[Tweeters] Cold weather bird behavior - RCKI's

[Paul Bannick]

I have also seen them do this in nice weather, although in those cases I
assumed it was for a good feeding opportunity

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On Mon, Jan 15, 2024 at 9:19 AM Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson at comcast.net>
wrote:


> Eric,

>

> It has long been noticed that Golden-crowned Kinglets come down to the

> ground to forage in really adverse weather conditions, so we can add

> Ruby-crowned to that list as well.

>

> Be sure to let us know if anyone sees a Brown Creeper doing this!

>

> Dennis Paulson

> Seattle

>

> On Jan 14, 2024, at 9:40 PM, Eric Ellingson <esellingson at gmail.com> wrote:

>

>   Most Ruby-crowned Kinglets I've seen are usually quickly going about in

> bushes and trees, sometimes way high up, other times closer to eye level.

> However, even at eye level, they can be difficult birds to get a photo of.

> Also, the scarlet crown is not always seen on the males or if seen just as

> a red flash.

>

> So it was fascinating to see two of these hopping along the ground on the

> trail at Point Whitehorn. They seemed oblivious to us standing in the

> middle of the path. They would come toward us passing by our feet and

> continuing along the path.

>

> The scarlet on the head was very visible but not raised as when agitated.

> This and the behavior of feeding and hopping along on the ground are not

> the norm.   My guess about this ground-level feeding is that with the high

> winds and freezing weather (into single digits) their food of insects was

> blown to the ground out of the shrubs and trees they would have been in.

> Who, knows? Also, maybe a way to conserve energy?

>

> Camera in hand, as usual, I could not pass up the opportunity.  I took

> many shots and videos of them hopping and foraging. Often they would come

> toward me getting too close for my camera to focus on them.  If I had a

> small insect in my hand I'm guessing they would have hopped into my had to

> eat it.

>

> The 29-second video is comprised of some close-ups showing the scarlet

> crown and foraging successes.  Watch it here: https://flic.kr/p/2pswNca

> Enjoy.

>

> What unusual behaviors have you seen during this very cold and windy past

> few days?

>

>

> Eric Ellingson

>

> 360-820-6396

> esellingson at gmail.com

> https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/

>

>

>

>

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