The Parent Cardinal

by Sandra Santee
(Texas,Hill Country)

I have read a lot of articles about baby birds.

Lots of baby birds in nest and lots of stories about parents feeding or not feeding baby birds.

Ever wonder what happens to the babies after they leave the nest? Do they just become red Cardinals?

For the last two years I have been watching a pair of Cardinals raise babies in my yard and oak tree.

The father teaches his boys every thing he knows. His songs, how to claim and defend his territory.

They spend a lot of time together hunting for bugs. I have seen the mother at the feeder with her daughters and at the sprinkler when I am watering the yard and also together hunting bugs.

They teach their young every thing they know so they too, will servive and grow up to be good parents.

At least, this pair of Cardinals do.

I read somewhere, written by a scientist, that birds are more like people than we would think, I think he is right