Smartest bird in the world lives in my yard!

Discussion in 'Bird' started by mart, Jul 24, 2017.

  1. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    I have been watching a little sparrow female for a while now. She doesn`t fly well and usually just hops everywhere. I have no idea what her problem is,,she looks fine but can not seem to get any altitude. Two feet is about her max. Twice she has gotten into the dogs water and I had to get her out because the wings were wet and she could not jump to the sides. I was watching her one day and she walked away from the water and just disappeared. So here I go to see where she went.
    Lo and behold she had jumped into a hole made by something. Gopher or mole likely but it was roomy enough that she could use it like a cave. Safe from the dogs and people. I waited while she went underground for a while and then came back to the opening and sat looking up at me.
    Can you imagine a sparrow being smart enough to figure a hole for a safe place ? I have never seen that before. Have you ?
     
    Sjoerd, Tooty2shoes, 2ofus and 5 others like this.
  2. Loading...


  3. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    7,074
    Likes Received:
    6,813
    Location:
    New England
    She sounds very adaptive. I hope she makes it
     
    2ofus likes this.
  4. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2011
    Messages:
    9,332
    Likes Received:
    4,855
    nope. never seen anything like that.
     
    2ofus likes this.
  5. Ronni

    Ronni Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2013
    Messages:
    3,120
    Likes Received:
    3,567
    Location:
    Nashville Tennessee
    That is amazing! I'm going to bring this thread to Paige's attention. She's an avid bird watcher and has spent a lot of time researching bird behavior. She'd find this at least interesting, and may also have some insight.
     
    2ofus likes this.



    Advertisement
  6. 2ofus

    2ofus Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2014
    Messages:
    2,581
    Likes Received:
    1,567
    Location:
    Idaho Mountains
    Thank goodness she has adapted and found a protected home. Pretty smart!
     
  7. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    Not only safe from dogs and other things ,,I imagine it is much cooler underground ! Our temps are running 95 degrees and above.
     
  8. 2ofus

    2ofus Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2014
    Messages:
    2,581
    Likes Received:
    1,567
    Location:
    Idaho Mountains
    At 95 degrees, I'd be going underground also!
     
  9. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    Thank heavens for AC ! Hole is not big enough for me.
     
  10. Tooty2shoes

    Tooty2shoes Hardy Maple

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    3,264
    Likes Received:
    1,510
    Location:
    Denmark, Wis.
    Wow that is amazing. The only thing she wouldn't be safe from is a snake. Mart I agree--thank heavens for AC or I would have melted a long time ago.
     
  11. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    You know,, I have not seen a single snake this year. The hole is in the front yard and we keep the grass cut low. Not much cover for a snake so she is pretty safe. I still have to help her out of the dogs water ocassionally.
     
  12. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2005
    Messages:
    29,088
    Likes Received:
    6,277
    Location:
    Scotland
    Any chance of photographs of her? She sounds like a really amazing little bird and good for her finding a way to adapt and live a full life.
     
  13. mart

    mart Strong Ash

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    Messages:
    5,582
    Likes Received:
    4,139
    Location:
    NE Texas
    I haven`t figured how to get close enough for a pic except when she gets in the dogs water. Even then when you put her on the ground she is gone ! Found out she has more hiding places than just the hole. We have a huge Easter Lilly and she goes under the leaves that drape to the ground. Also hides in the old poison ivy in the grape vine.
     
    eileen likes this.
  14. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    20,114
    Likes Received:
    18,642
    Great story Mart.
    That is one smart cookie. I hope that she will stay with you for several more years.
     
  15. Sherry8

    Sherry8 I Love Birds!

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2007
    Messages:
    4,395
    Likes Received:
    1,825
    Location:
    Wisconsin...zone 5
    I have already seen a chipmunk chewing on a dead bird before we could dispose of it. Not sure if they would go after a bird in one of their holes or not? They have so many holes it might take a while for them to find the bird.
     
  16. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2006
    Messages:
    20,114
    Likes Received:
    18,642
    How is the bird now, Mart? Is it still alive?
     

Share This Page