BIRD IDENTIFICATION

I often come across a bird that I can't identify, so what I do is take note of its size, beak, and field markings. For example, does the bird have a throat color or wing tip colors? Does the bird have an unusual eye color? Also does the bird have a noteworthy behavior, like jumping up and down or climbing trees?

Today while walking at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, I came across a black and white bird that I couldn't identify. The first thing I noticed was that it was black and white, had a white throat and a white edging at the end of its tail. I also noticed that it didn't mind if I got too close. Oh yeah, and it had a big head!

When I got home, I popped all this information into the computer and, viola!, learned that I had seen an Eastern kingbird! This bird is migratory and must have just flown up from South America. It will breed here in the United States, perhaps even at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. They eat insects and berries, so they are omnivores!

Iory and the Pigeon

Today during Urban Nature Club, Iory brought his pet pigeon to the garden. Iory found this pigeon weeks ago when it was practically featherless and homeless. Iory has nursed his new friend back to health and now pigeon is feather fluffy and very happy to nestle inside of Iory's shirt.

While Iory knows that a wild bird needs to be free, he wasn't prepared for pigeon's first solo flight. As Iory was showing pigeon around to friends, pigeon suddenly flew off and landed on a second floor window ledge, just one window away from the principal's office.

Iory bought a croissant at the deli across the street to coax his friend from the ledge, but pigeon just wouldn't budge. A couple of adult pigeons even landed on the same ledge, but when they flew away, pigeon stayed glued to the ledge. Nothing seemed to get the pigeon's attention, so most of us continued planting in the school garden, while Iory and Danny kept a watch on pigeon.

After about a half hour later, everyone was back staring up a pigeon when pigeon surprised us all by soaring across the street. When he or she (not sure!) couldn't get footing on the brick building, pigeon dropped down toward the street. Everyone ran across the street to see what happened and within seconds pigeon was once again safe in Iory's arms. And yes, Iory even kissed pigeon. The Doctor Doolittle of the graduating class of 2013 was happy once more, but he has been warned. Pigeon is going to want to fly free one day.

Welcome Back!

The Pigeon Rescue Team

Nothing Beats a Boy and his Bird