Everyone has a bird story as memorable as their first heartbreak, and as such, they want to tell it to who might know about birds or heartbreaks. I happen to know about both. Truth is, no one wants to know about your heartbreak or your birds, that’s why I write this blog. For me. My heartbreak and my birds.
A lady told me how she has Eurasian Collard Doves nesting in her backyard and how mama dove has been guarding her nest day and night, rain or shine. But a couple days ago a gust of wind came and took the nest and her eggs away.
“I know they’re an invasive species and it’s nature, but I was so sad for her. She cared so much about her nest. But I know it’s nature.” The lady said.
She talked on and on about it as if she wanted me to tell her, “it’s okay, it’s nature therefore it doesn’t hurt. Mama dove didn’t care one bit. She’ll just start another nest and lay other eggs.” But I couldn’t because that would be as untrue as telling someone when their heart is broken, “It’s okay, it’s nature.”
“The mother birds very much hurt and mourn for their lost nests. And they can’t lay eggs again until next season. In this one case I was reading about, the mom stayed where the nest was for two days without moving.”
“I thought so,” she said walking away. “Well, thanks for that sad info.”
And perhaps I shouldn’t have bummed her out and lied, or gotten philosophical with her and explained birds don’t hurt the way we do. They don’t grieve the way we do. Pain and grief are closely associated with thinking. And humans do a lot of that, birds don’t. Birds just do.
So when someone came up and asked me, “what it is this bird in my backyard that sings so loud and pretty with an orange belly.”
I said, “American Robin. They have over 100 different songs.” I showed him a picture and he said, “Yes! It’s that one. Thanks.”
It’s Nature and everyday is a struggle, but birds will always sing. At least that’s what I’m trying to make sure of. Life would be unbearable without birdsong.
My Love is for the Birds - Sketches 