WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 9 views of your feathered neighbors

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Not watching the Seahawks? Enjoy some non-football birds – starting with, above, a real-life “seahawk,” an Osprey, pursued by a Gull, photographed from Jack Block Park by Mark MacDonald. He also sent this view of a Black-capped Chickadee at Lincoln Park:

We’re hearing a lot from the resident woodpeckers these days – here are two photos from Mark Wangerin, first a Northern Flicker:

Next, a Downy Woodpecker:

Also in the neighborhoods – you might be noticing the “aeration” Crows are doing on planting strips and lawns. We published this story explaining it last year. Don Brubeck photographed a Crow that appears to have been busy doing some digging:

And three seabirds from Stewart L. – here’s a Great Blue Heron:

A Cormorant:

And a Belted Kingfisher:

James Tilley caught a Kingfisher in full light:

Thanks again to everyone sharing photos – from birds to breaking news!

Jennie October 4, 2020 (10:55 am)

Love all these, thanks for sharing!

waikikigirl October 4, 2020 (11:04 am)

First, I know this comment may not be allowed and I understand completely And I am writing this in the heat of the moment… CAT OWNERS PLEASE KEEP YOUR CATS INDOORS if not for their safety but for the safety of all these beautiful birds in our neighborhoods! I just looked out my front window to witness a cat with a bird in its mouth the bird was was still alive (wings moving) I yelled at the cat but it took off with bird still in mouth. :>( Don’t get me wrong I own a cat and just lost one a few months ago to diabetes and neither one of them go outside just because of what I witnessed and for the love I have for my kitties.

Wendy Rodriquez October 4, 2020 (7:31 pm)

I totally agree. Keep your cats indoors. I love cats and always have a rescue. At one time there were ten cats on my block. Way too many predators for the area. Birds don’t have a chance. Their habitats and food sources are declining. Let’s give the birds a break.

emcat8 October 4, 2020 (11:49 am)

These are all so lovely and much needed right now.

Sunflower October 5, 2020 (10:49 am)

+1

Yes these are wonderful, thank you!

I think I saw a Northern Flicker for the first time the other day, it looked similar to the one in the photo here. Anyone know if these birds have orange inside wing feathers? It was spectacular, and what a cool name it has!

Bradley October 4, 2020 (11:51 am)

What about that beautiful fish being eaten? Laws of nature.

waikikigirl October 4, 2020 (5:51 pm)

Yes Bradley I suppose it is the laws of nature but no one owns those birds going after the fish as a cat is a domesticated pet and does belong to someone who should be feeding them and or at least have a bell on them to warn the bird. :>(
Matt P October 5, 2020 (10:28 am)

Osprey do not destroy entire species of fish as domesticated cats have done to birds. Domesticated cats will often kill birds just for sport. They are devastating to the ecosystem when allowed to roam free.

just wondering October 4, 2020 (12:03 pm)

I agree with keeping the cats inside. I also watched a cat with a Steller Jay in it’s mouth in my front yard but I yelled and the bird got away! I do love the dots on the woodpeckers plumage!

WSlite October 4, 2020 (12:15 pm)

I have recently seen crows doing that ‘aeration’ as you say and wondered what that activity was about. WSB, you really do have all the answers and info West Seattlites wonder about, haha! Thank you for all your hard work and information, much appreciated!

JeffK October 4, 2020 (5:41 pm)

After a while raining I’ve seen some brown birds with dark speckles, medium size like a robin/jay, and dark beaks doing this. They seemed to be getting worms and there is evidence around our neighborhood in the street planting strips of them pecking at the grass. The two times I’ve seen these birds there were about 50 doing this at one time. Anyone know what type of birds these are?
- Birdbrain October 4, 2020 (7:26 pm)
  
  Your description sounds like that of a European Starling. There’s a book by a west seattle author titled Mozart’s Starling which is fun to read and, if you’re unfamiliar with these birds, makes for a great introduction to them.

Higginshere October 4, 2020 (2:18 pm)

These pictures are exhilarating, Audubon-quality.Thank you, wonderful, generous photographers and WSB!

LuLuBelle October 4, 2020 (6:18 pm)

Bradley. There is a difference between wild animals and domestic animals. Sorry, but “laws of nature” DON’T apply to domestic cat’s(and dog’s)

Dudeguy October 4, 2020 (10:20 pm)

To be honest I’ve been seeing a lot of bird on bird violence lately

HappyOnAlki October 5, 2020 (5:58 pm)

That’s not actually funny, you know.

anonyme October 5, 2020 (7:25 am)

All of these photos are lovely. Totally agree that cats should be kept indoors. Lately, I’ve seen as many as 5 different ones in my yard in a day, fighting, spraying, killing birds, and pooping in my garden. It’s out of control. I’ve tried multiple tactics to keep them out, all at my own expense, but nothing works. Why should neighbors bear more responsibility for a pet than the owners do? There is nothing “natural” about a domestic cat. If domestic dogs were allowed to roam free, the cats would not exist. Both should be controlled.