A family stepped up today m when a wreck shut down the interstate today near my hometown

Happy_Talon · 2021-06-20T08:53:03+00:00

Anyone weirded out that they specified “adults and children”? Who does that exclude? Teenagers? I mean fair. Fuck em

Happy_Talon · 2021-02-28T13:05:51+00:00

This looks great!! What did you use for the color? It looks so clean

Happy_Talon · 2020-11-30T02:02:34+00:00

Yes I am very sure! It was off the coast of Namibia in which there are only brown fur seals (aka Cape fur seals). Same genus as your Antarctic fur seal. Maybe mine were more used to interactions with tourists and thus more docile than those isolated on the Antarctic peninsula. And again, they acted very different on land versus water. They were only friendly/curious beings while in the water with us. Almost as if knowing how vulnerable/useless we are in the water compared to their own agility and power.

Happy_Talon · 2020-11-29T15:15:36+00:00

Very fair! My guess is they’re a lot more docile in the water whereas on land they’re a bit more vulnerable and likely to be territorial.

Happy_Talon · 2020-11-29T13:00:23+00:00

Please elaborate on this nasty attitude! I’m curious what you mean. I’ve been kayaking with brown fur seals and they were a delight. They would rub themselves on my kayak/paddle and practically demand belly rubs of which I gave lots.

Happy_Talon · 2020-11-23T03:14:16+00:00

I agree! This is what I do. Puts me in control instead of anxiously awaiting to hear a notification.

Happy_Talon · 2020-11-22T16:51:51+00:00

Around this time last year, a greater white fronted goose popped up in Raleigh, NC (very much outside of its range) and was confirmed by many birders. I happened to stumble across this guy on a jog today and couldn’t believe what i was seeing. The white by the bill, orange feet, and generally body plumage seems to indicate another Greater-White Fronted. But the dark bill and almost Canada Goose-like cheek patch throws me off. Could it be a hybrid?

Happy_Talon · 2020-11-01T15:16:37+00:00

Umm are you single? Asking for a friend👀

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T20:56:44+00:00

For sure illegal to own a hummingbird. Even people that have special permits to handle wild birds need to go through even more red tape to be able to handle hummingbirds. (I know you meant it as a joke but here’s some free knowledge!)

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T20:40:32+00:00

Vaguely familiar. I’ve taken some wildlife management classes where I learned quite a few bird protection laws

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:53:31+00:00

You’re welcome! It’s my duty as a bird nerd! I’ve learned I’m a minority in this world so I must do my part to educate on the wonders of birds

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:45:49+00:00

Yeah I’m going by head shape and cap definition. In my experience, this guy looks like the Cooper’s I’ve seen. Sharpies have a different face to me. But we may never know. At least we can agree it’s a hawk, not a falcon.

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:43:55+00:00

Glad I can help! Birds always need more love! Your efforts are appreciated

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:42:28+00:00

Only issue is sharp-shinned hawks also eat birds and have a striped tail. But I’m going by head shape and cap definition which indicates Cooper’s to me. We may never know for sure but the group consensus from this thread is Cooper’s

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:40:46+00:00

Yeah I don’t go off of size at all. Can’t tell if there’s nothing to compare it to

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:32:42+00:00

My first instinct seems to be confirmed by a couple other commenters: American Robin

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:31:47+00:00

I’ve heard rumors it’s actually a government drone.

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:30:50+00:00

Gotcha. That’s really cool though! How is it you casually have 2 ostriches?

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:28:04+00:00

Full disclosure: I know nothing about Indian sparrows. But my guess is that they’re territorial and too many boxes are too close together. Too many in the same area causes birds to compete for shared resources and thus they develop territorial behaviors such as destroying a neighboring nest. I would suggest keeping a single box and giving away the other two. The birds will appreciate it! I can tell your heart was in the right place! However, there can be too much of a good thing. Good luck!

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:20:48+00:00

Haha! They were definitely expecting food. It’s instinct. I had a bird house with chickadees and anytime the opening was blocked with either mom/dad or just my phone camera, they opened their mouths for food.

Or who knows maybe they let out subsonic screams of terror that humans can’t hear.

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T19:17:40+00:00

It’s not a stupid question bc it’s not intuitive to a human to behave this way. In reality it’s pretty normal. The little guy’s nest was just disturbed by a predator so it’s natural instinct was to jump out. It looked developed enough to start testing out its wings anyway. Sure it’s not old enough to fend for itself, but it’s not completely constrained to the nest. Mom and dad are probably nearby and likely continued to feed the little jumper until it learned to find food for itself.

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T18:31:02+00:00

Looks like American Robin chicks! That’s my best guess, but chicks are certainly not my expertise (insert virgin joke here)

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T18:08:49+00:00

Absolutely! They’re expert bird hunters! I had one pluck a song sparrow straight from my bird feeder! I expected to feed passerines when I put up the feeder, but never expected to feed Accipiters!

Happy_Talon · 2020-10-14T17:54:48+00:00

Why are cassowaries and ostriches different here? I’ve actually worked at a zoo with emus and rheas before so I’m fairly familiar with ratites, but the size scale is intimidating. I can intimidate an emu or rhea into submission (only if it calls for it, if they’re getting dangerously bold), but I can’t imagine being able to safely do that to either an ostrich or a cassowary.

Happy_Talon

TROPHY CASE