jlrogers±³© wrote:

I too talk to birds. Each morning and evening I put 6 quarts of Milo,
millet, and/or black oil sunflower seeds in the street (cul ds sac), where
my cat cannot sneak up on them. I just sit and watch them and talk to them.
Over the years, I have learned that when my cat does bring one in through
her door and let it loose in the house, the way to catch it unharmed is to
put the cat out, talk soothingly to the bird until it relaxes, then just
pick it up, take it outside, and open my hand. I have one white wing dove,
slightly injured by my cat, that will come and sit very close to me.

It's going to be very duffucult this spring back at my house in Michigan
where my barn swallows have used out house and garage for over 20 years
as the major nesting ground in the area. I told the tenant that they
will roost in the farage and explained that if he wanted to be free of
mosquitos, he'd put up with them (ponds on the properties to either side
of us...untreated)...he didn't seem to be to thrilled with that...I hope
they will go nest in the eaves of the barn instead or in the
overhangs..when the population has grown (the babies all come back...I
have 2 females that for the past 5 years feek no fear about flying into
the laundry room when I leave the farage door open and sitting and
churping at me while I do laundry)...I'm still trying to get used to the
new birds down here..they have a non-feed rule here at Gestapo APts. and
you can't put feeders on your sills or patios. And if someone sees you
feeding the geese or gulls over at the man amde lake, watch out! There's
a big crane that sits on the dock over there. too. I have had one
conversation with him..he seems quite content to sit and listen. Alas,
though, there are no swans. I have a special thing for them.