Sunday, March 16, 2008

They are listed as one of the world's worst invasive alien species.

There is a bird, a medium-sized bird (making him the largest at the feeder) who has begun to visit the feeder in the backyard.  Unlike the others, he doesn't politely wait in the queue when the feeder is full.  He arrives in a flurry of beating wings that frighten away all the pretty finches and sparrows and nuthatches and chickadees.

While the other birds scatter and then watch from nearby trees, this rather aggressive creature takes his time at the feeder, standing on the bottom tray instead of on any of the twelve perches, and effectively stops anyone else from eating until he decides to leave.

I looked him up.  Apparently he isn't the most beloved bird for many bird-watchers.  Apparently he is a great threat to the delicate ecosystem in Australia.  He certainly has bad manners.  Guess who he is?  

Starling.  Hee.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

He is every bit as beautiful as you are.

mischief said...

*blows you kisses*

Ellen said...

Somehow it fits, doesn't it? And I'm sure he's as delighted about it as you are.

I miss you.