Some of you will remember Hoppy out resident disabled male blackbird who became really tame after spending days roosting on one of our bird tables whilst learning to adapt to life with a badly damaged leg. He stayed with us for months after his recovery always being the first to the bird table each morning. In fact he would watch us through various house windows for a sign that table replenishment was imminent and then swoop around the house to wait near to the table.
Sadly one day Hoppy disappeared. We never knew what happened to him and would like to think of him meeting up with a female that looked beyond his infirmity and tempted him away to a happy life elsewhere. In reality it was more likely that Hoppy had suffered a less happy fate but at least we felt we extended his life a little.
Hoppy was the exception as, in out garden, it tends to be the female blackbirds that are the most confident. One female has taken over Hoppy's role. She's quite distinctive with thrush like markings.
She waits as near as she can when Martyn is popping food onto the table. Excuse the quality if the photo below. It was taken well back from the window. She doesn't mind being watched from the window but isn't too keen on having a camera pointed at her.
She's not actually perched on Martyn's head - she isn't that cheeky (yet) - but is just centimetres away from his ear which at times she makes impatient 'chuck chuck' noises into.
As soon as he turns away she darts behind his back and feasts on as many of her favourite suet nibbles as she can before any other birds arrive.
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That bird really does look more like a Thrush than a Blackbird. I suppose they don't inter-breed...?
ReplyDeleteI'll have to do a bit of research, Mark. They do belong to the same family but we rarely see a thrush around these days
DeleteI have a cross bill with a broken beak. He can't open pine cones, but seems to be doing ok with sunflower seeds.
ReplyDeletePoor thing bit I'm sure the sunflower seeds will nourish him, Bonnie. Sunflower hearts are a firm favourite amongst our birds
DeletePoor Hoppy, it's a shame he isn't around any longer. I got a new feeder for Christmas, one which holds suet treats and mealworms, it's quite big so it'll cost a fortune to keep topped up.
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem , Jo. We have had to limit access to our large feeder to three birds at a time
DeleteThey both are very attractive.
ReplyDeleteAnd very welcome too Alain
DeleteThese birds are beautiful ! Great shots !
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a happy Cgristmas !
Thank you Ela
DeleteIt has been a long time since I've fed the birds. I used to have a feeder at my old house, but have never put up one here.
ReplyDeleteWe get such s variety if birds Daphne and enjoy watching them. As a species we have made it harder for them to find natural food.
DeleteAwwww......I have wondered if Hoppy had returned, as you say though you extended his life and made it easy for him which is a lovely thought and who knows....he may still be around .....
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to have cheeky bird to feed up, and good to know people like you are out there feeding them.xxx
Perhaps Hoppy will turn up one day and surprise you. I hope so.
ReplyDeleteIt would be good to think so, Jessica
DeleteOh dear....Hope Hoppy faced a good faith!
ReplyDeleteWe can hope , Malar
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