‘Tis the season for Christmas carols, and every time I hear the classic Twelve Days of Christmas, it has me wanting to go on a birdwatching adventure.
The song features six birds, and while most aren’t native to Rhode Island – the song originated in England, after all – that doesn’t mean that they’re difficult to find nearby. At least some of them.
Let’s start with the easy ones.
You’ll have little trouble finding seven swans a-swimming in the winter months around here. Just stop by any of the larger ponds or calm coves, like Easton’s Pond in Newport, Trustom Pond in South Kingstown, St. Mary’s Pond in Portsmouth, or Apponaug Cove in Warwick. Almost all of the swans you see will be mute swans, a European species introduced to New England in the late 19th century. But there’s a slim chance you may stumble upon a native tundra swan as it migrates through to the Mid-Atlantic States. They look very similar.
Six geese should also be easy, though they won’t be a-laying. Even seeing 600 won’t be a problem. Canada geese have become a nuisance in some parks, golf courses and turf fields, and winter is when they are at their most abundant in Rhode Island. Look for them at the same places as the swans, though also check the Slocum turf fields, the corn fields near Trustom Pond, Newport Country Club and Fort Adams State Park. And note that several other species of goose can also be found in Rhode Island in winter, including snow goose, brant and occasionally cackling goose, white-fronted goose and pink-footed goose.
Although most birds sing primarily during the breeding season in spring and summer, finding four calling birds in December should be a breeze. Since the lyrics don’t mention a particular species, you could count any number of species that make noise in winter, like chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and sparrows. But note that the original lyrics to the song referred to four “colly” birds, which is believed to be an archaic reference to the European blackbird. In that case, you’re out of luck without a plane ticket.
Three French hens are another story. It likely refers to Faverolles chickens, a French breed now primarily found in poultry exhibitions, though perhaps any domesticated chicken will do the trick in a pinch. Or better yet, search for wild chicken relatives, like wild turkeys, which can be found just about everywhere these days. Pheasants fit the bill, too, though the only place to find them in Rhode Island is Block Island.
While there are plenty of mourning doves that come to bird feeders, finding two turtle doves will be especially difficult. Your best bet would be finding a Eurasian collared dove, a member of the turtle dove family that has been expanding around the country but hasn’t quite made it to Rhode Island in any numbers. If you happen to be traveling to Florida for the holidays, you’ll find them perching on utility wires throughout suburbia.
Finding a partridge will also be challenging. No native partridges visit Rhode Island, but a few local game farms raise two species, gray partridges and chukars, to release for hunters. Occasionally a few escape and wander the area. A friend in North Smithfield had a chukar visiting his yard almost daily for a few weeks in September and October.
But finding one in a pear tree is next to impossible.
This article first appeared in the Newport Daily News on December 20, 2021.
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