This round, the award goes to all four birds.

Collectively. Unanimously. With footage.

You may remember the night they all disappeared. Fifteen minutes before sunset. No birds. No sound. Not a honk, not a rustle. I walked both neighbors’ properties, drove the gravel road, and called until I was hoarse. By the time I went inside, I was convinced something had gone wrong.

They were visiting the neighbors.

On purpose.

We have it on camera. All four of them, clearing the fence in a line — calmly, deliberately, like a small delegation that had somewhere to be and had simply not mentioned it. They walked two properties down to visit a 92-year-old man and his wife, hung out for a while, and then wandered back when they felt like it.

Not lost. Not confused. Not fleeing a predator.

Just… out.

They have continued doing this every day since.

Congratulations to Han Solo, Princess Leia, Morpheus, and Neo — this round’s Questionable Choice Award winners. You caused a 45-minute search, a minor breakdown, and a commute I did not apply for.

Welcome to the club. You were already founding members.