the bird


                    
                    
                

                

                

            

        
    







            

            
            

                

                    
                

                

                    

                        


	

	
    
        

            

                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

        The
        

            
            The
        

    

    

         
The

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

        That
        

            
            That
        

    

    

         
That

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

        And
        

            
            And
        

    

    

         
And

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

        Overly Attached
        

            
            Overly Attached
        

    

    

         
Overly Attached

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

         presentations
        

            
             presentations
        

    

    

         
 presentations

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

         same to you
        

            
             same to you
        

    

    

         
 same to you

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

         2 shane s
        

            
             2 shane s
        

    

    

         
 2 shane s

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

         roberts
        

            
             roberts
        

    

    

         
 roberts

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

         chained
        

            
             chained
        

    

    

         
 chained

    



                
                    
                    
                    
                    

    

         bird
        

            
             bird
        

    

    

         
 bird

    



                
            

        

    
    

        🔥 | Latest
    

    
    

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: I swear ! The bird was that big!!
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: I swear ! The bird was that big!!
                
            

            
            
I swear ! The bird was that big!!

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: In the Bird Kingdom
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: In the Bird Kingdom
                
            

            
            
In the Bird Kingdom

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: serialreblogger:
jaubaius:
A bird explaining to a hedgehog crossing so it doesn’t die.
!!! ok but that’s legitimately what it’s doing!! That’s a corvid right there (looks like a hooded crow, to be precise), which means it’s intelligent enough to recognize, a) cars are dangerous and streets should be treated with a certain degree of caution, b) this car’s slowing down for them–cars do that sometimes–which means they’re not in imminent danger, so it doesn’t have to fly away just yet, c) that hedgehog’s still gonna get killed if it doesn’t MOVE, FAST (cars can change speed very quickly and the hedgehog’s still in the way), and almost certainly also d) if the bird does nothing it gets a free lunch.
Y’all, Y’ALL. This bird is consciously deciding to put itself in danger in order to save the life of a very stupid creature. A creature which, if the bird did nothing, could be free food. 
i can’t - look if you follow me you know I have a thing for corvids, but this is - like!!! People are always saying “ah yes they have sub-human intelligence and don’t consider anything that isn’t immediately necessary for their own survival/pleasure,” but! Whether or not it can do philosophy, this crow is clearly demonstrating compassion. Even if it’s just the kind of compassion a toddler shows to a snail, a social creature that instinctively recognizes the potential for emotion in other beings, that’s still huge and cool and important and corvids!!! are! neat!!! 

    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: serialreblogger:
jaubaius:
A bird explaining to a hedgehog crossing so it doesn’t die.
!!! ok but that’s legitimately what it’s doing!! That’s a corvid right there (looks like a hooded crow, to be precise), which means it’s intelligent enough to recognize, a) cars are dangerous and streets should be treated with a certain degree of caution, b) this car’s slowing down for them–cars do that sometimes–which means they’re not in imminent danger, so it doesn’t have to fly away just yet, c) that hedgehog’s still gonna get killed if it doesn’t MOVE, FAST (cars can change speed very quickly and the hedgehog’s still in the way), and almost certainly also d) if the bird does nothing it gets a free lunch.
Y’all, Y’ALL. This bird is consciously deciding to put itself in danger in order to save the life of a very stupid creature. A creature which, if the bird did nothing, could be free food. 
i can’t - look if you follow me you know I have a thing for corvids, but this is - like!!! People are always saying “ah yes they have sub-human intelligence and don’t consider anything that isn’t immediately necessary for their own survival/pleasure,” but! Whether or not it can do philosophy, this crow is clearly demonstrating compassion. Even if it’s just the kind of compassion a toddler shows to a snail, a social creature that instinctively recognizes the potential for emotion in other beings, that’s still huge and cool and important and corvids!!! are! neat!!! 

                
                

                
            

            
            
serialreblogger:
jaubaius:
A bird explaining to a hedgehog crossing so it doesn’t die.
!!! ok but that’s legitimately what it’s doing!! T...

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: “Mum was fed up of the squirrels stealing all the bird food so she greased the feeder!” (Source)
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: “Mum was fed up of the squirrels stealing all the bird food so she greased the feeder!” (Source)
                
                

                
            

            
            
“Mum was fed up of the squirrels stealing all the bird food so she greased the feeder!” (Source)

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: portentous-offerings:

pg-chan:

serialreblogger:

jaubaius:
A bird explaining to a hedgehog crossing so it doesn’t die.
!!! ok but that’s legitimately what it’s doing!! That’s a corvid right there (looks like a hooded crow, to be precise), which means it’s intelligent enough to recognize, a) cars are dangerous and streets should be treated with a certain degree of caution, b) this car’s slowing down for them–cars do that sometimes–which means they’re not in imminent danger, so it doesn’t have to fly away just yet, c) that hedgehog’s still gonna get killed if it doesn’t MOVE, FAST (cars can change speed very quickly and the hedgehog’s still in the way), and almost certainly also d) if the bird does nothing it gets a free lunch.
Y’all, Y’ALL. This bird is consciously deciding to put itself in danger in order to save the life of a very stupid creature. A creature which, if the bird did nothing, could be free food. 
i can’t - look if you follow me you know I have a thing for corvids, but this is - like!!! People are always saying “ah yes they have sub-human intelligence and don’t consider anything that isn’t immediately necessary for their own survival/pleasure,” but! Whether or not it can do philosophy, this crow is clearly demonstrating compassion. Even if it’s just the kind of compassion a toddler shows to a snail, a social creature that instinctively recognizes the potential for emotion in other beings, that’s still huge and cool and important and corvids!!! are! neat!!! 

Also, by the car stopping for them, that hedgehog has two other species actively working to help it stay alive for no gain of their own. 



Reminds me of that professor who said the beginning of civilization was when someone took care of another. The broken thigh bone thing.
“Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts. We are at our best when we serve others.” - Margaret Mead

    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: portentous-offerings:

pg-chan:

serialreblogger:

jaubaius:
A bird explaining to a hedgehog crossing so it doesn’t die.
!!! ok but that’s legitimately what it’s doing!! That’s a corvid right there (looks like a hooded crow, to be precise), which means it’s intelligent enough to recognize, a) cars are dangerous and streets should be treated with a certain degree of caution, b) this car’s slowing down for them–cars do that sometimes–which means they’re not in imminent danger, so it doesn’t have to fly away just yet, c) that hedgehog’s still gonna get killed if it doesn’t MOVE, FAST (cars can change speed very quickly and the hedgehog’s still in the way), and almost certainly also d) if the bird does nothing it gets a free lunch.
Y’all, Y’ALL. This bird is consciously deciding to put itself in danger in order to save the life of a very stupid creature. A creature which, if the bird did nothing, could be free food. 
i can’t - look if you follow me you know I have a thing for corvids, but this is - like!!! People are always saying “ah yes they have sub-human intelligence and don’t consider anything that isn’t immediately necessary for their own survival/pleasure,” but! Whether or not it can do philosophy, this crow is clearly demonstrating compassion. Even if it’s just the kind of compassion a toddler shows to a snail, a social creature that instinctively recognizes the potential for emotion in other beings, that’s still huge and cool and important and corvids!!! are! neat!!! 

Also, by the car stopping for them, that hedgehog has two other species actively working to help it stay alive for no gain of their own. 



Reminds me of that professor who said the beginning of civilization was when someone took care of another. The broken thigh bone thing.
“Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts. We are at our best when we serve others.” - Margaret Mead

                
                

                
            

            
            
portentous-offerings:

pg-chan:

serialreblogger:

jaubaius:
A bird explaining to a hedgehog crossing so it doesn’t die.
!!! ok but that’...

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: Now gently season the bird…. perfection
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: Now gently season the bird…. perfection
                
            

            
            
Now gently season the bird…. perfection

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: dimaiv-nov:

🔥 princess and the bird ⭐ 

for @celestialkory

    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: dimaiv-nov:

🔥 princess and the bird ⭐ 

for @celestialkory

                
            

            
            
dimaiv-nov:

🔥 princess and the bird ⭐ 

for @celestialkory


            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: alanspazzaliartist:

Peter Samuelson - “Self Portrait in the Bird Room” 1952
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: alanspazzaliartist:

Peter Samuelson - “Self Portrait in the Bird Room” 1952
                
            

            
            
alanspazzaliartist:

Peter Samuelson - “Self Portrait in the Bird Room” 1952

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: All Hail the Bird King
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: All Hail the Bird King
                
            

            
            
All Hail the Bird King

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: Cat's Diary
 Dog's Diary
 Day 983 of My Captivity
 Dog food! My favorite thing!
 A car ride! My favorite
 8:00 am
 My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre littie dangling
 objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other
 inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
 Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear,
 I nevertheiess must eat something in order to keep up my
 strength.
 9:30 am
 thing!
 A walk in the park! My
 9:40 am
 favorite thing!
 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My
 favorite thing!
 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite
 thing!
 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My
 favorite thing!
 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail My favorite
 thing!
 The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In
 an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
 Today i decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at
 their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts,
 since this clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they
 merely made condescending comments about what a "good litle
 hunter" I am. Bastards!
 There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.
 I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the
 event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I
 overheard that my confinement was due to the power of
 "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to
 my advantage.
 Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one
 of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.
 I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
 I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and
 snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly
 released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is
 obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe
 him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that
 he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective
 custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe... for now.
 Dinner! My favorite thing!
 5:00 pm
 7:00 pm - Got to play balll My favorite
 thing!
 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the
 people! My favorite thing!
 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My
 favorite thing!
mini phone dump
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: Cat's Diary
 Dog's Diary
 Day 983 of My Captivity
 Dog food! My favorite thing!
 A car ride! My favorite
 8:00 am
 My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre littie dangling
 objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other
 inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
 Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear,
 I nevertheiess must eat something in order to keep up my
 strength.
 9:30 am
 thing!
 A walk in the park! My
 9:40 am
 favorite thing!
 10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My
 favorite thing!
 12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite
 thing!
 1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My
 favorite thing!
 3:00 pm - Wagged my tail My favorite
 thing!
 The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In
 an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
 Today i decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at
 their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts,
 since this clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they
 merely made condescending comments about what a "good litle
 hunter" I am. Bastards!
 There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.
 I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the
 event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I
 overheard that my confinement was due to the power of
 "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to
 my advantage.
 Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one
 of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.
 I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
 I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and
 snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly
 released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is
 obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe
 him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that
 he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective
 custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe... for now.
 Dinner! My favorite thing!
 5:00 pm
 7:00 pm - Got to play balll My favorite
 thing!
 8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the
 people! My favorite thing!
 11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My
 favorite thing!
mini phone dump
                
            

            
            
mini phone dump

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: goosegoblin:
theramseyloft:

jurassicjenday:


theramseyloft:

tinysaurus-rex:


iwilltrytobereasonable:

cant-hug-every-human:

thedeadofflandersfields:
Pigeon steals poppies from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia in order to build a nest beside a stained glass window.
@birdblogwhichisforbirds


@snitling EXACTLY


This is two pigeons, pigeons nest in bonded pairs (notice the first one is checked and its mate on the nest is barred). Usually they don’t make nests nearly so big but I guess if you have the materials, go for it. 


The nest is so unusually big because the vast majority is a platform to keep the actual nest (just that tiny ring in the corner around the bird sitting in it) cushioned from the anti bird spikes.
This is a work of beautiful defiance.
Using the very thing installed to make just a moment’s rest impossible as structural supports for an immovably stable nursery.

The symbolism achieved by these pigeons is better than some writers can hope for and I love it!
From the nest on the bird repellent spikes to the fact that those spikes are along the stained glass windows of a church, a place associated with sanctuary and compassion. The fact that the nest is made of stolen poppies for remembrance day hits the hardest though. Of the 54 animals to be awarded the Dickin Medal for acts of gallantry during WW2, 32 of them were pigeons. These were messengers who flew through battlefields and across borders, many of whom were killed or severely injured by enemy forces including gunfire and trained falcons. Many of their achievements saved the lives of hundreds of soldiers, and yet now their descendants are faces with anti-bird spikes, shooting and poisoning in an attempt to rid the cities from the rats with wings. I love this picture because it feels like they’re taking back just a little bit of that credit owed to them. 


Reblogging for this beautiful addition.

[ID: three colour photographs. The first shows a pigeon holding a fake poppy in its teeth, standing on a marble surface. The second shows a nest made of hundreds of fake poppies, cushioning a sitting pigeon from the anti-bird spikes below. The final photo is a zoomed-out picture of the nest, showing many stained glass windows surrounding it.]

    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: goosegoblin:
theramseyloft:

jurassicjenday:


theramseyloft:

tinysaurus-rex:


iwilltrytobereasonable:

cant-hug-every-human:

thedeadofflandersfields:
Pigeon steals poppies from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia in order to build a nest beside a stained glass window.
@birdblogwhichisforbirds


@snitling EXACTLY


This is two pigeons, pigeons nest in bonded pairs (notice the first one is checked and its mate on the nest is barred). Usually they don’t make nests nearly so big but I guess if you have the materials, go for it. 


The nest is so unusually big because the vast majority is a platform to keep the actual nest (just that tiny ring in the corner around the bird sitting in it) cushioned from the anti bird spikes.
This is a work of beautiful defiance.
Using the very thing installed to make just a moment’s rest impossible as structural supports for an immovably stable nursery.

The symbolism achieved by these pigeons is better than some writers can hope for and I love it!
From the nest on the bird repellent spikes to the fact that those spikes are along the stained glass windows of a church, a place associated with sanctuary and compassion. The fact that the nest is made of stolen poppies for remembrance day hits the hardest though. Of the 54 animals to be awarded the Dickin Medal for acts of gallantry during WW2, 32 of them were pigeons. These were messengers who flew through battlefields and across borders, many of whom were killed or severely injured by enemy forces including gunfire and trained falcons. Many of their achievements saved the lives of hundreds of soldiers, and yet now their descendants are faces with anti-bird spikes, shooting and poisoning in an attempt to rid the cities from the rats with wings. I love this picture because it feels like they’re taking back just a little bit of that credit owed to them. 


Reblogging for this beautiful addition.

[ID: three colour photographs. The first shows a pigeon holding a fake poppy in its teeth, standing on a marble surface. The second shows a nest made of hundreds of fake poppies, cushioning a sitting pigeon from the anti-bird spikes below. The final photo is a zoomed-out picture of the nest, showing many stained glass windows surrounding it.]

                
            

            
            
goosegoblin:
theramseyloft:

jurassicjenday:


theramseyloft:

tinysaurus-rex:


iwilltrytobereasonable:

cant-hug-every-human:

thedeado...

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: vaspider:
shaaknaa:


emi–rose:


osberend:

iopele:

suspendnodisbelief:

naamahdarling:

optimysticals:

youwantmuchmore:

thebestoftumbling:



golden eagle having a relaxing time



This is the world’s largest flying Engine of Murder marveling at the fact that it can actually have its tummy rubbed.

I feel like this is the next step up on “loose your fingers” roulette from petting a kittie’s tummy, but just below belly rubs for say a lion.

Can someone who knows birds better than I do tell me whether this eagle is as happy as it looks?  Because I want it to be happy.  It looks so happy.  Bewildered by having a friend, but so happy.

Just popping on this thread to confirm: yes, the eagle is happy about the belly rubs. Golden eagles make this sound when receiving allopreening and similar affectionate and soothing treatment from their parents and mates. It’s the “I am safe and well fed, and somebody familiar is taking good care of me” sound. Angry raptors and wounded raptors make some pretty dramatic hisses and shrieks; frightened raptors go dead silent and try to hide if they can, or fluff up big and get loud and in-your-face if hiding isn’t an option. They can easily sever a finger or break the bones of a human hand or wrist, and even with a very thick leather falconer’s gauntlet, I’ve known falconers to leave a mews (hawk house) with graphic punctures THROUGH the gauntlet into the meat of their hands and arms, just from buteos and kestrels way smaller than this eagle. A pissed off hawk will make damn sure you don’t try twice whatever you pulled that pissed her off, even if she’s been human-imprinted.
If you’re ever unsure about an animal’s level of okayness with something that’s happening, there are three spot-check questions you can ask, to common-sense your way through it:
1. Is the animal capable of defending itself or making a threatening or fearful display, or otherwise giving protest, and if so, is it using this ability? (e.g. dog snarling or biting, swan hissing, horse kicking or biting) 2. Does the animal experience an incentive-based relationship with the human? (i.e. does the animal have a reason, in the animal’s frame of reference, for being near this human? e.g. dog sharing companionship / food / shelter, hawk receiving good quality abundant food and shelter and medical care from a falconer)
3. Is the animal a domesticated species, with at least a full century of consistent species cohabitation with humans? (Domesticated animals frequently are conditioned from birth or by selective breeding to be unbothered by human actions that upset their feral nearest relatives.)
In this situation, YES the eagle can self-defend, YES the eagle has incentive to cooperate with and trust the human handler, and NO the eagle is not a domesticated species, meaning we can expect a high level of reactivity to distress, compared to domestic animals: if the eagle was distressed, it would be pretty visible and apparent to the viewer. These aren’t a universally applicable metric, but they’re a good start for mammal and bird interactions.
Pair that with the knowledge that eagles reserve those chirps for calm environments, and you can be pretty secure and comfy in the knowledge that the big honkin’ birb is happy and cozy.
Also, to anybody wondering, falconers are almost single-handedly responsible for the recovery from near-extinction of several raptor species, including and especially peregrine falcons. Most hawks only live with the falconer for a year, and most of that year is spent getting the bird in ideal condition for survival and success as a wild breeding adult. Falconers are extensively trained and dedicated wildlife conservationists, pretty much by definition, especially in the continental USA, and they make up an unspeakably important part of the overall conservation of predatory bird species. Predatory birds are an important part of every ecosystem they inhabit. Just like apiarists and their bees, the relationship between falconer and hawk is one of great benefit to the animal and the ecosystem, in exchange for a huge amount of time, effort, expense, and education on the part of the human, for very little personal benefit to that one human. It’s definitely not exploitation of the bird, and most hawks working with falconers are hawks who absolutely would not have reached adulthood without human help: the sick, the injured, and the “runts” of the nest who don’t receive adequate resources from their own parents. These are, by and large, wonderful people who are in love with the natural world and putting a lifetime of knowledge and sheer exhausting work into conserving it and its winged wonders.

reblogged for excellent info, I’m so glad that big gorgeous birb really is as happy as it looks!

Today’s bit of positive activism: A reminder that, although the world may contain many bad and awful things, it also contains an enormous winged predator clucking happily as a human gives it a belly rub.


@marywhal is bird-cat!!


@vaspider 


birb

    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: vaspider:
shaaknaa:


emi–rose:


osberend:

iopele:

suspendnodisbelief:

naamahdarling:

optimysticals:

youwantmuchmore:

thebestoftumbling:



golden eagle having a relaxing time



This is the world’s largest flying Engine of Murder marveling at the fact that it can actually have its tummy rubbed.

I feel like this is the next step up on “loose your fingers” roulette from petting a kittie’s tummy, but just below belly rubs for say a lion.

Can someone who knows birds better than I do tell me whether this eagle is as happy as it looks?  Because I want it to be happy.  It looks so happy.  Bewildered by having a friend, but so happy.

Just popping on this thread to confirm: yes, the eagle is happy about the belly rubs. Golden eagles make this sound when receiving allopreening and similar affectionate and soothing treatment from their parents and mates. It’s the “I am safe and well fed, and somebody familiar is taking good care of me” sound. Angry raptors and wounded raptors make some pretty dramatic hisses and shrieks; frightened raptors go dead silent and try to hide if they can, or fluff up big and get loud and in-your-face if hiding isn’t an option. They can easily sever a finger or break the bones of a human hand or wrist, and even with a very thick leather falconer’s gauntlet, I’ve known falconers to leave a mews (hawk house) with graphic punctures THROUGH the gauntlet into the meat of their hands and arms, just from buteos and kestrels way smaller than this eagle. A pissed off hawk will make damn sure you don’t try twice whatever you pulled that pissed her off, even if she’s been human-imprinted.
If you’re ever unsure about an animal’s level of okayness with something that’s happening, there are three spot-check questions you can ask, to common-sense your way through it:
1. Is the animal capable of defending itself or making a threatening or fearful display, or otherwise giving protest, and if so, is it using this ability? (e.g. dog snarling or biting, swan hissing, horse kicking or biting) 2. Does the animal experience an incentive-based relationship with the human? (i.e. does the animal have a reason, in the animal’s frame of reference, for being near this human? e.g. dog sharing companionship / food / shelter, hawk receiving good quality abundant food and shelter and medical care from a falconer)
3. Is the animal a domesticated species, with at least a full century of consistent species cohabitation with humans? (Domesticated animals frequently are conditioned from birth or by selective breeding to be unbothered by human actions that upset their feral nearest relatives.)
In this situation, YES the eagle can self-defend, YES the eagle has incentive to cooperate with and trust the human handler, and NO the eagle is not a domesticated species, meaning we can expect a high level of reactivity to distress, compared to domestic animals: if the eagle was distressed, it would be pretty visible and apparent to the viewer. These aren’t a universally applicable metric, but they’re a good start for mammal and bird interactions.
Pair that with the knowledge that eagles reserve those chirps for calm environments, and you can be pretty secure and comfy in the knowledge that the big honkin’ birb is happy and cozy.
Also, to anybody wondering, falconers are almost single-handedly responsible for the recovery from near-extinction of several raptor species, including and especially peregrine falcons. Most hawks only live with the falconer for a year, and most of that year is spent getting the bird in ideal condition for survival and success as a wild breeding adult. Falconers are extensively trained and dedicated wildlife conservationists, pretty much by definition, especially in the continental USA, and they make up an unspeakably important part of the overall conservation of predatory bird species. Predatory birds are an important part of every ecosystem they inhabit. Just like apiarists and their bees, the relationship between falconer and hawk is one of great benefit to the animal and the ecosystem, in exchange for a huge amount of time, effort, expense, and education on the part of the human, for very little personal benefit to that one human. It’s definitely not exploitation of the bird, and most hawks working with falconers are hawks who absolutely would not have reached adulthood without human help: the sick, the injured, and the “runts” of the nest who don’t receive adequate resources from their own parents. These are, by and large, wonderful people who are in love with the natural world and putting a lifetime of knowledge and sheer exhausting work into conserving it and its winged wonders.

reblogged for excellent info, I’m so glad that big gorgeous birb really is as happy as it looks!

Today’s bit of positive activism: A reminder that, although the world may contain many bad and awful things, it also contains an enormous winged predator clucking happily as a human gives it a belly rub.


@marywhal is bird-cat!!


@vaspider 


birb

                
                

                
            

            
            
vaspider:
shaaknaa:


emi–rose:


osberend:

iopele:

suspendnodisbelief:

naamahdarling:

optimysticals:

youwantmuchmore:

thebestoftum...

            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: r/AskReddit
 What perfectly true story of yours sounds like
 an outrageous lie?

 RamsesThePigeon 13d, 17h
 Just up the street from my apartment in San Francisco,
 there was one of those fast food restaurants that was
 either a KFC or a Taco Bell, depending on the angle from
 which it was viewed. The establishment was a frequent
 stopping point for students coming from the nearby
 college... and those students were a frequent target for a
 remarkably bright crow
 Now, on most days, the bird in question would just hang
 around the restaurant (as well as other ones nearby) and
 scavenge for scraps. Every once in a while, though - I saw
 this happen twice, and had it happen to me once - it would
 enact a much more complex scheme than simply going
 through the gutter: The crow had apparently discovered
 that money could be exchanged for food, so it would wait
 until it saw a likely mark, squawk at them to get their
 attention, then pick up and drop a coin. Anyone who
 responded would witness the bird hopping a few feet
 away, then following its "victim" toward the source of its
 next snack.
 When the crow approached me, it dropped a nickel on the
 ground. I stooped, picked up the coin, and then jumped
 slightly when the bird made a noise that sounded not
 unlike "Taco!'
 Needless to say, I bought that crow a taco.
 The final out-of-pocket cost for me, minus the nickel, was
 something like >l.T5. Even so, I figured a bird that smart
 deserved a reward simply for existing
 Of course, that was probably exactly what I was supposed
 to think.
 TL;DR: A crow paid me five cents to buy it a taco.
onyourleftbooob:

nadiaoxford:
I don’t have a hard time believing this.


    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: r/AskReddit
 What perfectly true story of yours sounds like
 an outrageous lie?

 RamsesThePigeon 13d, 17h
 Just up the street from my apartment in San Francisco,
 there was one of those fast food restaurants that was
 either a KFC or a Taco Bell, depending on the angle from
 which it was viewed. The establishment was a frequent
 stopping point for students coming from the nearby
 college... and those students were a frequent target for a
 remarkably bright crow
 Now, on most days, the bird in question would just hang
 around the restaurant (as well as other ones nearby) and
 scavenge for scraps. Every once in a while, though - I saw
 this happen twice, and had it happen to me once - it would
 enact a much more complex scheme than simply going
 through the gutter: The crow had apparently discovered
 that money could be exchanged for food, so it would wait
 until it saw a likely mark, squawk at them to get their
 attention, then pick up and drop a coin. Anyone who
 responded would witness the bird hopping a few feet
 away, then following its "victim" toward the source of its
 next snack.
 When the crow approached me, it dropped a nickel on the
 ground. I stooped, picked up the coin, and then jumped
 slightly when the bird made a noise that sounded not
 unlike "Taco!'
 Needless to say, I bought that crow a taco.
 The final out-of-pocket cost for me, minus the nickel, was
 something like >l.T5. Even so, I figured a bird that smart
 deserved a reward simply for existing
 Of course, that was probably exactly what I was supposed
 to think.
 TL;DR: A crow paid me five cents to buy it a taco.
onyourleftbooob:

nadiaoxford:
I don’t have a hard time believing this.


                
            

            
            
onyourleftbooob:

nadiaoxford:
I don’t have a hard time believing this.



            
            
        

    



            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                






            

        

        
        

            

                







    the bird: saintcucumbers
 Can someone please tell me what it means
 when an owl LITERALLY fucking swims
 towards you and then stares you down??
 Like look at it?? Literally flew past me and my
 my friend, it was so close that the wings
 touched our faces.
 shiraglassman
 It's reminding you to do your Duolingo practice
 demonladytakkuri
 The real answer is that it really wants you to go
 away
 That's a fledgling great horned owl, they're
 known for being generally ballsy and
 aggressive, and owls have been known to both
 climb trees and swim through still water in a
 pinch
 Most likely full scenario: the bird was practicing
 flying, but it fell because it's still a kid and they
 do that. It probably fell in/by the water. It then
 was like Oh Damn Oh Jesus and decided it was
 not in fact a duck and headed to
 you, and was utterly offended but confused on
 what to do. So it decided to Square Up and face
 you like the hellbeast it is.
 The pose it's taking in the pic is one I
 affectionately call Full Orb. A fully orbed owl is
 100% READY to FIGHT 1v1 no items final
 destination. You were probably its first up close
 encounter with a human, and since birds tend
 to associate larger animals with predators, it
 tried to make itself look as big as possible to
 make sure you know what's up. It was staring
 you down because it was waiting to see you
 make the first move in the dual or flee in fear
 from its superior owl might.
 timatisblog
 This reply made this post
 ette
 karmacharmeleon18
 me: oh hello little owl
 owl: i will fuck you up
 aterrasilvershade
 Owl: I am lorge! Get spooked!
Questionable owl encounters
    

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
    

    

        

            
            

                
                the bird: saintcucumbers
 Can someone please tell me what it means
 when an owl LITERALLY fucking swims
 towards you and then stares you down??
 Like look at it?? Literally flew past me and my
 my friend, it was so close that the wings
 touched our faces.
 shiraglassman
 It's reminding you to do your Duolingo practice
 demonladytakkuri
 The real answer is that it really wants you to go
 away
 That's a fledgling great horned owl, they're
 known for being generally ballsy and
 aggressive, and owls have been known to both
 climb trees and swim through still water in a
 pinch
 Most likely full scenario: the bird was practicing
 flying, but it fell because it's still a kid and they
 do that. It probably fell in/by the water. It then
 was like Oh Damn Oh Jesus and decided it was
 not in fact a duck and headed to
 you, and was utterly offended but confused on
 what to do. So it decided to Square Up and face
 you like the hellbeast it is.
 The pose it's taking in the pic is one I
 affectionately call Full Orb. A fully orbed owl is
 100% READY to FIGHT 1v1 no items final
 destination. You were probably its first up close
 encounter with a human, and since birds tend
 to associate larger animals with predators, it
 tried to make itself look as big as possible to
 make sure you know what's up. It was staring
 you down because it was waiting to see you
 make the first move in the dual or flee in fear
 from its superior owl might.
 timatisblog
 This reply made this post
 ette
 karmacharmeleon18
 me: oh hello little owl
 owl: i will fuck you up
 aterrasilvershade
 Owl: I am lorge! Get spooked!
Questionable owl encounters
                
            

            
            
Questionable owl encounters