We got a squirrel-free bird feeder a little while back, and since putting it up have been attracting huge numbers of these little greyish-brown guys to the yard. We've got some more interesting birds as well-- there's a pair of cardinals, and a couple of blue jays as well, but more often than not, the feeder is covered by these guys.
I figured I ought to occasionally post pictures of something other than the dog, and I know that some people around ScienceBlogs are into birds, so here you go. I couldn't get the cardinal to pose.
(The title is a reference that maybe one person reading this will get, but I'm easily amused...)
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Corey at 10,000 birds has
We have a couple of bird feeders near the house, one just outside the bay window in the front of the house, and the other on the side of the house right next to the dining room.
I found Light-skinned-ed Girl via Acmegirl's blogroll. Lots of good stuff about the process of writing, quotes from writers, and the experience of being biracial.
I spent a while this morning typing on my laptop on the deck, and brought the new camera out with me for occasional procrastination. The shady spot at that hour has a nice view of the bird feeder, and I snapped a few shots of these guys feeding (using a telephoto lens):
The top one looks likes a house sparrow for sure.
Not related to these birds, but once in grad school I was eating lunch outside with my girlfriend, and a bluejay landed on her head. It just sat there for a while. It's really amazing how quickly wild animals can lose their fear of humanity.
The lower one looks like a female house sparrow. So I think you have them covered.
You should try a finch feeder; I would imagine you'll see goldfinches and house finches fairly easily, and often a few others.
Feeders are a lot of fun. You never know what's going to show up.
House sparrows.
Best,
D