Anthropomorphism
We human beings who love animals are often tempted to see or to assign human characteristics in them or to them, and there are experts/professionals who deplore this practice. It is called ‘anthropomorphism’ which means humanizing those who are not human – in this case birds. However, I am not in agreement with these experts/professionals. Maybe that is because I am not an expert or a professional so am coming at birding from a different perspective. Through observation over many years, it is my opinion that we are all part of the animal kingdom and as such, we share certain traits – behaviors – with other animals.
Some experts say without any doubt, that animals do not have personalities or emotions. But anyone one who has owned and loved a dog or cat will tell you that is a load of hooey! My own beloved Maxine, an Irish setter-black Lab mix, was one of the world’s leading pouters. When I would bring her home from the kennel, where she was treated exceptionally well as the owners were my neighbors so Maxine knew them and liked them, she would not even look at me for several days. When I would try to hug her, instead of melting into me as she always did, she would be stiff as a board and turn her head away from me. If that is not an emotional reaction and is not pouting, then I do not know how to define either! And I am sure if you, who are reading this, has ever had a beloved pet, you would be able to share with me story after story of your pet’s personality and emotions. So, are we mistaken, or have we formed a bad habit of assigning human emotions to our pets? And have we carried this too far in that now as birders, we are assigning human traits to birds and that simply has no place in a discussion of wild creatures?
For me, it is an attempt to put concepts and ideas into words that we all understand. When I say a Junco is ‘friendly’ what I want you to understand is that this bird appears to tolerate/get along with/does not aggressively interact with other birds. And that does rather define the concept of ‘friendly’. You can notice this at a feeder where a flock of Juncos are feeding on the ground underneath. While there is a hierarchy within the flock, most Juncos feed peacefully and side-by-side with other species of birds. Occasionally, you may observe a Junco hopping at another species but often, the other species has been the instigator. When the flock arrives at a feeder and lands on the ground underneath, they do so quietly and do not attempt to land on other birds or to move the other birds away. They just quietly land and begin feeding. Juncos are also thought of as ‘friendly’ because they are so often found in neighborhoods and parks. They seem to benefit from being around humans and their structures. So, we could say they ‘like’ humans. You can get fairly close to Juncos and if you are sitting quietly and for some time, they will come close to you. If you get close to one, look at its dark, bright eyes. The bird will be looking right back at you and seems to be more curious than afraid. Is it trying to figure you out? Make a connection?
The Junco’s behavior towards other species and you is opposite of a Blue Jay who can be a bully. Watch a small group of Blue Jays come into a feeder area – particularly in spring and fall. They fly in aggressively and noisily, scattering all the other birds. And they seem to just delight in doing that. In spring, male Mourning Doves are stalkers – they will not leave females alone. They follow them, land right next to them, and are constantly right with them. Females generally ignore this, but the males will not give up. Goldfinches and hummingbirds have trouble sharing at feeders. Both species are aggressive towards all. They identify completely with the word ‘MINE’. It is not unusual for one hummingbird to claim a feeder – or a patch of flowers – and keep all other hummingbirds from it – mates and young alike. And finches will sit on feeder perches and lunge at each other, snap at each other, and land on each other. Talk about a need for a good kindergarten teacher! Male turkeys are extremely proud of their tail feathers and will spread them and strut before what they deem are admiring females. Is this not like Friday night Happy Hour? Where men are coiffed and flexed hoping to attract admiring women?
Some experts and professionals will say that I am hopelessly anthropomorphic. But I encourage you to watch birds’ behavior and you decide which way you want to go with your descriptions. Are you someone who thinks that animals have no personality, emotions or much intelligence – that most actions are simply reactions or instinct? Or are you someone who thinks animals are not much different from us? We may be able to reason better, more quickly, and with much greater complexity, but the emotions, desires and many actions and responses of all creatures are similar. I believe we humans are very much part of the animal kingdom. These are interesting questions that may even help shape your philosophical view of the world around you. You see? There is so much more to birding than just a list and a count!