We had unexpected visitors tonight!
By Yuki
@yukimori (10144)
United States
March 21, 2018 8:30pm CST
A few years ago, someone at the apartment complex we lived at threw away a bird feeder. I rescued it, but in the craziness of moving last year it was buried in a corner of the garage and forgotten about until I dug it out while decluttering last week.
I cleaned it up and hung it from the bushes on the side of the house, and it's been pretty busy since then. We have a lot of sparrows coming around, and I think I saw a few finches this morning. There's a pair of mourning doves that have been happily cleaning up the seeds that have fallen on the ground under the feeder, too.
I went out to see if I could get some pictures of the birds this afternoon. I wasn't having much luck--the kids wanted to watch, but my youngest is only four and hasn't mastered the art of being quiet yet--but there was one brave little mourning dove that didn't seem to mind the noise.
After about fifteen minutes, just as we were getting ready to go in, I caught a glimpse of a gray-and-brown blur speeding towards the bush. Yep, we have some Gambel's quail coming to take advantage of the feeder! And if that wasn't enough of a treat, I spotted a cactus wren and a pair of collared doves hanging around before we went inside. 
9 people like this
10 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (16534)
• China
22 Mar 18
I have not seen Gambel's quails before ,they are sweet little birds.It admire you for being able to name so many sprecies of birds.
3 people like this
@yukimori (10144)
• United States
22 Mar 18
It's been a hobby of mine since I was little, but there are still a lot of birds I can't identify by sight and have to look up online later.
The quail are so much fun to watch. We saw two males last night, and I hope that means that there will be some females around, too. Their babies look like a line of tiny fluff balls running after the parents when they're old enough. 3 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16534)
• China
23 Mar 18
@yukimori Interesting ! Quails have their own life and happy family too.Sounds like where you live is rich in bird life.
2 people like this
@yukimori (10144)
• United States
23 Mar 18
@changjiangzhibin89 Surprisingly, it is! I didn't realize quite how many species are nearby until I put up that feeder. 
2 people like this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
22 Mar 18
LOL i've never seen quail come to a feeder before 
2 people like this
@yukimori (10144)
• United States
22 Mar 18
I never have, either, but they must have liked the seeds that were scattered on the ground. The silly critters have gone through the entire bag of bird seed already, so I'll have to stop and buy more this afternoon. Might get a quail block for them, too... see if I can convince them to bring their babies around in a few months. They're the cutest little fluff balls.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
23 Mar 18
I can well imagine your excitement. I am a bird watcher too and love watching them frolic in our bird bath
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45651)
• Philippines
22 Mar 18
what a pretty bird! i'm glad you put up the feeder. does it ever get supernoisy sometimes?
2 people like this
And I love his little topknot. You'll have hours of pleasure watching the birds come and go.@yukimori (10144)
• United States
22 Mar 18
Thanks! Aren't the topknots great? The only downside to hanging the feeder where I did is that it's on the side of the house and none of our windows face that way... I'm thinking about setting up a camera to see who's coming without disturbing them by going out there.
2 people like this
@oahuwriter (26780)
• United States
23 Mar 18
Hello fellow bird watchers! What a beautiful little quail...posed for you too. Just like my little feral rooster Prince did as I was walking to the bus stop did. They are just the little show stopper in nature's world giving us a little pose to capture forever. It's fun to see them when they appear. 
@yukimori (10144)
• United States
23 Mar 18
Prince is a really handsome fellow!
We'd have chickens if we could, but even if our landlord would allow it the city we currently live in doesn't allow them. It's too bad... they're fun to watch, and my oldest is completely obsessed with caring for them now thanks to her school's small flock.
1 person likes this
