Some people think that birds don’t blink so I have just done some extensive research (two minutes of googling) to discover that, in fact, they do blink, but only every few minutes or so. As I now have several birding readers, I’m hoping to become more enlightened here.
Look at Phoenix 2’s eye!
Check out Whitey’s eye!
Several years ago, Husband began to seem very grumpy all the time and it wasn’t until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease that I learned that one of the many symptoms can include the inability to blink. Until I found that out, I just thought he was becoming a bad-tempered old grouch. Unblinking can give the appearance of permanent displeasure or sternness. Here is a sample conversation before I realised any of this:
Me: Why are you always so moody? (shouting)
Husband: I’m not – I’m fine (said with expressionless face)
Me: Are you mad at me or something? (teary)
Husband: Of course not. What’s wrong? Why are you so upset? (said with expressionless face)
Me: It’s just that you always look daggers at me.
Husband: I don’t mean to, Jules, honestly. I’m fine.
Me: So why don’t you show it? Why don’t you smile anymore? (shouting again).
The very day Husband and I had this conversation (luckily Son was at school), Husband happened to have a doctor’s appointment anyway, to check on his diabetes. Since I was already in an argumentative mood, the trip in to the closest town wasn’t pleasant:
Me: Why do you always want me to drive these days? Why can’t you drive yourself? (shouting again)
Husband: I just like your company (said with attempted smile).
Long story short – within a week it was discovered that Husband had Parkinson’s disease and the specialist who our doctor referred us to said that unblinking was a symptom, and so was unsmiling, because the muscles in the face could stop working.
‘My bad’ is an understatement of how I felt when we were told this, and all of the heartache that followed this diagnosis is best left unsaid.
Suffice it to say, however, that I now ‘get’ that the unblinking appearance of birds does not mean that they don’t feel:
love
loss
courage
fear
generosity
greed
peace
conflict
love
jmgoyder 
Not being a bird, at least, not with feathers, that question is not easy to answer. I didn’t know that blinking, or lack of, was a symptom of Parkinsons (and me a nurse too), but I’m pleased you’ve enlightened us, Julie. All of us, even the animal world, have emotions, and a way of displaying them. We humans, have expressions, animals don’t, at least I can’t think of one that does.
Yes, it’s interesting and disturbing I guess. Thank you so much for comment!
It is odd to see my poultry looking at me, when suddenly that second eyelid comes rolling over giving them the appearance of being blind. I never knew about that ability until I got my chickens and geese.
Your discovery was a difficult one.
~ Lynda
I was watching a video yesterday of a dog who just had vaccinations – you should have seen the eyes on him! I think that is an expression. You can usually tell a happy dog from a sad dog by the expression on their face, I mean, that’s where we get the saying “puppy dog eyes”, right?
Yes!
Wow! Thank you so much for passing this along! I will spread the word!
Thanks!
Wow what a great post. I really got laughing reading your line, “…. so I have just done some extensive research (two minutes of googling) “!!! So funny…. then I was sucked in emotionally for the rest. Julie, I’m sure you do your best w/ what you’re dealing with each day.
My sister’s dog who recently died was such a peace maker. He would go to huge lengths to avoid any sort of confrontation. He’d run away from butterflies and shield his eyes from my cat. Adorable
Your sister’s dog sounds fantastic. I wish our dogs were as gentle!
Hi Julie, thank you for your blogs. I responded to your last blog via email. Not sure if you got it. My hubby has been very grumpy lately and I just asked him to blink…. thank goodness he could. There is so much food for thought in all your blogs.
Hi Nicky
I didn’t get the email but my email is playing up. Loved your comment re your husband!
Julie