Birds Stories - One-legged Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) मालागिर,श्वेत कंठ भू-कस्तूरी, संतरी कस्तूरी

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Bird-watching and walking in and around Jabalpur is exciting in more than one way, obviously, birds and wildlife are one aspect but people and their stories are the best part. October 2023 was not a normal holiday back home trip for me, I went to attend the cremation and funeral of my uncle (चाचा). It was emotional and overwhelming, and birdwatching walks around my home in Sanjivini Nagar and Devtaal which is 10 minutes from my home were my refuge. Birds were plenty, people were wonderful and their stories were even better. 

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) मालागिर,श्वेत कंठ भू-कस्तूरी, संतरी कस्तूरी Devtaal, Jabalpur, October 2023
Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) मालागिर,श्वेत कंठ भू-कस्तूरी, संतरी कस्तूरी
Devtaal, Jabalpur, October 2023

Devtaal is an amazing biosphere, a small wonderful park maintained by Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (NNJ) with rocky hills, natural and man-made ponds, open fields on one side, a wetland on the other, and surrounded by the city of Jabalpur. Birds, reptiles, mammals, butterflies, insects, plants, trees, hills, and walking trails there is something for every nature lover, and Osho Ashram as well for peace of mind seekers.

I will post about birds I saw and people I met in other posts, in this post I was to talk about a special bird a one-legged Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) मालागिर,श्वेत कंठ भू-कस्तूरी, संतरी कस्तूरी. I was quite surprised to see the bird coming very close to me and comfortable with the activities around until I saw its partner nearby, a one-legged partner. I wondered what would have happened and my initial thought was a result of a bird fight or escaping the predator. I took a couple of pictures and moved on. 

While I was on the move met a regular morning walker, Raghuvir ji and he asked me whether I saw langda santari (लंगड़ा संतरी), literally meaning one-legged orange-headed thrush. 

I told him yes I did? He told me that he saved the bird from a wire trap that locals around lay for Wildfowls or Painted Spurfowls. As he was removing the sharp wire, the bird lost its leg. The bird flew away but stayed around, he had been feeding the bird for the last month or so. He told me that his or her partner stayed all the way through either on a branch nearby or as soon as opportunity was there by its side. 

Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) मालागिर,श्वेत कंठ भू-कस्तूरी, संतरी कस्तूरी Devtaal, Jabalpur, October 2023
Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) मालागिर,श्वेत कंठ भू-कस्तूरी, संतरी कस्तूरी
Devtaal, Jabalpur, October 2023


Raghuvir Ji also mentioned how annoyed he is with birders and photographers who keep harassing the bird for close-ups and forcing it out of the bushes for clear shots. He said, if educated ones behave in this way then how can we expect anything from others. He was very annoyed and irritated. 

I had a good time with him talking about how he and his friends are removing the traps when they find one, keeping baths filled and feeders full, although I didn't agree with the feeds. But his love for birds, plants, and trees around was truly admirable.

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