To watch a Bulbul feed is a refreshing sight! It follows a rhythm that it has developed for itself! Every move during this feeding process has an aesthetic touch!
It bites just enough it can swallow and pauses between each bite. The ease and peace that a Bulbul conveys during the feeding is unique. The Barbet would take a large bite and struggle to swallow.
Some bird watchers observed that Bulbuls respond to friendly gestures and can even modulate the chirps to convey messages.
When the feeding bowls are not replenished with food, two regular visitors would fly inside the dining room where the fruits are kept. They have become familiar with the fruit corner.
Of all the birds who visit us, the Bulbuls are special as they seek out for contacts with us. They are the first to arrive in the feeding table in the morning and the last to leave at dusk! Their chirps after the feed have a different tone! The chirps during the feed are intended to invite other birds. The Bulbuls feel comfortable to feed along with others. They show no haste or threatening behaviour.
Anna and I feel grateful that we have had some association with Bulbuls during the last thirteen years we have lived in our cottage. It took three years to plan for a feeding corner. We had to change its location three times to make it more hospitable. The Bulbuls adjusted to these changes well. Now we have two pairs and three singles who are regular visitors to the feeding table.
I have watched their sobering behaviour and communicative efforts. Theirs is a counter to being possessive or aggressive!
The melody of their bird calls respond in the garden during the day!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
No comments:
Post a Comment