Sally Brockett of the North Haven Daytime Gardeners Club says that if someone calls you a “bird brain,” don’t be offended – take it as a compliment.
Brockett gave a presentation titled “The Amazing Abilities of Birds” at the May 14 meeting of the Milford Garden Club at the Daughters of the American Republic in Milford. She argued that birds are far more intelligent than people think and presented videos of her bird studies in the U.S. and abroad to demonstrate her point.
There are birds that camouflage themselves for protection, changing color and shape to hide in trees and reeds. Kildeer pretend to be injured to lure predators away from their babies. Communities of penguins will warm their babies by forming a circle around them.
Weaver birds can tie knots. They live in a social colony for protection and tie hundreds of knots to make nests to attract mates. The male takes a strip of plant, puts a foot on one end to hold it down and makes a knot with his beak. When the “honeymoon” nest is ready, the male flutters his wings to attract a “bride.”
Chicadees, which are local birds, have sharp memories. They can store up to 500,000 food items in individual spots over several acres and are able to retrieve every hidden piece. They eat continuously during the day to survive cold winter nights.
Ravens, one of the smartest species, will forego an immediate treat to hoard food for the future.
Birds also display affection by gentle courtship, food sharing and mutual preening. Brockett told the group about a swallow couple in which the female, hit by a car, was in the road and unable to move. The male left to bring her food, but when he returned and tried to move her from the road, she was already dead.