Meet the man who looks after and breeds around 50 exotic birds

Let's just say that Mumbai is not exactly blessed when it comes to birds. If you look up, and should do so with caution, you see crows, pigeons and of course, the occasional parrot. But it's a breath of fresh air to know that there are a few individuals in the city who breed and care for winged creatures.

One such bird lover is Cornel Gonsalves, a resident of Bandra who created a safe haven for over 50 birds at D'Monte Park Recreation Club (DPRC). What started as a hobby has now turned serious and is worth taking note of. Gonsalves explains that his passion for bird-keeping stemmed from his school days. “Having studied at St. Mary's High School, Mt. Abu, which was located in a wildlife sanctuary, I began to nurture birds and have continued to do so ever since,” he says. Gonsalves also had a deer, a few rabbits, pigeons and squirrels.

Joy in variety
Gonsalves told us that he initially had extensive poultry from fowls and turkeys to pigeons and pigs; these would be exhibited and would often win prizes. However, currently, he has Australian finches, guinea fowls, quails, Muscovy ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens.

With the exception of the chicken, the other birds are not common in Mumbai. “I got most of them from outside Mumbai; the geese were obtained from a friend in Kolad,” he says. Birds eat a lot of seeds and greens so Gonsalves feeds them wheat, Birdseed, plenty of green vegetables and coriander. A bonus point in handling such birds is that they are all domesticated.

Gonsalves has even gone a step further by breeding some of these birds. “I have bought an incubator for the quail and chicken eggs,” he shares, pointing to a nest, containing brown quail eggs. He has also cross-bred two types of geese, who call DPRC their home. “In the evenings and on holidays, children come and feed the birds—it’s a joyous site,” he continues.

The good times continue    
While showing us the set-up, he reminisces about a fond memory. “In the large open area, children often play football. The guinea fowls do not hesitate to join in. In fact, they love the sight of the football and often run after it. One incident that I'll never forget is when a girl went to pick up the ball, and the fowls chased her all over the field,” he shares, laughing.

Birdbrain is most definitely the wrong phrase to use for these winged creatures because believe it or not, they are quite intelligent. An incident that Gonsalves shares proves this. “One morning, I had my guinea fowls visiting my house twice at 5 a.m. They are that smart to memorise where I live,” he says, proudly. As his wife Colleen often states, they came to visit their ‘dad’.