Birds of a Feather

Did you know that bird-watching is the largest spectator sport in America? While I'm not a true birder, I do provide for the birds on my Sonoran Desert retreat. I maintain three types of feeder (wild bird seed, thistle, and hummingbird) and I keep water available. When I cleared a space for myself, I left several tangled piles of mesquite brush for roosting and nesting.

I have a field guide, Birds of Arizona, and have noted more than thirty species and sub-species on and above my property. Most are common wildfowl–finches, sparrows, doves, and quail. I have also spotted less common fowl: a pair of great horned owls, a blue grosbeak, and a male lazuli bunting. The female lazuli was probably with him, but she looks so much like a common sparrow I overlooked her. But then isn't that the point of the female having less gaudy plumage?

The birds seem appreciative of the food and water, but have no idea that I am their benefactor; they scatter to the winds when I come near. Why does anyone go to the trouble and expense of taking care of wild birds? My neighbor, whose wife also caters to wildfowl, once quipped, "I wonder what the birds did before bird feeders?"

As he was hinting, I expect the birds got along just fine. It's just that they were not feeding where I could pass the time observing them and marveling at the rich diversity of the bird world.

Need a bird feeder or want to learn more about wild birds? Here's the place to go.

~ ~ ~