This is Bird Note.

Musician Ricky Lee Jones was taking a walk when she found a bird in need.

It was a really hot day, and it just gave up.

It was in the dirt by the railroad tracks, and it didn't move when I came.

She gently relocated the little bird to a quiet spot that was dark and cool.

Thankfully, the bird recovered enough to fly off on its own.

And I think that made me go, these animals need water.

And if they need water, they need food.

Ricky started putting out water and feeders for her neighborhood birds.

At her home in New Orleans, she's become popular with the local cardinals, doves, and even the occasional hawk.

You could say they've developed a bit of a rapport.

I started talking to crows a couple years ago.

Crows are kind of my bird now.

And the first crow to call back was a white wing crow.

And I could recognize her because the rest just looked the same,

but she would come with her white wing and eat the peanuts.

And so we got this little relationship going.

The experience has encouraged Ricky to find more ways to make her home a safe haven for birds.

Every little bit helps.

Looking for actions you can take to protect birds?

Start at our website, birdnote.org.

I'm Nick Byard.

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