Starlings are taking the blame for missing lights from a Christmas star in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Apparently, they are eating them:
The Christmas landmark that sits atop the county courthouse has become tradition and has had some Pawhuska residents very concerned. According to County Commissioner Bob Jackson, the lights are on order and the bulbs well be replaced either later this week or by the first of next week depending on when the new lights arrive. According to Chairman Jim Clark, all of the lights have been eaten by birds. The birds, mainly starlings, have cost the county $1,200 for new lights.
Does this make sense to anyone?
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.
I know squirrels will chew wires and steal light bulbs, so maybe birds will do that too.
I hear that the red lights have a distinct cherry taste, the yellow one … lemon?