Short, And Sweet Imperatives

Come and get it! Come and EAT! At the feeder (linnu söögi/maja) is a rasva/tihane, (literally suet or fat chickadee, due to its love of those foods in winter, offered by human friends). They are the most common and curious birds in Estonia and have also adapted well to urban life. Its name in British English is the rather unfortunate Great tit, since “tit” has been perceived as one of its many calls. One of its lesser known Estonian nicknames, kikitiits proves the latter. (It doesn’t meaning anything, but is simply mimicking a call.) And how far is “kikitiits” from “chickadee”? A mere 3 wingspans of separation. Come spring, tihased living in Estonia are thought to say: sitsi/kleit! sitsi/kleit! (chinz dress). Must be another imperative (käskiv kõneviis) for males of the species. There are over 40 different sounds and calls (häälitsused) in the repertoire of these sulelised (feathery friends). Sulg; suled = feather/(s). A friend you feed is a friend indeed. The rasvatihane was Estonia’s 2016 bird of the year. In a few days, that title will be passed on to the turtel/tuvi, the European turtle dove. (eoy.ee)    Photo: Kristi Rebane. Text: Riina Kindlam, Tallinn