Each January, the people of Kundha Kulam, a parched farm town in southern India, raise their eyes to the sky, searching for signs of life-giving rain. But they are not looking for clouds. They are watching instead for the birds ! These birds arrive on the vanguard winds of the oncoming monsoon. At the sight of the first flick of feather, the villagers breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their crops will soon get a welcome drink ! "If the birds come, we know we will be prosperous." says a resident of Kundha Kulam.

The robin that is the harbinger of spring, or the lonely honk of a migrating goose that signals the arrival of another winter, the herons, ducks, and pelicans that swarm to the flooded fields around Kundha Kulam are examples of the bird community.

The gift of flight would seem reason enough for humanity's fascination with birds. Bird's wings are naturally thin with feathers creating a smooth surface. Nearly hollow bones provide lightweight strength; large breast muscles power their wings; and a super-efficient respiratory system supplies plenty of oxygen to the cells during flight. Air travels across the top and bottom of a wings simultaneously. Because the bottom of a wings is flat and the top is curved, air travels across them at different speeds. There is a larger distance for air to travel over an arch shape than over a flat surface. Therefore, the air on the top of the wing travels faster. Both air flows meet at the wing tips simultaneously. The faster moving air exerts less force than the slower air on the bottom. This difference in pressure, low pressure above and high pressure below, causes lift for the birds !

Most birds do not fly faster or higher than necessary. It takes too much energy to climb against gravity and higher air means less oxygen to breathe and support the bird. Maneuverability is another variable in flight. Some birds can make sharp turns at top speed, others fly primarily in straight lines. The difference is in the tail design. It is used like a rudder. The tail feathers are broad and stiff and can open and close like a fan, move up or down, or twist left or right. Birds must bank as they turn. They tilt one wing higher than the others to prevent sliding. Banking braces the underside of the wings and body against the oncoming air and reduces the skid. Banking is not the only method for turning. Some birds beat one wing a little faster than the other. They then turn in the direction of the slower moving wing. Steering up and down is accomplished with the tail by moving it opposite the desired direction. Turning while gliding and soaring is accomplished by two different wing designs. Birds that soar over land have broad, slotted wings, while those who soar over water have long, narrow wings.

Flocks of geese and pelicans fly in V-shaped formations to reduce drag and save energy on long migrations. The bird in the lead at the forward point of the "V" formation is working the hardest. This bird breaks through the air, which is offering resistance to its flight. Just as a boat leaves a smoother water behind it, the lead bird creates a trail of air turbulence that helps lift along the V-shaped a bit easier for the other birds to fly in the wake of the lead bird. If we watch a V-format, we notice that the lead bird does not stay in that position for very long and will drop back in while another, not-as-tired bird takes the lead, breaking through the air first.

People have forged an intimate links with birds. Abraham reassured his heart by witnessing the revival of dead birds by God's leave (Quran 2:260). Jesus demonstrated miracle by giving life to a clay bird at the will of God (Quran 3:49). Joseph predicted a dream on birds by God's leave (Quran 12:36, 12:41). David was served by birds at the will of God (Quran 21:79). Solomon understood the language of birds (Quran 27:16) A swarms of birds defeated the people of elephant (Quran 105:3-5).

In a convent in New York state, Barbara Seaward has founded the group Feathered Friends. She, along with others in her community, conduct pet therapy sessions for those in nursing and retirement homes. The residents agree that there is nothing quite like a visit from a cockateil or a cockatoo to lift the spirits ! And in the whitewater rafting canyons of Colorado, guides use homing pigeons to safely deliver a valuable commodity - photos of customers splashing their way down the rapids - back to home base, so the keepsake are waiting when the rafters return from their adventure. There are also rat catching barn owls that protect farmers from pests, and hummingbirds that show their prowess as long-distance flyers. Solomon used bird as his messenger to carry important messages (Quran 27:20-28). The Quran tells us a story of raven who taught Adam's son a valuable lesson:

People still adopt the ancient art of training falcons to hunt. Steve Jones - Wyoming resident, is the editor of AMERICAN FALCONRY magazine, and one of the roughly 5,000 licensed falconers in the United States. He gets out almost every day during the hunting season in Wyoming, which is from September to February. His birds hunt sharptail grouse, partridge, and ducks, and sometimes sage grouse and pheasant. "If they wanted to, they could fly away in a heartbeat. But I've trained them and built trust with them. They've learned that I am not a threat. In training, I've taught them that when they catch the lure, there is always food. If it's a falcon, I've trained them that if they are not successful in the hunt, I will have a consolation prize for them, some food. It's a partnership that benefits them. They are content." Says Steve Jones.

Birds sing beautiful and diversified songs. Scientists think birds developed songs to spread their message. Bird song comes from an organ in the throat called the syrinx, which has two sides that vibrate. Scientist also believe that birds know what to sing, which is partly instinct and partly learned - when a young bird hears an adult singing its species' song, something is triggered in its brain, allowing the youngster to sing the same melody.

The Quran educates us to reflect on the creations of God. Unlike the human beings, all the birds glorify God (Quran 24:41)! There is not a single verse in the Quran where God states that birds are idol worshipers, or disbelievers, or unappreciative, or wicked or ignorant ! We must ponder why the majority of human beings are idol worshipers (Quran 12:106, 30:42), disbelievers (Quran 16:83, 17:89, 25:50), unappreciative (Quran 2:243, 7:17, 10:60, 12:38, 27:73, 40:61), wicked (Quran 3:110, 5:59, 7:17, 9:8) and ignorants (Quran 6:111) !?

M. Irtaza

References:

1. www.pbs.org/wnet/nature
2. www.americanfalconry.com
3. Quran - translated from original by Dr. Rashad Khalifa