What joy it is when a little sunbird hops into your room by mistake? The little bundle of energy perks up all my sleeping cells as I look on with bated breath. Will he or she venture further? Ah, no the moment is over soon and the brown green peck of life discovers her mistake and flies out again.
There is something about birds that cheers me from my worst moods. A chirp or hoot turns a drab day into a heavenly one.
I do not know to identify the birds or their name, except a few handful. But that does not really matter if one is to appreciate these winged wonders. Watch two simple mynahs building a nest inside an urban chimney outlet. Spell binding to see the coordination. Of course the laborious work of a weaver’s go at home making has been brought home on whatsapp! Going more common, watch a crow splash itself in a pool of water. Or the way a drongo swerves and executes a few quick turns to evade a bullying crow. It is nothing short of magic.
Walking through a wooded path, being lucky to hear the whistling thrush or even a bulbul’s sweet notes give me a high like nothing else can. Seeing them is next best. The splendid colours, elaborate feathers, the graceful flight and perfect landings are sights to be seen many times over.
How often have i longed to hold and caress a tiny bird in my palms, to thank it a million times for the unlimited joy its kind have given me by their sheer presence.
Today, as trees and forests get destroyed and replaced by buildings, these sweet denizens of the planet are learning fast to adapt to urban surroundings. They are settling for windows and parapet walls to build their homes. But I wonder how long they can find food for their family? How long before they turn garbage pickers? Or worse, scavengers of the dead?
Perhaps in the struggle for survival, they will lose out. The colours will fade. The lilting songs die. Joy disappear..
Wait, why bother with tomorrow when today is all we have. Why not wait for the return of the sunbird and its family? Why not hope?
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