Each fall I sit up for the wild turkeys that go to me in the course of the winter. This yr visits are extra sporadic however the friendship between the three male turkeys that I name the ‘kings’ or the three amigos has continued for 2 years creating many questions for this naturalist relating to hen relationships (regardless of being ruthlessly hunted in spring and fall and randomly shot at).
These three mates nonetheless appear inseparable and final yr I had an opportunity to get to know every particular person. Two proceed to defer to the king who’s just a bit bigger than his mates, however I by no means witnessed battle between any of those male birds. Final yr they displayed and even mated collectively! This yr there’s a predator afoot and apart from the king who acts as a protector standing watch whereas the combined flock scratches for seed, the turkeys conceal from me, so I’m positive I’m coping with a human menace. Nonetheless, the turkeys are available in to feed and that’s what issues. Solely not too long ago have the males begun to return individually. The flocks are splitting up for spring mating, nonetheless two months away. I’m fairly sure that the turkey friendships I’m witnessing are replicated with the females however as a result of they’re extra reticent it’s more durable to get to know them individually.
Friendships between birds which may be or not be associated usually are not documented within the literature (besides throughout mating and parenting). However I’ve additionally seen and written about chickadees, cardinals, and juncos exhibiting shut private relationships that don’t have anything to do with mating. Some wild birds just like the turkeys, have sometimes included me.
I even have ruffed grouse, however these birds are shy and are loners. I see one most frequently across the edges of my subject earlier than daybreak. In addition they fly into the fruit timber to eat the final of withered crabapple berries when the primary snow settles on the timber. Within the spring there’s one male who drums on a log in the exact same place within the woods however then he disappears. These birds are additionally aggressively hunted. Friendship has been restricted to providing grouse a secure haven and leaving it at that. Nevertheless, every summer time I’ve been lucky to glimpse a grouse household as a result of one mama nests right here hidden within the hay ferns, and I see her main her fluffy offspring up the hill to succeed in gravel whereas huddling near the fence. Final yr the mom that nested right here had just one little chick.
One turkey hen additionally nests right here, however in contrast to the grouse mama turkey will proudly parade her younger up the hill, settle into the moss and unfold out her wings within the solar. Final yr mama’s single chick was nestled below her wing.
The sound of the spring goose migration typically strikes me to tears. In the course of the summer time I feed the geese at a neighborhood pond, admiring the protecting males who stand watch whereas their mates are sitting on eggs after which being thrilled on the sight of the goslings after they begin to swim. The geese I feed change into mates, showing out of cattails and reeds virtually immediately after I depart my automobile. Goose households journey along with each dad and mom taking an lively function in elevating their offspring.
Clearly, I’ve a penchant for floor birds, even these just like the geese, geese, and sandhill cranes who migrate lengthy distances however spend a number of time feeding both in fields, wetlands, or open water. Then there the geese…
After I lived in NM I witnessed the sandhill cranes who arrived in late fall and spent winter nights on the fringe of the river, with one male all the time standing watch. Each morning earlier than daybreak I used to be exterior strolling by the river, ready for the households who journey as one associated physique (besides throughout mating/ chick elevating) to sound their haunting calls as they took to the air to feed within the fields for day.
I used to surprise why, as an alternative of extolling even worshipping the predators – eagles, owls, and raptors that almost all of us adore – I most well-liked the corporate of those who had been primarily vegetarian and sadly preyed upon by others. What follows are some reflections on this query.
Floor birds (1) reside near the earth even after they take to the skies throughout migrations. These are (2) peace loving birds who apart from the grouse collect in household teams and migrate collectively. All however the grouse select (3) communal dwelling for many of yr, (and I’ve to surprise how a lot looking strain has affected the habits of those birds – I feel instantly of the desert quail who additionally stay collectively). Aside from the grouse, all of the others have male (4) protectors who stand watch over their households. There’s a fifth motive I really like them; (5) they’re birds who fly that are also deeply wed to the earth which isn’t fairly the identical factor as dwelling near the earth. I consider them as being embodied in a roundabout way that different birds aren’t – tough to elucidate.
After I put these behaviors collectively: earth loving, peaceable, dwelling in group with males appearing as protectors, embodiment, I Instantly consider the way in which Carol Christ described the peaceable agricultural societies of the previous that flourished with out battle.
We may be taught a lot from Nature if we paid consideration. Birds are a minimum of 150 million years sturdy.
Throughout these darkish instances I’m calling upon the traditional Hen goddesses to information us onto a path that may lead girls again right into a extra acutely aware relationship with their our bodies and that of the earth. I’m additionally asking that these Ancestors assist us create a world group one which births males which are protectors of the earth, girls, kids, animals, vegetation, fungi; males who’re closely invested in peace.
