[{"content":"Watching a Streaked Weaver colony take shape—and asking whether these eastern birds were Ploceus manyar peguensis On 23 May, I went to the nearest bird watching area near my house, in there a lot of reed beds were present and I always thought of getting weavers in that. Now on that day , the reed bed seemed to change character in a matter of hours. In the morning I first noticed two Streaked Weavers moving in and out of the reeds with a Baya Weaver nearby. By afternoon, the traffic had increased. A male was carrying fibres, stopping at selected reed leaves, and the first rough wad of a nest had begun to take shape.\nOver the next five days I watched the construction advance through the recognisable early stages—from the initial wad to the ring and then the helmet. The number of Streaked Weavers using the area rose to roughly twenty individuals. Away from the nest sites they foraged with Tricoloured, White-rumped, and Scaly-breasted Munias, while Baya Weavers remained part of the wider reed-bed scene.\nThe most memorable behaviour was the male’s rapid wing-flickering display near the developing nest. By the end of a week the activity had moved into the sensitive courtship and nesting period. Because the reed bed lay beside a road, I stopped making regular visits rather than risk drawing attention to the nests or changing the birds’ behaviour. I did not observe the later egg-chamber, eggs, chicks, or fledging, so the eventual outcome of the nesting attempt remains unknown.\nOBSERVATION AT A GLANCE FIELD NOTE Period 23 May and the following week Habitat Roadside reed bed in wet ground Numbers Two birds initially; about twenty later Nest progress Wad → ring → helmet stage observed Display Rapid wing-flickering by a male Associates Baya Weaver and three munia species Later outcome Not followed beyond the first week A bird made for the reeds The Streaked Weaver is a compact, seed-eating weaver whose breeding male combines bright yellow with the dark streaking that gives the species its English name. Females and non-breeding birds are quieter in colour, and a mixed flock can be confusing when Baya Weavers and munias are moving through the same vegetation. Structure, streaking, bill shape, calls, habitat, and a sequence of photographs are more dependable together than any single feature.\nIt is also a colonial nester. Several pairs may use the same patch of reeds, but a count of twenty birds does not equal ten breeding pairs or twenty active nests. Some individuals may be feeding, roosting, prospecting, or visiting from nearby. In a large study at Veedur Reservoir, Tamil Nadu, M. Pandian recorded 334 nests at different stages in eighteen colonies, with individual colonies ranging from four to sixty nests. My much shorter observation is best described simply as a small breeding aggregation.\nA nest assembled in visible stages Weaver nests look almost magical when finished, but their construction is easier to understand as a series of engineering problems. Recent Streaked Weaver studies use a useful five-stage vocabulary. The exact pace varies with the individual birds, weather, material, and whether a mate accepts the nest.\nSTAGE WHAT CHANGES SEEN Wad Selected reed leaves are bent together and firmly bound; fibres build a compact roof or anchoring mass. Yes Ring Weaving extends downward to form a loop beneath the roof. Yes Helmet A helmet-like shell develops, with two lower openings separated by a fibre crossbar or ‘chinstrap’. Yes Egg chamber closed After pair formation, one side is enclosed to create the brood chamber while an entrance remains. No Complete The antechamber is finished and a short downward entrance tube is extended. No In the wad stage the male draws together the flexible tips of several leaves and fastens them with knots of plant fibre. More fibres create the dense roof from which the rest of the structure descends. The ring stage produces the first unmistakable loop. Continued weaving turns that loop into a helmet with two openings and a narrow crossbar. This is not yet a complete nest; it is the display and inspection stage at which a female may examine the male’s work.\nModern observations at Wazirabad and Veedur report males building to the helmet stage and females helping after pairing, while V. C. Ambedkar’s older study in the Kumaon Terai described the male as the sole builder. That disagreement is worth preserving: sex roles may vary among populations, or differences in observation may reveal behaviour that shorter studies miss. It should not be flattened into the simple claim that only the male ever builds.\nA CURIOUS CONSTRUCTION DETAIL\nOlder and modern observers have recorded males placing mud or cow dung on the inner wall of helmet-stage nests before pairing. The behaviour is real; its function remains uncertain. It is safer not to repeat unsupported claims that the material cools the nest, repels insects, or guarantees protection from predators.\nThe wing-flicker was courtship, not decoration The wing-flickering I saw fits a long line of descriptions. In his 1963 comparison of Asian weavers, J. H. Crook described male Streaked Weavers quivering or beating the wings around the nest. Ambedkar likewise recorded males singing and quivering their wings as females moved through a colony and inspected helmet-stage nests. In Myanmar, W. L. Roseveare noted males hopping among the rushes and flapping their wings while females visited nests.\nIn the right context—a displaying male beside a helmet-stage nest, with females prospecting nearby—the movement is best read as nest advertisement and courtship. It does not, by itself, prove that a female accepted the nest or that mating occurred. In a field notebook I would record the visible action first (‘rapid wing-flickering beside helmet-stage nest’) and add the courtship interpretation separately.\nA colony is also a neighbourhood The Streaked Weavers did not use the reed bed in isolation. Their association with Tricoloured and White-rumped Munias closely echoes Pandian’s Veedur observations, where Streaked, Baya, and Black-breasted Weavers intermingled with munias while foraging and roosting. The Scaly-breasted Munias in my flock add a local detail rather than contradicting that pattern. Grain, grass seeds, insects, safe roosting cover, and nest material can bring several granivorous species to the same small wetland.\nNesting over wet ground may reduce access for some terrestrial predators, but these sites are not predator-proof. Published work records crows, treepies, shikras, and water snakes around colonies. The finished entrance tube may make access more difficult, but calling it ‘snake-proof’ would go beyond the evidence. Dense reeds provide concealment and support; they do not remove risk.\nDoes breeding always begin with the monsoon? Breeding is often associated with rain, fresh grasses, and increased food, but ‘the breeding season begins when the monsoon starts’ is too absolute for a species spread across South and Southeast Asia. Ambedkar recorded breeding after the south-west monsoon began in the Kumaon Terai, and F. N. Betts described July breeding at a southern Indian tank. Other recent records are earlier: May–July at Wazirabad and February–June at Veedur.\nThe 23 May start at this reed bed is therefore plausible, not anomalous. Local water levels, the growth and flexibility of reeds, availability of weaving fibres, and nearby food may matter as much as the calendar date of the monsoon. A careful blog should say that breeding often follows favourable wet-season conditions while acknowledging that managed reservoirs, seepage wetlands, and local rainfall can shift the schedule.\nWere these birds really peguensis? My photographs and field impressions suggested the eastern subspecies Ploceus manyar peguensis rather than P. m. flaviceps. That identification should remain provisional unless the locality and plumage evidence agree. The current Nature Conservation Foundation synopsis places peguensis in eastern Bihar, south-western and northern Bengal, the Brahmaputra plains of Assam, and adjoining eastern Arunachal Pradesh. It notes intergradation with flaviceps in West Bengal.\nThe old BNHS literature fills part of the gap The impression that Streaked Weaver breeding has been studied only in flaviceps is partly true for detailed modern Indian work. The well-known studies from the Kumaon Terai, Wazirabad, and Tamil Nadu all fall within the broad range usually assigned to flaviceps. Yet the eastern form is not absent from the historical record. E. C. Stuart Baker named P. m. peguensis in 1925 from Pegu, in present-day Myanmar.\nTwo older Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society papers are especially useful. K. C. Macdonald reported Streaked Weavers breeding in ‘kaing’ grass at Yezon Bog, Myingyan District, on 11 August. Roseveare later described very large numbers breeding in rushes at Wethigan Lake, Salin, and recorded males doing most or all of the building, females inspecting nests, wing-flapping display, and mud or dung on the inner rim of incomplete nests. These observations come from the wider region now associated with peguensis and offer valuable behavioural comparisons.\nThere is one important limitation: Macdonald’s account predates Baker’s subspecies name, and both older authors wrote about the species mainly under the binomial rather than documenting diagnostic subspecific characters. Their birds should therefore be described as regional Streaked Weaver records from the peguensis part of the range—not automatically treated as formally verified subspecies studies. That distinction makes the literature review stronger, not weaker.\nWhat this seven-day observation can—and cannot—show This short watch does not establish clutch size, incubation, nest success, polygyny, or chick-rearing for the local population. It does document a useful combination of facts: the date breeding activity began, the reed-bed setting, the change from two birds to a larger aggregation, the rapid progression from wad to helmet stage, a male display, and mixed-species foraging. If the birds are confirmed as peguensis those details become a valuable eastern comparison with the better-known flaviceps accounts.\nFor comparison, Ambedkar’s flaviceps population most often laid three eggs, had an incubation period of fourteen to seventeen days, and included polygynous males. These are useful reference points, not facts that should be transferred automatically to peguensis.\nStopping after seven days was part of the observation, not a failure to finish it. Indian nesting-study guidelines emphasise distance, restraint, and the possibility that repeated visits or photography can change adult behaviour and predator attention. For any future watch I would use a fixed distant viewpoint and a long lens, avoid playback, never bend or cut reeds for a clear photograph, leave immediately if adults alarm or hesitate, and keep the precise location private while the colony is active.\nThe week ended without a neat conclusion. The nests were still unfinished, the birds were still choosing and displaying, and the later fate of the colony was left to the reeds. What remained was a compact natural-history story: two weavers arriving on 23 May; fibres tied into a wad; a ring becoming a helmet; a male’s wings flickering in invitation; and an observer deciding that the best final act was to step away.\nSelected sources and further reading 1. Ambedkar, V. C. 1972. ‘The breeding biology of the Streaked Weaver Bird.’ Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 69(2): 268–282.\n2. Baker, E. C. Stuart. 1925. Original description of Ploceus manyar peguensis. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 45: 58.\n3. Barve, S., T. R. Shankar Raman, A. Datta \u0026amp; G. Jathar. 2020. ‘When and how to study the nesting biology of Indian birds.’ Indian BIRDS 16(1): 1–9.\n4. Crook, J. H. 1963. ‘The Asian Weaver Birds: Problems of Coexistence and Evolution with Particular Reference to Behaviour.’ Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60: 1–48.\n5. Macdonald, K. C. 1906–07. ‘A List of Birds Found in the Myingyan District of Burma.’ Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 17: 184–194.\n6. Pandian, M. 2021. ‘Nesting and roosting habits of Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar in the Veedur wetlands of Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.’ Indian BIRDS 17(6): 165–173.\n7. Prakash, D., S. L. Niangthianhoi, R. Kumar \u0026amp; F. A. Khudsar. 2020. ‘Nest construction process in Streaked Weaver Ploceus manyar.’ Indian BIRDS 15(6): 168–174.\n8. Roseveare, W. L. 1950. ‘Notes on Birds of the Irrigated Area of Minbu District, Burma.’ Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 49(2): 244–287.\n9. Nature Conservation Foundation. ‘Ploceidae—The New Synopsis’: current Indian subspecies ranges and intergradation note.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/field-observations-and-an-assessment-of-the-probable-eastern-subspecies-ploceus-manyar-peguensis/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"watching-a-streaked-weaver-colony-take-shapeand-asking-whether-these-eastern-birds-were-ploceus-manyar-peguensis\"\u003eWatching a Streaked Weaver colony take shape—and asking whether these eastern birds were Ploceus manyar peguensis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 23 May, I went to the nearest bird watching area near my house, in there a lot of reed beds were present and I always thought of getting weavers in that. Now on that day , the reed bed seemed to change character in a matter of hours. In the morning I first noticed two Streaked Weavers moving in and out of the reeds with a Baya Weaver nearby. By afternoon, the traffic had increased. A male was carrying fibres, stopping at selected reed leaves, and the first rough wad of a nest had begun to take shape.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Field Observations and an Assessment of the Probable Eastern Subspecies, Ploceus manyar peguensis"},{"content":"A bit about the bird Hume\u0026rsquo;s bush warbler is a small plain olive-brown bush warbler native to himalayas, ranging across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and southeastern Tibet. This bird is very skulking getting a good picture is a tough call. It frequently cocks and fans its long tail while moving through thick vegetation. It is primarily insectivorous, gleaning small arthropods like beetles, caterpillars, and spiders from low vegetation, twigs, and the ground.\nSighting On 4th june while returning from the senchal wls, we stopped a few places, in one such place where the habitat was very deep bushy, bamboo thickets available we got the iconic call which sounds like \u0026ldquo;sa re ga ma\u0026rdquo; from where it\u0026rsquo;s got it\u0026rsquo;s name sa-ra-ga-ma bird, our guide Bipen Lama told us.\nExample of the sound details of the encounter After we hear the sound we waited long enough then suddenly not one but two birds gave us around 5 minutes to get some photos. It was behaving like a mouse and with such loose tail you can easily identify the bird.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/hume-s-bush-warbler-sa-re-ga-ma-bird-of-darjeeling-hills/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"a-bit-about-the-bird\"\u003eA bit about the bird\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHume\u0026rsquo;s bush warbler is a small plain olive-brown bush warbler native to himalayas, ranging across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and southeastern Tibet. This bird is very skulking getting a good picture is a tough call. It frequently cocks and fans its long tail while moving through thick vegetation. It is primarily insectivorous, gleaning small arthropods like beetles, caterpillars, and spiders from low vegetation, twigs, and the ground.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Hume's Bush Warbler : sa re ga ma bird of Darjeeling Hills"},{"content":"Hidden among the misty forests of the Himalayas and the mountain ranges of South and Southeast Asia lives a small yet captivating bird known as the Bar-throated Siva. With its vibrant plumage, energetic behavior, and melodious calls, this remarkable species has become a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.\nIntroduction The Bar-throated Siva (Siva strigula) is a passerine bird belonging to the family Leiothrichidae, commonly known as the laughingthrush and allied bird family. Despite its modest size, this bird stands out due to its striking combination of colors and lively personality. It is commonly found in forested hills and mountain regions, where it moves actively through the tree canopy in search of food.\nPhysical Appearance One of the most distinctive features of the Bar-throated Siva is its colorful plumage. The bird displays shades of olive-green, blue-gray, chestnut, and yellow, creating a beautiful contrast that helps it blend into the foliage while still appearing vibrant in sunlight.\nIts name comes from the dark barring across the throat, a characteristic marking that helps distinguish it from similar species. Adults typically measure around 15–18 centimeters in length and possess a slender build adapted for agile movement among branches.\nHabitat and Distribution The Bar-throated Siva inhabits broadleaf and mixed forests across a wide geographic range. It can be found in countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Within India, it is particularly associated with the Himalayan foothills and northeastern hill forests.\nThese birds generally prefer elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters, where dense vegetation provides both shelter and abundant food resources.\nBehavior and Feeding Habits Bar-throated Sivas are highly social birds. They are often seen moving in small flocks or joining mixed-species feeding groups. Their active and acrobatic nature allows them to forage efficiently among leaves and branches.\nTheir diet primarily consists of:\nInsects and larvae Small spiders Fruits and berries Nectar and plant material\nBy consuming insects, they help control pest populations, while their fruit-eating habits contribute to seed dispersal within forest ecosystems.\nBreeding and Nesting The breeding season varies depending on the region but generally occurs during spring and early summer. The female constructs a neat cup-shaped nest using grass, moss, and plant fibers, usually hidden within dense shrubs or low tree branches.\nA typical clutch contains two to four eggs. Both parents participate in caring for the chicks, ensuring they receive enough food and protection until they are ready to leave the nest.\nEcological Importance Like many forest birds, the Bar-throated Siva plays an important ecological role. Its feeding activities contribute to insect regulation and seed dispersal, supporting the health and regeneration of forest habitats. The presence of healthy populations often indicates a well-preserved ecosystem.\nConservation Status Currently, the Bar-throated Siva is not considered globally threatened. However, habitat loss caused by deforestation, infrastructure development, and forest fragmentation can affect local populations. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting mountain forests are essential for ensuring the long-term survival of this and many other forest-dependent species.\nWhy Birdwatchers Love the Bar-throated Siva For birdwatchers, spotting a Bar-throated Siva is always a rewarding experience. Its colorful appearance, constant movement, and cheerful calls make it one of the most delightful birds to observe in Himalayan forests. Whether glimpsed darting through foliage or heard singing from a hidden perch, the Bar-throated Siva leaves a lasting impression on anyone fortunate enough to encounter it.\nConclusion The Bar-throated Siva is a fascinating example of the biodiversity found in Asia\u0026rsquo;s mountain forests. Combining beauty, ecological significance, and energetic behavior, this small bird serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving natural habitats. As forests continue to face environmental pressures, protecting species like the Bar-throated Siva becomes increasingly important for maintaining the rich tapestry of life they represent.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/bar-throated-siva-a-tiny-bird-from-senchal/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHidden among the misty forests of the Himalayas and the mountain ranges of South and Southeast Asia lives a small yet captivating bird known as the Bar-throated Siva. With its vibrant plumage, energetic behavior, and melodious calls, this remarkable species has become a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"introduction\"\u003eIntroduction\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bar-throated Siva (Siva strigula) is a passerine bird belonging to the family Leiothrichidae, commonly known as the laughingthrush and allied bird family. Despite its modest size, this bird stands out due to its striking combination of colors and lively personality. It is commonly found in forested hills and mountain regions, where it moves actively through the tree canopy in search of food.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Bar Throated Siva - A tiny bird from Senchal"},{"content":"Drongos belong to the family Dicruridae and are found across the entire Indian Subcontinent. Whether it\u0026rsquo;s a mountain or desert, island or jungle, they are practically omnipresent; you can find at least one species in almost any habitat.\nI didn\u0026rsquo;t start with a specific target of photographing all 9 species of drongos found in India, but along my bird-watching journey, it came together nicely. One might say drongos are \u0026ldquo;easy\u0026rdquo; birds to get, but sometimes the easy ones become the toughest to find. If I had to rank the Indian drongo species by difficulty—from hardest to easiest—my list would look like this:\nCrow-billed Drongo Andaman Drongo Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Hair-crested (Spangled) Drongo White-bellied Drongo Ashy Drongo Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Bronzed Drongo Black Drongo Getting the Crow-billed Drongo is notoriously tough, and for the Andaman Drongo, you obviously need to cross the ocean to the Andaman Islands. The others are relatively easy to find across the country. Let’s begin the journey…\nBlack Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) - The Protector This is the most common drongo one can find across the Indian Subcontinent. It is fiercely territorial and acts as a \u0026ldquo;protector,\u0026rdquo; for which in Marathi it is called कोतवाल or Kotoyal means someone who protects. showing absolutely no fear of mobbing birds much larger than itself, including crows and raptors. I photographed my first one at a nearby patch in July 2022.\nThough this insectivorous bird helps farmers by eating pests from the fields, they have a mischievous side. They exhibit kleptoparasitism—stealing food from other birds by relentlessly chasing them. They are highly adaptable, often using man-made structures like wires and poles as hunting perches, and will opportunistically hunt fleeing insects when farmers set fire to crop stubble. There are a couple of subspecies found in India (such as macrocercus in the peninsula and albirictus in the north), and fortunately, I have photographed two of them.\nBronzed Drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) - Shiny as Bronze This is a special bird to me. It makes loud, frequent calls at the end of the year, which I used to hear behind my house before I even knew what bird was making them! When I finally saw it, I noticed it is considerably smaller than the Black Drongo, boasting a highly metallic, glossy blue-bronze back—a beautiful sight indeed.\nSince then, I have encountered this forest-loving bird in multiple places. It is an incredible vocal mimic, easily replicating the calls of other birds in its habitat. Though I now have multiple photos of this species, it remains a fantastic bird to observe.\nGreater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) - Truly Great This spectacular species inhabits wildly different habitats, from the Himalayan foothills to the evergreen Western Ghats, and all the way to the remote Andaman Islands. This adaptability exhibits its incredible survival potential. In Bengali, it is called Vimraj (ভীমরাজ). This is likely due to its larger size, signifying Bhima (ভীম), the strongest of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata.\nI first saw this bird in Kerala during my first dedicated birding tour in November 2023. They are incredibly loud and are often the \u0026ldquo;ringleaders\u0026rdquo; of mixed-species foraging flocks. Below is a breakdown of the subspecies found across the subcontinent:\nD. p. paradiseus – Southern peninsular India (the nominate subspecies) D. p. grandis – Southern foothills of the Himalayas from North India East to extreme North Assam D. p. rangoonensis – Central India D. p. otiosus – Andaman Islands D. p. nicobariensis – Nicobar Islands I have also seen the otiosus subspecies in the Andaman Islands. Interestingly, it completely lacks the prominent forehead crest found on mainland birds, making it look a bit like a Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo at first glance!\nAshy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) - The Altitudinal Migrant I first heard about this species from a friend who mentioned it could be found nearby. I was given a crucial ID pointer: look for the crimson-red eye, which easily separates it from the similar-looking Black Drongo.\nBased on that, I initially got two photos, though they remained a doubtful record. My first confirmed sighting happened in Latpanchar, a beautiful village in the Darjeeling district. I later identified the subspecies as hopwoodi, which is distinctly more ashy-grey compared to its darker, blackish counterparts. Many populations of Ashy Drongos are altitudinal migrants, moving down from the Himalayas during the harsh winters.\nWhite-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens) - An Endemic Beauty I would call this an unusual drongo. Because the Dicruridae family is entirely known for deep, glossy blue and black plumage, seeing one with a stark white belly is an unfamiliar and striking sight. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent (India and Sri Lanka) and is split into two main visual groups: white-bellied and white-vented.\nFortunately, I spotted it in our neighboring state of Odisha at Panchalingeswar during a casual walk in March 2023. Though I managed a somewhat better shot on my second visit, I am still waiting for the perfect opportunity to photograph it in all its glory.\nHair-crested Drongo (Dicrurus hottentottus) - The Nectar Lover (Note: A recent taxonomic split classified the Australasian populations as the Spangled Drongo (D. bracteatus), making our Asian birds the Hair-crested Drongo!)\nThese guys are local winter visitors to my area from the Himalayas, and I first got to see them on an awesome day in December 2022. I\u0026rsquo;ve seen them in various places since, but my best photo so far was taken last September at Rongtong. Unlike most drongos that strictly hunt insects, Hair-crested Drongos have a specialized, slightly decurved bill and an incredible fondness for nectar, often seen foraging in flowering trees like the Silk Cotton.\nLesser Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer) This is the smaller cousin of the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, distinguished by its square-cut tail (above the rackets) rather than a forked one. I wanted to see this bird for a long time and finally got the chance this year while visiting Rongtong in December 2025, though I didn\u0026rsquo;t manage a photograph then.\nI finally got my photos at Rabindra Sarobar, which is an unbelievable urban hotspot for seeing uncommon birds. Photographing this bird completed my quest to capture all the Drongo species in India, yielding an unforgettable birding experience.\nCrow-billed Drongo (Dicrurus annectens) - The Elusive Migrant If you ask me, this is the toughest drongo to find. Yet, I got it at Rabindra Sarobar in October 2024 quite easily, which saved me a lot of time!\nThis species is a passage migrant, meaning it only stops over for a few days during its long migration, making sightings heavily reliant on being in the right place at exactly the right time. Literature often describes this bird as shy, but my observation was quite different. Perhaps because it was exhausted from passage migration, the bird was surprisingly bold and allowed me to get some great photos.\nAndaman Drongo (Dicrurus andamanensis) - The Island Endemic Naturally, I saw the Andaman Drongo while visiting the Andaman Islands in September 2025. This bird is strictly endemic to the archipelago.\nIt bears a strong resemblance to the Black Drongo but has a much deeper, heavier bill and a slightly less forked tail, which I found fascinating. It is amazing to see how a long period of geographical isolation on these islands allowed evolution to carve out such a unique species. Behaviorally, it shares the aggressive, aerial-acrobatic hunting traits of its mainland counterpart.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/a-journey-to-photograph-every-drongo-species-in-india/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eDrongos belong to the family \u003cem\u003eDicruridae\u003c/em\u003e and are found across the entire Indian Subcontinent. Whether it\u0026rsquo;s a mountain or desert, island or jungle, they are practically omnipresent; you can find at least one species in almost any habitat.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI didn\u0026rsquo;t start with a specific target of photographing all 9 species of drongos found in India, but along my bird-watching journey, it came together nicely. One might say drongos are \u0026ldquo;easy\u0026rdquo; birds to get, but sometimes the easy ones become the toughest to find. If I had to rank the Indian drongo species by difficulty—from hardest to easiest—my list would look like this:\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Journey to Photograph Every Drongo Species in India"},{"content":"The Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) is a fascinating, large raptor widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent and Asia. In my home region of Hooghly, West Bengal, it is a common sight throughout the year. However, despite its frequency, capturing a high-quality photograph has always been an elusive goal for me—until February 26th.\nWhile I have seen this bird countless times in flight, perched sightings are rare, numbering only four or five in my experience. On a beautiful February morning, the \u0026lsquo;guest\u0026rsquo; finally paid a visit to our home. While I was scanning the nearby trees, my mother spotted this magnificent raptor perched regally on a coconut tree. I rushed for my camera, and finally, I was able to document this beautiful bird of prey.\nWhy \u0026ldquo;Honey\u0026rdquo; Buzzard? As its name suggests, this bird specializes in feeding on the larvae and nests of social insects, particularly bees and wasps. Its unique morphology, including scale-like feathers around the eyes and lores, protects it from stings while it raids hives.\nThe Identification Challenge: Subspecies and Morphs One of the most compelling aspects of birding in India is the overlap of different subspecies. We have two primary forms:\nRace orientalis: A large, long-winged migratory subspecies that arrives in winter. It is generally pale and lacks a prominent crest. Race ruficollis: The native, resident subspecies. It is shorter-winged, darker, and possesses a distinct short crest. Distinguishing between these two, as well as between males and females, requires a keen eye for detail. Since the individual I photographed is a female, I will focus on the specific markers that define the adult female Oriental Honey Buzzard (OHB).\nFemale Identification Key Identifying a female OHB involves looking at soft parts, plumage patterns, and wing structures:\nThe Eye (Iris): This is a primary identification feature for determining between male or female. Adult females develop a bright yellow or orange-yellow iris. In contrast, adult males typically have dark brown or cherry-red eyes. Head and Throat: The female’s head is usually browner than the blue-grey head of the male. A key diagnostic feature is the heavy, broad black \u0026ldquo;gorget\u0026rdquo; (a necklace-like band) framing a pale throat. Plumage Morphs: Females are polymorphic, appearing in light, intermediate (rufous), and dark morphs. Unlike juveniles, which are streaked, adult females are consistently and heavily barred on their underparts. The Tail: Look for three visible dark bands. In females, the light sub-terminal band is often the broadest, while the black terminal bar is the widest of the dark bands. Wings and Structure In flight or when stretching, the wing formula is telling. Like males, females show six protruding \u0026ldquo;fingered\u0026rdquo; primaries ($P10$ to $P5$). However, when viewed from below, females show four narrow black wing bands across the secondaries, whereas males show only three broader bands.\nComparing the Races: orientalis vs. ruficollis The migratory orientalis is significantly larger (wingspan up to 170 cm) and generally flat-headed. Our resident ruficollis is smaller (wingspan up to 155 cm) and usually displays a short, well-developed nuchal crest. While orientalis often shows a greyish wash on the head, ruficollis usually maintains a uniformly brown head with a dark horseshoe-shaped spot on the crop rather than a full gorget.\nFootnote for Male Identification: Adult males differ by having a blue-grey head, dark red or brown eyes, broader and fewer wing bands, and a solid broad black trailing edge to the wing.\nCapturing these photos was not just a win for my portfolio, but a great opportunity to dive deep into the complex taxonomy of one of our most interesting local raptors.\nReferences (APA 7th Edition) Anand, V., Aiyappa, P., Pavukandy, U., \u0026amp; Forsman, D. (2020). The European honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus in India, and notes on its identification. Indian Birds, 16(2), 45–47.\nBabbington, J., \u0026amp; Campbell, O. (2016). Recent status and occurrence of crested honey buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus in the Arabian Peninsula, with emphasis on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Sandgrouse, 38(1), 12–22.\nBorang, A. (2013). Checklist and status of birds of Arunachal Pradesh in Eastern Himalayas. Bulletin of Arunachal Forest Research, 28–29(1–2), 19–54.\nDeCandido, R., Siponen, M., Smit, H., Pierce, A., \u0026amp; Allen, D. (2015). Flight identification and migration pattern of the Oriental honey buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus orientalis in southern Thailand, 2007–2014. BirdingAsia, 23, 27–33.\nNourani, E., Yamaguchi, N. M., Manda, A., \u0026amp; Higuchi, H. (2016). Wind conditions facilitate the seasonal water-crossing behaviour of Oriental honey-buzzards Pernis ptilorhynchus over the East China Sea. Ibis, 158(3), 506–518.\nPohlen, Z. M., Johnson, J. A., Benter, R. B., \u0026amp; Helm, J. (2026). First North American record of the Oriental honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). North American Birds.\nSievwright, H. C., \u0026amp; Higuchi, H. (2011). Morphometric analysis of the unusual feeding morphology of Oriental honey buzzards. Ornithological Science, 10(2), 131–144.\nYang, S.-Y., Walther, B. A., \u0026amp; Weng, G.-J. (2015). Stop and smell the pollen: The role of olfaction and vision of the Oriental honey buzzard in identifying food. PLOS ONE, 10(7), e0130191. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130191\nTechnical Reports and Compilations Anonymous. (2024). Comprehensive taxonomic and morphological analysis of female Pernis ptilorhynchus: Differentiating orientalis and ruficollis subspecies.\nGavrilov, E., \u0026amp; Gavrilov, A. (2005). The birds of Kazakhstan (Abridged ed.). Tethys Ornithological Research II.\nRegional Guides and Online Databases Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Crested honey buzzard. Birds of Singapore. Retrieved March 1, 2026, from https://singaporebirds.com/species/crested-honey-buzzard\nBirds of Kyrgyzstan. (n.d.). Crested honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Retrieved March 1, 2026, from https://kyrgyzstan.birding.day\nBirds of Siberia. (n.d.). Crested honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Retrieved March 1, 2026, from https://siberia.russia.birding.day\nMacaulay Library. (2024). ML621190696 – Oriental honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Cornell Lab of Ornithology.\nWikipedia contributors. (2026). Crested honey buzzard. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_honey_buzzard\nField Research and Ornithological Blogs Corso, A. (2013). Analysis of photographed crested/Oriental honey-buzzards in Batumi. Batumi Raptor Count.\nOoi, R. (2019). Wintering raptors in Peninsular Malaysia. Ron-Nature-Adventures.\nWee, Y. C. (2009). Oriental honey-buzzard came a-visiting. Bird Ecology Study Group.\nWee, Y. C. (2022). Oriental honey-buzzard: Sexing and aging. Bird Ecology Study Group.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/the-guest-on-the-coconut-tree-deciphering-the-oriental-honey-buzzard/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe Oriental Honey Buzzard (\u003cem\u003ePernis ptilorhynchus\u003c/em\u003e) is a fascinating, large raptor widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent and Asia. In my home region of Hooghly, West Bengal, it is a common sight throughout the year. However, despite its frequency, capturing a high-quality photograph has always been an elusive goal for me—until February 26th.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile I have seen this bird countless times in flight, perched sightings are rare, numbering only four or five in my experience. On a beautiful February morning, the \u0026lsquo;guest\u0026rsquo; finally paid a visit to our home. While I was scanning the nearby trees, my mother spotted this magnificent raptor perched regally on a coconut tree. I rushed for my camera, and finally, I was able to document this beautiful bird of prey.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Guest on the Coconut Tree: Deciphering the Oriental Honey Buzzard"},{"content":"Rongtong, nestled in the lush foothills of Darjeeling, has long been a favorite haunt for birders looking to catch a glimpse of the Eastern Himalayas\u0026rsquo; most vibrant residents. This morning was no exception, providing a double-header of spectacular flycatchers that made every minute of the early start worthwhile.\nThe star of the show arrived early. Spotting the Sapphire Flycatcher (Ficedula sapphira) was an awesome experience. These birds are notoriously small and active, often making them a challenge to photograph. I was treated to views of both the female, with her subtle rufous tones, and the striking male.\nThe male is a true jewel of the forest. With its deep blue upperparts and a bright orange-gold throat that contrasts beautifully against the forest green, it lives up to its \u0026lsquo;sapphire\u0026rsquo; name. Watching it flit between the bamboo and low branches was a masterclass in avian agility.\nAs the morning progressed and the light softened, the forest revealed its next treasure. After some patient waiting, a Small Niltava (Niltava macgrigoriae) made an appearance. While the Sapphire Flycatcher is all about energy, the Niltava has a more regal, quiet presence. It sat perfectly still on a moss-covered branch, allowing me to capture the brilliant, electric blue patches on its neck and crown that seem to glow even in the deep shade of the canopy.\nRongtong continues to prove why it is a premier birding destination. Within just a few hours, the forest gifted me with these two incredible sightings, making for an unforgettable morning in the Darjeeling hills.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/a-morning-of-gems-finding-sapphire-flycatchers-and-small-niltavas-in-rongtong/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eRongtong, nestled in the lush foothills of Darjeeling, has long been a favorite haunt for birders looking to catch a glimpse of the Eastern Himalayas\u0026rsquo; most vibrant residents. This morning was no exception, providing a double-header of spectacular flycatchers that made every minute of the early start worthwhile.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe star of the show arrived early. Spotting the Sapphire Flycatcher (\u003cem\u003eFicedula sapphira\u003c/em\u003e) was an awesome experience. These birds are notoriously small and active, often making them a challenge to photograph. I was treated to views of both the female, with her subtle rufous tones, and the striking male.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Morning of Gems: Finding Sapphire Flycatchers and Small Niltavas in Rongtong"},{"content":"On the second day of our Nalsarovar bird photography trip, the morning began with a successful session capturing crakes in the soft light. As we moved across the landscape in search of the majestic Sarus Cranes, we were fortunate enough to find a pair and photograph them beautifully. However, the highlight of the morning turned out to be a smaller, more subtle subject hidden within the harvested paddy fields.\nWhile scanning the area, something unusual caught my eye—a large, chunky bird that had landed on the dumps of harvested paddy.\nAt first glance, the bird\u0026rsquo;s size was striking. The notably long bill immediately suggested a Long-billed Pipit (Anthus similis). However, I had to take a moment to look closer; the prominent rufous tones and the comparatively clean, less-streaked underparts were quite distinct. After verification, it became clear that this individual belonged to the subspecies Anthus similis decaptus.\nThis particular subspecies is known to winter in north-western India, including Gujarat. It typically displays warmer rufous coloration and reduced ventral streaking compared to other subspecies, which perfectly matched the individual we were observing. Below a photo from ebird matching the plumage that we captured.\nContextualizing this sighting makes it even more special. In West Bengal, Long-billed Pipits are considered rare winter migrants, with sightings largely restricted to areas like Purulia. While India hosts resident subspecies in the southern regions and the Deccan plateau, seeing this uncommon winter visitor in Gujarat was an exciting and unexpected highlight of our trip.\nIt is these moments—finding the unexpected while searching for the iconic—that make birding in Nalsarovar an endless adventure.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/a-rare-winter-treat-spotting-the-long-billed-pipit-at-nalsarovar/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eOn the second day of our Nalsarovar bird photography trip, the morning began with a successful session capturing crakes in the soft light. As we moved across the landscape in search of the majestic Sarus Cranes, we were fortunate enough to find a pair and photograph them beautifully. However, the highlight of the morning turned out to be a smaller, more subtle subject hidden within the harvested paddy fields.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile scanning the area, something unusual caught my eye—a large, chunky bird that had landed on the dumps of harvested paddy.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Winter Pipity Treat: Spotting the Long-billed Pipit at Nalsarovar"},{"content":"The Andaman Islands are a treasure trove for bird enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of endemic species and vibrant tropical residents. Among the most stunning sights in these lush forests is the Long-tailed Parakeet (Psittacula longicauda). On a recent trek through the island canopy, I was treated to a spectacular view of this charismatic bird.\nThe male Long-tailed Parakeet is a masterclass in color. The subspecies found here in the Andamans, Psittacula longicauda tytleri, is particularly noted for its brilliant red beak and the deep pinkish-red cheeks that extend toward the nape. These features are framed by a bold black malar stripe, giving the bird a look of sophisticated elegance against the dense green foliage.\nThese birds are highly social and are often heard before they are seen, filling the air with their loud, raucous calls as they move between feeding sites. Watching them navigate the branches with such agility is a reminder of why the Andaman archipelago remains one of the world\u0026rsquo;s premier birding destinations. Whether you are a seasoned ornithologist or a casual nature lover, the flash of emerald and rose as a Long-tailed Parakeet takes flight is a memory that will stay with you long after you leave the islands.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/emeralds-of-the-andaman-a-close-encounter-with-the-long-tailed-parakeet/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe Andaman Islands are a treasure trove for bird enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of endemic species and vibrant tropical residents. Among the most stunning sights in these lush forests is the Long-tailed Parakeet (\u003cem\u003ePsittacula longicauda\u003c/em\u003e). On a recent trek through the island canopy, I was treated to a spectacular view of this charismatic bird.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"A vibrant Long-tailed Parakeet perched on a branch, showcasing its lime-green plumage and striking red facial markings.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/images/emeralds-of-the-andaman-a-close-encounter-with-the-long-tailed-parakeet/image_2.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Emeralds of the Andaman: A Close Encounter with the Long-tailed Parakeet"},{"content":"Diara, situated in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, is a well-known gem for bird watching in Eastern India. During the winter, it transforms into a paradise for migratory birds. One can find everything from Eagles to Harriers, wagtails to Pipit, and egret to stork. While every season has different charms, the winter arrival is truly something special.\nThe Unexpected Surprise On 24th December 2025, I arrived at Diara at 10:00 AM on a fine, chilly morning with the temperature sitting at 16°C. I had no idea what surprise was awaiting me. After entering the place, I decided to do some searching in the agricultural fields for pipits—especially the Richard’s Pipit, which I didn\u0026rsquo;t have a photo of.\nI spent about 15–20 minutes scanning the field. While looking for the birds, I heard an Oriental Honey Buzzard calling from afar. I checked the sky to see if it was coming towards me, but instead, a very large bird appeared out of nowhere. It was flying silently, almost hovering.\nBased on its heavy flight style and the way it circled back, I instantly identified it as a Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). For me, it was a crazy surprise as there were no previous records from Diara, Hooghly. It was a brand-new Lifer for me and I managed to get a good photo of the species. After about 1 minute of circling, it went away to a different place.\nClosing the Day In this way, I concluded my birding for the day. It was a fantastic experience to visit Diara again. To find a rare stork and two different harriers in one morning was the perfect way to finish the year. Finding this species in an area where it hadn\u0026rsquo;t been recorded before made the moment even more significant.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/the-year-s-last-lifer-an-unexpected-lesser-adjutant-in-diara/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eDiara, situated in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, is a well-known gem for bird watching in Eastern India. During the winter, it transforms into a paradise for migratory birds. One can find everything from Eagles to Harriers, wagtails to Pipit, and egret to stork. While every season has different charms, the winter arrival is truly something special.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"the-unexpected-surprise\"\u003eThe Unexpected Surprise\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 24th December 2025, I arrived at Diara at 10:00 AM on a fine, chilly morning with the temperature sitting at 16°C. I had no idea what surprise was awaiting me. After entering the place, I decided to do some searching in the agricultural fields for pipits—especially the Richard’s Pipit, which I didn\u0026rsquo;t have a photo of.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Year’s Last Lifer: An Unexpected Lesser Adjutant in Diara"},{"content":"Deep in the lush, green foothills of the Himalayas lies Rongtong, a legendary destination for birdwatchers seeking the diverse avian life of West Bengal. On a recent trip, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with one of the region\u0026rsquo;s most charismatic residents: the Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei).\nMeasuring barely 15 centimeters in length, the Collared Owlet is the smallest owl found in Asia. Despite its diminutive size, it is a ferocious predator, often taking down prey significantly larger than itself. What makes this species particularly fascinating to birders is its diurnal nature; unlike many of its nocturnal cousins, the Collared Owlet is frequently active during the day, making it a prime subject for photography if you can manage to spot it among the dense foliage.\nFinding this little \u0026lsquo;gnome of the forest\u0026rsquo; requires a keen ear. Its call—a distinct, four-note rhythmic whistle—often gives away its location long before its camouflage fails. One of its most striking features is the presence of \u0026lsquo;ocelli\u0026rsquo; or false eyes on the back of its head. These markings are thought to deter predators or confuse mobbing songbirds into thinking the owl is watching them even when its back is turned.\nIn Rongtong, the mix of tropical and sub-tropical forests provides the perfect habitat for these owlets. If you find yourself in this part of the world, keep your eyes peeled for a small, feathery ball perched stoically on a branch. It might just be the smallest owl you\u0026rsquo;ll ever see, staring right back at you with its piercing yellow eyes.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/tiny-terrors-of-the-foothills-encountering-the-collared-owlet-in-rongtong/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eDeep in the lush, green foothills of the Himalayas lies Rongtong, a legendary destination for birdwatchers seeking the diverse avian life of West Bengal. On a recent trip, I had the pleasure of crossing paths with one of the region\u0026rsquo;s most charismatic residents: the Collared Owlet (\u003cem\u003eGlaucidium brodiei\u003c/em\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasuring barely 15 centimeters in length, the Collared Owlet is the smallest owl found in Asia. Despite its diminutive size, it is a ferocious predator, often taking down prey significantly larger than itself. What makes this species particularly fascinating to birders is its diurnal nature; unlike many of its nocturnal cousins, the Collared Owlet is frequently active during the day, making it a prime subject for photography if you can manage to spot it among the dense foliage.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Tiny Terrors of the Foothills: Encountering the Collared Owlet in Rongtong"},{"content":"The Western Marsh Harrier is one of the most elegant birds of prey to visit India during the winter months, and for me, finally photographing it felt like the perfect way to end the year.\nWhen I first started bird photography, harriers were a mystery to me. I initially learned about them through the Merlin Bird ID app, where my introduction was the Pied Harrier, a species relatively common in my area. As I explored further, I discovered the Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)—a large, powerful raptor associated with wetlands and grasslands. From that moment, I was determined to photograph one.\nHowever, fate had other plans. Every time I encountered a brown harrier, it turned out to be the Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus), which was once considered a subspecies of the Western Marsh Harrier before being elevated to full species status. For nearly three years, my “Western Marsh Harrier” sightings always ended the same way—close, but not quite.\nA Long-Awaited Sighting That changed on December 17.\nI visited a nearby wetland, hoping for a calm day of bird photography. The area was alive with activity: wagtails and pipits were busily foraging, and Asian Openbills moved steadily through the shallows. Suddenly, the entire wetland erupted into motion. Birds took off in alarm, and in the chaos, I spotted a harrier. A closer look revealed it to be a female Pied Harrier, being aggressively chased by three Black Kites. After that brief drama, I returned my attention to photographing wagtails.\nLater, I decided to walk toward the far end of the wetland. There, I noticed a lone Black Kite perched in the distance—at first glance, it even resembled an eagle. Then something unexpected happened. A slim, brown raptor appeared, flying low and steadily over the grassland. Its flight style immediately felt different—far too buoyant and deliberate for a Black Kite.\nThe bird was distant, and I wasn’t fully confident at first. But once I managed a few photographs, the realization hit me: this was it. A female Western Marsh Harrier, the harrier that had eluded me for years.\nThe Encounter The Western Marsh Harrier is a winter migrant to India, favoring wetlands, reed beds, marshes, and open grasslands. Females and juveniles are predominantly brown, with a creamy crown and throat, making them especially tricky to distinguish from Eastern Marsh Harriers. Unlike kites, they hunt by flying low over vegetation, gliding slowly and listening for prey such as rodents, small birds, frogs, and reptiles.\nThis individual continued flying over the grassland for nearly 15 minutes, giving me several close passes and precious photo opportunities. Watching it quarter the habitat so effortlessly was deeply satisfying—years of anticipation finally rewarded.\nFor me, the Western Marsh Harrier may be considered a common winter visitor, but this experience reminded me that even common birds can be hard to get. Timing, light, distance, correct identification, and sheer luck all need to align. Sometimes a species seen regularly by many can still remain a personal challenge, and that makes finally seeing and photographing it even more rewarding. This lifer proved that in birding, common never means easy.\nWith a full memory card and a very happy heart, I concluded my bird photography for the day and headed home. Ending the year with such a hard-earned lifer reminded me why birding is so addictive—patience, persistence, and a bit of luck can turn an ordinary day into an unforgettable one.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/western-marsh-harrier/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe Western Marsh Harrier is one of the most elegant birds of prey to visit India during the winter months, and for me, finally photographing it felt like the perfect way to end the year.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I first started bird photography, harriers were a mystery to me. I initially learned about them through the Merlin Bird ID app, where my introduction was the Pied Harrier, a species relatively common in my area. As I explored further, I discovered the Western Marsh Harrier (\u003cem\u003eCircus aeruginosus\u003c/em\u003e)—a large, powerful raptor associated with wetlands and grasslands. From that moment, I was determined to photograph one.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Western Marsh Harrier: A Tough Harrier for me to Photograph"},{"content":"Introduction The Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata) is a small, active passerine native to the montane forests of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. This bird possesses a hidden beauty from which it gets its scientific name “strophiata,” derived from the Ancient Greek word strophios, referring to a breastband or chest cord.\nIdentification Male birds have olive-brown or slate-grey upperparts, a black face mask, a white supercilium and forehead, a prominent rufous-orange throat gorget (expandable in displays), white underparts, and a black tail with white outer bases. Females are comparatively duller, with a paler gorget, a less distinct white brow, and a slate-grey lower breast.\nIn neutral poses, the patch can appear as a small, unremarkable orange smudge—the hidden treasure that defines the Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. However, during territorial disputes or courtship displays, the male puffs out his throat feathers, expanding the gorget into a vivid, glowing orange shield. This transforms him from a drab brown bird into a striking suitor, contrasting the orange flare against his jet-black face mask and white supercilium.\nMigration It performs altitudinal migration, wintering at lower elevations in northeast Bangladesh, southern China, central, eastern, and southern Myanmar, northern Thailand, northern Laos, northern Indochina, and Vietnam.\nSubspecies Two subspecies are recognized: F. s. strophiata (wider Himalayan and Chinese range) and F. s. fuscogularis (eastern Laos and central Vietnam). The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, inhabiting subtropical moist montane forests at 1,500–3,700m.\nMy Experience I first saw this bird on June 7, 2025. My encounters with flycatchers in the Himalayas had been few, so I consider this my first significant flycatcher sighting, aside from the Verditer Flycatcher which is quite common in the hills. I went to Senchal in Darjeeling, West Bengal, where I found many different birds. As I was coming down from the Tiger Hill observatory, I suddenly noticed this beauty perched nearby. I only managed to get a few shots before it flew away. At first, I thought it was a Nepal Fulvetta, but it turned out to be a flycatcher, adding another Old World flycatcher to my list.\nRufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Citations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufous-gorgeted_flycatcher - Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher[1] https://greathimalayannationalpark.org/rufous-gorgeted-flycatcher/ - Ficedula strophiata (Rufous-gorgeted flycatcher)[2] https://app.birda.org/species-guide/31051/Rufous-gorgeted_Flycatcher - Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata) identification[3] https://www.simplybirding.com/birds/rufous-gorgeted-flycatcher-ficedula-strophiata/ - Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata) – Simply Birding[4] https://wildart.works/behindthelens/rufous-gorgeted-flycatcher - Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher[5] https://www.worldbirdnames.com/bird/rufous-gorgeted-flycatcher/26686.html - Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher / Ficedula strophiata[6] ","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/rufous-gorgeted-flycatcher-a-sudden-encounter-flycatcher-series-2/","summary":"\u003ch1 id=\"introduction\"\u003eIntroduction\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (\u003cem\u003eFicedula strophiata\u003c/em\u003e) is a small, active passerine native to the montane forests of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. This bird possesses a hidden beauty from which it gets its scientific name “strophiata,” derived from the Ancient Greek word \u003cem\u003estrophios\u003c/em\u003e, referring to a breastband or chest cord.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"identification\"\u003eIdentification\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMale birds have olive-brown or slate-grey upperparts, a black face mask, a white supercilium and forehead, a prominent rufous-orange throat gorget (expandable in displays), white underparts, and a black tail with white outer bases. Females are comparatively duller, with a paler gorget, a less distinct white brow, and a slate-grey lower breast.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: A Sudden Encounter - Flycatcher Series 2"},{"content":"Introduction Hello Amazing Bird lovers, from today we are starting a new series on the flycatchers of India. In this series we are going to explore awesome fkycatcher species that can be found in India. I first learned about the Nilgiri flycatcher from a YouTube video, and honestly, I was instantly captivated by its glowing indigo-blue plumage. That quick glimpse was enough to make me determined to see this bird in real life. This happened in mid-2023, around the same time a friend of mine was staying in Bangalore. He happened to visit Munnar and shared a stunning photograph of this flycatcher, which only intensified my interest and made the urge to spot it even stronger.\nBehaviour,Breeding \u0026amp; Nesting Since I’ve talked so much about the Nilgiri flycatcher, it’s only fair to explore the origin of its name. “Nilgiri” refers to the mountain range in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which also extends into Karnataka and Kerala. The word itself means “Blue Mountain,” and fittingly, the Nilgiri flycatcher inhabits these misty, forest-covered highlands. Typically, at elevations around 1200 meters, you can find this species in shola forests and along the edges of coffee plantations throughout the year. Like most flycatchers, it follows the characteristic behavior—perching on a branch, darting out to catch flying insects, and returning to the same perch.\nFemale Nilgiri Flycatcher The bird breeds from February to June, but despite being fairly well-known, surprisingly little is documented about its nesting habits. An image of its egg is available, which I’m including below. The nest is usually built in a cavity—either in an earth bank or inside a tree hole. Interestingly, they’ve also been known to nest under the eaves of houses or in the wooden structures of bridges. The nest itself is a cup formed with mosses and lichens on the outer surface and lightly lined with feathers inside, though it isn’t very thickly padded.\nNilgiri Flycatcher – Egg\nCourtesy: Wikimedia Commons My First Sighting The Nilgiri flycatcher is truly a beautiful species, shimmering in deep indigo-blue. I had my first sighting in Ooty, right on the premises of our hotel. Our hotel was located opposite the Doddabetta Peak, and being positioned along the hillside created the perfect habitat for spotting this bird. While casually birding around the area, I finally found this little gem—and for about an hour, I had the pleasure of observing and photographing both the male and female Nilgiri flycatchers.\nMale Nilgiri Flycatcher A Look Back: Jerdon’s Description of the Species Interestingly, this species was first described by T.C. Jerdon in 1840 as the “NeilGherry Blue Flycatcher,” before it was later renamed as the Nilgiri Flycatcher. It was also once known as the Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher due to its bluish coloration.\nHere’s what Jerdon mentioned in his journal:\n“I have hitherto only found this species on the Nilgiris, in the dense woods of which it is far from being uncommon. It captures insects of various kinds on the wing from a fixed perch; occasionally a small flock of five or six of them are seen together in a state of continual movement, taking short darts and gambols in the air, as much in sport, apparently, as in actual pursuit of insects.”\nConservation Status The Nilgiri flycatcher is an endemic species found only in India, confined to this relatively small mountain range. Although it was previously listed as Near Threatened, it was downgraded to Least Concern by Datazone in 2017—though this classification may not accurately reflect its current situation. Considering its limited range and lack of detailed ecological studies, especially regarding nesting and behavior, more research is definitely needed to understand and protect this beautiful bird.\nData \u0026 map for Nilgiri Flycatcher courtesy of BirdLife DataZone Sources Clement, P. (2020). Nilgiri Flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus). Birds of the World. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.nilfly2.01 eBird. (n.d.). Nilgiri Flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus). Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://ebird.org/species/nilfly2 Avibase. (n.d.). Nilgiri Flycatcher – Eumyias albicaudatus. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from Avibase Species Page BirdLife International. (n.d.). Nilgiri Flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus) – Species Factsheet. BirdLife DataZone. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from BirdLife DataZone Madras Literary Society. (1840). Madras Journal of Literature and Science. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from Biodiversity Library Wikipedia contributors. (2025, October 3). Nilgiri flycatcher. Wikipedia. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilgiri_flycatcher ","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/nilgiri-flycatcher-flycatcher-series-1/","summary":"\u003ch1 id=\"introduction\"\u003eIntroduction\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHello Amazing Bird lovers, from today we are starting a new series on the flycatchers of India. In this series we are going to explore awesome fkycatcher species that can be found in India. I first learned about the Nilgiri flycatcher from a YouTube video, and honestly, I was instantly captivated by its glowing indigo-blue plumage. That quick glimpse was enough to make me determined to see this bird in real life. This happened in mid-2023, around the same time a friend of mine was staying in Bangalore. He happened to visit Munnar and shared a stunning photograph of this flycatcher, which only intensified my interest and made the urge to spot it even stronger.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Nilgiri Flycatcher - Flycatcher Series 1"},{"content":"Forest Wagtail is a unique wagtail species which is the only member of it\u0026rsquo;s genus Dendronanthus. It is a common sight in the forests of Odisha during winter. As per BOW this species is a winter migratory across India but a occassional breeder in North Assam. This bird forage in the ground,forest floor with covered area. It has a weird behaviour When disturbed usually flies to perch in tree, sways tail and rear body from side to side.It is also the only wagtail species that nests in trees.\nA video on that behaviour:\nSources Tyler, S. (2020). Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus), version 1.0. In J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, \u0026amp; E. de Juana (Eds.), Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.forwag1.01\nYouTube. (n.d.). Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus) – video [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/SLcHz1BIGAk?si=vGVr2UVoeA8_-xHA\ntrek.zone. (n.d.). Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus) – India/Animals. Retrieved November 1, 2025, from https://trek.zone/en/india/animals/forest-wagtail\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/forest-wagtail-short-note/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eForest Wagtail is a unique wagtail species which is the only member of it\u0026rsquo;s genus Dendronanthus. It is a common sight in the forests of Odisha during winter. As per BOW this species is a winter migratory across India but a occassional breeder in North Assam. This bird forage in the ground,forest floor with covered area. It has a weird behaviour When disturbed usually flies to perch in tree, sways tail and rear body from side to side.It is also the only wagtail species that nests in trees.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Forest Wagtail - Short note"},{"content":"My first endemic bird in the Andamans was the Andaman Coucal! On our very first day, as soon as we reached the hotel, we thought we’d go looking for it the next morning — but suddenly from the car window, I spotted one perched on a tree!\nIt quickly hopped to the next tree and disappeared into the canopy 🌿. We stopped the car, hoping to get a better photograph, but it never came out of the foliage. Still, I managed a few headshots.\nSecond Day Rendezvous 📸 The next morning, we started early for Chidiya Tapu for birding. On the way, we stopped for tea and breakfast ☕🍳. I was chatting with my guide, Arun Singh Ji, about the coucal and other birds when, just 10 minutes later, we saw it again — in the funniest of places!\nThis time, it was sitting on top of a chicken shop, looking for food 😂🐔. I had to shoot from inside the car, so the quality isn’t perfect, but at least I got a full-body shot this time — not just a headshot! (That image’s already at the start of the blog.)\nFun Facts About the Andaman Coucal 📚 It was once considered a subspecies of the Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis). Unlike other coucals in India that have completely black heads, the Andaman Coucal has a pale head, making it stand out beautifully! 😍 ","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/andaman-coucal-short-note/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eMy first endemic bird in the Andamans was the Andaman Coucal!\nOn our very first day, as soon as we reached the hotel, we thought we’d go looking for it the next morning — but suddenly from the car window, I spotted one perched on a tree!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt quickly hopped to the next tree and disappeared into the canopy 🌿. We stopped the car, hoping to get a better photograph, but it never came out of the foliage. Still, I managed a few headshots.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Andaman Coucal - Short note"},{"content":"India is home to 11 stunning species of parakeets—green, long-tailed, seed-eating birds that brighten forests, farms, and even urban skies. These belong to the genus Psittacula, under the larger order Psittaciformes, which includes more than 350 species of parrots worldwide.\nThe order is divided into three superfamilies:\nPsittacidae – the “true” parrots Cacatuidae – cockatoos Strigopoidae – New Zealand parrots Within India, Psittacula species show striking similarities—slender green bodies and long tails—but also fascinating differences. Some, like the plum-headed, blossom-headed, and slaty-headed parakeets, carry vivid head colors, while others such as the Indian ringneck, Malabar parakeet, and Alexandrine parakeet feature the iconic dark neck ring.\n📸 Indian Parakeets Overview Origins in Deep Time Molecular and fossil evidence suggests that the Psittacula lineage first appeared in the late Miocene to early Pliocene, around 3.4–9.7 million years ago (MYA). Over time, different groups diverged, with some splits occurring very recently:\nEarly radiations (2.5–7.7 MYA): Most Psittacula forms branched out during this period. Recent divergences (~0.2 MYA): The Derbyan parakeet (P. derbiana) and moustached parakeet (P. alexandri) separated relatively late. Island evolution: The echo parakeet of Mauritius diverged from the Indian ringneck, not its African cousin, suggesting a southward radiation from India into the Indian Ocean. Evolutionary Groups of Psittacula Research groups South and Southeast Asian Psittacula into three broad clusters:\nRing-neck group – species with a dark or colored collar around the neck (e.g., Indian Ringneck, Malabar, Alexandrine). Blossom-headed group – species with striking head colors (Plum-headed, Blossom-headed, Slaty-headed). Moustached group – species with a unique moustache-like feather pattern (Moustached, Derbyan). These traits not only define their appearance but also reflect their evolutionary history and adaptation to different ecological niches.\n📸 Phylogenetic Tree Dispersal and Radiation Unlike many birds, parrots have limited flight endurance and tend to remain within specific habitats. Yet, Psittacula managed impressive dispersals:\nThe Indian subcontinent became the center of diversity, with most species evolving here before radiating outward. Some species expanded eastwards into Southeast Asia (e.g., long-tailed parakeet) while others dispersed across the Indian Ocean. The volcanic formation of Mauritius provided a new home for the echo parakeet, a rare case of island radiation. Evolutionary Pressures and Adaptations Sexual dimorphism: Males often sport brighter rings or head colors, signaling health and fitness. Geographic variation: For example, Indian ringneck parakeets show a cline—northern populations with black mandibles, southern ones with red. Competition: In Southeast Asia, the long-tailed parakeet has displaced the moustached parakeet in some regions, suggesting competition for niches. Why It Matters Understanding the evolutionary history of Indian parakeets is more than just birdwatcher’s curiosity. It shows:\nHow geology and climate shifts shaped biodiversity. How islands and continents exchanged species. Why India is a cradle of Psittacula diversity—and therefore vital for their conservation. 📚 Citations Groombridge, J.J., Jones, C.G., Nichols, R.A., Carlton, M., \u0026amp; Bruford, M.W. (2004). Molecular phylogeny and morphological change in the Psittacula parakeets. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31(1), 96–108. Kundu, S., Jones, C.G., Prys-Jones, R.P., \u0026amp; Groombridge, J.J. (2012). The evolution of the Indian Ocean parrots: extinction, adaptive radiation and eustacy. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 62, 296–305. Schweizer, M., Seehausen, O., Güntert, M., \u0026amp; Hertwig, S.T. (2010). The evolutionary diversification of parrots supports a taxon pulse model with multiple trans-oceanic dispersal events and local radiations. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 54, 984–994. Juniper, T., \u0026amp; Parr, M. (2019). Parrots: A Guide to the Parrots of the World. Bloomsbury Publishing. AI tools, Chagpt, Gemini ","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/parrots-evolution-history-analysis/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIndia is home to 11 stunning species of parakeets—green, long-tailed, seed-eating birds that brighten forests, farms, and even urban skies. These belong to the genus \u003cstrong\u003ePsittacula\u003c/strong\u003e, under the larger order \u003cstrong\u003ePsittaciformes\u003c/strong\u003e, which includes more than 350 species of parrots worldwide.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe order is divided into three superfamilies:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePsittacidae\u003c/strong\u003e – the “true” parrots\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCacatuidae\u003c/strong\u003e – cockatoos\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrigopoidae\u003c/strong\u003e – New Zealand parrots\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin India, \u003cem\u003ePsittacula\u003c/em\u003e species show striking similarities—slender green bodies and long tails—but also fascinating differences. Some, like the \u003cstrong\u003eplum-headed\u003c/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eblossom-headed\u003c/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eslaty-headed parakeets\u003c/strong\u003e, carry vivid head colors, while others such as the \u003cstrong\u003eIndian ringneck\u003c/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eMalabar parakeet\u003c/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eAlexandrine parakeet\u003c/strong\u003e feature the iconic dark neck ring.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"🦜 Evolutionary History of Indian Parakeets (Psittaculla)"},{"content":"Barn owls are among the most widespread birds on Earth, found almost everywhere except Antarctica 🌍. In India, however, the one you often notice gliding silently over fields at dusk or perched in an old ruin 🏚️ is not just any barn owl—it’s a distinct subspecies, the Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica stertens).\n🌾 Meet the Indian Barn Owl If you’ve ever caught sight of a pale owl with a heart-shaped face ❤️ drifting low over farmland, you’ve likely encountered the Indian barn owl. This subspecies ranges across most of the Indian subcontinent and extends into Sri Lanka 🇮🇳🇱🇰.\nCompared with its western cousin (Tyto alba), it tends to be slightly smaller. Its upperparts carry warmer buff tones 🎨, while the underparts are a clearer, brighter white. At night, its harsh, rasping call 🔊 often reveals its presence as it hunts rodents 🐀 around villages, fields, and even cityscapes.\nDid you know? A single barn owl can consume thousands of rats in a year 🗓️—making it a quiet but powerful ally of farmers 🚜.\n📖 The Name \u0026ldquo;Tyto\u0026rdquo;: Where It Comes From The scientific name Tyto has ancient roots. It comes from the Greek word “τύτω” (tutō), meaning “owl.” 🏺 Ancient writers used it for owls with haunting calls, and modern zoologists adopted it for barn owls because of their unmistakable screech.\nBarn owls also belong to a unique family: Tytonidae. This sets them apart from the so-called “true owls” (Strigidae). Their heart-shaped facial disc ❤️, long legs 🦵, and dark eyes 👀 are quick giveaways of their special place in the owl family tree.\n🌱 Why Barn Owls Matter Barn owls are more than striking night hunters ✨—they’re ecological helpers. By preying on rodents 🐭➡️🚫, they naturally protect crops 🌾, reduce the need for chemical pesticides, and help maintain balance in rural landscapes. In a way, they’re the silent partners of farmers, working tirelessly while people sleep 😴.\n💬 Have you ever watched an Indian barn owl sweep through the night sky? Share your story in the comments below!\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/eastern-barn-owl/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eBarn owls are among the most widespread birds on Earth, found almost everywhere except Antarctica 🌍. In India, however, the one you often notice gliding silently over fields at dusk or perched in an old ruin 🏚️ is not just any barn owl—it’s a distinct subspecies, the Eastern Barn Owl (\u003cem\u003eTyto javanica stertens\u003c/em\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"-meet-the-indian-barn-owl\"\u003e🌾 Meet the Indian Barn Owl\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’ve ever caught sight of a pale owl with a heart-shaped face ❤️ drifting low over farmland, you’ve likely encountered the Indian barn owl. This subspecies ranges across most of the Indian subcontinent and extends into Sri Lanka 🇮🇳🇱🇰.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"🦉 The Eastern Barn Owl in India: Secrets of Tyto javanica stertens"},{"content":"Walk through the leafy streets of Kochi, Bengaluru, or even Mumbai, and you’ll likely hear a sharp, rhythmic “kutroo-kutroo” echoing through the trees. That’s the call of the White-cheeked Barbet (Psilopogon viridis)—a small green bird with a white cheek patch that has become one of the most familiar sounds of South India.\n🔎 A Bird You Can’t Miss This barbet is hard to mistake once you know its signature look:\n🤍 White cheek patch – its trademark feature, easy to tell apart from the Brown-headed Barbet. 🍃 Green plumage – perfect camouflage among leaves. 🟤 Brown head and streaked throat – subtle details that complete its look. Even when hidden among branches, its call always gives it away. For many city residents, that loud, repetitive song has become part of the daily soundscape.\n🌿 From Forests to Cities Native to the Western Ghats, the White-cheeked Barbet has spread far beyond its forest home. Today it thrives in:\n🌴 Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Goa 🏙️ Cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai 🌳 Urban parks, gardens, and fruiting trees Its adaptability makes it one of the most common endemic birds you’ll encounter while visiting South India.\n🍎 Diet and Role in the Ecosystem The White-cheeked Barbet loves fruit:\n🍇 Figs 🍈 Guavas 🍌 Papayas Occasionally, it picks up insects 🐛 for protein. By spreading seeds, these barbets act as silent gardeners, helping cities stay green and healthy.\n🔊 The Call of the Barbet Ask anyone in South India what they remember about this bird, and they’ll mention its loud, insistent “kutroo-kutroo”. The call can go on for hours—especially during the breeding season. It’s not just noise; it’s communication 🗣️: a way to attract mates and defend territory.\n🌏 Why It Matters The White-cheeked Barbet shows how wildlife can adapt to urban life instead of disappearing. It reminds us that:\n🐦 Nature is always closer than we think. 🌆 Even in concrete jungles, birds can thrive. 🌱 Small creatures play big roles in keeping ecosystems alive. 👀 How to Spot One Look up at fruiting trees like figs and guavas. 🍃 Listen for its unmistakable call 🎶. Be patient—its green plumage makes it easy to miss. 💭 Final Thought The White-cheeked Barbet isn’t just another bird—it’s the voice of South Indian cities. Next time you hear that rhythmic call echoing through the streets, pause for a moment. It’s nature reminding you it still belongs here too. 🌿✨\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/voice-of-south-india-white-cheeked-barbet/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWalk through the leafy streets of Kochi, Bengaluru, or even Mumbai, and you’ll likely hear a sharp, rhythmic \u003cstrong\u003e“kutroo-kutroo”\u003c/strong\u003e echoing through the trees. That’s the call of the \u003cstrong\u003eWhite-cheeked Barbet (Psilopogon viridis)\u003c/strong\u003e—a small green bird with a white cheek patch that has become one of the most familiar sounds of South India.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"-a-bird-you-cant-miss\"\u003e🔎 A Bird You Can’t Miss\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis barbet is hard to mistake once you know its signature look:\u003c/p\u003e","title":"🐦 White-cheeked Barbet: The Voice of South Indian Cities 🌳"},{"content":"On this Happy Independence Day 🫡, I find myself reflecting an experience on sighting of two cuckoos , Jacobin Cuckoo and Chestnut-winged cuckoo. These cuckoos are member of clamator genus which I find most cool looking cuckoos in the wild, but India has only two of them. Below I put some details about them:\nJacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) — famous in Indian folklore as the harbinger of the monsoon, this black-and-white beauty carries a touch of drama in its plumage and a deep place in our culture. Early monsoon migrant to out eastern side of India and as well as resident in South India. Chestnut-winged Cuckoo (Clamator coromandel) — an equally stunning bird, adorned with rich chestnut wings and a crest that gives it an unmistakable elegance. This bird resident in north of our country and migrates to South India during the monsoon. What makes this story special for me is not just their beauty — but the fact that I spotted both species right from my own backyard. Watching them up close, listening to their calls, and observing their behavior was nothing short of magical.\nLet me start with the Jacobin cuckoo since it is relatively easy bird to get during the monsoon. I first saw it in a different wetland not in my backyard of September 2022, that time I just get started. But in my nearby area I found it later that was around August 2023, I was photographing munias, there was a tree with a lots of caterpiller, suddenly the Jacobin Cuckoo came to that place and start eating the caterpiller, it gave me ample time to photograph it. It was a really great experience. Here a photo of that cuckoo, it\u0026rsquo;s looking so cool with black and white colour a long crest a handsome bird for sure.\nNext was the chestnut winged cuckoo which I saw in my backyard suddenly on Sep 23. It was a great experience basically it sat outside of my window. I immediately grabbed my camera and went to the backyard though it was a shy bird. It didn\u0026rsquo;t give me a long time to photograph. Somehow I managed a good enough shot of it though I am very happy to see it.\nAnother image from that series\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/tales-of-clamator-cuckoos-in/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eOn this Happy Independence Day 🫡, I find myself reflecting an experience on sighting of two cuckoos , Jacobin Cuckoo and Chestnut-winged cuckoo. These cuckoos are member of clamator genus which I find most cool looking cuckoos in the wild, but India has only two of them. Below I put some details about them:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJacobin Cuckoo\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eClamator jacobinus\u003c/em\u003e) — famous in Indian folklore as the \u003cem\u003eharbinger of the monsoon\u003c/em\u003e, this black-and-white beauty carries a touch of drama in its plumage and a deep place in our culture. Early monsoon migrant to out eastern side of India and as well as resident in South India.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChestnut-winged Cuckoo\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eClamator coromandel\u003c/em\u003e) — an equally stunning bird, adorned with rich chestnut wings and a crest that gives it an unmistakable elegance. This bird resident in north of our country and migrates to South India during the monsoon.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this story special for me is not just their beauty — but the fact that I spotted both species right from my \u003cstrong\u003eown backyard\u003c/strong\u003e. Watching them up close, listening to their calls, and observing their behavior was nothing short of magical.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Tales of Clamator Cuckoos: Independence Day Special"},{"content":"On a monsoon day of August 2024, I went to a nearby place for birding. I was hoping to photograph a colourful prinia that can be found in my area, that is a Yellow-bellied prinia (prinia flaviventris). These prinias are generally very active during the monsoon for breeding. They used to sit in a tree and start singing for a long time. After reaching the destination, I first tried to hear their sounds as these songstars sing very loudly and have a distinct call which one can identify if one knows beforehand. Attaching a sound for better usage.\nMonsoon time is best to photograph them as they have the bright yellow breeding plumage, which in winter is worn out. So I also have the idea to photograph these beautiful birds. First 10-15 minutes, I could not hear the sound at the spot, then I moved to another patch and suddenly I heard the familiar sound. Then, surprisingly, the bird hops on a tree branch and offers me this beautiful photo.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/a-day-with-yellow-bellied-prinia/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eOn a monsoon day of August 2024, I went to a nearby place for birding. I was hoping to photograph a colourful prinia that can be found in my area, that is a \u003cstrong\u003eYellow-bellied prinia (\u003cem\u003eprinia flaviventris\u003c/em\u003e)\u003c/strong\u003e. These prinias are generally very active during the monsoon for breeding. They used to sit in a tree and start singing for a long time. After reaching the destination, I first tried to hear their sounds as these songstars sing very loudly and have a distinct call which one can identify if one knows beforehand. Attaching a sound for better usage.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A Day With Yellow Bellied Prinia"},{"content":"Purple Sunbirds (Cinnyris asiaticus) are common across India, except in the high Himalayas and some remote islands. They’re a familiar sight in gardens, parks, and open wooded areas — known for their rapid wingbeats, vibrant plumage, and important role as pollinators.\nWe often see them flitting among the flowers in our locality. Watching these little nectar thieves up close is a truly rewarding experience.\nIn the image above, you can see a male in breeding plumage, with its shimmering metallic blue and purple feathers glowing in the light — a signature feature of the species during the mating season. Also another fun fact is that these males have pectoral tuft which they showcase to attract the female.\nNow after the breeding ends male changed back to eclipse plumage where it don\u0026rsquo;t have the glossy blue instead yellow like the female. first image is a eclipse plumage male.\nWhile a female is very dull in colour, below a photo from the ebird.\nNext I tried to create a basic short list of information with identification,subspecies,habitat etc.\nIdentification Size: 10–11 cm Weight: Males 6.9–11 g, Females 5–10 g 🟣 Male (Breeding) Glossy metallic blue and purple overall Yellow and scarlet pectoral tufts Narrow reddish-brown breast band Black tail with blue gloss 🟫 Male (Eclipse/Non-breeding) Olive-brown upperparts Yellowish underparts Broad blue-black throat stripe 🟡 Female Olive-brown above Yellowish below Pale eyebrow (supercilium) 🐣 Juvenile Similar to female but paler and duller Subspecies C. a. asiaticus – Most of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka C. a. brevirostris – West India, Pakistan, Iran Shorter bill, paler female C. a. intermedius – East India, Bangladesh, Myanmar More violet upperparts Presumed subspecies: Cinnyris asiaticus asiaticus\nPresumed subspecies: C. a. intermedius\nHabitat and Range Found in gardens, farmland, dry deciduous forests, thorn scrub Common up to 2400 m in South India (Nilgiris) Widespread across India (except high altitudes), and seen in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, SE China, UAE, Oman Behavior and Ecology Diet: Primarily nectar; also insects, spiders, mistletoe berries, and grapes Foraging: Alone or in small groups, flitting among flowers like hibiscus, aloe, and coral trees Vocalizations Songs: Rapid “cheewit-cheewit”, and warbled “swi-swi-swi-a-col-a-oli” Calls: “chip”, “chweet”, “sweep”, and “chwing” In flight: Sharp, shrill notes and crackling alarm calls Breeding Breeding Season:\nN India: May–Aug S India: Nov–Aug Sri Lanka: Jan–Jun Nest:\nPurse-shaped with a porch, made of grass, cobwebs, and decorated with debris Hung on trees, wires, verandahs, or even inside buildings Clutch: 1–3 eggs\nIncubation: 14–15 days\nFledging: 13–17 days\nMay be double-brooded in some regions\nConservation Status IUCN Status: Least Concern Common across its range and adaptable Present in protected areas like Keoladeo, Nagarhole, Chitwan NP Sources Cheke, R. and C. Mann (2020). Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pursun4.01\nMacaulay Library (Cornell Lab of Ornithology). Media archive for Cinnyris asiaticus. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://macaulaylibrary.org/\neBird Species Account – Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://ebird.org/species/pursun4\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/our-neighbour-purple-sunbird/","summary":"\u003cp\u003ePurple Sunbirds (\u003cem\u003eCinnyris asiaticus\u003c/em\u003e) are common across India, except in the high Himalayas and some remote islands. They’re a familiar sight in gardens, parks, and open wooded areas — known for their rapid wingbeats, vibrant plumage, and important role as pollinators.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe often see them flitting among the flowers in our locality. Watching these little nectar thieves up close is a truly rewarding experience.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe src=\"https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/612731582/embed\" height=\"519\" width=\"640\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c/iframe\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the image above, you can see a \u003cstrong\u003emale in breeding plumage\u003c/strong\u003e, with its shimmering metallic blue and purple feathers glowing in the light — a signature feature of the species during the mating season. Also another fun fact is that these males have pectoral tuft which they showcase to attract the female.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Our Neighbour Purple Sunbird"},{"content":"During the pre-monsoon season, on a cloudy day in May, I went bird watching in a local patch. Monsoon is breeding season for many birds in West Bengal. I first spotted some lesser whistling ducks perched on a wall, which was delightful to observe. Suddenly, I heard distinctive calls from baya birds. Following the sounds, I discovered a reed bed with tall grasses where several streaked weaver birds were busily constructing nests. I checked the birds for some time and then left them so they can carry out their work.\nStreaked weaver males are quite striking in their breeding plumage, with a bright yellow cap covering the forehead and crown and streaks on their upper breast. Females look similar to non-breeding males and juveniles. Key identification features include a yellowish buff eyebrow that extends down around the back of the face, streaky flanks, and dark brown upperparts with long streaks on the back.\nTheir nest-building differs from other weaver birds found in India. They prefer long grass beds with shallow water, as I noticed during my visit. The nest-building process is fascinating: males initiate construction by gathering long grasses and attaching them to create a strong upper base, then build the middle and other portions. Females visit the nests repeatedly, and if they approve, they join in the construction effort.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/an-encounter-with-streaked-weaver/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eDuring the pre-monsoon season, on a cloudy day in May, I went bird watching in a local patch. Monsoon is breeding season for many birds in West Bengal. I first spotted some lesser whistling ducks perched on a wall, which was delightful to observe. Suddenly, I heard distinctive calls from baya birds. Following the sounds, I discovered a reed bed with tall grasses where several streaked weaver birds were busily constructing nests. I checked the birds for some time and then left them so they can carry out their work.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"An Encounter With Streaked Weaver"},{"content":"I first encouter with Greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) in niriyamangalam Kerala where we stayed in a homestay. Homestay was very nice for bird photography. This bird was the first one I saw and it was calling loudly outside. I saw almost 4-5 drongos seems to be very common at that place. Though due to low light in morning my photgraphs are lacking details but I am very happy to see those birds.\nIdentification Of the Greater racket-tailed drongo One can easily identify the bird from it\u0026rsquo;s notched tail and long, racketlike outer tail streamers. It\u0026rsquo;s has glossy back and a crest on the forehead makes it one of the most distinguished drongo species.\nInteresting Facts While I was reading about this bird, I found that Kerala is home to the subspecies Dicrurus paradiseus paradiseus, while in central India, we usually see Dicrurus paradiseus rangoonensis. In the Himalayan foothills, the form present is Dicrurus paradiseus grandis. I found this a very interesting fact about the species and how its distribution varies across regions.\nNominate subspecies Next here is a image from ebird of the grandis ssp\nAnother fascinating fact is that the Greater Racket-tailed Drongo is an exceptional mimic, capable of perfectly imitating the calls and songs of a wide range of bird species from various families—including small raptors, koel (Eudynamys), Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus), woodpeckers (Picidae), hornbills (Bucerotidae), pittas (Pittidae), babblers (Timaliidae), thrushes (Turdidae), Old World orioles (Oriolidae), and magpie-robins (Copsychus). ","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/bird-photo-post-greater-racket-tailed-drongo/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI first encouter with Greater racket-tailed drongo (\u003cem\u003eDicrurus paradiseus\u003c/em\u003e) in niriyamangalam Kerala where we stayed in a homestay. Homestay was very nice for bird photography. This bird was the first one I saw and it was calling loudly outside. I saw almost 4-5 drongos seems to be very common at that place. Though due to low light in morning my photgraphs are lacking details but I am very happy to see those birds.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Bird Identification: Greater racket-tailed drongo"},{"content":"The Jacobin Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus), also known as the Pied Cuckoo, is one of the most fascinating and symbolic birds in Indian culture. Often hailed as the \u0026lsquo;harbinger of monsoon\u0026rsquo;, its arrival from Africa is timed with the onset of rains in northern India.\nThis sleek black-and-white bird with a prominent crest and long tail is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of babblers, especially Jungle Babblers. The foster parents unknowingly raise the young cuckoo.\nWhy I Love Watching Them During pre-monsoon birding walks, hearing their loud, whistling call gives me a feeling of excitement and change. They\u0026rsquo;re shy and agile, often perching high or darting between trees. Photographing them in golden light after a fresh rain is a joy.\n📸 Image Info\nThe image used above was taken at diara on Aug 2024.\nStay tuned for more bird profiles and field notes from my photography travels.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/short-note-on-jacobin-cuckoo/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eJacobin Cuckoo\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eClamator jacobinus\u003c/em\u003e), also known as the Pied Cuckoo, is one of the most fascinating and symbolic birds in Indian culture. Often hailed as the \u003cstrong\u003e\u0026lsquo;harbinger of monsoon\u0026rsquo;\u003c/strong\u003e, its arrival from Africa is timed with the onset of rains in northern India.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis sleek black-and-white bird with a prominent crest and long tail is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of babblers, especially Jungle Babblers. The foster parents unknowingly raise the young cuckoo.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The Jacobin Cuckoo – A short note"},{"content":"Photo by Debo\nThe Crimson-backed Sunbird (Leptocoma minima) is one of the smallest and most dazzling birds found in the Western Ghats of India. Measuring just around 8 cm in length, this energetic bird is easily recognized by the male\u0026rsquo;s deep crimson back, metallic green crown, and glossy purple throat that shimmer in sunlight.\nHabitat and Behavior Crimson-backed Sunbirds thrive in moist evergreen forests, plantations, and even gardens. They\u0026rsquo;re primarily nectarivorous, often seen darting between flowers with rapid wingbeats, much like hummingbirds. However, they don’t hover as long—instead, they often perch while feeding.\nBreeding and Nesting These sunbirds build hanging, purse-like nests made of plant fibers, cobwebs, and bark strips. The female lays 1–2 eggs, which she incubates alone. During the breeding season, males display vibrant plumage and emit high-pitched, rapid calls to attract mates.\nConservation Status Though their range is restricted, the Crimson-backed Sunbird is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Habitat loss due to deforestation, however, could impact local populations over time.\nIf you\u0026rsquo;re lucky enough to walk through the forests of southern India, keep an eye out for a tiny, jewel-like flash of red and green—that\u0026rsquo;s the Crimson-backed Sunbird at work, pollinating the canopy one flower at a time.\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/posts/tiny-jewel-crimson-backed-sunbird/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhoto by Debo\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eCrimson-backed Sunbird\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eLeptocoma minima\u003c/em\u003e) is one of the smallest and most dazzling birds found in the \u003cstrong\u003eWestern Ghats\u003c/strong\u003e of India. Measuring just around 8 cm in length, this energetic bird is easily recognized by the male\u0026rsquo;s \u003cstrong\u003edeep crimson back\u003c/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003emetallic green crown\u003c/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eglossy purple throat\u003c/strong\u003e that shimmer in sunlight.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"habitat-and-behavior\"\u003eHabitat and Behavior\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrimson-backed Sunbirds thrive in \u003cstrong\u003emoist evergreen forests\u003c/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eplantations\u003c/strong\u003e, and even \u003cstrong\u003egardens\u003c/strong\u003e. They\u0026rsquo;re primarily nectarivorous, often seen darting between flowers with rapid wingbeats, much like hummingbirds. However, they don’t hover as long—instead, they often perch while feeding.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Tiny Jewel: Crimson-backed Sunbird"},{"content":"Hi, I’m Debojyoti — a birder and wildlife photographer passionate about exploring new habitats and spotting rare species. Contact me: indobirderbeyond@gmail.com \u0026amp; follow on Instagram: Gear Binoculars: Nikon Aculon Camera: Sony A6100 + Sony 200-600 G OSS Field Guide: Birds of Indian Subcontinent by grimmet ","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/about/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHi, I’m Debojyoti — a birder and wildlife photographer passionate about exploring new habitats and spotting rare species. Contact me: \u003ca href=\"mailto:indobirderbeyond@gmail.com\"\u003eindobirderbeyond@gmail.com\u003c/a\u003e \u0026amp; follow on Instagram: \u003cimg alt=\"phot_o_graphical\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.instagram.com/phot_o_graphical\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"gear\"\u003eGear\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinoculars:\u003c/strong\u003e Nikon Aculon\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCamera:\u003c/strong\u003e Sony A6100 + Sony 200-600 G OSS\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eField Guide:\u003c/strong\u003e Birds of Indian Subcontinent by grimmet\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","title":"About the Birder"},{"content":"Welcome to my birding gallery!\n","permalink":"https://blog.easybirding.cc/gallery/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to my birding gallery!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003clink href=\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/lightgallery@2.7.1/css/lightgallery-bundle.min.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\"\u003e\n\u003cscript src=\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/lightgallery@2.7.1/lightgallery.min.js\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\n\u003cscript src=\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/lightgallery@2.7.1/plugins/thumbnail/lg-thumbnail.min.js\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\n\u003cscript src=\"https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/lightgallery@2.7.1/plugins/zoom/lg-zoom.min.js\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"protected-gallery\" class=\"gallery-grid\" style=\"\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(220px, 1fr));\n    gap: 12px;\n    margin-top: 20px;\n    user-select: none;\n\" oncontextmenu=\"return false;\" ondragstart=\"return false;\" oncopy=\"return false;\"\u003e\n  \n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/DSC00317.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"DSC00317.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/DSC00317.jpg\" alt=\"DSC00317.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           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src=\"/images/gallery/DSC03840.jpg\" alt=\"DSC03840.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/DSC03880.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"DSC03880.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/DSC03880.jpg\" alt=\"DSC03880.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/DSC04062.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"DSC04062.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/DSC04062.jpg\" alt=\"DSC04062.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/DSC04143.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"DSC04143.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/DSC04143.jpg\" alt=\"DSC04143.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    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style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/IMG_1868.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"IMG_1868.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/IMG_1868.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1868.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/IMG_1941.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"IMG_1941.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/IMG_1941.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_1941.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           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src=\"/images/gallery/IMG_2255.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_2255.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/IMG_2694.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"IMG_2694.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/IMG_2694.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_2694.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/forest_wagtail.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"forest_wagtail.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/forest_wagtail.jpg\" alt=\"forest_wagtail.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/grt-racket-drongo-1.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"grt-racket-drongo-1.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/grt-racket-drongo-1.jpg\" alt=\"grt-racket-drongo-1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/grt-racket-drongo-2.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"grt-racket-drongo-2.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/grt-racket-drongo-2.jpg\" alt=\"grt-racket-drongo-2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/jacobin-cuckoo-1.png\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"jacobin-cuckoo-1.png\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/jacobin-cuckoo-1.png\" alt=\"jacobin-cuckoo-1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n    \u003ca href=\"/images/gallery/purple_sunbird.jpg\" class=\"gallery-item\" data-sub-html=\"purple_sunbird.jpg\"\u003e\n      \u003cimg src=\"/images/gallery/purple_sunbird.jpg\" alt=\"purple_sunbird.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" \n           style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block;pointer-events:none;-webkit-user-drag:none;border-radius:10px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv style=\"\n        position:absolute;top:0;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;\n        background:transparent;\n        pointer-events:auto;\n      \"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n    \u003c/a\u003e\n  \n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript\u003e\ndocument.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {\n    lightGallery(document.getElementById('protected-gallery'), {\n        plugins: [lgZoom, lgThumbnail],\n        speed: 300,\n        download: false, \n        getCaptionFromTitleOrAlt: false,\n    });\n});\n\u003c/script\u003e","title":"Birding Photo Gallery"}]