BLACKBIRDS

[Jacksparrow]

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Another one of my resident blackbirds - bill not quite as yellow

Splendid He has a good yellow ring around his eye which denotes a fully mature bird.

[Butterfly]

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Another one of my resident blackbirds - bill not quite as yellow

What a handsome guy

[Jacksparrow]

I appear to have won the trust of one of my female BBs. She has ventured close a few times but today was the closest yet. I was weeding by the ground bird bath and she came for a drink within about a foot of me. I could be cupboard love as she knows I bring out the sultanas.

[Willpar]

They can be very trusting. Here they are quite the opposite.

[Jacksparrow]

I have had a tailless male BB visiting and for some time I've thought he'd just had a close shave with a predator, however I got a much closer look today and he appears to be suffering from a mite infestation. He is losing feathers from his head and begins to look a bit scruffy. I also noticed he's starting to make flying look like hard work. Apart from all that he's doing all the usual BB things. I'll need to keep an eye on him.

[Butterfly]

Poor guy , yes keep an eye on him Jack, he might need help

[Willpar]

Will have to wait for its moult for a new coat.

[Jacksparrow]

I have not seen him today.

[Jacksparrow]

I have not seen him today.

He showed up today and doesn't look any worse. I'm hoping he'll survive until the late summer moult when hopefully he'll get chance to renew all the scruffy feathers.

[Willpar]

Fingers cross, it will make it to the moult.