Oriole (?) ==> Black-Headed Grosbeak (!) sighting at the feeder

3/24/2012 -- Nicholas (edited 3/26/2012)

Looks like this is a Black-Headed Grosbeak.  Time to do some reading up on them, maybe we can keep them around for awhile.  Thanks to all for your help.

Just this morning, I discovered what we think is an Oriole at our bird feeder along with a male cardinal.  It looked like they were competing for the feeder.  When the cardinal flew away, the Oriole fed for a few minutes then flew away.  Then, a baby Oriole flew up to the feeder and the parent Oriole watched from a tree.  We think that the baby Oriole was either an Orchard Oriole or a male Baltimore Oriole, but it's hard to tell.  Please take a look at the pictures below and let us know what you think.

Debut of the Birdside Viewers

The idea for this blog sprung from my wish to document and share what I'm doing to spruce up my backyard. Luckily, my two oldest kids are very scientifically inclined and love to document their birdwatching activities. So, this blog will include backyard-sprucing-up and birdwatching.  My oldest son, known as "The Handsome One," will be "in charge" of the birdwatching posts.  My oldest daughter, known as "The Precious One" will also contribute.  They both love to watch and discover birds.  Please stay tuned as we report our activities, findings, and discoveries.