Monday, September 17, 2012

The OC Robin - Maree

My Obsessive Compulsive Cape Robin on my kitchen table – W&N watercolour on DalerRowney 300gsm 

I have this Obsessive Compulsive Cape Robin that has decided that my kitchen is the best place! He also wanders through the house as if he’s been doing it his whole life. And no, he’s not a pet!

A couple of months ago I sat and watched as the Cape Robin, a total new-comer to my garden, was testing out one of the bird baths. He sat on the edge, dipping his beak and shaking his head, testing the temperature and getting a good splattering at the same time. This carried on for about 3 or 4 minutes before he summoned up the courage to hop in and actually bath. Then he flew up onto a nearby rock, preening and cleaning his feathers from head to toe before flying up into the trees and disappearing from sight.

Little did I know that he’s a totally peculiar character – he actually seems to prefer the indoors to the out-doors. Entering through the front door which is always open, he’ll spend hours wandering from room to room, sometimes walking, sometimes flying. His favourite spot, however, is standing in front of my stainless steel dustbin in the kitchen, flying up at his reflection, as one sees birds doing to motor car mirrors, coming back frequently from his other trips through the house to once again challenge himself in the shiny dustbin.

I have wondered if he could possibly have been someone’s pet at one stage, he’s so totally at ease in the house. I also believe that he is lonely and that the obsessive flying up at his image is possibly because he thinks it might be a potential mate or someone infringing on his territory.

He has learnt what my whistle means when I fill the bird feeders and I can now actually whistle from anywhere inside the house and he will actually come in and have a look if anything is on offer. I specially put minced meat on a plate for him in the kitchen and he visits throughout the day, having his fill and finishing the lot. 

He has also taken to sitting on one of the lampshades in my dining room, singing his song in full throttle!

I feel absolutely blessed that he has chosen my home to be peculiar in, but I do SO wish for another Robin to join him here in my garden…

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14 comments:

  1. Lucky you! The bird sure knows how to pick a "home"... he perhaps felt comfortable and at peace in your place. Nice sketch, I can picture the robin :)

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    1. Thanks a lot Lea! Since encountering him in my home, I've done some research, and it's not uncommon for our Robins to nest in a pot plant inside the house! Maybe I'm lucky too!

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  2. what an incredible story Maree! Maybe he'll become another Coco. I love that you can leave your door open and the creatures are free to come and go. Have you ever thought of writing a book? Lovely sketch. Have you named him yet?

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    1. Aaah, that book... it's next on my list Paula! That open door certainly invites all sorts, often have some snakes, but the robin is most welcome! And his name is... guess what? Robbie! Glad you like this, thanks a lot.

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  3. Amazing! You have the most interesting life...

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    1. Oh yes Kate, the wildlife certainly makes for interesting little stories and sometimes it defies belief what they can get up to! Like the time a young Jackal moved into one of the dog kennels and refused to be evicted! lol!

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  4. What a fabulous experience Maree! So fascinating the way a 'wild'? bird is so well adjusted to the inside of a human's house. Wow!

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    1. totally wild Teri! My husband and I often try and figure it out, but have decided to just enjoy the experience!

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  5. Wonderful! i'm sure another will join him soon.

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    1. If you read the "OC Robin up-date" here http://hedgiesjoy.blogspot.com/2012/09/oc-robin-up-date.html Kathryn, you will see that I do now have another Robin in the garden, just now sure whether it's a female or not!

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  6. What fun to have the robin going in and out ... and how unusual!

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    1. It certainly adds spice to my day Elva! But of late he has been skipping days, thinking he's got nest duty somewhere....

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  7. What a special thing to have a wild bird choose you for a friend. Thanks for telling the story.

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    1. I agree, it is really special Lady, glad you enjoyed this!

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