"Destruction of Singing Birds" Edward Clifford (1890)

Source Citation: 
EDWARD CLIFFORD. "Destruction Of Singing Birds." Times [London, England] 26 Dec. 1890: 9. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.

"The Canary Bird!" A poem by J.S. (1790)

Source Citation: 
J. S. "The Canary Bird!" Times [London, England] 22 Oct. 1790: 2. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.

Lines sent by a Young Lady with a Canary Bird, 1787 (The Times: London)

Source Citation: 
M. K. "LINES sent by a YOUNG LADY, with a CANARY BIRD." Times [London, England] 6 Dec. 1787: 4. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 8 Apr. 2014.

Birding Gifts and Apparel

Get unique clothing, mugs, and accessories for birders everywhere at our Zazzle store, Literature Lyrics. 

The Lifespans of Birds

According to the U.S. Geological Survey's Bird Banding Lab in Maryland, the longest lived species of birds are as follows (if they make it past their first year, of course):

• Laysan Albatross: 50 yrs. 8 mos.
• Black-footed Albatross: 40 yrs. 8 mos.
• Great Frigatebird: 38 yrs. 2 mos.
• White Tern: 35 yrs. 11 mos. 
• Sooty Tern: 35 yrs. 10 mos.
• Wandering Albatross: 34 yrs. 7 mos.
• Arctic Tern: 34 yrs.
• Red-tailed Tropicbird: 32 yrs. 8 mos.
• Black-browed Albatross: 32 yrs. 5 mos. 
• Atlantic Puffin: 31 yrs.

Longest known lifespans of other birds from various records:

• American Goldfinch, Eastern Bluebird, Yellow Warbler: 10 yrs.
• American Robin, Tufted Titmouse: 13 yrs.
• American Crow, American Kestrel, Northern Mockingbird: 14 yrs. 
• House Sparrow, Northern Cardinal: 15 yrs. 
• Eastern Screech Owl: 20 yrs. 
• Mallard: 26 yrs.
• Great Horned Owl: 27 yrs.
• Bald Eagle, Canada Goose: 30 yrs.
• Mourning Dove, Sandhill Crane: 31 yrs. 

Resource:
Erickson, Laura. The Bird Watching Answer Book. North Adams: Storey Publishing, 2009.

The Crow and Dickens' Pet Raven, Grip

Crows tend to be viewed negatively in most places, deemed a pestilence to farmers and a bad omen to the superstitious folks, and they are one of the few birds unprotected by Alabama state law (English sparrows, starlings, and blackbirds are also unprotected). A person faces fines and jail time for killing a robin or mockingbird, but they can kill crows all day long without restriction. Ironically, you cannot keep a native species of crow as a pet in the United States. Personally, I would love to have a pet crow. Charles Dickens had several pet ravens (much to his family’s dismay. Apparently, one always nipped their ankles), and the last one, Grip, could imitate human speech. According to a letter from Dickens to his friend, Grip’s last words were “Halloa, ol’ girl,” before he fell over and died. Shortly before my grandmother died, told me a story about the early days of her marriage when she lived in the city of Florence, Alabama. Out on her front porch one day, she heard a voice calling, “I’ll fall, I’ll fall.” Looking around, she could see no one close by. On looking up, she finally discovered the source of the noise. A crow paced back and forth on her neighbors rooftop, calling out every minute or so, “I’ll fall, I’ll fall.” The pet crow, whose wings had been clipped, had escaped from another house several doors down, unable to figure out how to get back home.

"Grip" Charles Dickens' pet raven (stuffed and on display)

Grip with the Dickens' children

Thanks to the crow

A lone crow set off cawing in our oak tree minutes before a red-tailed hawk flew in. Our four chickens and pet rabbit were all in the yard enjoying the sunshine when the alert was sounded. Seconds later, the crow chased the hawk away, while we gathered everyone up and got them to safety. Many thanks, Friend Crow.

"Black Birds" by Lisl auf der Heide

When the crows come

black against the darkening sky

their wings obscure the sun

and small sounds drown

in their strident caws. 

 

They storm the walnut tree

snatch the green fruit

drop it from great heights

retrieve the cracked kernels.

 

Again and again they dive

From tree to ground

feathers gleaming

where stray sunrays touch.

 

And when the mountains turn blue

with the haze of evening

the crows lift off in ebony formation

head toward some secret roost

where they blend into the night.