The Songbird's Nest - Nature's Miracle ..!

The Songbird's nest would hang in one of those patio baskets ...........

Last week was official farewell to winters in this part of the world. Bright sunny days, sultry afternoons, but soft sunny mornings and cooler evenings mark temperature changes and hint at the setting in of hot summer days. It is also the breeding time for some of the common tropical birds like the passerines commonly known as Songbirds. Locally they are called Bulbuls (derived from the word Nightingale) because of their loud hooting sounds. Last year during this season I visited my sister in Bombay. Today, as I saw the Songbirds hovering over areca palms and bougainvillae in my little garden, I was reminded of the time my sister and I enjoyed the nature's miracles at our doorstep. We had noticed that a familiar looking Songbird would be seen everyday in the patio garden where my sister hung baskets of beautiful green creepers that swung half way down from the ceiling. One day the songbird arrived with a dried twig in her beak, and flew from branch to branch as if in search of some thing. She had a jet black furry head, with bright red spots under both her eyes. She was about 6 inches in size with an elegant slender longish body. Before long she had built a neat round nest inside one of the baskets. We had watched the progress of her little new home, and waited for her to return there each night.

........ in search of an ideal site for her nest.


My sister's excitement was rubbing on my brother-in-laws curiosity. He would often be seen with his digital camera trying to sneak in for a shot of the Songbird/nest. That day the songbird stayed in her nest all day and night. She flew away early morning (probably in search of some food) for a short time. When my sister climbed up on her ladder to peak into the nest, she screamed for the camera. The shot we got was rather blurred; so she brought the basket down on the ground all the time looking out for the one who layed those beautiful, soft, pink, spotted eggs.
.........This was the shot we got of 2 eggs before we hung it back and the Bulbul arrived soon after...!





Here she sits on her ivory tower hatching her eggs.... !!! (this picture was taken from a distance by zooming in) ..............

Each day, we waited with baited breath to see the little chicks coming out of those eggs.

During this period I learnt that songbirds or Bulbuls are commonly found in Asia, Middle East, Africa and some parts of Europe. Most species are known to be monogamous; they feed on nuts, seeds, and worms. They have also adapted to living in cities along with human race.

On the 11th day, early one morning two red blobs of flesh were delivered from the 2 egg shells.

They were a restless pair and very very noisy lot. The mother bulbul always shot anxious glances before she flew away in search of food for her new family. A few days later, the new-borns developed their feathers, and we knew that soon they would fly away. They grew beautiful feathers just like their mom. One day the mother bird arrived with her mate; - there was a lot of commotion, chirping, and fluttering of wings; and then the four were gone. They sat perched on the parapet wall for a few minutes, as we watched them and silently prayed for their safety. Then they were gone.

Next morning the patio bore a sombre and quiet look; but we knew that the Songbirds family was safe, happy and chirping away in some garden..!