With pandemic life affecting us all, we envy the raw freedom of birds; no better time to look outside and witness the constantly unfolding spectacle of life. Many species are nesting and feeding babies, you would be surprised to know exactly how many birds are with you all along. Youngish birder Faraaz Abdool invites everyone to get to know the birds that share our space; he wants especially the youth to check out the T&T Young Birders’ Club on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ttyoungbirdersclub

Birds have captivated our minds for millennia. Their mesmerising mastery of the air frustrated and hypnotised humans at the same time. Artists wanted to replicate their unending chromatic diversity in paint, scientists wanted to study the creatures and people coveted the most resplendent feathers for self-adornment. In the early days it was necessary to trap and kill the bird to be able to view and study it, fortunately we became well versed enough in manipulating optics to not rely on these barbaric methods.

Watching wild birds has been made possible with portable optical devices like binoculars and spotting scopes. Recording sightings is easier than ever, even a phone skilfully paired with a spotting scope can yield surprisingly high-quality results. To this day, however, the time-tested, foolproof technique of pen and paper persists amidst the cacophony of clicking shutters. The enjoyment and study of birds is not limited to a singular sense – birdsong is one of the most ubiquitous and complex sounds of nature. Many visually similar birds have unique dialects based on their locality, very much like we have a distinctive Trinidad and Tobago accent. The differences in vocalisations have led many species to be split into two or more distinct species.

We understand that people who study birds are ornithologists; they are zoologists having a special interest in life with feathers. Similarly, we have associated people who enjoy birds – the birders – as more mature, probably retired, fairly “well off” and often from developed countries like the US or UK. Outside of those groups, there seemed to be little room for anyone with a passing interest in birds. As with all things, however, the only constant is change.

[caption id="attachment_893083" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The crested oropendola is one of two species locally known as "cornbird." - Faraaz Abdool[/caption]

Birding is a legitimate, enriching hobby in which anyone, of any age, race or nationality can participate. All over the world, birding clubs are opening their doors to new members, specifically targeting minorities, young adults, and marginalised communities. Inclusiveness is not merely a trending hashtag, but a fact of life in the birding world. There is no qualification necessary that deems one “worthy” of appreciating the life of another being.

It can be quite intimidating for a novice birder who can hesitantly identify five species of birds, to pick up a field guide with 500 described s