Bluebird at the window

reflection on a reflection

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The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) launched itself over and over at the window. It would perch for minutes on the picnic table or the window ledge, as though planning the maneuver, which was always — as far as I could tell — the same: fly toward the window, meet the surface with its belly, simultaneously peck at and beat its wings against the glass several times, then retreat quickly.

This curious behavior occurred during a family reunion on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My wife, her four siblings, and their spouses convened on the premises adjacent to Bluebird territory. Joining the event were a handful of offspring, partners, and a cousin — a company of twenty, representing six families visiting over the course of a week.

Pecking at one's reflection is seen in other male birds (Mockingbird, Cardinal, and others), who perch next to a car’s side mirror and attack it. Well, it certainly looks like an attack.

I checked with our family science writer, Jennifer Ackerman, who confirmed my suspicion: male Bluebirds are highly territorial, especially around nesting time, and will go after perceived intruders — including their own reflections.

Eastern Bluebird, resting but alert

At first, the human visitors were alarmed by the persistent sound and seemingly dangerous behavior. Could he injure himself? Further observation led us to conclude that he would be OK, and we became accustomed to the ritual.

This was the only bird species we interacted with in such a way. The American Eagle pair dove for fish out on the bay. Ospreys roamed the upper winds, no doubt wary of the eagles. A lone loon kept its solitary and silent distance — a dot on the water. Two Canada Geese glided just offshore, their wings inches above the surface. My daughter Molly and I watched through binoculars a Red-bellied Woodpecker come in and out of a hole in a dead pine.

As for the other species? During those days, they sang from the woods now and then — sometimes singly, other times in chorus or in conversation. The award for most outspoken goes to the Northern Cardinal and the Carolina Wren. Most talkative? The Blue Jay, of course. The Purple Martins spent each day zipping around their little bird condo. The Mourning Dove always sounds like a distant sadness spoken into a pillow.

Seen darting in the underbrush and lower branches: Tufted Titmouse, Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler. Heard but not seen: Pine Warbler, Northern Parula (question mark), Hairy Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Brown-headed Cowbird. Their very names are poetry.

Estimates suggest there are 11,000 bird species in the world. Why are there so many species of them, versus one big mass Homo sapiens? Clearly, each bird species finds a niche, and each family carves out the space needed for its livelihood and growth. The 19 species we identified above have found ways to cohabitate in this square mile of land and water — successfully, as far as I can tell.

Back at my house in the Maryland/DC suburbs, I am finishing up this essay. An Amazon truck stops, and the delivery person hands me a small package addressed to my wife and me. It turns out to be a volume my brother-in-law had mentioned a few days ago — a 1979 publication by David Barash about evolution and the origin of human nature. I turned to the chapter “Competition: Fighting, Male Groups and Wars.” I was thinking about the Bluebird attacking its foe. Here’s where I landed:

“Competition will be selected only when its benefits outweigh its costs. Struggling with others expends both time and energy… Discretion is invariably the better part of valor unless there are good… reasons to behave aggressively. There may, for example, be critical shortages of some necessity, such as mates, nest sites or food…

[A]ggression is a method of competing… Demagogues throughout history have recognized this tendency and used it to manipulate human behavior. When times are hard, people are eager to take out their aggression on whatever scapegoats happen to be available.”

Would the Bluebird ever learn that his reflection was not a real threat? Apparently not. He threw himself into the task for hours each day.

Is there a human corollary to the Bluebird’s delusion? Is there anyone who benefits from stoking fear in others — offering them “reasons to behave aggressively” against a perceived threat that’s not really there at all?

Do we attack reflexively, failing to apply the reason with which nature has so beautifully endowed us?

Famed scientist Richard Feynman, in his 1974 CalTech commencement address, spoke to the need for integrity in the scientific method. He argued that when searching for truth, one should apply equal attention and curiosity to data that supports your hypothesis and data that does not. And how difficult it is to see yourself clearly:

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”

Initially I thought he was attacking the decal “danger bird” we apply to high windows to reduce bird injuries. He ignored it. And attacked himself in other windows as well. But I am open to other interpretations…

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Notes:

• For superb research on birds, visit www.jenniferackermanauthor.com

• Barash, David. The Whispering Within: Evolution and the Origin of Human Nature, Penguin Books, 1986

• Richard Feynman’s CalTech address: Cargo Cult Science