Comments on Bill of the Birds: That Bonk on the Window

The ornithologists call it gonadal recrudescence. ...

2007-09-10T09:45:00.000-04:00

The ornithologists call it gonadal recrudescence. The gonads swell and start putting out testosterone to give the birds that "extra little push over the cliff"--to take them up to eleven, so they can migrate. But, like gin, it makes them mean.

Beautiful! I wish I had more migrants in my yard; ...

2007-09-07T10:09:00.000-04:00

Beautiful! I wish I had more migrants in my yard; I think it's too open (being surrounded on all sides by a marsh and the road). Trees, but not enough trees.

I have those window decals of large leaves that seem to do the trick of keeping the BONKs to a minumum.

And nice badonkadonk shot! Love your pop culture sensabilities!

I think the REVs chase birds in the fall because t...

2007-09-06T20:59:00.000-04:00

I think the REVs chase birds in the fall because they (the vireos) are full of raging hormones--sort of a late-season mini-breeding season rush. And it makes them krazy. So they chase after any other bird.

It also could be that it's just a lot of fun.

PS: I forgot to ask. Why, oh why did they ever c...

2007-09-06T19:45:00.000-04:00

PS: I forgot to ask. Why, oh why did they ever change the name of this bird? "Sycamore warbler" was so right, and certainly made it easier to remember the name - "What is that warbler in the sycamore tree? Oh, yeah - Sycamore Warbler." Now, you have to be so careful to pronouce, "That's a Yellow-throatED Warbler over there." Obviously loking at a Common Yellowthroat there is no way to mistake it for a Yellow-throatED, but saying it quickly to someone in the field gets tricky.

My second-least favorite name change. (Number one is the change from Rufous-sided to Eastern Towhee.)

~Kathi

Awesome photos of a fabulous (and lucky!) bird, Bi...

2007-09-06T19:40:00.000-04:00

Awesome photos of a fabulous (and lucky!) bird, Bill! Certainly not a "confusing fall warbler," that's for sure. Can you put it in your pocket and bring it along to Lakeside this weekend?

I was noticing the bird's bill in one photo (the one right after the panting shot, where it was closed) and thought how big and heavy it looked, not what I think of as a tiny, pointy warbler bill. Then, I remember a BWD article on warbler bill types ("pliers vs tweezers" was the analogy, I think) but I can't find it.

I get my fair share of "bonks" on my enclosed back porch (glass on 3 sides) but so far, they have all been DOA. I have some falcon silhouettes up, but that doesn't help much. I moved a bird feeder, which was in a bad location. That did help some, but I may have to invest in Feather Guards if I see problems this fall and winter.

Keep up the pretty pictures - no "gutpiles," please.

~Kathi

Ok--since I don't know birds, why would a red eyed...

2007-09-06T17:56:00.000-04:00

Ok--since I don't know birds, why would a red eyed vireo CHASE the warbler? Territory? Food? Just plain pissed?
Glad you two were there to set the warbler back on his feet.

I never heard the "bonk" when a baby Downy hit my ...

2007-09-06T15:55:00.000-04:00

I never heard the "bonk" when a baby Downy hit my house. :c( So glad this little one was OK and only dazed. Magnificent photos of a not too common visitor! Thanks for the link on the Feather Guards... may have to get some!

I hate those bonks, here we have huge plate glass ...

2007-09-06T14:40:00.000-04:00

I hate those bonks, here we have huge plate glass windows looking out over the fields and I really enjoy sitting in my great room watching the birds at my feeders. This year we had a kamikazi hummingbird who was determined to get in the house to feed off my flowering hanging baskets. I finally had to remove them from the window because this youngster would not give up and I was so worried about that dreaded bonk. He was just too pretty to chance it. Unlike Julie I have no idea how to resuscitate a hummingbird.
:0)

There's nothing worse than hearing that "bonk". I...

2007-09-06T14:17:00.000-04:00

There's nothing worse than hearing that "bonk". I always jump and search outdoors, taking care to keep the dogs inside, hoping for the best. Unfortunately, it's not always good.

I have noticed the birds being antsy lately - especially the hummingbirds.

Beautiful photos of a fortunate little bird!

Why DO the bird seem in such discord this time of ...

2007-09-06T10:28:00.000-04:00

Why DO the bird seem in such discord this time of year? The goldfinches, chickadees, nuthatches, and most other birds are chasing each other constantly. The hummingbirds seem especially agressive and twice this week, I've retrieved hummers who hit the house. Fortunately both survived and I had the great opportunity of holding them until they recovered and flew away.

Is there a rhyme or reason? Many of these birds will not migrate so it can't be simply a food fight. And they are obviously not nesting now. I just don't get it.