What Have You Learned About Birds?

I'm not a birder, but I have "studied" waterfowl to some extent. I thought I was well informed about waterfowl until last year when I saw a large flock of Snow Geese leave the beach dunes and fly out to sea. Where are they going? Why are they headed out to sea? They're not sea birds. There's no islands out there. They just kept flying east until they were out of sight. I figured they must make a big arc and head back to shore somewhere else. Surely Snow Geese don't spend time out to sea. No, Snow Geese are land lovers who enjoy spending summers on the tundra and winters down south in farmer's fields. If someone would have told me that they loaf on the ocean, I would have been skeptical, especially when there's so much other open water around. Well, this year I actually witnessed it for myself, a large gaggle of Snow Geese roosting a few hundred yards off the beach. Below are the cropped and uncropped photos that shows them taking off. I watched them fly in and join a larger flock on the beach.

What have you learned about bird behavior since you started photographing them. Post up some pics if you have them.

Edit: Share your observations about specific behaviors and habits that you've seen in a particular species that you were previously unaware of. Not how it relates to photographing them. Of course, it could help capture a good moment. For example, before many waterfowl rise to do a wing flap, they quickly dip their neck forward a few quick times appearing to take drink. Or, before a drake mallard mounts the hen, they bob their necks up and down allowing water to run off their bill.

They are very camera shy!

Woodpeckers almost always are 348i7q3409832490 feet above the ground, in the tallest tree, with a tiny yet distracting twig between themselves and your lens.

Strangely enough they seem to be the same over here!

Our Green Woodpecker is known as the Yaffle as it describes the noise it makes as it flies out of your field of view!

In all seriousness though, I've learned a ton in the past year, namely on how to get closer to the smaller birds. I don't use a feeder, so am out in the woods, so it's infuriating at times. Blinds work well, but are a lot of work. The weather is my biggest hindrance, there's more crap light and windy days than I can count. Haven't had too many big bird opportunities yet, working on that now.

Shore birds are much easier to approach from the water side of the beach than the land side...I assume fewer predators come at them from the water.

When approaching birds, do not stare directly at them; look obliquely, out the corner of your eye

Low, slow movements will get you much closer than quick ones. I've made a TON of noise, but stayed low and approached much closer than if I'd walked up tall and quick

Chickadees will become fast friends for peanuts...seriously...​these guys LOVE cracked, unsalted peanuts (black oil sunflower seeds are a very close second)

Herons and Sparrows will both eat carrion; that one sort of surprised me

I've learned that birds don't hang around just to have their picture taken...they're there trying to survive and reproduce so I've changed my approach on how I photograph them by respecting their space and try not to interfere with their day to day survival.

These are all good observations, but I was trying to get people to share observations about specific behaviors and habits they've seen in a particular species that they were previously unaware of, not related to photographing them. Of course, it could help capture a good moment. For example, before many waterfowl rise to do a wing flap, they quickly dip their neck forward a few quick times appearing to take drink. Or, before a drake mallard mounts the hen, they bob their necks up and down allowing water to run off their bill.

As far as swallows go I go to a certain area that has a large grassy plain near the ocean. It used to be an old estate and you can only go there on weekends. Now swallows like insects and these are no different.
What I noticed was how much the birds followed people, these birds literally go within feet of people, but specifically they stayed in back, circling.
Why was a question I couldn't figure until I was on the ground one day and a few people walked fairly close by.
the people by walking in the grass were stirring up bugs, and the swallows were taking advantage of this. So there excellent fliers and pretty darn smart as well

Larry Johnson wrote in post #18259020
These are all good observations, but I was trying to get people to share observations about specific behaviors and habits they've seen in a particular species that they were previously unaware of, not related to photographing them.

It surprised me that instead of people sharing what they've learned about the birds themselves, they shared what they had learned about bird photography.

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I have learned that Pygmy Nuthatches excavate their own nest cavities:

I learned how smart birds are. One of my favorite spring rookeries is the St. Augustine Alligator farm. It was started years ago as what its name states: a place to raise alligators for the sale of alligator products: food, skins, etc. In addition, the plan was to have it open to the public so people could see alligators up close and personal.

It turned out that 5 or 6 species of birds found the place and started using it as a rookery. Why? Well, they discovered that alligators kept their nests/eggs safe from their natural enemies: you know...... animals that raid nests for eggs and young chicks. There were already trees around the place, so they had natural nesting places. Just outside the farm, there is lots of natural brush so they can easily find nesting materials. Food sources are also nearby.

Tom, That's incredible about the GBH and that you were able to photograph that behavior. Excellent.

Neat thread. I learned that in 40+ mph Chinook winds the local eagles are completely grounded out at the reservoir. These guys are as streamlined as they can be facing into the wind. Once when they tried to fly it was pitiful, they were flipped over in the air and tumbled around like an out-of-control kite. The local seagulls didn't seem to impeded, they were actively fishing at the other end of the reservoir.

Gold finches also eat aphids and pick them from tree leaves

Photo from Capn Jack's gallery.
Image hosted by forum (808104)

What I've learned about Bald Eagles since I started photographing them in 2008.

1. Bald Eagles mate for life but will get "divorced" if things don't work out for either of them.
2. The male Bald Eagle picks the territory and attracts a mate to his territory.
3. Bald Eagles don't always mate...they sometimes do it to bond with each other.
4. Nest building and nest reconstruction is a way for the pair to strengthen their bond with each other...it's a team effort.
5. Bald Eagles are opportunistic feeders and will eat anything they can get their talons on....fish, mammals, other birds and road kill are examples.
6. Bald Eagles are fast enough to catch a tree rat (aka Squirrel)....seen it first hand but no pictures.
7. The female Bald Eagle is the muscle in the family...she's the bigger one of the two and will drive off most intruders when able.
8. Bald Eagles are sexually active at 4 years old but usually wait until they're 5 to start a family. I followed a pair and the female was 4 years old when she laid egg(s) but that nest failed when the Osprey returned to reclaim their nest the eagles had used.
9. Most fledgling eagles disburse from their natal area and will return from time to time in my area of SE Virginia.
10. Although rare eagles will inbreed. The male eagle from the nest I followed for so many years paired up with one of his offspring from the 2009 nesting season and raised one chick. She was found dead after their chick had fledged after being struck by a vehicle.