[llaran]

I have seen several rust colored birds recently and would like to know what they are.

The color is red/brown with a light breast, it hops and seems to be getting insects from the grass, it is about the size of a cardinal but a little thinner.

got any ideas?

[Campbell soup]

Good possibility that it is either a Wood Thrush or a Field Sparrow

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_Thrush

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Sparrow

Hope this helps......

[kaydee]

Just a guess from your description a Brown Thrasher. Does it seem to throw various items to the wayside? Have Thrashers in our backyard and always makes a mess of the mulch.

[tankdvr1950]

i don't think this is too far off topic...but do many people have bird feeders in their yards and if so...what type of birds to they attract and whats the best food to draw them in

[swrinfla]

with kaydee

I suspect this is a Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum who's been active in my neighborhood recently.

tank: I see lots of folks with feeders. How successful they are I have no idea. My observations: particularly in the newer areas of TV, the absence of trees in which to hide detracts from the lure of feeders. I had several feeders "up north," but gave them up down here, although I miss the close interaction with the birds!

SWR

[MSNPA]

I miss all the birds I use to have in my backyard in PA. Here, I do have a bird feeder. I only get doves and sometimes blackbirds. I am hoping once the area matures we wil see more types of birds. I have seen cardinals and bluejays north of 466.

[Kellygirl]

This morning I found the Cardinal that was nesting on 3 eggs in my Jasmine vine on my front step courtsey of my cat. Does anyone know if I can save the eggs? They have not hatched yet....I feel terrible!

[Russ_Boston]

Your best bet (not likely to be successful though) is to take the complete brush with the eggs and move to a protected area very near the steps. You should wear some sort of plastic gloves so your scent won't permeate the 'nest'.

Obviously you'll need to protect the nest from the cat and other animals so getting it up a little would help. I've had to do this quite often with mixed results.

Other ideas?

[Kellygirl]

Sorry I was not clear. My cat killed the Cardnial and brought it to my front door (as a gift?!!). The nest is in the jasmine vine on the side of the lanai. The cat broke through the bottom screen somehow and got the cardnial. Will the "father" cardnial sit on the eggs if he notices the "mom" is gone? Have I lost my mind?!!

[swrinfla]

Kellygirl:

With sorrow, I'm betting there's several fewer cardinals in your neighborhood. I'm a cat person, so am doubly sad, because now you have to 1) repair the screen, and, 2) block the lower portion of the screen so Cat cannot ever again get out!

Shame on Cat's instincts!



SWR

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by llaran

I have seen several rust colored birds recently and would like to know what they are.

The color is red/brown with a light breast, it hops and seems to be getting insects from the grass, it is about the size of a cardinal but a little thinner.

got any ideas?

I betcha it's a Southern Steel Sparling--> they turn a rust color during the rainy season!

I too think it is a Brown Thrasher. I've seen a couple of them around here this week.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by tankdvr1950

i don't think this is too far off topic...but do many people have bird feeders in their yards and if so...what type of birds to they attract and whats the best food to draw them in

My neighbor has a bird feeder, and it attracts doves, blue jays, crows, and squirrels. My other neighbor said she saw r*ts. I haven't seen any r*ts, but I keep my lanai door closed. If you have r*ts or m*ce, you have a good chance of having sn*kes, don't you? The bird-feeding neighbors have left for the summer, so maybe the unwanted visitors will leave too?