Winged visitors enthrall Suryapet

Suryapet: Winter guests Siberian cranes were seen at Pasthala of Nagaram and Karivarala Kothagudem of Tungaturthi in Suryapet district four days ago.The birds seem to share a strong bond with these two villages for the past two decades. According to the villagers of Kastala and Karivirala Kothagudem, the birds travel thousands of kilometers and cross continents to reach these small villages during the last week of December or in the first week of January for breeding. The birds with young ones in tow return to their native place in the beginning of rainy season i.e. in the first week of July. During the period of their six months stay, the birds live on the tamarind trees near water bodies and ponds of the villages. The birds feed on fishes and earth worms.

The birds build nests and lay eggs, these eggs are incubated for 29 days by both the male and female crane. The chicks take 70-80 days to take their first flight. Chicks which cannot fly in early stage roam on the streets of villages. Villagers treat them as guests and a fine of Rs 5000 is imposed on hunting these birds.

Villagers see that no harm comes to the birds, even though they generate foul smell. Bojja Venkanna of Pasthala village speaking to The Hans India informed that the arrival of birds is considered as a good omen for the village and also believe that their visit would enhance the harvest. He further added that when the birds return to their native places in the month of July, villagers are left bereaved. Surya Prakash of Tungaturthi, who is a bird lover, said that the people of erstwhile Tungaturthi mandal have long association with Siberian birds which have been visiting the village for the last two decades.