Turns Out Sparrows Are Jerks

So here I was, just reading this delightful story in the New York Post about how a family of sparrows made a nest within a New York City crosswalk sign, and I happened upon some upsetting information:

When it comes to finding a nest, house sparrows are notoriously aggressive.

"They are fierce nest competitors," said Karen Purcell, an urban-birds specialist with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. "They are able to evict other birds, even native species. They are survivors."

Purcell speculated that the cozy, steel-encased and rat-proof casing may have housed a bluebird, tree swallow or titmouse before the sparrows took over.

Sparrows will sometimes build their nest on top of another bird's eggs, dooming the unborn chicks.

"They are pretty ruthless, and that's why a lot of people don't like them," Purcell said.

All this time I've been watching them bop around thinking they were so kindhearted. You played me, sparrows. You played us all.

"A Winnie the Pooh Situation"

This poor Vermont bear got its head stuck in an old milk can. Luckily some nice fellas from the Fish and Wildlife and Fire Departments helped him out after lubing him up with a whole container of liquid soap.

Here are the saddest parts of the story:

Helpers on the scene secured a rope to the milk can and then to a tree to keep the bear from moving about and injuring itself.

"It was lying quietly and breathing heavily, obviously exhausted and battered from having been stuck in the can for at least six hours and, during that time, running and bumping into trees and boulders," Hammond said.

_ _ _ _

The milk can "looked like there was some residue of grain or bird seed in it," he said. "It was kind of rotted. It looks like he came down during the night. This time of the year they're scavenging, trying to find whatever they can eat. There's not much out there at this time of the year — mostly grasses and buds. They can't find high-energy food. That's why they're attracted to bird seed and bird feeders."

Well, at least they got him out of there! I bet he was all soapy and disoriented. Poor cub.

Holla at Graeme for the tip!

Baby Animals: The Book

While in Pennsylvania visiting my boyfriend's family I picked up an amazing book at a garage sale called "Baby Animals".

It's a book full of glamour shots of baby animals, it cost me 25 cents, and it's awesome. It reminds me a lot of Kittens Inspired by Kittens.

Here are my faves:



Hilarious! I wish the rest of the text was as good. Mostly it's like, "We're baby ducks! Quack quack!" or "Penguins are wobbly!"



Love the soft-focus lens.



I LOVE that there are both "Kittens" and "Cats" and "Puppies" and "Dogs". Classic.