When I first captured a picture of these interestingly colored birds and looked it up online I was surprised to find out it was European Starling. First of all I was fascinated with their color and how it changed in different light, but secondly was that they made that trip all the way from Europe to my bird feeder. I wonder what part of Europe they originated from?
It all started about a month ago when I started noticing them show up in my backyard. The number of them seemed to increase with each passing day. I suspected they weren’t that organized on their flight over here so there were some stragglers still arriving. It was obvious they were depleted in their resources, which was evident by the continual disappearance of the hanging suet. It was getting expensive to keep these guys fed, but they still are a good deal. 2 suets for $3.34 + tax. Heck, anything that is less than a gallon of gas is a good deal in my book.
What was also interesting was the fact that they hopped around the back yard picking up what appeared to be fluffy stuff. I asked one of them what it was they were doing, but he didn’t answer. How silly of me. Of course he didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His mouth was full of fluff. I’ll have to try again when they aren’t so busy.
The other day when home for lunch I noticed that there were even more of them all over in apple tree yakking about. They were so loud I couldn’t hear myself think! Actually, I don’t think I have ever heard myself think, but I hear that statement all the time. It sounded appropriate to use here.
But anyway, they were so loud I was about to call the police. I mean come on, we do have a noise ordinance in the city limits you know and I think it covers bird racket. But I couldn’t remember the number… 991… 901… 191… 1-800-911? I keep forgetting what it is and if it’s long distance or toll free. I don’t call all that often and when I do they always give me another number to call, which I can never remember.
So anyway it was fortunate for the Starlings that I was so confused. It was much easier to instead watch them carry on, yakking at each other. It was then that I noticed that those doing the yakking looked a bit different the others. What was even more astonishing was the fact that they were getting fed by the others! Talk about lazy. Noisy and lazy.
But as I watched in disbelief it soon became more apparent what was going on. These birds just arrived from their flight over the big pond and were in critical condition. That’s why they looked so different. And those that were already here were doing their best to get them proper nourishment.
Now I’m wondering if I can do something to help, but what could I do! I’ll call that number… what was it… oh! 911! They are always so helpful whenever I call. They answer the phone on the first ring, sometimes sooner, and they always ask what my emergency is. I think it’s so nice that they are so responsive to my needs even if I don’t actually consider it an emergency.
But in this case it just might be. It’s obvious that these birds are in a critical state. The starving birds far out number the well ones. There is no way they will be able to help all those yakking birds in time to save them. I think I should alert the animal paramedics. I never heard of such a thing, but I’m sure that the helpful people at 911 will give me a number to call.
