God loved the birds and invented trees.
Man loved the birds and invented cages.
~ Jacques Deval
On my way home today, I saw a leaf twirling in the center of the road.
Except it wasn't a leaf; it was a peculiar little bird spinning in circles.
I stopped and reversed to take a closer look. Although I could see no visible injury, his eyes were closed and gritty. This little fella was sick and maybe blind.
And twitchy…extremely twitchy.
Thankful my camera was still in my car, I reached for it to capture him–how often is a wild bird not likely to fly away when you approach?
This little fella didn't have a chance if I left him where he was, so I searched my car to see if I had anything to wrap around him to relocate him to the grass. Amazingly and wonderfully there was a pair of ratty gloves in the side of my door! So I scooped him up…
…took a closer look, and realized just how pitiful he was…
After gently placing him in the grass, I wondered…
Having cited foxes, coyotes and raccoons in our neighborhood, did he even stand a chance? And as sick and confused as he seemed to be, would it have been kinder to just leave him in the street?
And can Avian Influenza penetrate knit gloves???
p.s. Thanks to my neighbor Abby for taking the pictures of me holding him…she came along at just the perfect time.
p.p.s. Does anyone know what kind of bird he is? At first I thought male cardinal but I'm not sure based on the shape of his head….
It looks like a male Cassin’s finch…..based on what the google tells me.
http://www.finchworld.com/birds/finch/cassin/cassin.htm
Beautiful!
I am viewing this on my droid . We are traveling down the gorge. My linited view would suggest cassins. Finch are particularly vulnerable to a bird disease… conjunctivitis. I think that is it.. they spread it rapidly at feeders. When that and bird pox arrives it is best just to take all the feeders down. Poor litttle thing.
Tammy, I’ve had several people suggest that to me so I’m guessing that’s right. I like watching birds but I can’t call many by name.
Pamela,
I almost sent this post directly to you :). That’s what it reminded me of, pink eye… But he was acting VERY crazy (but maybe that’s because he couldn’t see?). That whole spinning in circles indicated SOMETHING was going on… 🙁
I often wish the circle of life didn’t have to be as cruel as it apparently is. Then again, random acts of kindness like yours wouldn’t be anywhere as meaningful otherwise, so perhaps it’s just as well that the world works this way.
You’re a good soul, Robin. In this little being’s world, you made all the difference.
(I’m smiling at the serendipitousness of your entry: http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/02/angry-bird.html)
that breaks my heart. but at least you know that whatever finally ends his life, he got to sit in the cool grass with the warm sun and feel safe for a minute. poor thing.
poor little finch!!!
Carmi…you KNEW that would make me smile! I guess it’s a case of “great minds…”?? I think we often see the world through the same pair of glasses.
Gitz, he was gone when I checked later. Is it ok if I believe it’s because he was better?
Karmyn, I know….
Great post – I saw it’s been narrowed down to cassin’s finch – it also looks a bit like a tanager, but it’s a bit early for those.
Love this!
Blessings!