It’s been quite a good day, feeder-wise. Heavy rains brought in droves of tiny refugees, mostly sparrows and finches, but I had several starling visits, into the bargain. I think it’s always the same starling. That’s how it usually goes, when I get a new species on my feeder. One individual finds it, and manages to keep the secret a while, but sooner or later, others catch on.
The struggling crow also dropped by several times — just by himself, today. He seemed very tired. He settled right into the feeder, and helped himself to a long lunch, a long preen, and a little nap. I was a bit worried, seeing him sleeping on my balcony like that, all bunched up in the feeder with seeds and suet clinging to his beak. Healthy birds don’t tend to nap here. I mean, I get the occasional lazy sparrow, on a hot afternoon…but I’m not sure whether those are asleep, or just sunbathing with their eyes shut. Probably the sunbathing thing. They open their beaks and spread their wings a bit, too. They seem to enjoy the warmth. But the crow, he was dozing, no two ways about it. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to wake him. He’s shown me one little crow, but who knows how many he’s got in the nest? He’s probably on the wing all day, picking up food and bringing it home. Indeed, after his nap, he filled his beak one last time, and flapped off with it. All right for some, hanging back in the nest and having their meals delivered!
In spite of his napping, I was pleased to see him out and about, living his crowy life. I spotted him on my afternoon walk, as well, pecking over the garden, with the starlings. I hope he found a nice, fat worm.
It’s been more than a week, now, since I first spied this broken crow. Although he seems to be getting by all right, I’m not sure he’ll ever be the same.
Proof of Having Been Outdoors (and Having Been Rained Upon — Thanks, Mother!)
It’s a puddle. Quite a common sight, around here.
