NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

America’s Next Top Bird

The Interviews

This post has been flitting around my mind all week. Ideas on where to begin seemed to fly away with the birds. So, I decided to give myself a break from writing for a few days and concentrate on reading other people’s work.

I recently watched the new Pinocchio movie and it reminded me of how much I like the narrator, Jiminy Cricket. Why not have a narrator for my bird stories?

Not just any old bird will do. The bird will need a special affinity for narration. Let the interviews begin!

The Interviews for Narrator

Oscar — the Osprey

Hello, I’m Oscar the Osprey. You might have seen me in other stories as a stunt double for a hawk. I am a raptor, but I’m no hawk.

I’m a real daredevil. I’ll dive feet-first into the water from great heights to grab a quick bite of fish. To all the pescatarians of the world, I salute you.

I’m a world traveler. I cruise the waterways and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Maybe someday I’ll travel there, too. A bird can dream.

I have a kink in my wrist shaped like an “M” when I spread my wings. Why Marvel comics hasn’t selected me as one of their superheroes, I have yet to understand. Perhaps becoming the narrator of a story could be my springboard to fame. Hint. Hint.

Jay — the Blue Jay

Hi there. I didn’t see you sneak up behind me! You can call me Jay. My azure feathers are bluer than a cloudless sky. I have a distinct onyx necklace draped around my neck.

I’m auditioning for the narrator position because I like to talk. In fact, I’m the loudest bird in the yard. I’m common in residential areas, so I’m not afraid of an audience.

It would be great publicity for a story to be narrated by a bird who’s already famous. Not only have I adorned many winter holiday cards, but there’s also a Canadian baseball team named after me.

I must confess I have a bit of an attitude and often become aggressive. I also have a criminal background. I’ve been known to raid a nest or two in my day and have violent tendencies toward other birds. In my defense, a bird’s gotta eat, right?

By the way, will I be compensated for the use of my face in these photos?

Reed and Rosie — the Cardinals

Hello, we’re Reed and Rosie, a male and female team of Northern cardinals. We make delightful narrators because we have familiar voices. Female cardinals are one of the few species of northern female birds that sing. Our sweet whistles are a soothing sound.

I must confess, in spring and early summer my hormones are raging. I become more aggressive than at other times of the year. You might want to prevent reflections on your windows during this time. I’ll fiercely attack my own reflection, sometimes for hours. Since the story is being narrated in Autumn, this shouldn’t be a problem.

I like to think of myself as blooming colors amidst dense tree foliage. I might be around for years to narrate for you. The oldest cardinal on record was over fifteen years old!

I’m a clean bird who loves birth baths! I’m in touch with my community, visiting families in backyard bar b q’s and chatting with the neighbors. Maybe that’s why I’m the state bird of seven states.

I’m the namesake for two major league sports teams. I’ll be the MVP of your story team! I’m also willing to accept sunflower seeds, in lieu of payment.

Loner Poet — the Eastern Towhee

Hello. You can address me by my alias, Loner Poet. I think it makes me sound dark and mysterious. I’m a long-tailed sparrow and a rummager. I’ve worked my way up in the world to this tree top. I’m one of the few Eastern Towhees you’ll see out in the open.

I must admit, I’m not the sharpest bird in the air. Brown-headed Cowbirds and Qual will swap their eggs for my own without me realizing it. But I’m a loving foster parent. When the cowbirds lay eggs in my nest, I raise them as my own.

I grew up in a rough environment of tangled messes of limbs and thickets. Don’t let that dissuade you. I’m a shy loner who stays out of trouble. Maybe that’s why my species has a thriving population.

When all my Eastern Towhee friends whistle together, we’re called a ‘teapot.’ My individual call resembles a cat’s meow. As you can see, I have a very distinct narration voice.

My agent has no flight photos in my portfolio. In fact, when confronted with danger, I typically run away instead of flying. I’d say that makes me a well-grounded choice for a narrator.

If you’re not convinced of my qualifications just read this Twittle I’ve written. I am a poet, after all. I hope Carolyn Hastings likes it!

All I Want to Do Is Run

All I want to do is run on the earth Humans want nothing more than to fly I guess the grass is always greener on the other side

Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell — the Mourning Doves

I’m just going to cut to the chase. I have a family to feed, and I need a job. Just look at my picture. Doesn’t it tug at your heartstrings? I hope hunters have a heart because September first was the start of dove hunting season.

I’m exceptionally smart, and I stand out from the other applicants. I have a reference letter from my previous employer to prove it.

“Contrary to public opinion, pigeons and doves are surprisingly intelligent. Studies have shown them capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors, a feat pulled off by few other non-primate species. When trained, these birds can also be taught all 26 letters of the alphabet, and even how to differentiate between different people in photographs.” – American Bird Conservancy

Select me as your narrator and you’ll have a bird who’s familiar with Medium publications. There’s a link at the bottom of this page to one of my feature stories.

Count Gracula, the Great-Tailed Grackle

Oh, hello there. I was just grabbing a quick bite to eat before our interview. I’m Count Gracula, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is derived from the Latin ‘graculus’, which means “jackdaw.” I’m not really a Count, but it sounded impressive. Are you impressed?

I’m a handsome bird with bright yellow eyes, glossy plumage, and an iridescent sheen. I have a magnetic mineral called magnetite on my head, beak, and neck. This mineral allows me to use the earth’s geomagnetic fields to navigate.

Now, are you impressed?

I must admit, my voice can be very squeaky and unpleasant. Since this is a writing narrator job, it shouldn’t be an issue.

I’m considered an agricultural pest in North America, and lethal methods have been taken to extinguish me. My population has diminished, but Count Gracula never dies. Or at least we hope.

It’s said my subspecies in Louisiana and other southern states aren’t as colorful as those further north. That doesn’t mean I can’t narrate colorful stories.

Another attribute that makes me a perfect narrator is my willingness to work well with others and utilize all my resources. I’ll go as far as lying on the ground and letting ants crawl over me! All this, so the acid they secrete will repel parasites and lice from my feathers. You might catch me near a marigold for its antiparasitic effects, as well.

As winter approaches, you’ll see me flock with my friends by the thousands, sometimes by the millions, to our roosting trees. I’m a social bird and I love my community. Nothing would make me prouder than to be the first grackle to become a narrator!

That’s all the time we have for today. I hope you’ve enjoyed this episode.

Until next time…

Coming in our Next Episode

Will Jay’s criminal instincts stand in the way of his future as a narrator?

Will Oscar soar to new heights of fame, despite his constant misidentification as a hawk?

Will Reed and Rosie stop attacking their own reflection long enough to narrate a story?

Will Carolyn Hastings like Loner Poet’s Twittle?

Will Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinker Bell survive Hunting season?

Will Count Gracula overcome his reputation as being a pest and narrate colorful stories?

Stay posted to find out who will be America’s next top bird!

Mia Verita, 2022

Thank you for reading. This has been my response to The Chirping Birds prompt. I hope you’ve enjoyed it, and I hope more writers will join in the fun!

A special thank you to The Cornell University Lab for assisting with the identification of the Osprey.

Learn more about Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinkerbell here.

Thank you to all the hard-working editors of Reciprocal, Dr. Preeti Singh, Sahil Patel, and Yana Bostongirl, for hosting this story.

Thank you, Dr. Preeti Singh, for this inspiring prompt.

Here are a few other responses to this prompt that I found inspiring.

William J Spirdione shares an inspirational story, featuring lovely prose and his beautiful photographs.

Joyce Nielsen shares a wonderful story, featuring her lovely photographs and amazing art.

Mia Verita enjoys photographing and learning about different bird species. She makes frequent use of her birding apps. She enjoys photography, sketching, writing poetry, and sharing inspirational stories.

If you would like to read all of my stories and those of other Medium members, you can join Medium using my affiliate link. I’ll receive a small portion of the membership fee at no additional cost to you.