Birders

OAITW r.2.0

(32,231 posts) Tue May 19, 2020, 09:17 PM May 2020

Starting 6th week of isolation...and I have 2 questions to ponder, regarding birds. [View all]

(1) What attracts birds to birdfood? Smell? Food energy and brain-processing (lightwaves)? Other birds? Anyone have any ideas. Talking regular wild birdseed.....

(2) Sitting on my back porch tonight, I heard what I think was a game/ground bird creating attention/looking for a mate.

The sound lasts about 10 seconds. Starts off as a singular, very muffled low freq sound, then amps up to a very repetitive muffled sound. Like cranking up a lawn mower with an oversized muffler, before it dies out. Don't think it's a turkey, but thinking it might be grouse. Seen a couple on the property over the past few weeks....

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Starting 6th week of isolation...and I have 2 questions to ponder, regarding birds. [View all] OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 OP

I have often wondered, but I suspect it's visual. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #1

I think so, too....it's visual. But the food must give off a different heat signature? OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #2

Good question. I had some feed out in some bird seed out last year, and they ... SWBTATTReg May 2020 #3

I hear it and it sounds like someone trying to start a very tired motor. bum....bum.....bum OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #4

Here's a closeup of a grouse with good sound. KY_EnviroGuy May 2020 #9

That's exactly it! Thanks for posting! OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #10

Other birds sarge43 May 2020 #5

Cardinals are the most skittish.....I have a pair coming in for brief forays. OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #6

Our pair of Cardinals are. sarge43 May 2020 #15

Squirrels... N_E_1 for Tennis May 2020 #7

Have a chipmunk and a small red squirrel that visit. OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #8

Raccoon, probably. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #11

Or a porcupine.....had one in the yard this past week. 3 sightings. OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #12

Interesting article on bird vision. KY_EnviroGuy May 2020 #13

I believe this! OAITW r.2.0 May 2020 #14