Calvin Finds a Friend

This feisty, one-legged blackbird found a safe place to land

Once upon a time,

there was a blackbird named Calvin, who flew in one windy day. I befriended this distinct bird. He was special. I could tell he was tired and hungry. I didn’t know his name, so I called him Calvin because the name had a certain ring to it. The wind was angry and flipping its lid as Calvin landed on my plywood feeder, which was weaving back and forth.

It was not a proper feeder, just a flat piece of plywood with some trim. Calvin didn’t mind at all. He made a “zing, zing” noise that let me know he was hungry. I obliged by getting some seeds ready before he flew off.

This is my lucky day, I thought to myself.

Upon further observation, I discovered that Calvin had only one leg. I thought after the fact that I should have called him Terry Fox, who also only had one leg.

I assumed that Calvin lost his leg after getting caught in a fish net or a lobster trap. After someone freed him, he just kept flying and left nature to do the healing.

Calvin is going strong. He will never have to worry about food—i will make sure of that.

My act of kindness paid off as Calvin comes back day after day. I know when he’s around by his familiar “zing, zing” noises! It’s a privilege to watch him manoeuvre his sleek, shiny body and look at his yellowish-green eyes

Some people say I’ve gone mad or “gone to the birds.” It’s quite true. I love birds no matter the species or colour. Some birds act like they are human. They sing and dance. They let you know when they are hungry.

Calvin’s brightly coloured eyes sparkle in the sunlight and his black attire glistens more beautifully every day. He is a fighter, there is no doubt about it.

I often wonder how many miles he has to fly to get back home each spring. I tell my friends that it’s not spring until I see a blackbird and hear that familiar “zing, zing!”

Some say the robin is a sure sign of spring, but I say it’s the blackbird. So, I’ll continue to put seeds and a few crusts of bread out for Calvin and say a silent prayer that I’ll see him again this year. n