Birds Around Me

The Black-naped Monarch, known in Hindi as काला कटकटिया, is one of the most striking small flycatchers found across India and much of South and Southeast Asia. Its vibrant plumage and lively behavior make it a favorite among birdwatchers.   Black-naped Monarch (Hypothymis azurea)  काला कटकटिया Jabalpur, April 2025 This delicate bird measures about 15–16 cm in length. The male is a dazzling shade of azure-blue, with a distinctive black patch on the nape and a narrow black half-collar across the throat. Its underparts are paler, giving a graceful contrast. Females are duller, with olive-brown wings and lacking the black markings, but they retain the same elegant shape and charm.   The Black-naped Monarch thrives in forests, wooded gardens, and mangroves, often near water bodies. It is widely distributed across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Southeast Asia, making it a familiar sight in tropical and subtropical regions.   This species is an active insect-hu...

The Comma Butterfly (Polygonia c-album) have the angular notches on the edges of the forewings, indeed these are characteristic of the genus Polygonia (anglewing butterflies). Comma butterflies can be identified by their prominent orange and dark brownish/blackish wings.  The  camaouflage is extraordiry, patterns on the wings mimick fallen leaves and larvae looks like bird dropping.  Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album) RSPB Rye Meads Comma butterfly (Polygonia c-album) RSPB Rye Meads

The saying 'bald as a Coot' comes from the white patch  Common Coot दसरी, आरि, ठेकरी, मरुल (Fulica atra), has  just above the bill.  Common Coot दसरी, आरि, ठेकरी, मरुल(Fulica atra),  are  seen across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North Africa.  Belongs to the shy and elusive family of birds - rail & crake but isn't shy or elusive. They are very aggressive and territorial, especially during the breeding season. Although white hear-gear appears to be the weapon, it's their long legs and claws that charge their opponents either coots or other water birds. They form large flocks to avoid predators during the breeding season. The coots are omnivores and are very opportunists with the diet. Thye will take a variety of small live prey, eggs of other water birds, algae, grass, vegetation, seeds, and even fruits. Every time I go on birding, it's a different experience, and always learn or find something new. Yesterday, a fellow birder explained the concept o...

The Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), also known as the Common Ringed Plover, is a charming little shorebird that thrives along sandy beaches, estuaries, and inland wetlands. Measuring about 18–20 cm in length, it is compact yet robust, with short legs and a rounded body. Its plumage is beautifully patterned: soft brown upperparts blend seamlessly with sandy habitats, while the white underparts are sharply contrasted by a bold black band across the forehead and eyes. Most distinctive of all is the black “ring” encircling its neck, which gives the species its name.   Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)  Iceland, July 2025 This bird is a master of camouflage. When threatened, it crouches low against the ground, blending into pebbles and sand. Its call is a clear, whistled “too‑ee,” often heard as it flies low over shorelines. The Ringed Plover feeds mainly on insects, crustaceans, and worms, probing the mud or sand with quick, darting movements.   Ringed Pl...

Common Iora सौबिगा, शाऊबीगी, शुभग , मधुक श्रीवद  (Aegithina tiphia) is a small passerine bird, about the size of a sparrow. The male is glossy jet black and yellow bird with two white wing bars. Female usually accompanied by a male, is largely greenish-yellow with similar whitish wing bars. In the non-breeding plumage, the male resembles the female but retains his black ail.  Common Iora सौबिगा, शाऊबीगी, शुभग , मधुक श्रीवद  (Aegithina tiphia)  - Male Jabalpur, India April 2022 Common Iora सौबिगा, शाऊबीगी, शुभग, मधुक श्रीवद  (Aegithina tiphia) is an arboreal insectivorous bird of gardens, groves of trees on the outskirts of villages and light secondary jungle. Pairs go about together, hunting for caterpillars and insects among the foliage, hoping g from twig to twig and clinging sideways and upside down to search under the leaves. The birds keep in touch with each other through mellow whistles and short musical chirrups. Its Hindi name शाऊबीगी is because of one o...