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Baby Birds Learn To Fly
Children also need to learn to leave the nest
Eagles fly. Wolves hunt. Elephants learn to find water during droughts.
Animals are not born independent. With most species, parents protect them. But at some point, baby birds are expected to leave the nest.
Our Ancestors
Once upon a time, this was also true of humanity.
Among hunter-gatherers, boys often had manhood ceremonies that marked their passage into adulthood. Usually this happened when they were still in their growth spurt. It was anticipatory.
Often girls were also initiated into womanhood.
There is a reason for this.
Adolescence is a transition period, when children stretch their wings while still being somewhat protected.
Lessons From A Cardinal Family
I’ve seen this process with the cardinal family that has come to my backyard every year for the last 12 years. I suspect that it’s actually been several generations since cardinals only live about 3–4 years in the wild.
Every year, though, I see the same thing.
When the young cardinals are babies in their nests, the cardinal parents are both fiercely…
