The sunbird is not only a beautiful bird. Nile valley sunbird has an interesting story with me dated in summer 2009. A surprise encounter that changed my mood and eventually my life. Let me tell you my story with the Sunbird!
Last month, a local journalist phoned me for an interview about birdwatching in Aswan. As we discussed my journey with birds, he asked a thought-provoking question: “What bird has motivated you the most?” I was taken aback, and as I reflected on my birding experiences, a vivid memory resurfaced.
The sunbird on the window
In the summer of 2009, I was returning to Sharm El-Sheikh after a short vacation in my village. As I boarded the bus in Luxor, I felt a mix of sadness and stress, missing my lovely grandmother and dreading the long journey ahead. The 16-hour bus ride seemed daunting, and I sat alone in the back, resting my head on the window.
Just as I was lost in thought, a tiny bird caught my attention. A beautiful sunbird was perched on the window, pecking at the glass right where my head had been resting. The sudden appearance of this lovely creature lifted my spirits, and I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the moment. Although I didn’t know the bird’s name at the time, its visitation had a profound impact on my mood.
10 years to know the name
It wasn’t until 2019, a decade after that encounter, that I learned the bird’s identity: the Nile Valley Sunbird. By then, I had developed a passion for birdwatching and had begun to explore the world of ornithology. I started documenting my sightings on eBird and embarking on solo birding walks in Aswan.
Spiritual communication or glass reflection?
Looking back, I wonder if the sunbird’s visit was more than just a coincidence. Was it a spiritual message from my grandmother, an angel in disguise, or simply a bird reacting to its reflection in the glass? While ornithology teaches us to seek logical explanations, I still ponder the peculiar circumstances of our encounter. Why did the bird choose my window, and why did it appear exactly where I was resting my head?
Regardless of the reason, that sunbird’s visit transformed my day. Perhaps it was a message that would take years to unfold – a message that would lead me to discover the world of birds through the window of that very sunbird.