[bcbirdclub] Catbirds, Thrashers and Purple Martins
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 31 May 2012 21:07:55 -0400
A pair of Gray Catbirds started within the last week building a nest in our
Crepe Myrtle bush to the left of the yard pond. I watched them as they worked
diligently carrying nesting material. I noticed them on more than one occasion
carrying large dead leaves for their nest. That brought to mind other catbird
nests I had found when I was a youngster. Almost all of them contained some
dead leaves. I don't know the purpose for choosing dead leaves, but it seems to
work for them. Also nesting in the yard is a pair of Brown Thrashers. They and
the catbirds though genetically related just ignore each other, but it is a bit
strange when both males begin singing. Since both are mimids they can imitate a
lot of other birds and they do. The male thrasher can do several notes
perfectly of a Wood Thrush. It took me awhile to realize that it was the
thrasher doing it and not a Wood Thrush.
My Purple Martin numbers have gone up since one pair started nesting here two
years ago. Last year there was still just the one pair. This year the number
has grown to 3 pairs. Would you call only six birds a Purple Martin Colony? I
don't think any of these birds are the same ones that were here before. These
birds prefer the gourds and the pair here before preferred to nest in the
martin house. Also in the past the single adult male would buzz me and click
his bill if I ventured within 30 yards of the nesting site. The birds that are
here now remain calm even though I am only a few feet away. If I stand still
they ignore me completely. It makes me wonder what happened to the pair that
was here for the past two years. Did they not make it back from their long
migration to Brazil, or did they just decide to join a colony near here where
there were more martins?
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
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