October Yard Birds!

On the first day of October, a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird visited our backyard. They prefer to feed on red or orange flowers. Cana Lilies are one of the very few non native flowers in our garden.... and the only red flowers blooming this late in the year. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are eastern North America's only breeding hummingbird, breeding east of the Rockies. In terms of area, this species occupies the largest breeding range of any North American Hummingbird.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/overview

Her tongue is visible in the above photo.

Although it can climb up tree trunks and hammer on wood like other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker prefers to find food on the ground. Ants are it's main food, and the flicker digs in the dirt to find them. It uses its long barbed tongue to lap up the ants. It had some success digging into the dirt between the patio stones this afternoon.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Flicker/overview

Video: Northern Flicker hunting for ants.

Another ground feeder is the Dark-eyed Junco. The majority of Juncos in Ontario breed north of Georgian Bay. We don't see them in the summer in SW Ontario, but they are now showing up for their winter visit.

White-crowned Sparrows nest in the Hudson Bay region. They are currently migrating to their winter homes and will be seen again next spring when they head north to breed. Occasionally, a few can be found at bird feeders in the winter.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-crowned_Sparrow/maps-range

White-throated Sparrows readily visit feeders or peck at fallen seeds beneath them. A brush pile in the yard can provide a place for them to take cover between trips to the feeder.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White-throated_Sparrow/overview