One-Legged Jackdaw and a Twig
April 16th
I rarely find happiness at 6 am on a very cold Saturday morning in April. But I did today. I went out at this ungodly hour on the weekend to beat the crowds for the last Easter grocery shopping. And I did — I was done in 45 minutes. That made me pleased with myself and the upcoming day, but it was something else that made me happy.
As I was getting home, I noticed a bird, a western jackdaw, resolutely hopping forward toward me with a twig in its beak. Those birds are very common where I live, often mistaken for small ravens or crows or rooks, but, when looked at closely, easily recognized from those other species. I’ve noticed that it was hopping on one leg because the other was missing the talons (or digits) on its foot. It could use the remaining stump to prop itself while standing, but for walking it had to hop. And that jackdaw had a twig in its beak that was longer than it itself. With little fear, it went by as I was standing, giving the way to the invalid bird. It put the twig down and started to explore a piece of paper (which looked like a discarded receipt), but in the end, decided that the twig will be more useful for the nest building or repairing. Now the intricate process started — it couldn’t get that twig to be properly balanced in its beak. Time after time, it would put down the twig and grab it, either closer or farther away from the center. Nothing worked for a while. The jackdaw would put the twig down and move its head from side to side to look at it from different angles, but it just wouldn’t work. Finally, after what seemed like 50 tries, it got it right and jumped for the quick flight up the sidewall there. Clearly, something was still not 100% right, so it made the last few adjustments there. But this time it wouldn’t put the twig down, but rather it just moved its head up and down and sideways for the final and best fit. Finally, everything was in order, and it flew quickly between the houses to its nest. With the prize twig to make its nest most secure or comfortable. And full of accomplishment and happiness from the job done well, I imagine.
I was standing there, completely mesmerized, watching the drama and bird’s brain at work on the display for about 10 minutes. The jackdaw wasn’t really afraid or paying attention to me, so all that happened within about 2 meters from where I was standing. Although, it looked a couple of times at me, obviously decided that I wasn’t of any danger. Or that twig was so important that it could risk a little danger. That amazing feat on display in front of me made me feel just so warm and happy inside. I haven’t felt like that for weeks. I spend that time looking for happiness and pleasure in myself or somewhere else on the wider scale of things. In the end, it was enough to stop and pay attention to a small bird hopping on one leg. It is enough just to pay attention to small things around us for respite from the surrounding chaos, and for joy that can come from an unexpected place. Or a one-legged jackdaw.
