Category Birds

What are the features of the Indian tree pie?

          The Indian tree pie is a small bird, with mainly chestnut coloured plumage. But its head and neck are black in colour. Although it is only as big as a mynah, it has a long tail of about 30 cm.

          These birds can live wherever there are trees, like in open forests, city parks and gardens. They have a diverse menu, including insects, reptiles, small birds, fruits, nectar and even garbage. Stealing eggs from other nests is a weakness of these birds. But since they are efficient at searching for and trapping pests, they are considered to be of great help to farmers cultivating palm trees. Their nests will be situated high on tree branches. They like to stay hidden in leaf cover, but are adventurous and curious. They often follow one another while moving through branches.

          These birds are found in almost all parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. 

What makes the common raven a familiar bird in India?

            The common raven is a large bird found in dry or mountainous deserts and grasslands. It is totally glossy black in appearance and has a thick bill. They are exceptionally intelligent birds that can be seen flying very high in the air, with outstretched wings.

            This bird has lived along with humans for a long time past. Sometimes, these birds were so large in number that they were literally considered as pests. Dead, decaying flesh of animals is the favourite food of ravens. At the same time, they lead a ‘thug’s life’, stealing eggs or little birds, from other nests. They may even prey upon other adult birds, if they get a chance. They have an average lifespan of around 21 years.

            In India, common ravens are found in Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. They are also found in Europe, North Africa, Central America and other regions of Asia. 

What are the features of the large-billed crow?

               The large-billed crow has a glossy black plumage and a steep forehead. It is a large bird with a large curved bill. It usually lives in rural areas, in the vicinity of human settlements. This is to make use of the dirty conditions created by humans, since this bird can find calories from almost anything, including dead bodies. This bold and adventurous bird is highly sociable and is fond of a large company. They are found to roost communally in thousands of numbers, often including other species of birds. Roosting in large groups is a night-time habit while, they build and look after nests in pairs during daytime.

               The large-billed crow has the ability to adapt to any living condition. This helps them colonize new places, often making them a nuisance in places like islands. They are very common in India and most parts of Asia. Johann Georg Wagler was the first person to describe these birds in 1827, based on a specimen he got from Java. 

Why is it said that the Indian house crow is abundantly found, not only in India, but worldwide?

            The Indian house crow is perhaps the most familiar and least-loved bird in our country. Not just here, they are seen in many parts of the world where they arrived with the assistance of shipping.

            This bird has a glossy black feather cover on its forehead, throat, upper breast and top of the head. The neck and breast has a lighter grey-brown shade. They prefer living in the vicinity of human habitation, like urban centres and cultivation. These are very bold and curious birds, leading a very social life. They roost in large numbers. They feed on almost anything, including garbage and decaying animal bodies. They are habitual robbers, often uninvited guests in people’s shops and other birds’ nests. They build nests with sticks on treetops or on artificial supports like telephone towers. Three to five eggs can be seen in a nest.

What are the specialities of the plum-headed parakeets?

          Plum-headed parakeets are notable for the distinct contrast between their body and head. These are slim birds, with a green plumage over the body. The male birds have a purple-red coloured head and a blue collar, while the females have a dark lavender head and yellow collar. They can fly very fast, often making their peculiar calls.

          These birds are found in wooden areas like plantations, city parks and gardens. However, they avoid dry regions. They also raid crops for food, but the ‘raid team’ will not be very large in number. They nest on trees, often in holes carved out by the pairs, in tree trunks. The female lays four to six eggs and she will in sole charge of their incubation and nurturing. These birds roost communally.

          Plum-headed parakeets are very common in India and Pakistan. They are favourite pet birds for many, due to their ability to mimic beeps and whistles and to talk. 

What are the features of the Alexandrine parakeet?

            The Alexandrine parakeets were once considered special birds. Alexander the Great is known to have exported these birds from Punjab to various European and Mediterranean regions and this earned these birds their name. Important people like princes, noblemen and warlords considered these birds to be a luxurious possession.

            The Alexandrine parakeet is a large bird with a big bill. It is grass-green in colour. The male birds of the species have a maroon patch on the shoulders and a black-and-pink collar which distinguishes them from females. These birds are commonly seen in wooded areas and plantations, like city parks and gardens. They raid farms and orchards in large numbers, for fruits, vegetables and cereals, which constitute their favourite diet. These are shy birds and their young ones are frequently sold as pets in the bird markets.

            These birds are commonly seen throughout India, except in the extreme south. Apart from India, Afghanistan and Southeast Asian countries also host a good number of these birds.

Why the rose-ringed parakeet is considered special?

          The rose-ringed parakeet which is also called the ring-necked parakeet is the most well known kind of parrots. It is a very intelligent bird. The male bird has some black stripes around the chin and a pinkish band around the collar. The female and young ones below three years, lack these features.

          These birds are highly adapted to living in rural, as well as urban areas. They are seen wherever there are trees and can be seen abundantly in city parks and gardens. They are herbivore in nature, preferring fruits, vegetables, grains etc. for food. These birds can be quite a nuisance sometimes. Thousands of these birds can gather around grain repositories or city places, causing damage to crops seriously.

          Both males and females have the ability to mimic human speech. First, the bird listens to its surroundings and then it copies the voice of the human speaker. 

What are the features of the white-spotted fantail flycatcher?

             The white-spotted fantail flycatcher is a small bird. It is mostly smoke-brown in colour, with noticeably white eyebrows and a white abdomen.

            It gets its name from its showy tail, which is often spread out like a fan, with widened wings on both sides.

            These birds inhabit less dense forests as well as in noisy busy towns. They are very charming and vibrant, with a slight indifference towards humans. The nests can be seen in trees like mangoes and chickoos. It will be typically cup-like.

            A female lays up to three eggs, which are pinkish cream in colour. Like other flycatchers, these birds feed on mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

            Until recently, the white-spotted fantail was considered a subspecies of white-throated fantail. 

What makes the Nilgiri flycatcher unique?

       

 

       The Nilgiri flycatcher is unique in the sense that it is native and restricted to the shola forests of the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris. It is a medium-sized bird, with a dark blue plumage. The male bird will be slightly greenish in colour. This bird is around 15 cm in length and has a long tail with white spots on it. They produce a peculiar chipping note call, at the same time flick their tail up and down. 

 

 

               These birds are found in ever-green forests, the edges of forests near flowing water bodies or well-grown plantations. They hunt in pairs for insects, from the upper leaf covers of trees, by attacking them in the air.

               They build nests in tree holes or under bridges. The nests are cup-shaped and covered by mosses and lichens. A female lays two to three eggs.

               The number of these birds is coming down on a global scale. Therefore, the IUCN has placed them in the ‘Near Threatened’ category of the Red list. 

 

Why is it said that the Tickell’s blue flycatcher is a common bird?

          The Tickell’s blue flycatcher is named after Samuel Tickell a British ornithologist who worked among these birds in India and Burma. These are very common in many regions of India, like Gujarat and Uttarakhand.

          This bird is a small one, around 12 cm in length and covered with blue and orange plumage. They hunt flying insects for food. They may also go for various crawling insects if in need. These birds are very active and are used to humans. They are seen hunting even after dusk. Their hunting style may adapt to single hunting, pair hunting or even group hunting in mixed species. They build their nests in tree holes or in rocky voids lined with fine grass and fibres. Their preferred breeding locations are open forests, groves and gardens in the vicinity of water. Three to five eggs can be seen in a nest.

          These birds are seen in good numbers in many states of India. These are considered to be of ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN.