Some type of Lombardy poplar (Populus Nigra)? There are over 700 species, subspecies, varieties of these. Best known for their columnar form and unusual branching structure. Their branches start close to the ground and parallel the trunk. Lombardy poplars can reach 40'-50' in height, with a spread of 10'-15'.

Hi, guys! Glad you aren't giving up on your garden birds. It CAN take a long time for birds to both FIND and get brave enough to USE a new feeder. It depends on so many factors. In neighborhoods where everyone has lots of feeders around, a new one is accepted pretty easily. In areas where birds aren't routinely being fed via feeders, it looks strange to them, and they are cautious. They can also be very fussy about where it is placed. If it is too close to bushes, they are afraid a predator might be lurking nearby. If it is too far AWAY from bushes, they feel too exposed. If you can, try more than one feeder, and more than one location. (Like in real estate, it's "location, location, LOCATION!"). I recommend several different styles and more than one type of seed. Different birds like different things. For cardinals, as Marion said, safflower seeds are a great choice. Squirrels don't eat them (usually) so you can use a tray type feeder and don't need to worry about putting a squirrel baffle on your post or hanging wire. Feeders with small perches are good for smaller birds like titmice, sparrows, etc, but the larger birds like bluejays, blackbirds (and sometimes even cardinals) may not use them. They need more room to sit. For a new set up, I would say at least one tray type feeder and one "house" type one with perches. If you have a squirrel problem, add a hubcap shaped baffle to your pole to keep them out of the tray, and fill the second feeder with safflower seeds. Titmice like safflower, too, and so do white-winged doves, if you are lucky enough to have some of those, like I have at this house. Don't put up finch feeders or thistle (niger) finch seed, as we don't have any here now. You only use that during migration for the goldfinches that are passing through. During those times, though, it's a great addition, as they can stay for several weeks, filling your yard with loads of yellow and black birds. And don't forget water! Even more important than food. And it will draw birds that aren't seed eaters, too, like mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds, etc. If you are on a budget, you can fill large plant saucers with water and place them on upside down pots. But keep the water only 2 to 3 inches deep, and make sure it is fresh. (I refill daily, while hand watering plants). Hope this tips will help. If you have other questions, give a holler! Good luck! Marcia

Hi. Thanks for responding. I've never seen a crow like that. That's pretty cool--but no, after I had a second look, I was relatively certain it wasn't a crow. Its tail was definitely not as round, though unfortunately, as time passes, the silhouette fades a bit from my memory. The white though, was a perfectly, clean, crisp band at the tip of it's tail. I didn't notice any other markings. I was walking down a path to a tennis court when I saw it. I stood staring at it, flying over head for a moment, and just when I was going to call to the other people in the class in the distance and say, "What is that?" they were all greeting me, and when I looked back up, it was gone, past the trees.

They mate in late February. Tulsa Audubon society used to have an event where for when they were displaying at Oxley nature center. Tulsa might just be at the crossroads of breeding and non breeding territory. Tall Grass is probably in the breeding territory. They have a spectacular display. Where are you Scott? The breeding range was in the north east corner of the state, non breeding south of that but still east. If you're not in those areas you could have a rare siting. You can go to Ebirds and post the siting if you want.