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Birding, a passion I discovered at the age of 50; and feeling young ever since.... We find birds everywhere, but how many can we identify? Enjoy.

It's awesome to know the Indian subcontinent itself is home to some 1200+ species. I promise to bring many of them here.

18/07/2026

Himalayan Griffons are found everywhere in the Himalayas; never thought I;ll shoot them so close..

16/07/2026

Spotted Forktail
Stunning galaxy-like white spotting on the back separates this species from all other forktails. Picks its way through well-shaded forest streams and creeks, particularly in rocky areas; breeds in foothills and mountains, but sometimes descends in the winter. Frequently gives a loud buzzy “brzeeee!” as well as high thin whistles. (e-Bird)

10/07/2026

The russet sparrow, also called the cinnamon or cinnamon tree sparrow, is a passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae. A chunky little seed-eating bird with a thick bill, it has a body length of 14 to 15 cm (5.5–5.9 in). Its plumage is mainly warm rufous above and grey below. It exhibits s*xual dimorphism, with the plumage of both s*xes patterned similarly to that of the corresponding s*x of house sparrow. Its vocalisations are sweet and musical chirps, which when strung together form a song.

05/07/2026

Blue Capped Rock Thrush
Brightly-colored male is unmistakable with his black mask, sky-blue head, and orange rump and underparts. Female is gray-brown with scaled underparts and faint white eye crescents; similar to larger female Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush, but lacks prominent white “ear crescents”, has less densely-patterned underparts, and averages paler overall. Breeds in hilly and montane areas, particularly open dry forests and rocky slopes with scattered trees. Descends in the winter; favors secondary forests and plantations. Forages in trees and on the ground; often searches for prey from snags or telephone wires. Moves with mixed-species flocks in the winter. (eBird)

24/03/2025

Great Hornbill - Normally we are happy to spot one or two Great Hornbills at a time, but this fruiting tree in Manas National Park, Assam was adorned with more than 2 dozens of the. 10.03.2025

21/03/2025

Great Hornbill - Normally you are happy to see one or two at a time. This tree in Manas National Park, Assam was adorned by more than 2 dozens of them.

29/05/2024

Stork Billed Kingfisher
It is a very large kingfisher, measuring 35 cm (14 in) in length.[12] The adult has a green back, blue wings and tail, and olive-brown head. Its underparts and neck are buff. The very large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the stork-billed kingfisher is laboured and flapping, but direct. Sexes are similar. There are 13 races or subspecies, differing mostly in plumage detail, but P. c. gigantea of the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines has a white head, neck and underparts.

Habits
The stork-billed kingfisher lives in a variety of well-wooded habitats near lakes, rivers, or coasts. It perches quietly whilst seeking food, and is often inconspicuous despite its size. It is territorial and will chase away eagles and other large predators. This species hunts fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds.

Adults dig their nests in river banks, decaying trees, or tree termite nests. A clutch of two to five round white eggs is typical.

The call of this noisy kingfisher is a low and far reaching peer-por-por repeated about every 5 seconds, as well cackling ke-ke-ke-ke-ke-ke.(Wikipedia)
Photo clicked at Gajaldoba, North Bengal 14.01.2024

27/05/2024

The river lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii) is a lapwing species which breeds from the Indian Subcontinent eastwards to Southeast Asia. It range includes much of northern and northeastern India, and extends through Southeast Asia to Vietnam.
The river lapwing is 29–32 cm long. It has a black crest, crown, face and central throat and grey-white neck sides and nape. It has a grey-brown breast band and white underparts with a black belly patch. The back is brown, the rump is white and the tail is black. This is a striking species in flight, with black primaries, white under wings and upper wing secondaries, and brown upper wing coverts.
Adults of both s*xes are similarly plumaged, but males are slightly larger than females. Young birds have the brown tips to the black head feathers, a sandier brown back, and pale fringes to the upperpart and wing covert feathers. The call of the river lapwing is a sharp tip-tip or did-did-did. (Wikipedia)
Photo taken at Gajaldoba wetlands, North Bengal 14.01.2024

04/05/2024

The stork-billed kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis), is a tree kingfisher which is widely but sparsely distributed in the tropical Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia. This kingfisher is resident throughout its range.
The stork-billed kingfisher lives in a variety of well-wooded habitats near lakes, rivers, or coasts. It perches quietly whilst seeking food, and is often inconspicuous despite its size. It is territorial and will chase away eagles and other large predators. This species hunts fish, frogs, crabs, rodents and young birds. (Wikipedia)
Photo taken at Gajaldoba, North Bengal 14.01.2024

26/04/2024

Great Crested Grebe
The great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) is a member of the grebe family of water birds. The bird is characterised by its distinctive appearance, featuring striking black and white plumage, and elaborate courtship display that involves synchronised dances and displays.
The great crested grebe breeds in vegetated areas of freshwater lakes. The subspecies P. c. cristatus is found across Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from the colder regions. It winters on freshwater lakes and reservoirs or the coast. The African subspecies P. c. infuscatus and the Australasian subspecies P. c. australis are mainly sedentary. (Wikipedia)
Photo clicked at Gajaldoba Wetlands, North Bengal, 13.01.2024

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