1,570 birds perish in heavy rain

As many as 13 species of birds were found dead in a Ballari village.

A large number of birds perished in heavy pre-monsoon rain, accompanied by hailstones, which lashed Krishnapur village, 27 km from Hagaribommanahalli, on Friday night.

As many as 13 species of birds, including the Plum-headed Parakeet, the Cattle Egret, the Pond Heron, the Grey Heron, crows, the Common Myna, the Coppersmith Barbet, the Rose-ringed Parakeet and the Small Pratincole, were found killed. These birds, which depended on horticultural crops in the vicinity, roosted on coconut trees in the surrounding areas.

According to Vijaykumar Itagi, a bird watcher from Hagaribommanahalli, who rushed to the spot on getting information, 1,570 birds were found dead within a 200-metre radius.

“I found that, birds that roosted on coconut trees were killed after being hit by hailstones. No such casualty has occurred near the Peepal tree, which provided adequate protection and shelter to the birds. I also noticed that the casualty among the Rose-ringed Parakeet was high,” he told

The Hindu .

He said that some schoolchildren took care of some birds that had suffered injuries and broken wings, by administering first aid.

Mr. Itagi said that he would be visiting the area again and also the backwaters of the Tungabhadra to find out whether there were more such casualties.