Don Roban

A Bulbul Named Ameer Don Roban

This is the true story of a tiny bird called Ameer who showed me that is not the size of a living thing that is important but the love you have for it. Love like this can bring back memories that can never be forgotten. With the help of the Little People the story can now be told. Who are the Little People you might ask? In time you will come to know them and the important role they play in the telling of this story... The Bulbul is a bird native to the southern tropical regions of Asia. There are many different species but only the Red Whiskered Bulbul has a red mark below the eye. Their prominent color is brown black but have white underpants near the tail. All Bulbuls are readily identified by the tall pointed black headdress with the appearance of a regal hat. This bird is only found in one place in America, the Kendall area of South Florida. You may wonder how they came to be so far from their native lands. There story began in 1958 when this one family of Bulbuls was imported from Asia to the United States to an aviary called "The Rare Bird Farm." These Bulbuls were never caged and flew free in a large screened area within the bird farm. This environment was quite similar to the natural habitat found in the forests of their native lands and they thrived in their new home in Florida. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans and Hurricane Donna destroyed their home in 1960 when they were release into the surrounding area. They are on a never ending quest for food and fun. You can wonder why they still have no fear of humans. Could it be that they have been told of the early days when their elders lived unafraid among the humans in the Bird Farm? Or are the adventures of a Bulbul named Ameer still being told around the nesting grounds of every new generation?