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Hariyal or Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
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Hello there. Have you seen me before here? Let me introduce myself. I am 'हरियल' also known as Yellow-footed Green Pigeon. I think my English name is unimaginative; probably the person who named me so thinks it is colourful!
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Tree dwelling is the best
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I am a tree dwelling cousin of the common Rock Pigeon. You may have spotted me in the peepal tree near your home. The peepal tree is a favored neighborhood; the branches perfect for perching and nest, it's leaves give shade and privacy and fruits are our daily diet. Our entire clan can live in a peepal tree, unseen by predators and troublemakers, the canopy providing a perfect camouflage.
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Hariyal family tree
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You are familiar with the rock pigeon, who is an ardent fan of the cities
and all kinds of human construction. It leaves no building structure or a
shady nook unexplored. Till a century or two back, this pigeon was essential
for message delivery system of humans. The age old livelihood and
traditions of the rock pigeon is displaced by the cables, wires and
transmission towers. The rock pigeons of the world are trying to fight
back.
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Rock pigeon admiring human creations
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They are protesting by mass gatherings near cables and wires
hanging in the city. Sometimes the pigeons use force and try to weigh
the wires down by shear large numbers. The wires and cables are not
relenting or retaliating; the towers may shock the pigeons sometimes but
that is about all. Every popular space of humans, has it's own
protesting pigeon gang. The gangs graffiti these spaces with feathers
and big stinky splotches and voice loud "go- go-goo" slogans.
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Rock pigeon gang & Raging red eyed pigeon
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Usually,
the humans don't pay them much attention; but some fools try to feed the
pigeon gang. Do the humans not see the rage- red eyes of the rock
pigeons?
Enough about the raging rock pigeon now! This post is about me - the blue eyed darling of pigeon species. Poets have penned odes praising our blue eyes. Yes, my kind is special. So is our call, a sweet whistling one, just like that of naughty little child.
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Grab on to the tree branch
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Keep an ear out for our whistles near fruit laden trees. Our flock eats all kind of berries and ficus fruits. Trekking through the branches is easy because of our big strong yellow feet. These feet help in grabbing the branches and holding on to them during windy, stormy weather. Strong wide feet are good for everyone; they take one far and wide. We cannot comprehend the trend of thin narrow feet and pencil thin heels.
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Hariyal loves berries
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My species is spread all over the Indian subcontinent. You need not go
towards sanctuaries and forests to search for me. I can be found with my
flock in the local gardens or any tree lined avenue amidst tree
foliage. Bothering humans by dirtying their buildings, cars, clothes etc
is the agenda of rock pigeon, not ours. If you wish to befriend the Hariyal flock, plant some indigenous trees in your neighborhood. And if your neighborhood is green with lots of trees, then my kind will probably be the in the nearby tree. Just use the binoculars to locate our bright yellow feet, or the pale pink shoulder patch; or if you are lucky enough then the gorgeous blue eyes, watching you from behind the green leaves.
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Our shy neighbor - Hariyal
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