Munia

During the 2020 pandemic period my life was really boring. Every morning I would wake up early, exercise, finish my chores, start working, and continue with my day. The workload was tremendous. There was no fun in the life. There was absolutely nothing to do. There was one good part about this pandemic. Because of the lack of traffic and movement, animals and birds were coming closer to the cities. One such incident occurred at my own home. I had seen the scaly breasted munia.

I had read about the scaly breasted munia in various books and nature related website. I had seen their photographs. I had never seen the bird in reality. However I did see it in the 2020 pendemic. I was working on my laptop. I had sat by the window. I had joined a meeting where in my presence was not required. To mark my attendance I had just join then meeting and I had placed myself on mute. I was simultaneously working on a report that I was required to submit later that day. I had not being paying attention to the meeting as well as the surroundings. Suddenly I heard a chirp. It did sound unusual. It was not from a sparrow or black myna. I could hear the difference in the chirping.

I looked up from my laptop. I wanted to see which bird it was. I saw two tiny birds sitting near my window. These birds were almost of the size of the sparrow. I had seen them in pictures. I had read about them. I knew exactly which birds they were. They were scaly breasted munias. I looked them and they look so beautiful. They had tiny feathers. The male bird had reddish brown coloured feathers on its wings. Its chest was covered with feathers which were white with brown border. It looked as if the bird was wearing a printed t-shirt with a brown jacket. It had a small black beak and big eyes. It look like a typical caricature of an angry bird. The female too looked similar but was smaller. Her feathers were not bright but they were little dull. The couple was sitting by my window and fearlessly chirping. I was shocked to see them. They were not timid at all. They were neither scared because of my presence nor because of the humming sound coming from the laptop.

I definitely wanted to give them something to eat. At the same time I did not want to make any sudden movements otherwise I would have scared them off. It was a dilemma for me to whether feed them or stay at my place. I did not move an inch. They stayed there for 5 more minutes and then they flew away.

Next morning at the same time the couple return at my window. This time I was prepared. I had already is scattered grains near the window. Again I sat still at my seat so that they do not get startled because of me. They were not scared. They ate the grains and flew away again.

This routine continued for a few months. Later the restrictions of the lockdown were lifted. Then I would see that munia couple as would not come every day. On some days they would come whereas some days they would not come to sit at the window. Then one day they stopped visiting all together. I would wait for them everyday but they would not turn up. Maybe they retreated to their home - forest. The city was no longer suitable for them.

Today I sit by the window at the same time waiting for them. I wish they visit me at least once. So that I can see goodbye to this beautiful birds. So that at least I get a closure