Lessons of the Starlings

Endemic to Eurasia, starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are incandescent purple and green birds. Called “the poor man’s Myna”, starlings have a gift for mimicry and song. When they call to each other, starlings use their musical language. Their complex and varied calls include “flock”, “threat”, “attack”, and a host of others.

Flocking in the thousands, starlings will clean out fruit in orchards and seed sown in fields. As generalists, they can live anywhere except in dense wet forests. Moreover, these aggressive birds will chase other birds out of cavity nests, and take over.

Gathering in the thousands, starlings in flight are an awesome sight. In March, at Jutland Denmark, many starlings congregate in anticipation of their spring migration. As they rise as one, the birds blot out the sun. People call this gathering of the starlings: “Sorta Sol”, the Black Sun.

Introduced in North America and South Africa for their beauty, starlings now crowd out native birds. Meanwhile in Australia and New Zealand, they have not stopped the crop pests they were released to control. In contrast, starlings are almost extinct in their northern European range. (Large industrial farms have caused this decline.)

Starlings’ impact on their environment is complex. Because they flock in the thousands, starlings leave their guano everywhere. This is good for seed dispersal but creates health problems for humans. Also, by roosting in the thousands, starlings short out power stations.

Released in 1890 by Eugene Scheiffelin (of the American Acclimatization Society for European Settlers), starlings have spread from New York City to Alaska by 1970. In 1920, the starling population exploded in Ohio (which now hosts the largest breeding population of starlings in North America). By 1950, they ranged from Oregon to Florida.

Some naturalists have suggested a link between the extinction of the Carolina parakeet and the explosion of the starling population in North America. Living in similar regions, both species flocked in the thousands. Already in decline, Carolina parakeets were driven out by the aggressive starlings in some regions. By 1920, the parakeets were gone and starlings took over the niche of huge flocks of birds.

Starlings teach us the Law of Unintended Consequences. Before we do something, we need to be prepared for the ramifications of our actions. If we forget to do this, the starlings will remind us..

Sources:
Adeney, Jennifer Marion, “Introduced Species Summary Project: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)”, Columbia University, October 18, 2001, accessed 7 Nov 2008,

Withers, David Ian, “Origins of the European Starling in the United States”, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. March 1, 2000, accessed 7 Nov 2008

______, “European Starling”, National Invasive Species Information Center , U.S. Department of Agriculture, May 15, 2008, accessed 7 Nov 2008,

______, “Starling Fact Sheet”, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC), June 10, 2008, accessed 7 Nov 2008


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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Working with Your Animal Allies, Teachers, and Totems

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Teachings of the Nine-banded Armadillo

Move Out of Your Comfort Zone

Digging with her strong front claws, Nine-banded Armadillo kicks away the excavated dirt with her hind legs. When digging for Ants and Grubs, She avoids getting dust up her nose by holding her breath. With her strong sense of smell, Nine-banded Armadillo searches for roots, fruits, dead animals, and bird’s eggs. Encountering a termite nest, She pokes her long sticky tongue into the nest and draws out the Insects.

Unlike other Armadillos, Nine-banded Armadillo is fond of water. She is the only Armadillo that can swim. She inflates her stomach and intestines with air to keep afloat, and then paddles across the pond. When encountering a small stream, Nine-banded Armadillo will walk on the bottom, holding her breath.

The other way that Nine-banded Armadillo differs from other Armadillos is that She has expanded her range to North America. Her territory now goes from Argentina to the Southeastern United States, and is still increasing. This is because Nine-banded Armadillo is highly adaptable. As long as Nine-banded Armadillo has Insects to eat and earth to dig in, She can thrive.

Because of her week immune system, Nine-banded Armadillo is a carrier of leprosy (Hansen’s disease). For that reason, it is illegal to sell live armadillos in Texas (US). Because She gives birth to four identical babies (pups), medical researchers are studying Nine-banded Armadillo in order to develop a vaccine for this horrible disease.

Because of her habit of jumping when startled, Nine-Banded Armadillo often becomes road kill. Undeterred She continues her expansion northward. Swimming streams and crossing highways, Nine-banded Armadillo goes forward, never backward. Learn from Her how to move beyond your comfort zone, just don‘t startle so easily.

Teachings of Nine-banded Armadillo:
“Many people feel drawn to Armadillo for its quiet reserve, its sense of invulnerability, and its attitude of comic detachment as it plods along, knowing that any animal with a grain of self-respect and good reasoning capacities will give it a wide berth. Armadillo lives in its own little shell.” Copyright, Hal Zina Bennett, “Zuni Fetishes”.

Wisdom from Nine-banded Armadillo:
Whimsy
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Variety in One’s Inner Life

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008
Find your animal teachers, contact me at animalteachers @ gmail.com

Whale Family: Nexus of Heaven and Earth

WHALE
Nexus of Heaven and Earth

For thousands of years, Whales have captured people’s imagination. People have regarded Whales to be gods, guardians, sea monsters, sources of food, and living islands. From classical Greek mythology to modern day movies, the Family of Whales (Cetaceans) has played a major part in many stories. According to Christians, God sent a Whale to swallow Jonah. Narwhal and his long tusk became the basis of Unicorn legends of the Middle Ages. In the Amazon River basin, people speak of River Dolphins disguising Themselves as men to woo the local girls. Meanwhile, Herman Melville’s novel, “Moby Dick” describes Sperm Whale as the Lord of Demons and Chaos. In the modern era, people see Whales as friends like Flipper (a Bottlenose Dolphin) of movie and TV fame. And, other people regard Cetaceans as mystical representatives from earth’s ancient days or from distant star systems.

Alien yet familiar Animals, Whales are Mammals who have totally adapted to the ocean, which is a hostile environment to air breathers. Scientists believe that the ancestor for Whales was a fish-eating land Mammal, related to modern hoofed Mammals. Further DNA tests show that Whales are actually related to Cows and Camels.

Although people regard Whales as one generic creature, They are divided into two groups, that are not closely related to each other – Baleen (Mysticeti) and Toothed (Odontoceti). To grasp the difference between the two Groups of Living Whales, think of how closely Cows are related to Camels. Baleen Whales, the largest animals on earth, filter food through their baleen. Famous for their singing, Baleen Whales’ songs have been popular as music recordings. More social than Baleen Whales, Toothed Whales live in larger groups called Pods. Unlike Baleen Whales, Toothed Whales use echolocation to find their prey.

Individual Whale Species differ greatly from each other as well. Among Baleen Whales, Right Whales resemble big boats, while Fin Whales are shaped like cruisers. With their square heads, Sperm Whales (who are Toothed Whales) look like submarines. Baleen Whales have two blowholes, while Toothed Whales only have one. Right Whales produce a distinctive V Shape blow, and Sperm Whales’ blows slant forward and to the left.

Living in the ocean, which is both fatal and vital to people, Whales have become intermediaries between people and other worlds. With their forceful leaps to the sky and dives to the ocean’s depths, Whales become the nexus between heaven and earth. If you want to go between worlds, let Whales be your guide.

Whales’ Teachings Also Include:

"Oh, the rare old Whale, mid storm and gale
In his ocean home will be
A giant in might, where might is right,
And King of the boundless sea." --WHALE SONG.

“With a frigate's anchors for my bridle-bitts and fasces of harpoons for spurs, would I could mount that whale and leap the topmost skies, to see whether the fabled heavens with all their countless tents really lie encamped beyond my mortal sight!” – Copyright: “Moby Dick”, Herman Melville

Whales’ Wisdom Includes:
Holding a Vastness of Knowing, Feeling, and Remembering
Realizing the Magnificence in All Things
Nomads of the Sea
Being at Home in Hostile Environments
Dreaming Large
Rulers of the Boundless Seas
Providing Wonder in an Ordinary World
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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

Cranes

"In Eastern tradition, a pair of cranes symbolizes love in a harmonious, lifelong relaitonship. While one bird rests, the other stands on guard. Meditate on the cranes' perfect balance of mutual attentiveness, and let this inspire you and your partner to make a long and happy life together."
From One Spirit date book.

Finding Your Tree Guide

Unlike animals, trees do not move. However, like animals, trees have particular personalities and teachings. Trees, that grow by running water, will have a feeling movement within them. Meanwhile, trees in fields reflect the peaceful energies of those places.

To know a tree is a subtle and quiet process. Each group of trees (grove) has a head tree that needs to be acknowledged. This tree is usually the oldest or tallest. Once you speak to the leader tree, you can freely walk among the other trees. Remember though, some trees prefer not to be touched, while others beckon to be sat under. As you open yourself up to the trees, you will feel one call to you.

Trees are subtle in their relations with people. For a response, watch the movement of the leaves or the dropping of a nut. Sometimes, you will feel energy from the trunk of the tree. Rarely are trees dramatic in what they do. Trees move very slowly, and are in no hurry. They expect the same from people.

When you are with a tree, watch, listen, and remember. Your experience may not seem much to you at the time. Over time though, the tree’s answer will have relevance. Be calm when conversing with a tree. Remember to thank the tree, when you leave.

During a hurricane, a huge oak crashed into my living room. Why this tree chose my condo to die in, I did not know at the time. Later, I discovered that He passed his strength on to me. He opened the door to other worlds for me to step through. The oak has been my companion on my walk. Trees offer their wisdom to those who listen quietly and with an open heart.

Mockingbird by Sayahda

The Mockingbird

The Northern mockingbird is approximately 10 inches inlength with a long tail that twitches vigorously when excited. It has strong legs suited to scratching through dead leaves and underbrush for insects. Although their dull gray color doesn’t impress the eye their various calls definitely demand attention. Known for their songs the mockingbird was given its name because of its ability to mimic the calls of other bird species. In Latin the word mockingbird means “many tongued mimic.” The song of mockingbird is a medley of calls of many other birds. They are master imitators and usually repeat an imitation several times before they start another song in rapid succession. They are one of the few birds that sing while in flight.

Mockingbirds hold a variety of teachings. On a subtle level they show us how to mimic ourselves. What we mimic reflects back to us and helps us see what we truly are. Discovering oneself in this way can be a powerful transformational experience. Those with this totem should ask mockingbird to help them connect with their personal sound frequency. Once this connectionis made healing on all levels takes place. It is common for an individual bird to have as many as 30 songs in its repertory. It can also mimic the sounds of barking dogs and cats.

They teach us about the power of the voice through song. Appearances are not important to those with this totem. They are always heard before they are seen, if they are seen at all. Those with this medicine can learn new languages easily and make excellent interpreters and spokesman. Mockingbirds are fearless and will defend their nest and territory. Courageous birds they will dive and attack intruders that come too close. They teach us how to develop confidence within ourselves, sing out our truth and stand up for what is rightfully ours. http://www.sayahda.com/cyc3.html