Readers agree: Birds recognize us

By Jim Wright

Special to The Record | USA TODAY NETWORK - NEW JERSEY

  Quick confession: When I wrote a recent column about talking to my favorite local birds, and how they came to know me on sight, I figured some folks might deem me daft. 

   Although some readers might still feel that way, many agreed with me: Birds we become familiar with recognize us and accept us.

   I was also heartened by the number of responses and the variety of birds involved. I share many of them here, edited for space.

   Donna Aragona, Rockaway: “My husband and I have been ‘conversing’ with our yearly gray catbird visitors for decades. It all started when we put out jelly inhopes of attracting Orioles to our small backyard. It attracted a pair of catbirds instead. When we added raisins, the local robins were delighted as well.

   “Whenever the feeder was empty and we’d go outside, we would hear their “meow” call and then see them fly into our backyard, making sure they’d fly in close so we’d see them.

   “Our year-round regulars recognize my husband as soon as they see him.  They all call out, waiting for the water to be refreshed or feeders refilled. Neighbors would hear the birds respond to me calling ‘Hey, pretty bird’ and jokingly told me they wondered who had trained who.

    Phyllis Muter, West Milford (another catbird whisperer): “When I put out the feeders in the spring and summer, a catbird would land nearby and call to me. It seemed quite natural for me to respond. I always gave it a few raisins as a treat. 

   “If I walked outside later in the day, the bird would come over and call to me.  Of course, I answered back. This has gone on for many years. I guess the parents teach their young that it's okay to approach the lady with the raisins." 

    Carl Webber, Totowa: “I've been feeding and talking to the birds in my backyard for 30-plus years. I only feed them in the winter on weekends unless I know a big snow is coming. Then I feed them on snowy days. I feel a bond with them. Every weekend they are waiting for me.”   

     Mark Porter, Montclair: “When I fill a backyard feeding tube with suet nuggets, I make the same loud whistles. Within minutes, a bevy of birds arrives for the food.

    “When I'm outside but don't put food in the feeder, at least one unseen bird caws loudly at me until I fill the feeder.  Then the caws cease and birds flock to the food.”

   The most exotic reply came from South America after I sent the column to an acquaintance there. 

    RhoAnn Wallace, Ecuador: “When we fill the halved bamboo poles with bananas, the silver-beaked tanagers really get noisy. Then the orange-bellied and thick-billed euphonias react, followed by the bananaquits and turquoise tanagers. The speckled chachalacas are still skittish, but curious.”

   The Bird Watcher column appears every other Thursday.  Email Jim at [email protected].