The Birds of Eastern Europe

By Patty "Padlynn Pidge" Doyle

Sure, Eastern Europe is a fine place to go for the food, architecture, art, and history; but one topic that is easily overlooked is the birds.

When jumping the pond from the tiny town of Stevens Point, WI, the first thing I noticed was pigeons. Everywhere. On our window sills, on the square, on the statues, everywhere. In the summer weather, these underrated birds are sleek with an array of different colored feathers ranging from white to brown to grey to black. Always accented with a collar of purple and green iridescent feathers. In the winter time, they puff up like big balloons--they look rather comical. The opinion of whether or not these birds are welcome are intensely debated, most people firm in their answers.

While in Szeged, Hungary, a surprising encounter was made with a certain species of bird: macaws. In the hotel our group was staying at, the owners had two macaws out back. These macaws were loud and showy, perhaps because of the superior attitude they had towards the other birds. Whenever anyone whipped out a camera, those birds posed like it was fashion week in New York City. Definitely show-offs.

Also while in Hungary, we visited an outdoor museum that replicated the ancient life of Hungarians. In that museum they had a mock farm. Full of chickens, pheasants, geese, and ducks. The stars of the show were performing at the pond. A mother duck with her babies. Their fluffy yellow feathers contrasted against the cool shiny blue water. Their mother duck always a couple shacks of a baby's flipper away.