Feed the Birds

I was never much of a bird watcher growing up. Birds then were more of a pest - like pigeons. Then I met David, and he was one of those who participated in the annual bird count, so whenever we went out he would point to a bird and tell me the species, and if it was indigenous to our area.

At first it was a yawn for me, and I was thinking “What a geek,” but soon I started to pay attention, and it wasn’t much later that we started amassing birdfeeders.

I knew that some birds flew south for the winter, but what was more interesting were the ones who stayed, and how they survived in our cold, Michigan winter climate.

I particularly liked to watch the cardinals and the finches. The distinctive bright colored feathers of the males, and the unusual but equally beautiful coloring of the female cardinal, with her brownish red feathers and bright orange beak. If you take a close look, as we have been able to do with them feeding, you can begin to tell them apart.

We have followed one cardinal family through generations in our back yard. The beautiful original pair started to bring their young to our feeders, and soon we lost sight of the older ones as the next generations brought their young. I often wonder whatever happened to the first pair we took to heart.

Yellow finches are the most common here, and I never knew that their feathers got darker as the cold approached, and then came back to the vibrant yellow as warm weather set in.

I wonder if birds discriminate? I have seen different species of bird feed from our feeders, and I have seen seen some become more aggressive with other birds, but I have never seen a red finch feed with a yellow finch. Perhaps it's because we don't have many red finches, but the ones we do have don't associate with the yellow ones - at least not from my observations.

If you really want to enjoy nature, put up a birdfeeder, birdhouse or birdbath outside the window you normally sit at. You will then understand that bird watching is not a “geek” hobby, but actually a study in society of other species. What an education!