As the festival of colours—Holi—draws near, our surroundings begin to glow with anticipation and joy. But for a birder, Holi is not confined to a single spring day. In the wild, the festival of colours unfolds throughout the year, painted gracefully on the feathers of birds.
During the past five to six years of my birding journey, I have often felt that nature celebrates Holi every morning. Each walk with my camera reveals hues so vivid and harmonious that even the brightest gulal seems inspired by them.
Nature’s Own Gulal
Few moments in birding match the delight of encountering the Red-billed Leiothrix. With its olive body, yellow orange throat, and striking red bill, it looks as though it has been gently dusted with festive colour.
Equally captivating is the Himalayan Bluetail. The male’s Blazing sapphire blue upperparts paired with warm orange flanks create a combination that feels like a splash of Holi in motion.
Nearby, the soft yet rich tones of the Rufous-bellied Niltava , a vibrant mix of deep blue upperparts and a rufous orange belly ,add depth to nature’s palette, reminding me of the richer, lingering shades of the festival.
The soothing turquoise of the Verditer Flycatcher often brings a calm, sky-washed blue to wooded landscapes.
Jewels of the Forest
If Holi had true ambassadors among birds, the Crimson Sunbird would surely lead the procession. In sunlight, the male glows like liquid ruby with a metallic green crown and a purple black tail, yellow rump and olive belly.
Alongside it, the dazzling Purple Sunbird often adds its own metallic brilliance to gardens and woodland edges. The breeding male exhibits a metallic blue and purple overall with maroon feathers on breast.
Kingfishers, too, seem born from the festival’s colour box. The stately Stork-billed Kingfisher carries bold reds and blues with royal confidence, while the Common Kingfisher flashes past like a flying turquoise gem. On lucky days, the vibrant White-throated Kingfisher joins the scene, completing a trio that could rival any Holi palette.
High in the canopy, the vibrant Blue-throated Barbet adds a delightful mix of green, blue, and crimson,
while the musical presence of the Blue Whistling Thrush, dressed in deep indigo with shimmering speckles, brings both colour and melody to forest streams.
The cheerful Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher brings a burst of bright yellow—nature’s own basanti gulal—lighting up shaded forest paths.
Adding brightness to open spaces, the fiery Red Avadavat looks like it has been dipped in crimson gulal, especially during the breeding season when the male glows intensely against grassy backdrops.
Flashes of Fire and Gold
No celebration of avian colours is complete without the Minivets. Whether it is the scarlet blaze of the male or the graceful yellow of the female, watching a flock move through the canopy feels like gulal being tossed across the treetops.
In open areas and forest edges, the elegant Indian Pitta—when encountered during its passage—appears like a walking rainbow, carrying green, blue, buff, and coral in perfect harmony.
The vibrant green of the Golden-fronted Leafbird
and the emerald brilliance of the Plum-headed Parakeet (especially the richly coloured male) and the softer yet beautiful tones of the Slaty-headed Parakeet add fresh spring tones that perfectly match the Holi season.
Subtle Yet Striking
Not all colours need to be loud. The neat contrasts of the Himalayan Black-lored Tit and the soft elegance of species like the Oriental White-eye, with its gentle greens and bright eye-ring, remind us that nature’s Holi also includes pastel shades.
Together, these birds form a living spectrum—each species a different pinch of colour from nature’s endless pouch.
Beyond Celebration: A Gentle Reminder
While Holi for us lasts a day, nature’s festival of colours continues year-round—but only if we protect it.
Wetlands, forests, and scrublands that host these colourful jewels face increasing pressure. As birders and nature lovers, perhaps the true spirit of Holi lies not only in celebrating colours but also in conserving them.
Let us ensure that the crimson of the sunbird, the blue of the bluetail, the yellow of the flycatcher, and the rainbow of the pitta continue to brighten our mornings for generations to come.
A Birder’s Holi Wish
This Holi, when colours fill the air, I will once again be out with my camera, quietly watching nature celebrate in its own timeless way.
May your Holi be as vibrant as a kingfisher’s flight, as warm as a niltava’s glow, and as joyful as a forest alive with birdsong.
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