Birding

A bit about the bird Hume’s bush warbler is a small plain olive-brown bush warbler native to himalayas, ranging across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and southeastern Tibet. This bird is very skulking getting a good picture is a tough call. It frequently cocks and fans its long tail while moving through thick vegetation. It is primarily insectivorous, gleaning small arthropods like beetles, caterpillars, and spiders from low vegetation, twigs, and the ground. ...

Hidden among the misty forests of the Himalayas and the mountain ranges of South and Southeast Asia lives a small yet captivating bird known as the Bar-throated Siva. With its vibrant plumage, energetic behavior, and melodious calls, this remarkable species has become a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Introduction The Bar-throated Siva (Siva strigula) is a passerine bird belonging to the family Leiothrichidae, commonly known as the laughingthrush and allied bird family. Despite its modest size, this bird stands out due to its striking combination of colors and lively personality. It is commonly found in forested hills and mountain regions, where it moves actively through the tree canopy in search of food. ...

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. ...

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. ...

On this Happy Independence Day 🫡, I find myself reflecting an experience on sighting of two cuckoos , Jacobin Cuckoo and Chestnut-winged cuckoo. These cuckoos are member of clamator genus which I find most cool looking cuckoos in the wild, but India has only two of them. Below I put some details about them: Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) — famous in Indian folklore as the harbinger of the monsoon, this black-and-white beauty carries a touch of drama in its plumage and a deep place in our culture. Early monsoon migrant to out eastern side of India and as well as resident in South India. Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandel) — an equally stunning bird, adorned with rich chestnut wings and a crest that gives it an unmistakable elegance. This bird resident in north of our country and migrates to South India during the monsoon. What makes this story special for me is not just their beauty — but the fact that I spotted both species right from my own backyard. Watching them up close, listening to their calls, and observing their behavior was nothing short of magical. ...

On a monsoon day of August 2024, I went to a nearby place for birding. I was hoping to photograph a colourful prinia that can be found in my area, that is a Yellow-bellied prinia (prinia flaviventris). These prinias are generally very active during the monsoon for breeding. They used to sit in a tree and start singing for a long time. After reaching the destination, I first tried to hear their sounds as these songstars sing very loudly and have a distinct call which one can identify if one knows beforehand. Attaching a sound for better usage. ...

Purple Sunbirds (Cinnyris asiaticus) are common across India, except in the high Himalayas and some remote islands. They’re a familiar sight in gardens, parks, and open wooded areas — known for their rapid wingbeats, vibrant plumage, and important role as pollinators. We often see them flitting among the flowers in our locality. Watching these little nectar thieves up close is a truly rewarding experience. In the image above, you can see a male in breeding plumage, with its shimmering metallic blue and purple feathers glowing in the light — a signature feature of the species during the mating season. Also another fun fact is that these males have pectoral tuft which they showcase to attract the female. ...

During the pre-monsoon season, on a cloudy day in May, I went bird watching in a local patch. Monsoon is breeding season for many birds in West Bengal. I first spotted some lesser whistling ducks perched on a wall, which was delightful to observe. Suddenly, I heard distinctive calls from baya birds. Following the sounds, I discovered a reed bed with tall grasses where several streaked weaver birds were busily constructing nests. I checked the birds for some time and then left them so they can carry out their work. ...

I first encouter with Greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) in niriyamangalam Kerala where we stayed in a homestay. Homestay was very nice for bird photography. This bird was the first one I saw and it was calling loudly outside. I saw almost 4-5 drongos seems to be very common at that place. Though due to low light in morning my photgraphs are lacking details but I am very happy to see those birds. ...