Wallace the Brave by Will Henry for December 03, 2020

Keeping the squirrels out of the feeder is fomenting some sort of war…

Typical Finch fight—they both want the same perch, even though there are other perches open.

Much of the House Finch population on the east coast can be traced to escapee House Finches shipped from California for the pet trade under the name “Hollywood Finches”.

I love being able to read this online. Not just for the color version but so I can expand to REALLY see all the details of the drawings….

Nope! He’s doing just fine without!

Wallace: “What’s this ‘internet’ you speak of, and does it have anything to do with cats?”

I’m surprised that Amelia isn’t a more interested in the action at the bird feeder. I have one outside the front window that attracts a huge variety of birds, and it’s fun to watch. There’s a lot of spillage which keeps the squirrels occupied on the ground, but the squirrel guard on the pole keeps them from disturbing the feeding overhead. The bird bath is a source of water that both birds and squirrels share. Sometimes it’s like having a private circus outside the window.

Finches! I love them. Many birds of similar size, shape, song are called finches. Those closely related genetically, called true finches, comprise around 300 species. The most fascinating thing is how quickly they diversify to take advantage of every niche food source. Apparently, certain proteins that dictate beak shape are highly malleable.

The 30+ types of the (relatively) isolated Galapagos finches (Darwin’s finches) are presumed to have originated from a single species adapting to different food sources. Most finches eat seeds/grain, but if population outstrips availability, alterations in beak size/shape allow consumption of other foods. As they are confined to this small island group, this is a crucial species survival strategy.

Some can crack hard-shelled nuts. Some eat one species of berry or another. Some peck through bark to eat insects that parasitize trees. Worms, cactus, fish, frogs, and just about any available food is the special diet of one or more of the Galapagos finches.

The most surprising adaption: The vampire finch eats the blood of other birds, reptiles, mammals, usually by pecking their heads or backs to feed.

I used to keep zebra finches. They are prolific, often building a new nest and laying eggs while the current crop is just learning to fly. If caged together, one pair can produce 40 or more offspring in a year, a new family every month. They can literally die from the exhaustion unless given “rest” separations from time to time.

Bird feeders can be exciting:

http://www.aeyec.com/Cardinal_and_Bluejay_squaring_off.jpg

The war of the bird feeder

No Wallace needs the vaccine to come soon not being able to leave beyond the town is driving him crazy

Buy that kid some binoculars! I recommend Nikon Monarch eight power..

Much better than scrolling through crap… Wise choice!

The squirrels are upset because Spud is not around with a granola bar.

Wallace, the David Attenborough of the future.

It’s probably a lot better than what’s on TV or YouTube

Birds are endlessly fascinating.

The Real Finches of Snug Harbor.

Who needs internet when you have a bird feeder, Amelia?

Besides, let’s be honest with ourselves—if you were to get Wallace onto the internet, all he’d do with it is to pull up videos of birds and squirrels hanging around bird feeders like he’s already doing right now.

I have a bird feeder in my window.. and watching the birds beats most of what’s on the internet.

Wallace usually has the right idea, especially today. He lives life to the fullest. There is so much going on around us that makes the internet pale in comparison. If the internet goes down, we get lost. Wallace wouldn’t even know and would just keep on pluggin…..

Now I want to know how this birds, squirrels thing ends.

In The OC, we have to endure annoying flocks of screeching parrots thanks to the morons who bought them and released them “into the wild.” Morons.

No, little girl. That is the last thing he needs for his sanity – faster internet!

Wallace is my spirit animal. This is me in my little garden every morning. The humming birds and the house finches have issues with each other, but the bees and the sparrows are respectful of each other’s water bowls.

Wrens argue a lot too – I like the sounds they make!

Faster internet? To upload video of the birds at the feeder?

Last winter, I had two house finches constantly arguing over who owned the window feeder.

I think fondly on the days when I had the time to watch the bird feeder like that. I loved watching the squirrels chase each other around the yard as well.

Two male cardinals at the same bird feeder would be a fight. One of them is invading the other one’s territory.

I always love the artwork!

All the birds are looking at the finches lol. Love this comic

I remember the Southern Scout Finch. Something about Mockingbirds.

sometimes you need to take a break from technology to reconnect with nature. you get some fresh air and you never know what surprises nature has instore for you!