Chennai (Tamil Nadu): A young woman in Chennai has turned the terrace of her house into a bird sanctuary for her love towards the winged creatures.
An abode of peace amid a concrete jungle, Vijaya Priya's house is situated at Pammal, a suburban neighbourhood in Chennai.
The chirping of birds including parrots, doves, pigeons, sparrows and crows welcome guests at her house every morning and evening while Vijaya is ready with grains to feed them on their arrival.
It is to be noted that feeding the birds two times a day has been Vijaya's routine for the last six years.
Vijaya does not feed the birds with leftover food, instead, she caters to their needs, likes and dislikes as she does for her kids.
"I was and am a keen bird watcher to date. Apart from rice and a variety of grains and fruits, I also feed them with milk and curd,” Vijaya said.
Adding more about her daily birdwatching experience, she said, "As the birds turn busy in feeding on the grains, I hide at a corner and watch them eating."
Vijaya said it is an amusing sight for her. From Kambu to other millets, she is aware of every bird's preference.
She said that parrots have not been visiting her since she started feeding the birds.
"Once, I rescued and treated an injured parrot until it was ready to fly again. Ever since then, parrots have been a regular visitor to my little sanctuary," she said.
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Hundreds of parrots are settled in trees around Priya's house.
"Feeding birds gives me immense satisfaction,” she said, narrating how she once befriended a one-eyes crow.
“The crow was initially hesitant to come near me. However, it consumed the milk and rice that I fed him. All it did was take a mouthful of the grain, fly away and return for more rice,” she added.
Vijaya Priya's avian friends' circle has increased in size over the areas.
“We have to preserve the diversity of birds that suburban Chennai is endowed with. Where will they go?” questioned Vijay Priya, who occasionally receives help from friends in the form of donation.
Supporting his mother in her endeavour, Vijaya's son Keerthi Vasan said that they will continue the service to birds for as long as they are capable of doing so.
"It is a pleasure to have so many birds on our terrace. Even when we are out of town, our neighbours extend their help and support in feeding the birds," he said.
Keerthi said that the birds have become familiar with his mother and they eat without hesitation in her presence.
"The little winged creatures have become members of our extended family," Keerthi said.
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