BANNATIRAN

bannatiran

A perfect gift for Apo Lalong's (Don Claro Caluya) birth anniversary this June 22. At last, we have a picture of the most elusive Bannatiran. But, this was not Don Claro Caluya's Bannatiran depicted in his famous song he dedicated to his love one.  I am very sorry for this. I've just learned that Bannatiran is of 2 strains. The  swamp strain (the one pictured above) and the Bannatiran Bakir, a smaller strain but beautiful as described by Caluya in his song.

The swamp variety is larger than the other variety. The cherry colored beak has a yellow peak. The legs are not cherry like the other strain but it's jade green and looks dirty. I mean, it is easily stained by mud as against the cherry colored leg of the Bakir variety that repels muds and stains. Also, the claws are longer when compare to the Bakir variety which is an indication that it lives on swamps. The swamp Bannatiran wades in water like a duck. Also, the swamp variety's comb is flat red as against to the Bakir variety which is raised. Also, the swamp variety doesn't have wattles.

Hoping one of these days, I can present a picture of the Bannatiran Bakir or Bannatiran Mannubog, the same Bannatiran described in this Song.

                                                         Bannatiran
                                                         Claro Caluya

Bannatiran, ‘ta dutdotmo kalilibnosan
‘Ta panggepmo dika patuloyan
Suminakan, sadin’ aya't papanam?
Sadino, bannatiran
Ania a kayo ti inka pagdissuan?

Daydiay kayo nga agsabong ken ayat
Panawam man
Ay, babawimto’t kamaudianan
No ni liday ti matumpongam

Ania a sabong ti kayatmo, bannatiran
Ta uray awan pilit nga inka isapulan
Ta sikat’ sarming a paganninawan
Iti raniag da init ken bulan