VISIT BY THE COUCALS

 

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

04/VI/2025

 

A drumstick tree in our neighbourhood has been such a blessing. Not only in terms of its leaves that we chew, the flowers used in Raita (curd) as a souring agent, as also the Drumsticks, making a good vegetable and an excellent accompaniment for ‘Sambhar’ fresh as fresh can be. From the tree to the pot.

 

Besides, the number of birds and insects it has attracted has given me such lovely photos. Let me list them out.

 

In the small bird category are the Bulbuls, Sparrows, Finches, Hummingbirds, Bob tails, Dhoban Chiriya, Tailor birds, Weaver birds, Robins, Bee eaters, Seven sisters, Barbet, etc.

 

In the medium ones are Kingfishers, Owlets, Drongos, Shikras, Coucals, Koels, Doves, Crows, Mynahs, Rollers, Parrots, Partridges, Lapwings, Kootris (Rufous Treepie), Wire tailed swallows, Hoopoes, Yellow footed Green Pigeons, and common Pigeons.

 

In the larger variety the visitors have been Horn Bills, Kites, Honey Buzzards, and Peafowl.

 

A total of 35 species of birds and counting. I am not including the ones which I have photographed along the riverfront and the lakes around.

 

Suffice to say, they are a blessing for us and our colony mates. I am not sure if people notice them, but they are around us.

 

It was the day before I was remembering the Bee Eaters and they came. I wished a 'Drongo' would join them and it happened yesterday. This tree is such a perch that every bird that flies past wants to take a breather. Some catch insects and reptiles, some come for nectar, some eat the flowers and leaves and some to frolic, especially in their mating season, like today.

 

As I was watering the pots in the morning, I heard a very familiar call of a bird called the Coucal, ‘Khamadi Kukkar’ in Punjabi. “Ghuk-ghuk-ghuk” in a very heavy nasal tone is a total give away of its location. A pair which has been frequenting our lane was heard calling out to each other.

 

As usual, armed with my camera, I rushed to catch a glimpse of them but they were too far on the roofs of the opposite lane. A hazy shot was all I could manage and they flew away. In my heart of hearts, I knew that these birds would return and they did. This time they were roosting on the Drumstick tree.

 

Hello there, waz up? I asked. They were in no mood for a “Haddi in their Kebab”. They continued with their love talks, sharing their commitment to each other through their calls. I also said to myself, “Aap Kaun, main khamakha”.

 

I did not wait for their permission to take photos and just clicked before they got cheesed off. They kept me under their keen watch, but then there was so much movement on the road due to morning walkers and car washers, that my presence went unnoticed.

 

Last year, these guys were babies. I recall that they devoured grasshoppers and frogs that had been plastered on the road under the tyres of passing cars. The ideal place for frogs is under the street lights, where insects congregate. An odd frog lays an ambush and gets crushed under the wheels to make a snack for these beautiful red and black birds the next day.

 

It was time for them to move on. I am not sure if they land up making a nest on this tree as this also could be a preliminary recce for the same. I have yet to see any nest of theirs. This was just a passing thought.

 

They are always on the look out for a weak or an injured bird, a chick about to learn to fly, basically they are scavengers from the crow family. Natural cleaners need to be thanked for their service.

 

They took off flying past over my head like the Airforce fighter jets keep gliding before they land at their air base. It was time for me also to touch base. How time flies if you start watching these birds!

 

I will try and make a collage of the birds that have been around this tree and our home soon.

 

Will they visit us again? I wonder!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS