What are /r/Ornithology's favorite Products & Services?

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It's probably a Northern Cardinal that sees its reflection and is being territorial, thinking there's another breeding Cardinal in its territory. You can buy UV window decals that make windows more visible to birds.

I found this from 1973, also a number of news stories about Ravens or crows using rocks for vandalism. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Apparent-Use-of-Rocks-by-a-Raven-in-Nest-Janes/47a180862058f4011dfd29edf77cdcb64622d5d6

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6511637/Bird-turns-tables-chucks-huge-pebbles-cars-pedestrians.html

I don't know about the monarchs, but someone here will be able to clue you in.

Looking further, I find that the Vortex Diamondbacks are really highly regarded. They are on Amazon right now for $166

http://www.birdwatching.com/optics/2016_affordable_8x42/review.html

Vortex Optics New 2016 Diamondback 10x42 Roof Prism Binoculars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0192GJLMU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YqvCybKA6BN1H

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=Cornell+Lab+of+Ornithology+Handbook+of+Bird+Biology

Looks like that's the going rate. I really doubt they expect you to pay that much for a text book. Contact the professor and ask why the book costs so much. Maybe the cost of the course is somehow part of the cost of the book? Or can you order/rent it from cornell's library for cheaper?

EDIT: Looks like it's out of print according to the reviews? They're suggesting to wait for the next edition to come out. I would not pay that much for a used book.

I use Ebird as well as a handheld checklist book, I like The Sibley Life List.

Go on AMAZON and see what they have for STAINLESS STEEL bowls in parrot/bird section. Then look at your balcony etc...and see if the bowl that comes with a holder can attach or fit on the outside of the balcony somehow. I included a long link. They also have kinds that just hook over- no screws needed. My bird has both kinds. Good luck!

https://www.amazon.com/Mrlipet-Stainless-Parakeet-Cockatiels-Lovebird/dp/B06XKR29N7/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1516649295&sr=8-3&keywords=steel+parrot+bowls

Thank you so much for all the info! I have this product would that work? I could apply it to the outside of the window instead of the inside?

Idk if this is the right subreddit. This is more for wild birds and less for pets. But there are still some recommendations. If hes interested in a books about the wild bird of europe and can understand english i can recommend this one here: "Europe's Birds An identification guide" ( https://www.amazon.pl/dp/0691177651?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_575QVWRP589Z6QPNXJ2S)

Yes! And when you're ready for the deep dive, Bird Song: Biological Themes and Variations is waiting for you. But "inherit" is a slightly inaccurate term. Certain features of songs seem to be inherited biologically, such as the frequency range, including how a bird doesn't use certain frequencies it physiologically could. But without parents and others of their species around, their songs are quieter and slurred. Exposure to others cause their songs to become both more typical for the species and very precise.

Interestingly, species are atuned to their own kind. A Caolina wren raised exclusively among song sparrows will not pick up song sparrow songs or even try them. It will sing babyish versions of wren songs.

Weekly is a horrific number of strikes. You need these.

I had weekly strikes when I moved into my house. I put these up several years ago and never have strikes now.

While there are some apps that attempt to be like Shazam for birds, at best they're maybe 70% accurate. Which might be good enough for your purposes, especially if you're trying to ID common birds.

Some alternate routes are to record mystery sounds with your smart phone and post them to /r/whatsthisbird or the Xeno-canto mystery bird forum.

Not a field guide however the The Big Bird Spot is great for training little eyes in bird watching. Wish there was more versions!

Use these. You should only need to use one or two. They don't block any light coming in as they are clear and they go on the outside of the window. They started working instantly for us. BTW I think that's a female house finch, but I'm no expert. ☺

WindowAlert Modern Square Anti-Collision Decal - UV-Reflective Window Decal to Protect Wild Birds from Glass Collisions - Made in The USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CAX363S/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_H5Y1CRADG1458305S7CX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

There were two excellent introductory textbooks on ornithology that I read. General survey of avian biology and ecology etc.

This one: Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and Function https://www.amazon.com/dp/0300076193/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8DBMW4WR61NFDSD5FZR4

And this one too: Handbook of Bird Biology (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118291050/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_B8BDZFBKFWRWBBYNMKFG

I'm rather hobby grade. My wife got me this lovely book that weaves birds through our entire lives. It's well done.

https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Exploring-Winged-Phaidon-Editors/dp/1838661409/ref=sr\_1\_4?crid=1N956XSRWWS6U&keywords=Birds&qid=1648162676&s=books&sprefix=birds%2Cstripbooks%2C80&sr=1-4

Thank you so much!

Would something like this work?

This episode on Google Podcasts for Android users :)

Plain may help, or if you keep your normal then try an upside down feeder, they don't do upide down very well.

etc: https://www.amazon.com/Songbird-Essentials-Upside-Down-Feeder-Driftwood/dp/B00IEBQVX2

In all fairness meteors, quetzal1 brings up a good point. The quality of care you give your birds has little to do with the problem. It's simply because the birds are captive.

This subject has been researched extensively.

You are acting a little defensively and rude.

Edit: also, if you're going to ask a scientific community for help, try and employ some scientific reasoning yourself. If you're going to let emotion get in the way of accepting answers, you're wasting our time.

As far as I know, Firefox and Opera are the only modern browsers to still not support MP4 video. Though I'm told it's coming soon with Cisco's help.

Interesting video and unexpected question.

My first reaction was, "it's a plane, stupid", but i had never experienced nor considered what birds in flight look like with night vision. After viewing your second video in the comments, low flying large birds might be a plausible explanation.

Using birds i'm familiar with, this could for example be consistent with 3 Egyptian Geese or African Black Ducks, which are quite large, have shallow wing beats and often have low flights which the often display could explain the apparent speed and brightness.

The positioning of the lights does seem to change, have a look at this gif showing the video between 1:02 and 1:09. Look at the spacing between the trailing two lights:

Nothing conclusive but i could believe these lights being either a plane or birds, nonetheless interesting thought and subject. Thanks!

I'm no ornithologist but I bought Field Guide to Birds of North America by Kenn Kaufman. It splits birds into categories and has lots of pictures with a description of each bird and where they're located. There's also a checklist in the back where you can check off birds you've seen. I thought it was perfect for an amateur birdwatcher like me.

I also think the Audubon app is great

Whats with this gem?

National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America

I recommend one of the versions that is NOT $900. Having a few older ones for perspective is always a good idea. https://www.amazon.com/Birds-America-T-Gilbert-Pearson/dp/B003X5MSOK

Reader's Digest has a North American field guide out there, I picked up a copy on clearance at B&N a year or two ago along with the Nat Geo one you already have in your stack. I believe this is it: Reader's Digest Book of North American Birds: An Illustrated Guide to More Than 600 Species https://www.amazon.com/dp/1606525085/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_RG7SF1KTMB3K5PZ39M5S

This one is my absolute favorite. It’s a jar so it opens at the top and it’s so small that it’s really easy to clean. The birds who visit my feeders visit it as often as any of the others. One disadvantage though is that it doesn’t have a perch.

Nature's Way Bird Products MJF1 Nature's Way Mason Jar Hummingbird Dish Feeder, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XF8ZYV3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Q8Y3NTW342SMV6GEJY3M

If you haven't already read these books I would recommend them. Gift of the Crow and The Genius of Birds. The first is more of a deep dive into Corvids, and the second has a lot of parts about Corvids given they are some of the smartest birds on Earth.

House Sparrow

If you have an Android phone, BirdNET from Cornell is a great resource for this kind of thing.

Peterson's Guide is a book; probably in local libraries and still in print. https://www.amazon.com/Peterson-Field-America-Guides-Hardcover/dp/0618966145

Hey, just wanna update if you are interested, if not just ignore this :P.

Anyways i got my monoscope(i think thats what its called for what i got) yesterday.

It's pretty small. I tested it by looking at cars and people downstairs on my flat. I'm at 8th floor and the horizontal distance would probably be 150m~. I can see the cars quite sharply but can't see number plates.

However, when i look at people, it's just a blur, can't even see their faces. Don't see how it would help me view animals or other animate objects.

And the monoscope i got, i moved its object lens barrel and somehow it got stuck, and i took 30minutes to finally get it moving again, by removing the barrel and putting it back.

When i removed the barrel, i accidentally cleaned some grease and when i placed it back, it was not able to move smoothly, which meant that when i'm trying to adjust the object barrel lens when viewing, it's impossible. It moves roughly, doesn't slide anymore.

The focus lens was super super easy to adjust, so when i'm trying to adjust something else such as barrel lens or zoom i would accidentally touch it, and things go differently, need to readjust all.

It basically just magnifies images that i could already see with my spectacles.

Looking at it through one eye is super straining and gives me dizzyness after extensive use.

I'm thinking of returning it and upgrading to buying a more binoculars instead. Thinking binoculars would be more comfortable for my eyes.

Might purchase this , still looking at more options, maybe even going for an even pricier one. I quite enjoyed the feeling of seeing far objects.

What about that frosted contact paper?

Like this stuff?

The Birder's Handbook is a great ornithology primer.

Here's the pair I mentioned before. Bushnell elite 7x26. Compact and porro prism but I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality. Not cheap but reasonably priced in the $200s on Amazon. Hope this helps.

I don't think this exactly what you're looking for but Manual of Ornithology has a lot of fantastic illustrations (and was recommended when I did a scientific illustration program). A lot of the structure is internal, though.

If you're looking for bones, check out Bone Clones! They have quite a bit of raven stuff available, though it is spendy.

You can prevent this from happening again in the future by putting up something on your window like stickers or UV reflective bird decals like these which shine bright for birds.

OK I found a very good example of exactly what I am looking for.

Please see Page 8 or Page 9 by using "Look Inside" in

http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Owl-Ultimate-Reference-Woodcarvers/dp/1565232852/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1430091221&sr=8-4&keywords=denny+rogers

at the moment I'm running @voice for android, some tts (text to speech) engines require data connections, but this one has been free (small banner ad that I can't see while running) and runs offline- perfect. I have yet to be able to tweak it however, ie change cadence, voice, etc... but the options seem to be there, just not working on my device (could be user error). Eventually I want to have the reads saved as sound files so they're more portable. But this is working for now.