Birds.... birds.... birds. I am enjoying them. And you?

The Kingfisher - This kingfisher is clicked by me today noon. 14/04/12.
@shibham (16977)
India
April 14, 2012 5:51am CST
Hi everyone... Perhaps you know that i was living in a village but two months ago i have shifted to township. At that time, i thought that i shall miss my village (i started a discussion here in this issue) and specially those humming of birds. As i have shifted here i am having a closeness with birds even more than a village life. There is a small but dense forest just outside my backyard and almost every bird resides there. I did not saw woodpecker, buzzard, hawk, crane and many more native Indian birds from years but they are still here in this township. When i have the chance, i try capture them by my camera and have clicked some of them (one kingfisher's photo is added here). Now i am thinking to buy a costly camera for better photo. Again, i am thinking about them too... as the population is growing up and human residential area is expanding on a rapid speed. I think one day this forest will be demolished for human shelter, then where they will go? Please tell about your closeness with birds.
3 people like this
21 responses
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
14 Apr 12
shiby, I love the nature, I love living in village life than here in the city. I don't know much about birds, but I like to hear chirping/singing. My hometown is also facing some threat from developer- they want to cut hundreds of trees for a new building
2 people like this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Hi didi... Once you come here, you will forget to return as the birds and nature will not let you leave. lol. It makes me upset sometimes that we are demolishing nature on a rapid speed. have a nice time.
1 person likes this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
30 May 12
I also think that the more time we spend with nature the more happier we get. I think it is great to spend time with nature and watch birds.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
14 Apr 12
birds are an indicator for the integrity of nature. You are lucky if you have many species around you because that means that nature is intact and if nature is intact that is also good for you. Most people just ignore them or don't care at all about them, others see or use them as a mere study subject or even hunt them because theyr stupid and have no idea that if they destroy a life they also destroy themselves (otherwise they'd never do it) ... anyway, don't want to start a rant here about that topic :D In your case you can figure out which are the most threatened species of your area and try to help them, e.g. by buildling appropiate nest boxes (like I do and perhaps you do so already, too?) and sometimes you can also give them birdseed (if they lack it). That would be especially important if the forest gets demolished as you think. However, there are only a few bird species that don't need at least a few bushes or trees for their survival. Thus removing trees actually means killing the birds or at least displacing them. Of course, EVERY bird life counts - not just that of a threatened species. So helping them or preserving their habitat is always a good thing. If their habitat is okay though leaving them alone or at least living in a mutually beneficial relationship with them is the best thing we can do imo.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Bhadorkoli... a bird. - I have taken this picture just sitting on my bed and clicked him through the window.
You are right. Birds are the indicator of natural integrity. Actually i did not imagine that i will be able to meet some rare species here in town which were completely unavailable in village. Now in this small forest, i have seen many species that i saw years ago. I have uploaded some of them on my facebook account. You may view them, if possible. I have chased away many hunters here and on my previous home too who came to hunt those innocent birds. I understand that i can preserve them but sometime lack of knowledge about their instincts may be dangerous to them. There is a bird called Bhadorkoli ( dont know the English term but similar to Robin and a little larger than sparrow. I shall upload that picture here). I did not see this bird from years and only come to know from internet study but from days, i have been seeing one just outside of my window and yesterday i confined him on my camera. If i would have enough money, then i buy that area where they are living now coz i am sure one day it will be destroyed for the human residence. have a nice time.
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
15 Apr 12
perhaps it is Copsychus malabaricus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-rumped_Shama I've seen a picture of the bird in a book recently. Where can I find your facebook account? While trying to find it I noticed you like the book ''Main Kamph'' ... uhm, I suppose that is ''Mein Kampf'' by Adolf Hitler ?! well, it's the same over here. Farmers have destroyed forests and natural landscapes to increase their income. Everywhere where ''big money'' is involved nature plays an underpart. In Germany there are more people with environmental awareness though than in most other countries. The USA for example are far behind us when it comes to preserving nature. But still even here nature is definitely f*cked up. Just take a look at the huge open pits in our area, some of the biggest man-made holes in the world: http://g.co/maps/h6q9r
@stk40m (1119)
• Koeln, Germany
15 Apr 12
oh, only now I saw the photo you took of the bird. I think it's Lanius schach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-tailed_Shrike Cheers
@peavey (16936)
• United States
14 Apr 12
I worry about the birds, too. Some of them don't do well at all in cities. I am in a small city now after living in the country most of my life, and I really miss the birds. There are a few here, but nothing like we had out there. We only have a few common species. I used to feed them just so I could see what kind came to eat.
1 person likes this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
29 May 12
I also like seeing different birds and like the sounds of the birds in the trees. I am living in the city and there are not much trees, but there are some in which birds do come and visit and make different noises. I think in the villages there are lots of trees with lots of green nature and there are lots of birds visiting them.
@shibham (16977)
• India
31 May 12
Hi ajithlal... Well, as i have mentioned, i used to reside in village life earlier and enjoyed bird chirping and when i shifted to township, i was upset too much but you know here are more birds than my village as here is a wasteland just near my town. right now a bird is chirping outside my room. Right now. Have a nice time.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Jun 12
You have raised your worry about the existence or residence of the lovely birds because of the expansion of human residential areas. This is also what I have been worrying about. Just one month ago, there was a tractor digging all of the trees and bamboos on the riverbank close to my apartment. I hesitated to see them dug up leaving only wild grasses. I managed to figure out that they were trying to make the small river more beautiful. I hope them to grow as many trees or bamboos along the river for more birds and squirrels to come back because I love to see them. Take care.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
12 Jun 12
Yes, you are right. Here human and tiger/elephant/leopard conflict is a burning question. Days ago, a wild elephant came to residential area in search of food but some barbers poured acid on that innocent animal. Now he is suffering from pain and cant move. Some villagers are offering him foods. So it is already started and many more wildlife is about to suffer the same again. have a nice time.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
16 Apr 12
We are blessed here in Australia by an abundance of birds. You travel to Europe and the USA where white man has been for a lot longer and you see much less bird life due to them being wiped out by humans for food and for their perceived nuisance values over time throughout history. Unless it is night time, you cannot go anywhere around here without the constant sound of birds. It is really part of the Australian sound. The sound of the Aussie bush! We get woken up every day by the sound of chirping birds, letting us know that the day ids looking great and that we should get out and enjoy it. Sometimes the birds wake us up too early, (kookaburras are good at this) but mostly it is at a perfect time to get up.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
Hi rawbill.... You are right. I was searching some information about 'wood pigeon' where i have found that it is used as a delicious meat in civilized countries where as now it is a rare species. what type of civilized they are? If it would be possible to tour Australia to watch all those birds, i am just imagining them from your description. Surely, the wild life beauty of Australia. can you post some pictures of Australian Birds? the birds are being my alarm clock from several years. lol. have a nice time.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
18 Apr 12
I could go out and try to take some photos of them, but with all the trees around here, they are mostly too hard to see. I will post a link to one of my favourites though for now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Lorikeet In some parts of my city, you can see these birds in flocks of thousands and they are so tame that you can hand feed them in some areas. When they are in flocks that large, the sound is deafening!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36449)
• United States
15 Apr 12
Birds are very interesting to watch. I love looking at them and watching them, and often exploring all the beautiful colors in them. Over the yrs. I have had the pleasure to see many different kinds of birds from Robins, Blue Jays, Cardinals, etc. One of my favorites to watch and see is the Eagle, and glad we have quite a few of them around here.
1 person likes this
@ChoukseyMK (1045)
• India
14 Apr 12
it is really sweet to hear birds chirping. every morning i wake up with chirping of birds which make me happy to start a new day. this makes me cheer that i am unable to express my feeling. of course it can be a little annoying when it is holiday or weekends when i am trying to sleep.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Yes, same to me. They make me bound to leave the exactly at 5am. They dont know whether it is the perfect time to force a person like me who is sleepy. Yet, i like them. See, this is evening here and all the birds have returned to their nests and made this area noisy. lol have a nice time.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
14 Apr 12
we don't get a lot of birds where i live but i would like to live out in the country where you see all sorts of wildlife. my hubby's aunt lives near a lake and has a big picture window in front of her kitchen sink with a bunch of bird feeders. she can see all sorts of birds come to her feeders. its quite interesting to watch.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Here, you can see all those wild species. My land is well known for sanctuaries mainly several birds and one horned rhino but it makes me upset that leopards, elephants and rhinos come out from jungle in search of food and people kill them. It is really immense pleasure to see wildlife from a close distance. have a nice time.
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
14 Apr 12
it reminds me on several villages in my country there are people in indonesian village still keep the birds for their pets and it will be enjoyed every morning when the birds try to communicate with their language..
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
Hi friend... I cant see birds caged. pet birds are different but wild birds are not to cage, they seem beautiful in nature flying everywhere being free. have a nice time.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
18 Apr 12
I have done just the reverse. We shifted from a Metro to a semi rural setting just to be close to nature and we have been amply blessed. We have created an environment just to attract birds with fruit trees, lots of greenery and a bird bath. We have several birds visiting us every single day. The cuckoos particularly are a joy to watch and listen to. I just put together a video and uploaded it on to youtube. You can visit http://youtu.be/EWgtxuoe8oU This video is about cuckoos that visit my garden every day. Please put your speakers on.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
18 Apr 12
Hi dear... Nice decision indeed to shift in rural area from Metro and as you have described, it is easy to guess that you are enjoying a lot. Surely i will watch your youtube video after minutes. Many many thanks for providing the link to enjoy your cuckoos. Have a nice time.
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
15 Apr 12
I love birds too. they are so cute and lovable. I often try to take photos of any bird that I see. However, I am living in the city right now, Then i don't have many chance to see them at all. Long time ago, I could see many birds in my grandma's garden, but right now it is really hard to see them in there. It is so bad... I hope we should think of caring birds carefully, if not one day our kids have no chance to see them also.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
Hi... In cities, crows are very common bird to watch (as i have seen) but other birds are very rare to watch. But here, although i am living in a town still have seen more birds than my previous village life and really i am enjoying them. You are right, if we are not sincere in preserving them, then obviously our next generation will miss all them out. Have a nice time.
• United States
15 Apr 12
Oh, I love birds. Like, really love them. I'd have a ton of pet birds if I had the room and the money and the energy to care for them all ... alas, I don't even have the room for one right now. Someday, I will have one! Birds are some of my favorites animals! They're so interesting, and a lot of them are really intelligent. Birdwatching is one of my not-so-secret hobbies. I could use a good pair of binoculars and a camera for that.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
Hi... Pet birds are meant to be pet but wild birds are not to be caged. I really dislike it when someone cages a wild bird. I hope you dont have that desire. If you come here then will be able to watch all those birds specially they are so common on my nearest jungle. I do hope the same... i mean to buy a costly camera. have a nice time.
• India
15 Apr 12
I am very eagerly wating listen the sounds of birds in my place in the summer seasons. My place is at an altitude of 4300 feet from sea level (Tenga, Arunachal Pradesh, India) and due sever cold no birds available during Winter seasons. But during summer the beauty brings to Tenga by different migrated birds. If anyone listen the sounds of birds that fellow can feel the beauty of life.
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
Hi dear... Well, there are some birds who dislike altitude range to survive and cant cope with the winter and height. It is the possible reason that there are a few birds roaming in winter season and mainly in snowy areas. But i do wish to hear all those chirping of birds around you. Have a nice time.
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
15 Apr 12
shibham, unlike you, i have been born and lived all my life in the city which is now a metropolis and a concrete jungle.Thousands of trees have been sacrificed at the altar of construction and therefore the green cover has disappeared virtually.However there still are a number of trees in the city and there is also a bird population in them.In my younger days when there was no building boom there were thousands of trees with a variety of birds.I have never been a bird man but i used to enjoy listening to the musical notes coming from their chirps and calls.Sadly many of the birds have vanished and just a few remain and i only hope that they don`t disappear too.
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
You are right. Here the east west corridor is under construction and you cant imagine how many trees have cut down and how many nests of bird are destroyed. Apart from it, the rapid speed of human population is threatening all the wildlife. I am sure that this forest about which i am talking about will be destroyed one day for the sake of human residence. It really makes me upset thinking that this bird will be no where one day. have a nice time veejay.
@GemmaR (8517)
14 Apr 12
I live in a village at the moment, and the birds always wake me up in the morning. I can tell what time it is depending on how many of the birds are singing at that time. I used to live in a town for a little while, and I will admit that I missed the birds singing in the morning, and I think that it will have been one of the reasons that I finally chose to move back to where I used to live. It just wasn't the same, and I am very happy living where I am now, being with the birds and all of the other wild animals that live around me.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Hi dear... When i was in village i was used to leave bed on birds chirping but here in town.... i have seen many species on a certain area just outside my house. Right now humming is touching me completely too. I did not ever imagine that in a town, such rare species are living happily. have a nice time.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
15 Apr 12
I've seen a few birds here and there around here. Of course, with the weather being what it is, I think that a lot of times, the birds are just as confused about the weather as we are. Plus, the fact that the tree in my backyard was blown down right in a storm last year, so some of the birds close by had to find a new home. Evicted by the weather. The number one problem for birds, other than things being cleared out. Birds are a wonder of nature and sadly one that is not appreciated as much as they should be. I fear that they are going to be a bit more scarce as they have less places to go. Yet as humans rise, other species are going to fall. One could argue that we have not risen all that much. Still birds are a wonder and as I am typing this, I can hear some chirping in the distance.
@akp100 (13640)
• India
14 Apr 12
Hi Shibham :) That's quite good that you still able to see such birds. Here in the city I never seen birds except pigeons..He he.. I have seen few more at my hometown but not more as it is also developing like a city. Human are just used to takeover their home and making their own. Forest are important in many ways. And we should understand this thing. I would like to see such birds some day.. Keep uploading more pics.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Daauk.... a bird. - This bird always roams around my home being a pair. not a rare species although.
Yes, anand, I did not imagine that i will be able to see them (and some rare birds) in a town. I am really glad to meet them although it makes me upset when i think that this forest will be no more after some years as it is situated at the heart of this town. Thanks for your interest. I have uploaded a rare species on the box just above you and here i am uploading another bird. have a nice time. N.B.:- you may see my collection on my facebook account, if you have an account, let me know.
• India
15 Apr 12
Hello Shibham, I think we all are very well aware of the fact that you are very close to nature, birds and animals. But I must say, you are also an excellent photographer. Nowadays one bird has built its nest on the almirah in one of our room. Whole day long we get to hear the chirping of the bird and its nestlings. It feels so nice to see the bird getting food for its chicks and feeding them with love and affection.
@shibham (16977)
• India
16 Apr 12
Thanks for the comment Inderjeet. nope, i dont think that i am an excellent photographer. Is it sparrow? I think so coz this bird enters to houses and build nests. Am i right? Have a nice time.
@KOSTAS499 (1624)
• Greece
14 Apr 12
I like birds, small and big. I like eagles and hawks. I like watching them fly free.
1 person likes this
@shibham (16977)
• India
15 Apr 12
Nice choice eagles and hawks? lol. I like each and every birds and hope you too. I like reptiles, mammals and other animals also as they are also the part of nature. Right? have a nice time.