Category Environtal Studies

The barn owl holds the reputation of being the most widely distributed owl species in the world. One of the most widespread of all land birds, it is found on six continents and many islands. It is the silent predator of the night.

Though there are many superstitions surrounding this poor bird, the farmers love barn owls. Barn owls swallow their prey whole. They prey on mice and rats, thereby keeping them away from the fields and barns. They usually feed on small mammals which they locate by sound.

Barn owls mate for life. They look for another partner only if its mate is dead. They have a very distinct appearance as well, with heads that look triangular and white feathers on the face surrounded by brown plumage. Instead of hooting, they give out an eerie screech.

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The Indian eagle-owl is usually seen in pairs. It is a huge horned owl species with brown and grey feathers, found in the forests of the Indian sub-continent. It has a white throat patch with a few black stripes. This bird is known by many names: the Indian eagle-owl, rock eagle-owl, Bengal eagle-owl and so on.

Indian eagle-owls are generally nocturnal. They fly with slow, deliberate wingbeats interspersed with long bouts of gliding on outstretched wings. They usually fly close to the ground. They usually hunt from a perch, but will also make low foraging flights to dive on prey.

These big owls exist in steady numbers, with no imminent danger to their population and survival. However, they are not particularly abundant. Many superstitions are associated with these birds as with other owls. They are believed to be the bringers of death and their distinct calls are considered an ill omen.

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The destruction of habitat of swallow-tailed kites has led to a sharp decline in their numbers. However, thanks to the restoration efforts, their numbers have increased since 2016.

Built like gliders, with huge wings and small, streamlined bodies, swallow-tailed kites are considered one of the most graceful fliers seen in America. They rarely flap their wings during flight; they soar effortlessly and can change directions with the minutest of movements of their forked tails.

These birds feed primarily on flying insects, but during the breeding season they also hunt small vertebrates, including tree frogs, lizards, nestling birds, and snakes. Stinging and biting insects such as wasps and ants also form an important part of their diet. Rarely do they eat small fish and fruits.

It is interesting to watch a swallow-tailed kite drink water; it skims through the surface of water and collects water in its beak.

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The American kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in North America. It is also known as sparrow hawk. This bird is commonly used in falconry, especially by beginners.

American kestrels often hunt as a family group and this gives the younger ones a chance to practise before they have to survive on their own. They hunt the prey from a perch. After catching their prey, kestrels will carry it up to a perch from which they can comfortably eat. This also helps them to evade ground predators. They feed mainly on insects, mice, voles, lizards, and snakes. These birds are sometimes kept in agricultural fields to keep away animals that might damage the crops.

The wings of an American kestrel are slim and pointed. They have long square-tipped tails. They usually fly with their wings swept back. They are known for quick and buoyant flights.

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Found across Europe, Asia, and Africa, the common buzzard is a medium sized raptor. It is often confused for other birds like the red kite and the golden eagle because of its colour and size.

Even though the looks confuse you, a common buzzard can easily be identified by its call: it has a very distinctive call, like a cat’s mew.

The common buzzard adopts a distinctive shape in flight. When soaring and gliding, its tail is fanned and its wings are often held in a shallow ‘V’. Though a solitary bird, it joins flocks during migration.

Common buzzards are carnivores; they eat birds, small mammals, and carrion. However, they do not starve when these are not available; in dire situations, they resort to earthworms and large insects.

The northern goshawk is a relative of Cooper’s hawk, but bigger, wilder, and fiercer in nature. They are secretive and usually live in large tracts of forests in America and Eurasia.

These birds have a thing for nests; Northern goshawk pairs build and maintain up to eight alternate nests within their nesting area. They may use the same nest year after year, or may switch to a new nest after a brood fails. They are fiercely vocal and defensive near their nests. No wonder, they are known to attack anybody who dares to come close to their nesting area.

Northern goshawks add fresh coniferous needles to the nest during the breeding season. Terpenes, the aromatic chemicals in the needles act as natural insecticides. The birds are stealthy predators; they watch the prey on high perches and then attack with quick, agile flight.

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