Every birdwatcher’s passion for birds was sparked at some point. Our deep joy in watching and learning about these feathered free-spirited beings was likely inspired by an encounter with a particular kind of bird.
In our last Dawn Chorus lineatus referred to a recent observation as an especially sweet moment because it was with her “spark bird”. Here’s what lineatus had to say:
A super-special moment, because 33 years ago this month, a Townsend’s Warbler was my spark bird. It’s not an exaggeration to say that they changed my life.
I’d never heard the term before but I understood it immediately. Googling, I discover it’s known thing out there, with this as a typical description:
A “Spark Bird” is defined as the bird that helped spark your interest in birding. It helped open your eyes to the incredible beauty, mystery and excitement of birds and nature. It’s a pivotal moment where your world is changed, and there’s no way you are going back!
A “Spark Bird” can appear anywhere and be any species. For some, it’s an exotic hummingbird on a Caribbean vacation. For others, it’s a magnificent snowy owl that comes down from the Arctic during winter. For many, it’s a sparrow or songbird that has been ignored for years but finally makes a lasting impression.
- birdwatchinghq.com/...
I’ll kick this off with my own Spark Bird, and then I hope you’ll share yours in the comments below.
Personally, I became passionate about about birds fairly recently. My line of work consumed all my daylight time and then some, about 80 hours a week. It’s when I went to part time and then retired completely from the working world I began to spend time outside and noticed who came and went. I wish I’d started much earlier, when I was more physically able to be out where birds are, but every moment I can, each day, brings me joy. My spark bird, who turned me into a birder about 10 years ago, was Bufflehead ducks.
I remember when I first saw these tiny bundles of attitude skimming into the bay and landing in a splashy flock — they were so small I thought shorebirds? but not in the water! And then over the years, seeing their conversations and posturing and diving….well, I still never get tired of watching Buffies. I celebrate each late October when they arrive again for their winter in the shallow bays near my home, and feel a little empty each April when they leave this place quiet and empty for the summer. Winter is a wonderful season here.
Much of what I find so charming about Buffies is their behavior. I know for them it’s all serious business, between their foraging and social world, but I can appreciate their activity as an outside observer. This brief video clip shows one drake Buffie attempting to protect his mate from interlopers.
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and this one shows how Buffies forage, in comparison to puddle ducks like wigeons. Buffies dive but not very deep so they’re quick to surface. They are also so buoyant they actually pop up at the surface.
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What’s your spark bird?
And of course the Dawn Chorus is open for any of your birdy observations from the week.