Character Backstory

Jake:

Jake's stocky build and perpetually rumpled head feathers make him easily recognizable, even amongst the other blue jays. He is larger, louder and lazier than any other bird in the backyard of 25374 Wayland Lane. Unlike many of the other birds, he was not hatched in the yard; he grew up with a brother and two sisters in a nest in a park about 10 miles away. Living all his life with such a large family, he felt crowded in their little nest, and decided to venture out on his own now that he is in his late "teenage years." Setting out on his own on a particularly blustery day, the wind carried him crash landing into the backyard of 25374. Upon noticing all of the amenities the yard had to offer--bird feeders, houses, and a bath--he decided this was the perfect place for him to start his new life. Since his arrival, however, some of the native birds haven't taken a liking to his habits. Jake would much rather sleep in than even think about catching "the worm" and one of his favorite pastimes is splashing around in the birdbath, often singing loud enough for the Pomeranian living down the street to howl in protest. Despite his sloppy manners and relaxed nature, Jake's easy going nature and constant optimism have allowed him to make some friends, even if he is unpopular with the older birds.

Flip:

Flip, a small titmouse, is just the sort of bird who dislikes changes in any manner of his life. He has been living in the backyard of 25374 Wayland Lane since hatching. Although he doesn't talk about it, Flip's entrance into the world began with a rocky start. His egg was jostled out of the nest before he hatched, and his mother never returned for him. He was hatched and raised under the wing (no pun intended) of a sparrow family who has since moved on to live in a birdhouse down the road. He was often teased as a young bird for his scrawny size, but now as one of the senior (in status, not age) residents of 25374, he has the respect of almost every bird in the yard, all except for that young new bird, Jake. Flip is a firm believer in everything Jake disregards--from rising before the sun, to singing on-key. Flip loves his daily routines, especially the 7.3 minutes in which he enjoys a brisk dip in the birdbath, and is determined to keep his bath time tidy and on schedule, which Jake seems to spoil at every opportunity. He disapproves of the chaos this young bird brings to his yard, and hopes that the blue jay will simply fly away already.