“Rose-ringed parakeets are so talkative that a group of parakeets is called a ‘chatter’. These glib mimics are as smart as they look” — this is a sample from the album ‘Vote for India’s Most Loved Bird’, announced by >Nature Forever Society (NFS), an NGO working to restore India’s dwindling bird habitat. The description of the gorgeous bird continues — “Sadly, this is the most traded bird in India. The next time you see someone selling a parakeet for a pet, remind the person that the parakeet is a protected species and its hunting and trading are prohibited”.
The album is a part of a nationwide poll for India’s Most Loved Bird on >www.thehindushutterbug.com. Voting was declared open on Valentine’s Day and the poll will stay open until March 17.
“Think out of the cage,” says NFS founder Mohammed Dilawar who appeals to people not to buy birds as ‘pets’, and to instead set up feeders and nest-boxes in their buildings. “When birds are caged, they are taken from the wild as chicks, sometimes by killing their parents and destructing nests. A large number of birds are killed in transit when they are brought to be sold in market,” he says. From nest boxes to bird baths, the NGO has several eco-friendly products that can be used to bring back our feathered friends.
ADVERTISEMENT
The poll urges members of the public to vote for their favourite birds across various categories like the Best Songster and the Most Colourful Costume and showcases exquisite photos of birds such as the fire-breasted flowerpecker and the crimson sunbird, basking in their natural habitat. The campaign encourages residents of urban India to appreciate our country’s rich bird life and most importantly, to respect their freedom.
The results will be declared on March 20 which is World Sparrow Day. Visit the voting site at >www.thehindushutterbug.com/most-loved-bird and make your choice. Like the NFS Facebook page at facebook.com/NatureForeverSociety to get feeds of beautiful bird photography.
For those who support this cause by promoting the Most Loved Bird poll on their Facebook pages (the details should also be shared on the NFS Facebook page) there is a prize on offer. The winner will receive a bird attracting kit and their interview will be published on
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT