In a unique and inspiring story of man and nature, a farmer from Jharkhand has earned the moniker “The Birdman of Ramgarh” for his extraordinary ability to converse with birds. Pannalal Mahto, a resident of Saraiya Kundru village, has dedicated his life to avian conservation, transforming his village into a bustling sparrow sanctuary and becoming a one-man ambassador for the feathered community.

Mahto’s journey began decades ago when he discovered an innate talent for mimicking bird calls. Over the years, this skill has evolved into a rare gift, allowing him to understand the moods and needs of a wide variety of birds. He can recognize the calls of over 100 species and communicate with more than 45, distinguishing their expressions of anger, fear, joy, and alarm. “I can tell what they want just by looking into their eyes,” he says, attributing his deep connection to his ability to blend into the birds’ world by wearing green clothing.

Mahto’s passion for birds extends far beyond mimicry. He has spent over 27 years meticulously observing and caring for the local bird population. His most significant contribution is the creation of a thriving sparrow sanctuary in his village. When he noticed a steep decline in the sparrow population, he took matters into his own hands, installing over 500 nests across his village. Today, his efforts have paid off, and the village is once again filled with the chirping of these once-endangered birds.

In addition to building nests, Mahto acts as an “avian ambulance,” nursing injured birds back to health and releasing them back into the wild. He also uses his unique talent to educate people, visiting schools and colleges to demonstrate his bird-talking skills and inspire a new generation to protect the environment. He has received numerous awards for his conservation work, but he maintains that his true reward is the trust of the birds who “fearlessly sit on my palm.”