In the Beginning

If you ever have to begin something you should begin in the beginning. In their beginning, birds were dinosaurs. This was just a theory until more recent years, as scientists have found new fossils and understood more about what each one means. Birds, as we know, can fly because their bones are light, basically hollow. Well, as it turns out, this was a feature common in dinosaurs too. Although for dinosaurs the hollow bones may have operated as a place for extra lung type tissues, basically helping them to sustain massive sizes. Of course dinosaurs couldn’t fly. (Pterosaurs could fly, but were not dinosaurs)

At some point some dinosaurs’ skin evolved to form small hair like growth structures. Possibly this was an advantage as it would allow those animals to stay warmer, and thereby active, later into the night. These structures did not exist as fur, but eventually evolved into feathers. Even today we have some very primitive looking birds, like the Cassowary, and Guinea Fowl. How can you not like something that descended from something that once ruled the earth?

Trend Setters

Birds have been the fashion setters throughout history. Not only were their feathers used to make coats or headdresses, but their ideas for clothing patterns have been stolen by designers for centuries. Nobody even says “This lovely gown was designed initially by peacocks, now reproduced without permission by so-and-so.”. Bird colors and patterns have been the inspiration of many a kimono or silk dress. Who can deny that paisley does not look like a male peacock tail feather?

Eccentric Males are allowed

Male birds are typically the most colorful, they get away with all the loud colors and eccentric behavior. Heck, their eccentric behavior often sees them rewarded with a mate. Male birds can look outlandish without ridicule, or having their sexuality questioned. Actually, people are drawn to colorful male birds. They take pictures of them. In contrast male humans who dress ornately, or whom even where make up, are shunned by most of society. I think this screams of “unfair”!

Free Food

I mean eggs. With chickens, ducks, and quail, you are rewarded with eggs, a free meal for you. I have chickens, hens only, I get eggs daily from them, and never have to feel bad about killing baby chickens. I have no rooster – so therefore no little chicks in the eggs. If you have chickens, or other birds for egg production, you should note that happy birds lay happy eggs. It’s true, I know. As such my birds are free range, as a bonus they eat flies and slugs. If you want a special treat, check out Araucana chickens, they lay blue eggs.

The First Vaudevillians

Many birds are natural comedians who understand the importance of a good pratfall at just the right time. Birds with the ability to mimic vocal patterns of other creatures often give us moments of comic relief either in the moment or years later, after we’ve overcame an embarrassment caused by those mimics. Even non-mimicking birds can have vocal communication that is hilarious. The Go-away-bird, a type of Turaco, is both a comic and a protector with its’ call that warns other animals of a hunters approach with a call the sounds like it’s saying “Go Away”. Flightless penguins resemble the Little Tramp, Charlie Chaplin, as they walk about in the frozen Antarctic, but, they came first.

For all that we are, they actually like us

Sometimes I don’t know why, but many birds actually enjoy the companionship of a human. Particularly those who were hand raised. This stands to reason, but it is not uncommon to see wild birds learn to trust people. Food helps. Sometimes it’s evident they just like the food, but occasionally you will see the more intelligent breeds of birds, such as parrots, form a partnership with their owners, not unlike that between a dog, and its’ owner.

All Photos from Wikimedia