommon in Ontario Canada to see Orioles close to houses.. they really stick the the fields and trees, since they can find all the seed and nectar they need here, then scoot South out of the godforsaken weather for the winter.
I did have a pair that would come to my feeder and to the Lilac bush.. and I would spot them in the tippy top of my Maple tree.. far above where the dog was tied.
Then one day I found the male on the road beside the lilac bush. Rats.. never saw the female again.
My wife's best friend lives about 30 min. west of our house. She has about 30 orioles fighting over the feeders in her yard. Canadian orioles must be shy. ;)
ponygurl
05-25-2004, 03:15 AM
My wife's best friend lives about 30 min. west of our house. She has about 30 orioles fighting over the feeders in her yard. Canadian orioles must be shy. ;)
No. It's cause they are Canadian. They are all lined up giving blood and organs 'cause the gov't told them too. Damn Canadian birds have no options and cannot think for themselves. ;D ;D ;D
Unca Walt
05-25-2004, 05:15 AM
We have wild peafowl inna woods around here.
I can hear them in the afternoons, with that "heeeeeeeellllllp" cry, but we can never get them to come to our place.
Unca Walt
ponygurl
05-25-2004, 05:29 AM
We have wild peafowl inna woods around here.
I can hear them in the afternoons, with that "heeeeeeeellllllp" cry, but we can never get them to come to our place.
Unca Walt
Imagine what they'd say if they flew into your wildlife murdering domain. ;D ;D
(Sorry.. couldn't resist). :P :-*
vBulletin® v3.7.1, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.