Every year as Mother's Day rolls around, I find myself thinking not just about my own mom, but about “mom” in the bird world—and how much the two really have in common. The patience, the persistence, the occasional tough love… it’s all there, whether you’re watching a backyard bird or remembering who raised you.

My own birding journey started when I was about five or six years old, thanks entirely to my mom. At the time, I had one very clear goal in life: I wanted a dog. A big one. Preferably immediately. My mom, wisely, had a different plan. She suggested that before taking on something as big as a dog, maybe I could start by helping to look after a bird feeder.

At the time, I’m sure I thought this was a questionable trade-off. A feeder instead of a dog? But she set it up, showed me how to fill it, and—most importantly—encouraged me to pay attention. Who was visiting? When did they come? What were they doing? And most importantly patients. Well… thanks, Mom.

That one small step turned into something much bigger. I did eventually get that dog about five years later, but by then the damage was done—in the best possible way. A lifelong passion for birds had already taken hold.

And when you spend time watching birds, especially in spring, you start to notice just how remarkable bird moms really are.

Take the American Robin. Around this time of year, she’s a constant presence on lawns across Ontario, tugging worms out of the soil and making trip after trip back to the nest. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s nonstop—and it’s all for those hungry chicks waiting with open beaks.

Or consider the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. She’s a tiny, dazzling flash in the garden, but behind that beauty is one of the hardest-working moms out there. She builds a nest the size of a golf ball, incubates the eggs, and raises the young completely on her own. No backup, no breaks—just determination and a lot of wingbeats.

Then there’s the Blue Jay. If you’ve ever wandered a little too close to a nest, you’ll know exactly what kind of mom she is. Loud, fearless, and absolutely unwilling to let anything threaten her young. You might even say she’s the “don’t mess with my kids” type—and I suspect many human moms can relate.

Some bird moms rely on camouflage and subtlety instead of volume. The Killdeer, for example, nests right on the ground. When danger approaches, she puts on an incredible performance—pretending to have a broken wing to lure predators away. It’s a clever trick, and one that shows just how far a mom will go to protect her offspring.

And of course, there are the planners. Cedar Waxwing moms time their nesting so that berries are ripe just when their chicks need feeding. It’s nature’s version of making sure the fridge is full before a growth spurt hits.

Not every bird mom follows the same script. The Brown-headed Cowbird famously leaves her eggs in other birds’ nests, letting them do the raising. It’s a strategy that raises a few eyebrows in the birding world—but it’s still part of the incredible diversity of how motherhood shows up in nature.

What strikes me most, though, is that whether it’s a robin on the lawn, a hummingbird at the flowers, or a chickadee tucked into a tree cavity, the theme is the same: care, effort, and a constant watchful eye.

Looking back, I realize my mom did something very similar for me. She didn’t just put up a feeder—she opened a window. She nudged me to notice the natural world, to be curious, and to take responsibility for something small. That simple act shaped a lifetime of enjoyment, learning, and appreciation.

And isn’t that what so many moms do? They don’t always give us exactly what we think we want in the moment—but they often give us something better, something that lasts.

So as Mother's Day approaches, maybe take a moment. Watch the birds in your yard. Notice the busy moms coming and going, doing what needs to be done without much fanfare. And then think about your own mom—or someone who’s played that role in your life.

Maybe give her a call. Maybe say THANK YOU.

And if you happen to have a bird feeder in your yard, well… you never know whose journey it might be starting.

Happy Mothers day to all the mothers out there. 

Paul Oliver - Founder of Urban Nature Store