MAMA BIRD

It was a beautiful, bright day. Birdsong filled the air as I was on the Swing in our cosy, little play area with the Slide and the See Saw on each side. But there was also another, more urgent chirping. Looking around I see a bird that could fit in the palm of my hand. Its back was grey and it had white cheeks. Its belly was white with a black line running down the centre. Its tail was black on top but white underneath. And as if to top everything off, the tiny bird had a nice, black hood.

This little bird kept flying into the pipe of the See Saw. Sometimes just for a second, other times for much longer. Naturally I was curious so I waited for the little bird to leave the See Saw and then crept up to it slowly. Looking inside, I was pleasantly surprised to see our regular visitor. In the pipe of the See Saw there were five small eggs on a snug little nest made of some sort of fibre. Each were a very light pink colour with brown dots and patches.

The tiny little bird was called a Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereous). Initially they were classified as a sub species of the Great Tit (Parus major) but later were given the status of species due to the rather distinguishable features like the colours of their feathers. Both these birds come under the genus Parus of the Tit family, Paridae.

They are usually found in pairs and in small groups. They someties forage with other species of birds in a mixed flock for insects. Caterpillars and small beetles make an integral part of their diet. During the breeding season in the summer before the monsoon winds blow inland, these small tits lay about 4-6 eggs in a single clutch. They usually build their nest in hollows of trees and tiny burrows in the ground and sometimes in pipes in like the pair in our See Saw, lining them with moss, hair, twigs and other fibres to keep it warm and cosy. Both parents are very protective and make hissing sounds when their nest is threatened.

These little birds are found in specific places in our Coffee Estate and are wonderful whistlers. Each year, a pair of Cinereous Tits make their home in our See Saw. This time, I wanted to share this tiny Anagiri wonder with all of you.