Tag Archives: Berlin
Odd Ducks
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I first noticed this pair of odd ducks in January, when they hung around with the congregation on the Spree. They always kept a bit to themselves at the very edge of the crowd. In March they moved over to a little pond in the Englischer Garten by the Teehaus, where they appear to be the only resident ducks. I assume that they are mallard hybrids, as they resemble these other examples fairly closely. They are most certainly a pair.
Juvenile Tree Sparrow?
I believe this is a juvenile tree sparrow, but it could be another species. Notice the yellow gape, the long claws, and the ragged tail feathers.
Long-tailed Tit
So cute, with his tiny little black eye and his slender little tail.
He then went and wedged himself into this strange position.
Sparrow Family at Home
First mom came to check on things.
Then she did some feeding.
Then dad came and did some feeding too, while mom looked on.
I like to see their tails fan out to support them. They remind one of shrimp.
Mandarin Duck
Meditating by a pond in the Tiergarten.
Real Estate: House Sparrows at Home
The male sparrows were busy guarding their property this afternoon in the Tiergarten. The women were either gathering food or busy inside the houses. Look closely, you might see one below.
The birdhouses and the trees are all numbered here, this being Germany. You could probably send a postcard to this sparrow: “Herrn Spatz von Sperlingdorf, Hausnr. 76, Baum 144-15, Großer Weg, Tiergarten, 10557 Berlin”
Pigeon with Pants
Dapper.
This guy hangs out under the bridge by Bellevue.
A Nightingale by Day
Dear reader, you need no longer be satisfied with just a blurry picture of a nightingale’s butt. This very kind nightingale sat very still on a fence for me the other day, allowing me to capture this photograph, plus a short video of him. Notice his large and powerful throat muscles.
Blue Tit and Greenfinch
Two of my favorite backyard noise makers: the blue tit and the greenfinch.
They have been very happy to eat the new buds on the trees this week. The long winter left them very hungry.
