11 o'clock on Friday. In the courtyard of the house suddenly flew and sat two Shalik. Coming through the gap between the dhundul vines spread on the brick pile, they started calling, 'Sadiq', 'Sadiq'. Not getting any response, he called, 'Mom', 'Dad', 'Mom', 'Dad'. As soon as Abdus Sobhan, the master of the house, came forward, Shalik called two, 'Kutum, Kutum'. Then flew to the next tree.
This scene is seen regularly in the house of Abdus Sobhan of Birhali village of Pirganj upazila of Thakurgaon. The house has been the address of the two Shaliks for almost five years. They grow up in open environment, not in cages. The family members affectionately named the two birds 'Mayna'. Shalik learned these two words while living with humans.
Five years ago, Sadiqul Islam, son of Abdus Sobhan, brought two Shalik chicks from Haripur upazila. Instead of keeping them in cages, they started raising them at home. Along with food and safe shelter, they get regular human contact. Gradually get used to the environment of the house.
Then, at about two years of age, the birds began to imitate a few words heard by family members. Now he comes when someone calls him. Walks around the house during meals. Sometimes in the courtyard, sometimes in the front shop. Even though it flies far away, it returns to this house after a while.
Yesterday, Friday, when I went to Sadiqul's house, I saw two Shaliks walking around in the yard. Sometimes he wets his fan in water, sometimes he goes and sits on the creeper of Dhundul. Flying again towards the front shop. Seeing this reporter, they flew and sat in the courtyard. Then he kept calling, 'Kutum, Kutum'.
Sadiqul's mother, Siddika Begum, said that when a stranger comes to the house, Shalik makes two sounds 'Kutum, Kutum'. He said, by calling like this, the two birds inform that someone new has come home.
At this stage of the conversation, Siddika Begum called out, 'Mayna, Mayna'. Hearing the call, the two Shaliks ran immediately. Then as soon as he said a few words, they started imitating them. Words like 'Sadiq', 'Mother', 'Baba', 'Bhai', 'Bhabi', 'Allah' were heard one by one. After a while they also imitated the call of the chicken.
At one point, Siddika spread polythene in the yard and poured water on it. After getting water, the two Shaliks fell down. After wetting the wings for a while, it flew and stood in the sun. Imitation of various sounds continued.
Siddika Begum said, "While rearing, the love for the birds has accumulated. They also do not leave us anywhere. Abdus Sobhan said, "The way we brought up children, we brought up Shalikjora too."
In the middle of the afternoon in the village called Bikkel. Sadiqul Islam returned home from work. Seeing him, Shalik started calling, 'Sadi...Kul', 'Sadi...Kul'.
Sadiqul said that they have made separate nests for the two birds. It flies somewhere and does not stay permanently. At meal time, he wanders around the house and makes various noises.
The two Shaliks also regularly go to Rabiul Islam's tea-onion shop in front of Sadiqul's house. Shop customers give them food. Village people also talk to them. Some try to teach new words. Both Shaliks sometimes imitate those words.
According to Rabiul Islam, the two Shaliks are now known not only to the Sadiqul family, but also to the people of the area. Many people come to see and talk to them. Some even want to buy with surprise. And Sadikul's simple answer in this regard, 'Can you sell so many birds!'
The news of the two birds talking has spread in the surrounding area. Some even come from far away to see them.
Majed Jahangir, a former teacher of zoology department of Thakurgaon Government College, said that when food and safety are guaranteed in a place, Shalik gets used to that place. He told Prothom Alo that Sadiqul's house can also become a safe haven for the two Shaliks. So even if there is a chance to fly out, they come back there again.
