14 Mar Conversation with a Song Sparrow | March 2017
Song Sparrow Story
Song Sparrow
One day, while on a walk, I saw a Song Sparrow.
“Hey you up there,” I called out, “Where did you learn that song?”
“It came with the feathers.”
“So you didn’t learn it from other birds?”
“Sort of, but they were relatives.”
“Could you have chosen a different song?”
“No bird chooses the song that it sings.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Well, tell me,” the bird asked, “Did you choose when your life started? Did you choose where you were born. Did you choose your DNA?”
“No, I didn’t”
“Does that bother you?”
I paused to prepare an answer, and the bird continued.
“Actually, no one chooses their time, their origin, or their color. And birds know that. So that’s why we all accept each other the way we are.”
Then the bird shook its feathers, took a deep breath, and sang once more, with all the enthusiasm it had.
“See?” the bird said, “Each of us does our best to sing the song that we were put here to sing.
And we need all of us to fill the forest with a rich variety of songs.”
Song Sparrow
Much success,
Steve Kaye
Find More at:
Conversation with a Small Bird
About Bird Songs
Actually, some birds learn their songs while in the nest by listening to the adults around them. Then they continue to practice (and improve) as young adults.
And some songbirds (such as catbirds, thrashers, and mockingbirds) are mimics. So they learn and imitate the songs of other birds, as well as sounds made by frogs, cell phones, and car alarms.
Females in these species are impressed by the males who know the most songs. This tells them that those males are more mature, and thus will make better partners.
Did You Know?
The most effective way to help birds is to buy land.
Here are three organizations that excel at doing this.
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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Kathryn Grace
Posted at 00:35h, 17 MarchI don’t know whether I’m more enamored by the story or by the gleam in the sparrow’s eye, the soft feathers on its breast, or the sharp talons (Are they talons on a sparrow?) on its feet. Or perhaps the glossy leaves on the twigs and the glistening berries. Just the calm I needed tonight. Thanks Steve.
Bob Franz
Posted at 08:19h, 18 MarchWhat a delightful song they sing – and so properly named.
Jo-Ann Coller
Posted at 08:59h, 18 MarchBest story yet! Love it
Jo-Ann
Ada Iris Jaime
Posted at 11:02h, 20 JulySteve this is a beautiful lesson. It is so perfectly packed for children to receive it in their heart of hearts. Most importantly, the birds they see and the songs they hear will never be the same. The child will look up on the branch and smile knowing that bird accepted and is rejoicing in the songs they get to sing. So too, can they accept and rejoice in the skin and family they are in. Accept it. Love it. Rejoice in who they are!
Your biggest fan! Ada