Comments on: Four and Twenty Blackbirds

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:39:19 +0000

Hi Chile: I like the sound of Starling Pie – very romantic – but your post about roasted rodents required smelling salts. Thanks for stopping by!

By: Chile

Chile — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:36:02 +0000

Now, now, remember that you can't just go around eating birds willy-nilly. Most are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and you'll be in deep doodoo if you kill them. (Game birds are okay - in season and with a hunting license.) The three species that are fair game are House Sparrows (try them on toast!), European Starlings (make a pie!), and Rock Doves aka Domestic Pigeons (squab, anyone?) For more, you can read my post about catching and eating them, along with rats, snakes, and spiders. (Thanks, Karen, for the heads up on the blackbird cravings goin' on here!)

By: Amy (mom2bjm)

Amy (mom2bjm) — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:34:28 +0000

My SIL gave me a bird-feeder for Christmas, at which I rolled my eyes, but smiled while she and my brother hung it in my tree that very day. It went largely unnoticed by the feathered friends, until recently, when there was a feeding frenzy. I filled it again one morning, and by the end of day was nearly empty. I believe it was those piggly pigeons who gorged themselves, leaving none for the little guys. So I’m waiting until the pigeons find a new place to go, then I put something out for the little guys again.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:31:21 +0000

Karen – stellar bird facts! Josie and I are going to say “grackle” every chance we get now, like, could you pass me the grackle? It is really a delightful word. Thanks!

By: Rechelle

Rechelle — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:33:26 +0000

Golly – I think those pics are right purty! Speshally that last un. Thanks for the link love.

By: Renovation Therapy

Renovation Therapy — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:15:19 +0000

you’re morbid, i think that’s why we get along so well.

By: MBdownUnder

MBdownUnder — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:23:16 +0000

Mon dieu! Une artiste! (You’ve certainly got the eccentric part down pat.)

By: Karen in Wichita

Karen in Wichita — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:04:40 +0000

That black bird is a grackle. If you go for the slightly smaller ones with yellow beaks instead? Those are starlings, an introduced/invasive species in North America, and thus not federally protected.

The drawback being, they’re smaller, so four-and-twenty would make a smaller pie.

Now, the mourning doves, they have a season, all regulated and such. But rock doves (a/k/a pigeons, a/k/a flying rats)? Also invasive. And bigger than mourning doves. So: bigger pie.

(And yes, I’m a sometime birder, wildlife artist, AND devourer of wild game. Eating them is just another form of anatomical study, yo.)

By: jenni

jenni — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:41:11 +0000

Love these pics. The white eyeliner of the robin, and the shiney shimmery feathers on the black bird. We love birds around here too.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:37:59 +0000

It’s a true cook who looks at the beauty of nature around her and goes, “Mmmm. Good eatin’.”