Odisha’s Traffic Cop Earns ‘Birdman’ Name! Know Why

Baripada: A traffic police officer in Mayurbhanj district has earned the name “Birdman” for feeding thousands of pigeons and other birds for the past 10 years.

The 52-year-old officer, Suraj Kumar Raj, feeds the birds at several places across Baripada town.

“Just like my job as a traffic police officer, I have also taken up the job of feeding these birds. I feel happy when they come to me and eat off my hands. I love them as they love me. Sometimes they even come and sit on my shoulders when I am on duty,” he added.

Raj said the birds can identify him from the crowd. They wait for him every morning and rush towards him even before he has a chance to take out the food to feed them.

“I feel better when I feed these birds. I also feed other animals like cows. They rush towards me as soon as they see me coming on my bike,” he said.

Lauding Raj’s selfless act, senior police officer Avimanyu Nayak said, “We feel proud of his service. He has been feeding these birds for the past several years. He is very sincere about his work.”