A cup of steaming tea in hand
From my padded perch with propped up pillows
I gaze out the bay window
Observing morning activity at the feeder
Among the usual finches, chickadees, & nuthatches
Unusual activity catches my eye
A petite junco carefully feeds seeds to a juvenile robin
Three times its size
Wait, this cannot be!
This bird is of another feather
With no natural obligation
But my eyes do not lie
This little junco is clearly committed
To care for this young robin
As another to its own
From mindful feedings
To standing by at the edge of the concrete bath
As the youngster bathes and drinks
I wonder, what is the story of this orphaned robin
And how did it come under the junco’s care?
I would like to think mercy to save another not of its kind
I can only conjecture
But still, I find hope
In the actions of this tiny little bird
And its very big heart
*Note: According to the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, “cross-species” feeding is a very rare thing to observe. You can read more about it here.
By Alanna Pass 