Photo Story · Kumar Nigam

The Great Perch Parliament

One rusty cage. One bee-eater. One very unconvinced paradise flycatcher.

Two birds. One cage top. A disagreement that was never going to be settled on the merits. The whole argument took place inside a two-second burst — every frame below is stamped 8:29 AM.

The flycatcher and the bee-eater face each other along the cage rail, both calling — Bee-eaterThis perch belongs to me!FlycatcherSince when?Bee-eaterSince I decided it five seconds ago!

The bee-eater raises one wing while the flycatcher holds its ground — Bee-eaterAnd the decision was unanimous!FlycatcherWho voted?Bee-eaterMe, myself and I!

The bee-eater lifts both wings; the flycatcher turns to face it — FlycatcherThat is still just one bird.Bee-eaterExactly — three votes and zero opposition!

The bee-eater's wing is fully fanned above its head, the flycatcher calling back — FlycatcherThat makes absolutely no sense!Bee-eaterThen why am I saying it so loudly?

The flycatcher stands still and quiet while the bee-eater continues to display — FlycatcherConfidence: 100%. Logic: not found.Bee-eaterLook — silence! I win!

The flycatcher opens its rufous wings to leave; the bee-eater keeps calling — FlycatcherNot defeated — just protecting my sanity.Bee-eaterHa! Another intellectual victory!

Never argue with an idiot — they have the home-perch advantage. Save your sanity… and fly away.