The bulbul nest on the ixora shrub
My parents’ yard in India had this spectacular ixora bush. I would often go to take pictures of pretty butterflies sipping nectar from the red flower clusters.
I noticed every time I got near the bush, a red-vented bulbul would fly out of the bush and go perch on the nearby pomegranate tree. I was baffled.
Out of curiosity, I pried open the tangled, dense branches of the ixora bush. I was pleasantly surprised to see a fibrous bowl-like nest and three speckled eggs.I understood the bird is incubating the eggs, but out of fear, she is flying away when I approach the nest.
I felt bad to scare the bird without my knowledge. I stopped invading onto her territory.
After a few days, I checked again to see fuzzy chicks with wide-open beaks. The mother was away to forage and bring food.After a few more days, they were all clad in feathers and looked much more robust.After a few more days, they had left the nest for the vast, open, blue sky. The empty nest sat hidden in the shrub. The mother bulbul had raised her brood to independence.
It was such a delightful experience, watching the birds.
I encourage you to pay attention to nature around you, and be amazed.
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