Whistles at dawn: birdsong duels enthral Afghans

Kabul: Just after sunrise on the Afghan day of rest, two goldfinches puffed their chests and belted a song, surrounded by men straining to hear which...

Kabul: Just after sunrise on the Afghan day of rest, two goldfinches puffed their chests and belted a song, surrounded by men straining to hear which chirped stronger in an age-old pastime.

Every Friday, weather permitting, hundreds gather on a derelict basketball court in west Kabul, pitching pet birds against each other in a test of tweets and trills.

"Life is short, so we need to enjoy it," said 50-year-old Jamaluddin, who goes by only one name.

"This is what excites me and gives me peace of mind."

Under the Taliban government, entertainment options have drastically shrunk in line.