Birds from different places always seem so special. While for the American readers the following are probably quite ordinary, to me they’re wondrous exotic birds. Thank you, Anne, for these submissions.
American Robin
©Anne
Hooded Oriole (not Oreo!) ©Anne
The Robin is incredibly common, at least where I live in Tennessee. We have flocks in the winter and we have several males in my neighborhood trying to pair up. Their song is simple but pleasant on the ear. Orioles are exotic birds to me having only seen one once. I’m not sure but perhaps I’m outside their breeding range.
Exotic to me too Giliell!
tenine
The idea of robins flocking is so strange to the European mind, our robins are fiercely territorial defending their patches with loud sing-offs.
Robins are common where I live as well (Massachusetts, USA). They are one of the most common and visible birds. One reason they are so visible is that they spend a lot of time on the ground in the open, looking for worms, grubs, insects, etc. We also have Baltimore Orioles (the bird, not the baseball team) in our area, but they are much more shy as well as being less common. I’m lucky if I see one once a year. A former neighbor of mine saw them more often because she discovered that they like pieces of fruit or fruity jam or jelly, so she added that to her bird feeder and one would occasionally come out of the trees and down to the bird feeder where she could see it.
Actually American robins are not closely related to the species of the same name in Europe. The American robin is a thrush and somewhat migratory. They are not exceptionally territorial though the one I hear signing now must regard my apartment complex as his territory. Birds that are highly territorial in North America would include Cardinals and Mockingbirds, both common suburban species. In addition to competing amongst themselves Mockingbirds tend to chase Robins; it seems to be a case of two species occupying a similar niche. That is both tend to spend time hopping around lawns and picking up bugs and such. I believe that Mockingbirds are less lawn bound and occupy a broader niche.
Emily says thank you!
She also said I can share her new blog post https://emilyd47.blogspot.com/2019/04/seaside-brunch-for-two.html
Two seagulls sharing a nice brunch on the beach.
It is kind of funny what we find exotic. I think that east coast of North America birds are unusual, and birds from other continents are a real treat.
The robin appears to be singing its little heart out. But special thanks for the oriole. Apparently they’re in Europe as well but quite rare.