As serendipity would have it, I encountered this mysterious bird up close the other day:
To be clear, it was not the first time I have encountered it in where I live (Upper Changi) – I have spotted it before on the palm trees surrounding my condominium’s tennis court – but it is my first time beholding it within arm’s length while on my way to the bus stop.
Certainly, I was thrilled and paused to observe, being careful to keep my movements gentle lest I startle her.
“Majestic. Stately. Bright-eyed”, are adjectives that come to my mind when I looked. It was without a doubt a pigeon or a dove and had wing feathers resembling a peacock-green with its almost iridescent green which complementarily matched a light grey neck and pinkish feet. Her pupils are another sight to behold in its maroon-like tinge reflected in them. Intrigued by its presence, I felt an instinctual urge to wave at it, curious to see how she would respond, which to my relief – after a few shifts and turns – remained resolute in her position.
“Hm, a brave bird I see… (and so unlike the Yellow-vented Bulbul) interesting!”
This time keeping my hands close to myself, I discreetly took some pictures and continued to watch and lo, and behold! She began feasting on the fruits – no wonder she stayed!
A sight to behold,
A joy to watch,
So trite a thing as some might mock,
“A Bird? A Pigeon?
Haven’t you seen one in your life?”
But if you heed not
Presumption’s take,
To bypass familiarity, and to still the rush.
To pause.
To look.
To muse away –
And then you’ll see the magnificent fowl,
Commonplace or rare,
Our inhabitants of sky.
Each one unique,
In colours – the obvious –
In calls – sometimes pleasant –
In temperament – the thrill!
So it is to witness the sight of one,
The uncommon pigeon with the Greenish coat,
Stout,
Grey-neck, Red-eyes,
With a sense of pomp,
Whose name is fitting
To how it is:
The Green. Imperial. Pigeon I saw
*Featured image: https://singaporebirds.com/species/green-imperial-pigeon/
withaestheticeyes.com 