When I was in undergrad, I spent a summer working at a bird rescue in the baby birdhouse. Being in Florida, most of the baby rescues were mockingbirds, grackles, and crows. (1/7)

Each bird has a very specific cry for food when they are either hungry or while they're in the process of devouring whatever their parent has brought back. (2/7)

I moved away from Florida for 12 years and came back late in 2020. (3/7)

I've now heard a few baby mockingbirds and grackles calling out expectantly for food and EVERY TIME, my immediate instinct is to locate the nest. And to watch for a few minutes in suspense. (4/7)

And sometimes I don't feel a sense of relief until I hear the little gobble-call or see a big bird attending. (5/7)

So at this point I kind of feel like I'm forever doomed to feel vaguely like a bird mom, with my response to bird cries less intense than to human cries but nevertheless surprisingly strong. (6/7)

In conclusion, birds. (7/7)