Do you know, a group of owls is called a Parliament. This could be because owls are typically considered to be quite intelligent and wise. In ancient Greek mythology, the owl was seen to accompany or represent Athena, the goddess of wisdom. In Hindu mythology the owl is a vahan (mode of transport) of Lakshmi, goddessContinue reading “The Spotted Owlet”
Category Archives: Birds
Harbingers of Monsoon – Pied Cuckoo
As the countdown to monsoon arrival starts, so starts the scouting for Pied Crested Cuckoo by birders. I was also looking for this bird for the last two weeks, and today I was lucky to spot at least two of them and click some shots. A bird with black and white plumage ( pied )Continue reading “Harbingers of Monsoon – Pied Cuckoo”
The Flying Architect – Baya Weaver
Baya Weaver is a small sparrow-sized bird known for its amazing nesting skills. It is monsoon again, and bayas (or the weaver birds) are back using their artistic skills in building nests and bringing up families. We can easily notice helmet shaped nests hanging from the Palm Trees, which is one of the favored treesContinue reading “The Flying Architect – Baya Weaver”
Indian Grey Hornbill – State bird of Chandigarh
The Indian Grey Hornbill, as its name suggests, the bird has a unique casque (or horn) on its grey-coloured bill. Apart from being the State Bird of Chandigarh, it is common across the city these days, especially in areas where there are large and contiguous tracts of trees. The male sports a blacking bill, narrowContinue reading “Indian Grey Hornbill – State bird of Chandigarh”
The Shikra – A bird with Brain & Brawn
During Corona period, I saw a pair of Shikra building a relatively nest with sticks, on a high fork of a eucalyptus tree in the Green Belt behind my house. I kept on watching this bird with beautiful eyes and the bird also obliged me by giving various poses and also on one fine day, IContinue reading “The Shikra – A bird with Brain & Brawn”
Black Kite
The Black Kite is a medium-sized bird of prey. Unlike others of the group, they are opportunistic hunters and are more likely to scavenge. They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in thermals in search of food. Their angled wing and distinctive forked tail make them easy to identify.
Bespectacled Bird – Indian White-eye
Much like human beings, Oriental White-eyes are social birds. You’ll see them congregating in flocks as small as 10 or much larger, everywhere — even in your backyard. You’ll even see them in mixed flocks, with birds from other species. These are small birds with green to yellowish-green upper parts, dark beaks, and a prominentContinue reading “Bespectacled Bird – Indian White-eye”
Woodpeckers – Black-rumped Flameback
A common, “small-billed” golden-backed woodpecker with four toes. It is one of the few woodpeckers that are seen in urban areas. It has an undulating flight and characteristic rattling-whinnying call “ki-ki-ki-ki-ki,” which steadily increases in pace and ends in a trill. Propped against the side of a tree trunk, they rapidly hammer against the bark. ThisContinue reading “Woodpeckers – Black-rumped Flameback”
Bird with a beard – Brown-headed Barbet
A large headed, beautiful bird with dark green feathers present in most residential areas of the city and very easy to locate in these days in the backyard. Its name is derived from the Latin work barba, meaning beard ( also the root of the word “barber” ). This bird has a number of stiff,Continue reading “Bird with a beard – Brown-headed Barbet”
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