Posts on Birding Blog of Debo

Field Observations and an Assessment of the Probable Eastern Subspecies, Ploceus manyar peguensis

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 20:56:38 +0000

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.

Hume's Bush Warbler : sa re ga ma bird of Darjeeling Hills

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 16:31:31 +0000

A bit about the bird

Hume’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.

Bar Throated Siva - A tiny bird from Senchal

Sat, 30 May 2026 09:06:26 +0000

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.

Introduction

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.

A Journey to Photograph Every Drongo Species in India

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:58:48 +0000

Drongos belong to the family Dicruridae and are found across the entire Indian Subcontinent. Whether it’s a mountain or desert, island or jungle, they are practically omnipresent; you can find at least one species in almost any habitat.

I didn’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 “easy” 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:

The Guest on the Coconut Tree: Deciphering the Oriental Honey Buzzard

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 14:06:29 +0000

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.

While 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 ‘guest’ 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.

A Morning of Gems: Finding Sapphire Flycatchers and Small Niltavas in Rongtong

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:21:01 +0000

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’ most vibrant residents. This morning was no exception, providing a double-header of spectacular flycatchers that made every minute of the early start worthwhile.

The 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.

A Winter Pipity Treat: Spotting the Long-billed Pipit at Nalsarovar

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 09:58:39 +0000

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.

While scanning the area, something unusual caught my eye—a large, chunky bird that had landed on the dumps of harvested paddy.

Emeralds of the Andaman: A Close Encounter with the Long-tailed Parakeet

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 04:27:15 +0000

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.

The Year’s Last Lifer: An Unexpected Lesser Adjutant in Diara

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 16:06:35 +0000

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.

The 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’t have a photo of.

Tiny Terrors of the Foothills: Encountering the Collared Owlet in Rongtong

Sat, 03 Jan 2026 15:27:05 +0000

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’s most charismatic residents: the Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodiei).

Measuring 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.

Western Marsh Harrier: A Tough Harrier for me to Photograph

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 22:21:34 +0530

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.

When 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.

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher: A Sudden Encounter - Flycatcher Series 2

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:46:04 +0000

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.

Identification

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.

Nilgiri Flycatcher - Flycatcher Series 1

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 06:47:13 +0000

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.

Forest Wagtail - Short note

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:32:10 +0000

Forest Wagtail is a unique wagtail species which is the only member of it’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.

Andaman Coucal - Short note

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 14:34:43 +0000

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!

It 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.

🦜 Evolutionary History of Indian Parakeets (Psittaculla)

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Exploring the evolutionary history, dispersal, and adaptation of Indian parakeets (Psittacula) across South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

🦉 The Eastern Barn Owl in India: Secrets of Tyto javanica stertens

Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Discover the Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica stertens) in India—its unique traits, fascinating history, and the important role it plays in agriculture.

🐦 White-cheeked Barbet: The Voice of South Indian Cities 🌳

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

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.

🔎 A Bird You Can’t Miss

This barbet is hard to mistake once you know its signature look:

Tales of Clamator Cuckoos: Independence Day Special

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 02:24:47 +0000

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:

Jacobin 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.

A Day With Yellow Bellied Prinia

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 07:04:55 +0000

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.

Our Neighbour Purple Sunbird

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 05:17:43 +0000

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.

We often see them flitting among the flowers in our locality. Watching these little nectar thieves up close is a truly rewarding experience.

In 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.

An Encounter With Streaked Weaver

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 11:48:00 +0000

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.

Bird Identification: Greater racket-tailed drongo

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 13:10:00 +0530

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.

The Jacobin Cuckoo – A short note

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 13:10:00 +0530

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 ‘harbinger of monsoon’, its arrival from Africa is timed with the onset of rains in northern India.

This 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.

Tiny Jewel: Crimson-backed Sunbird

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 13:10:00 +0530

Photo by Debo

The 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’s deep crimson back, metallic green crown, and glossy purple throat that shimmer in sunlight.

Habitat and Behavior

Crimson-backed Sunbirds thrive in moist evergreen forests, plantations, and even gardens. They’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.