Our friends have come back

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-06-2009, 10:08 AM

The first year we owned this house (spring 2007) a barn swallow built a nest and laid a clutch on our porch. My first instinct was to run them off because they poop- a lot! But the lovely ladies of TE told me I had just found free insect control, so the birds (and lizards and frogs) have stayed. The front yard has been relatively mosquito-free. The birds abandoned the nest but we left it intact (more out of laziness). This morning I heard chirping, it was driving me crazy because I really thought a bird was somehow in our attic! But nope, she is back and she has a bunch of babies too. I don't remember her being there last spring but maybe she was? I am happy to see my old buddies but now it means I better start spraying off the poop.

**sundial** · 03-06-2009, 10:28 AM

That's neat! You know you'll have to post pictures of your mommy bird and babies. Have you named her yet?

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-06-2009, 11:59 AM

I got picture of the male sitting in our tree, he has gorgeous red breast but the Mommy got angry that I was there and flew to my neighbor's roof to keep and eye on me. I don't think I will be able to get the babies without angering Mommy and I don't want to do that! Once I figure out how to get pictures off my new camera I will share the snap I got of the guy and keep stalking the girl. I don't know what to name her.

**alpinerabbit** · 03-06-2009, 01:37 PM

I used to share a lab with an avid ornithologist (bird watcher); he would bring celebratory cake for the whole group every spring when "his" swallows had returned!

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-06-2009, 01:49 PM

I can't say I am that excited but I did make sure to put water in the bird bath.

**Trekhawk** · 03-06-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by alpinerabbit

I used to share a lab with an avid ornithologist (bird watcher); he would bring celebratory cake for the whole group every spring when "his" swallows had returned!

What a nice thing to celebrate. Thanks for sharing your story it made me smile.

I love birds but I suck at cooking so I don't think this will ever be me. I love the fact that someone is getting so much joy from nature that they celebrate it.

**Trekhawk** · 03-06-2009, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

Once I figure out how to get pictures off my new camera I will share the snap I got of the guy and keep stalking the girl. I don't know what to name her.

Would love to see the snap too Aggie.

**salsabike** · 03-06-2009, 04:39 PM

That is so wonderful. I am a total bird lover.

**latelatebloomer** · 03-06-2009, 05:31 PM

It's always a happy day when "Mr. & Mrs. Chatterjee*" return from their summer place to raise a new family in our barn. Swallows in flight just make my heart SING.

(an Indian surname, but it always reminded me of swallow language)

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-10-2009, 09:09 PM

Here is the boy, the girl isn't cooperating but did tweet hello today after I ran. Hmmm... He doesn't look fully red in person, just his head and chest. I haven't seen him since Friday to try to get a better snap.

**sundial** · 03-11-2009, 05:59 AM

Neat! What kind of tree is that?

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-11-2009, 06:27 AM

It is an oak, I would have to ask DH the exact type. The builder planted it and I think we have live oaks? They had to use live or red and I think red oaks lose the leaves but this one doesn't. It is also only 6.5' tall but our neighbors are jealous this is the only one of our three houses with acorns. We have a total of 6 trees (2 at each house) and only this one has acorns.

**7rider** · 03-11-2009, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

Here is the boy, the girl isn't cooperating but did tweet hello today after I ran. Hmmm... He doesn't look fully red in person, just his head and chest. I haven't seen him since Friday to try to get a better snap.

What kind of bird is that? It's not a barn swallow. It looks like a purple (or house) finch.

**Aggie_Ama** · 03-11-2009, 07:04 AM

I actually don't know what he is, same thing as the all brown girl who has taken roost on my porch? They build a mostly mud style nest but I haven't been able to get a very good photo? My dad said it was a swallow but none of us are birders. DH has a degree in fisheries, he isn't helping much on these guys!

This is the only picture I have been able to get of the nest and the girl (you can't really see her).

**mudmucker** · 03-11-2009, 07:20 AM

I've just seen this thread. I've been birding for years and I agree with 7rider it is not a barn swallow. A barn swallow will have a more orange color on the breast/throat and darker blue above - and certainly not any plumage streaking as seen in the photo. Swallows will have a more pronounced forked tail than most birds, so look for that.

I believe you have a house finch, which are quite ubiquitous and wide ranging. I have many purple finches at my feeder and they are more raspberry color with much less brown streaking than what I see in the photo. Also I believe that Texas not within the purple finch's breeding range however they may winter there.

Regardless, enjoy the new family.

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