Lessons From The Birdfeeder
Several more inches of snow today and a deep freeze tonight. So, I ordered fatty, rich foods like suet, mealworms, black oil sunflower seed, etc, which arrived late last night.
I put these foods out this morning in the feeders and along the deck railing, plenty for everyone. The cardinals came, while the crows roosted up in the treetops. Then a big swarm of house sparrows arrived, muscling in, pushing the other birds out...noisy, bossy ruckus. I watched these aggressive birds, this little tribe - even certain individuals, focused on themselves at the others' expense.
All of a sudden, a crow called, and half the birds vanished in an explosion of flight. Then another call and the rest made for the cover of the crepe myrtle, eaves, or down through the deck spindles to the shrubs below. A split second later, a peregrine falcon shot into the crepe myrtle with a spray of snow. It happened so fast I wasn't sure of what I had seen. But sure enough, there he was, composing himself on a branch having missed his prey. Then he took off and flew away.
Shortly after, four female and two male cardinals appeared in the tree and had the buffet all to themselves - dignified, courteous, respectful. There are five pairs of cardinals that visit or roost in this Habitat. One male (Gabriel), will stand on a deck chair and advise me when the birds will need food and water, usually before a weather event like this severe cold.
Then the beautiful juncos with their airbrushed chests joined the party. Next, the woodpecker and mourning doves. Finally, the sparrows came back one by one, chastened and more respectful.
Yesterday, a murder of crows stopped by to indulge in the almond butter, pumpkin/hemp seed and apple blend I had put out when I ran out of commercial seed blend. Their presence had a gravity - the feel of a nameless dread. It looked like a scene from The Birds. The other birds had scattered as the crow family came and took their share. They showed a deference to these sentinels, often viewed by people as a nuisance. The crows stayed until Zoey, the dog, ran out to chase them away, properly chuffed by her guard dog prowess.
But today, the presence of the crows is a reminder that every living thing has a place. Today, I witnessed the language and partnership between species that we humans are still fumbling to comprehend.
In this Habitat, all are welcome.
