This lunchtime I was downstairs heating up some soup I’d made over the weekend (note to self, easy on the chilli next time), and I was watching the birds out in the back garden. The garden has a large apple tree, and I’ve not raked up the last of the windfall apples yet. I’ve been a little reluctant to do so, as it’s clearly a bit of a feast for the birds.
Whilst next door seem to put out bread, it’s mainly pigeons that descend on their scraps. Of course, in between meals the damned things seem to like sitting on our roof, right above my head, and irritate me considerably…. But that aside, it’s blackbirds (I think) that seem to like our apples (and no roof sitting to annoy me, so double plus good)
What was particularly fascinating was the jealousy with with the alpha-male (or female, for all I know) would see off the other blackbirds. With a menacing hop-hop-hop the alpha-male would charge to the would-be-apple-thief to scare it off. The lower-order birds seem very wise to this, and merely back off for a while before the alpha male was off to see off some other usurper, resuming their meal for a short period.
Most amusing of all was that the alpha-male didn’t get much of a look in itself as it was so jealously - and pathetically - ‘guarding’ it’s food. A true Sisyphean task, but hugely counter-productive. I soon got to wondering at what point does it become advantageous to be so hugely protective? This poor creatures attempts must have resulted in it expending more energy than it would otherwise get from merely dipping in.
Seagulls on a visit to the seaside a few months ago of course behaved similarly. I particularly enjoy taunting said alpha-male here by throwing food to the lower order minions, ensuring the alpha-male is running around in circles.
Of course, there’s plenty of reading to be had on such things, if you’re even vaguely interested. Which I’m not particularly, but do thoroughly enjoy watching birds getting utterly confused. Right, back to work… honest!
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November 29th, 2005 at 6:24 pm
Hi Richard, As far as I’m aware the black blackbirds are all male, and female blackbirds are brown. Young blackbirds are brown and speckled, becoming black (or brown) when they get their adult plumage. Also be warned, it won’t be just you watching the birds instead of working. Keep an eye on any builders, plumbers etc. you might employ on your new house. My mother-in-law had terrible trouble keeping the installers of her new kitchen from being distacted by the antics of said species!
P.S. Sorry for commenting to Roger Darlington about your advert post, I’m making up for it now.(Grovel!)