CATEGORIES Auto & Trucks Business & Finance Computers & Internet Education Family Food & Drink Gadgets and Gizmos Health Hobbies Home Improvement Humor Kids & Teens Legal Marketing Men Music and Movies Online Business Parenting Pets and Animals Politics and Government Recreation & Sports Relationships Religion and Faith Self Improvement Site Promotion Travel & Leisure Web Development Women Writing Keyword Search Article Title Author's Name SITE MENU Search Submit An Article Submit Articles in Bulk Submit Press Release Syndicate Articles Distribute Articles Privacy Policy Terms of Use Link To Us Contact Us Site Map Home

Backyard Bird--The Catbird  by: Gary Machado It's quiet, now. Gone is the constant chatter, whistles and meowing sounds as you jump from branch to branch safeguarding your territory against all trespassers. Gone too is the uniformally gray body with the black cap and tail feathers, with just a smidgen of rust coloration under the tail coverts, that allows you to blend in with your natural habitat of dense undergrowth and thickets. They call you a skulker, a bird hard to see in the dense underbrush. Usually heard but not seen. Definitely NOT a backyard bird. Except in my backyard. Maybe it's because my back yard is filled with trees and dense underbrush along the rear and side fences. Or maybe it's because there is a wooded area of trees and underbrush in the low-lying parcel of land across the street. Or maybe it's because of a reason I can't fully understand. I know you don't stay because of my bird feeders, because you don't have bird seed in your diet. You prefer insects, spiders and fruit berries instead. But whatever the reason, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that you have chosen my rear yard as your place to breed and have baby chicks. And not just this year. But last year too. Definitely unusual. I'm delighted to watch you jump and fly from one low hanging branch to another, or from one small tree to another, constantly chattering or meowing your right of territory. But I never did get to see your mate's nest. You never led me there. So I don't know how many chicks you fledged and whether they all survived. But it's late summer now. And it's quiet again. Are you already heading south on your long migration journey? To southern Florida. Or Texas? Or even to eastern Mexico? I understand that for this trip, you've teamed up with some other catbirds, so that you are in a group of a dozen or so. For protection? For guidance? Whatever the reason, I hope your migration south and your return next year is succesful. I would really like it if you or one of your chicks return next year. I look forward to your whistles and meowing as you build your nest and defend your territory. But until next year, "skulker" catbird, Good bye... About The Author Gary Machado has been both a field and backyard birdwatcher for over 30 years. Visit his site at http://www.bird-feeders-and-more.com This article was posted on September 12, 2005 Read More Articles from the "Hobbies" Category: How To Add Value And Uniqueness To Your Scrapbook Pages by Dawn Williams Getting Tulips to Bloom for Two Months by Doug Green Playing the Game: Sudoku by Tom Takihi Tech-savvy crafters can go global by Catherine Stabler Flower Pictures - A Mild Obsession #3 by Patrick Heathcock 6 Great Ways to Use Deck and Garden Gazebos by Deborah Boland Scented Candles by Robert Simic The History of Teddy Bears by David Chandler Printing Your Own Stickers As Easy As 1-2-3 by Jinky Mesias Keep Crafting Alive! by Stephanie Lynn Peeden << Back to "Hobbies" Index

Disclaimer: The information presented and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the views of ArticleCity.com and/or its partners.

	Web www.articlecity.com