Rolling out a red carpet to garden birds

They are also the friendliest and are not afraid to share space with humans

July 25, 2014 04:37 pm | Updated 04:38 pm IST - Hyderabad

A wide array of sparrow nests.

A wide array of sparrow nests.

Isn’t it pleasing to sit in gardens and parks where the air is filled with an amalgamation of melodious chirps of a variety of birds? But the smile turns upside down upon returning to the concrete abodes, where one is surrounded by nothing but the noise of automotive sirens. But the good news is, even with no plush lawn with tall trees and thick bushes, one can certainly make some room for the tiny guests to pay a visit.

The most common garden birds found in and around the city are also the friendliest. They are not afraid to share space with humans. The commonly visible ones are small and delicate and require a suitable environment to make their nests. These birds look for places between close tree branches, amongst vines, unused lamp posts and the like.

If there aren’t any, it doesn’t mean that you cannot provide them with some artificial shelter.

Nihar Parulekar, president of Animal Rehabilitation and Protection Front (ARPF), shares the success of their recent project in which they have put up nests made of either wood or card board boxes, at places where many birds had been sighted in flight and were desired by the householders to stay close to them.

“The project named ‘NEST’ (Networking of Sparrow Conservation Team) which was originally planned to raise the sparrow population in the city is now reaching out for other varieties of the usual garden birds as well and we have received positive responses from almost all the places where we have put up our boxes, about birds accepting their new homes.”

Bird houses out of wood or cardboard can be made at home or are available with nest. The size should be suitable for small birds, for example, common house sparrows, which can comfortably make their nest inside. These boxes should be nailed straight and sturdy against the wall, with the mouth of the nest facing the north-south direction if the house is directly exposed to sunlight. If in a comparatively shadowed location, then the direction is not a matter of concern. One must be careful to place them high enough so that alley cats are kept away. The placement can be just below the ceiling/balcony/false ceiling, if the house has any, as some larger birds like a bulbul might use the roof of the box as their base and make a cozy nest in between the top of the box and the ceiling.

Chicks fallen off the nest need not create panic. It is a proven myth that when human hands touch a baby bird it is rejected by its parents. By gently taking it in the palm and placing it back where it belongs, one would only be helping the parent birds. Yet, just in case the parents do not return or the nest is broken by the wind or any animal, one can contact the Bird Watchers society of AP or ARPF, which are active in handling rescue calls for injured animals.

“You don’t need to be a vet”

Shafaat Ulla, honorary secretary of Birdwatcher’s Society of Andhra Pradesh tells us that one need not be a vet to provide a fallen bird with first aid, until professional help arrives.

“One can start by taking a medium sized box (a shoebox or a plastic box will do) and cozying it up with a hand towel or lots of cotton. The main purpose is to keep the chick warm and safe and hence the box should be kept in a dry area away from windows, air conditioners and ceiling fans. Next, mash a small piece of fruit (a banana or a fig will do) and try feeding the bird by taking the piece in a pair of tweezers and gently pushing it down its beak. The chick will immediately start chirping and open its mouth to take in its treat. Keep feeding it at regular intervals of thirty to forty minutes. And if you can see droppings in the box, that’s the indication that the bird is healthy and accepting the treatment.”

If the bird is severely injured, one may call BSAP or ARPF at 7893423769 or 9912034135.

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