A Bird's Eye View

In the animal kingdom sometimes it's a matter of who's the boss. And sometimes it's a matter of apathy.

Wings frantically flapping, hovering above his perch, the tiny sparrow gracefully touches down.  A quick look to his right, quicker to the left.

Peck.

His head snaps up, left, down.

Peck.

He is joined by a brother, one who mimics him. Now they both peck. Another comes. And then another until the bird feeder is overflowing with a hyper-alert, grey and brown mass.

Something looms in the distance, closing in. Nineteen speed off through the air. Tiny feather-propelled missiles bound for the shelter of Heavenly Bamboo. She arrives with grandiose grace. A left-over sparrow is shoved aside by the callous cardinal. She hops along the ledge to intimidate a sparrow who dares to continue pecking. Her tactic has worked. She has no need to flight check the sparrow as the last and boldest remains for her to contend with.

Peck.

Where is the fear? A quick look around the yard to see if other birds have noticed her waning credibility.  Oh yes. There are spies. The sparrow goes on pecking. Dissension simply will not do.  A chirp to alert those birds that she is onto their covert activities. An earnest plan of action must be employed. Lift off the ledge. Hover briefly. Ascend to the rooftop. She quickly scans the landscape to confirm her recognition.  The cardinal is paramount. The sparrow goes on pecking.

Chirp.

The cardinal, authoritative, dependable, righteous, is not to be disgraced. With renewed enthusiasm she darts back to the ledge vigorously clawing her way over to the sparrow.

 Peck.

The sparrow meets the hardened gaze of the antagonized cardinal.

 Peck.

Enough.

She slowly, majestically, spreads her wings, lifts slightly off the ledge, backs up two bird lengths and rams the sparrow, beak first. The little bird falls soundlessly to the ground. He is perfectly still, faintly breathing. In and out.  Still. The cardinal has proven her prowess. She is supreme. Undeniably amazing. She is….

The sparrow’s body begins twitching. His feathers ruffle and fluff. His wings flap once, twice and he stands. The cardinal watches with interest, the little bird seems incredible. She c***s her head to the side, this way, then that. The sparrow is still for seconds.

 Peck.

The cardinal lifts off the ledge of the bird feeder, flies down to the ground, flaps her wings, c***s her head, and lunges at the sparrow, hesitates and recants.

 And flies into the sun.

Author's Note

I realize the picture shown is a male cardinal while the story features a female, but he's so much prettier and this guy actually looks like my star behaves.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

I love to bird watch, especially in the early mornings with a cup of coffee in hand. The spacing you use and occasional "peck" is effective in conveying the herky-jerky bird movements. Very nice, enjoyable poem.

[Anniebugg]

Thanks very much, Sam. Just as you described, I tried to convey the quick movements of the birds as they jerk their heads around to look at their surroundings. I'm glad you came over to read this; I appreciate it.

[Mic]

Am a bird lover as well, and would find it hard to think of one more beautiful than the cardinal.

Love the tenacity of the sparrow in your story. Could easily project visions of David and Goliath or the rise of any little man from the throes of oppression, but I like birds and bird stories. And I like this one.

Very well done, and I'll remember it watching them while having coffee in the morning (and I'll keep an eye out for the queen). Thank you for the enjoyable read!

[Anniebugg]

Thank you, Mic. David and Goliath, yes. I don't think there was a winner between the 2 birds but they both put on a brilliant performance. Bird watching over coffee is one of my favorite ways to start the day.
Glad you liked the story. I appreciate your comments and time spent here in my little cozy.