Every weekend, a vibrant splash of colour takes to the skies above Singapore, drawing curious eyes and wide smiles from passers-by.
These aren’t kites or drones, but macaws, majestic parrots known for their rainbow-hued feathers, soaring freely under the watchful eyes of a passionate group of Indian bird lovers.
They call themselves the ‘Winged Warriors’, a community of Indian families in Singapore united by their unique love for free-flying macaws.
With wingspans stretching up to a metre, these birds are hard to miss, especially when they glide across open skies at Marina Bay, Kallang, Tanjong Rhu, or any spacious field the group can find.
At the heart of this sky-bound spectacle is a couple, Mr Thanabalan, 43, and Mrs Michelle Yogeswari, 37.
Together with their four-year-old daughter, Beatrice Fok Ishana, they raise two stunning macaws named Thunder and Stormy.
“These birds are meant to fly. Clipping their wings takes away their natural freedom,” said Mr Thanabalan, who works in the oil and gas industry.
“There’s something very powerful about watching them fly off into the sky and then come back to you willingly. It’s a bond built on trust,” he added.
Training a macaw to free fly is no easy feat. The process requires patience, discipline, and extensive training. Thanabalan used to fly Thunder and Stormy twice a day before and after his shift duties.
“The birds have a special diet of seeds and nuts. They’re treated like family,” he said.
Mrs Michelle, a banking professional, is no stranger to feathered friends. “I’ve been keeping parrots since I was young, so this is not new to me,” she noted. “But for my husband, it was a bit of a challenge at first. He was actually scared of the noise they made.”
Macaws are known for their loud calls, something their neighbours have occasionally raised eyebrows over.
“Yes, they can be noisy, but our neighbours have been quite understanding, thankfully,” Mrs Michelle said.
Despite his initial hesitation, Mr Thanabalan has grown deeply attached to the birds. Their daughter has also caught the bird bug and shows a natural interest in handling and caring for Thunder and Stormy.
But free flying comes with its own set of risks, especially from predators in the sky.
“Eagles are a real concern,” Mr Thanabalan said.
To ensure the birds’ safety, both macaws are fitted with air tags and tracked via the ‘Find My’ function on their phones.
Occasionally, the birds might land on tall trees and refuse to come down.
“I learned that tossing a small object near the branch gets their attention. It usually works,” Mr Thanabalan shared.
Winged Warriors now includes multiple families who share tips, coordinate fly days, and enjoy each other’s company over their shared passion. The group serves as both a support system and a celebration of this niche hobby.
“It’s not just about flying birds, it’s about community, family bonding, and being in touch with nature,” Mrs Michelle said.
Among the group is another couple, Mr Rajkanth, 34, and Mrs Priyaloshini, 34, who find deep joy in the hobby, especially because it gets their two young children outdoors.
“Kids these days are stuck to their tablets and phones. We wanted to change that and bring them outdoors more often,” said Mr Rajkanth.
“It’s so heartening to see them run across the field, calling out to the birds,” Mrs Priyaloshini said.
