Noorifah and Her Feathered Companions

In Calebasses, Noorifah Oozeerally and her family live harmoniously with their birds. Four feathered friends, each with unique personalities, turn their daily lives into a joyful symphony of songs and chirps.

While some households are guided by clocks, the Oozeerally home beats to the rhythm of their birds' melodies. Noorifah, 28, works as a secretary and accountant in a private company and is the one who introduced this passion into their lives. Animals have held a special place in her heart since childhood. "I often talked about it, but my mom wasn’t on board. She thought it wasn’t practical and that we already had enough to manage at home," she recalls of her childhood dream of having a rabbit.

Her father, a chicken breeder, was familiar with this interest, but it was a neighbor who truly sparked the adventure by gifting a duckling, which soon became the mascot for Noorifah, her twin brother Nooroudeen (born three minutes before her), and their older sibling Khalee. "We fed him, played with him, and he followed us everywhere. He was affectionate, almost like a little dog," Noorifah shares.

But, like all animals, the duck grew up. Too large to stay indoors, it joined their father’s chickens. This was a tough moment for the children, but it also taught them a valuable lesson: loving an animal means also knowing when to let it thrive in its own environment. This first connection left a lasting mark on Noorifah and instilled a lasting idea: animals as companions.

As an adult, Noorifah turned her attention to birds. She dreamed of a spacious cage to house several feathered friends. Due to financial constraints, she had to wait until a friend gifted her one. "I was so happy! To me, it was more than just a gift: it was the chance to fulfill my dream of having my own birds," she admits.

The first bird, Daffy, arrived in December 2022, followed by Boomerang, a cockatiel, Mango, a strong-willed lovebird, and finally Cherry, adopted in June 2025. Each bird has its own character. Daffy is the sweetest and gentlest. "He loves cuddles, always listens to me, and spends hours admiring himself in the mirror." Boomerang is the singer of the group, repeatedly chirping "Daffy, Daffy, I love you" and "Noorifah." Mango can be quite temperamental. "He can be mean, bites, and always wants to be the center of attention. But he also surprises everyone because he talks! People are amazed when they hear him."

Cherry, the baby at just three months, is affectionate and always seeking cuddles, according to Noorifah. "He follows my gaze everywhere." For Noorifah, these differences are not burdens but treasures. "Like humans, they have their personalities. And that’s what makes the relationship magical."

At home, each bird has found its own territory: Daffy in their mother Noorzabeen's room, Mango and Cherry with Noorifah, and Boomerang with Nooroudeen. Their daily routine is organized around the birds: morning care before work, evening observations. "Birds are like children. They need attention and understanding. If you ignore them, they become sad, sometimes even sick," she explains.

When Noorifah and her brothers go to work, their mother Noorzabeen takes over, feeding them, watching them, and even talking to them. "My mom has come to love them as much as we do," Noorifah smiles.

In the evening, after work, she reunites with her feathered companions, feeling an unchanged joy. "When I open the door and hear their songs, all my fatigue disappears. It’s true therapy." The family even takes them along on trips. "They are our babies; we never leave them alone for too long," she sums up.

This coexistence has transformed the atmosphere of their home. "Before, there were moments of silence. Now, there’s always a voice, a song, a chirp. We laugh a lot listening to them. Even on tough days, we come home and find that joy again."

For Noorifah, having birds is an endless source of happiness. "When I talk to them, I feel everything is better. We realize that happiness isn't always found in big things. Sometimes it’s just in the look of a bird, in its song, in the way it comes to you."

The experience, Noorifah says, has taught her patience and "respect for life." She never got the rabbit she hoped for as a child. But she found something else: "When I hear them sing and talk, I feel my home is alive. That’s my greatest reward."