Red-winged Blackbird : The How & Why

This is a Red-winged Blackbird. He’s a beautiful male with those striking epaulets, and his concert is just about to start. Seeing and hearing him, he is an unmistakable icon of spring. I wanted to understand him more deeply. Studying about this bird, there was an analysis of his behavior and ostensibly an answer to the ancient question, “Why do birds sing?” In his particular case, scientists have answered, “Male Blackbirds sing to establish a mating territory.” The answer may well be true, but I wonder if it’s the right question. What if the scientists are looking at two related phenomena, but blinkering their inquiry to only what they see?

Talmudic tradition is largely the record of the debate: “Why?” Why do we do this? Why don’t we do that? Why is this the way that the world is and why isn’t it something else? This question of Why, of trying to discern underlying intentions, is the quintessential Jewish activity. Our study, our debate, our explorations - these all attempt to peer behind the obvious, to comprehend deeper meanings. The grizzled Sages of the Talmud spent their decades of life wrestling with these issues. And small wonder, because even - especially! - our youngest children are awarded the high privilege of asking Why… four times at every Seder. “Why?” Is the question that permeates our lives.

So is Science answering, “Why do Blackbirds sing?” or say rather, “How do Blackbirds establish territory?” I think it’s the latter. Talmudic tradition would ask instead about what isn’t obvious, what Sherlock Holmes would term, “the dog that didn’t bark.” Why do Blackbirds sing… rather than spray chemicals like cats? …rather than clear an area like fish? …rather than place small stones to demarcate borders like humans? That they instead sing is a wonder, a marvel to ponder. Seeing the Blackbird through the lens of Talmud creates a sense of fascinated joy, an appreciation for the world’s mysteries, and an inspiration always to ask, “Why?”