MORAN — Megan Ensminger will disagree with anyone who says “eating like a bird” means not eating much.
“These birds eat a lot,” the 10-year-old Marmaton Valley Elementary School fourth-grader said.
Ensminger, daughter of Brian and Kim Ensminger, has been caring for a pair of sparrow chics that apparently were abandoned at the Ensminger farm northwest of Moran.
She found the first May 4, the second a day later. Both were found on the ground near Ensminger’s swing set.
Since then, she has kept the young birds in a box for regular feedings of bread and pieces of meat for protein.
“We warned her not to get too attached,” Kim Ensminger said. “We didn’t know how long they would survive. But they made it through the first night. Then the second.”
Now, a week later, both chicks have become considerably more active, hopping about.
Both are near the point that they can stand upright on Megan’s finger.
“We’re figuring another week, maybe a week and a half, and they’ll be ready to fly,” Kim Ensminger said.
The chicks also have become considerably more vocal, chirping constantly during the day.
Their constant chattering prompted Megan to name them Mr. and Mrs. Chirps-A-Lot.
Kim Ensminger is helping her daughter by taking the birds with her to work each day — she teaches middle school science at Marmaton Valley — and feeding them occasionally. Students have been happy to assist.
Megan confesses to a lifelong devotion to animals of all sorts. Her grandfather and great-grandfather are veterinarians.
Might she consider such a career?
“Not really,” she replied. “I hate to see any animals hurt.”
As it is, the Ensmingers are eager to see the young chicks eventually grow strong enough to fly away on their own.
“We’ve had a lot better luck with these birds than we do with rabbits,” Kim Ensminger said.
Megan also has a dog and hamster.
Predictably, the hamster has shown little interest in the young sparrows.
“My dog sure has noticed, though,” Megan said.
Wayward birds aided
