I used to feed starlings at my bird table in Cambridge. There were so many of them... I think I fed an entire family, plus their extended family for a good three years. They'd line up on the fence waiting for me to appear in the mornings with bags of seed and mealworms. I witnessed many dramas - squabbling over whose turn it was to peck at the coconut cake, or teaming up to ward off a magpie. Best of all was when they brought along their young and fed them directly from the table.
I got to see how their plummage developed over time, and it looked to me like they were slowly getting dressed up for a night on the town. Dapper waistcoats for the very young, followed by a shiny jacket, then fully suited and booted as adults!
I love Starlings, so nice to see their plumage stages. My work with birds consisted of those who were a little "larger" - birds of prey with the Audubon Society - though I had a friend who I helped with the care and feeding of the birds she raised (usually lovebirds). Your experience with them sounds wonderful. I'd love to see more drawings of them.
ReplyDeleteThank Ria! Your experience with birds sounds pretty wonderful too. I just looked up the Audubon Society, and that seems like an amazing group to have been involved with!
DeleteMy love of birds has just grown and grown over the years, so there will always be birds to see on this blog! :)
That would be fun to watch the pin feathers grow into real flying gear. And what a cool illustration.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon! Yep, it was pretty cool to see them develop :)
DeleteLovely style and it so nie read through!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Nirzara!
DeleteOh, I love starlings! I had never see them before moving in UK (in Italy it's not so easy meet them) but here they have made a nest on the roof of my house.
ReplyDeleteSorry for my English, your work it's great!
Thank you so much Clyo! Aw, they'll be noisy on your roof I bet, but great that you have a nest so close! I had some nesting nearby in my old house and I love hearing them chatter away. Also, hey your english is great! :)
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