My backyard with its koi pond and feeders is a haven for
squirrels and
birds. We've had a family of cardinals for years with
the male red
contrasting within the green bushes and their showy
appearance at the
feeders spectacular.
I've always liked cardinals. Who
doesn't?
However, sometime in the last three months, Mama Cardinal
has
developed a neurosis.
She lands at the feeder and then flies against the
living room and kitchen windows, her head and beak pounding like
someone knocking at my door. She does this all day. Papa
Cardinal, on the other hand, lands at the feeder and then flies
away totally disclaiming any responsibility for the antics
of mama bird.
There's no bird psychologist listed in the yellow pages and
she doesn't
appear to harm herself.
I don't know if she and papa cardinal are on the
outs and she is lonely, or what? Well, anyway . . . until spring . . .
"Me, dumb cardinal."
