Lark Sparrow Trying To Manhandle Nesting Material

I often enjoy the little dramas in the lives of birds just as much as I do the bigger ones.

 

lark sparrow 7280 ron dudley

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

I photographed this Lark Sparrow twelve days ago on Antelope Island. The sexes of the species are similar but since only females construct nests I presume the bird to be a female. At first she was perched in some bushes but she hopped down and began to scurry around on the ground. I figured she was after insects or seeds (this time of year they eat both) but it turned out that her intent was to gather nesting material.

Here she has approached the long twig directly in front of her for evaluation.

Note: I’ve cropped many of these images unconventionally in order to include as much of the long twig as possible.

 

 

lark sparrow 7285 ron dudley

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

She reached down and picked up one end of it…

 

 

lark sparrow 7290 ron dudley

1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

and tried to drag it in the direction of some of the thickest part of the tangled mass of vegetation surrounding her (I have no idea where her nest actually was).

 

 

lark sparrow 7291 ron dudley

1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

But she struggled in her efforts because the trailing end of the twig apparently became hung up in the vegetation.

 

 

lark sparrow 7298 ron dudley

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

So she stopped to think about it for a moment and then decided to try a different approach.

 

 

lark sparrow 7306 ron dudley

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

She grabbed the twig near the middle of its length, picked it up,…

 

 

lark sparrow 7309 ron dudley

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

and then turned again in the direction she wanted to go. At this point she apparently realized that there was no way the long twig was going through that tangled mess…

 

 

lark sparrow 7314 ron dudley

1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

so she dropped it and went on her way. Here the twig is still falling to the ground.

As I was processing these images I couldn’t help putting myself in her place and thinking about how difficult it would be to maneuver nesting material without the use of my hands, using only my mouth instead. They do it hundreds of times with each nest they build and the following year they have to start all over again.

Just one more reason that the life of birds isn’t an easy one.

Ron

 

20 Comments

  1. deborah donelson

    I love the small dramas best. So much is to be discovered in the details. Thank you so much for your amazing ability to see and capture these moments.

  2. Charlotte Norton

    Simply amazing behavorial shots Ron! Thanks so much for sharing!

  3. Jane Chesebrough

    Lark Sparrows are such beauties, this series of photos does make me appreciate their struggles, as well as their perseverance.

  4. ‘IF I can get this one to the nest there is one less trip. Possibly two. And it fits really well with the other pieces I have chosen…’

  5. I’m surprised she chose such a long twig…seems like it would be to long to incorporate into her nest…The whole thing makes me think of a Wallenda trying to traverse through a heavily wooded forest on his high wire while carrying his balancing pole in his mouth….

  6. I enjoyed this series of photos. My favorite is the first one. Little bird with big ideas.

  7. Patty Chadwick

    Wouldn’t that be “…trying to BIRDHANDLE nesting material”? It looks like that beautiful little lady is thinking and decision-making…something we don’t always give them credit for–writing it all off to “instinct” (I don’t buy it, only finding it OK up to a point) . I agree with Mark, Rocky and Judy. Sparrow Woman is an interesting combination of optimist, realist and weightlifter– definitely a hard worker. A nice, nice series…and inspiring. Maybe I won’t give up on trying to excavate and organize this room after all!!!

    • Patty, I actually very seriously considered using “birdhandle” instead of manhandle when I was composing my post!

      Good luck on your room…

      • I would have confidently bet the farm that you did consider that title…

        • I’m with you Patty, but after all, what is instinct but perfect intelligence installed at the factory? I see birds and critters solve problems all the time…no surprise to me. And I’d guess it’s not surprise to many of us here. I’d also wager that she chose another, similar, twig in an easier-to-handle location 😉
          And yes, Ron, it would have shocked me had you not considered using birdhandle.

  8. I am partial to these grand looking sparrows. The harlequin facial pattern is eye appealing and it seems to always look well groomed. Beside the superb photos you have given us an interesting story to go along. Thanks for your welcomed morning ritual of communing with the birds.

  9. It is interesting to see any animal think through the issue they are dealing with. Birds are definitely creative. This one was obviously a realist, too. Fun series,

  10. It is a struggle for the birds to build nests without hands and they sure do a good job of it! 🙂 She was probably hoping to save a later trip! 🙂 Beautiful shots!

    • “She was probably hoping to save a later trip”

      I was kind of wondering why she didn’t try to fly with that twig, Judy. Maybe the nest was very close…

  11. Thank you for sharing these photos Ron and for sharing your insights on this industrious female nest builder.
    A lark sparrow would be considered a rarity in southeastern Pennsylvania where I live so it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to view this beautiful bird through your photography.

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