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Birdbrain Behavior

The numerous Maple tress and Blue Spruce in our yard provide ample and ideal nesting sites for various varieties of birds.

Most noticeable are the Robins. This is because they throw a fit if you get anywhere close to their nest. Sometimes they fly full speed, straight at your head, veering off at the last moment. 

I’m not sure how close they actually come to making contact, but it seems like it is within inches. 

Once, a particularly aggressive one was so persistent and unrelenting in his attacks, that I had to forgo any hopes of yard work near his nest.

We also have Mourning Doves in our area. I have no idea how many next in our yard, because their behavior is the opposite of Robins. 

When potential danger approaches, the Mourning Doves in the nest seemingly freezes, doing nothing to alert a predator to their presence. 

A few weeks ago, while doing some minor tree trimming, I reached for a small branch to lop off and noticed a Mourning Dove, quietly perched in her nest, about two feet away. 

She was staring directly at me, but did not move. 

She looked like a statue and I had to watch for several seconds before I was convinced she was actually alive.

I’ll trim that tree later.

I’ve checked on her from time to time. She’s always in the same pose, though no matter from which direction I approach, she is always facing me.

I don’t know how long it takes Mourning Dove’s to hatch, but she’s been waiting a long time. I hope the outcome is positive.

(By the way, to get a good shot, I had to use the flash—she didn’t even flinch.)

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Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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