When we were young, sparrows would visit our home near Yusuf Sarai in Delhi. We'd have to rush and open the French windows of the house, and turn off the ceiling fans to protect them.

As we grew up, the birds around us seemed to have learnt to stay out of human homes. Until this month. Here in Goa, we have scaly-breasted munias visiting us sometimes. And, well, they're stupid. They keep fluttering against the fixed glass panes of the windows for an agonisingly long time, when there is an open window right underneath (see the pic for context).

I suppose the spotted munias forage in the paddy fields around our house. And visit us to snack on all the insects we harbour indoors. Perhaps I'll have the kids put stickers on all the fixed panes, to alert the birds.

(These social, communal birds are frequently caged. The pet trade calls them the Spice Finch. Its... so sad.)