That’s a lot of Starlings. On the chimney, are they pecking at the mortar or just sitting there? Once I came home from walking, rounded the corner to see a big group of Sparrows hanging on the bricks at the side of my house. The house is pale-colored brick, so it was easy to notice them. They didn’t budge and I Googled around and learned they need gravel and grit for digestion so they peck at the mortar in between the bricks. Destructive! If you have a domestic bird for a pet, you have to provide them gravel and/or grit for digestion, which is needed as they don’t have teeth to eat their food.
Oh really? I’ve seen birds doing that and I didn’t know what they were doing, I thought they might be eating cobwebs. How interesting! You’d think there would be easier ways of finding grit and gravel.
I was amazed to find that out Miranda, but for most of my life, until recently, I always had pet birds (parakeets and canaries) and you had to give them a dish of fine gravel or grit so they could digest their food as they have no teeth. Imagine a large flock of them – you’d have to be filling in the mortar all the time!
Continued Reflections from my World. 
That’s a lot of Starlings. On the chimney, are they pecking at the mortar or just sitting there? Once I came home from walking, rounded the corner to see a big group of Sparrows hanging on the bricks at the side of my house. The house is pale-colored brick, so it was easy to notice them. They didn’t budge and I Googled around and learned they need gravel and grit for digestion so they peck at the mortar in between the bricks. Destructive! If you have a domestic bird for a pet, you have to provide them gravel and/or grit for digestion, which is needed as they don’t have teeth to eat their food.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? I’ve seen birds doing that and I didn’t know what they were doing, I thought they might be eating cobwebs. How interesting! You’d think there would be easier ways of finding grit and gravel.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was amazed to find that out Miranda, but for most of my life, until recently, I always had pet birds (parakeets and canaries) and you had to give them a dish of fine gravel or grit so they could digest their food as they have no teeth. Imagine a large flock of them – you’d have to be filling in the mortar all the time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s a lot of grit. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These were just roosting up there. They were at Fort Gilckicker. Being restored as apartments so hope the new residents love birds!
LikeLike
Beautiful pictures! The wing photos are spectacular.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks nice when the light is behind them.
LikeLike
Avian flu is killing birds in our area in droves, unfortunately. Great pics, Andy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We had an issue last year but seems less of and issue this year although bird numbers are down.
LikeLike
I love these photos, they are wonderful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I especially like the ones on the chimney pots, they are beautiful, it’s nice to see them closer up than you do in real life. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person