Ducks, Crows and Woodpeckers

I laughed out loud when a  7 inch crow slid down the aluminum pool ladder railing and hopped off onto the lip of the pool

Hearing a weird noise outside the bedroom window I found a very young tiny female downy pecking on a living tree, the weird sound was it is not a tree they peck on, it is green and  soft, not hard and rotted.. Totally different Sound

Found this little one on a Blog HERE

I saw a sweet, gentle Mourning Dove attack a blue jay and a Male Mocking Bird attack a fish crow. 

I laughed out loud as I walked Beau. The silly loud mocking bird sitting on the top of the street light singing  about 20 songs. Over and Over.

I watched Daddy Dove teaching baby dove to eat from the ground and practice flying. Once Daddy Dove was on the roof, ON GUARD, the nest in outside our gate in a stump with tall grass. I waved at him and HE DID A DOUBLE TAKE. He really did.  June 13 I saw the baby on the ground and Beau walking that way and the baby lifted up to the roof with no problem. I guess training is over now.

Yes, Missy and Mister are still here. They have been here 9 weeks now.

She dropped 2 eggs on the pool lip.

Research found, she is a juvenile and probably not aware of what to do with the eggs yet. They are called OOPS eggs. She is supposed to make a nest, and deposit them but so far has not built a nest. Yam says duck eggs taste better than chicken, but I can't eat my grand ducks, ha ha People do raise ducks for the eggs.

I found Mottled Ducks are protected species in Florida because they are native ducks to Florida. We are not allowed to touch or move or destroy a nest. If there is a problem we call Fish and Wildlife.

It is OK to toss eggs found on a pool deck in the trash, because they will not hatch unless she sits on them in a nest. She will not move this egg, but does move with her beak if she has eggs in the nest.

They have plenty of food, the above weeds are growing in 2 pots that I planted grass in for Beau to eat. The grass went to seed and I watched her strip the grass seeds off two blades of grass gone to seed. the grass looks like the front weed, and the two back weeds the seeds have been eaten, and the dirt you see, picked up by beaks, dipped in their water bowl and they swallow the mud to process the seeds in their gizzards.

Missy, the one on the left below, hat bonded with me. She came to the door and called me by making chirping and  funny sounds and when I   came to the door and go out, she walked beside me making the noise, wagging her tail and bobbing her head. I am love by ducks and love the ducks.

I have turned into a bird watcher. Thank you David G.

for those interested this is from AI on affection. 

Physical Signs of Affection

Excited Head Bobbing: Mottled ducks will bob their necks up and down rapidly when they are happy to see a trusted human. This is an acknowledgment of a positive social bond.

Gentle Nibbling and Dabbing: They will use their bills to softly nibble at your hands, clothes, or shoes. This behavior simulates the natural mutual preening that closely bonded ducks perform within their flock.

Shadowing and Following: An affectionate or imprinted mottled duck will follow you closely around the yard, viewing you as the leader or a safe member of their flock.Tail Wagging: Similar to dogs, ducks will rapidly wag their tail feathers side to side when they feel content and relaxed in your presence.