Doves on the Roof - Critter 108

 Dove is one of birds comes back to our yards during breeding seasons almost every year. We believe they nest on that time.

Fig 01 - Three doves

Some said doves are a symbol of family and having them is a blessing. It means there is peace in your yard.

Observation summary of doves:

- when the mother left the nest, the father would take his turn keeping eggs warm.

- Once hatched they (other and father) also took turns feeding them.

- The babies are tiny but grow quickly. The young would try to explore and fall out of the nest before being able to fly.

- It was funny watching their parents trying to contain them.

Fig 02 - A white dove

We have also seen adult birds teach their young how to swoop in and pick up food which was interesting. The baby repeatedly failed, and the parent patiently showed it over and over until the baby got it right.

Fig 03 - At least one juvenile.

Have doves come to your yards?

# Previous postings:

- The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34 | Tanza

- The Cactus Fruit Sold in the Market – Sign 37 | Tanza

- Can Mosquitoes be Exterminated on the Earth? - Part 1

- The Portable Stump for Hunting Blind – Sign 38 | Tanza

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 2 - Food Variety 28

The Small Dragonflies - Critter 107

We saw hundreds of small dragonflies at backyard last summer. The Scientific name is Pachydiplax longipennis with common name Blue Dasher.  

Fig 01 - Dragonfly at yard

In our area, summer was characterized by heat wave and drought. The conditions might relate to absent some insects.

We saw less than usual or even didn't see the following insects:

- Lovebugs

- Bush crickets (Katydids)

- The big golden silk orb weavers

- Honey bees

- and craneflies

Fig 02 - A blue dasher

In the small fish, we came across a very strange looking creature. Upon looking it up, we found it was the young undeveloped dragonfly.

Fig 03 - A little dragonfly

Hopefully things will get back to normal soon because birds and many other organisms depend on insects as their main food sources.

Fig 04 - Painting of dragonfly

Did you notice there are abundant of dragonflies in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

- Could Scientists Develop Unhackable Computers? - Part 2 |

- Wild White Flowers in the Spring - Gardening and Hobby 30 |

- Bees Love Nectar of Yellow Jessamine – Critter 33 | Tanza

The Great Egret to Visit our Lawn - Critter 106

We may spot this bird, the Great Egret in our areas year-round. Every season is the perfect time. 

Figure 01 - Lonely visitor, Great Egret 

We believe the scientific name for Great Egret is Ardea alba. Interestingly, It has many common names, few of them are:

- Otis, very local name

- great white egret

- big egret

- common egret

- white heron

- and etc.

Figure 02 - Just meme

Have you seen the great egret around you?

# Previous postings:

- The Typical French Garden Style in Louisiana – Sign 34 | Tanza

- What is Negative Interest Rate Mean? - Part 1 | Tanza

- Rare to See Spicebush Swallowtails in the Yard – Critter 32 |

- Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 1 – Food Variety 30 | Tanza

- Homeless and Drug Addictions – Sign 35 | Tanza Erlambang

Mockingbird as One of Morning Visitors - Critter 105

Mockingbirds rarely visit our backyard, and when they do, it's always in the early morning as of recently.

Fig 01 - A mockingbird in the morning.

The bird might be attracted to "the suet cakes" which content animal fat. The fat is loved by many wild birds.  

Mockingbird has pecked or eaten this suet cake in such a way with almost no remaining in the feeder. 

We bought the box of suet cakes from Amazon with specification

- Brand: Wildlife Sciences

- A box contains 10 packs

- Price $ 19.99

Fig 02 - A box of Suet Cakes

In addition to Mockingbirds, it seems to be a good one for woodpeckers. Interestingly, there are some brands in the market. I should try some of them in the near future.

Fig 03 - Eating suet cake

Do you have specific food for wild birds

# Previous postings:

- Could Scientists Develop Un-hackable Computers? - Part 1 |

- A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29 | Tanza Erlambang

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 2 - Food Variety 27

- What does Dogtopia Mean? - Sign 32 | Tanza Erlambang

- The Differences between Pink and Regular Salts - Part 1 - Food Variety 28

The House Sparrow is a Kind of Gangster - Critter 104

We posted invasive species of House Sparrow that could kill and even takes over nest of native birds.

Fig 01 - A Bluebird was killed by House Sparrow.

You may see previous post: 

- The Invasive Bird, a House Sparrow - Critter 103 | 

The House Sparrow may bully flock birds, and very aggressive towards our native songbirds, and will kill them.

If House Sparrow catch them in a birdhouse, the aggressive Sparrow will poke their eyes out, or both.

Then he throws the bird’s eggs out of the box or even murder their babies with his strong beaks.

Fig 02 - Flock of birds

He will have several nests going with different females at the same time. then multiply prolifically.

Fig 03 - A bluebird

That the House Sparrow way of life. What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Have you Tasted Tamarind Fruit or Juice? - Part 1 - Food Variety 27 |

- We Spotted Coyote in Our Neighborhood – Critter 28 |

- How Could Scientists Cure AIDS Patients? - Part 1 – Virus 40 |

- The 24 Hour Emergency Service - Sign 29 | Tanza Erlambang

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 2 – Critter 27 |

The Invasive Bird, a House Sparrow - Critter 103

After second look, we recognize a bird sitting on the fence is a House Sparrow. The bird is well known as invasive species in our areas.

Fig 01 - A House Sparrow, a visitor

Invasive species means that House Sparrows may compete and even kill native species in our areas. 

Several species could be killed by House Sparrows are:

- Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis)

- Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)

- Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)

- Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

- Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)

Fig 02 - A corner of city

In our urban area, we may see aggressiveness of House Sparrow to kill birds in their nest, then take over the nest.

Fig 03 - A house Sparrow

Do you see a House Sparrow in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- A Flower Called Cat’s Ear Dandelion – Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 26

- A Domestic Bunny as a Pet at Home – Critter 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Storing Firearms Securely to Prevent Suicide – Sign 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do you Want to Have Forever Puppies? - Part 1 – Critter 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Freeloader Showing up Daily - Critter 102

The temperatures more than F 95* (C 35*) in our areas in recent days. We thought it is the good time to attract birds.

Fig - Green lizard comes to drink

Some birds species our yard during Summer are:

- Bluebirds

- Caroline wrens

- House finches

- Woodpeckers

- Hummingbirds and etc.

,.

However, we saw a little green lizard crawl on feeder. We think the izard needs after eating those insects; ants and bugs that always find their way up there.

Fig 02 - Green lizard, illustration

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

- Public Education from the Rose Society – Sign 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 2 - Critter 20 | Tanza Erlambang

- Hibiscus Blooming in December - Gardening and Hobby 27 | Tanza Erlambang

- Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza Erlambang

The Conure Mochi Perching on the Fence - Critter 101

Conure as you might know lives in South America, especially in the tropical countries such as Suriname, Guyana and Paraguay. 

Fig 01 - A beautiful bird. 

We just saw this bird in our areas recently, but we believe it is a pet, not a wild one. No report of this bird as a wildlife critter. 

Bird variety is "a Conure Mochi," it is because the colorful of bird. Other common names are: 

- a green cheek conure

- a Pineapple Green-cheeked Conure.

- a Sun Conure

- and Maroon-Bellied Conure

Fig 02 - Back part of the bird

Have you seen this kind of bird in your areas or pet shops?

# Previous postings:

- Pollinators which Love Coleus Plants – Critter 22 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do you Know Cardio Kickboxing? - Sign 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fresh Mangoes in the US Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza

- Is America still Nation Producing Cotton? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Bald Eagle Flying over our Areas - Critter 100

As you might know that Bald eagles were included as endangered species list for around 4 decades. 

Fig - A bald eagle flying

Due to conservation efforts by relevant institutions, include education and community, then number of bald eagles has increased significantly.

Number of nesting pairs is only 417 at 48 states in 1967, after 40 years, the number has jumped to 11,040 nesting pairs. 

These magnificent birds are removed from endangered species list in 2007. In fact, we can have this sort of delightful sighting right over our areas.

We believe their nest not far from our neighborhood, close to Mississippi river that why we may see them flying over sometimes.

Have you seen bald eagle flying over your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Halloween Wreath Business in Neighborhood – Sign 22 | Tanza

- Have You Tasted Pistachio Muffins? - Part 2 – Food Variety 22

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 1 - Critter 20 |

- The Fiber Art in Our Community – Sign 23 | Tanza Erlambang

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 2 – Heart 11 |

Caroline Wren was Using the Flower Petal to Scoop Poop - Critter 99

We saw wrens, either House Wren or Caroline Wren come and nesting at our yards almost every year. 

Image - Caroline Wren to Scoop Poop.

Some posting about Wrens are following:

- The Wren's Eggs and Two Babies - Critter 84 | Tanza Erlambang

- Caroline Wren Babies in the Mailbox - Critter 75 | Tanza

We had a nest next to our front window, and one day we observed interesting of baby birds' behaviors:

- turn their backside to the nest opening.

- then pooped there (smart bird!).

Mama bird doing the parent work that is "changing diapers." She is removing poop or the fecal sac to keep the nest clean.

As we understand the bird was using the flower petal to scoop poop. Amazing.

Have you ever observed this kind of behavior?

# Previous postings:

- Have You Tasted Pistachio Muffins? - Part 1 – Food Variety 22 |

- Snails as One of Popular Seafood – Sign 21 | Tanza Erlambang

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 1 – Heart 11 |

- From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly – Critter 18 | Tanza

The Red Bellied Woodpecker - Critter 98

We believe; we have not seen any Red Bellied Woodpeckers at our yards for long time. Purely by chance, we saw one recently. 

Image - Red Bellied Woodpecker

Luckily, we could take one "good" photo, before the bird flying away. Actually, this bird should be "common" in our areas.

They may appear on the feeders. We don't know why they disappeared a while from our backyard.

The Red Bellied Woodpecker used to stop on our very old fig tree and then make a hole for a full life.

Actually, a half dead fig tree, and the other half has leaves. We are waiting to see if it produces figs.

Finally, do you have experience with the Red Bellied Woodpecker?

# Previous postings:

- Drinking Problem in the USA – Sign 18 | Tanza Erlambang

- Blooming of Freesia Flowers – Part 1 - Gardening and Hoby 25

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 20

- A Fox on the Box of Neighborhood – Critter 15 | Tanza

- Waking up after Sleeping for 24,000 years – Part 1 | Tanza

The Three Babies of the Bird - Critter 97

We posted about eggs of a bird: A Bird Has Made a Nest and been Laying Eggs - Critter 96 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01 - The 3 babies of bird

Now, 3 of 5 eggs are hatching. Unfortunately, one egg was moved out nest by mama birds, another was rotten. We don't know why.

Some of you guess the bird species Here are the guessed:

- A House Finch

- A House Sparrow

- A Wren 

- A mourning Dove 

- and a Robin   

Fig 02 - Five eggs

Based on a below picture (Fig 03), even though the photo is not clear enough, we believe the species is "a Robin."

Fig 03 - Mama Birds nearby eggs

What do you think about bird species?

# Previous postings:

- Small Business at Nearby Neighborhood – Part 2 | Tanza

- The Attractive Flower to Butterflies and Bees | Tanza

- Less Books in the Box – Sign 17 | Tanza Erlambang

- Pug was a Breeding Dog for Royal Families – Critter 13 | Tanza

- Peanuts in the Farmer Market – Part 1 – Food Variety 20

A Bird Has Made a Nest and been Laying Eggs - Critter 96

At first, we saw 3 eggs of a bird in the nest on the wreath, we didn't know the species of the bird is, could be few possibilities. 

Fig 01 - 3 eggs of a bird.

At least, because we often see them around this area, there are 3 possibilities of bird species which laying eggs on our wreath:

- A Robin

- A Caroline Wren

- A Mourning Dove

Hopefully, the sad day will not repeat when las Spring, we had eggs in our door wreath and a cat got to them before they could hatch! However, it's best not to interfere. Let nature takes its course.

Fig 02 - She adds more eggs.

We will observe these eggs until their hatching or at least 14 days, incubation period for many birds in our neighborhood.

Fig 03 - Update eggs, total 5 eggs

Do you have any guesses about the bird species?

# Previous postings:

- Raccoon Hiding under the Hood of the Car – Critter 10 | Tanza

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market | Tanza Erlambang

- World Faces with Refugee Crisis – Sign 15 | Tanza Erlambang

- Market of Ornamental Fish for Pond – Critter 11 | Tanza Erlambang

- Cutting the Tree Before Hurricane Coming – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang

A Limpkin from Florida - Critter 95

We are not familiar, even we never seen this critter around our areas until recently. Highly possibility the bird is Limpkin. 

Fig 01 - A Limpkin, wandering

The main distribution of Limpkins is Florida and Georgia. The storms might bring them to our state, Louisiana.

The birds are observed in other several states such as:

- Texas

- Wisconsin

- and Maryland.

In addition to storms, the birds come to our areas (neighborhood) due to their source of food: Apple Snails.

Fig 02 - The Park at our areas, illustration

Snails include Apple snails quite popular seafood in our state, you may read about this snail at previous posts:

- Snails as One of Popular Seafood – Sign 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 03 - The bird, Limpkin

Do you recognize Limpkin in nature?

# Previous postings:

- Finnish Nightmare in the Eyes of Far Eastern Countries - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Ornamental Fish for Pond in the Garden – Critter 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Slow Cat Crossing in Neighborhood – Sign 13 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Are Rattan End Products Expensive than Plastic? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Database in Everyday Aspects of Life - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update