They're small birds but they call loudly to each other throughout the day and even into the night while nesting.
They literally are "flycatchers". They flit away from a branch and snag a bug in mid-air regularly. During nesting season, they don't just swallow the bug. They take it to their chicks when they think that I'm not looking. This parent has a fly in his beak.
They don't seem to ever hunt flies perched on flowers, which is surprising to me. They specialize in bugs that are flying. This bug would be fair game while flying from one flower to another.
We are nearing the end of their nesting season, and I am so grateful to have had another season of watching these incredible birds build a nest, lay eggs, feed their young, and finally lead their young away from the nest.
they are wonderful little guests... we enjoy our swallows who try to help us against the flies... even when the recycled flies make a big mess ;o)
ReplyDeleteI always wondered...when a mated pair of birds nest, do they both sleep in the nest at night?
ReplyDeleteI'm astonished by your close-up photos. Amazing. What sweet little birds!
ReplyDeleteThey are such cute little birdies!
ReplyDeleteLove their floofiness!
ReplyDeleteOh, my stars! Your Flycatcher shots are just beautiful! We don't have the Cordillerans here - they are lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteKZK
Those birdies are good catchers. We have black and white ones here
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Oh my gosh, they are so adorable! We have Phoebes, also in the flycatcher family that nest around and have similar behaviors. We've also had chipping sparrows and robins nesting (our new pole barn has been a popular place for nests this year). It is so much fun to watch them all, especially when the noisy fledglings start moving out of the nests.
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
What a cute little birdie, so bright and cheery!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures. We feel the same way with our "regular" nesters and enjoy watching them feed their young too.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are so lucky to have gotten to see them. Your photos are beautiful! I have been seeing flycatchers hunt here too. They are not as yellow as yours. I love the shape of their heads and their hunting antics.
ReplyDeleteThey sure are cute little ones!
ReplyDeleteFlycatchers, eh? We could use a couple around the boat. But I don't think I've ever seen them here in the East.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful little birds...and catch flies...BONUS!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots! Watching nature is a pawfect way to spend time!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
OMD, they are sooooooo cute!!!!! We gots some here, butts they aren't as colorful. they are black and brown and white. They try and nest in all of Ma's planters, and have already killed two plants, and Ma wasn't too happy abouts that, butts what ya gonna do?? They are just too cute to be mad at! BOL (just like me, btw...☺)
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
What a treat to have your own family. We have a pair of wrens that build a nest in a box attached to our house. But every year they decide not to use it. I suspect the flying squirrels concern them. So glad you have the flycatchers to watch. It never grows old.
ReplyDeleteA real life miracle, that they live together, lay eggs, and then the babies hatch. Beauty close-ups.
ReplyDelete