A Bird's Eye View...

The question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, has always been asked, but to date no scientific answer has been given. Where did birds come from is another puzzling question within the evolutionary biology community. There are those that say a connection exists between birds and dinosaurs because fossils found from over twenty species of dinosaurs contained feathers that formed wings. Birds and dinosaurs do share many similiar features, leading some scientists to conclude that this is the missing link in the process of evolution. Others wrestle with the controversial question of which came first, the bird or the dinosaur.

What we know for sure is that the birds have survived, who knows how long -- maybe millions of years. According to those in the know, we have over 10,000 species on the planet, 800 or so in North America, and a total of 417 that have been recorded in the State of Connecticut, one of which is the American Robin, our State bird. Considering that our State is only 5,500 square miles, we have a surprising number of birds within our borders. Our State is rich in natural habitat that is just perfect for them.

Birds are doing okay for themselves, if you ask me. Alfred Hitchcock gave them a leading role in his classic film "The Birds" -- remember that?  The United States gives the Bald Eagle plenty of recognition as its national bird and symbol. Birds are represented at our ball games (falcons, blue jays, hawks, ravens, and so on). Birds also have a following. Those who bird watch as a hobby make "birding" the largest spectator sport in America!

Birds have it easy. They can just pick up and go. If it gets too cold or there is a shortage of food, they will pack up and migrate. They vacation in warm places like Costa Rica (hummingbirds) and South America (red-breasted grosbeaks) for example. I imagine that's where the expression "snow-birds" came from. When it gets cold, head south! Did you know that most birds, when migrating, fly at night using the stars to navigate? Others, like doves, use the Earth's magnetic fields to guide them. Some migrators may travel incredible distances, logging as much as 15,000 miles or more in one year. Whew... who knew.

Here in Connecticut, our local artists have portrayed birds in all media. Applying their talents in paintings as "Birds On A Wire" or on ornaments depicting bluebirds, robins and yellow finches, as Patty from Coventry has done. Carvings of Japanese Cranes and Egrets out of wood are crafted by Derek of Norwich. James from North Windham carved his Shore Birds and Canadian Goose from wood, as well. Terese of Chaplin incorporated "Birds Of The Sky" into a handwoven wall hanging. Pat of Tolland uses chickadees, doves and cardinals in her creations made of glass. Jack of North Windham put birds in his painting entitled "The Woods In Springtime."  John from Hamden uses a wood burning technique to feature the "Osprey" and "Nest Building" in his pieces, and Marilyn from Marlbrough displays Carolina wrens, willetts, and sparrows in addition to warblers, nuthatches and black-bellied plovers on her note cards.

As I say, not only are the birds doing okay, but they are getting plenty of coverage. Plus they have their charisma going for them. Why else would people build bird houses and hang feeders for them? Heck, I even shovel the snow around the feeders so they can find the seeds! I keep those feeders full and put out suet cakes for my fine feathered friends so that I can get a bird's eye view of the action from my window.

The works of the above-mentioned bird loving artists can be viewed at http://www.connecticuthandiworks.com/.

Jimmy Halloran is Co-Owner of ConnecticutHandiworks.com, an online retailer featuring handcrafted items made in Connecticut.

jimmy130@live.com  /  860.942.7571  / 

PO Box 26 Hampton, CT.

  06247