So I'm out working on a woodworking project today and there is the bird that seems quite interested in what I'm doing. It flies in closer and watches me. When my wife stopped by it flew off and she didn't get to see it but I told her about it. We kidded around that perhaps it was asking me to build a birdhouse.....
Well a bit later it returned and this time I had my camera so I took a few pictures of it.
I would not mind building it a house but I have no idea what kind of house it would like. I was thinking of printing out some plans and then laying them out and let the bird pick one out, dropping style.
This is not a bird that I normally see here so perhaps it just passing by?
Ed
Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
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Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
Here is a link to the bird I think it is: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Boat ... Grackle/id I am guessing it is a female Boat-tailed Grackle.
One of the reasons I like this website is that I can listen to the bird's songs.
Great photos!
One of the reasons I like this website is that I can listen to the bird's songs.
Great photos!
- robinson46176
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 4182
- Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Central Indiana (Shelbyville)
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
That tail looks a lot like a mockingbird but I am used to seeing them with more shades of gray and white streaks. I image Googled female mockingbird and scrolling down I saw a number of them colored like yours??
It's good to let them pick their own plans because if you build one "by the book" the odds are pretty good that they have not read the book...

It's good to let them pick their own plans because if you build one "by the book" the odds are pretty good that they have not read the book...
--
farmer
Francis Robinson
I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
farmer
Francis Robinson
I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
As long as we are guessing - - I say a catbird - grey catbird at that.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Catbird/id
Very nice pictures, Ed!
Very nice pictures, Ed!
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
I just went and got out our bird book and after looking the pictures and ranges and size I and the wife decided on a gray catbird. Came back here to post the information but I was a little late, charlese had already posted that idea.charlese wrote:As long as we are guessing - - I say a catbird - grey catbird at that. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Catbird/id
Very nice pictures, Ed!
So unless any bird experts say other wise I'm going with the gray catbird.
Here it is with some lunch, some sort of winged bug.
Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
I am a long time bird watcher and your bird is a Gray Catbird, which is common in most of the U.S., except in the southwest states. The Catbird is a mimic bird, like the Northern Mockingbird. It has many different calls or songs.
Brian
Mark V-500 Purchased New In 1980, SS Bandsaw (free), SS Jointer, SS 6x48 Belt Sander (free), SS Storage Station (free), Powermatic 64A Table Saw, Powermatic 1140F Drill Press, Delta 46-460 Midi-Lathe, Delta Scrollsaw, Bosch 12" Dual Compound Miter Saw, MLCS Router Table w/Bosch Router, Penn State dust collector.
Mark V-500 Purchased New In 1980, SS Bandsaw (free), SS Jointer, SS 6x48 Belt Sander (free), SS Storage Station (free), Powermatic 64A Table Saw, Powermatic 1140F Drill Press, Delta 46-460 Midi-Lathe, Delta Scrollsaw, Bosch 12" Dual Compound Miter Saw, MLCS Router Table w/Bosch Router, Penn State dust collector.
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
Awesome photos and awesome photographer.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
- Ed in Tampa
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 5834
- Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:45 am
- Location: North Tampa Bay area Florida
Re: Today in the shop (asking for a birdhouse?)
Charles thanks for the heads up on the site it is great!!!! My wife sends a big THANK YOU!charlese wrote:As long as we are guessing - - I say a catbird - grey catbird at that. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Gray_Catbird/id
Very nice pictures, Ed!