Wow, nice pictures! And what a crop of berries on that tree! Al, robins are insectivorous in the breeding season, but change to eating fruit the rest of the year. That's how they manage to winter over (which they do in some number all across the prairies - almost any well wooded area, where people are out looking, will have a few recorded on Xmas bird counts), and how they survive their early migrations in March, when few insects are out and snow may cover the ground. Seems like strange behavior but apparently many groups (warblers, vireos, thrushes, etc.) are fruit-eaters on their wintering grounds, but feed themselves and their young on insects during breeding. The reason I say it seems strange is because on the wintering grounds (e.g. Central/South America), I'd guess insects would be plentiful. Perhaps insects provide superior nutrition during breeding and nesting (protein?)...just a guess. Konrad, the young you see in late summer are most likely Cedar Waxwings (as these are the common breeders on the prairies) - they are easily distinguished by yellow undertail coverts (the area on the underside of the tail and vent area that's brown on Bohemians, visible on your excellent photos); they also have a different wing pattern. If you are interested, keep an eye out for cedar waxwings in your flocks of bohemians; they are normally migratory but it is not too uncommon for one or two to hang out with a flock of bohemians and winter over with them. And the closer you are to the mountains, the greater the likelihood of seeing the odd bohemian, out of range, in the summer. Yes, amazingly beautiful birds - always such a pleasure to see!

Chippies, goldfinches, and bluebirds, Oh MY! Nice pictures, Kara! I still haven't seen a single goldfinch this year, but I suspect the big, fat HAWK who sits in the center of my bird feeder tray in the afternoons is the main reason, haha. I wouldn't want to dine there, either. I have seen a few chipping sparrows, like yours, and my cardinals, and today a hummingbird, but most of my songbirds and migrating friends are lying low, hoping the hawk will leave. Marcia

No, they aren't too large. 7.5 inches is what I am finding. They are parasitic brooders and lay their eggs inside the nests of other birds. That can cause some issues for the host species brood as the Cowbird chick often hatches first and therefore gets more food. They are federally protected birds though.~~A

Looks like an osprey to me too. We have several flying around here, and yours looks the same.