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casil403
09-20-2009, 10:25 PM
Greg Nuspel suggested I try this so I thought I would...I knew chickadees were friendly and curious but I was amazed when they kept landing on my outstretched hand after I called them!
One after the other...I had to get one off at one point because he just stayed there and started pecking my finger and they have very sharp, pointy beaks!
I think at 3 different places up to 5 would take turns checking me and my hand out.
The coolest thing!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3939026479_b0e9db5a70_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3939026301_0ea78278c3_o.jpg

Not the greatest shots I know but I was doing some huge multi-tasking with holding the camera in left hand tucked under my chin while trying to press button with same hand and trying to stay as still as possible with bird in outstretched right hand so he wouldn't fly off!
Mad Aussie
09-20-2009, 11:28 PM
Wow ... very cool!
tomorrowstreasures
09-21-2009, 08:50 AM
Very cool! so - how did you get the little fellas to land on your hand?
Marko
09-21-2009, 09:36 AM
Wow that IS cool - love stuff like that. Me too, me too i want cute little birds to repeatedly land on my hand.
I like the wing movement in shot 2.
JAS_Photo
09-21-2009, 11:37 AM
Very cool!
casil403
09-21-2009, 01:44 PM
Very cool! so - how did you get the little fellas to land on your hand?

Thanks everyone and thanks Greg! TT, I just listened for them, mimic'd their calls and they will always come to check you out. I just held still and held out my hand and called them and they came one at a time and landed on me then left. I didn't use food or anything to entice them...they just come! When they've had enough they move on.
One of my bird books describes them as "tame". They didn't like the sound of the camera though that I can assure you!
1putts
09-21-2009, 01:52 PM
Nice shots casil. Feels pretty cool huh.

If you get them some Black Sunflower Seeds from the local bird feed shop, the chickadees will love you forever. They'll probably follow you around waiting for the hand out! Some of the Red-winged blackbirds will also do this, but you need to find the brave ones.
tomorrowstreasures
09-21-2009, 03:31 PM
casil --- how totally cool!!! i have yet to see a chickadee here, even that they are seen here. would love to try it out!
casil403
09-22-2009, 06:47 AM
casil --- how totally cool!!! i have yet to see a chickadee here, even that they are seen here. would love to try it out!

I think you have Chickadees where you are TT. They are one of the most common birds of North America...here's a link for more info if you are interested:
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/680/_/Black-capped_Chickadee.aspx
tomorrowstreasures
09-22-2009, 08:47 AM
I think you have Chickadees where you are TT. They are one of the most common birds of North America...here's a link for more info if you are interested:
http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/680/_/Black-capped_Chickadee.aspx

Thanks. Lisa!! I soooo want to do this!
MoinMoin
09-25-2009, 02:33 AM
Wow - thats sooo cool! I don't think, that would work here too. Well, maybe if we have a very strong winter and they really need to feed?
EJC
09-25-2009, 01:22 PM
If you put a bird feeder up they will come. Then you gradually get closer to them and learn how to whistle to mimic their call. If you are patient you will have them eating out of your hand. If you do start feeding them you should continue all winter since they may not be able to find other food sources if they become habituated to your feeder.

cheers
casil403
09-26-2009, 08:25 AM
I had them again in my hand yesterday at fish creek and it was so funny because there were 2 white breasted nuthatches, 1 red breasted nuthatch and 2 robins watching the scenario all these fearless chickadees landing on me and taking off with black sunflower seeds.
I could see that these 2 little nuthatches wanted so desperately to do it to but just couldn't muster up the courage to take the final leap. They would just get to the closest tree and then get out on the furthest branch and just watch me. \One got as close as a branch right near my shoulder and actually flew right by my hand but he just didn't have the courage to land.
It was quite amusing to watch. As a treat I left them all the seed. :)
Greg_Nuspel
09-26-2009, 08:36 AM
I had them again in my hand yesterday at fish creek and it was so funny because there were 2 white breasted nuthatches, 1 red breasted nuthatch and 2 robins watching the scenario all these fearless chickadees landing on me and taking off with black sunflower seeds.
I could see that these 2 little nuthatches wanted so desperately to do it to but just couldn't muster up the courage to take the final leap. They would just get to the closest tree and then get out on the furthest branch and just watch me. \One got as close as a branch right near my shoulder and actually flew right by my hand but he just didn't have the courage to land.
It was quite amusing to watch. As a treat I left them all the seed. :)

Oh no what have I started :)
JAS_Photo
09-26-2009, 01:29 PM
Uh oh! It's 'The Wild Chickadees of Fishcreek Park'! (That's a parody of the 'Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill' which is a good movie btw.) On YouTube there are some clips on how to turn yourself into a human birdfeeder which I would link but their search function was not working. :(
Greg_Nuspel
09-26-2009, 03:13 PM
As long as it doesn't turn into the dead parrot sketch all is good.
casil403
09-26-2009, 10:50 PM
Hey, it's better than being "The Weird Catlady of 13th Ave. SW"! :eek:
Greg, you've got me hooked! :headslap:
Greg_Nuspel
11-27-2009, 03:04 PM
Just came back from the park, I think you've been feeding them too much. I pulled out my camera and quickly I was surrounded by the little beggars :)
Bambi
11-27-2009, 07:01 PM
As long as it doesn't turn into the dead parrot sketch all is good.

but it would be funny!!:laugh::laugh:
jjeling
11-30-2009, 11:18 AM
I must admit, I may not be in canada, but you have sparked my interest. I have the day off today, and will probably end up trying this at some point. Thanks for sharing this. pretty cool experience, and it wasnt even me!
Greg_Nuspel
11-30-2009, 11:47 AM
I must admit, I may not be in canada, but you have sparked my interest. I have the day off today, and will probably end up trying this at some point. Thanks for sharing this. pretty cool experience, and it wasnt even me!

Just remember the movie "The Birds" before you attempt this at home, remember we are trained lunatics :p