Ode to City Birds

American Robin (photograph by Caleb G. Putnam)

“Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?”

~ David Attenborough

Italian Paradise

Some years ago, we took a fabulous six-week trip to explore beautiful Northern and Central Italy, meandering by car off the beaten path. Part of that trip involved a stay in a charming villa in Umbria, near the border of Tuscany. It was the perfect home base from which to explore the surrounding territory. The villa was a quaint, traditional small stone building, converted from what was once a tobacco drying shed. Quietly tucked away in the hills, it was ideally situated in the countryside at the far end of a long, winding, dirt road running up the hills through the forest, past occasional meadows of bright yellow sunflowers, olive groves and towering cypress trees. The villa itself was idyllic: peacefully and privately perched high on a hilltop. Nestled into a forest, it had an expansive, open west exposure, which afforded a beautiful view of staggered rolling hilltops, softly receding and fading one into the other with perfect tonal gradation. Bees buzzed in the fragrant purple lavender bushes dotting the yard, sensuously scenting the hot, dry summer air. Huge, heavy heads of vibrant red geraniums poked out of terracotta pots hung picturesquely from all the window sills. A cozy hammock called from the dappled shade of two lovely trees. Several tables and chairs were set up throughout the yard for outdoor dining, strategically placed to take advantage of the spectacular views. The blazing Tuscan-like sunsets were glorious to watch. It was perfect, utterly perfect. We’d stepped right into our idea of paradise. Or did we?

But Wait…

Something was off in paradise. It took us a couple of days to put our finger on what it was that felt so odd about the place. It was truly beautiful, so what was amiss? It was so peaceful, so utterly silent. And then it hit us—it was too silent: non c’erano uccelli! There were no birds! Not a single bird to be seen or heard! It was the strangest thing. Never before had we awoken to a morning completely devoid of birdsong—not even in any city we’d ever lived in or visited. There were birds aplenty in all the Italian cities and towns we visited. But in the countryside of Umbria, the birds were gone.

The short explanation is that songbirds have historically been hunted there and throughout the Mediterranean. We learned later that there is a growing movement afoot to try to rectify that. Many small groves of sunflower patches have been planted throughout the forests in an effort to attract more birds back. So, while everything else about our Italian villa was utterly perfect, we couldn’t quite call it paradise—because our idea of paradise must include gli uccelli, the birds, one of nature’s sweetest gifts to us and this beautiful planet.

House Sparrows (photograph by Lip Kee Yap).

“A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning,
as if supported by the rays of the sun,
a bird settled on the fire escape,
joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked…”

~ Anais Nin

Thank Goodness for City Birds!

According to a study cited in a recent blog post by Andrea Alfano from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, major cities around the world are home to some 2,041 bird species—making up 20 percent of all known bird species. And thank goodness for that! Since our experience in the song-less forests of Italy, our already high appreciation for all birds increased dramatically, but perhaps even more so for those birds willing to cohabit with us city dwellers.

Intrigued by that statistic, I decided to take an inventory of the birds I regularly see in my neck of this high-density downtown Calgary neighborhood. While I’m not a serious birder, I do enjoy keeping my eyes peeled for birds wherever I am, and I particularly enjoy trying to identify any birds we happen to see or hear.

 

A juvenile fledgling robin with a speckled breast. I once saw them described somewhere as having an “adorably grumpy and somewhat baffled look” which, happily, they grow out of (photograph by Arthur Chapman).

Robins

Robins are arguably my favourite bird, perhaps because, for me, their song is inextricably linked to a treasure trove of happy childhood memories—memories of being serenaded at dawn and again at dusk every spring. With life changing so fast these days, there is something so comforting about hearing the same song I heard as a child—one that resonated so deeply with me, even then. To this day, the robin’s song instantly touches something deep and joyful and comforting inside of me. I remain ever appreciative that these beautiful birds make our city boulevards and yards and neighborhood parks their home every spring.

Click here to hear the American Robin’s beautiful song.

House Sparrows

I know that the ubiquitous House Sparrow seems like such a boring little bird to most. Often described as “distinctively drab”, they are easy to dismiss as simply another “little brown job”. But that’s not my take on them. I think they are handsome little birds. And I particularly appreciate them for the true city birds that they are, living as they do all year-round in our city.  Were it not for them, I would not hear such a happy chirping chorus everywhere I go, no matter the season. Unperturbed by any extremes of weather, these rowdy and robust little birds chatter and chirp all day long, whether it is a frigidly cold snowy day in winter or a sweltering hot summer’s day. Somehow they have not only adapted to city life, they have thrived here. I’m so happy they have chosen to live in our cities.

House Finches

The House Finch is another favourite summer bird. They are a relatively recent addition to our neighbourhood in the last ten years or so. Their distinctive, happy, warbling song serenades our whole neighborhood, beginning as soon as they arrive in mid-April and continuing through until early July.

House Finch (photograph by Danny Sveinson; DJS Photography)

Click here for an audio sample of the House Finch Song. The House Finch song in our neighborhood is a bit sweeter, slightly more intricate, and not as “scratchy” sounding as this recording, but this gives one a good idea of their beautiful song.

Black-capped Chickadees

These adorable, curious and very social little birds never fail to make me smile. I often hear their beautiful, resonant two-note song ringing high and clear above the fray and din of city sounds. Happily, these sweet birds live with us year-round. And what a joy when one comes and lands on our hands (see: Little Birds Feeding From My Hand).

Click here to hear the Black-capped Chickadee’s typical two-note song.

Red-Breasted Nuthatch

Another year-round bird, Red-breasted Nuthatches are always a joy to see and it is so delightful to have one alight upon our outstretched hands (see: Little Birds Feeding From My Hand).

Northern Flickers

Below is a quick shot I got of a regular winter visitor to our balcony. This beautiful, inquisitive woodpecker loves to stop by for some of the fresh, unsalted peanuts in the shell we put out in the winter. Northern Flickers are here all year, but once the insects come out, they no longer come round for peanuts. Instead, we often seen them on the ground hunting for ants (one of their favourite summertime meals). Don’t you just love their markings?

Northern Flicker on our balcony railing (photograph by madlyinlovewithlife)

Mallards

Isn’t it wonderful that some birds like to float on water? Mallards are common in our city park ponds and familiarity makes it easy to overlook their beauty. But, common or not, if one really takes the time to look, one cannot deny the splendor of their gorgeous iridescent plumage. It never fails to catch my appreciative eye.

Male mallard posing for me at Prince’s Island Park, Calgary (photograph by madlyinlovewithlife).

Canada Geese

It just wouldn’t feel like spring without seeing all these adorable yellow fuzz balls—Canada Goose goslings at Prince’s Island Park.

Magpies

Magpies are part of the very intelligent and entertaining bird family known as corvids. These guys also love unsalted peanuts in the shell and they love to stop by our balcony for a few in the winter time, particularly on very cold days. They are fun to watch because they always take time to lift and drop every single peanut, weighing each of them to ensure they pick the biggest and heaviest ones first. They are curious birds—they love to search our flower pots for hidden peanuts and love to cache their finds elsewhere on our balcony.

Merlins

Occasionally, different birds will use our rooftop as a perch. This Merlin was calling to a prospective mate.

Merlin perched on our rooftop (photograph by madlyinlovewithlife).

Great Horned Owl

And what a treat when, on two occasions, a Great Horned Owl landed on our rooftop at dusk, peering back at us with those amazing yellow eyes!

Great Horned Owl (photograph by Spencer Wright)

Bald Eagles

Several times a year, we serendipitously spot a Bald Eagle soaring right past our window or gliding high above us in ever-widening circles, white tail feathers back-lit by the sun, as it catches an updraft. It’s always a breathtaking and glorious sight.

Bald Eagle (photograph by Tyler Ingram)

City Chicks

And what thriving city would be complete without a wide array of beautiful City Chicks?

Stylish City Chick (photograph by Magdalena Roeseler)

 

Here is a list of birds I’ve spotted in our inner-city neighbourhood, either on the streets or in our inner-city parks:

Commonly seen and heard:

• Sparrows
• Pigeons
• American Robins
• House Finches
• Northern Flickers
• Downy Woodpeckers
• Chickadees
• Red-Breasted Nuthatches
• European Starlings
• Magpies
• Crows
• Gulls
• Mallards
• Canada Geese

Less commonly seen (perhaps several times a year):

• Peregrine Falcons
• Merlins
• Northern Harriers
• Bald Eagles
• Golden Eagles
• Blue Jays
• Ravens

Other bird sitings in various city parks around Calgary:

• Common Mergansers
• Cedar Waxwings
• American Goldfinches
• Yellow Warblers
• Pelicans at the Bow River Weir in Calgary

 

Image Credits:

House Sparrow, CC by Lip Kee Yap via Flickr
American Robin, CC by Caleb G. Putnam via Flickr
American Robin Juvenile, CC by Arthur Chapman via Flickr
House Finch, CC by DJS Photo (Danny Sveinson) via Flickr
Great Horned Owl, CC by Spencer Wright via Flickr
Bald Eagle, CC by Tyler Ingram via Flickr
Untitled, CC by Magdalena Roeseler via Flickr

All other photos by madlyinlovewithlife
© 2014 madlyinlovewithlife