Birds Around Me

The Purple Swamphen is a striking wetland bird, easily recognized by its deep purplish-blue plumage, vivid red bill and frontal shield, and long reddish legs with oversized toes. Roughly the size of a chicken, it measures around 45–51 cm in length and weighs between 850 and 1050 grams. Its tail is short and often flicked to reveal white undertail feathers—a behavior thought to signal alertness to predators or flockmates. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) कैम, खरीम, कलीम Jabalpur, M.P., India April 2025 Habitat and Distribution: This species thrives in freshwater and brackish wetlands, particularly in marshes, swamps, and reed beds with dense emergent vegetation, such as  Typha and Phragmites. It prefers shallow waters with consistent levels and is found across southern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It has even been introduced to places like Florida Behavior and Ecology Purple Swamphens are diurnal and social, often seen in small groups. They are omnivorous, feeding o...

The Common Tailorbird ( Orthotomus sutorius ), affectionately known in Hindi as दर्ज़ी पिद्दा or दर्ज़िन, is a small yet extraordinary bird celebrated for its ingenious nest-building abilities and cultural charm. It gained international fame through Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book , where it was immortalized as “Darzee”—a lively character known for his stitching prowess and chatty personality. That literary nod wasn’t just whimsical; it was rooted in fact. Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) दर्ज़ी पिद्दा, दर्ज़िन Jabalpur, M.P., India April 2025 What sets the tailorbird apart is its unique nesting technique—a behavior found in very few bird species. Instead of building a typical nest from scratch, the tailorbird chooses large, flexible leaves and uses its sharp beak to make a series of tiny holes along the edges. Then, using plant fibers, spider silk, or even cotton thread, it stitches the leaf edges together, forming a natural pouch. Inside this leafy cradle, it lines the nest with...

Among the most captivating avian wonders of South and Southeast Asia is the Blue-tailed Bee-eater ( Merops philippinus ), known locally by names such as नीलदुम पतरिंगा, बड़ा पतरिंगा, and नीलपुंछ पतरिंगा. This slender, vibrant bird enchants both seasoned birdwatchers and casual observers with its graceful flight, radiant plumage, and acrobatic hunting skills. Blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) नीलदुम पतरिंगा, बड़ा पतरिंगा, नीलपुंछ पतरिंगा Jabalpur, India April 2025 Measuring approximately 23 to 26 centimeters in length, including two elongated central tail feathers, the Blue-tailed Bee-eater displays a stunning palette: green upperparts, a blue tail, a yellow and chestnut-colored throat, and a sharp black eye-stripe outlined by a fine blue line. Males and females look similar, contributing to their unified presence when seen in pairs or flocks. Preferring open landscapes near water bodies such as riverbanks, wetlands, and coastlines, these bee-eaters are highly migratory. Their s...

Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus) तम्बत, छोटा बसन्ता Jabalpur, M.P., India The Coppersmith Barbet ( Psilopogon haemacephalus ), also known as तम्बत or छोटा बसन्ता, is a small, colorful bird found in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It is famous for its metronomic call, which resembles the sound of a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus) तम्बत, छोटा बसन्ता Jabalpur, M.P., India April 2025 Physical Description Size: About 15–17 cm (5.9–6.7 in) in length. Weight: Between 30–52.6 g (1.06–1.86 oz). Coloration: Green body with a crimson forehead and throat, yellow cheeks, and a yellow throat. Its underparts are streaked in grey and black. Habitat & Behavior Nesting: It carves out holes inside trees to build its nest. Diet: Predominantly frugivorous, but it also eats insects, especially winged termites. Call: Its rhythmic call is a distinctive feature, often heard in urban and forested areas The Coppersmith ...

The Northern Plains Gray Langur ( Semnopithecus entellus ) लंगूर, हनुमान लंगूर, also known as the Hanuman Langur, is a species of primate found primarily in India and parts of Bangladesh. These langurs are known for their light-colored fur, darker shades on their back and limbs, and black faces, ears, hands, and feet. Key Facts Size & Weight: Males weigh between 16.9 kg (37 lb) and 19.5 kg (43 lb), while females range from 9.5 kg (21 lb) to 16.1 kg (35 lb). Their body length varies from 45.1 cm (17.8 in) to 78.4 cm (30.9 in), with tails extending 80.3 cm (31.6 in) to 111.8 cm (44.0 in). Habitat: They thrive in subtropical or tropical dry forests and shrublands, but are also commonly found in urban environments. Social Structure: They live in varied group formations, including single-male groups, multi-male groups, and all-male groups. Group sizes can exceed 100 individuals. Diet: Primarily fruits and leaves, they consume flowers, seeds, and bark. Behavior: They are diurnal, meaning...

Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) बड़ा किल्किला, बादामी कौड़िल्ला Jabalpur, M.P., India April 2025 The Stork-billed Kingfisher ( Pelargopsis capensis ), known as बड़ा किल्किला or बादामी कौड़िल्ला in Hindi, is a large and striking kingfisher found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Unlike smaller kingfishers, this species prefers wooded areas near rivers, lakes, and coastal regions rather than diving into open water. Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis) बड़ा किल्किला, बादामी कौड़िल्ला Jabalpur, M.P., India April 2025 Key Features: Size: One of the largest kingfishers, measuring 35 cm (14 in) in length. Appearance: Olive-brown head with a buff-colored neck and underparts. Bright blue wings and tail, making it stand out in flight. Massive red bill, resembling a stork’s beak—hence the name! Behavior: Often perches quietly, scanning for prey. Hunts fish, frogs, crabs, and even small rodents or birds. Territorial, sometimes chasing away larger birds like eagl...

The Common Woodshrike ( Tephrodornis pondicerianus ), known as देसी लटोरा in Hindi, is a medium-sized passerine bird found across South and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Vangidae family and is often spotted in dry forests and shrublands, where it actively hunts insects. Common Woodshrike (Tephrodornis pondicerianus) देसी लटोरा Jabalpur, M.P., India April 2025 Key Features: Size: About 15–20 cm in length. Appearance: Ashy brown upperparts, a black facial mask, a white rump, and a gray tail with white outer feathers. Beak: Strong and hooked, adapted for catching insects. Behavior: Often seen foraging in pairs, making quick, darting movements to catch prey. Call: A plaintive "weet-weet" followed by a series of piping "whi-whi-whi" notes. Habitat: Prefers dry forests, scrublands, and open woodlands. This bird is a great find for amateur birders, as it is active, vocal, and relatively easy to spot in its preferred habitats. If you're lucky, you might hear its dis...