Still half asleep when I pulled back bedroom curtain a little after 9 am I
immediately saw what looked like a yellow headed bird at the covered tray
feeder. The back appeared Wings appeared blackish. I was quickly waking up...a
Yellow-headed Blackbird? What was I seeing and not seeing? Oriole? I was
dreaming.... Head turned toward me catching the morning light and my heart
leaped. I was awake now!!! OMG, an adult male WESTERN TANAGER in stunning
breeding plumage.
It flew off so I stumbled to livingroom to grab camera. It eventually returned
but only stays at feeder for few short seconds at a time and then disappears in
upper canopy of maple tree that is leafing out. With the hordes of Pine
Siskins overtaking the back tray feeder I put seed out front to drawn most of
them away from the back feeders. It has helped but the tanager is still
skittish and visits to feeder are a few short seconds at a time.
I have managed images to confirm ID!
Brenda
Brenda Tekin
Stuart's Draft, VA
Sent from my iPhone
