Noida artist’s balcony becomes daily haven for 200 birds

Noida: Every morning at 5 a.m., Ekta Nahar’s balcony fills with nearly 200 birds. Sparrows, parrots, hummingbirds, silverbills, Koel, and laughing doves perch among 300 planters, drink from bowls, and sometimes feed from her hand.

The 35-year-old artist started the project in 2023 after a trip to Mussoorie reminded her of birdsong she rarely heard in the city. “Why should I wait until retirement to feel that kind of peace?” she said.

For more than three months, no birds came. Then a single sparrow appeared. “That one sparrow meant everything,” Nahar said. “One became three. Three became more.”Now her high-rise balcony functions as a safe, layered habitat with 50 plant varieties, hanging feeders, and pesticide-free plants.

Nahar built birdhouses from cardboard and recycled wood powder, hand-painted planters, and DIY feeders.“It’s not just about food. It’s about safety,” she said. Hanging feeders and dense plants give birds quick escape routes and shelter.

Nahar, who works in mental health, says the ritual benefits her too. “It’s not just for them anymore. It’s for me too.”Her advice for city dwellers: keep it natural, prioritize safety over feeding, add plants, and be patient. “When birds feel safe, they will come.”