Adapting Lifestyle to Avian Life in Munich: "Discovering Insights on Wildlife"
In the quiet Lerchenau district of Munich, Sylvia and Bernd E. have recently become empty nesters. Their hand-raised blackbird, Charlie, flew away six weeks ago, marking the end of a unique chapter in their lives.
Charlie, the blackbird, was rescued by Sylvia three years ago when she found him injured and disheveled in her garden. After a visit to a vet, Charlie's broken legs and bloody beak were mended, and he was nursed back to health by Sylvia and Bernd.
Born and raised indoors, everything outside was new to Charlie. Bernd spent hours in the garden with him, gradually acclimating him to trees, the lawn, and flowers. The couple even had a sleeping spot ready for Charlie in their attic and a large portion of mealworms, his favourite food, stored in the freezer.
Despite his indoor upbringing, Charlie has never become tame and does not come to their hands or fly onto their shoulders. However, he has a distinctive way of showing his appreciation - he pinches their fingers if they are too slow while feeding.
Charlie has started a family of his own, and a young male now comes for food. However, Charlie was driven out of his garden territory by his offspring and now has to sneak into the house. When the couple is away, a neighbour takes care of Charlie, letting him out in the morning and ensuring he returns home in the evening.
The good table in the living room is still covered with a plastic sheet, where Charlie likes to perch. The blackbird has learned to fly and returns home to sleep, preferring higher places such as the attic.
Wild starlings generally live 2 to 3 years on average, but some individuals can live up to about 12 years in the wild. Domesticated or protected starlings have been recorded living much longer, up to 20 years[1][3][5]. Charlie's legs healed but grew crooked, making it difficult for him to grip onto a branch properly.
Sylvia and Bernd Eckl hope that their Charlie is doing well and will visit again soon, and they hope he can live to be 100 years old. They don't mind the hand towels being left out because of Charlie, and they cherish the memories they have made with their feathered friend.
References: [1] National Audubon Society. (n.d.). Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Audubon. Retrieved July 25, 2022, from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/european-starling [2] RSPB. (n.d.). Starling. RSPB. Retrieved July 25, 2022, from https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/starling/ [3] Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). All About Birds. Retrieved July 25, 2022, from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/European_Starling/lifehistory [4] BBC Nature. (2008, February 28). Starling. BBC. Retrieved July 25, 2022, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Starling [5] British Trust for Ornithology. (n.d.). Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). BTO. Retrieved July 25, 2022, from https://www.bto.org/surveys/birdwatch/species/starling-sturnus-vulgaris
Sylvia and Bernd Eckl have transformed their home-and-garden lifestyle to accommodate their pet blackbird, Charlie, who was rescued and nursed back to health by them. Despite his wild and independent nature, Charlie still has a favorite perch on the good table in their living room, showing a unique bond between the empty nesters and their unusual pet.
