At nine and a half years, Earl Grey is either well past life expectancy, or a little past middle age — depending on which source you read. He is, I think, the oldest bird I have ever shared my kitchen with. This makes me a little sad, since barring any other disasters he'll probably be the next to go. So I've been trying to spoil him — which, as the Bird Goddess, is in my job description.

The latest Method of Spoiling is to keep him supplied with plenty of nesting material. This is a nice treat for all the Finsters, who just can't get enough of that grass. But the fun part is, despite his age, Earl Grey is building just as much as the rest of them. If you'll recall, he's quite the attractive Finster when he Dances With Sticks (photo with "pet grass" is here, and photo with millet spray is here, both photos pop) (or you can read about it here or here). Timothy hay and the odd bit of raffia make him equally attractive. Hey, I don't call them Hunka Hunka Burning Love songs and dances for nothin'!

But Earl Grey really wants to know why it took me nine years to give him any nesting material. Nine YEARS? I mean, c'mon.