The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or snakies in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like photos. :)
The local Live Oaks are beginning to produce a lot of acorns now, and that always attracts the local population of (non-native) Black-Headed Nanday Parakeets. They travel in large flocks, they are screechy and loud, they never sit still, and they poop all over the place, but I like the little dudes. The photos do not do them justice—they are the brightest electric green that you can imagine.
There are two species of introduced parakeets in St Pete, the Nandays and the Monks (which have grey heads). They are non-natives and are the descendants of escaped/released pets. I never see the two species together and they live in different sections of town—apparently they do not get along with each other. (The mall is Nanday turf and I never see Monks here.) They have different foraging habits too—I often see the Monks poking around for stuff in the grass, while the Nandays always prefer to be in the trees and avoid being on the ground. Both of them make constant contact calls, though, and you can hear them long before you see them.
I have tried several times to feed them, offering them grapes, walnuts, peanuts and apple slices. They always refuse to go near me, so either they don’t like what I’m offering or they don’t trust the humans. (Unlike the local Laughing Gulls, who, if you eat outside, instantly show up to beg whatever you have for lunch.)
A couple of photos, taken in the parking lot of the local mall while waiting for the bus. (Alas, it was a pretty cloudy day, so the colors are not as bright in the photos as they actually are in the birds.)
This is what they are after
They are very nice-looking birdies
I never see them alone—they always travel in flocks of 30-50ish
The Nandays stay in the trees and never seem to come to the ground
And now it is your turn: what’s screeching in your neck of the woods?
We are always looking for new people to produce Daily Buckets, where we practice "backyard science" by reporting and recording what we have seen in the natural world around us (and no matter where you are--even in the middle of the city--there is nature around you). You don't need any science degrees or training or in-depth experience to be a backyard scientist, and you don't need any expensive camera equipment or photo-editing software to do Daily Buckets. All you need is a pair of eyes and ears, a phone with a camera, and a lot of curiosity and enthusiasm.
