During that season when we wait for the trees to bud, I enjoy inviting wild birds to my balcony.
During the winter, when their food runs out, I leave a bird feeder filled with sunflower seeds for the birds.
Birds come one by one to my balcony
I find it adorable to watch each bird pick up a seed with its beak and fly away.
The birds wait in line on a branch of a nearby tree. They are very well-behaved.

The birds that come the most often are titmice and varied tits.
Occasionally, nuthatches come by.
And also, the plain but stylish rustic bunting.
I also see pheasants, but they would not stop by for sunflower seeds.
It is humorous to watch them walking around, crying “ken kehn.”

Even though they wait in line, there are times when two or more birds reach the bird feeder at the same time.
It is usually the titmouse that steps aside.
Varied tits seem to maintain a slightly privileged position.
They seem to be a bit larger, too.

One fine afternoon, as I was inside, I suddenly heard the sound of something bang against the west-side wall.
Then, a similar sound came from the roof, when I was still wondering about the first bang.
Likewise, as I looked up at the ceiling, I heard something crash into the east-side window.
Astounded, I rushed to the window, and saw a varied tit and a titmouse fighting.
The varied tit was jumping onto the titmouse that was lying on its back.
The birds were crying wildly and attacking each other on the ground.
I could never have imagined such violence from the adorable sight of the birds pecking at the sunflower seeds.

Should I help the titmouse, or should I allow the law of nature to take its course?
Before I could make a decision, the varied tit flew away southward after grabbing the titmouse’s waist with its feet. I sighed.

I have encountered such a happening only once.
Today, the birds are approaching the bird feeder one by one, as always.
Or maybe they are not so well-behaved. I see them chasing each other in the sky.
Oh, no.