The mourning doves just sat and stared at me when I went out to feed the birds today

[conuly]

Well, until they suddenly spooked and fluttered away, flapping their wings right in my face. I've always liked mourning doves, but they're very clumsy and slow birds.

We've also been visited again by our mockingbird, who has spent some time jumping down to the tray feeder and then reconsidering and perching back at the top of the tree. The cardinals finally figured out the tray feeder, so maybe the mockingbird will as well.

Last time Jenn didn't get a chance to see it before it flew off and commented that she doesn't even know what mockingbirds look like, so here is the Audubon page on them. I tried to find a video of a mockingbird in flight but I couldn't find one I liked very much. The best one was clearly taken from far away and so you could still barely see what you were looking at. Edit: the videos in the photo gallery here will have to do.

Comments

[jhetley]

One thing we've found that attracts mockingbirds is a peanut-butter pine cone. Simple to make, if you have opened cones available -- just slather it with cheap peanut butter and hang it from a tree limb or feeder crook. They'll hover like hummingbirds to peck at it.

[movingfinger]

Oh gosh we used to make those. Roll in seeds! Chickadees liked them. Chickadees are flexitarians.

[jhetley]

The chickadees would land right on the cone to feed. And then land on a twig to clean their feet afterward, and glare at me as if I was at fault.

[conuly]

I wonder if this mockingbird even knows yet that peanut butter = food.

[movingfinger]

I can't remember whether you're putting a few mealworms in your mix, but most birds appreciate a few of those.

The mockingbird may just be feeling exposed. I hope you get a good look at it!

[conuly]

Fair, I don't think I saw mockingbirds in our yard before this year. In our tree out front, sure, but not in the back.

They're no more at risk from cats back there from anywhere else on the block, I don't think, but I'd be careful too.

Yay!

[ysabetwordsmith]

Yeah, mourning doves have a habit of exploding like that to startle predators. Mine do it a lot.

You could crosspost stuff like this over on birdfeeding.