Clever Birds

Earlier this year I enjoyed an interesting article in the New Zealand Gardener magazine about native birds that we can find in our backyards. 

In a fit of enthusiasm, I bought a nectar feeder and then spent the best part of a day choosing just the right spot to install it. It needed to be away from hazards to the birds (cats!) and away from hazards to myself (ladders!). Although the Glorious Offspring (my kids), did point out that if I fell off the ladder at least I could enjoy watching the birds as I recovered. Hmm…

Anyway, after finding a fabulous spot I filled the feeder with the required nectar and sat back in anticipation for the birds to arrive and partake in my beneficent offering. Not expecting much, I was fairly surprised to find birds using the feeder just two days later. I would like to think this is because of my excellent strategic planning skills but I suspect it is because the birds are cleverer than I anticipated.

At first a chattering bunch of Tauhou (Silvereye) descended on the feeder and proceeded to flutter and clamber over each other like a dainty but unruly corps de ballet.

Shortly after the iridescent Tui flew in to take command of the feeder. Their song, heard up close, is as amazing as it is outlandish.

Finally, the shy and solitary Korimako (Bellbird) arrived on silken wings. Their sweet song is a musical treat.

Feeling inspired by my new bird-mania, I hunted out some gorgeous bird books on our library shelves. Take a look;

The Brilliance of Birds: A New Zealand Birdventure. Skye Wishart; photographs by Edin Whitehead
New Zealand Birds in Pictures. Kimball Chen
Birdstories: A History of the Birds of New Zealand. Geoff Norman
Bird Words: New Zealand Writers on Birds.Elizabeth Easther (Ed.)

The chill of winter is easing now, and can I emerge from my puffer jacket. The spring blossoms are making an appearance, so I occasionally let the nectar run dry to encourage my new feathered friends back to their usual haunts. Rather ungratefully, the Korimako and the Tauhou seem unsurprised and unmoved. But occasionally I spy the Tui sitting outside the window singing and chattering intently, as if by their song alone they can lure me out to fill the feeder just one more time.

It works. Clever birds.