Here we go again. You know, that anthropomorphism thing.
Can birds be happy? Or display any other emotion that some folks insist on assigning strictly to humans?
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning the wildfire smoke in the mountains cut down on the available light so I had to crank up my ISO and change my default aperture to even approach the shutter speeds I prefer for little birds.
I first started photographing this male Yellow Warbler while he was preening on another perch soon after bathing. I had him in my viewfinder for almost three minutes while he was preening (long enough for me to take 404 photos) before he flew to another perch and eventually this one where he fluffed up and started singing away.
I adore those fluffy, freshly washed feathers sticking out on his sides.
He looked and acted happy. And after all, it was a refreshingly cool mountain morning, he’d just had a bath and spent a long time primping and preening, he was singing in the sunshine and there were lady warblers around to appreciate his new-found… dandiness.
I think he actually was happy. I don’t know he was happy but I think he was. I’m open to evidence to the contrary but without it I’d be a hard sell.
Ron
Pffft is the politest thing I can say to those who claim that other species don’t feel emotions. Don’t feel or display emotions. They are also people I want to have nothing to do with.
“Pffft is the politest thing I can say to those who claim that other species don’t feel emotions.
EC, someday we need to spend some time together, in person. I suspect I’d be delighted by your unfettered vocabulary… 🙂
Ron,
I have to agree with the anthropomorphism thing. I photographed a Cooper’s hawk in the yard a couple of days ago with a fresh kill (a house finch I think) in its talons just looking at me from the fence as I clicked away in a long sequence. It seemed “he” was taunting me or bragging. At one point he picked up his soon to be lunch and just held it for me to see while he looked at me with defiance (I am sure). So… I agree with you today and in the past.
Although it is sad to see a bird die in my yard it seems to happen with some regularity as I provide a smorgasbord by feeding the locals! Cycle of life. (But a cool picture that will probably never see the light of day. If I post it people will think I killed the little critter or at least celebrated its death, etc. But a good pic, nonetheless!)
And I am sure animals have emotions. Fear is one that comes to mind when my Aussie runs for the hills like many pets at the sound of fireworks. Or anger and aggression with the introduction of a new animal/intruder in the yard. The wagging tale and the love of master, gentleness with my grandchildren, etc. I mean, “Come on,” it is God-given!
Best,
Stephen
Steven, I don’t know if it’s God-given but it certainly is there with many mammals and birds in many situations. Maybe even in some lower vertebrates – who knows what we’ll discover about them in the future.
Pure, unabashed joy! That’s what I see — and that’s what I feel — in looking at this shot. 😀
As I was reading your post and the comments, the song “Mornin'” by Al Jarreau popped into my head. Not sure if it’s the song itself or the highly anthropomorphic music video that had my brain making the connection. Either way… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzXNdLVZs3k
“Pure, unabashed joy”
That’s pretty close to what I thought while I was watching him through my lens, Marty. It was near-impossible to avoid.
Every aspect of this bird’s appearance says “happy, happy, happy”—what a great photo! Many of your “early bird” commenters this morning have already expressed my view on the emotional lives of animals and the stunted perspective of those who deny there is any such thing. I just watched an Orange-crowned Warbler bathing in my fountain and there’s no way that bird didn’t know he was truly enjoying himself!
Chris, in my view “stunted perspective” is a good way to put it.
The fact that animals have emotions is no longer in dispute. The evidence is too overwhelming to say otherwise. But even acknowledging that, it’s hard for some people to say that a bird sings just because he is happy. But why not? Alexander Skutch wrote many scientific papers and many book about birds. Despite his rigorous scientific work and background, he was heavily criticized for asserting that male birds often sing just for the joy of it. But he firmly believed that was the only explanation for some of the behaviors he observed in his many years of research on birds. Before his death in 2004, he finally saw a few other ornithologists come around to his point of view and admit that singing just for the pure joy of doing so was a valid explanation.
Thanks very much for that info and insight, Dan.
Although I would argue that some still dispute it. I see that in occasional comments to my posts and elsewhere.
I love this photo! Yes, with all the work I have done with animals I do know they have emotions. They express them in subtle ways, as you work with the animal you recognize the signs.
April, if anyone would ‘know’ it would be you and other rehabbers.
Fluffy, cheery, color of sunshine & singing! Sure sounds like happy to me!! Most humans are uneducated about each other let alone animals. I can’t eat octopus any longer after discovering how smart they are. Thanks for the word of the day “anthropomorphism” and for including the Wiki link. 🙂
Then I’m glad I included the link. Thanks, Kathleen.
Darwin said more than 100 years ago that mammals all share a basic neurological tool box – including emotions. We now know, from tests, that birds’ brains may not have the same tool box, but they have other structures that perform the same or similar tasks. Porcupine has it right – it is our arrogance that speaks in anthropomorphese, which seems, to some of us who hear it, a one-note tune. “We are the greatest.” “Assigning” human capabilities to “lower” animals? Well, phooey to that. All living things have the wherewithal to survive in the place they develop, and to adapt to other places as necessary. Wonder what the little yellow fellow thinks of us destructive critters. We can’t even exist without messing in our own nests. Maybe he finds that funny. When it isn’t so sad.
I doubt he’d find it funny, Sallie. Maybe tragically ironic…
You need a greeting card agent Ron. That is one of the cheeriest picker-upper shots I have ever seen. And I agree with you and Porcupine who sure doesn’t seem prickly.
“That is one of the cheeriest picker-upper shots I have ever seen”
That was pretty close to my impression when I first saw the photo, Burrdoo. From there it grew on me even more.
What a way to start a photographer’s morning. This little guy is adorable. I don’t think I have ever seen a cuter more fun photo of a Yellow Warbler. This is a keeper for sure.
I would not even think of trying to come up with an alternative to his happiness.
Great photo.
Thanks very much, Everett.
That is one HAPPY bird! Delightful photo, Ron.
Thanks, Diane.
Yes, no, maybe but it sure makes me happy to see him like this. Gorgeous colours, bokeh and twig frame.
Besides, I frequently think we humans think way, way too much of ourselves and our “special” “unique” abilities that “make us human”. When all is said and done, we’re just another animal species. So, I vote for happy. 😊😊😊
“When all is said and done, we’re just another animal species. So, I vote for happy.”
Well said, Pat.
Hi,
I see and feel JOY from this delightful bird . Thank you for this happy photo.
Kaye
Good. Thanks, Kaye.
What Porcupine – and you – said ! And what a delight to see……
Thanks, Kris.
Lovely photo, and insightful commentary. Thanks!
Thanks, S.
Despite the lighting conditions I think you have captured a pure bundle of joy here.
Whether one were to attempt to explain this birds behavior through an ornithomorphic or an anthropomorphic lens there can be no doubt that he is having one jolly good time.
Thanks, Lyle. To me “jolly good time” seems close enough to happy to serve as a substitute.
Body language is the communication that crosses, not just species lines but even Class lines. Those who blithely dismiss it as anthropomorphism are usually displaying the human arrogance that claims only humans have emotions. In my opinion, an absurd claim.
Anyone who works with animals can read the body language glowing forth from this bird. Wonderful photographic capture. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Porcupine. Human arrogance indeed – just like those who used to accuse Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey of anthropomorphism.
He’s adorably happy to be all spiffed up, agree!
Yup, that could be part of it.
The “butterball” looks/sounds happy to me! 😉 I’m sure with the smoke and heat the bath felt REALLY good…… 🙂
75 for a low last night – smoke holding it in. That’s nuts for here and no cooling the house down. UGH!
Judy, 75 was about our low last night too, for the same reason. Storminess approaching from the south is supposed to clear out most of our smoke today.