Coimbatore bird lover gives a human-like final rites to sparrow

Thirty-five-year-old Anbu Selvan, known for his love for birds, has been in the habit of feeding the feathered friends that visit his house at Perianaickenpalayam, an outskirt of Coimbatore.

A pair of sparrows, among the group of regular visitors, built a nest near his house. “I was overjoyed on seeing a nest inside the water tank near my house.

Just a fortnight ago, three chicks came out of a cluster of eggs. It was a sight to behold to see the parent sparrows feeding their babies and taking care of them,” he added.

Unfortunately, one of the chicks fell into the water tank and died on Thursday. Displaying his height of love for the birds, Anbu Selvan, laid the dead sparrow on a bed of millets, placed a couple of garlands and performed a ritual by lighting camphor and incense sticks as a mark of last rites. After holding these rituals, the farmer and his family members bid adieu to their avian friend by burying it in their farm. “I broke down on seeing the adult sparrow circling around its dead baby and refusing to move away. It even tried to feed it not aware that it was already dead. It took flight only after the last rites got over,” said Anbu Selvan. By performing the rites, the farmer intended to convey his love and affection for birds and raise awareness of the need to conserve birds and animals. “I wish to convey that love is same for all. I see the demise of a baby sparrow akin to the death of a child,” he said.

For the last two years, Anbu Selvan had been feeding hundreds of winged visitors that flock his farm in Perianaickenpalayam. Having spent his spare time watching the winged wonders visiting his farm, his love for birds only grew stronger by the day.

The ‘bird man’ had also set up nesting pots at a height of around 10 feet on the lush coconut and areca nut trees in his farm. For birds flocking his farm, Anbu Selvan had placed millet feed and water in separate pots. The birds are never caged, yet they have found a permanent shelter in his farm. He spends a considerable amount to buy millets to feed them. “I am happy that these chirpy birds, known to be very sensitive, are gradually getting familiar to me as they don’t fly off or feel scared due to my presence. I grew up watching birds visiting my tiled roofed house and I wish my daughter too nurtures them like me,” said Anbu Selvan.