As I sit here, there is a tufted titmouse on my balcony trying to get to my fake flowers.
I love a bird.
I’m not sure when I became a casual birder (I say casual and not amateur because an amateur would know something about birds), but every time I sit on my balcony, I scan the trees and the sky for little songbirds. The day after my mom passed, crows started visiting my balcony, sitting in my chairs(!). I listen for woodpeckers and owls. All of this to say, I love a bird. I used to dislike birds because they poop everywhere, including in my hair (twice! 😱). I don’t know how to transition from this intro. Let me introduce you to the birds I met this past week.
House finch
The house finch isn’t even supposed to be here! This pretty, invasive songbird originated in the western United States. They were introduced to Hawaii in 1870 and landed on the East Coast, New York specifically, in 1940.
And have you heard a bunch of finches singing to each other? I’m always impressed at how such a tiny creature can make such a loud sound.
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