Jenna Wynes- Finding Wonder: Robins in Nature

 Professor Redick shared the story and video of the robins in winter on his morning walk and it left me puzzled. I love it when animals do strange things, theorizing the reasons behind actions is a fun game I enjoy. From pigeons in New York City, a family walking through Walmart, or robins knocking snow off of a tree, everything has a complicated story hidden within them. I find it so fascinating because today, many people are so absorbed in their lives and are too distracted to take notice of the deeply rooted, outstanding evolution of the plants and animals around them. 

During class I had a few questions I needed answered:

  1. What makes the robins gather together in flocks? (I only ever see one or two together)
  2. Aren’t the fruit of holly trees poisonous?
  3. How did they learn to scavenge in this way?

From a few searches and articles, I learned that robins gather in flocks and scavenge trees for fruit in the winter. They will pick a tree and then pick it until it is bare and then find a new tree. Holly berries are not poisonous to them so during Winter it's one of their main food sources! It's pretty special that he saw that and shared it with us! He went beyond the bubble of interest that consumes people during their daily lives by questioning the history of birds and their activities. If people learn this lesson from Professor Redick, then society will become more environmentally conscious and emphasize conservation efforts! This creates an environment for appreciating the beauty in complicated genetics, biology, and the symbiosis of nature.

It is important to find enjoyment in the little things in life. While small, they still create a lasting impact that can promote deeply intellectual thinking and inspiration. In other words, stay curious and keep investigating the unknown. You’ll never know what worlds you might discover!


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