Hobbies And Interests
American Crow
The American crow is a large bird that is black with a violet gloss and blue-black wings. They feed on insects, amphibians, reptiles, grains and fruits. They prefer living in woodlands, or near farms with fields, but are also found in towns and large urban areas. They make a distinct "caw" or "caa-caa" sound and have the ability to mimic human voices. They are intelligent birds and are fascinated by shiny objects.
American Robin
You can identify an American robin by its deep red-brown breast. They also have a white lower belly and undertail and gray-brown upper parts. They fly swiftly with their wings beating rapidly. In the Philadelphia area, they will primarily be found in urban gardens. Robins are most readily identified by their unique song, which sounds similar to "cheerily cheer-up cheerio."
Common Grackle
This blackbird is medium in size and has a metallic purple sheen similar to the American crow. Its bright yellow eyes set it apart. They fly in a direct path while rapidly beating their wings and hold their tale in a "V" shape when in flight. Grackles do not hop along the ground like many birds, but actually walk, and sometimes even wade in water hunting small fish. It is thought they they control parasites by allowing ants to secrete formic acid on them.
House Finch
The House Finch is a small brown bird with a bright red head and belly. They can be found building their nests in bushes natural cavities or on a building where they lay six blue eggs with lavender and black spots. Their song is comparable to a canary without the trills. It is a series of warbling notes.
Mourning Dove
The mourning dove is a medium-sized bird with a pink-colored belly and gray to brown body. They fly in a swift, direct pattern and are usually seen in parks, open fields or even the front yard. They are named for their call which is low and mournful. It is compared to a "coo" sound. They prefer to feed on insects, fruits and grains.