STREET LIGHTS
LT COL NOEL ELLIS
24/X/2021
A street light pole in front of our house is a
favourite perch of many birds. In our childhood we found birds sitting and
chatting on electric or telephone cables. Now that most of the cables have been
dug underground, these birds have innovated.
From Robins to Bulbuls, from Mynahs to Crows, in an
odd case the Kite finds its way to sit and enjoy atop the pole. These are the
best vantage points to spot prey. It is also a place where after a hectic worm
and beetle hunt they come and rest before the next shikar.
It wasn’t surprising to see these birds using that
place to also groom themselves. Straightening out and clearing the debris stuck
between the feathers. Fluffing them and cleaning them to keep them dust proof
before the next kill.
The Kingfisher also uses that platform to bang its
prey before gulping it down. As the prey struggles to free itself, it is sorted
out by banging it on the light pole. A few bangs from the left and a few from
the right alternatively, till the prey goes limp and is ready to be devoured.
Probably if they eat it too fast it could create a commotion inside the tummy.
Plus, it must be giving them the satisfying feeling that they have done justice
to their meal. Thus, they play with it before eating it.
The crows use it for another purpose. They use the
poles to clean their weapons called the beaks. Though they might scavenge and
dig their meal out of the stinky dustbins. Like our moms would insist on
cleaning our mouths after a meal, their moms would be teaching them to clean
their beaks. Naturally they don’t get napkins or ‘beak bowls’ like we get
finger bowls in a hotel.
I sat in the shadow of a tree sipping tea in the
garden, it was a revelation to observe Bulbuls on the streetlight. This light
has perforations and ribs jetting out probably to keep it cool. Though it is an
LED, still it would be generating some heat. The design must be a little
uncomfortable for the birds to sit, as those ribs are moulded to discourage
birds sitting on lights. Their droppings dirty it.
Why they sat there was because insects which got
attracted to light bulbs die and get stuck in the races of those ribs. During
the good old days, moths and white ants used to get inside the bulb covers and
clog it. Now they fall down after burning their wings or get trapped on top of
the light itself. That makes a rich feeding ground for birds. No wonder there
is a race to get to the pole top at the earliest so that their tummies are full
for the day.
The second reason to get on top was to catch a few
‘personal birdie moments. A kiss on the partner's beak, a ruffle of feathers
and then of course the ritual the birds do to make love. A little break from
‘baby care’ gave them those fleeting moments to shower love and affection on
each other before the chicks came looking for them or other birds swooped in
and dismissed their gathering.
These days there are no ‘bowl shaped’ bulb covers.
During the years of yore, we used to see an odd bird make its nest in them. Of
course, they selected a pole which had a fused bulb. The maintenance teams also
would let them be, as many times there would be eggs or chicks in them.
We kids would do target practice and aim at birds
sitting on the street lights with catapults or air guns. Invariably we would
miss and crack the glass casing over those tube lights. Then run for dear life
before we were caught or seen by anyone. Then ask our friends meekly, who could
have done this?
Such a naughty act should be reported to the
electrical department, we would say. Our innocence used to be the dead giveaway
to ‘electrician uncle’. Poor chap had to bring a huge bamboo stair to replace
the damage done. Dad would come home and give one tight slap. The tube light in
your head would glow brighter than the stars, as the electrician uncle would
have complained.
This street light could be used as a perch, a
resting point, love making point, feeding point, beak cleaning and sharpening
point, a vantage point, a nest, beauty parlour and grooming point and what not.
It also gave space to the birds to dance & woo their partner. A street
light pole had such versatile uses for these feathered friends. A force
multiplier of sorts. Could they use it for anything else? I wonder!!!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
© NOEL ELLIS
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