Wild Birds - Gaining Their Trust and Becoming Friends - Part 1

 There's definitely a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to talking to birds.   Wild birds have a big advantage over us, if they don't like what we're doing or saying they can fly away and avoid our company altogether.  So in this case it is useful to understand the don'ts.  

Birds scare easily - so the very first point is - Take care not to frighten the bird.  This is surprisingly not as obvious as it seems. We humans get excited and enthusiastic and in our eagerness to make friends we sometimes don't give the birds enough time to get to know us.

Friendship is a two-way street and we have give the bird the time and opportunity to observe us as well.  In the beginning, the bird will scare easily.  Their reflexes and inherent instinct is to escape at the very slightest movement in the shadow or flutter of one's sleeve or dress in the wind, or the vibration on the ground when we walk.  This is not due to a direct response to us per se.  But birds are tuned to avoiding danger from other predatory birds, cats and other animals that prey on them.  Even when they know us well, there will be times when they will just fly off and you'll be left wondering what on earth you did to frighten them! Don't be offended when that happens,  and it will happen many times.  

Keep your voice normal or soft and speak gently and slowly.  Take care not to shout loudly near them, or wave your arms too much if yo are only a short distance from them, or run towards them - even if it is to give them food or to greet them - these are all examples of things that we do when we get excited and forget that they will fly way from us.  As they get to know you, the bolder birds will stay a bit longer before deciding whether to go or stay.  But even when they know that they are completely safe with you, the shy birds will still fly off just to be 'on the safe side' from the perspective. 

Having said that you will find that once you have gained their trust and then if the occasion arises and you scold a naughty bird at top volume, they will all stay and listen including the shiest birds.  They understand rules very well and they know when one of them is being admonished for breaking them and the other birds really appreciate you standing up for them.    

Now that we have got that out of the way. We can focus on the Dos.

1. Start talking to them.    

You can call out to them gently and talk to them when putting out the water and food, or you can talk to them while they are eating and drinking. If you see  a bird in the bush, or on the bank, or sitting on a post, you can just talk to the bird directly. If the bird is not used to talking to humans, the bird may retreat in shyness, fly off, or pretend to have not heard you. Do not feel discouraged or dissuaded by any of this. Just wait for the next opportunity and try again. 

As the bird becomes familiar with the sound of your voice, recognises your body language, gains confidence that you are not a threat, they will begin to relax and interact more positively. Your conversing with them is a new development for them too and they have to figure out how best to respond to your initiative. 
What can you talk about to a wild bird, you ask?  

In the meantime, if you would like to know more about  23 Amazing Facts About Wild Bird Culture with true stories - click on this link and enter your details.

To read the earlier articles in this blog challenge click here.

Until tomorrow,

Cheers

Gitie