Saturday, October 21st was a sunny, temperate day. This meant if the resident disabled woodpecker Wooka was not ‘working’ at an educational program, we’d be heading outside for some sunshine and pecking in the dirt like we’ve done for years. Not long after I arrived, I was told that he had not been doing well…
Common Grackles aren’t a common bird at our feeders, so when at least one started making regular appearances around our deck, it caught my attention. Since I already make a habit of watching birds out the kitchen window, I couldn’t help but lock on the unique behavior of suet-dunking from one of the Grackles. When…
A slightly edited version of this post was originally published on 10,000 Birds. Congratulating myself for leaving the house on time, I got into my car and drove off to meet up with a friend for lunch. Not one minute later, I noticed a small feathery mass sitting in the middle of my lane. Giving…
How do you pass the miles when you have lots of time to occupy your mind? Do you listen to the radio? Ipod? Audio books? Contemplate life? Enjoy the silence (if you can)? When Joel and I go on little road trips we are apt to challenge each other on our music trivia. General topics…
My very productive afternoon of house cleaning came to a screeching halt when I happened upon this: We get Eastern Bluebirds from time to time zipping across the yard but it’s not common at all to witness them just hanging out on the deck. Clean or watch pretty birds? Clean or watch pretty birds? Let…
September 1st marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Martha, the last Passenger Pigeon. The Passenger Pigeon was one of the most abundant birds in the world during the 19th century until they went extinct in 1914. Billions to none… the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon “The extinction of the Passenger Pigeon had two major…
Love; Exciting and New I was typing away at my computer when some unusually boisterous tweeting outside the office window grabbed my attention. There on the deck was a male house finch energetically bowing, curtsying, flashing some tail, and singing up a storm while a lady perched opposite him looked on. Because I had a mouthful of…
Feeling energized to get a jump on yard work, I set out before lunch to do some raking around our plantings under the deck. Seconds out the door, I heard a flurry of fluttering. My eyes immediately followed the fluttery mass towards the top of the closest tree. While the birds silently looked on, I…
It finally dawned on me why the birds dart away more often than not when I start to wash dishes at the sink. No dishpan talons for me! I am so sorry little friends! It never occurred to me that it must be confusing that the same nice lady who provides you with a bounty…
What makes a bird lover’s holiday merry and bright? Why, feathered friends conveniently cloaked in colors befitting of the season of course! Surely these winged lovelies could coax even the most obstinate scrooge into chirping out a holiday tune or two: Australian King Parrot Santa honey, there’s one more thing I really do need…the seed.…
Once I start my regular volunteer shifts at the wildlife rehabilitation center, my Saturdays get rather birdy which is exactly how I like it. While I’ve had a lot of fun this year caring for many feathered friends, I have to say that my crush for the season must go to the American Goldfinch. The…
Joel called me some time after lunch to ask what he should do about a little robin that was hopping around a parking lot where he was working. I asked him why he was asking. He explained that he was in a large parking lot hosting an outdoor event and had been watching a little…
My article as published in “Snitch’s Scoops” distributed by the Fox Valley Wildlife Center. Perhaps because it was the first bird to fascinate me as a child, I was instantly enchanted with a sparsely-feathered cardinal nestling that checked in to the center during my shift. Not only was it late in the season to receive…
I have been preparing to post a story about my recent visit to The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago and put my personal spin on the ancient Egyptian artifact exhibit that showcased the omnipresence of birds in their culture. I wanted to share in picture and story what I found to be intriguing,…
Observing the sweetness of a papa house finch tenderly feeding his little princess got me thinking about bird dads. What a convenient time for a special Father’s Day post! Even before their little ones hatch, bird dads are almost always on the job tending to mom and the nest. For altricial species, dad’s job can…
I had caught about a minute’s worth of little dark masses rapidly swarming about the sky in my peripheral before finally looking out the window to see what was going on. There was a substantial number of barn swallows on parade. Hark! Dost this swarming of aerial emissaries warn us of a menace that lurks…
It was late last summer that I remember discussing Baltimore Orioles with Andrea, Board President of the wildlife center. At that time, I had recently spotted my first one while on a nature walk at one of our favorite local haunts. Andrea told me that she had luck attracting orioles to her yard when she…
This morning my friend Robyn forwarded a tweet that read, “Did you know today is National Draw A Bird Day?” I did not know this. Drawing a bird was not on my to-do list but I quickly found myself making an opening. I went to the DABD website and learned about the day’s history. In…
I was nodding along in agreement and chuckling here and there to the DIY channel’s “That’s So 80s” comedic quips about old decorating trends until we got to the swans. Ouch! They hit a nerve. What’s wrong with swans? I think swan bathtub fixtures say, “I’m fiery and fierce yet graceful and elegant!” I honestly…
Have you ever seen a bald eagle up close and personal? Watched it raise its enormous wings or throw its head back and cry out a chatter call so intense that you can physically feel it? I recently got the chance to do just that. This one is definitely going on my short list of…
There are an infinite number of delightful and remarkable things birds do that I get to observe up close while performing the otherwise routine tasks of feeding them and cleaning up around them at our local wildlife rehab center. On one such occasion in August, I had the extreme pleasure of witnessing some extra-special behaviors…
The Fickle Feather 