Earlier on, I had made an attempt to record the happenings at a bulbul's nest (Here). Unfortunately, things hadn't proceeded as expected and the fairy tale ended even before it began. Since then, whenever I see a pair of birds building a nest in our garden, I pray that things work out smoothly, and leave the birds alone.
However, a few days ago, it was a little too difficult for me to ignore. A pair of bulbuls had chosen to build their nest on the Bird's Head Birthwort creeper....almost touching the window of my office-cum-study.
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Paragon of patience |
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The wary look! |
They would lie low, very quietly, until they sensed the parent's arrival. Then, they would really beg and clamour for food!!
Such variety of food the parents brought, you know! From wild berries & insects to pieces of dosas, etc! My respect for the birds increased as I watched them break each item of food in their mouths before dropping them into the mouths of the babes.... Even the berries were crushed into juice!!
Every time they arrived with food, the parent bulbuls threw a glance at me, and it made me quite uncomfortable! It was obvious that they were aware of my peeping presence. I felt guilty about not letting them feed their little ones in peace and withdrew.
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Catching cricket! |
While I missed my view of the nest, keeping the window open gave me a view of the food that was being brought.
By now, some bigger birds had also noticed the frenzied activities. Some of them started lurking around. The bubuls responded by spending more time near the nest. One or the other would always be perched on the cable nearby.
The Brahminy Kites gave up as soon as they realised that their size wouldn't allow them to reach the nest. But, there was this determined female cuckoo, trying to squeeze in and cause harm. Thankfully, the more determined bulbuls succeeded in chasing her away - every time.
Moral of the story - Unity is strength.....
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Fallen babe |
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Where's my baby? |
Well....My day got busier and it was almost 24 hours before I could check on the bulbuls.
While I was wondering about the zero activity near the nest, I saw the parent birds taking food into the shrubbery nearby.... The family had moved! Obviously, the chicks were now too big for the nest and strong enough to cling on to twigs.
A couple of days later, I saw a juvenile bulbul flying about unsteadily. It was probably one or the other of the two chicks, on its way out of the nest.....
And, so, ended my second attempt at watching the nest of a bulbul..... I would have loved to watch the re-union, the moving-out ..... Next time, I guess!!
Nice one.... Great spending so much of time with birds
ReplyDeleteNice one.... Great spending so much of time with birds
ReplyDeleteThanks... I would advice everyone to spend some time watching birds/ animals.It is a very humbling experience!
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