tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post115196866007103744..comments2008-12-13T03:21:25.811-05:00Julie Zickefoosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06654698829603424649noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1152041976280027592006-07-04T14:39:00.000-05:002006-07-04T14:39:00.000-05:00Katdoc - you took the words out of my mouth about the bluebirds. This is our first year with having a nesting box, and we're lucky to be able to watch them from day one. Our pair is on their 2nd round of babies, while the older ones still hang around our backyard, often sitting atop the bluebird box. I noticed after they fledged, that they would sit on the edge of our platform feeder near the mealworm cup and wait for their parents to feed them. Slowly they began to feed themselves, and now we can watch them stop by on their own, looking to see if there are any worms out.Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06531960628089822469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1152039416117068682006-07-04T13:56:00.000-05:002006-07-04T13:56:00.000-05:00Thanks for the update on the phoebes. Glad to hear Avis is recovering and that Luther waited around for her. I'm sure they are glad to be back together.<BR/><BR/>Thank you, too, for your gentle comments and explanations. Rather than engaging in a debate, you take the time to teach. Your descriptions of bird behavior - natural behavior - help to educate us all.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes birders get too caught up in the statistics of birding - number of species seen, number of individuals counted, various lists - and forget to simply *watch* birds. One of my birding mentors once defined the difference between being a birder and a birdwatcher, with the implication that birding was somehow superior to birdwatching. I disagree - bird *watching* (or observing, or whatever you choose to call it) in my book means really studying your subjects to see what the birds do rather than merely ticking off a check list and moving on.<BR/><BR/>My birding the last 3 days has been dedicated to watching a pair of Song Sparrows - she is building a nest in the evergreens next to my deck and right outside my front door. A "birder" might ignore her; she is "common" and not very spectacular. I am fascinated with watching her carry dried bits of vegetation - some longer than her body - and seeing how she manuevers them through the branches to just the right spot. Even when I can't see her, I know she is working by the quivering of the shrub as she does her little "shimmy-dance" to form the inner cup of her nest. I am already anticipating watching her through egg laying, incubation, and feeding the young ones. By watching this common bird, I can know more about the species than how to ID it in the field.<BR/><BR/>Having watched phoebes and other birds, you are able to mimic, to the best of your puny human ability, the natural feeding behavior of a wild phoebe parent. Anyone who has watched bluebirds has seen this same behavior - fledglings who are out of the nest, but still not hunting on their own. They huddle together, calling for their folks and responding to their replies, waiting to be fed. Even seed-eaters follow their parents around, learning their trade before striking out on their own. I always laugh at the baby house finches, sitting right in the middle of black-oil and sunflower seeds and begging for an adult to stick some food in their face. It takes time to learn how to be on your own - I'm sure you will cut the apron strings and wean your babies when the time is right.<BR/><BR/>KathiKatDocnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1152022713939364902006-07-04T09:18:00.000-05:002006-07-04T09:18:00.000-05:00You are amazing! Thanks for the vicarious phoebe rehab-experience. After reading about the exhaustive care needed to raise two little balls of fluff (and I can't wait until someone brings you a pair of baby oystercatchers- those'll be some good stories!) I am 1) glad I'm not a mother phoebe and 2) glad I didn't have to raise the three who fell out of their nest over our front door yesterday (they are in the photinia bush being fed by their parents today). Let me compare your phoebe story with reading Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, which similarly made me glad I missed THAT expedition.Zeladoniachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09142969266659494483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1152020800914046162006-07-04T08:46:00.000-05:002006-07-04T08:46:00.000-05:00Well said about wildlife rehabilitators. Well, who better to explain it, right?<BR/><BR/>Fuzzy or not though, this has been a beautiful story to follow. I'm glad things are looking up for Avis.laughingrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18131160040248786774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151988147932421072006-07-03T23:42:00.000-05:002006-07-03T23:42:00.000-05:00Way to go Avis!<BR/><BR/>I'm sure you know this, but you write so much more beautifully when you're not defending yourself against someone who's only out to jerk your chain.<BR/><BR/>;-)<BR/><BR/>Can you explain the bug-bashing thing? Do these birds do that just to soften food up, in place of chewing? Do all insect eating birds do it? What have they got against cricket legs? Too crunchy?LauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151986836231597872006-07-03T23:20:00.000-05:002006-07-03T23:20:00.000-05:00What a dear heart and kindred spirit to all of us who support wildlife. Thank you and God bless.<BR/><BR/>JudyB, Henderson, TNJudyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151977639605163072006-07-03T20:47:00.000-05:002006-07-03T20:47:00.000-05:00Good for you, Julie. Good for you. Bravo with the clear and compassionate explaination about the birds, and your ways with them. Everyone benefits. The birds, the humans. <BR/><BR/>Heather, Wayne, PAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151976691832784112006-07-03T20:31:00.000-05:002006-07-03T20:31:00.000-05:00What a story! Your caretaking is so smart, always with an eye toward an independent future of these two young Phoebes. You've done such an amazing job. I love that Avis is well. That shadow shot of Luther on top of the tent is so perfect.robin andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06386655587963143782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151976500061842822006-07-03T20:28:00.000-05:002006-07-03T20:28:00.000-05:00This tale is not only heart-warming, it's very enlightening as well. Now, every time I watch a phoebe, I'll know so much more about how they live and behave. Thank you!MojoManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06096474238114783572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151973000963458722006-07-03T19:30:00.000-05:002006-07-03T19:30:00.000-05:00they dear Julie are the lucky ones!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19608656.post-1151972943974221152006-07-03T19:29:00.000-05:002006-07-03T19:29:00.000-05:00Wonderful news about Luther and Avis! Thanks for the update, Julie.Mimihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02341193228513852642noreply@blogger.com