For those of us who put out some bird seed, whether in bird feeders, or on a patch of ground near, but not too near, our abodes, we ‘get gifts’ at times, too, but we might not be aware of it.
If you do leave out bird food, you might find a loose feather, looking like it just fell there. Actually, an old Native thought on this, is the bird(s) means of saying ‘thank you for the food’.
In a morning’s watch, (peeking out the door to where i strew the seed), I have counted a locally nested flock of 36 sparrows, 6 locally nested white tipped doves, a family of 6 blue jays, a pairing of cardinals, and a few juncos of battleship grey variety. All in ‘shifts’, and the doves come through on patrol. And Spring is coming, so how many more once they all hatch?????? i might need more bird seed, huh?
South Texas specialty!