The Soul of Birds

A pigeon once flew into Ria's childhood living room and could not find its way out — flying frantically in circles around the room while the balcony window stood wide open the entire time.It's one bird among many across a lifetime of encounters — a silent visitor perched on an almirah, peacocks strutting like royalty through a garden, a mynah trapped behind a balcony net, painted storks holding still against a vast Bharatpur sky. The ornithologist Salim Ali makes an appearance too — "a migratory bird himself." Each bird is different on the surface, but underneath, they share one thing: the ongoing choice and privilege to be free.Salim Ali—Indian ornithologist known as the "Birdman of India"; instrumental in establishing Bharatpur as a protected bird sanctuaryBharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park)—UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rajasthan, IndiaHandbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan—landmark ten-volume work by Salim Ali and S. Dillon RipleyPainted Stork—large resident wading bird of South and Southeast Asian wetlandsSarus Crane—tallest flying bird in the world; resident across the Indian subcontinentOrange-headed Ground Thrush—brightly coloured, ground-dwelling forest thrushNorthern Pintail—migratory duck wintering across South AsiaRose-ringed Parakeet—bright green parakeet native to Africa and South AsiaRed-wattled Lapwing—ground-dwelling wader known for its loud "did-he-do-it" callAsian Koel—large cuckoo, brood parasite of crows