June 18, 2008 [LINK / comment]
Outside bird "friends"
Our "new" (five months) male canary Luciano is getting to know all the different kinds of wild birds that come to our backyard feeders. It's a good way to keep him stimulated and alert even though he lives in (relatively) confined quarters. I don't think he's ever seen a hawk, but I know he has expressed alarm whenever one of the neighbors' cats gets too close. Of course, he seems most interested in the Goldfinches, which are the closest relatives or canaries in North America, but House Finches and Carolina Wrens get his attention as well. Princess still calls out when the Goldfinches come by, but she seems to have less energy all the time, and can't get around very well...

Luciano (left) seems intrigued by the male House Finch eating just a few inches away, on the other side of the window. The House Finch glances back, warily.