Avian Adventures 🐦

The Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) is a fascinating, large raptor widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent and Asia. In my home region of Hooghly, West Bengal, it is a common sight throughout the year. However, despite its frequency, capturing a high-quality photograph has always been an elusive goal for me—until February 26th. While I have seen this bird countless times in flight, perched sightings are rare, numbering only four or five in my experience. On a beautiful February morning, the ‘guest’ finally paid a visit to our home. While I was scanning the nearby trees, my mother spotted this magnificent raptor perched regally on a coconut tree. I rushed for my camera, and finally, I was able to document this beautiful bird of prey. ...

Rongtong, nestled in the lush foothills of Darjeeling, has long been a favorite haunt for birders looking to catch a glimpse of the Eastern Himalayas’ most vibrant residents. This morning was no exception, providing a double-header of spectacular flycatchers that made every minute of the early start worthwhile. The star of the show arrived early. Spotting the Sapphire Flycatcher (Ficedula sapphira) was an awesome experience. These birds are notoriously small and active, often making them a challenge to photograph. I was treated to views of both the female, with her subtle rufous tones, and the striking male. ...

On the second day of our Nalsarovar bird photography trip, the morning began with a successful session capturing crakes in the soft light. As we moved across the landscape in search of the majestic Sarus Cranes, we were fortunate enough to find a pair and photograph them beautifully. However, the highlight of the morning turned out to be a smaller, more subtle subject hidden within the harvested paddy fields. While scanning the area, something unusual caught my eye—a large, chunky bird that had landed on the dumps of harvested paddy. ...

The Andaman Islands are a treasure trove for bird enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of endemic species and vibrant tropical residents. Among the most stunning sights in these lush forests is the Long-tailed Parakeet (Psittacula longicauda). On a recent trek through the island canopy, I was treated to a spectacular view of this charismatic bird. ...

Diara, situated in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, is a well-known gem for bird watching in Eastern India. During the winter, it transforms into a paradise for migratory birds. One can find everything from Eagles to Harriers, wagtails to Pipit, and egret to stork. While every season has different charms, the winter arrival is truly something special. The Unexpected Surprise On 24th December 2025, I arrived at Diara at 10:00 AM on a fine, chilly morning with the temperature sitting at 16°C. I had no idea what surprise was awaiting me. After entering the place, I decided to do some searching in the agricultural fields for pipits—especially the Richard’s Pipit, which I didn’t have a photo of. ...

Deep in the lush, green foothills of the Himalayas lies Rongtong, a legendary destination for birdwatchers seeking the diverse avian life of West Bengal. On a recent trip, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with one of the region’s most charismatic residents: the Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei). Measuring barely 15 centimeters in length, the Collared Owlet is the smallest owl found in Asia. Despite its diminutive size, it is a ferocious predator, often taking down prey significantly larger than itself. What makes this species particularly fascinating to birders is its diurnal nature; unlike many of its nocturnal cousins, the Collared Owlet is frequently active during the day, making it a prime subject for photography if you can manage to spot it among the dense foliage. ...

The Western Marsh Harrier is one of the most elegant birds of prey to visit India during the winter months, and for me, finally photographing it felt like the perfect way to end the year. When I first started bird photography, harriers were a mystery to me. I initially learned about them through the Merlin Bird ID app, where my introduction was the Pied Harrier, a species relatively common in my area. As I explored further, I discovered the Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)—a large, powerful raptor associated with wetlands and grasslands. From that moment, I was determined to photograph one. ...

Introduction The Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata) is a small, active passerine native to the montane forests of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. This bird possesses a hidden beauty from which it gets its scientific name “strophiata,” derived from the Ancient Greek word strophios, referring to a breastband or chest cord. Identification Male birds have olive-brown or slate-grey upperparts, a black face mask, a white supercilium and forehead, a prominent rufous-orange throat gorget (expandable in displays), white underparts, and a black tail with white outer bases. Females are comparatively duller, with a paler gorget, a less distinct white brow, and a slate-grey lower breast. ...

Introduction Hello Amazing Bird lovers, from today we are starting a new series on the flycatchers of India. In this series we are going to explore awesome fkycatcher species that can be found in India. I first learned about the Nilgiri flycatcher from a YouTube video, and honestly, I was instantly captivated by its glowing indigo-blue plumage. That quick glimpse was enough to make me determined to see this bird in real life. This happened in mid-2023, around the same time a friend of mine was staying in Bangalore. He happened to visit Munnar and shared a stunning photograph of this flycatcher, which only intensified my interest and made the urge to spot it even stronger. ...

Forest Wagtail is a unique wagtail species which is the only member of it’s genus Dendronanthus. It is a common sight in the forests of Odisha during winter. As per BOW this species is a winter migratory across India but a occassional breeder in North Assam. This bird forage in the ground,forest floor with covered area. It has a weird behaviour When disturbed usually flies to perch in tree, sways tail and rear body from side to side.It is also the only wagtail species that nests in trees. ...