While we were having our usual early morning coffee, we heard the tap-tap-tap-tap on the window with the call from a small bird. We saw with some surprise the Cape Wagtail (Motacilla capensis) trying to get into the house. We usually see other types of birds in the small corridor leading to the back of the house, never have we seen the Cape wagtail before.
We did not open up immediately, as I first ran to grab my camera (as usual) and then we saw it started collecting various sticks and leaves.
It was building a home!
There were two of them. I wonder if they were neighbours, or wife and husband. I am not sure how the family dynamic is with them, as I know that the Cape Weaver builds many homes to try and impress his darling. Is there a more mutual building going on with the wagtails, or did we just witness two friends working together?
Since the building phase, the little birds have stuck around. But they desperately wanted to get into our house.
We heard from some friends that they would actually build their nests in your house. But I am not so sure about this. Maybe it is true.
But I know from some experience that when you feed these wagtails they will literally come into your house in search of food. My brother always fed some cheese to one wagtail that did not forget.
I digress.
The building episode reminded me of the song by the band The Cinematic Orchestra called To Build a Home. It is a beautiful piece of music, and while taking photographs of this little friend, I could not help myself to hear the music in my mind. I have listened to the song in my youth countless times, and it is linked to so many memories, so I know it almost by heart.
But it also made me think about homes, and security, and how we can flourish if we are given good backgrounds and contexts in which we can flourish.
The opposite is just as true, how hard is it not to flourish when the supposed safe spaces in which we can grow and foster mental-psychological health is not safe and does not allow itself to foster these much needed spaces?
With my musings and thoughts, I probably scared the little friend. It left its little twigs, sticks, and leaves, flying to a nearby branch. I then took the opportunity to steal some closeup photographs of this beauty, as it sat on the branch looking me straight in the eyes. Did it judge me? Can they blame me? I am not sure. But what I am sure of is that they are some of the most beautiful birds here. I just love their familiar call and the way they walk; they lift their tail feathers and in Afrikaans, we call them "kwikkie/kwik stertjie", indicating the movement they make when they walk.
And so, I left it be, so that it might build its dream house, and I got to work so that I might also one day build my dream house. To build a home is no child's play.
For now, happy photographing and birding. And stay safe.
All of the photographs are my own, taken with my Nikon D300 and Tamron 300mm zoom lens. The musings and writings are also my own, albeit inspired by the music in my head and the beauty of our friend.
This post has been shared on Reddit by @arqyanedesings through the HivePosh initiative.
Beautiful little birds ! Would it help them to leave a wooden box somewhere high they could build their home in ? Or even let them into the house if there's a way they can come and go without having to leave doors or windows open ?
Than you so much, and I am so sorry for only responding now! I am not actually sure. My garden is really big, with many spaces for them to make their nest in, safe spaces. But I never really find any nests in my garden. I wonder if it is because, on both sides of our property, the neighbours have dogs. So I am not sure.
It could well be that - birds can be easily frightened off by dogs and cats, they're pretty smart things and know when there's a risk around. But a safe nesting box high enough can help 😀
Might as well try it! As some bird families in my garden would be lovely. There are so many insects, bumble bees, dragonflies, and so on, but few birds that stay! But we will see.
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STOPa pair of birds that look united in building their house.
Thank you so much for the visit, my friend!
Thank you so much!