Chickens and eagles

Sometimes we see bald eagles flying overhead. The thousands of resident Seattle crows really HATE eagles, and can spot them a mile off. In fact, a good way to "look" for eagles is to let the crows do it, because they make a horrible racket whenever they spot one. And crows have sharp eyes.

The horse barn where I keep Sizzle now is a little nature island in the city, completely surrounded by houses and apartment buildings. Several acres of trees and pastures, with a handful of horses and quiet lady boarders, so it's usually peaceful. After I ride, I like to hang around for a few mintues before diving back into the city. "Othello" the pet rooster is always doing something interesting. When I first got to the barn in June, I wrote about one of his adventures:

http://sue-feathersandflowers.blogspot.com/2009/06/life-is-good-again.html

Anyway, the other day I was watching him peck around a pasture looking for good things to eat, when the crows suddenly set up the alarm call. Othello immediately looked skyward, and RAN into the barn as fast as his little banty legs could carry him! It was a funny sight, but hey-- this is life or death stuff. Domestic chickens are birds too; they all speak the same language. And you don't live to be a 10 year old barn rooster without some smarts.

I listen to the little NPR program called Birdnote every morning at 9. If you like birds, you should check it their website or podcasts. Yesterday morning the segment was about chickens, the "most widespread avian species in the world." Julius Caesar said the Britons "kept them for pleasure, not for the table." Someday I'd like to keep a few pet chickens, just for entertainment and the occasional egg.