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SHIKRAs SHIKAR

 

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

27/XI/2025

 

This morning, I was all set to visit my favourite tree where bird activity is at its peak. Birds are visiting it for its fruit.

 

Fights ensue, skirmishes follow, chases are done, nasty bites and pecks are tolerated, clashes happen, race to eat as fast and as much continues, and so on happens on one tree.

 

Overall, it is a battleground for food which is the ‘pipal fig’. A place for the birds to show dominance and claim a branch, to show camaraderie amongst a species, to reach for the sun to fluff up and bask. To sing and chat with each other and to teach a lesson of life to their youngsters.

 

Further, to be kind to drop a few fruits for all those on the ‘floor’ to enjoy. Finally, to spread the seeds for more such trees to grow once it has passed through their digestive tract and transferred elsewhere. Nature is at its best.

 

Why I couldn’t go to watch my birdie friends was that a lady came over to appreciate the Ellis’ Garden. My wife and I had a long chat with her. She must have taken some lessons for her garden from us. At the end, she promised to get a plant of ‘Sindoor’, which we had never heard of or grown. We look forward to it.

 

It was hazy in the morning. The sun was not as bright as it usually is due to a misty veil it was hiding behind, courtesy the volcanic ash. That wouldn’t have deterred me to meet the darlings but there were other errands to attend also.

 

It was lunchtime and my wife was sitting near the drawing room window when she pointed out to a bird which looked like a dove sitting in the Drumstick tree. This bird was deep into the leaves and it called for a dekho.

 

No time could be wasted to say hello to this friend. It was ‘Mr Shikra’. What was he doing there in the afternoon? As it came to focus, it was eating something. One could not make out exactly what it was eating till I saw a long tail hanging from its mouth.

 

It was none other than Mr TikTok the chameleon. I knew it instantly. I felt sad for it but then that is how the cycle of life goes on in the wild.

 

Only yesterday, did we have our hummingbird vine removed from the garage top. It had spread like wildfire on its roof and even claimed a portion of the balcony. Mr Tik Tok lived in it happily hunting butterflies and bees and giving company to birds which used to disturb the insects. Those insects were a snack for him.

 

His abode got dislodged. He must have found refuge in this tree. But alas, a sharp eyed Shikra found it. Here, in the hummingbird vine, the chameleon must have been attacked. The vine being thick gave him an adequate place to hide.

 

To get used to a new location and adjust must have been a give away to become a meal for the predator. Had it just been caught. One could have saved it. However, with its torso in the belly of the shikra, it was no use. At least one bird had a tummy full.

 

We felt a little sad, but then that is how the system works in nature. Had our vine been green, TikTok could have stayed on. With the onset of winter, the vine had browned and was dying. It was looking untidy and shedding too many leaves. She had beautified our garden since summers but now had to be composted.

 

One has collected its seeds as there were numerous dry pods attached. To give it a fair chance to thrive next season, we spread the extra seeds along the row of trees and bushes infront of our house. If all goes well, seeds will sprout. They will make a unique curtain of green. We should see numerous birds, insects, and reptilian activity next season.

 

As I was filming the bird, I noticed this shikra poo. It is a fact that when a bird has her stomach full, it poops. This I had noticed when we had out darling Myanah with us. Moment her tummy got full, she would fire her salvo. This is a rare click.

 

Having had her lunch, Mr Shikra cleaned his beak and sharpened it on the branch it was sitting on. The school kids returning home did not bother it at all. Finally, when the last bit of the tail had been gobbled, its beak cleaned and claws shining, Mr Shikra flew away.

 

https://youtu.be/BAexUsEHo3o

 

There are more TikToks in our garden. Will the Shikra find more shikar? I wonder!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS

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