LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Obese Bird

We are having rain and strong winds around here.  That is not a good thing for autumn color.  Hopefully it will stop soon and sunshine will brighten up the mountains again.

Remember the very homely Cardinal?  (here)  The bird continued to follow the parents long after he was able to feed himself.  We often saw him at the feeder alone, stuffing his beak.  If either parent came by, he would hop to them and beg for more food.  I am sorry to report that he has joined the legions of the obese.  He is not fluffing up his feathers like a sick bird.  He is alert, has no problem swallowing, no problem flying, and shows no sign of illness.




Maybe not quite so homely, but really really large.





 He still has a rather goofy look that makes him easy to identify.




 This shot of the feeder compares the large cardinal to the chickadee.  Note how the feeder is leaning under the cardinal's weight.  I assure you he has no idea the chickadee is there.  If he did, he would chase it away immediately.


The cardinal is often the first bird to the feeders when we put them out in the morning.  And he and his parents are almost always the last ones to grab a bite before we bring them in.

18 comments:

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I know (munch) how (mmphch) he feels.(gobble crunch munch)
nellie

The Bug said...

Good heavens that's sad & hilarious! And LOL at nellie - I agree entirely :)

Taradharma said...

wow...are they snacking (additionally) at some fast food joint's garbage bin? Hard to believe they could get so fat -- I don't often see that with wildlife.

Rudee said...

For sure this one will make it through the winter with all of that padding. Great pictures!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Baby Huey!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Perhaps a bird weight watchers program would help??? How many points in those seeds??? :)

Arkansas Patti said...

I have never seen any thing like that. Wow. He really is chubby. Any chance it is really a pregnant female with identy problems? He needs to go out and earn a living.

Ms. A said...

My goodness! That's one chunky bird.

Anonymous said...

We have a cardinal similar to yours that visits us. But we're too far apart for him to be the same chubby guy. But they could be related. ;)

Karin said...

I'm sure it's a glandular problem; or he's large boned; or it's in his genes. LOL - as I sit here munching on sunflower seeds!

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

LOL....first time I've seen an "obese" bird!!

Cheryl said...

I find that really sad. I don't think I have ever seen an obese wild creature before. They usually only eat when they need to.
It just goes to show, perhaps, it isn't just the human race that cannot control their eating :0)

My Mind's Eye said...

All of the birds are eatting me out of house and home of late. I always put out a buffet for them, thistle, mixed songbird seed, suet and sunflower. However when there is sunflower they FORGET about all the other seed.
I hope your weather improves and the wind subside...we're heading up on Wed to hopefully see some color
Hugs Madi's Mom

George said...

We usually have to wait for the cardinals to finish their final meal of the day before we can bring our feeders in as well. But so far we haven't noticed any obese cardinals around our house.

Anonymous said...

I've never seen such an overweight bird like that. Makes me wonder about his metabolism. He's going to be interesting to watch, and I hope he has a nice long life.

Unknown said...

I always thought that animals would only eat what was necessary ... never more. That is, until I got my second cat. She just plain likes to eat. It makes me wonder if critters sometimes eat for the pure pleasure of it? Also makes me wonder if commercial critter foods are laden with calories ... too many ... just like a lot of our foods.

I found you through Kat Magendie's blog ... your blog is just great. "Waves" from Asheville! :-)

Wayfarin' Stranger said...

Too funny! Jim

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments.

Beyond - You crack me up!

Taradharma - Actually, I think our birdfeeders are their fast food joints.

Rudee - thanks

Lynn - He does sort of look like Baby Huey.

Suz - LOL

Patti - My husband said exactly the same thing. Wouldn't it be a hoot if the two of you are correct?

Jane - I have to believe there are more of them than we imagine.

Madi's Mom - You are sure to see some color since it varies a great deal depending on elevation.

Footprints - Thanks for dropping by!