I wasn't sure what to think when someone recently told me that she had gotten Bluebirds to come when she whistled, (you know who you are), but there seems to be something to it. On a lark, I decided to try it on my visits out to the mealworm feeder. Mimicing the Bluebird call I hear when they are visiting the feeder or calling to one another, I poured out the worms and stepped away each time. The first time Lloyd came when I whistled, I assumed it was a fluke. I figured he was simply nearby watching. Lately, I have stood for a few minutes listening and scanning the yard to make sure they are not around. Sure eneough, I whistle and here comes Lloyd with gusto, headed to the feeder, although he usually does a screching aerial halt and stops short to land on one of the other feeder hooks. As soon as I step away, he flies down to the feedere to honk down. He doesn't even wait for me to go completely away.
I guess even wild birds can be trained to some extent. If they can find the food source, they can remember to come back. Perhaps they can also learn other songs, even those performed by humans. Perhaps I am just nutso and he is waiting somewhere I can't see him and spies the worms from a distance with his awesome eyesight and comes to the feeder because he is desperately hungry. Perhaps I am over-analyzing and should just be glad they are coming at all. And I should be happy that my local service station/world's best fried chicken (I've been told, but I have never tried it, but it smells AMAZING) place stocks mealworms and keeps me supplied. (BTW, the place is called Mitchell's and if you live nearby, you should try it. Free advertising for my friends!)
So, don't forget to whistle while you work, or at least whistle while you fill your feeders!!! "SOUP'S ON!!"
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