All Atwitter

Why do birds chirp and sing so fervently predawn? Are they sharing the nights escapades?  "Hey Jay! Did you see the hot chick I hooked up with?" "Yeah, I'm just getting back to my nest now!" "Robin! You won't believe who flew by my place last night!"

Are they sharing dreams? Dreams of catching the big worm that got away the day before? Dreams of being wooed by the colorfully outfitted guy from one tree over? Dreams of building a nest and having eggs with someone they love?

Singing fills the dark skies, and continues well into dawn, then settles down to a "howdy do", a "nice to see you again", as the day brightens and warms. Slower, easier chirping accompanies the day, "I finally got that fat old worm!", or "Why don't you come over to a new puddle I found for an afternoon treat?", and the comic "How about that dropping I splatted all over the just cleaned car!"

Floating on air currents high above are the hawks, eagles, and ever present, obnoxious crows. The hawk screeches his greeting, or warning "Good day. I can float up here just as long as you can hide under the tree.", while the crows caw, delivering fly-by's of long forgotten food stuffs left by sated scavengers. "Blackie, that's my rotten carcass, you stay away. I mean it!"

Less enthusiastic by evening, birds chirp, whistle, and sing their nightly plans; "Maybe she'll let me see her nest tonight.", "Will he think my feathers are truly pretty?". They settle down, catch fitful sleep with ears open to the ever present dangers that lurk in the dark; a hungry owl, a coyote looking for an appetizer. Mates trade off watching hatchlings, hoping to see at least one baby learn to fly and soar on their own.

People are so different, a morning "harumph", and "Where's my coffee?" is the usual morning banter, then a quick "Have a good day dear", and silence til school is over, "How did you do on your test?" "Okay, I guess."

Dinner conversation is a battle between the want to know's and the I don't want you to know's;
"What did you do today?" "Nuthin'!" ...... chew, swallow, chew, swallow. "Got homework, g'night." Then a repeat of the "harumph" and coffee, and a silent day all over again.

Communication between people isn't easy, maybe we should take a stab at the bird form of chatting, being chipper, and happy, singing instead of grousing, sharing instead of silence.