They arrive together, an unlikely pair – a female Red-winged Blackbird and a Black-capped Chickadee. Sometimes the male Blackbird comes, too, and then the Chickadee waits on the sidelines, resting on the tip of a cedar trellis for his turn at the birdseed.
They’re here every morning for breakfast before the other chirpy horde arrives. The male Blackbird returns periodically throughout the day, but the female does not. I can’t determine if the Chickadee is among the many others who flit in and out.
It’s strange to see them come and go together each morning. I wonder what they have in common and then I realize — of course (duh!) — it’s their need for food.
It matters not to them that the other is of a different size and species. There’s no aggression – not like when the squirrel comes to chase everyone else away while he gobbles his fill – no quarrelling as there is between the Hummingbirds who fight over who will sit where.
We’re told in scripture to consider the birds… “they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”* I’m sure we are. But I think we might learn something from them, too.
* [Matthew 6:26]
MUSINGS 
Excellent post. To observe something so beautiful as a chickadee and a blackbird and see their cooperation is very special indeed. Thanks for the pic, Carol. Our front windows are too high up and we often miss these little ones. The sky is taken up by the big guys and that’s nice, but there are too many beautiful birds I miss.
That’s very apt. Thanks for the reminder.
Carol, I loved this post! Simple but brillant writing! love you Katt
Thanks for your comments, Joylene, Erica and Katt. There are often lots of birds here, and different groups swoop in at different times of the day. They’re fascinating to watch and wonder about. 🙂