10/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 10, 2025 theSunday Special III

Birds as teachers Beyond identification, birds teach us something about time. They are seasonal storytellers. The arrival of migratory spe cies, such as the barn swallow or the purple heron, signals shifts in weather and wind patterns. Some birds are dawn specialists and others are twilight per formers. Watching them over time trains us to mark the calendar not by deadlines but by patterns of presence. They also teach adaptability. The com mon myna has mastered urban survival, nesting in vents and feeding on leftovers. The pink-necked green pigeon, a forest bird by design, now visits city rooftops to IHDVW RQ ¿FXV WUHHV 1DWXUH LVQ¶W DOZD\V SULVWLQH ± LW¶V SHUVLVWHQW %LUGZDWFKLQJ helps us witness negotiation in real-time. Birding has even found a foothold in school programmes and mental health therapy. Teachers report that children who participate in basic bird walks develop stronger observational skills and a greater appreciation for local biodiversity. Some psychologists now suggest that noticing and naming birds – a small, attainable act of focus can reduce anxiety and enhance a sense of connection, especially in over stimulated urban environments. I W¶V DOVR LQFUHDVLQJO\ D FRPPXQLW\ building activity. Birdwatching groups across Malaysia organise weekend out ings, photography challenges and even citizen science projects. Platforms like eBird and Merlin Bird ID enable us ers to log sightings, map behaviour and contribute to a growing global database that helps track avian health, migration and habitat changes. Whether you join a group or prefer solitary spotting, the joy is the same: that ÀHHWLQJ XQVFULSWHG HQFRXQWHU ZLWK D ZLOG creature that asks nothing from you except attention.

The chestnut-capped laughing thrush ... found mainly in Sumatra (Indonesia) and the Thai-Malay Peninsula.

Photo Credit: Mahendran Ganesan

Finding your wings G HWWLQJ VWDUWHG ZLWK ELUGZDWFKLQJ GRHVQ¶W require much. A decent pair of binoculars is nice to have but not essential. Many start by watching from their windows or balconies with the naked eye. Early mornings are best and birds are most active just after sunrise. A quiet park or even a tree-lined street will do. The key is consistency. The more you return to a spot, the more your awareness sharpens. Start small. Learn the regulars. Listen more than you look. Field guides, both printed and app-based can help, but the most valuable resource is your own curiosity. Keep a notebook if you like. Or MXVW PDNH PHQWDO QRWHV ,W¶V QRW DERXW DPDVVLQJ D FKHFNOLVW LW¶V DERXW GHHSHQLQJ your attention. Malaysian birding groups are active online and are often happy to welcome beginners. Joining a local outing can fast-track your knowledge and add a layer of camaraderie to the practice. But even if you never join a group, birdwatch LQJ R̆ HUV D TXLHW FRPSDQLRQVKLS ± WKH knowledge that just outside your window, a hidden world of feathers, beaks and ELUGVRQJ FDUULHV RQ ZKHWKHU RU QRW \RX¶UH paying attention. Once you begin, it becomes hard not to pay attention.

Photo Credit: Mahendran Ganesan

The Red-headed Trogon inhabits dense broadleaved forests, preferring upland areas.

From balcony to jungle: One birdwatcher’s journey

MAHENDRAN Ganesan isn’t your average birdwatcher. By day, he works in human resources. On weekends, he’s deep in the jungle with a camera, chasing the rare flash of wing or call of a seldom-seen species. His journey with birds began in the city – like most Malaysians, he first noticed the usual suspects: Mynas, yellow-vented bulbuls and the occasional pigeon. “It’s always nice to see birds around our neighbourhood, but the excitement tends to be limited. In the jungle, spotting something rare brings a different kind of satisfaction. The photo you take feels more meaningful,” he said. For those just starting, Mahendran advises beginning where you are.

“Even if you don’t have time for a full hike, you can still catch a surprising variety in places like KL Botanical Garden or Paya Indah Wetlands. Urban birds have adapted well.” He also finds birdwatching a welcome counterbalance to his professional life. “As an HR specialist, I’ve learned patience and that birding rewards that. Waiting quietly for a special moment in nature is therapeutic in a way few things are.” Whether scanning your balcony or trek king through forest parks, Mahendran believes birdwatching offers more than beauty. “It teaches you to slow down, to look closer. That’s something city life doesn’t always encourage. But birds? They insist on it.”

Mahendran ... “Waiting quietly for a special moment in nature is therapeutic in a way few things are.”