Blackbirds are simply amazing birds that are far more intelligent than we give them credit for. Strangely enough, I found this story in a 1902 newspaper article. The story itself reminds me of the feel good stories and videos that get passed around on social media, proving that we still love the same amazing animal stories today as we did over 100 years ago.
GRATITUDE OF BLACKBIRDS
Absolute Authenticity of This Story Not Vouched For.
We are unable to guarantee the absolute authenticity of the following story, but as truth is often stranger than fiction, we leave it to our discriminating readers to settle the point as to which category it belongs. A well known charitable gentleman, who was in the habit of taking a “constitutional” every morning, saw on one of his rambles a half frozen blackbird lying on the snow. He picked it up and took it home, where, with care and proper food, it became a general pet; and its kind master, finding it very teachable, got it to learn a popular song, which, by dint of practice, it was able to whistle from beginning to end without fault.
With the return of the spring, our friend set it at liberty, as he could not find it in his heart to detain it in captivity any longer.
A year passed, and in the following spring the philanthropist was awakened one morning by certain harmonious tones which proceeded from a tree opposite his bedroom window. It was the song he had taught the blackbird now rendered by four voices. The grateful bird had, during the winter, taught three of its comrades to sing the popular air, and now performed it as a quartet for the delectation of its benefactor. [Source]
