Yesterday, from my window, I saw these graceful birds return from their annual migration. There weren’t too many of them. I think this is just the first lot. This time, lets meet the Spot-billed Pelican. To me, it is the most graceful flying bird. One has to see the pelican up close to realize how big these birds are. A
Read more
One may not be familiar with the Koel’s looks, but its kooo…koooo…koooo…… call is very well known. About: A pair – perhaps not on talking terms… The boys are entirely glossy black with fiery red eyes. Sometimes, a faint silvery eye-ring can also be seen. The beak is tea green. The girls are very different. They are mainly brown/black above
Read moreTHIS IS NOT A REGULAR BLOG POST. I felt compelled to write this when I came across this editorial in the Indian Express, a daily newspaper in India, of 19th December 2019. Posting the clipping below: Vulnerable and internationally protected, MacQueen’s bustard or Houbara Bustard belongs to the family of heaviest flying birds. (Remember, the Ostrich & Emu though bigger, are flightless).
Read more
About: These birds are among the smallest in their family comprising Swallows, Swifts and Martins. They are dark brown above with white bellies and, as their name suggests, have a grey throat and appear to be wearing a brown necklace. Their eyes are specially adapted for the forward vision for them to be able to see & catch insects
Read more
‘Blue as the wings of the Halcyon wild’… goes the poem in my text book by Sarojini Naidu, referring to this bird. Such is the White-throated kingfisher – beautiful enough to be the subject of a poem. About: A bird of several colors, it is mainly reddish brown with wings in many shades of blue and a matching tail but
Read more
About: This bird is uni-colored: the beak, whiskers, eyes, wings and underside are all black. The upperside and wings are glossy. The tail is long and has a deep fork to it. Behavior: Each has a favourite perch that may be electric cables, tall grasses, a tree branch or even a termite mound. They may also piggy back on cattle
Read more