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I am not a Finster, so there are many things I just don't understand. Like, why seeds from a green pepper are only tasty some of the time (or why seeds from a red pepper never are), or why a clean, new nest box can be Evil. And I certainly don't pretend to know how the Finsters sort out their pecking order. But I know they have one. And it's changed quite a bit in the past few months.
As it turns out, Peanut was part of the Finsters' pecking order. On top, I suppose, since he had that Nasty Beak Of Biting. And when he died in early September, it seems that Earl Grey took over. And something about Earl Grey's reign kept Szechwan (Pepper) from singing his Hunka Hunka Burning Love song.
I don't know the details, but I do know that Peanut died on September 3rd, I wrote about Szechwan (Pepper) not singing on September 26, and the day after Earl Grey died, I wrote that I heard Szechwan (Pepper) sing again. That's no coincidence. He's been singing a lot lately.
Well, it's nice to hear Szechwan (Pepper)'s song again.
The Finster Log
Guilty Pleasure
Posted on: 01/04/07, 08:16:28
As it turns out, Peanut was part of the Finsters' pecking order. On top, I suppose, since he had that Nasty Beak Of Biting. And when he died in early September, it seems that Earl Grey took over. And something about Earl Grey's reign kept Szechwan (Pepper) from singing his Hunka Hunka Burning Love song.
I don't know the details, but I do know that Peanut died on September 3rd, I wrote about Szechwan (Pepper) not singing on September 26, and the day after Earl Grey died, I wrote that I heard Szechwan (Pepper) sing again. That's no coincidence. He's been singing a lot lately.
Well, it's nice to hear Szechwan (Pepper)'s song again.
Comments
01/04/07, 19:54:12
That's fascinating! They're such complex creatures.
01/05/07, 07:08:17
At one point I had seven finches in one cage. The top of the pecking order was unquestionably Hildegard, my White-Headed Nun hen. After her came her mate Alexander, the other WHN Cadfael, the two Zebra Finches, Papageno and Rosamund, and finally the two little Silverbills, Peter and Harriet Wimsey. Hildegard never had much to do with Peter and Harriet; they were too far down the pecking order. But after Alexander, Cadfael, and (I think) Rosamund had died, that changed. The Silverbills were now closer to Hildegard in the hierarchy, and she had to relate to them for the first time. It was fascinating to watch.
It was also fascinating, several years later, when Papageno was old and dying, and Peter Wimsey and his new friend Abelard the Black-Headed Nun comforted him. They used to sit with him in the evenings, all snuggled on one perch. Peter and Abelard were unmistakably a gay couple after the death of Harriet. They would occasionally take turns singing to each other and then look at each other like, "All right, now who lays the eggs?"
It was also fascinating, several years later, when Papageno was old and dying, and Peter Wimsey and his new friend Abelard the Black-Headed Nun comforted him. They used to sit with him in the evenings, all snuggled on one perch. Peter and Abelard were unmistakably a gay couple after the death of Harriet. They would occasionally take turns singing to each other and then look at each other like, "All right, now who lays the eggs?"
01/05/07, 17:50:10
Mam Adar, you have wonderful names for finches. Peter and Harriet! Grin.
In the past, I've been very aware that a death in the Finster family might affect companionship. But this may be the first time I've specifically thought about the pecking order. I suppose they're related. Still, not singing seems to be a pretty serious response. I really never expected that.
P.S. I've had several gay finch couples, both sexes.
In the past, I've been very aware that a death in the Finster family might affect companionship. But this may be the first time I've specifically thought about the pecking order. I suppose they're related. Still, not singing seems to be a pretty serious response. I really never expected that.
P.S. I've had several gay finch couples, both sexes.