Whispers from the Western Ghats: The Mystery of the Malabar Whistling
Whispers from the Western Ghats: the mestry of Malabar whistling thrust
"It was the middle of the rainy season, a typical day in the monsoon, just a day before heavy rainfall was expected. The air was refreshingly cool and pleasant as I ventured to Brahmagiri Hills, a part of the Western Ghats, to admire the awe-inspiring beauty of nature. Lush greenery covered the landscape, and a thick fog enveloped the entire realm, creating an atmosphere as thick as pea soup, where you could barely see your hand in front of your face.
I found myself running alone on an off-road trail that meandered through the dense forest. 'Tsee...tsee...tseee,' I heard the distinctive whistling sound, which sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but wonder if someone was playing tricks on me, making me feel like a cat on a hot tin roof. Initially, I chose to turn a blind eye and continued on my path.
After about 10 to 15 minutes of walking, I heard the whistling once more, like a broken record on repeat. This time, irritation got the better of me. I shouted loudly, 'Who is there, and what do you want?' There was no response from the other side, just the mysterious whistling, which was as clear as mud, leaving me feeling like a fish out of water.
Determined to uncover the source of the sound, I decided to follow the breadcrumb trail and investigate the direction from which it came, feeling like a detective hot on the trail of a mystery. However, to my surprise, there was no one there. Who could have been whistling? I returned home that day with a multitude of unanswered questions, feeling like I had hit a brick wall and had a monkey on my back.
The following day, I set out once again, determined to find answers. I sought out local residents who had lived in the area for decades and shared my strange experience. A young shopkeeper named Jagdish enlightened me, suggesting that it might have been the work of a 'PARVAT KASTUR,' adding more fuel to the fire of my curiosity, as if he had thrown a cat among the pigeons.
My curiosity piqued, I asked, 'What is Parvati Kastur, and why was it whistling? Why was it following me, and what did it want from me?' I was in a state of perplexity, trying to get to the bottom of the enigmatic creature Jagdish had mentioned, feeling like a kid in a candy store who had just discovered a hidden treasure, wanting to get to the bottom of the barrel.
'It's a small bird called the Malabar Whistling Thrush, commonly known as Parvat Kastur,' Jagdish explained, shedding light on my mystery, as if he had opened Pandora's box. This revelation both intrigued and tickled my fancy, leaving me hungry for more knowledge, like a sponge soaking up water.
The Malabar Whistling Thrush is renowned for its melodious whistling calls, often resembling human-like sounds. It is a resident of the Western Ghats, particularly in deep forest regions, making it as elusive as a needle in a haystack. Despite being frequently heard, it is seldom seen, like a phantom in the night, making it a true enigma of the forest.
From a distance, it appears akin to a diminutive crow with a slender bill, measuring approximately 25-30 cm in size and weighing between 101-130g, making it a featherweight in the avian world. The male boasts a black upper body with striking metallic blue patches on its forehead and shoulders, along with a glossy royal-blue scaling from its back to its mid-breast and belly, as if it were wearing a tuxedo for a grand soirée. Its bill and legs are black, adding to its elegant appearance. The female is similar but with less pronounced scaling below, like a more modest counterpart. The iridescent blue color of these exquisite birds becomes prominent when illuminated by oblique light, making them a true jewel in the forest's crown, as if they were adorned with sapphires.
Malabar Whistling Thrushes are typically found in the dark undergrowth of dense forests, often seen alone or in pairs, like a pair of lovebirds. They are known for their shy nature, concealing themselves among leaves and bushes while serenading the monsoon with their melodious songs, which can tug at your heartstrings, like a poet reciting verses. They may sing for extended periods, occasionally emitting sharp, high-pitched whistles at other times of the day, as if they were composing a symphony. In the past, they were popular as caged birds for their ability to learn entire tunes, making them the Mozart of the bird world.
This species is omnivorous, primarily feeding on insects, snails, worms, crabs, small frogs, and wind-fallen fruits and berries, proving that they have an appetite as big as an elephant. Breeding season commences with the arrival of the monsoons, marked by courtship displays involving chase flights and vocalizations, as if they were part of a grand opera, leaving you with a front-row seat to their performance.
Although Malabar Whistling Thrushes are not migratory, they mysteriously disappear at the end of the monsoon and the onset of winter, like a magician vanishing in thin air, leaving you with a sense of longing. I felt both joy and sadness—joy in realizing that these remarkable birds reside in my hometown and sadness in having to wait until the monsoon to once again revel in their melodious whistling, like a child eagerly awaiting Diwali morning, counting down the days with bated breath, as if time were standing.
"In conclusion, the enigmatic Malabar Whistling Thrush, also known as the Parvat Kastur, continues to captivate the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to encounter it. As a resident of the Western Ghats, this elusive bird remains a testament to the hidden treasures of our natural world.
While it may disappear with the end of the monsoon season, like a magician vanishing into thin air, it leaves behind a sense of wonder and longing. Each year, I eagerly await the return of these melodious birds, counting down the days with bated breath, as if time stands still in anticipation of their symphony amidst the lush greenery.
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