House Finch, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye

Birds and Adversity | June 2022


Birds and Adversity


House Finch, Male, © Photo by Steve Kaye, in blog post: "Birds and Adversity"

House Finch, Male – A common, yet wise bird.


How Birds Handle Adversity

One day I wanted advice from the birds.

So I called out,

“Hello Good Bird,

How do you deal with adversity?”

“First, I accept it,” the bird replied.

“Really?”

“Yes, adversity is part of life.

It has always been there. And it will always be there.”

“I suppose it has been a major part of all history.”

“And then I welcome it.”

“Why?”

“Because adversity is essential for growth.

In my world, it makes me more careful. It causes me to fly faster, with more agility. And it motivates me to keep going.

Then I always seek the lesson from every encounter with it.

And that makes me a wiser bird.”

“Does it ever bother you?”

“Adversity already brings suffering. So I avoid becoming upset because that would increase the suffering.”

“What about predators?”

“I do everything I can to avoid them.

And in turn, making predators work harder for their food, minimizes their numbers.”

“What about bad weather?”

“I find shelter. And I wait.

I know that bad weather is temporary. So I just need to outlast it.”

“What about scarce food?”

“I must go out searching for food everyday. That’s my job.

I must also be flexible. So sometimes, I fly to new places.

And sometimes I have to eat foods I never ate before.”

“I’m impressed. How did birds learn this?”

“It’s what you would do if you wanted to survive.”


Much success,

Steve Kaye

Find More at:

Uncertainty – How to manage uncertainty

Equality Among Birds – Birds thrive because they are part of Nature

Conversation with a Small Bird – Importance of having a big story

Adversity – Three options to consider

Why You? – Values for a positive life

Hope – How hope helps you


Did You Know?

The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.

Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.

1) American Bird Conservancy

2) The Nature Conservancy

3) The Trust for Public Land

Please visit their web sites to learn about the work they do.

Here’s an excellent book: The American Bird Conservancy Guide to Bird Conservation


You can help – Please share this blog with others.
Inspiring Respect for Nature, one bird at a time.

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3 Comments
  • Sneed Collard
    Posted at 06:39h, 22 June

    Fun post, Steve, and glad you’re still out there talking to the birds! Braden and I thought of you recently when we returned to Madera Canyon for the first time since we met you there. It was just as fabulous as ever–maybe even more so—and the Rivoli’s were still buzzing about!

  • Brigitte Noel
    Posted at 07:59h, 23 June

    One of your best, so wise and timely.

  • Cathy Kozmary
    Posted at 18:18h, 25 June

    Great post and conversation! So many good lessons – keep them coming Steve!

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