Birds, bird songs and bird imprinting
Part of the pleasure of getting up early is the serenade of the birds. Around here, we have a number of enthusiastic doves, a small communal chorus of robins and the occasional grackle (who can imitate the others when at a loss for new material). In other places (yes Charlottetown, we have heard your cry all the way up here), crows provide the morning wakeup. In certain rural areas, the cocky rooster or the meandering gander are ready to sound off at any opportunity. Birds, as close to nature as it gets here in the big city.
Which leads me to mention some curious content from the world of local television. First, I have to salute The New Cackle Sisters. No website to offer, but there is content available on Youtube and on CBC. Their main characteristic: musical onomatopoeia. Finally, a use for that word, which I’ve been dragging around since high school. Songs and bird songs. Imitative harmony. Imprinting.
Ahh, yes. Imprinting. Such is the scientific talent of Pascale Otis, who does research on the special cells that keep Arctic birds safe from the suffering of frostbitten toes. Webbed or otherwise. Her discovery came about as a result of mothering far too many geese at her Laval University laboratory. The documentary showed me that no matter what the subject, a biologist can get too close for comfort to the subject. No, I will not swim with your seabirds. Not now. Not later. And as for providing a pension for your hatchlings, after their fifteen years of labourless life; well, not either.
