Soaking up the spring sun.

A raven landed in the backyard. Both bipeds and quadrupeds were amazed! Huge bird! Far taller than pup. Beautiful creature. Still amazed by the size close up - I've only ever seen them from a distance.

The House finch (Haemorhous mexicanu) is a North American bird in the finch family. It is native to #Mexico and #southwestern #UnitedStates,... #Birds #BackyardBirds #finch #birding #birdphotography #birdwatching
(https://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Birds-Coloring-Book-Kids/dp/B0CWV74LMG)

I regularly fill this pebble filled water bowl, and was wondering whether the birds use it. This morning I saw these goldfinches. Question answered, the top-ups will continue. #birds #backyardbirds #goldfinch #finches #wildlife

#Birds #BackyardBirds #Aves #Iowa

A female (or immature) House Finch in the redbud tree. The redbud is still on hold with cool days and temperatures below freezing the last few nights. Last night: 26° F / -3° C.

April 7 and the White-crowned Sparrows are still around, singing their cheerful song.

Blue jay on the way.

#birds #BackyardBirds #PurpleMartin #Iowa #homemade

Ready! The purple martin scout birds have already come north, so it was important to get the gourd houses in place ASAP.

Link is for an interactive map showing where scout birds have been spotted.

https://www.purplemartin.org/research/8/scout-arrival-study/

8 Easy Ways to Attract Hummingbirds To Your Yard
▸ https://lttr.ai/AdFQM

#hummingbird #BackyardBirds #Iowa

The hummingbirds are flying north (link is for Hummingbird Central interactive map). They ones farthest north are within 100 miles of my location.

I picked up these mini hummingbird feeders at the dollar store. (Note: These are for mini hummingbirds only. If your hummingbirds are robin or pigeon sized, you’ll need to buy a different product.)
https://www.google.com/mymaps/viewer?mid=1jCtnm5CrxzEdwqFAd8UEm_X1nFQJzuI&hl=en_US

#Birds #BackyardBIrds #Aves #Iowa #Bloomscrolling

The Redbud Tree has been stalled out for a few days with the cold, cloudy weather. The unopened buds add just a hint of color around this red-bellied woodpecker.

House Finch?

We had four or five of these foraging in the backyard around dinner time. When I cracked the back door and peeked out, they scattered - most of them up on the back fence.

This one glanced back for a moment or two and then took off.

I think they were House Finches.