If only we could take care of birds...

Earlier this week, I was walking outside the airport. I was surprised to see a tall, bald Peepal tree, which was almost ‘laden’ with birds. The tree was bustling with noise and movement of the birds. This seemed implausible, with the loud noise of the airplanes and open, barren land all around. But, against the golden, glowing morning sun, with a crisp nippiness in the air, this was a visual and aural treat that mesmerised me for a long while.

Of late, I have been reliving the childhood joy of just staring at sparrows in my balcony. They industriously fly in and out, perching here and there, carrying bits of hay and straw.

In the wee hours yesterday, there was a loud ‘jugal bandi’ of peacocks, out there, grabbing my attention. Later in the morning, as I switched off the ‘non-stop inner chatter radio” and tuned my antenna to listen carefully, there was a complete recital, full with the chirps, tweets, cries, trills, whistles and squawks. These were occasionally punctuated by sounds of vehicles and their horns. The cadences, movements and overtures could easily keep us engrossed for hours. 

David Attenborough’s Youtube video from BBC Wildlife of amazing bird sounds is a ‘must-watch’ for sure! The lyrebird makes complex songs, liberally copying other birds, even imitating the sound of camera shutters and fire alarms! Just as birds are so very ingenuous and creative, many of their attributes give us valuable lessons of life, too! A duck glides smoothly over the water surface as it paddles and perseveres feverishly beneath the surface. 
This beautiful sight teaches the importance of perseverance, without getting ruffled, not letting water drops stick to the duckback!

The National Geographic is celebrating 2018 as the Year of the Bird, and has reported many fascinating facts about birds. To survive across a diverse range of habitats, the 10,000-odd species of birds in the world have mutated and adapted into myriad physical forms. 

Not only are their colours and textures many-hued, their behaviour and social norms are wide-ranging too. There are the asocial hermits, anti-social ones, and the gregarious, jolly ones like parakeets that build complete cities bursting with their residents.

They have inspired us, sharing their life-and-living ‘fundas’. They take long regular vacations, travelling across continents. Gazing at the sky while the sun is setting, one often sees huge, beautiful bird formations that can inspire airshows and fireworks!

The Birds of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, a book authored by a senior colleague, Kr Fateh Singh Jasol, an avid bird watcher and photographer, was recently released. I recall instances in my initial years in Jamnagar, when he would start real early in the cold, winter mornings, wrapped in a thick shawl-blanket, to catch some spectacular moments with the birds at Khijadiya, Lakhota or just around the nearby salt pans.

Birds inspire us in so many ways, and yet, their vulnerability needs our attention and care. “If you take care of the birds, you take care of most of the big problems in the world,” says Thomas Lovejoy, the world-renowned biologist, scientist and conservationist. While we relate to the tweets, twitter, angry birds and drones of modern life that crowd our screens and skies, it is imperative that we also live and act responsibly.

Looking beyond the ultra-myopic economic costs and benefits, if we realize their immense value and worth for the eco-system and our lives, each one of us can make a difference. We could print less paper, avoid plastics, consume less electricity and water, avoid fireworks, grow plants and trees and listen to bird chirps to contribute our bit and enjoy. These small acts would eventually help birds survive and thrive.

“Though babbling only to the Vale Of sunshine and of flowers, Thou bringest unto me a tale Of visionary hours.” 
—William Wordsworth (To The Cuckoo)