Baby Male Northern Flicker

Canada Goose

Spotted Towhee

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Osprey

American Goldfinch

Black-headed Grosbeak (male)

 
These last three pictures are through the screen door; the color of the first two pictures is more accurate.

Feathers

Steller's Jay breast feathers

Fantasy feathers - Photoshop version of jay feathers

Fantasy feathers - Photoshop version of jay feathers

Crow feather with trailing left by slugs

Fantasy feather - Photoshop version of the above crow feather

Pine Siskin

Very sweet, social finches, often seen with American Goldfinches or House Finches.  During prolific years, they are easily attracted with finch seed and black-oil sunflower seed. 

Steller's Jay

Golden-Crowned Sparrow

A chunky sparrow with a brilliant golden crown.  They scratch and forage in the flower beds and will occasionally  take seed, especially during nesting season to supplement their wild diet.  The male has a surprisingly delicate song for his size.

Band-Tailed Pigeon

Lovely, sweet birds in shades of gray. They are quite shy, funny to watch their exaggerated steps and bright yellow feet, and their sweet faces always look like they are "smiling."

Pairs stick close together and will often cuddle on a branch, quietly cooing to each other.

Steller's Jay

Steller's Jays are year-around residents here in the Puget Sound.  They are inquisitive, comical and very vocal.  If you're late putting out seed, you can be sure these gregarious birds will voice their disapproval!  They always watch us from nearby trees when we are dining outside or working in the garden.

They are especially fond of whole peanuts in the shell and will take their time picking out the peanut that seem the biggest and heaviest, by shaking each peanut before choosing just the right one.  We've even had them bring a peanut back several minutes later to exchange for another.  We - and our neighbors - find peanuts buried and stuffed all over the yard and in our flower pots.  The squirrels will take advantage of the jays' hard work and watch them to see where they bury their nuts.

In addition to crows, there are no better "watch dogs" among birds - we always know when a cat or other stray intruder has entered the yard.