Birds Around Me

Birds And More 015 - Giant Golden Orb Weaver (Nephila pilipes) Birds are the point of focus when walking in the woods. Listening to their calls and songs amid the sound of wind through the trees, the song of water flowing through the stream, and the warning calls of squirrels make these walks ever special. To be honest, I hardly focused on butterflies, insects, and spiders before meeting Samarth Jain during my visit to Jabalpur in October 2023. He is a zoology student aspiring to be a conservationist. While he was aware of the calls of the birds while we were talking, I was impressed with his knowledge and awareness of butterflies and other insects. He kept on pointing at one or another little creature that I hardly noticed. Having said that, I noticed Giant Golden Orb Weaver (Nephila pilipes), you can't miss them but didn't know much about them. Samarth told me everything about them starting from their scientific name to their mating, food, and massive webs that can last for n...

The Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is a common bird in coastal areas, and it can often be seen flying over the open ocean or perched on cliffs or rocks. The Black-legged Kittiwake is a social bird, and it is often seen in large colonies. It is a medium-sized gull that is native to the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is a common bird, and it is not considered to be threatened. Spends the winter on the open ocean, often seen from shore and hardly inland. They are social birds and breed in large colonies.  Immature Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)  Pembrokeshire, U.K. Tips for amateur birders: Look for Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)  in coastal areas, especially near cliffs and rocks. Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) are most active during the day, so you are most likely to see them then.  Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)  are often seen in l...

Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii) फुत्की, पिद्दी Taken on June 26, 2018 Location: Sanjivini Nagar, Jabalpur, India (Latitude: 23.172826, Longitude: 79.881881)  Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii) फुत्की, पिद्दी (11 cm), have short rounded wings, a longish tail, strong legs, and a short pinkish bill. Underparts are whitish-buff ,  upper tail brown concurs with the underparts, missing supercilium, and loses breast band in non-breeding plumage. As the name in Hindi  फुत्की suggests, keep on hopping from one twig to another, constantly waves tail around.  The Grey-breasted Prinia is a common bird and is not considered to be threatened. However, its habitat is being lost to deforestation and development. Tips for Finding Grey-breasted Prinia Look for Grey-breasted Prinia in scrubland, woodland, and grassland. Listen for their loud, sharp "chip" call. Look for them foraging in bushes and trees. They are most active in the morning and evening. Hindi Name...

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 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 somethin...

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) अबबिल, मल भिंगरी, पारस पिट्टा is a small bird with a long tail and a dark blue upper body. It is a common sight in many parts of the world. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) अबबिल, मल भिंगरी, पारस पिट्टा  are found in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and around farms and homes. They are also found near water, as they feed on insects that are found near lakes, ponds, and rivers. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) अबबिल, मल भिंगरी, पारस पिट्टा are easy to identify because of their distinctive appearance. They have a dark blue upper body and a pinkish-orange throat and forehead. Their underparts are a light buffy-orange color. They have a long, forked tail that is dark blue on top and buffy-orange on the bottom. Tips for amateur birders:   Look for Barn Swallows in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and woodlands.  Listen for their distinctive calls.  Watch for them flying in flocks.  Look for their mud nests under eaves or i...

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) बड़ा डूमड़ा is the largest gull species in the world, known for its imposing size, powerful presence, and striking black and white plumage.  Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) बड़ा डूमड़ा are relatively easy to identify due to their large size and distinctive markings. Adults are characterized by their almost entirely black upperparts, including the back, wings, and tail, contrasting sharply with their pure white head, neck, and underparts. Their wings are broad and powerful, and their bill is large and yellow with a red spot near the tip. Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) बड़ा डूमड़ा RSPB Rainham Marshes, U.K. If you're an amateur birder hoping to spot a Great Black-backed Gull, here are some helpful tips:   Focus on coastal areas, especially rocky shores, sandy beaches, and estuaries.  Look for a large gull, noticeably bigger than other common gulls like Herring Gulls or Ring-billed Gulls.   Pay attention to th...

Siberian Stonechat खरपिद्दा , लाल पिद्दा , लाल गलरी (Saxicola maurus) often seen on exposed perches, in open landscapes. Breeding male has a black head, broad half white collar, and rusty chest. They look very similar to  Common or European Stonechat गोजा (Saxicola rubicola)  and often confuse where species overlap.  Siberian Stonechat खरपिद्दा , लाल पिद्दा , लाल गलरी (Saxicola maurus) has larger wing patch, duller orang on the chest and whiter rump.  Male Siberian Stonechat खरपिद्दा , लाल पिद्दा , लाल गलरी (Saxicola maurus) Jabalpur, M.P., India January 2018 Female Siberian Stonechat खरपिद्दा , लाल पिद्दा , लाल गलरी (Saxicola maurus) Jabalpur, M.P., India November 2017 Non-breeding male Siberian Stonechat खरपिद्दा , लाल पिद्दा , लाल गलरी (Saxicola maurus) are bit patchier and female is streaky brown, and less contrasting face and chest pattern. Hindi Name of Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus): खरपिद्दा , लाल पिद्दा , लाल गलरी  Birds Around Me - Unfinishe...