BIRD TALK | Spring Fever

Visitors to small-town USA are often intrigued by the sight of tiny windmills, cartoon cut-outs, goblin sculptures and small picket-fences that adorn many home gardens. The bric-a-brac is apparently meant to bring cheer to those stuck in long cold winters, just as flowers and greenery are mood elevators in sunnier situations. For such reasons, one suspects, spring fever-ridden households set up brightly decorated birdhouses to attract birds. To make it irresistible to the winged visitors, often interesting elements such as water, bathing and bird feeding systems are set up to complement the housing. A variety of feeds are stored to attract the birds including bird-specific seeds to attract particular specie. I sat near one such setting on a cold morning. I had a frisky five-month-old puppy playing with my big toe, ensconced in a cozy dining area with a hot cuppa and a laptop. The snow and rain had long stopped. The cold was slowly making way for change of season. A magnolia tree was shedding its attractive white-pink flowers. Here and there a few yellow and white daffodils fluttered in the breeze. The sloping backyard held unruly damp grass and leafless trees.
Then something happened that caught the digitally preoccupied mongrel's attention and my eye. Across the large glass pane, a brilliantly reddish-orange bird came to the feeder. It momentarily glowered at us. Soon it was joined by its tan and white mate. In time, other wild little birds in ones and twos followed the Northern Cardinals. Someone in the house pointed them out as Song Sparrow, Eastern Bluebirds, Indigo Bunting and Pileated Woodpeckers. The birds combined their feeding with an elaborate song and dance routine. Each bird seemed to have a repertoire. With quick and springy movements and darting eyes, they hopped on or clung to the feeder. In between there was much talking, whinnying and squawking and squeaking, and chipping and chirping. And then there was music a sweet medley of calling notes. The aria made me forget about the windy and chilly situation outside...and the work on hand. I instead put down the PC, and surrendered myself to the charming fidgety cardinal that went cheer, cheer, what, what, what, what, cheerful charmer! It was bird talk. But it could easily have been Elvis working up people with yesteryear's hot number Get up, get out! Spring is everywhere!