08 September, 2019

Barbet invasion!











A bright Sunday morning after a drizzle!

I noticed a barbet on the Papaya tree, inspecting whether the fruit was ripe. it was not ripe enough. It flew to the Bell Apple tree searching for any fruit there. It did not give up. Moved on to the Gua tree next to it.

Having found fruits in it, it called out for other barbets (photo 4) and another one arrived in no time (photo 5).

One of them was able to get a mouthful from a raw guava (Photo 6,7)!

The other eagles looked at the fruits in a branch below (photo 8,9) and repositioned in another branch to inspect other guavas (photo10).

Yesterday, I noticed that guavas were disappearing from the tree, especially the ones almost ripe. I noticed that one fruit was already partially eaten by a bird or squirrel (photo below).


Now we know that Barbets are at it. They get ahead of us before we can pluck them. We wait for it to be fully ripe, but Barbets don't mind even raw ones!

Ou domestic worker suggested that we cover them plastic covers to protect from the birds. That to us would make our garden unfriendly to birds and squirrels.

The guavas from this tree have a special flavour! It looks like Barbets would have the first chance!

To me this sight brought to two thoughts. One is the intent and pursuit of birds for their daily bread. The other is their fraternal consciousness.

The birds labour for their food and remain aware of the food needs of other birds !

It is the same message as it is in the story of the Good Samaritan !

The Barbets brought us the Sunday sermon!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)


No comments:

Post a Comment