BIMBY - Kentucky

Birds in my Backyard
("BIMBY" for short!)

Currently "nesting" in Frankfort, Kentucky!

Updated February 8, 2012 11:13am EST

Here is the list (alphabetized by common name)
of the 28 bird species that I have seen
in my Frankfort, Kentucky, backyard,
since I moved here in 2006.

Click here to enjoy my fine, feathered-friends
from my old, Fairfax, Virginia, home!

(click the above image to read more
about this unidentified bird, winter 2009)
[UPDATE: May 22, 2011: After some research,
I believe this may be a female boat-tailed grackle,
but it's the first and only one I've ever seen,
so I'm not putting it in the list, yet!]

(unknown bird, winter 2009)

Food Rules!

I make it a rule never to put the feeder out until after Thanksgiving
and the temperature falls below 55F at noon for at least one week
(this year, the feeder was open for business on November 27, 2010).

This is to prevent the birds from becoming dependent on the feeder,
and, thereby, not fulfilling their natural niche by gobbling up bugs and stuff,
not to mention that they might forget to fly to warmer climes,
if they think there's an abundance of food, here!

I remove the feeder
after the outside temperature has broken 65 degrees
for at least one week, usually in May.

This year, I've had problems with deer nibbling on the ground
near the feeder, as well as on the feeder, itself.
Twice, they have knocked it off its perch, breaking it,
so I was forced to remove it after 7pm,
when it's dark and the birds have returned to their nests,
then put it out some time the following morning
(the birds don't seem to mind when!).

And let's all be civil at the table, shall we?

(reopened on Feb 8 after a 20 degree drop in temp and light snowfall)

Birds in my Backyard

(listed alphabetically by common name)

(images in the left column are compressed; right-click on an image to save/view its full image to your computer)

Click here to view a description of the symbols/icons used below (pop-up).

American Goldfinch (2008(6) / 2011(4) / 2012(7))

Click here to see additional photos!

Blue Jay (2006(2) / 2011(1) / 2012(1))

Brown-headed Cowbird (2009(4) / 2009(4) / 2011(1))
I was very surprised to see a lone male
eating directly from the feeder.
This is the only bird of which
I make a point to chase away from the feeder.
Unlike the other birds, which fly away upon hearing me,
the cowbird will hold its ground
until I am barely two feet from it.

Carolina Chickadee (2009(2) / 2011(6) / 2012(4))

Carolina Wren (2006(2) / 2010(1) / 2011(1))

Chipping Sparrow (2009(1) / 2009(1) / 2010(1))

Crow (2006(#) / 2009(#) / 2010(#))

Downy Woodpecker (2009(1) / 2009(1) / 2011(3))

For the photo on the left,
I'm not sure whether that's a strip of bark or a worm in its mouth.

This is the first year I've seen downys at the feeder!

European Starling (2006(#) / 2010(#) / 2011(#))

House Finch (2009(1) / 2010(1) / 2012(2))

House Sparrow (2006(#) / 2011(#) / 2012(1))

House Wren (2009(2) / 2010(1) / 2011(2))

Click here to see additional photos!

Killdeer (2006(8) / 2008(4) / 2011(1))

Mourning Dove (2008(6) / 2011(4) / 2012(1))

Mourning doves apparently do not like sunflower seeds!

Northern Flicker (2008(1) / 2008(1) / 2009(1))

Northern Mockingbird (2006(4) / 2009(2) / 2010(2))

Pileated Woodpecker (2009(2) / 2010(2) / 2011(1))

Photo at left shows it at my neighbor's suet feeder in 2009
(you can see the crumbs on its beak).
I saw one in December 2010 in the treetops!
It turns out there's a nest just a few feet away
from the location shown in the video!

Red-bellied Woodpecker (2008(4) / 2011(1) / 2012(1))

Click here for possible female red-bellied woodpecker

Red Cardinal (2006(6) / 2011(4) / 2012(2))

Click here to see other photos!

Robin (2006(#) / 2010(#) / 2011(#))

A swarm of about 30 robins appeared on December 18, 2010!
I have never seen so many during winter!
I guess Spring is coming sooner than expected!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (2008(4) / ---- / ----)

Perched on my neighbor's bird seed feeder,
having enjoyed a few sips at the hummingbird feeder!
My neighbors moved in 2009, so, no more hummingbirds.

Slate-colored Junco (2009(4) / 2010(4) / 2011(4))

Song Sparrow (2010(4) / 2011(6) / 2012(2))

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (2009(1) / ---- / ----)

(I am not sure of the species)

Click here to see additional pictures!

Titmouse (2009(6) / 2011(4) / 2012(2))

I noticed that it chose a peanut half over sunflower seeds and crackers.

Turkey Vulture (2006(#) / 2010(#) / 2011(#))

(I am not sure of the species)

White-breasted Nuthatch (2011(1) / ---- / 2012(1))

(pictures are right-side up!)

White-throated Sparrow (2011(1) / ---- / ----)

LINKS!

Cornell University has a marvelous website
featuring searchable descriptions, images, and sounds
of many North American birds!

Here's what Cornell's staff had to say about BIMBY:

"We enjoyed your site -- the 'X' through the tube feeders
was an especially nice (if not humorous) touch!"

You may have heard of 'flocks' and 'broods',
but you may be surprised at the group names
given to our bird friends!

Check it out:
Palomar, CA, Audubon Society - - Collective Bird Names

If you like birds,
you'll LOVE this website!

Click the animated image to 'Air Mail'
your comments, suggestions, and/or criticisms to me!

The above animation was created by the webmaster (see below),
and may be used freely as long as there is a link to this website
on the same web page where it is used.

DISCLAIMERS

The descriptions on this webpage
are the non-scientific observations
of an occasional, amateur birder.

The images (some stills and all movies) used on this webpage
are either mine or were obtained through various sources
that are copyright and royalty-free, and in the public domain
(exceptions are indicated by an asterisk (*) next to the bird's image).

Number of bird-brains who have visited this site
since its "hatching" on May 16, 2001: