Sunday morning we went to the National Aviary on the Northside of Pittsburgh. .
“Spotted Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is a medium-sized duck native to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, known for its whistling calls and pale spots on its neck and flanks. It is primarily nocturnal, feeding on plants and seeds in wetlands, and often roosts in trees during the day. This species is gregarious and can be found in flocks, nesting in tree holes. “ Wikipedia
No wonder I enjoy knitting on the front porch in the early morning. The temps are cooler now. I don’t keep a feeder so I don’t see all the birds but this morning there were quite a few new species that were heard by the free Merlin App out of Cornell Lab of Ornithology
These are screen shots of the birds heard in recording their songs. Usually there are crows and mourning doves but not this morning. The blue jays are the loudest.
When you travel, change locations it’s fun to record the different birds and compare lists. this is what I do in my retirement.
Early Wednesday morning I was headed out to Cardio class at the Senior Center.
The robins didn’t mind my getting in my car. I photographed them through the windshield.
I had just photographed the deer resting on the way back yard. Wondering if her baby was hiding in the weeds. Where she’d placed him or her.
A regular wildlife refuge. They feel safe here.
And then the Canada Geese flew over
Bird songs May 17, 2025 at the Soccer Field
Four new birds today on the Merlin App
The fourth one was the Osprey.
And then thought better of it and reversed direction?.
This morning I was walking with Seniors at Allegheny Cemetery
In addition to the turkey sighting we heard a lot of birds today.
I start the Merlin App and put it in my pocket to record all the birds in the cemetery.
We walked the 2.5 miles and heard the following birds-
American Robin
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
Song Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Downy Woodpecker
Brown-headed Cowbird
American Goldfinch
Red-winged Blackbird
American Crow
Northern Flicker
Chimney Swift
Mourning Dove
European Starling
All about Mourning Doves
Such a recognizable sound. This pair was on the neighbors’ roof list this morning. Unfortunately the snow flurries blowing don’t show up in this photo. They mate for life and are monogamous.
A visit from a mourning dove is thought to be “ ….positive sign, symbolizing peace, hope, and a message of love and comfort”
And intelligent.
If you want to learn facts about them here’s a link to PBS with a short video, A Murder of Crows.
The collective noun for a group of crows is a murder.
“research demonstrated in A Murder of Crows proves crows are actually very social and caring creatures, and also among the smartest animals on the planet.”
The top and bottom photos are easy. There’s one in each photo.
Taken with the phone. They are fast but such a delight to see as I sat on my front porch this morning.
Goldfinches are messengers of good luck. They bring abundance, joy, and optimism
I like that thinking.
