THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Birds are an important part of our nature, whether one realises it or not. And summer vacation is the best time for children to experience nature. Living in a city blessed with a good green cover and water bodies, one will definitely get to see the little winged friends flitting around. It is fun to watch the sunbirds bob around flowering trees. Sparrows, cuckoos, pigeons, mynas, crows, doves and the majestic kites gliding in the sky too can be found in the city. A city which has more number of birds is a better place to live in.
During school days one can find many birds flying around. But have you ever wondered why they are not visible in large numbers, especially during the summer vacations when one has a whole lot of time to watch them.
Just like you the birds too are hiding from the cruel sun. In fact birds with a much higher body temperature become the worst hit when the mercury shoots up. An average bird has a body temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Since they have a higher metabolic activity heat becomes a major problem for them. If one watches the birds carefully one can see peculiar behavioural pattern. Some of them open their bills and pant to help dissipate heat while the others may puff out their feathers or flutter their wings to circulate air in order to cool their hot skin. They may also hold their wings away from their bodies to lower their body temperature. Many of them can be preferring the shade. But these measures are not enough.
Helping Birds
As for the humans, birds too need a cool bath to beat the heat. With the green cover gradually disappearing, the water bodies are drying up quickly. We can help the birds to manage these shortcomings. They need our help more in the summer than at any other time because birds breed in the spring and early summer. “The zoo with a large pond and shade attracts a lot of birds including migratory ones,” says Zoo veterinarian Dr Jacob Alexander. Besides the zoo, lakes at Akkulam, Veli and the paddy fields of Punjakari are the favourite haunts of these avian friends. House crow, common myna, Asian Koel, Rose Ringed Parakeet, White Breasted Kighfisher, Purple Rumped Sunbird, Rock Pigeon, Brahminy Kite and Black Kite are some of the birds that be seen frequenting these waterbodies.
But not all birds go there. We need more such places around the city. “We can help the birds in our neighbourhood by placing bird baths and food. It would be a fun activity to do during the vacation,” says Anish Mohan Thampi, an avid birder. Here are a few tips to enjoy the flocking birds at the comfort of your home.
Bird Baths
Keep an earthen vessel outside your home and fill it with fresh water. Birds come in groups to take bath and drink water. They love to wet their feathers and make happy noise. Ensure the vessel is shallow so that even the tiniest birds can use it. Find a place on the terrace or garden. It should not be placed directly under the sun.“Keep observing the vessel. Birds will detect the presence of water. Soon one can find the common birds such as crows and myna to larger black kites revelling in it,” says Anish.
Make Shades
Plant trees. It would be ideal if they are of native varieties. Shades are the best habitat to keep the birds from heat. Besides the flowers and fruits are a source of food for birds. It is important to tell elders not to prune trees and bushes during summers.
Feeding birds
During summer birds do not get enough food. Hence keep a separate bowl or coconut shell with grains, vegetables, fruits etc. Place the bowl in a location where they can see it from a distance. Make sure that the location is relatively free from predators.