Silly Reflections
Avinash Hindupur
Conserving Nature
“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum, 1968 at new Delhi. Recently I came across this simple yet profound quote that made me think for a long time. Environmentalists around [...]
Birds Checklist: Rajarhat, Kolkata
Birds of Rajarhat, Kolkata Rajarhat is a marshy grassland and is home to many species of birds. This erstwhile birding hotspot of Kolkata is now engulfed in a construction spree and the remnant species remaining here have been listed out to help birders to evaluate the region and make an [...]
Common Pigeon
Common Pigeon (Columba livia) Common Pigeons are perhaps the most seen species in urban spaces, and for many children in them, birds means pigeons! The feral populations of Common Pigeon, also called as Rock Dove, have adapted themselves very much to survive in cities and human settlements. The grey birds [...]
Tickell’s Thrush
Tickell’s Thrush (Turdus unicolor) Tickell’s Thrushes are a species in the family of Thrushes and are among those birds on which one cannot gather much information on the internet. The only confusable species with Tickell’s Thrush is the Indian Blackbird, whose females can be quite similar to 1st winter males [...]
Common Moorhen
Common Moorhen ( Gallinula chloropus) Common Moorhens are found in swamps, fresh-water bodies and tanks with some green vegetation throughout India. These playful and open birds are easily recognized by their bright pink frontal shield on their completely slate black body with running white lines on the flanks. These birds [...]
Brown Shrike
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) Brown Shrikes are the only species of Shrikes found naturally other than Long-tailed Shrikes and Grey-backed Shrikes. These birds arrive early winter every year and can be seen till late into March or early April. Easily the smallest among the three species, Brown Shrikes are easily [...]
Eurasian Coot
Eurasian Coot ( Fulica atra) Eurasian Coot is one of the most spread waterfowl found across the Old World and is easily recognized from its completely black body and white shield above its beak. Also known as Common Coots, these birds are bigger than White-breasted Waterhens but smaller than Purple [...]
Rufous Treepie
Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) Rufous Treepie is the largest and by far the most common resident Treepie found in India and is found only in Indo-Malayan ecozone. These Treepies look a lot like Magpies in shape and belong to Crow family in general. While these are generally found in open [...]
Plaintive Cuckoo
Plaintive Cuckoo ( Cacomantis merulinus ) Plaintive Cuckoos are one of the smaller Cuckoos found in India and are seen only in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country. These birds are not easily visible and are generally considered shy dwelling near farms, open forests and similar habitats feeding [...]
Striated Grassbird
Striated Grassbird (Megalurus palustris) Striated Grassbirds are easily the largest Grassbirds found in India. The scientific name Megalurus palustris means Long-tailed Marsh living bird, thus explaining significantly about its habits and habitat and appearance. The Striated Grassbirds have long pointed tail with streaking on their dull brown body. These are [...]
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