A cheesy game with a Starling.

We know that the starlings have babies to feed in the early spring season.

They are Red-winged Starlings (Onychognathus morio) and I like to tease them with a cheesy game, as people are scared of them, but if only they could know that the starlings will not hurt them, then all would be well. Sadly, not so as some clients start to shriek when the starlings land on their table. We often visit this openair coffee shop/cum restaurant, and the great thing is that it is a coffee roastery with many coffee beans that clients can select from.

But I digress and you can come and watch my game with the starling in this post.

This was how it started, the starling said; Hellooo! Do I see a bowl of cheese down there?

So, I held a piece of cheese near a wooden wall panel, and the starling did not need another invitation, as he scampered down to come and have some cheese.

The game is that I hold my hand with the cheese not too close to the starling, as I am trying to get him to sit on my hand.

But the starling is very clever and he said; Hey! Hold your hand closer man!

Ah! That's better man, and now we are making progress.

But then I just pull my hand back, out of reach, to watch his reaction.

Shame, my wife scolded me, and she told me to hold my hand closer.

Of course, the starling was very grateful.

Just evidence that starlings are very careful. Look how deftly he takes that last little string of cheese without harming, or even touching, my fingers. A clever guy, as he knows that next time I will feed him again.

So, the cheese bowl was empty, and we gave him a big bread crust to take home to his babies.

Starlings are very intelligent and they can identify persons that feed them when they arrive. Mind you, Robins are also capable of recognizing kind people. So, every time when we come here, sooner or later, they will appear at our table. Maybe it's my handsome face that they recognize. Lol.

I have some great news to tell you. The Malachite Sunbird baby is out of the nest and at last I got some photos of it. Yes, it took a lot of patience and a few spider bites in the bushes that I had to search in order to find the baby, but it was a great adventure. I somehow knew that I would eventually find it, and after a lot of patience it revealed itself. I think I will show it to you tomorrow.
Such is life.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.

Photos by Zac Smith. All-Rights-Reserved.

Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.

Until next time, cheers!