13 Sep Caution | Sept 2015

Caution

House Finch, Female, Eating Cactus Fruit

Caution!

I realize the above photo makes eating cactus fruit seem easy.

But let’s recognize that the House Finch is a skilled professional who has spent its entire career studying the art of eating fruit while standing on odd perches, such as on a cactus.

If you decide to try this, I recommend using caution.

Being stuck by spines (Ouch) or falling off (Double ouch) are notable risks.

If you want to eat cactus fruit, I recommend buying it in stores. That’s safer and easier.

On a serious note, this illustrates how well birds adapt to their environment. House Finches are almost entirely vegetarian. You can tell because they have strong bills that are well suited for opening seeds and cutting fruit. (They will catch a few insects for their nestlings to provide protein.)

So this female has found a way to feed on a yummy fruit, even if this requires standing on a cactus without being stuck by the spines.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

See more birds and gain more ideas at these posts:

Before You Go Back to Work

Progress Report

Rest for the Holidays

Transitions in Photography

American Gothic

Birding Resources

See Bird Photos – Bird Photos

See More Photos of the House Finch: House Finch Photos

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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