Birds 04 - Robin! Robin! Poem by Unnikrishnan Sivasankara Menon

When you hear the loud
clear warbling song of
Oriental Magpie Robin
there is no need to look
at the calendar, for it's April.

Dressed in stark black with
a bright white shawl across
his shoulders, he sings loud
and clear to warn intruders
from trespassing into his realm.

This timid little bird, turns aggressive
during this time, at the onset of Spring,
for, it is his breeding time, and
he does not want in his territory
any male Oriental Magpie Robin.

His warm songs intended to invite
a female to join him as his mate,
here she comes, though she looks
exactly like himself, he does fight:
he readily recognises her as female.

Now begins his dance of courtship
though at first she feigns disinterest
he continues and finally she joins him:
both dance and preen themselves
fluff up their most beautiful plumage
declare their love for each other.