Most people are aware that sparrows have seen a sharp decline in population across India. The reasons are many — rapid urbanisation, loss of nesting spaces, pollution, and changing food habits. But have we ever thought of doing anything about it? Panna Lal Mahto who lives in a small village in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district is quietly building homes for sparrows and helping in their nesting.“Last year, I made nests for sparrows in every home in my village, and we saw nearly 80% habitation. Today, I’ve just finished installing nests in the last house for this year. This time, we expanded to other villages as well. You won’t believe it — by the time we completed the work, sparrows had already started settling in three to four houses,” he says with pride.
His enthusiasm and love for birds are truly infectious.His nephew, Om Prakash Mahto who lives in Delhi and is preparing for the UPSC examination, manages Pannalal’s Instagram account and often accompanies him on birding expeditions. He says that Pannalal has dedicated his life to birds. “Whatever time he finds in between work, he spends it improving the lives of these fellow creatures. He knows them, and they seem to know him,” Om Prakash says.There is no official support or funding from anywhere — Panna Lal manages all these initiatives from his own pocket, driven purely by passion and commitment. He is popularly known as “Birdman” in the region. He is not just a lover of birds, but a naturalist at heart. He can mimic the calls of almost every bird you have ever heard. His knowledge of different species is deep and impressive, and his talent is so remarkable that he can accurately reproduce the distinct calls of doves, sparrows, and many other birds.
When he demonstrates his skill, it feels as if the sounds of the forest come alive — like a travelling minstrel of nature, blending human voice with the music of the wild.“In my village one can spot at least 100 varieties of birds. My love for birds goes a long way back. It was around 1995-96 that my uncle rescued two birds- a grey partridge and a parakeet. I used to feed these two birds. When I would go to them with their food, they would show their love and gratitude by flapping their wings, and it filled my heart with love. These are very expressive creatures, and they communicate with us if we are ready to listen,” says Panna Lal.Panna Lal can mimic the voice of almost any bird. He has the ability to summon 50-60 crows with ease. He knows the names and behaviors of hundreds of birds by simply observing and reading about them. He has not gone to fancy schools or taken expensive degrees in ornithology; he is completely self-taught and has debunked several myths around birds by sheer observation and experience.
In addition to his work, he also runs awareness programs in schools and colleges to teach kids how important it is to protect birds and their natural habitats. His mission is not about making money; it’s about following his heart. As Om says, “We don’t charge anything; we do it for free. Being an ornithologist is an expensive affair. You need to have a high quality camera and an expensive lense. Our Birdman is self taught and has been managing it all with whatever little income he has” Their dedication shows that they really want to raise awareness and get other people to care about the environment.
Panna Lal says that birds are very smart and have interesting ways of staying alive. “You might not believe it, but birds can even act,” he says. For instance, the Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark acts like a helpless baby bird to keep predators or people away from its nest and chicks. It flaps its wings and flies in a clumsy way, like a young bird, to get your mind off of its little ones. This smart behavior shows that birds have an instinctive intelligence that helps them keep their families safe.The Birdman’s expertise goes far beyond ordinary observation. While most naturalists can identify a bird by spotting it and describing its features, he has developed an extraordinary skill. “Most naturalists will see a bird and then tell you about it,” he says with confidence. “But I can simply hear a bird’s call and tell you everything about it.” His remarkable ability to recognize birds by their sounds alone demonstrates years of dedication, careful listening, and a deep connection with nature. Birdman’s love for birds isn’t just a hobby; it’s something he’ll do for the rest of his life. He is happy to spend any free time he has, and even the little money he makes, to make their lives easier. He is fully committed to their health and well-being, whether that means getting them food and water, keeping their nesting areas safe, or saving injured birds.The birds seem to know and appreciate his kindness in return. They talk to him in their special way. When he is there, they gather around him, flap their wings, and chirp softly, as if they are saying thank you. Some hover close by, while others fly around him in a playful way. It seems like they know he’s there and completely trust him. Birdman and the birds have a beautiful connection. They understand that he cares, and he knows that they care too. Their relationship is a beautiful example of how man and nature can coexist together and create a better and more symbiotic world.
