Non-migratory birds

[gurdonark]

I admire the birds who don't fly south for the winter. I know it's just an evolved survival strategy, and that these birds don't write dissertations about Deconstructing Homing Instinct--Our Flocks, Ourselves. But I still have a real fondness for these non-travelling pals. Here the grackles congregate in live oak trees, and make the fiercest racket--but they stay. The killdeer take their plover-ish steps across suburban park lawns. Cardinals hang out in prairie and tree. The house sparrow, the non-native non-sparrow, crowds the bird feeder. Giant crows fly everywhere, while hawks and even the rare golden eagle share coasting space with buzzards and vultures. The orioles and scissortail flycatchers are gone, with their oranges and blues. Now we have grays and blacks and blood reds. Somehow it all fits. I must hang a bird feeder outside my office window.

Comments

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

I love ALL the birdies!! I just think they're the BEST.

[rose-queen.livejournal.com]

Although most cardinals fly south, ours stay all year.
It does however, make us responsible in our hearts to feed them.
Poor little things. They have to shiver all the time just to stay alive here in winter.

[nutmeggie.livejournal.com]

Chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee!

[nancyjane.livejournal.com]

big beautiful falcons here are easier to spot on their perches now that most of the leaves are gone. I have also noticed that they sit atop the daylight-sensitive street lights, their bodies blocking ambient sunlight and causing the streetlight to come on. I wonder if they get some warmth from them, it happens too often to be mere coincidence I think.

We have lost most of the little birds... so sad for my finches, they have no one to chit chat with in the mornings. December is a little depressing for them I think. I do what I can :P .