Stranger
Memories of monsoon…
The balcony regulars were suffering the effects of a delayed monsoon, like the rest of us. The monsoon has its time and place and this year, it overstayed its welcome. A surfeit of cool breezes, stormy skies, a washed clean world, chai and bhajiyas, and we longed for a harsh sun and smoky mornings, bleached white skies and parched throats, a becalmed sea.
So when the monsoon left, the sparrows were disoriented for a while. They cocked their heads at the water bath – did they really need to drink and bathe? Had the water bath from the skies finally stopped the dripdripdripping? The plants were faster to revive after the monsoon. New leaves and buds emerged without the taint of salt water burning them even as they unfurled. The sparrows took heart from the buds bursting into bloom and returned to the balcony. A full feeder and water bath – yes, balcony life was slowly heading back to normalcy.
And then she arrived. As it’s hard to make out dimorphism in this species, let me refer to the newcomer as her. I saw her one evening and had to squint against the setting sun. I mistook her for a particularly lively sparrow at first. But then I noticed that she was smaller and darker. The beautiful fan of her tail feathers. Her call was a distinctive sharp chirk. Her flight! Like a butterfly high on nectar from the sweetest flowers. She fluttered into the water for a quick dip and the touch of the cool liquid sent her twirling into the air, a ballerina en pointe on an invisible stage.
She’s been visiting us every day. She comes alone, is very shy and swoops away if the sparrows take one hop towards her or the water bath. At first, the curious magpie robin would arrive to investigate the stranger but he has since lost interest and is busy adding to his song repertoire. The sparrows were clannishly ignoring her until now but today an odd love triangle is developing as I watch.
A cock sparrow has suddenly and busily evinced a greater than usual interest in the water bath and its exotic new occupant. The white throated fantail too has gained a measure of confidence and watches roguishly as the sparrow hops closer. She preens her tail feathers and chirks in a friendly manner at him. Too friendly for his mate though. She chitters angrily at him from her perch near the feeder. He flies away pretending disinterest. But as soon as the missus’ attention is diverted by the grain, he’s back at the water bath, puffing out his feathers and strutting a tiny bit for the benefit of the fantail. She flutters into the water and leaps high with tail feathers in display. The poor sparrow is taken by surprise at her sudden moves. He hops backwards hastily and I imagine him turning to glance guiltily at his mate, then back again towards this irresistible dainty little stranger. She has enthralled him and the tubby little fellow will be let down when she flies away at the end of the season.
His mate gets on with the important job of eating and gathering her strength for the egg laying to come. She looks exasperated as only a female sparrow can. If he’s not careful, she’ll find herself a more attentive mate and then where will he be?
For now, the stranger’s shenanigans have proved too much for the cock sparrow. He stares pensively at his reflection in the water and takes a quick sip to fortify himself. Then he follows his mate away to their resting perch for the night, a touch of resignation in his voice as he chirps conciliatorily to her.
The fantail returns for a last few pirouettes. She doesn’t seem to notice the lack of an audience. She chirks gently to herself and dances like no one is watching. I don’t count.