A couple of days ago, in between Round 1 and Round 2 of Siberian Snowpocalypse 2021, I took my daughter out to play in the snow and noticed something that I had never seen before in Oklahoma – a flock of probably 100 or so robins flying around my neighbor's yard screaming, screeching and chirping like they were auditioning for roles in The Birds 2: Winter of Hell.
I watched in unison as they all descended on a holly tree in my neighbor's yard, and like a school of piranhas eating a person in a B-movie, picked all the berries off as we rushed inside to take cover.
Okay, I sensationalized things a tad, but here's a video I shared on Twitter:
Usually, when I see a robin there's maybe one or two hopping along the ground in my backyard looking for a worm, giving me and my dogs a cautious, watchful stink eye. This was different. They were angry and fighting for berries in a Darwinian match for survival.
After my tweets, I quickly learned that I'm not the only one who's noticed the robin invasion. Here are some other videos and photos people sent our way of robins in Oklahoma City:
Before we continue, yes, this website has devolved all the way down to me sharing photos and videos of birds. If that's not worth a $5 a month membership, I don't know what it is.
Intrigued by this robin infestation, I decided to do some research. From what I gathered, we're noticing more robins because they're nomadic feeders during the winter and travel in flocks to where the food is. They prefer to eat bugs and insects, and well, good luck finding any of them right now. As a result, it's left the birds to fight for what little fruit and berries (and freshwater) they can find. Also, they don't eat birdseed because they can't digest it well or crack open seeds with their dumb beaks. And if you notice the robins look fat, it's because they blow up their bodies to stay warm. I'm going to start stealing that excuse the next time I go to the doctor.
"You need to lose weight, Patrick."
"Don't worry. I'm just trying to stay warm."
According to one Twitter follower, if you want to help out the robins and, by proxy, feral cats, leave out some fruit or berries and water for them to eat and drink:
No lie, I kind of want to become a robin rehabber. I'm going to start by sitting the blueberries in my fridge that my daughter decided this week that she doesn't like to eat on the front porch.
Anyway, that concludes this edition of "Really? We're writing about birds now?" I guess my next assignment is to find out where are all the blue jays? Stay with The Lost Ogle. We'll keep you advised.
