Birds Around Me

The Purple-rumped Sunbird, locally known as जामुनी-कमर थुन-थुनी and शक्कर खोरा, is one of the most dazzling little birds of India. Measuring barely 10 cm in length, this jewel-like species belongs to the Nectariniidae family and is a common sight in gardens, parks, and wooded areas across the Indian subcontinent.   Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) जामुनी-कमर थुन-थुनी, शक्कर खोरा Jabalpur, April 2025 The male Purple-rumped Sunbird is a riot of colors: a metallic green crown, maroon back, purple rump, and bright yellow underparts. Its throat and breast shimmer with iridescent hues that change with the angle of light. Females, in contrast, are more modestly dressed in olive-brown above and pale yellow below, making them harder to spot.   True to its Hindi name शक्कर खोरा (sugar eater), this sunbird feeds primarily on nectar, playing a vital role in pollination. It hovers like a hummingbird while sipping from flowers, though it often perches to feed as well. I...

The Indian Scops Owl, locally known as उल्लू, छोटा उल्लू, or भूरा उल्लू, is one of the most familiar nocturnal birds across India. Despite its small size, this owl is a master of camouflage and an enchanting presence in forests, gardens, and even near villages.   Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) उल्लू, छोटा उल्लू, भूरा उल्लू Jabalpur, April 2025 Measuring about 23–25 cm in length, the Indian Scops Owl is a compact bird with distinctive ear tufts, grey-brown plumage, and streaked underparts. Its large, dark eyes stand out against its mottled face, giving it a striking yet cryptic look. The plumage blends seamlessly with tree bark, making it difficult to spot during the day when it roosts quietly in hollows or dense foliage.   This owl is strictly nocturnal, becoming active after dusk. It feeds mainly on insects, small reptiles, and occasionally tiny mammals. Its call is a series of soft, frog-like hoots, often heard at night in wooded areas. During the day, it remai...

The Egyptian Vulture, locally known as सफेद गिद्ध or फराओ गिद्ध, is one of the most distinctive vultures found across India and much of southern Europe, Africa, and Asia.  This medium-sized vulture is easily recognized by its white body feathers, contrasting black flight feathers, and a bare yellow face. The bill is slender and slightly hooked, adapted for scavenging. Juveniles are darker brown, gradually turning pale as they mature.   Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) सफेद गिद्ध, फराओ गिद्ध Jabalpur, December 2024 Egyptian Vultures are renowned for their tool-using ability. They have been observed using stones to break open large eggs, such as those of ostriches—a rare example of tool use among birds. Primarily scavengers, they feed on carrion, scraps, and even human refuse, playing a vital role in cleaning the environment.   In India, the Egyptian Vulture is widespread, often seen near villages, towns, and open countryside. It prefers semi-arid regions,...

The White-browed Fantail Flycatcher is a lively and charming bird found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Known for its restless movements and fan-shaped tail, it is a delight for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.  White Browed Fantail Flycatcher (Rhipidura aureola) सफ़ेद नाचनी  Jabalpur, April 2025 This small flycatcher is easily recognized by its distinctive white eyebrow (supercilium) that meets on the forehead, giving it a striking facial expression. Its plumage is dark brown above with white spots on the wings, while the underparts are whitish. The tail, edged in white, is constantly fanned open and shut, earning the bird its name.   The White-browed Fantail is famous for its energetic and dance-like movements. It flicks its wings and fans its tail repeatedly while darting after insects. This restless activity has earned it local names such as नाचनी चिड़िया (dancing bird). It is an agile hunter, catching insects mid-air or gleaning them...

Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) is a small, elusive songbird that delights birders with its mimicry-rich song and understated plumage.    Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) सरकंडा फुद्की Jabalpur, December 2025  This warbler is olive-brown above and buff below, with a white throat and a pale eyebrow (supercilium) that stops short of the eye. It has a long, slim bill and short wings, giving it a compact look. While not brightly colored, its subtle tones help it blend into bushes and scrub, making it a challenge to spot.   Blyth’s Reed Warbler breeds across the Palearctic region, from Eastern Europe to Central Asia, and migrates south to South Asia, including India, for the winter. In India, it is a common winter visitor between September and April, often found in forest edges, cultivated lands, gardens, and scrubby areas. Unlike many reed warblers, it is not strongly tied to wetlands and prefers bushes and trees.   This spe...

The Red-breasted Flycatcher, locally known as लाल-गला पिद्दी or लाल-गला फुद्की, is a charming little bird that visits India during the winter months. Belonging to the Old World flycatcher family, this species is admired for its delicate beauty and lively behavior.   Breeding males are unmistakable, with a bright reddish-orange throat and upper breast, contrasting against a greyish crown and white underparts. Females and juveniles, however, are more subdued in color, showing brownish-grey plumage with creamy-white underparts and lacking the red throat patch. This seasonal variation makes identification an exciting challenge for birders.   Female Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) लाल-गला पिद्दी, लाल-गला फुद्की Jabalpur, December 2024 The Red-breasted Flycatcher breeds in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, migrating southwards to South Asia, including India, for the winter. In India, it is commonly seen in wooded valleys, gardens, and roadside trees, especially in ...

Bay-backed Shrike ( Lanius vittatus ) – लाल-पीठ वाला लटोर, गांधारी The Bay-backed Shrike, locally known as लाल-पीठ वाला लटोर or गांधारी , is a striking little bird that adds color and character to the scrublands and open fields of central India. In December, around Jabalpur, these shrikes are often seen perched prominently on thorny bushes, fences, or wires, scanning the ground for prey. Bay-backed Shrike (Lanius vittatus) लाल-पीठ वाला लटोर, गांधारी Jabalpur, December 2024 This shrike is easily recognized by its rich chestnut back, contrasting with a pale rump and long black tail edged in white. Its bold black mask across the eyes gives it a fierce look, while the underparts are whitish. The combination of maroon-brown upperparts and sharp facial markings makes it one of the most handsome shrikes in the region. True to shrike habits, the Bay-backed Shrike is a predatory songbird. It feeds on insects, small reptiles, and occasionally tiny birds. Known as the “butcher bird,” it often im...

The Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus), locally known as मोरगला पतेना, नीलांग, मोरकंठी लिटकुरी, and नीली टिर टिरी, is one of the most striking small birds of the Himalayas and adjoining regions. Verditer flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus) मोरगला पतेना, नीलांग, मोरकंठी लिटकुरी Binsar, Uttarakhand, India April 2017 The Verditer Flycatcher is instantly recognizable by its brilliant turquoise-blue plumage, a shade so vivid that it seems to glow against the greenery of forests. Adult males are an intense copper-sulphate blue all over, except for a black patch between the eyes and bill base and a slightly grey vent. Females and juveniles are paler, with duller blue tones and greyer underparts. This species is widely found from the Himalayas through Southeast Asia to Sumatra, thriving in lowland and hill forests, forest edges, and wooded valleys In India, it is a familiar sight in the Himalayan foothills, often perched upright on exposed branches where its dazzling color makes...

The Sulphur-bellied Leaf-warbler is a member of the Phylloscopidae family, recognized by its brown-and-yellow plumage without a wingbar. Its most striking feature is the bright yellow eyebrow contrasting with a dull brownish-yellow throat, giving it a subtle but unique appearance. Unlike many other warblers, it often forages close to the ground, creeping along rocks, walls, or even tree trunks in a manner reminiscent of nuthatches. Sulphur-bellied Leaf-warbler (Phylloscopus griseolus) लद्दाखी फुद्की, सादी पिद्दी Jabalpur, December 2024 This species breeds in stony, bushy, semi-arid slopes across mountain ranges flanking the Tibetan Plateau. In India, it is particularly associated with Ladakh and other Himalayan regions, where its local names reflect its cultural presence. During winter, it migrates southwards, inhabiting rocky scrub and forest edges across the Indian peninsula. Like other leaf-warblers, the Sulphur-bellied gleans insects from small branches and leaves. However, it sho...