Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

White-Breasted Nuthatch Exhibits Napoleon Complex

by

The White-Breasted Nuthatch is little in size (about half the size of a Northern Cardinal), but he’s plenty big on attitude!  We call him Dracula around here because of his markings, but one could certainly say this is a Dracula with a Napoleon Complex.  He’s a feisty little guy.  When he is ready to eat, he does NOT appreciate sharing the feeders.  He works very hard at trying to make himself look like a BIG BAD DUDE while rocking from side-to-side.  When no one flees, he tries again.  I’m so sorry Mr. Nuthatch … I’ve never seen a single other bird even turn to look at your display, let alone flee from your viciousness.  Would you feel better if I told you that you have the cutest dance in town?  No … probably not.

As you will see in future posts:  the Nuthatch loves to eat upside-down, waddles as he moves up/down a tree, loves peanuts and black oil seed, and tucks his food away in trees for future consumption.

 

 

 

Northern Cardinal Showing Male Pattern Baldness

by

Male Northern Cardinal Displaying the Bird Variety of "Male Pattern Baldness"
Male Northern Cardinal Displaying the Bird Variety of “Male Pattern Baldness”

 

Whoa!  Do birds really suffer from Male Pattern Baldness?  (Pretty sure all the human males with hair challenges are feeling doggone handsome right now!)  Although this previously-attractive male Cardinal looks like a mini red Vulture at the moment, he can boast that his bald head is temporary.  He’s going through a “molt” — a process whereby a bird sheds its older feathers in preparation for new growth.  Soon he’ll be back with a beautiful new, red headdress — ready to show it off to all the Cardinal chicks.

[That hole in the side of his head is his ear.]