Thursday, July 31, 2008

Thunderstorms


The sky is black
With roiling clouds.
A lightning crack,
Then thunder booms.

I tuck my head
Beneath my wing,
And think, with dread,
The world might end.

Big heavy drops
Roar on the roof.
Then the rain stops.
The sun comes out.

The sunlight glow!
The clouds move off.
Look! A rainbow!
I sing my joy.

Jary

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

That Dog Again


The humans have been visiting, and brought back pictures of Turner, the dog who warned us off his turf last fall. Looks out of shape to me-tongue hanging out--eager to suck up to the humans. The old lady was completely taken in. Says he is a "sweetie dog". And what's with the flat face and the curly tail?. Jah-Jah!
Jary

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Bird Watching 10: Parenting


Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis)

Nesting birds have been extremely active the last 6-8 weeks. Several different species competed for the nesting box on the deck--house sparrows, house finches, blue birds--but the chickadee family won out. They are courageous and persistent little birds, and this pair raised a fine family of young. One of the hunting parents is shown here in the nearby beech tree. They love to eat the nasty little green caterpillars that infest the beech trees this time of year. The squishy wrigglers were transformed into handsome little Carolina chickadees. What an improvement!
G.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Lost and Found!

We came across an inspiring news story last week about a grey African parrot named Yosuke, who lives near Tokyo. Yosuke flew out of the house, and couldn't find his way back home. Luckily, he was not eaten by a hawk or an owl, but rescued by the police from a roof. The police took him to a local vet hospital, where he gave the vet his full name and address, and then went home to a tender reunion! The policeman interviewed seemed amazed at his knowing to give his name and address, which is silly. All psittacines are remarkable linguists. Consider the characterization of Polynesia the Parrot in the "Dr. Doolittle" books. Humans tend to credit parrots only when they speak a human language, and then claim the performance as mimicry! We know what we're saying--its just very hard to speak any human language through a beak. I don't speak a human language, but I am fluent in Budgie, Robin, House Wren, Cardinal, Crow, Woodpecker dialects, Canary, Lovebird, Red Winged Blackbird, and the trash-bird languages (ie, starling and grackle).
Geoffrey

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

A Fantastic Toy!



The humans bought me a wonderful toy this week! It's a little plastic bathtub with a cute rubber duck on the top. They fill it with lettuce and water, so I can eat a salad and take a bath at the same time! Even Geoffrey and Jary like it, and they are not very fond of baths. But it is mine, and I love it. Thank you!
Jay-Jay

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Rain Forest?


Scarlet Macaw (http://www.fieldguides.com/perumanuwildlife.htm)
Photographer: Paul Thomas

We've had almost 9 inches of rain this month. (How do we know? Careful perusal of the newspaper and observation of the family rain gauge.) This would suggest that we are going to have climate change; we are hoping for rain forest conditions. Imagine the bird-watching opportunities! Australian parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus) are birds of the dry plains--and we have seen no other psitticines. If the backyard becomes a temperate rain forest, we will surely see parrots. We are hoping for macaws!
Geoffrey

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Spick and Span


I preen my feathers every day.
The ones that aren't in beak range
Are taken care of by my buds.
So, I preen theirs in exchange!

Jay-Jay likes to take a bath.
We guys feel some temerity.
That's why we approach the sink
In birdy solidarity!

Jary

Monday, April 28, 2008

One Hungry Feline


Dear 'Keets;
This diet is awful. Every time I visit my food dish, it's empty. I'm starving--and it brings out the wild cat in me! The little chipmunks outside are beginning to look tasty--but they're my friends! I just won't be able to go outside until I'm sure I'm in control. Help!
Furby

Friday, April 25, 2008

Dinosaurs Still Walk the Earth!



Our ad hoc journal club convened this morning, after hearing that researchers have shown that collagen genes salvaged from the thighbone of a T. rex skeleton are closely related to the collagen genes of modern birds (sp. chickens!). Thus, bird are the extant representatives of the dinosaur species! This, of course, has always been well known to us. The comet didn't get everybody! (Click on the title to link to the abstract.)

The mature female staged this "picture" of a plastic T. rex on the cage top. We perched on the kitchen window, and wouldn't go near it for at least 30 minutes. She removed it when she realized window cleaning was going to be necessary...

Geoffrey


Reference:
(Organ, et al, Molecular Phylogenetics of Mastodon and Tyrannosaurus rex. Science, 25 April 2008:
Vol. 320. no. 5875, p. 499
DOI: 10.1126/science.1154284)

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Eco-Nomics


Jary examining his "Carbon Footprint"

Earth Day is just past us, and we've been hearing a lot about green products and behaviors on the radio. Every advertiser in the newspaper on the cage bottom claims that his product is "eco-friendly". Just because a product wants to be "eco-friendly", doesn't mean the ecosystem feels the same way. The best way to be ecologically conscious is to buy fewer things--not more! Humans should pay attention to parakeets, if they want to be "green". (And, no, we aren't referring to Jary's feathers.)

We have developed our own set of recommendations for decreasing your carbon footprint:

1. Fly, don't drive. (But only if you have wings...)
2. Eat what you're given, especially lettuce. More will make you slow and dull.
3. Put the waste seed shells in the compost bin.
4. Recycle your newspaper frequently. Clean the cage!
5. You don't need a bigger cage, if you keep the cage top open.
6. You don't need new toys. Put some away for awhile, and when you take them out again, they'll feel just like new.
7. Other 'keets are more fun than toys, anyway.

The "Green" Birds
G, J, and JJ

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Do You Have Indigestion?

Jary:
That was a lugubrious poem. Did something you ate disagree with you? Or was it the foot bite you got from Jay-Jay? Better keep to light verse. We've had complaints from the readership.
Geoffrey

Monday, April 21, 2008

Which?


On breezy days in April,
I’m restless in my cage.
I long to fly among the trees;
Feel sunshine on my wings.

On gloomy days in April,
My refuge is my cage.
The cold rain falls against the trees;
Hawks balance on their wings.

On every day in April,
I love—no, hate—my cage!
Escape to live free in the trees?
Or let them clip my wings?

Jary

Saturday, April 19, 2008

You do look a little hippy.....


Dear Furby:
Geoffrey and Jary won't answer the question about your weight. They claim that no matter what they say you will be hurt. I know we are friends, and you want a honest response. I must say that you do look a little heavier than you did six months ago. You need to cut out the desserts. Your fur, however, looks magnificent, especially your tail.
Jay-Jay

Friday, April 18, 2008

Do I look fat?


Dear 'Keets,
I went to the doctor's last week for my annual check-up and he says I am 2 lbs overweight. Now they have put me on a diet!
Do I look fat? I think it is all the fur. My winter coat must weigh at least 2 lbs. What do you think?
Furby

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Movie Stars!


Jary and I were invited by the younger female to be in a movie a few days ago. As can be seen, we are both extremely photogenic, youthful, and handsome. Every 'keet hen's dream! We are willing to entertain offers for cinematic appearances. We would be especially interested if a discerning pet supply company should be in need of spokesbirds to endorse millet seed blends, treat-sticks, or bird toys, but only in the most dignified way! Contracts, of course, would have to be carefully reviewed by our attorney.
Geoffrey

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Bird Lettuce


The old lady has come through with the ultimate springtime treat--sweet baby lettuce! This stuff is awesome! It's in a pot next to the window. Yesterday, I preened a hangnail off her finger to show my thanks! I think I'm going to help myself at the pot--that way I won't have to share with Sep.
Jary

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Anniversary Treat Sticks


Jary and I are celebrating our third anniversary here. The humans recognize how lucky they are to have us gracing their home, and have presented us with our favorite goodies--treat sticks! We like all the flavors. There are sesame-banana, fruit, egg, honey-nut, and orange. We had an orange one yesterday. Delicious! We've observed that there is a unopened package of sesame-banana for the weekend! The manufacturer advertises that the parakeet given one will have "More fun! More fitness!". Hah! That's just a line for the humans--these are about as healthy as eating a soft sugar donut with chocolate icing!

G.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

The Daffodils


Sep and I both like this poem by a guy named Bill Wordsworth. Fits the weather here--windy, cold and sunny. Lots of little flowers. The spring birds are coming, and the winter birds are going north. Makes you want to fly high and explore the world!
Jary

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine 

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay.

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought 

What wealth the show to me had brought.

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood, 

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

A Tragedy


A sad thing has happened, right in the middle of a happy day. The outside birds were having a good lunch at the feeders, squawking, flapping about, enjoying the warm spring sun on their wings. Suddenly, there was a terrific thump. A bird had mistakenly flown right into one of the sliding glass doors. The poor bird dropped to the deck floor, trembled all over, and was still. It was a young red winged blackbird, with soft fluffy brown and orange feathers. We feel bad, because we worry that she could see us inside, and ignored the stickers on the glass in her eagerness to get in. We are comforted by the old saying that all birds believe is true, "He knows when a sparrow falls."
Jay-Jay

Monday, March 17, 2008

Saint Patrick


Today is Saint Patrick's Day. The humans go around saying "Everybody's Irish". We're not. We are native Australians--even Jary, despite being a very rich green color. The older female thought a picture of me perched on a cold potato would be somehow appropriate to the day. As you can see, I picked at it with my claw--but it is completely inedible! I would have much preferred a cabbage.

We approve of St. Patrick, though, because we read that he drove the snakes out of Ireland. We dislike snakes, especially the big black snake who suns himself out on the front lawn. This loathsome reptile was in the garage a few times last summer, and we could hear him brushing against the wall, doubtless saying evil things. I like to think of someone putting an end to him--preferably the end of a hoe!

Geoffrey

Friday, March 14, 2008

Birdwatching 9


American Robin: Turdus migratorius

The robins have started foraging for worms on the front lawn, now that the ground isn't frozen anymore. The humans always refer to them as "back", but they've been here all winter. Unlike the grackles and starlings, they are polite and companionable birds, except when they're hunting. Then, they don't like to be interrupted with idle conversation. We are seed eaters, primarily, so I can't get up a lot of gastronomic enthusiasm for a muddy, shrieking earthworm--but the robins seem to feel the same about worms as the human males here do about braised steak in gravy. When they are not "in the field", I've had interesting conversations with robins about lawn care. They don't like pesticides and herbicides on the lawn--it reduces the prey species.
Geoffrey

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Female Solidarity

Dear Jay-Jay:

I agree with you that males can be very bossy and insensitive. Keep insisting on your rights! Remember, though, that they are not that way all the time. For example, the Dad two-legger is a good friend of mine. He has fur on his face, like I do. No one else here does. Oddly enough, he doesn't have any fur on his head--there is a bare spot. I lick that spot sometimes, when he's sleeping on the floor, to see if I can get some hair to grow, but none has so far. I feel bad for him. He made me a really neat toy--a kitchen sponge attached to a piece of elastic. I attack and shred the sponge while it bounces up and down. I love it.

I am seeing birds at my feeder now. Today, I even had a concert. I reclined on my ironing board nest, and watched a little house wren warbling away. He was perched on the top twigs of the bushes outside the window. He was not a professional singer, but it was a very nice concert. I would have clapped, but my paws don't make sounds when I strike them together. Maybe I should yowl next time?

Take care,

Furby

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Stop Bossing Me!


I'm tired of Geoffrey and Jary telling me what to do all the time! One of them is always insisting that he gets to groom me or feed me, and they are always fighting over me. They say I don't know things, or that I'm silly and young. I wish they'd stop. I gave them both a talking to yesterday! From now on, I'm going to be treated with respect. After all, I've been here a year. I'm not a naive little thing any more! I'm an "heninist"!
Jay-Jay

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

RE: The Hungry 'Keet

I am rendered speechless. Well, almost..... I hope Mr. Noyes has no living relatives.
Geoffrey

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

The Hungry 'Keet


The cactus is blooming so pretty. It says, "Oh eat me, please!"
It sits in the sunny window, framed by the backyard trees.
It's leaves are scarred by beak marks, where 'keets have eaten before.
And the hungry 'keet came flying-
Flying-Flying-
The hungry 'keet came flying, up through the open door!

"One bite of you, yummy cactus! So crunchy and so sweet!
And then I'll take another bite. You are my favorite treat.
You always hurt the one you love...Yikes! A foot upon the stair!"
Woe betide the greedy 'keet-
Woe betake the greedy 'keet-
Who's caught in the sunny window, eating cactus there!

Jary

Friday, February 29, 2008

Editorial: The Injustice of Leap Year


Here we are in the "dog days" of winter, and the humans go and tack on one more day! Ridiculous! We want Spring--and it won't get here any faster if we have an extra day in February. Winter has many pleasures, including curling up in one's favorite chair with a good millet spray, but enough is enough. We expect Spring to be delivered on time in 20 days! Or else.
Geoffrey

Thursday, February 28, 2008

News from Furby


Hi "Keets,
My two-leggers checked out your theory that the birds can see me through the window, and because of that, don't come to my feeder. They went out and stood next to the feeder, but couldn't see me through the window. So, it's not a problem unless feeder birds see differently than humans. They attached a tray to the top of the pole, broke up the seed block, and put the seed on the tray. Next day, a cardinal came to the feeder! But, I wasn't there to see it--I was getting in some bird-watching through another window. There are lots of birds there, perched in the tall aquavitae outside. Blue jays and all sorts of little wrens... The jays scream and argue. Very entertaining! I have added blue jays and the cardinal to my life list.

I've been held captive a lot lately. The cold weather makes the two-leggers want to hold warm, fuzzy things. My goodness, sometimes I can barely get to my litterbox on time! The two youngest make "caves" for me under tables and chairs. But, just as I settle myself for a nice fantasy about crouching and pouncing, one of them reaches in and drags me out.

Sigh....

Furby

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Benefits of Wild Bird Feeding


Our ad hoc journal club continues. We were delighted to read in Nature Research Highlights, that a study in Ireland demonstrated that birds who have access to feeders have greater breeding success than birds who do not. So get out there, and hang up a feeder! The paper is Robb, et al, in Biol Lett. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2007.0622 (2008).
Geoffrey

Monday, February 18, 2008

Day 3 of the GBBC

Hello! We had a wonderful time yesterday. I have started my life list, and have 25 species on it! Geoffrey and Jary are helping me. I saw the Carolina wren and his wife who live in our yard. They are spending the winter in the birdhouse nailed to the pole on the deck. The suet block is hanging nearby, and the wren said that they are very comfortable. (One of their kids got into the house twice last June. He was a cheeky little guy, and wanted to try out our seed, but he didn't come back after he landed on a very prickly cactus in the kitchen window. The older female let him out through the garage.)
The older female was very happy yesterday. She found part of the black-headed vulture flock at the dumpster behind the "7-11", and was able to count them.
Best!
Jay-Jay

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Red Breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)


Yo! Day 2 of the GBBC. Great day yesterday! Saw a red-breasted nuthatch! First one for me. Photo above. Also, we alerted the old lady to a huge flock of grackles. Stood on the cage, and squawked like crazy! She counted over 200 in the back yard!
Cheers!
Jary

Friday, February 15, 2008

The Great Backyard Bird Count


We're excited this morning, and have been up since dawn, with our beaks pressed to the kitchen window. It's the start of the GBBC (see link above), and we've already submitted 3 checklists, and added one bird (the red breasted nuthatch) to our life lists! We encourage everyone to participate. Even parakeets can be citizen scientists! We didn't count ourselves, of course, in part because the habitat "living room" is not listed as an option on the submission form.
Geoffrey

Thursday, February 14, 2008

My Valentine


Me and my sweetie.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Geoffrey

Friday, February 8, 2008

Diagnosing Furby's Feeder Problem

Hey, Furby:
We talked over your problem with the feeder. Jay thinks it's because the birds can SEE YOU through the glass window. I think she's right. Sep says there are "one way" windows--you see out, but they can't see in. Your two-leggers seem to really like you, so installing one shouldn't be a problem.
"Cat"ch you later.
Jeekins

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Year of the Rat



c) 2000-2004 Martin Krzywinski (photos are for public use)

Happy New Year! The older male is a "rat" person, so we are recognizing the day. Jay-Jay is a "boar", and Jary and I are "roosters"--which is very appropriate, because we are. We see no special celebration in the offing, although we were offered our favorite iceberg lettuce this morning. We have our doubts about honoring Rattus norwegicus, having had serious trouble with rodents before. Most of the other animals in the Chinese zodiac are either useful or awe-inspiring. Rats are neither, unless you think the ability to survive insults and situations which would annihilate an ordinary human or parakeet is "awe-inspiring".
Geoffrey

Monday, February 4, 2008

Bird Deficit

Dear 'Keets:
My feeder has been up for a couple of weeks, and I'm not seeing any birds at all! It's made of sunflower seeds and suet, and it's in the bushes, so there's plenty of cover. I've been watching it carefully, and not one bird has shown up.
What do you think is wrong?
Furby

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Warning! Pin Feathers!


I'm shedding my feathers in batches.
New feathers produce itchy patches.
I'm cross when I'm molting,
'Cause I feel revolting!
I need love and lots of head scratches!

Irritably,
Jary

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Jay Learns to Step Up


Jay-Jay, being female, is not as eager to step-up or interact with the humans. The last week, however, she stepped up for the first time. Millet was involved, of course. Jary and I were eating greedily, and Jay-Jay knew we would get it all, unless she took action.
G.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Furby's Feeder

Hi, "Keets:
I haven't heard back, so I guess that your mouse problem has "gone away". Did you see the body when they took it out?
I've decided to become a bird watcher, like you guys, and we erected a "bird feeder" in the bushes in the front yard. It's one of those rectangular blocks of seed hung from the top of a wooden stake. Because it is surrounded closely by a thick cover of evergreen bushes, I am sure the birds will feel comfortable enough to accept my invitation for a meal. We put it in the ground yesterday, as there is a cold snap predicted, and it would be hard to get the stake in if the ground is frozen solid. Of course the cold weather will mean the wild birds will need additional nutrition. I watch the birds through the front picture window, while reclining on the top of the ironing board. The two-legger Mom has put a pad on it, and my favorite blanket. I am very comfortable, and I'm really looking forward to starting my "life list". May I send pictures of the birds I see?
Enthusiastically!
Furby

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

"Cajun Cardinal"

The mature female has become exasperated with the amount of birdseed the squirrels are eating. It is appalling. They'll eat as much as she can put out--pounds a week, if provided to them. They are hanging on the feeders all the time, and the desirable birds cannot get a toe-hold. In fact, the birds had practically given up--even the juncos, who are hardy and persistant. Early this week, she returned from the garden store with a big bag of sunflower hearts, coated with jalepeno pepper powder, called "Cajun Cardinal". She filled the feeders and then we got to watch the show. Several squirrels came running, leaped on the feeders, and got a big surprise! When it comes to profanity, nothing can beat a squirrel.
Geoffrey

Friday, January 11, 2008

I Think That I Shall Never See....


They are taking down the Christmas tree. It was lovely, but it is dying and doesn't drink water anymore. Geoffrey says that they will put it out behind the fence, where other birds can enjoy it. The outside birds hide in and among the branches when the cold winds blow. Eventually, it will compost away. I wish we could keep one as a pet.
Jay-Jay

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Reply to an Unjust Remark

I DID NOT HAVE HYSTERICS!
Jay-Jay

"The Exterminator" Replies

Dear Jary:
I would still recommend a cat, but human exterminators can do the job. They have no finesse, but I guess elegance isn't your primary concern.
Regards,
Furby

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Questions for "The Exterminator"

Yo--Furby:
We had a scary night. The mouse got inside. Jay-Jay had hysterics, and woke up the females with her wing-beating and squawking! The people set a few traps, but they haven't sprung, even thought there's peanut butter for bait. I think this furball is a pretty smart cookie. Once a month, somebody comes in here to look for and kill termites. Can these people do mice, too? Sep won't get a cat, but we can't hack another night like the last one!
Jary

Friday, January 4, 2008

Birdwatching 8



RE: Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)

Big flocks of these are visiting the feeders. The females look nothing like the males. These in the photo are male. They have an attractive call, but tend to be thuggish at the feeder. Allowances must be made, though. It was 18oF this morning at dawn, and it is difficult to be polite when very cold and ravenous. By way of illustration, I append a verse from Wallace Stevens' justly famous poem "13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird".
Geoffrey

XIII
It was evening all afternoon.
It was snowing
And it was going to snow.
The blackbird sat
In the cedar limbs.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

2008?

We wish you a Happy New Year--if you are human. Birds do not pay attention to these things, except when forced. We were "forced" last night....somebody in the neighborhood was shooting off fireworks in the wee hours, and woke us up. There was shouting and raucous noise. I suspect alcohol was involved.
We hate fireworks, and are cranky this morning.
Great way to start a new year.
Geoffrey