Leap of Faith, Together

Silverbills, playful, bright, gregarious birds dwell close to the ground and are a familiar sight throughout the Indian subcontinent.

These vocal birds have silverbeaks (hence the name) and move in large flocks of up to 60 birds. Indian silverbills are often found in low shrubs and crops, feeding on various seeds. Their chirping might be soft, but it makes their presence known, and the information among the community is shared.

Lovers of all seeds, these silver-bellied friends play a key role in ecosystems by cleaning out weed seeds, controlling weed growth and fighting against invasive species.

However, one of the most endearing traits of silverbills is their resourcefulness. These smart, puffy-chested fowl make a dormitory out of old nests to roost, ensuring community resources are well-spent. Raising their young is also a tribal effort. Females, laying up to 8 eggs at a time, are often found with helpers.

As a silverbill leaps from one plant to the next, with her body round and small, too soft to defend itself from the sharp claw of a predator, she is still unafraid. She knows her community is behind her.

Let us take this leap into 2025, together.

This award-winning photograph is from the seventh season, “The Moment”, of the Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Rashid al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) Archive. The Climate Tribe has partnered with HIPA, leveraging the power of photography to inspire global awareness of sustainability and advance climate action.