Winged Life

Upon request, a picture with some perspective. Peep has grown a great deal, but she's still not that much bigger than my hand. Her personality, on the other hand...

Peep has officially learned to fly. Well, as much as chickens can fly. Take this sequence of events, as witnessed by my impassive television:

- Nell eats take out sitting on foot of bed, so she can watch a Sex and the City rerun and keep an eye on Peep. (Yes, roomies, it was the roosters-on-the-roof episode :)
- Peep pecks around on the floor.
- Nell munches.
- Peep begins to eye Nell.
- Nell is oblivious.
- Peep launches herself toward Nell's legs (propped two feet off ground against bureau). Peep lands successfully. Nell winces but is so overwhelmed with pride that she can't begrudge Peep a few scratches on the shin.
- Nell leaves Peep to perch on her ankle, continues eating noodles.
- Peep launches herself at Nell's face. Peep manages to land on Nell's chopstick-clutching hand. Chaos ensues. Noodles are everywhere.

I guess there is a reason (besides pub menus) that chickens have wings.

As for the fourth, Peep had a great time. She enjoyed a good five hours outside her box exploring the apartment. She can't get enough of those floorboards!

She also helped me bake some cupcakes.



Not too bad for a chicken.

Bird Song of the Day: Sing, Little Birdie - Shearwater

Peep Phone Home

First things first. I added a roosting pole to Peep's house. Apparently learning to roost is very important. It took Peep -- brilliant bird that she is -- only two hours to learn the trick. Now she's perching (and pooping, but I'll gloss over that) everywhere. I'm starting to feel as if I'm only a few chicken steps away from marooning myself on an island off of Brooklyn.

You'll also notice that Mr. Rooster has joined Peep's apartment. Last night I came home to the sound of Peep's peeping, but no Peep. She was snuggled right underneath her new man. Quite the hussy.

Now, on to the big news. Peep has an iPhone! She's officially a city bird and most likely spoiled for life. And thanks to a certain awesomely generous company, I get to enjoy the phone too.

Here's Peep examining her new toy:

(Note: this picture was taken with my old phone. Here, you can see the iPhone was on camera mode; the picture on the screen is my gorgeous red Ikea "Alve" secretary. Peep likes it.)

And here's the iPhone's point of view:



Bird Song of the Day: When Doves Cry - Damien Rice

After the Gold Bird

Today was a big day for Peep.

First, we tried my homegrown strawberries.

Peep seemed skeptical: Disinterest followed:And then outright mockery: (My apologies for the blurry photo, but that's Peep actually stepping onto the proffered strawberry.)

Peep took a more active interest in a present from my mom. Enter Mr. Rooster, the newest member of my menagerie.

As for the iPhone, we're setting up a photo shoot for tomorrow...Peep wants her beauty rest so she can look her best next to the sweetest phone ever.

Bird Song of the Day: Birds - Neil Young

Blueberries for Peep

After a long hard day of working, donating blood (and nearly fainting), getting lost in Chinatown, and eating rooftop bbq (ok, that part wasn’t so bad), I didn’t have much time to spend with the wee one last night. This morning, however, I introduced Peep to blueberries.

She wasn’t very impressed. Despite all my attempts to bring attention to the berries (mushing it up, eating it myself, etc.) she pretty much turned her little beak up at them. Oh well.

Maybe she’ll like my fire escape strawberries better:

Never doubt my green thumb again.

In weekend news, Peep is very excited about a "nearly flawless" movie featuring another barnyard critter. Let's hope she doesn't peep too much during the show.

Peep: Chicken or Mountain Goat?

Kait is right, Peep has grown! And she has learned to climb! I almost didn't make it out the door this morning.





Maybe she'll learn to clean up after herself next. I've found that keeping Peep's water clean is a rather Sisyphean task. As soon as I put the clean bottle down, she runs over and does a little dance with her little chicken legs aflailin' – wood shavings right back in the water. I imagine this is what eating 27 hot dogs in 12 minutes only to be rewarded with 60 more pounds of hot dogs must feel like. Well, kind of.

Oh, and Mom, I can't wait to bring some fruit home for her. Peep, you crazy little mountain goat, there's a feast headed your way!

Bird Song of the Day: Peacocks - The Mountain Goats

Majestic Sunbird

Peep tried to get in on the blogging action this morning.

Peep: PEEP peep PEEEEEEEP peep
Nell: What's that Peep? You can't work under these conditions?
Peep: Chirp chirp Peep! Peep!
Nell: You need a MacBook Pro?
Peep: Peep peep chirp peeeeeeep. Peep!
[translation: Yes, of course. But an iPhone first!]

Smart chicken.

Also, my country friends, please do us city folk a favor and pray for that these power outages end (or at least stay on the upper east side).

Bird Song of the Day: Majesty, Snowbird - Sufjan Stevens

Peep is Popular

Peep had her first visitors today. She loved the attention and I loved the gifts (oh, um, and the company!). With all this undivided attention, Peep is in serious danger of becoming an avian genius. When she starts chirping plays (or poems, for that matter), I'll know whom to credit.

But seriously, friends, thanks for the food and wine. Peep welcomes you back any time (except you, Michele...something about grilled chicken).

And now, after a great deal of post-visit-rehash-chirping, she's sound asleep in her box. Between the country mouse and my childhood hot water bottle heater, her apartment is starting to resemble a little stuffed animal farm.



Bird Song of the Day: Blackbird - Elliott Smith