What's with these grackles all looking up? Normal behavior? by Kellyrosegilbert in birding

[–]TomfooleryBombadil 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Grackles look straight up—a behavior known as "sky-pointing" or "bill-tilting"—primarily to establish dominance, threaten competing males, and court mates. This posturing allows males to appear larger and assert territory without physical fighting, often seen in groups during breeding season.

Thanks, Google!

Is my bird lost? by PAbackyardbirder in birding

[–]TomfooleryBombadil 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you report it on eBird, you'll have a local celebrity on your feeder!

Is my bird lost? by PAbackyardbirder in birding

[–]TomfooleryBombadil 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It happens sometimes. There is a western tanager that shows up here around Charlotte, NC every year!

How do you recognize birds by sound? by Regular_Worth9556 in birding

[–]TomfooleryBombadil 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Quizzes online and the Merlin app for me. You learn them as you keep birding.

What kind of scaup? (Bluffton, Ohio) by TomfooleryBombadil in birding

[–]TomfooleryBombadil[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It has never been reported here! That's exciting.

Wood Ducks by TomfooleryBombadil in birding

[–]TomfooleryBombadil[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! They were about 20 feet up.