It’s winter here. I’m almost living with the birds in the garden.
It’s somewhat limited my ability to keep up here.
But spring is on the way… and soon I’ll be relieved of my duties 🙂
Once I begin feeding the birds I feel obliged to continue until they disappear. They never get addicted to sugarwater or peanutbutter, or sugar-rice or apples or… As soon as wild food is available they leave. I’d hoped this year would be quiet. It’s exhausting being a birdwoman. It’s not quiet… however it’s wonderful for bird watching and photography 🙂
Over the years I’ve learnt that although there may be hundreds of tauho/silvereyes here, and they have some flock behaviours, (like responding to alarm signals, and some collective cacophony) they essentially live in smaller family groups. During the day whanau/family have spots around the garden (and neighbourhood) where they go to rest, cuddle (especially if it’s cold) and preen. It seems to me that spot is their’s for the whole winter.
At night they all leave. I don’t know if they sleep in larger flocks, but sometimes, while photographing stars I’ve heard one flock calling and another, some distance away, answering. I’ve even heard them fly over as a flock, calling though the dark. I didn’t know they could do that!
In late winter a bit of dating goes on. I’ve seen some awkward moments 🙂 But not every pair is a couple. From what I’ve seen over years, many are family: sisters, brothers, parents, aunts… kindred spirits.
Comments off for this one.
Hopefully I’ll have some energy soon to catch up a bit.
In between now and then… I’m grateful for the quiet company 🙂
Posted by birdcloud1 on 2022-08-17 04:58:16
Tagged: , Birds , Silvereyes , Waxeyes , Tauhou , Kindred , Winter , LIght , Family Bonds , Affection , Love , Aroha , New Zealand Native Birds , Canon EOS 80D , Canon 70 – 300mm lens , Amanda Keogh , Amanda Keogh Photography , birdcloud1 , littlestories , picswithsoul
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