Feathers and Fuzz

one woman's cure for the empty-nester blues

House Finch

House Finch: Not the Brightest Bulb on the Tree

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I don’t mean to speak disparagingly about any of God’s creations … but … the House Finch does strike me as a bit of a dimwit.  I often see the House Finches following the Bluebirds around.  When the Bluebirds head to the birdbath, the House Finches line up around the rim — watching the bathing process.  I’ve seen the Finches appear when the Bluebird parents are trying to coax their nestlings to take that maiden flight.  This generally results in an interruption to the fledging process as Daddy Bluebird must chases the Finches to the next county.  And, finally, Finches often accompany Bluebirds to the mealworm feeder.  They make it their business to check out what the Bluebirds are eating, but never partaking. I wonder what it is about Finches and their fascination with Bluebirds.  Kinda makes one want to say:  Get a life!

Dimwit House Finch Caught on Tape

In the video, a Finch (with no apparent life of her own) followed a Bluebird to the mealworm feeders.   The seemingly-impossible happened.  I learned that Finches are even less-bright than I had previously thought.

 

Don’t you just hate it when your nest disappears?

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Finch Pair Bring Nesting Material

The House Finch pair started bringing nesting material to the nest platform they used in 2018.  They had a good start to their nest when it suddenly disappeared.  When the pair returned to add material to their nest, their confusion was obvious.  WHO took the nest?!  They started over.  Two hours later, the nesting material disappeared again.  The culprit was the wind blowing the nest away.

Out came that 16' extension ladder, a piece of lumber, drill and screws.  In short order, the platform had a side wall and the Finches delighted in their nest's success (as did the human).