James
Species: Common raven.
Status: Married.
James is handsome, gregarious, and completely smitten by his lifelong partner, Margaret, who he always greets with a bow of respect. James is very serious about watching over the habitat and his yearly clutch of boisterous, awkward babies, but he relaxes by preening his feathers, checking out his toes, sampling new foods, and receiving personal compliments. The latter is his favorite, and anyone can participate. Anyone. Don’t be shy. Seriously, if you see something, say something.
Margaret
Species: Common raven.
Status: Married.
Margaret is more reserved than her partner James. Quiet and clever, Margaret is a committed parent who sometimes becomes so exhausted during nesting season that she shows up frazzled, with the odd bloop of baby bird poop stuck to her normally chic feathers. When she does have a moment to herself, Margaret enjoys solving food puzzles, just for the fun of it, even when there are other snacks nearby. James might be more famous, but it’s Margaret who knows how to get things done, which is, we think, why James always bows to her.
Mildred the Magnificent
Species: Turkey Vulture.
Status: Mate to Mumford.
Although she has over a six foot wingspan, Mildred’s gentleness is her true beauty. She has never, and could never, hurt anyone, not even the raven babies who try to pull her tail when she babysits them. Yes, it’s true--James and Margaret drop their kids off in whatever tree Mildred is perching and will leave them for her to watch during the day. She and Mumford are the clean up crew of the habitat, and when they’re not working or babysitting another species, they sit on a telephone pole and spread out their wings to soak up the disinfecting rays of the sun. A biologist may term this as the horaltic pose, but we’re pretty sure that they’re offering socially distanced, free, unlimited hugs.
Ms. Bonita
Species: California ground squirrel.
Status: Single mother and grandmother.
If you are ever at The Habitat and feel someone watching you, it’s probably Ms. B, sitting on the top of her post, staring. She might be judging you. She might be thinking about peanuts. You’ll never know. Ms. Bonita was living at The Habitat when we moved in in 2012. At eight years old (at least), she has lived well beyond the average ground squirrel life span of three years. Ms. B is the matriarch of her extensive family burrow, and during breeding season she gets deliciously rotund, like a small, packed refrigerator. Please do not criticize her expansive maternal silhouette. No one has ever been so beautiful.
Carl and Kin
Species: Jumping spider.
Status: Swinging single.
Smaller than a pencil eraser, Carl is big on personality. He spends most of his days on the hood of a car, where he has an excellent view of his excellent hair. Besides gazing at his own reflection, Carl also enjoys extreme sports like jumping, jumping, and more jumping.
Sharing Carl’s affinity and global champion jumping skills are other family members...Carlita, Aretha Louisa, and more who introduce themselves to us as time passes and we sit still and pay attention.
Sugarloaf
Species: Western screech owl.
Status: Socially monogamous, partner to Ciabatta.
Sugarloaf is an occupant of a Habitat owl box, and despite being blind in one eye, she has successfully raised several sets of floofball owlets to maturity. When she isn’t out hunting or trilling, she enjoys sitting in the entrance of the box and gazing out over the Habitat. Her owlets also indulge in this languid occupation, and watching them watch the world makes it seriously hard to get anything done.
Curly D
Species: California Ground Squirrel.
Status: She will tell us when she is ready to tell us.
Curly D is a resident of the front yard. As a baby of 2019, we are just getting to know her. We think she may be a fan of 90’s rap as we’ve heard the beats coming from her den. We do know she’s extremely independent and likes to eat lavender blossoms. As with all the ground squirrels, Curly D does things her own way and really doesn’t care what you think about it. She’ll pop by to say hello to you if she wants and when she wants, but she will not wait for you. More to come as we get to know her…