Photos: Meet the Birdman of Chennai who feeds thousand of parakeets everyday

Joseph Sekar, known popularly as ‘Birdman’ in Chennai’s Royapettah area, seen with a parakeet at his home in Chennai. Sekar spends 40% of his income on feeding parakeets, who first visited him after the 2006 Southeast Asia floods. Nothing brings the camera technician by day, more happiness than watching the birds fly and knowing they are well-fed and healthy. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)

Updated on: Feb 07, 2018 10:36 AM IST

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Joseph Sekar, known popularly as ‘Birdman’ in Chennai’s Royapettah area, seen with a parakeet at his home in Chennai. Sekar spends 40% of his income on feeding parakeets, who first visited him after the 2006 Southeast Asia floods. Nothing brings the camera technician by day, more happiness than watching the birds fly and knowing they are well-fed and healthy. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)

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He started feeding birds over ten years ago during the time of the Tsunami when feed left on his parapet for the odd bird or squirrel passing by was taken up by a couple of parakeet. The meal drew more visitors and soon the passionate ornithologist was catering to dozens, then hundreds and now to thousands. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)

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Over the years Sekar devised a system of thick wooden planks where he puts out nearly 30 kg of rice for the birds twice a day. The first meal is served early morning before daybreak and the second at evening. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)

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The number of parakeets visiting varies with the season, going down to 2,000 in the southern summer months and swells up to as many as 8,000 daily as the weather cools down. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)

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The spectacle of thousands of birds descending onto a city rooftop also draws birdwatchers, many from foreign countries, to Sekar’s home. He also keeps a cage for birds who arrive injured or ill, hosting them until they recover and are fit to fly again. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)

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Sekar says that while he might personally bear foregoing a meal, when it comes to his avian guests, he makes sure they never have to return with an empty stomach. (R Senthil Kumar / PTI)