Lakshadweep, with its rich coral ecosystem, renowned for its marine biodiversity, is also exceptional for the various species of migratory and pelagic birds it hosts. The open sea around the islands is not just a Choorakkadal (Tuna sea) but also one where Choorafaskis hover above. Literally being the “Tuna bird” in Jeseri, one might wonder what does Choorafaski have to do with Tuna? The tuna fishers of Lakshadweep have the answer to that. Because, Choorafaskis lead the fishermen towards their target. Of course, these birds are not after tunas but are, in fact, after the Chaala (Bait fishes) chased by tunas. And, fishers look for the flock of Choorafaski over the sea to find tuna shoals.
When I tried to find out the actual bird behind the intriguing lexicon of ‘Choorafaski’, I got multiple descriptions of the bird from fishers, suggesting that it’s not a single species. Most of them described the birds in terms of their inadvertent assistance in tuna fishing and their distinct presence in the deep sea, unlike some seabirds that are sighted on the islands or around the reef. A passionate birdwatcher friend of mine from Kalpeni island, after consulting with many fishers and showing them photographs, confirmed Choorafaskis to be the different terns found in Lakshadweep, namely Greater and Lesser-crested Terns, Sooty Tern, Common Tern, and Brown Noddy.
On Kavaratti island, I met an Ikkaakka who shared that in the olden days, people often ventured into the Pitti island¹ to collect eggs from the nests laid by pelagic birds which are considered to have high nutritional and medicinal value. According to him, “Choorafaski” is a generic usage popularised by tuna fishers, and every seabird found in the Lakshadweep islands has its own local name in Jeseri, such as Tharadaashi (Sooty Tern), Kondakan, Pitti Pakki, Valiya Pakki, Karifed (Brown Noddy), Neyyam (Ruddy Turnstone), Fookkutti, Kolbaayam (Whimbrel) and so on.
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¹Pitti Island is now a bird sanctuary and a protected area.
©️ Omar Haroon