Red-bellied Woodpecker, Andover, MA, June 2012 |
Animal Husbandry. What is it? It
is an old fashioned term for those who care for animals. Webster’s dictionary
defines it this way:
n. the
scientific study or practice of breeding and tending domestic animals,
especially farm animals.
We may think that those who “tend
domestic animals” nowadays are few and far between, and, that it has nothing to
do with us or with birding, but I propose it has everything to do with those of
us who are involved in the feeding and watching of birds. I don’t know about
you, but every morning when I get up, after I have dressed and before I do
anything else, I take care of my birds. I go outside and fill their feeders.
Anna's Hummingbird in my Tucson Backyard, September 2012 |
If
necessary, I clean them, and then fill them. I clean and refill the bird bath.
When appropriate, I empty, clean and refill the hummingbird feeders. Often
while I am doing this, I think of my grandfather who was a farmer. He cared for
cattle and sheep. He even had a donkey at one time that could be heard braying
all across the small Connecticut town where I grew up. I remember him feeding
his animals, tossing them hay and milking his cows. He was a good
“husbandman.”
Husbandman:
n. a farmer.
American Goldfinch, Andover, MA, April 2012 |
I take such pleasure in feeding
my birds. It makes me smile to see them flitter around the feeders, sometimes
fighting for position or for food. I watch their little birdy squabbles and
listen to their bird song and bird chatter. I love to see them drinking from
the birdbath or even bathing.
Mourning Doves bathing in my Tucson backyard |
It makes me feel good to know
that I have provided for them and it gives me joy to see them this close. I
have been feeding birds since I was 16 years old. Everywhere we have moved I
have found new places to hang my feeders up and discovered new kinds of
feeders. I learned that American Goldfinches on the east coast loved a mixed finch seed blend and that I need to feed the seed in a closed tube feeder, while here
in Arizona I can use a wire mesh feeder and feed nyjar or thistle seed to the
Lesser Goldfinches. The Lesser Goldfinches seemed to disdain the finch seed blend the American Goldfinches love while the American Goldfinches prefer
that blend but turn their noses up at pure nyjar seed.
Lesser Goldfinches, Tucson, October 2012 |
Open feeders do not work
up north since the seed gets wet and rots while in the desert I can use that
type of feeder because it is so dry and the Lesser Gold Finches cling to the
wire mesh in groups of golden bliss!
Bird Feeders in Colchester, CT, October 2012 |
Feeding the birds can be so much
fun. It is a way to involve children in nature and a wonderful pastime for
those who are house bound for whatever reason. Birds brighten up a gray
winter’s day and the sounds of bird song in the yard always makes me feel like
the world is alive and therefore, so am I.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Andover, MA, June 2012 |
When I looked into the subject of
Animal Husbandry even further I discovered yet another way in which Bird
Feeding and Bird Watchers have something in common with “husbandry” for yet
another definition is this:
Husbandry:
n. careful or thrifty management, frugality, thrift, or conservation.
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita, AZ, March 2013 |
I think most birders would admit
that they are concerned with conservation as well. I know I am, for it is only
the careful conservation of our natural resources that will allow us to
maintain the habitat needed to keep birds around for us to enjoy.
Cattle Egrets and Long-billed Curlews in Agricultural Fields near the Salton Sea, CA, November 2012 |
I would not
want to live in a world void of birds and bird song. It would be a dull place
indeed! So, though it is an old-fashioned term, and some might say a bit
sexist, I do not take it that way. Though I am a woman, I am happy to husband
my birds, but I am thankful that they are wild and not domestic! It is their
very wildness that makes me want to see them. I want to be connected to
everything wild.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island, MA, January 2012 |
Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks birdworthy!
DeleteIt's one of my favorite things to do. There is enjoyment watching birds come and visit. My feral cat that comes around, I discovered just recently, isn't into the birds so much as the peanuts that fall onto the ground. He's turned vegetarian!
ReplyDeleteThat's why he was jumping and scratching the feeder....for the nuts!
DeleteChris, I know how much you enjoy feeding the birds!
DeleteI'd never thought of feeding bird as nimal husbandry but I guess you're right Kathie. Good thoughts, thank you.
ReplyDeletePhil Slade, I am glad you agree! It's kind of fun once you get it!
DeleteNow that I am getting a taste of a US winter I can see why you do feed the birds here, something that is actively discouraged at home in Australia as it isn't necessary - water is a much more important item to provide!
ReplyDeletehappy wanderer, water is important here as well, whether one lives in the frozen north or the dry south! and water attracts even more birds than seed do!
DeleteI so enjoyed reading this wonderful post, Kathie! Like you, I derive such pleasure out of feeding and tending to the birds in our area. Observing them certainly brightens my day. Love the ballerina hummingbird feeder holder in the first photo!
ReplyDeleteJulie, it truly is so much fun! and sadly that ballerina has broken her feet and arms off, but I keep hoping to have her mended and so have brought her back to Maine in bits and pieces!
DeleteThanks everyone for commenting. I am sorry I am so late to the game, but was busy driving across the country when this posted!
ReplyDeleteFeeding the birds in the backyard is fun! I keep the binoculars & my bird book close by to identify the visitors. :)
ReplyDelete