From the size of the body, colour of underparts and the crown, and the short subdued bird calls I suspect that the Oriental Magpie Robin and Tree pie are juvenile birds They make short flights and are mostly on the ground hopping around. The search for their feed in the ground.
The Luten's sunbird, the third photo above, looked to fly unsteadily and was slower in movements.The beak is long but not as curved as in an adult bird. The colour of the underpart is yet to become ornamental. The sunbirds are often in a pair. This bird was seen yesterday and today alone in the garden. It is probably in the in between stage to be an adult. That is my guess.
Usually the juvenile birds appear in the garden in late July. This year they are seen earlier than before.
The adult parent birds are in the garden. The two Magpie robins one adult Tree pie appear in the garden, but are not seen beside the juvenile birds.
The juvenile birds begin their life in safe environment. The Magpie robin and the Tree pie stay in the trees beside the feeding station, where other bird like Bulbuls visit a few times a day. They look comfortable with bird movements in the garden.
The freedom of living alone from the juvenile state prepares them to hasten into adulthood. The life span of small birds is often one to two decades.
When a Parakeet clips a rambutan fruit, we know that it is an accomplished adult.
The way the Parakeet co-ordinates to feed on the rambutan fruit is another sign of an authentic state of autonomy and skill as an adult!
Parenting style of the avians is to push the chicks towards independence!
The avian spirit of protective watchfulness does not go beyond few weeks after birth.
The art of growing up is an individual pursuit rather than a social pursuit as in humans.
The birds in our garden tell us something to think about each day!
MC.,Mathew(text and photo)
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