Indian photographer dubbed 'birdman' by locals as he feeds thousands of birds during COVID-19 lockdown

Indian photographer dubbed 'birdman' by locals as he feeds thousands of birds during COVID-19 lockdown

A photographer in Chennai, India, has been called the "birdman' by locals as he feeds thousands of birds each day during the country's coronavirus lockdown.

Joseph Sekar, a photographer by profession, has fed thousands of parrots each day and continues to do so through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sekar puts around 75kg of rice and grains mixed with water outside for the birds to snack on.

The photographer said: "During the coronavirus outbreak, like how people are suffering even birds are suffering without food.

The birds are not getting proper food, normally from March, the parrot's arrival will be very less, so we keep less food for the parrots.

"Even birds wouldn't have experienced such a long period of silence in the world.

"Birds were getting enough food from humans and the food waste from the garbages.

But now they are not getting that, so coming here in large numbers to get their food.

"So not to disappoint them, even though there were not enough supplies, I am buying rice in large quantities and storing here to make sure they get food every day.

"I never missed a day feeding the parrots in the last 18 years, but now I am a bit worried whether I will have sufficient stocks to feed the parrots."