Louis and the Tree Sparrow, pt. 2

Continued from previous post....

Louis tried everything he could think of to get at that little sparrow.

He begged.



He pleaded.


Nothing worked.

He was literally head over heals for the little bird....







I haven't seen the little fellow in a couple of days now. He seemed to be getting around better, and I watched as he flew off with the other birds a few days ago. Thanks to the warmer weather the feeders have been very quiet--I imagine the birds are out looking for emerging insects, their preferred source of protein. It will stay pretty quiet until the migrants return and hit the feeders hard, replenishing after their long journey.

I wonder if this little sparrow will return, and if I'll recognize him if he does. It's funny, the bond that can form between a person and an animal when that animal seemingly lacks fear and allows for fairly close interaction. I wish him well.

Louis just wishes he was dinner....

Louis and the Tree Sparrow

I first noticed the tree sparrow two weeks ago. I had gone out on the balcony to fill the feeders and there he was, sitting on the railing, puffed up against the cold. As I approached, he didn't fly away, so studied him for a moment. I looked closely, but didn't see anything obviously wrong.


Over the following weeks it has become clear that he has adopted the balcony as his home. We put our Christmas tree there last month for shelter for the birds, and there are numerous feeders and fresh water, so it is the perfect place for an ailing bird to be.

He moves around just fine, although his flight seems labored, fluttery, and I noticed he has a gap in his feathers under his beak. It could be that he was attacked by something. Notice the dark spot under his eye--that's where he's missing feathers.

As you can imagine, this tiny fluff ball is driving our cat, Louis, out of his mind. Recently, the sparrow has taken to sitting quite close to the door wall (it's been bitterly cold here) and Loius is beside himself. A few days ago the bird was resting on the track for the doors, and Louis was determined to find a way to get at him.




The sparrow was nonplussed, and seemed to study Louis.




Perhaps if I try upside down....






Sigh....




To be continued....