We have a pole barn with metal siding. This morning I heard a banging sound
as something was striking the metal every few seconds. When I investigated,
I found a song sparrow flying into the siding, ricocheting off, and flying
in again. It did not seem troubled by my presence and I could walk up to
within a few feet to observe. At first I thought it might be seeing its
reflection in the siding and, interpreting this as a rival, it was trying to
attack it. But this was occurring in a heavily shaded area, and the dark
brown paint on the siding was dull. Then I decided the bird was crazed and
I contemplated whether I should catch it to save it from destroying itself.
After a minute or two it flew away. It was only then that I understood what
it was doing. Its beak was full of spider webs and the fir needles and
other detritus that had been caught in them over the winter. It was
collecting material with which to build a nest!
Bill Applegate
applgate at whidbey.net
Whidbey Island, WA