There are 2 types of birds that one can find in the area immediately surrounding my building. The Crows and the Pigeons. Since we have a lot of trees in our residential complex, we have a lot of these birds. Which is a really nice thing, because you get the feel that you are living closer to nature and all. For some reason however, these birds refuse to inhabit the perfectly usable trees that are ever present in the complex.
They refuse to build nests in prime trees and don’t seem to notice the numerous tripod branches that could support a large size nest even when it is full of eggs and then hatchlings.
Instead, they insist on living in the spaces of the building accessible to them and their friends and build their nests in the pipes and on top of the air conditioners sticking out of the windows. And they insist on depositing as much crap on top of the air conditioners that is avianly possible. And they don’t rest at depositing twigs and leaves, they go on to bring metal strips and wires that fall through the vents of the air conditioners to make a racket fit enough to wake up Kumbhakarana.
And that’s not all, then they lay eggs and when you go to clean up the crap on top of the air conditioner, you break the eggs and then you feel like a killer and a murderer. But there is nothing that you could have done, you could have tried, but you would have failed.
The only benefit is that they are so used to the urban hustle bustle that you can take good clos up shots and they don’t seem to mind, going about their business without any problem. Here are a few of them.
Pidgeons Fighting
A Rare Sight… A Bird in the Tree
This fails to Keep them Out
A Nice Closeup
Another Closeup
A Flapper. I Spooked It I think
The Fight Goes On
Hmm..yeah, birds don’t feel as safe in the city trees. They are not as thick and robust. Rains, stronger winds can cause havoc. The top of an air conditioner seems to be the ideal place to hatch egss. Generally there is a shelter on top of the AC that provides shade and protection from rain. Also, AC throws a lot of hot air from the back leading to the top of AC also being relatively hot. This accelerates the entire process of hatching.
I face a similar problem. We have plenty of trees around my house. But the pigeons always find solace in our courtyard.
The AC heat is the main reason the come there. I have put show boxes to fill up the space so that they don’t drop stuff on the AC
Man, you’re mean ! Let the poor birds live … and make merry …
I wish we had taken a photo of the egg. I hope the egg hatched later!
@ Sherry
I am not mean. I wanted them to realize that they are birds and not street bums that just gravitate towards the nearest heat source. They have feathers for that.
@Anu
Nice Gravatar! Where you got?
hahaha…u expect birds to get the hint? after we took over the land to build our apartments?
birds also adapt like us. They find a better/simpler way to live, they will do it instinctively. Because of urbanization, some birds have even almost stopped migrating.
Rig some bird houses in the trees. maybe that will help.
@Aristarkhos
I know what you are saying. I had recently gone to a farm and the range of birds there was staggering.
@Aristarkhos
I agree. I recently went to a farm and the variety of birds there was amazing. I will actually tell my society guys to put up a few tree houses in the trees.
Lucky you. You got a first hand taste of what one can see if the surroundings are more habitable for birds.
But I am certain there are more than pigeons and crows around your place. initially, i would only see them and wonder if there were any birds left in the urban areas. I realized sparrows also had stopped visiting my area. i am surrounded by buildings with very few trees.
There is a huge garden away from where i stay…most of them go there I am sure.
(plus the crow populations tends to scare away smaller birds.)
planting lots of plants on the building wall brought the sparrows back,would u believe it? That was unintentional.
if you look around more closely, you will see more birds…the coppersmiths visit pipal trees. the koels in golmohurs. parrots early in the morning. bulbuls are common too. tho i can only hear their calls in the morning.
Best of luck with the tree houses. hope it is accepted and works out.
Lash… Koi na… let the birds be.. its time u shot them with something else & not ur Camera ( he he he ).. its time to teach them a lesson…
Cheers..
Also, Pigeons.. sometimes taste good too..
I know man… Would love to eat some… But the beginning part is really messy!
Got a bit careless leaving a window slightly open and came to find dead pigeons, living pigeons and eggs in the flat after a month. unfurnished, so not much problem.
Lots of horror stories in Mumbai about people whose flats were ruined by pigeons when they accidently left windows opened.
I completely agree. One of these pigeons came and sat on me while I was sleeping. Could have taken out my eye