Arunachala Birds

Bird Conservation

2011-11-22T00:09:00.000-08:00

A beautiful but rather sad video made by Louise du Toit this year calling for bird conservation and the preservation of their habitat.

Grey Francolin

2011-10-22T02:29:00.000-07:00

The Grey Francolin (Francolinus Pondicerianus) is very common in scrubland throughout this area. This bird can also be found in large numbers in grasslands and in cultivated areas near villages.

I intentionally prevent thorny bushes around the side of my cottage being felled by wood cutters in order to provide a safe sanctuary for the large number of Francolins that rummage and nest near my house.

Juvenile Grey Francolin

This bird is a plump, stub-tailed greyish brown game bird with chestnut blotching above, barred plummage and chestnut wings. The male is slightly larger than the female and has a pointed spur on each leg.

Adult Drinking

Gray Francolins are fast runners and prefer to run when approached or disturbed. They take to wings only when surprised in the bushes or when persistently chased.

Adult Grey Francolin

This bird lives and feeds on the ground in daytime, mostly in pairs or small parties, but at night roosts on small trees. Its food consists of grain, seeds, shoots, drupes, termites, and insects and it may occasionally take larger prey such as snakes.

Male Adult Eating

The loud calls of the birds are commonly heard early in the mornings. Pairs of birds engage in duet calls. The female call is a tee...tee...tee repeated and sometimes a kila..kila..kila and the challenge call kateela..kateela..kateela is a duet. They are usually seen in small groups.

Male with Spur on Leg

The breeding season is practically throughout the year. Clutch size of 4 to 8 cream coloured eggs with an incubation period of 21-23 days. Both parents are very attentive.

Chicks

The nest is a grass-lined depression in the ground, usually hidden under bushes or in crop cultivation. The nest may sometimes be made above ground level in a niche in a wall or rock. The bird roosts in groups in low thorny trees

Adult with Young

Purple Sunbird

2011-10-06T04:41:00.001-07:00

Sitting on a roof-top in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar just off Chengam Road one kilometre west of Ramana Nagar, I noticed this beautiful Purple Sunbird enjoying his perch on an electricity pole.

Purple Sunbird on Electricity Pole

The Purple Sunbird (Nectarinia Asiatica) is small (about the size of a sparrow) with a slender, curved bill and a tubular tongue, which is well adapted for feeding on the nectar of flowers The male Purple Sunbird has two distinct types of plumage. The breeding male is characterised by the metallic bluish-black body, and the tuft of crimson and yellow feathers under each wing. In contrast, the non-breeding male Purple Sunbird has a much duller ‘eclipse’ plumage resembling the female, with yellow underparts and a dark line of feathers running down the centre of the throat and breast.

The female is a brown to olive-brown above, pale dull yellow below – but with darker wings and a broad black stripe running down middle of breast.

Mature Male Purple Sunbird

This bird which is common throughout Tiruvannamalai District prefers gardens, gardens, cultivated and scrub country and also light deciduous forest.

Its diet consists mostly of flower nectar as can be ascertained from its long, curved beaked, which is adapted for probing and sucking flower nectar. However the bird also feasts on insects and spiders and fruits.

This bird is often seen in pairs or small groups in which as many as 40 to 50 individuals have sometimes been noted.

Purple Sunbird Immature Male

A sharp monosyllabic 'wich, wich' uttered as it flits about This species is known to defend its territory by singing and chasing intruders.

In courtship displays the male raises its head, fans its tail and flutters with partly open wings that expose the pectoral tufts and sings before the female.

Female Sunbird

Purple Sunbird Male Molting

Sunbird in Flight

Nesting season flexible mostly March to May.The nest is a pouch made of cobwebs, thin strips of vegetation, lichens and bark. The entrance hole on the side is often shaded by a overhanging projection. The nest is built almost entirely by the female. The nest material is not woven and most of it is held together by cobwebs. About five to ten days may be taken in the building of the nest. The inner cavity is expanded by the bird by openings its wing and turning around on the inside.

Male Purple Sunbird
feeding young in nest

Only the female builds the nest and incubates the eggs which hatch after 15 to 17 days. There are usually 2 or 3 greyish or greenish white eggs marked with various shades of brown and grey. Males assist in feeding the chicks although females involve themselves to a greater extent, making more trips as the chicks get older.

Purple Sunbird feeding on Nectar

Rose Ringed Parakeet

2011-09-28T08:06:00.001-07:00

The Rose Ringed Parakeet, also known as the Ringnecked Parakeet, is a gregarious tropical parakeet species. This bird measures on average 16 ins in length including tail feathers with the tail accounting for a large amount of the bird’s total length. The wing span of the bird is around 5.9–6.9 ins.

Male on right, female bird on left

There are observable differences between the sexes of this species. With the adult male sporting a red neck-ring and the hen and immature birds of both sexes either have no neck rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings

The bird, commonplace all around the Arunachala area, can often be found banded in large flocks. Its call is a loud, sharp, screaming 'keeak, keeak, keeak' uttered both at rest and while flying. Its flight is swift and direct, with rapid wing beats.

This species is one of the most familiar of Indian birds, as much at home in the countryside as within villages and towns. The non-migrating Rose Ringed Parakeet is one of the few parrot species that has successfully adapted to living in 'disturbed habitats', and in that way has withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation.

In the wild, Rose-ringed parakeets usually feed on buds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries and seeds. Wild flocks also fly fly miles to forage in farmlands and orchards. This species feeds extensively on pigeon pea (Toor Dhal) during winters in India.

The Rose Ringed Parakeet's nesting season, which varies locally, is chiefly February to April. Its nest is generally a natural hollow in a tree-trunk, or one excavated by the birds themselves. Holes in rock scraps and walls of buildings, ruined or in occupation, often within noisy towns are freely utilized.

This bird lays 4-6, pure white, roundish oval shaped eggs. Both sexes share all domestic duties.

Asian Openbilled Stork

2011-06-16T01:38:00.000-07:00

I've never noticed this bird in large numbers around the Samudram Lake (south of Arunachala and popular location for migratory waterbirds). But occasionally spot small groups of the Openbill. This season have spotted this bird on several occasions visiting for a few days, but none have been actually residing at the Samudram this season.

The Asian Openbill is a large wading bird of the Stork family. It is white or greyish white, with black on the wings. It can sometimes be confused with other Storks, except for its unique black bill with narrow open gap.

Openbills at Samudram
Indian Spot Billed Ducks background

One of the commonest Storks throughout India. It is both a resident breeder and also migratory. Sexes are alike and the Asian Openbilled flocks singly or in groups at jheels and marshes.

Openbills foraging for food at Samudram

Openbill at Takeoff

This bird is broad-winged and soaring, relying on moving between thermals of hot air for sustained flight. Like all storks, it flies with its neck outstretched. When on ground it walks slowly and steadily.

Openbill in flight

The origin of the bill is unknown but believed to have originated with the opening of thick shells of snails found on marshes which forms a large part of its food in season. The Openbill also eats frogs, crabs, large insects.

The bird gets its name (Openbill)
from its peculiarly shaped bill

Juvenile Bird

Nesting season mostly between November and Marsh in South India. This bird breeds in colonies amongst mixed flocks of cormorants, egrets, painted storks etc.

Its nest is a platform of twigs in a tree with a central depression lined with leaves. It lays around 2-4 white eggs.

Brahminy Starling

2011-06-04T00:43:00.000-07:00

I receive many bird visitors throughout the day to my garden and am always on the lookout for the first time visitor. Whereupon I generally hurry for my camera, take a snap, and thereafter identify and learn more about the bird. In this case I observed for the first time a visit by two Brahminy Starlings to my garden

Starling on my Compound Wall

The Brahminy Starling (Sturnia Pagodarum) is a member of the Starling family. The species name Pagodarum was given based on the usual occurrence of the species on Temple Pagodas. The name Brahminy relates to its black crest which is similar to that of a Brahmin.

The bird is creamy orange with a black cap and a slight crest. The adult male has a more prominent crest than the female and also has longer neck hackles. Young birds have crestless sooty brown heads and duller coloration. The bill of this bird is yellow with a bluish base.

Adult Bird with Hackles
Photo by Douglas Janson

The Brahminy Starling has a merry chattering call with a pleasing song uttered during the breeding season.

Brahminy Starling on Drumstick Tree

The Brahminy Starling is usually seen in pairs or small flocks in open habitats. The bird which is a resident breeder in India is found in dry forest, scrub jungle and cultivation and is often found close to human habitations. It especially favours areas with waterlogged or marshy lands. It roosts communally in large numbers in leafy trees, often in the company of Parakeets and Mynahs.

The bird is omnivorous, eating fruit, insects and flower nectar and has been known to feed on the fruits of Thevetia Peruviana (Yellow Oleander) which are toxic to many vertebrates.

Pair of Brahminy Starlings
Photo by Koshy Koshy

It builds its nest in tree holes or artificial cavities. The breeding season is May to July. Both sexes take part in nest building. The nest is lined with grass, feathers and rags. The normal clutch is 3-4 eggs which are pale bluish green. The eggs hatch in about 12 to 14 days.

Bird with Nesting Material
Photo by J.M. Garg

In Flight

For more videos and photos go to this link here.

White-breasted Waterhen

2011-05-27T20:02:00.001-07:00

Right-click on all photographs to view enlargements.

The White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a waterbird of the Rail and Crake family (Rallidae) and widely distributed across South Asia. During a previous season a couple of White-breasted Waterhens would daily visit my garden, which was my introduction to this bird, however since that time I haven’t personally spotted the White-breasted Waterhen in the Arunachala area.

Adult Waterhen [Photo: J.M. Garg]

This bird is a slaty grey stub-tailed long-legged marsh bird with white face and breast and bright rusty red under the tail. Immature birds are much duller versions of the adults. The adults are similar in size with the female being slightly smaller. The downy chicks are black, as with all Rails.

These birds are usually seen singly or in pairs as they forage slowly along the edge of a waterbody mainly on the ground but sometimes clambering up low vegetation. The tail is held up and jerked as they walk. They probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects, small fish, invertebrates and seeds.

White-breasted Waterhen in flight

Although ordinarily a silent bird its very noisy during breeding season during the rains, when it makes loud, repetitive croaking calls. At that time it is heard chiefly on overcast days and often through the night.

The nesting season is mainly June to October but varies locally. They nest in a dry location on the ground in marsh vegetation, laying 6-7 eggs. Courtship involves bowing, billing and nibbling. The eggs hatch in about 19 days. Both sexes incubate the eggs and take care of the chicks. Chicks often dive underwater to escape predation. Adults are said to build a roost or brood nest where young chicks and the adults roost.

Mother White-breasted Waterhen with Chicks

Waterhen Chick

Juvenile Waterhen

Birds' Favourite Trees

2011-05-24T23:44:00.001-07:00

The below is an extract from Salim Ali 'The Book of Indian Birds', chapter 'Bird Watching'. I was fascinated by his advice and decided to make a positive identification of the birds' favoured trees with their fruit and flowers.

Bird Watching by Salim Ali
Favoured Trees

"Banyan and Peepul trees when in ripe fruit attract a multitude of birds of many species from far and wide and offer excellent opportunities to the bird watcher. A lively scene presents itself as party after party arrive, all eager to gorge themselves on the abundance spread around.

Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree Figs

There is a great deal of noise and chatter as the visitors hop from branch to branch in their quest. Bickering and bullying are incessant, but no serious encounters develop since every individual is much too preoccupied with the main business in hand. Such gatherings are ideal for studying the natural dispositions and ‘table manners’ of the various species.

Peepul Tree

Peepul Tree Figs

Some of the most charming and enjoyable venues for bird watching are certainly afforded by the Silk Cotton, Coral Flower, or Flame-of-the-Forest (Butea) trees in bloom. Their particular attractiveness lies in the fact that the trees, or the branches bearing the gorgeous flowers, are bare and leafless at this season, allowing a clear and unobstructed view of the visitors.

Silk Cotton Tree

Silk Cotton Tree Flower

Almost every small bird of the surrounding countryside flocks to the blossoms for the sake of the sugary nectar which they produce in such abundance. Riot and revelry prevails throughout the day, but especially in the mornings, and there is constant bullying, hustling and mock fighting amongst the roisterers.

Coral Flower Tree

Asian Pied Starling Feeding on Nectar
of Coral Tree Flower

A pair of good binoculars multiplies the pleasures of bird watching many-fold, and is indeed an indispensable item of the watcher’s equipment."

Flame of the Forest Tree (Butea)

Flame of the Forest Tree Flower

Glossy Ibis

2011-05-24T01:59:00.001-07:00

Right-click on all photographs to view enlargements.

The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis Falcinellus) is a wading bird and is the most widespread of the Ibis family.

For feeding, the Ibis probes in the mud and silt with its bill looking for prey like the fiddler crab, freshwater shrimp, insects and small snakes.

Painting by John James Audubon

The Glossy Ibis nests as part of a colony in trees, and often shares with other water birds such as Herons. In flight, the Ibis flies gracefully in a straight line or V-formation with its neck outstretched.

This bird is migratory and a colony of 40-50 are currently resident at Samudram Erie where they have been since the end of last year

Colony of Ibises at Samudram Erie

Video of Ibis Feeding

This bird lays 3-4 eggs in a nest of twigs and sticks usually built in trees or bushes but rarely on the ground. It builds its nests in colonies that includes other Ibises as well as the nests of different species such as Egrets and Herons. Occasionally, the Glossy Ibis will use an abandoned nest. The Ibis is very territorial during nesting.

The Ibis has a bleating call during breeding season but at other times is usually silent. Eggs take about three weeks to hatch. The female and male incubate the egg, but the female does most of the work. Both parents feed the chicks. The chicks fledge in about a month. They leave the nest and start to forage for food with their parents when they are two months old.

This bird is about 20 inches tall with a wingspan of about three feet. It has a long, dark gray bill that is curved down. Breeding adults have reddish-brown bodies and shiny bottle-green wings. Non-breeders and juveniles have duller bodies. This species has a brownish bill, dark facial skin bordered above and below in blue-gray (non-breeding) to cobalt blue (breeding), and red-brown legs.

Juvenile Bird

Adult Bird

To view more photographs and videos go to this link here.

Indian Spot-billed Duck

2011-05-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

This season a flock of several adults and a number of ducklings of Indian Spot-billed Ducks (Anas Poecilorhyncha) are resident at the Samudram Erie. The Indian Spot-Billed is one of three subspecies of the Spot-billed which is also called Grey Duck.

2 Ducks Wading in the Samudram

Samudram Take-off

The wings of the Spot-billed Duck are whitish with black flight feathers, a white-bordered green speculum and white wing coverts. Juveniles are browner and duller than adults.

The Spot-billed which is the size of a domestic duck, is grey with a paler head and neck and scaly-patterned plummage. Its black bill is tipped bright yellow. The sexes are similar except that the male has a red spot on the base of the bill, which is absent or inconspicuous in the female The birds legs are bright orange.

The drake’s call is a hoarse and wheezy but the duck makes a loud quacking sound.

This bird is found in lakes and marshes in open country. It is a surface feeder getting its food by tipping or up-ending in shallow water.When reaching down for food, the tail end of the bird sticks out above the water surface

The nesting season is generally from July to September, depending upon the rains. And the bird’s nest is a pad of grass and weeds among herbage on marshy margins of tanks.

The Indian Spot-billed Duck lays 6 to 12 grey-buff or greenish-white eggs.

For more photos and videos go to this link here.

Explore the Tree of Life

2011-05-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

The Tree of Life Web Project is a collaborative effort of biologists and nature enthusiasts from around the world. On more than 10,000 World Wide Web pages, the project provides information about biodiversity, the characteristics of different groups of organisms, and their evolutionary history.

The Project’s goals are:

• To present information about every species and significant group of organisms on Earth, living and extinct, authored by experts in each group.

• To present a modern scientific view of the evolutionary tree that unites all organisms on Earth.

• To aid learning about and appreciation of biological diversity and the evolutionary Tree of Life.

• To share information with other databases and analytical tools, and to phylogenetically link information from other databases.

The Tree of Life

Eurasian Collared Dove

2011-05-18T01:05:00.000-07:00

The Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia Decaocto), a species of dove native to Asia and Europe, is commonly found around Tiruvannamalai. This bird is known as ‘Sambal Pura’ in Tamil Nadu. It is the size of a pigeon and in colouration a pale grey and brown with a narrow black half-collar on the back of its neck

A Collared Dove on Samudram

The Collared Dove is not wary and often feeds close to human habitation, including visiting gardens, bird tables and verandahs.

Can be Easily Persuaded to Come
to Humans

The song is a coo-COO-coo, repeated many times.

The sexes look alike and the bird is almost always seen in pairs and, like many birds, remains loyal to their mate.

It nests practically all year typically in a twig platform located in a bush or small tree and prefers to breed close to human habitation where food resources are abundant and there are trees for nesting; almost all nests are within a kilometre of inhabited buildings.

The female lays two white eggs, which she incubates during the night and which the male incubates during the day. Incubation lasts between fourteen and eighteen days, with the young fledging leaving after fifteen to nineteen days. Both sexes share domestic duties.

Breeding occurs throughout the year when abundant food is available. Three to four broods per year is common, and up to six broods in a year has been recorded.

Its a gregarious species and if there are large food supplies, it congregates in sizable winter flocks.

To look at more videos and photographs of the Eurasian Collared Dove go to this link here.

Lesser Golden Back Woodpecker

2011-05-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

I started to want to know more about this interesting looking bird, after I had seen the Woodpecker at various agricultural farms around Tiruvannamalai.

The Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker or Black-rumped Flameback is a Woodpecker commonly found in Tiruvannamalai District and although mainly frequenting agricultural areas, it can also be seen in wooded urban areas.

Such a Long Way to Climb

This bird is large around 26–29 cm in length. Its rump is black with white underparts and dark chevron markings. The adult male Black-rumped Flameback has a red crown and crest. Females have a black forecrown spotted with white, with red only on the rear crest. Young birds are like the female, but duller.

Woodpecker Preening

Its call is like a loud, harsh, chattering laugh uttered mostly when flying. As is common with woodpeckers, this species dips in flight.

My Friend's Tiruvannamalai Farm

Playtime with Friends

This bird has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks and four-toed feet for traction on trees, with two toes pointing forward, and two backwards. It has a long tongue which it darts forward to catch insects.

Catching Insects: Notice the Four-Toes

This Woodpecker flies from tree to tree, finding food, starting from the bottom of the tree to the top. The bird works up on the stems of old trees, tapping them to find rotten and hollow wood and then drilling holes to ferret out insects hiding within. This bird also feeds on ripe fruits and sometimes flower nectar. The species is normally seen in pairs or small parties and sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks.

Checking out a Nest

Breeding season is between March and August. A nest is usually excavated in a tree with a horizontal entrance descending into a cavity. Sometimes the Woodpecker takes over the nests of other birds. The normal number of a clutch is three glossy china-white eggs which hatch after about 11 days with both parents sharing domestic duties. The chicks generally leave their nest after about 20 days.

Safe and Resting

For more photos and videos go to this link here.

Tourism Boost for Six Bird Zones

2011-05-15T01:04:00.001-07:00

An article of May 12th in the Tamil Nadu State Press, announced that six bird sanctuaries are to be developed across Tamil Nadu to promote eco-tourism.

“The State Tourism Department has sanctioned 191 Lakh to the Forest Department to develop six bird sanctuaries across the State to promote tourism.

“Bird watching is one of the most sought-after tourism activity and there has been an increasing preference among urbanites to take it up as a hobby to counter stress.

The Department has identified six bird sanctuaries to be developed to promote tourism in a big way,” a senior official said.

Every year a large number of migratory birds flock to Tamil Nadu to breed. Flamingos, Little Cormorants, Grey Herons, Large Egrets, Open-billed Storks, Spoonbills and Painted Storks are some of the State’s winged visitors.

According to sources, the Tourism Director has recommended the bird sanctuaries at Vedanthangal, Karikil, Pulicat, Koonthankulam, Mela Selvanoor and Keela Selvanoor and Chitrangudi for development.

Accordingly, about 191.02 Lakh has been sanctioned to the Forest Department. The six sanctuaries have been selected after a proposal was submitted to the Tourism Department by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Chief Wildlife Warden, seeking funds to develop 19 bird sanctuaries at an outlay of 979.91 Lakh.

This is on the of the eco-friendly ways to promote tourism, the official said.

*************

Its excellent news that the State Government is promoting eco-tourism and that officials are beginning to understand that conservation can go hand in hand with financial development.

In this respect lets hope that the new State Government will look benignly upon Tiruvannamalai as an ideal location in which to develop a bird sanctuary on the Samudram Erie, instead of allowing the ongoing degradation of the Erie which is being currently treated by developers using the area as a personal sand quarry resource.

White Browed Wagtail

2011-05-02T09:26:00.001-07:00

The White-browed Wagtail also known as the Large Pied Wagtail is the largest member of the Wagtail family at around 20 cm in length. It has black and white plummage, a prominent white eyebrow, shoulder stripes and outer tail feathers. In the female the black portions are duller and browner. This slender bird has the characteristic wagging tale of its genus.

Illustration by John Gould

Whilst swimming in the Samudram Erie I noticed a very nice White-browed Wagtail perched on some branches protruding from the water. Although the Wagtail noticed me it was completely unconcerned as I swam around its perch to get a better look.

Its not a surprise that the bird should be at the Samudram, as its commonly found at water bodies, village tanks and irrigation reservoirs. It has also successfully adapted to urban environments and can often be found perched on water tanks at homes and buildings taking advantage of overflows.

It has loud, whistling pleasant calls particularly evident by the male during breeding season.

Breeding season is generally March to September which may be extended depending on river and water levels.

The nest of the Wagtail is a cup-shaped pad of grass, hair, wool, rootlets etc under such projections as rocks, girders or rafters but always located close to water. Normally a clutch is comprised of 3-4 blotched and streaked eggs with both sexes sharing domestic duties.

Chicks in Nest

Photo by Lip Kee

The Wagtail which is insectivorous, is an active bird that flies rapidly for long distances and has been recorded at a speed of around 40 km/h.

Bird in Flight

Common Tailorbird

2011-04-20T00:52:00.000-07:00

The Common Tailorbird is an Asian songbird common throughout Tiruvannamalai District. This passerine bird is typically found in open farmland, scrubs and gardens. Its song is a loud cheerful towit-towit-towit.

Adult Bird [Photo: J.M.Garg]

It is a small restless bird olive-green in colour with whitish underparts, a rust coloured crown and two elongated pinpointed feathers in the tail. The Common Tailorbird is insectivorous and is particularly attracted to insects and grubs at flowers and also favours flower nectar.

The Tailorbird gets its name from the way its nest is constructed. The passerine bird has a long pointed beak with which it makes tiny holes in leaves. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider silk to make a cradle in which the actual nest is built.

Stitched Nest

The nest is a deep, soft cup lined with soft materials and is placed in thick foliage and the leaves used to hold the nest have the upper surfaces outwards so that the nest is difficult to spot. It is said that only the female stitches the leaves of the nest.

Nest with young

A juvenile bird

Eating insects at flower buds

This bird’s breeding season is March to December peaking from May to August. The usual clutch is 3-4 eggs reddish or bluish white in colour. The incubation period is about 12–14 days with both male and female feeding the young, and the young birds fledgling in around 14 days. Mortality of eggs and chicks is high due to predators.

Tailorbirds roosting on my verandah

The birds roost alone during the non-breeding season but may roost side-by-side during the breeding season.The roost sites chosen are thin twigs on trees with cover above them and close to human habitation and lights.

This bird is fearless and the Tailorbirds currently visiting my verandah move around within feet of myself and my large dogs as they have taken a particular liking to the above plant for their night-time perch.

To view videos, audios and more photos of the Common Tailorbird, go to this link here:

Asian Paradise-flycatcher

2011-04-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

The Asian Paradise-flycatcher, also known as the Common Paradise-flycatcher is a medium sized Passerine bird. Neighbours with a wooded garden mentioned to me that they had a pair of Flycatchers nesting in their garden some years back, but for me this week was my first actual sighting of the beautiful adult white male Asian Paradise Flycatcher.

I spotted the bird at a lily pond near Samudram Erie. The lily pond which is skirted by trees is cool, inviting and enjoys the presence of many birds, and as the Flycatcher is very territorial, may well be its current permanent place of occupation.

I now understand why this bird has been described as looking ‘fairy-like’ as it appeared ethereal in presence with its graceful, darting movements and tail feathers trailing behind it.

Fairy Like Male Adult

The below video is a short take of the bird in flight.

However this beautiful white male bird is in fact similar to the rufous colour of the female in the first few years of its life.

Sub Adult Male Before Colour Change

Female Bird

As a sub-adult the male's head is glossy black with a black crown, crest and eyes and the female is red on the back with a greyish throat and underparts. But as the male adult matures, its rufous plummage moults into white with a central pair of tail feathers growing into 30 cm long streamers. The function of the long tail is assumed to be related to sexual selection, with females choosing males based on the length of the tail.

Adult Male After Rufous Moulting

The Paradise-flycatcher inhabits thick forests and well-wooded habitats all over India. It is both migratory and residential, and the climate of tropical South India hosts both visiting migrants and locally breeding birds.

This bird is noisy with sharp skreek call. It has short legs and sits upright whilst perched prominently. It feasts on insects using a variety of techniques, including hawking from a perch.

Chick in Nest

Breeding season for this monogamous bird is April-August during which time the female lays 3-4 pink eggs. The nest is a tiny cup of grasses, roots, fibers and leaves bound together with cobweb and plastered on the outside with egg-bags of spiders. The eggs are incubated by both the male and female.

To view videos of this bird, including nest building videos go to this link here.

Spotted Owlet - Athene Brama

2011-04-11T01:27:00.001-07:00

The Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) is a small Owl common in the Tiruvannamalai district. Although It prefers open habitats including farmland and areas populated by people it has adapted to living in cities. Nests near human habitations may show higher breeding success due to increased availability of rodents for feeding young.

It’s a small stocky bird with upperparts grey-brown spotted with white and underparts white, streaked with brown. Its face is pale and eyes yellow. Its wings are spotted and banded white, and the tail has narrow white bars.

Although the Spotted Owlet is primarily active during twilight it sometimes can be seen by day. In fact several young Spotted Owlets are regular visitors in my neighbourhood and seem to particularly enjoy roosting on electricity poles outside my cottage.

Its voice is a harsh alternating between a variety of screeches and chuckles. It mainly preys on beetles, moths, earthworms, lizards, mice and small birds. Usually hunts from a perch, pouncing on prey, but occasionally takes insects in flight. Its flight is deeply undulating, consisting of a few rapid flaps followed by a glide with wings pressed to the body.

In the South, this bird breeds from November to March. Nests are in natural tree hollows, or in holes and cavities in human dwellings.

May also nest in cavities in the sides of ravines and earth cliffs when suitable trees are scarce. The nest is sometimes liked with grass and feathers.

It lays up to 5 white, roundish oval eggs with incubation beginning with the first egg thus causing considerable size difference within the brood. Only one or two chicks may fledge and they leave the nest in about 20 days

For an excellent selection of photographs, audios and videos of the Spotted Owlet, go to this link here.

My friend Charlie

2011-04-07T01:29:00.001-07:00

I previously posted information about a commonly viewed bird in the Tiruvannamalai District, i.e. the Indian Treepie. To read the posting go to this link here.

I always think of the Treepie as a crow in evening dress. Charlie started visiting our garden some months ago and nowadays even brings his gang of friends to visit and feast.

However, Charlie is a crank and if some of his favourite food (i.e. chapattis, grapes or biscuits) is not waiting for him in his special place in the garden, he comes into my cottage for a fly around to demonstrate his displeasure.

First call of duty when Charlie enters the cottage is ALL FANS OFF and thereafter I can relax and watch him have his fly around. My dogs are so used to him coming into the cottage to visit, that they have stopped reacting. So much so that they don't even blink when emboldened Charlie perches on their food dish for a quick snack.

Greater Coucal

2011-04-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

The Greater Coucal is the size of a Jungle Crow, but with a long and broad tail. The bird is a large species of Cuckoo around 48 cm in size. Its head is black and its eyes are ruby red, its upper mantle and underside are black glossed with purple and its back and wings are chestnut brown.

[The poster of this video mentions that several Coucals (and some other birds) are audible on the soundtrack]

The call of this bird is an easily distinguishable deep, resonant coop-coop-coop and its deep calls are associated with spirits and omens. In fact this bird is traditionally associated with many superstitions and beliefs.

The bird is easy to view around the countryside surrounding Tiruvannamalai. They specially like open forest, scrub and bush and groves around human habitation. Several visit my garden regularly and two are in current occupation around a nest constructed in some garden trees.

Coucals enjoy most: caterpillars, insects, snails, lizards, mice and bird’s eggs. But I’ve noticed them also enjoying the nut and fruit snacks strewn under bushes on my garden floor. The Coucal is a clumsy bird which stalks along the ground and hops amongst shrubs and trees.

As well as drying off after rain, this bird enjoys sunbathing in the mornings with its wings spread out. The Greater Coucal is most active in the mornings and late afternoons. The territory of a nesting pair has been found in South India to be around 10 acres on average.

The Coucal’s nesting season is generally around February to September. Its nest is a large untidy mass of twigs and leaves with a lateral entrance.

The below photographs are of a Coucal nest in my garden. The nest definitely has a lateral entrance as its impossible to reach the nest from topside as is evidenced by the third photograph in this nest sequence in which the nest is so well buried in the trees, that its impossible to see the nest from the roof of my house.

Have already experienced a lot of fun with our resident Coucals, as several days previously one of the birds had a slip whilst getting to its nest and was forced to make a hasty and ungainly exit downwards using the branches and leaves as an emergency slide. Since that day I've noticed that the birds seem to approach their own nest much more cautiously.

Nests are usually comprised of three or four white eggs with both sexes sharing domestic duties.

Juveniles are duller black with spots on the crown and with whitish bars on the underside and tail.

A nice catch of a Greater Coucal which I took through a screened window in my cottage whilst it was sitting outside on my compound wall.

Eat Real Food

2011-02-20T23:21:00.000-08:00

Is Monsanto Responsible For 200,000 Farmer Suicides?

"A recent study has found that 200,000 Indian farmers have killed themselves in the past ten years.

Well-known Bollywood filmaker Aamir Khan attributes this startling statistic to the fact that many unsuspecting farmers are convinced that genetically modified seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers from American companies like Monsanto will increase their profits. Khan is hoping to spread awareness about this disturbing trend in a new movie.

The film, called Peepli Live, is set in an Indian village named Peepli. A young debt-burdened farmer named Natha is talked into taking his own life after he learns that his family will be financially compensated through a government program created to alleviate the loss of farmers taking their own lives. See this link here.

To afford the supplies and steep licensing fees imposed by Monsanto, many farmers mortgage their farms just to survive to plant another year. The first bad yield due to drought or flooding plunges them so far into debt that many resort to suicide."

The above narrative was taken from this article.

The Problem With Franken-Food

2011-02-20T23:02:00.000-08:00

Supporters of genetically engineered foods often claim that bio-crops are the only way to feed the world's booming population in the future.

However, a study from the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that genetically engineered crops have not been proven to produce larger harvests. Crop yield increases in recent years have almost entirely been due to improved farming or traditional plant breeding, despite thousands of field trials of GM crops.

To read a report about failure to increase yield go to this link here and to read the narrative, “Can Genetically Modified Crops Feed the World?” go to this link here

Seeds purchased from companies like Monsanto are also engineered with "terminator technology", which means plants produce sterile seeds after only one season. Farmers, already in debt because of the high price of "superior" GM seeds, are thereby forced to buy more seeds for the next harvest.

Arunachala Bird Population

2011-02-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

Right Click on all photographs to view enlarged version.

All photographs included in this narrative are by Mr. Kumar, artist and bird watcher, and whose paintings can be viewed on the paths of the Mountain of Medicine at the foot of Arunachala.

Bird Population at Tiruvannamalai

Those involved in afforestation work around Arunachala, believe that there has been an increase in the number of species found on the Hill and surrounding forests primarily as a result of the enhanced food base which is resulting from the increased green cover of this area.

There is currently 120 species of birds estimated in this area compared to only 20-30 species found a decade ago in the forest surrounding Arunachala. Some of the recent arrivals are: Small Minivet, Sirkeer Malkoha, Lesser-Spotted Eagle Owls, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Paradise Fly Catcher and the Black-Headed Cuckoo.

Common species such Mynah, Swifts, Swallows, Yellow Billed Babblers, Parrots and Indian Rollers (Blue Jays) are seen in large numbers in the forests surrounding Arunachala and also in the town of Tiruvannamalai and outskirts.

Other species such as Red-Vented Bulbuls, Robins, Coucals, Doves, Barbets, Shikra, Bee-Eaters, Sun Birds, Warblers can also be viewed in increasing numbers on the Hill and to a lesser extent, increasing sightings of Peacocks, Golden Oriole, Red Whiskered Bulbul and Koels are being recorded.

The District Forest Office has been ordered to take up a preliminary survey of birds and thereafter with the help of experts conduct a detailed survey of birds in the area.

A local artist and bird watcher Mr. Kumar mentions he has noticed increasingly larger numbers of: Common Wood Shrikes, Painted-Spur Fowls and Gray Francolins. With winter-visitors like Blue Rock Thrush, Pitta and Forest Wag Tail seen around Arunachala this season. Mr. Kumar attributes the growth of species to increase in forest cover, reduction of forest fires and a ban on hunting.

Mr. Kumar is currently engaged at the Mountain Of Medicine painting beautiful representations of the bird and wild life found at Arunachala. The paintings with supporting information are displayed on the paths of the Mountain of Medicine sanctuary which is located on the NH 66 Chengham Road, half a kilometre west of Raman Ashram. All are welcome.

[With thanks to A.D. Balasubramaniyan]

Garuda Mythology

2011-02-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in a previous posting, the Brahminy Kite is worshipped as a representation of Garuda (the sacred Eagle and mount of Lord Vishnu). To read about the mythology of Garuda and to watch a video animation of the origin of the Garuda, check out this link here.

Brahminy Kite

2010-09-22T05:08:00.000-07:00

This bird (Tamil: Krishna Parunthu) is found at Tiruvannamalai, and there are several Brahminy Kite nests by Samudram Lake. Where the nests are known, the birds are worshipped as representative of Garuda (the sacred Eagle), but this bird is actually a Kite.

The Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) is also known as the Red Backed Sea Eagle and the Singapore Bald Eagle. It is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers.

Locals at Samudram coming to glimpse
their sacred bird

The bird hoping the visitors have
brought chicken bits

The Brahminy Kite has long broad rounded wings; short and rounded tail when fanned. Its head, neck and breast are white with rest of its body bright chestnut and primaries tipped black and feet yellow. In flight it exhibits slow, deep flapping and displays long, broadly angled wings.

Brahminy Kites are sedentary and do not migrate. They are more scavengers but also hunt for small prey (fish, crabs, shellfish, frogs, rodents, reptiles, even insects). They forage both over water and land, soaring 20-50m above the surface. Prey on the water surface is snatched with their talons but this bird doesn’t actually dive into water. This bird also scavenges from food scraps and garbage and flushes birds roosting on mudflats into flight to identify the weak. They are attracted to fires to catch fleeing animals. Their catch is eaten on the wing, to prevent theft. When several quarrel over a meal, they squeal.

Habitats best suited to Brahminy Kites are broad mudflat and freshwater wetlands such as rice fields and marshes and even in cultivated areas. The Brahminy Kite is a bird which prefers to be near water. It is especially common in coastal areas, by lakes or near large areas of rice fields. It is commonly found near human habitation and near rice fields it is the most common bird of prey.

Using his perch as a lookout

A Brahminy Kite with young

Beautiful

Brahminy Kites mate (November-December) on or near the nest which is generally located in tall trees. Although they do not share nesting trees, pairs may nest less than 100m apart. The nest is compact and made of twigs and sticks and often lined with dried mud. A first-time nest is usually thin, but as the pair reuse the site, the nest thickens. 2 eggs are laid, white with sparse red-brown blotches. Both parents raise the young.

The call of the Brahminy Kite is a thin mewing scream 'kweeaa' or 'kyeeer' usually while soaring. This bird which is very tolerant of humans, is an unfussy scavenger that can survive in a wide range of habitats. Although it is described as generally quiet, individuals which have been in constant or regular contact with humans tend to be noisier.

In flight

With feet pressed flat against its body

As the bird has a tendency to raid fish farms and steal chickens, it is sometimes regarded as a pest in other places in the world. In some S.E. Asia countries the bird, along with other types of Kite are hunted with the young taken for pets.

A juvenile Brahminy Kite

However in India the bird has great status due to its connection with Garuda. And its name i.e. Brahminy results from its association with the Indian God Vishnu.

A juvenile Brahminy Kite skimming
the water for food

Golden Oriole

2009-05-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

This bird’s name, Oriole was first used in English in the 18th century, and comes from the Latin "aureolus" golden. This bird is known as the Golden Oriole or (Eurasian) Golden Oriole.

Its nesting season extends from April to July. It builds a cup-like nest of grass and fibres, bound with cobweb in the fork of a leafy twig tree. The bird lays 2 or 3 eggs, spotted black or reddish brown. Both sexes share all domestic duties.

The Indian race Oriole (kundoo) differs from the European chiefly in that its black eye-streak extends behind the eye. The bird, which is the size of a Mynah, is bright golden with black in wings and tail, and a conspicuous black streak through the eye.

In the below photograph a female Oriole (kundoo) which is duller and greener than the male.

Female Kundoo

The kundoo is found singly or in pairs, among leafy trees in wooded country. The bird is found throughout India, excepting N.E. India and is not uncommon at Tiruvannamalai District.

Male Kundoo

European Oriole

The Grey Heron

2009-03-30T01:43:00.000-07:00

The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. Its is both a migratory and resident bird depending upon the climate.

There are four subspecies of the Grey Heron, of which Ardea Cinerea Cinerea Linnareus (Tamil = Sambal Narai) is found in Tamil Nadu and Tiruvannamalai District.

This bird flies with steady wing beats with neck folded back and head drawn in between the shoulders and its long legs trailing behind. It’s a big bird with large wing span and has a comparatively lumbering take off.

This bird is the size of an Asian openbill stork. Its field characteristics is that of a lanky stork-like bird. It is ashy grey above with white crown and neck, greyish white below, with long slender S-shaped neck, narrow head, and pointed dagger bill.

There is currently a colony of Grey Herons residing on the reedy banks of Samudram Erie but they will undoubtedly fly off as the lake water recedes. Several years ago when the Samudram was stocked with fish, the migratory Grey Heron was found in large quantities throughout that season.

The Grey Heron wades into shallow water with neck craned and bill poised, or stands hunched up but alert waiting for a frog or fish to blunder within striking range.

Its nesting season in South India is November to March. Its nest is comprised of a twig platform with the central depression lined with grass. Built gregariously in trees, often amongst mixed heronries. It lays 3 to 6 eggs of deep sea-green colour. Both sexes share all domestic duties.

To view a selection of videos of the Grey Heron click this link here.

Bats in the Belfry!

2009-02-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

Commonly found in many of the Temples at Tiruvannamalai are bats. I know lots of people are turned off by bats, but since an experience some years ago when I was able to touch and handle bats, I have become a real bat aficionado. Their coat is like silk and their soft body feels quite wonderful. They are intelligent and endearingly shy. All in all a very beautiful creature.

Recently I've been spending a lot of time in the Arunagirinatha Temple at Arunachala, which has a tidy size bat colony.

Some of whom are resident in the Krishna Shrine which is being currently developed in the Temple Compound.

And below a couple of little friends comfortably stationed between the wooden rafters of the roof of the shrine.

Below are some extracts from an excellent article about bats entitled Bat Tracks.

"Although people squirm at the very mention of the word ‘bat’, bats are rather clean animals, and groom frequently. The myth that all bats carry the rabies virus persists. However, statistics say that only 0.5 per cent of bats contract rabies. And bats, almost as a rule, only bite in self-defence. They pose no threat to people. Worryingly, being one of the slowest reproducing mammals of their size — bats produce one young a year — bats are extremely vulnerable to extinction. That these gentle, beneficial creatures have been widely misunderstood and neglected further adds to the danger.

The Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 consigned bats to schedule V as ‘vermin’. While the more glamorous animals — elephants, rhinos, lions and tigers — have received considerable attention from conservationists in the country, bats have been largely ignored in such discourses.

Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight.

The 950 species of bats found worldwide are said to have originated from one of the oldest surviving species. One of the oldest fossils, Icaronycteris, is from the early Eocene era, dating back at least 50 million years.

Bat species in India are delicately balanced on the survival scale. Attitudes towards bats, myths about them, recklesshunting, disturbance of their natural habitat and lack of legal protection are all prodding bats away from a true chance at survival."

Fork-Tail Black Kite

2008-12-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

The Fork-Tailed Black Kite is commonly found at Tiruvannamalai, and is particularly noticeable flying in the thermals around Arunachala. The Tamil name for this bird is Kalu Parandu.

The nest of the Fork-Tailed Black Kite is usually an untidy platform of twigs, rags, wire and all sorts of rubbish. The nest is commonly located in a large tree, roof, or cornice of a building. Two or four eggs are laid in a batch.

Both sexes share in domestic duties.

In the below photograph a juvenile bird is practising his flying action.

The Fork-Tailed Black Kite is India's commonest raptor and is usually found in the neighbourhood of human habitations, whether a populated city or outlying village.

This Kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. It is about the size of a vulture.

The Kite will take small live prey as well as fish, household refuse and carrion. They are attracted to fires and smoke where they seek escaping insect prey. They are well adapted to living in cities and are found even in densely populated areas. Large numbers may be seen soaring in thermals over cities. In some places they will readily swoop to take to food offered by humans.

Differences between Raptor birds:

Kite - Any of several small graceful Hawks of the family Accipitridae having long pointed wings and feeding on insects and small animals

Eagle - Any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

Hawk - Diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail

Falcon - Diurnal birds of prey having long pointed powerful wings adapted for swift flight

The Fork-Tailed Black Hawk is a very accomplished flier; turning and twisting, banking and stooping to scoop up scraps from the roadside and easily avoiding overhead telephone and electric wires.

Baya Weavers Malaysia

2008-10-18T11:29:00.000-07:00

Am posting these two amazing photographs of a group of baya weavers' nests. Really beautiful. Previously I made a posting about Baya Weavers at this link here, of several nests that I observed at Samudram Lake, Tiruvannamalai.

For absolutely no reason that I can understand some miscreant burnt down the acacia bush that was home to the lovely nests. It boggles belief that anyone could be mean-spirited to needlessly and spitefully burn down the tree and destroy the nests.

Maybe in Malaysia the nests in the above photographs are in a protected area, or maybe people there have a better understanding of conservation!

Smart Crows!

2008-10-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Further to my recent posting on Crows, found the following excellent stories about discoveries on the intelligence of Crows. Click on each of the three narratives for the full story.

Crows are the Einsteins of the avian world
Tailcams' reveal cleverness of crows
Crows can be craftsmen, too

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Crows may be smarter than apes

Researchers found evidence that the birds are able to outsmart people’s closest relatives when it comes to finding a way to access food without it falling into a trap.

Many studies have investigated the remarkable ability of crows from the Pacific island territory of New Caledonia to make tools from leaves, and customise them with great dexterity to extract grubs and caterpillars.Now a team from Auckland University, led by Prof Russell Gray, publishes what it says is "the most conclusive evidence to date" that the birds are indeed smart, showing that they can reason causally and use analogy in a way not seen even in our closest relatives, the great apes.

In the Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences, Prof Gray, Alex Taylor and colleagues describe experiments that were designed to work out what was going through the birds' minds.

The scientists presented crows with the trap-tube problem, where an animal had to extract food from a horizontal tube in a direction that avoids a trap, which swallows up the treat so they cannot eat it.

This problem can be solved by associating the relation between particular features of the trap-tube, such as the position of the hole or colour of the rim of the hole, with food. Alternatively an animal may "understand" how the task works but, until now, here has been no conclusive proof that animals reason causally when solving complex problems such as the trap-tube.

In this study, six New Caledonian crows were presented with a trap-tube with three arbitrary features inside it.

When the crows were presented with variations of the problem where these features were removed, three of the crows continued to solve the problem, suggesting the crows had not simply learn to pull the treat away from these features.

The scientist then presented the crows with a trap-tube with two holes. One hole allowed food to fall through it and out of the trap, so the bird could eat it. The other hole had a base and so trapped food that was pulled into it.

The three smartest crows failed to consistently solve this problem and appeared reluctant to pull the food into either hole, suggesting they were using the holes to guide their actions.

Finally, the crows were presented with a trap-table problem. In this problem an animal has to choose between pulling food across a wooden table or pulling food into a hole set in the table.

In a recent study 20 individuals from the great ape species were unable to transfer their knowledge from the trap-table and trap-tube or vice versa, despite the fact that both these problems work in the same way.

Strikingly the crows in the University of Auckland study were able to solve the trap-table problem after their experience with the trap-tube. By solving the trap-table the crows demonstrated that they had not just learnt to pull away from the specific hole in the Perspex trap-tube, but could generalise what they understood to a novel problem.

"The crows appeared to solve these complex problems by identifying causal regularities" said Prof Russell Gray of the University of Auckland. "The crows' success with the trap-table suggests that the crows were transferring their causal understanding to this novel problem by analogical reasoning.

However, the crows didn't understand the difference between a hole with a bottom and one without. This suggests the level of cognition here is intermediate between human-like reasoning and associative learning."

"It was very surprising to see the crows solve the trap-table" said Alex Taylor, a PhD student at the University of Auckland. "The trap table was visually different from the trap-tube in its colour, shape and material.

Transfer between these two distinct problems, the trap-tube and trap-table is not predicted by theories of associative learning and is something not even the great apes have so far been able to do".

[By Roger Highfield, Science Editor -- Telegraph UK]

The Crow

2008-10-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Both the House Crow and Jungle Crow are to be found throughout Tiruvannamalai District. As I was sitting in my garden this afternoon I noticed both varieties feeding and generally taking over the area. Since I moved into this house nearly three years ago, I have regularly put food out for birds and animals but it was only about six months ago that the crows started to visit -- which was a pity because as I mention in the below posting both the House and Jungle Crows are great bullies to small ornamental birds.

I became so irritated with the 'Caw Caws,' as I nickname them, that I spoke with several farmers and villagers and also did some serious 'Goggling,' to find out how to deter both kinds of Crows visiting my garden. Well I found the most popular and supposedly 'fool proof' method practised in both India and the West is to kill a crow and hang it in a prominent spot -- meant to work like a charm -- but thought it a little too gruesome so went on to Plan B.

Plan B a local farmer assured me, was equally foolproof and that was to tie black rags in my trees at prominent spots. Well the day after this was done, I sat and waited to see what my regular Crow visitors would do. If ever a bird could look 'startled' -- that is exactly how I would describe the reaction of the visiting Crows. Well the black rags worked for about a day and a half and then the rags lost their dramatic impact, and the Crows happily returned in number.

Next I tried Plan C which was to tie shiny CD-Roms onto tree limbs and let them waive around in the wind. And the Crows actually didn't seem to like that especially on a sunny day (i.e. most days at Tiruvannamalai) when the revolving CDs shimmer and dazzle in the sunlight. Part two of Plan C (which I have yet to do) is to put wind chimes in the trees -- as this supposedly is meant to irritate Crows. We shall see!

In the meantime hope you enjoy the information and photographs I have gathered explaining the difference between two of the most numerous birds in Tiruvannamalai District i.e. the House Crow and the Jungle Crow.

House Crow
The House Crow (Corvus splendens) is a widespread resident of Tiruvannamalai District and can be found all over India except in high altitudes and forests. Its size is about that of a pigeon; around 42 cms with weight ranging between 250-350 gm. The bird has a glossy black plumage, except for its grey collar. Its bill, legs, and feet are black.

There are four geographical races of the House Crow which are based largely on paleness or darkness of the collar. Sexes alike. Its normal call is a harsh The voice is a harsh ‘caaa-caaa’ or a nasal ‘kaan kann’. It reserves its softer calls for resting and during courtship! Its name in Tamil is: Nalla Kaka, Maniyan Kakai

The bird is vocal, gregarious and seemingly unafraid of people. Audacious, cunning and uncannily wary. It is aggressive and will attack and chase off large birds of prey. Breeding pairs will repeatedly dive bomb humans near their nest. This species is able to make use of resources with great flexibility and appears to be associated with humans.

It is perhaps the most familiar bird of Indian towns and villages. It is a highly opportunistic bird and given its omnivorous diet, it can survive on nearly anything that is edible. It feeds largely on human scraps, small reptiles and other animals such as insects and other small invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, grain and fruits. Most food is taken from the ground, but also from trees as opportunity arises.

The House Crow is a useful scavenger but also a great bully and therefore a serious menace to defenseless ornamental bird species in urban areas. It enjoys community roosts in selected trees or groves where large numbers collect very night but is a solitary nester except in areas of high population density.

Its nest is generally a platform of twigs frequently intermixed with iron wire, with cuplike depression lined with tow, coir fibres. And in high density areas, sometimes there are several nests in the same tree. The House Crow will use trees, buildings, or other artificial structures for its rough stick nest lined with coir or other fibre. It lays 4-5 pale blue-green eggs, speckled with brown. Breeding season March through July. Its nest is regularly brood-parasitized by Asian Koel.

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Jungle Crow
The Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), or Indian Corby, is a widespread Asian species of Crow. It is highly adaptable and able to survive on a wide range of food sources. This bird has a large bill and due to this it is sometimes called Large-billed Crow or Thick-billed Crow. There are three sub-species within this group with one of them i.e. with Corvus (m.) Culminatus ‘Indian Jungle Crow’ being found in Tiruvannamalai District and other parts of India.

The bird is glossy jet black with a heavy bill and deep and horse ‘caw’. Sexes alike. Singly, pairs or loose parties. It is larger than the House Crow and is found throughout the Indian Union. Local Tamil names for it are Kaka and Kakam.

It is generally found in the countryside, but small numbers are also in towns and villages. The Jungle Crow associates with vultures to feed on carrion and its movements often lead to discovery of large cat kills hidden in the jungle which the bird is quick to locate. The bird is omnivorous, and highly destructive to eggs and chicks of other birds including domestic poultry and young of small mammals.

It has a long bill with the upper one thick and arched, making it look heavy and almost Raven-like. Generally, all forms have dark greyish plumage from the back of the head, neck, shoulders and lower body. Their wings, tail, face and throat are glossy black and the depth of grey shading is almost black. It will take food from the ground or in trees and attempts to eat anything, alive or dead, plant or animal. It is also one of the most persistent species. It is quite bold, especially in urban areas.

The nest is a platform of twigs, usually high up on a tree. There are normally 3-5 eggs. The egg is a broad oval, pointed at the smaller end. The colour is any shade of blue-green, blotched and speckled. In Peninsular India the Jungle Crow breeds from December to April. The nest is built in a fork of a tree, and is a shallow cup of sticks, sometimes neat and well made, sometimes sketchy and ragged; it is lined with grass roots, wool, rags, vegetable fibre, and similar materials. Some nests have been found to be built partly or exclusively of wire. Both sexes share parental duties. Nests frequently parasitized by Koel.

Gregarious at roosts with many thousands at some sites. Large flocks may be seen at dusk arriving at major roosts. The birds’ voice is deeper and more resonant than the House Crow with its usual sound being "caaa-caaa-caaa".

Seshadri Swami and Birds

2008-08-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

The following is a very nice extract from 'Seshadri Swamigal of Tiruvannamalai,' by S.A. Subramanian relating a story about Sri Seshadri Swami and a flock of birds.

"Venkatachala Mudaliar and his wife Subbalakshmi Ammal were earnest devotees of Swamiji. Quite often Swamiji used to visit them, take food in their house and talk to them in a jolly fashion. In the centre of their house there were two poorvarasa (portia) trees and two drumstick trees. It was a new moon day. Swamiji dropped in at 4 p.m. and said, “Subbalakshmi, come here, I will show you some fun.” When she asked what he was going to show, Swamiji was looking into the sky through the open verandah and raised his hands calling out, “Come! Come!” Immediately one crow came, then another crow flew in, then five, ten, fifty, hundred crows flew in; likewise a number of other species of birds like pigeons, parrots, various types of sparrows – yellow sparrows, black sparrow etc., all flew in.

They all crowded the whole place including the neighbouring house, sitting on the ground, on the roof, on the trees, etc., and started making a noise and jumping hither and thither and playing. Swamiji was standing in their midst and played with the birds. Subbalakshmi was watching the scene with curiosity. A few minutes elapsed when she told Swamiji. “You have called the birds from somewhere and are playing with them like this! After all they will also feel hungry and thirsty. Will their young ones not feel anxious?” Swamiji asked, “But should I ask them to go back?” Saying that, he took a strand from his shoulder cloth and blew it. Immediately all the birds departed."

Evening Walk

2008-08-30T01:36:00.000-07:00

In the evenings my six doggies and I go on a leisurely walk in nearby open tracts of land. Here is a very nice photograph of Arunachala in the background.

Certainly miss out on a lot while on walkies with my bunch of dogs - but even with them there is still lots of interesting wildlife to view.

In the below photograph an interesting mix of birds. A drongo at the top, an Indian Roller to the right and several Mynah Birds scattered around.

In the next photograph a Rose Ringed Parakeet having a peep inside this tree, which is the cause of many fights between a colony of Parakeets who live in the area.

Below the same Parakeet perched high over his tree and checking out the territory.

And a very nice photograph of an Indian Roller

Hope that in our next home, there will be sufficient space to build my doggies a huge enclosure to play in while I have some 'bird-watching' time concealed in a nice 'hide'.

Background of Shrikes

2008-08-30T01:13:00.000-07:00

Common Woodshrike

The following series of photographs are of the Common Woodshrike, of slight variety of colouration. There is more information of this bird species in the upcoming issue of Arunachala Grace News. If you are not yet a subscriber to the Newsletter, please check out the 'subscribe facility' at the left column of Arunachala Birds, in order to become a free subscriber and have a copy of the monthly Arunachala Grace News sent direct to your email inbox.

Other species with similar names and popularly called "Shrikes," (but not in the Laniidae Family) are in the following other families:

Prionopidae: Helmetshrikes.

Malaconotidae: Puffback Shrikes, Bush Shrikes, Tchagras and Boubous.

Campephagidae: Cuckoo-Shrikes.

The Prionopidae and Malaconotidae are quite closely related to the Laniidae, and were formerly included in the Shrike family. Cuckoo-Shrikes and allies in the Campephagidae family are small to medium-sized passerine bird species found in the subtropical and tropical Asia, Africa, and Australasia.

Wood-shrikes (Tephrodornis) were often considered to be in this family but are probably closer to Helmetshrikes or Bushshrikes. The South Asian group of Woodshrikes which are found in scrub or open woodland are similar in feeding habits to Shrikes, hunting insects and other small prey from a perch on a bush or tree.

There are various other varieties of Shrike are to be found in Tiruvannamalai District, so hope to give more information about them in upcoming posts.

The Shikra

2008-07-24T01:23:00.000-07:00

The Shikra (Accipiter Badius) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as eagles, buzzards and harriers. It is a widespread resident breeder throughout south Asia and can be sighted throughout Tiruvannamalai District.

This bird is a small raptor with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to fast manoeuvring. The normal flight of this species is a characteristic "flap–flap–glide".

The adult Shikra has pale grey upperparts, and is white, finely barred reddish below. Sexes are similar except that female is larger than the male. The juvenile is brown above and white, spotted with brown below. It has a barred tail.

Shikra is a bird of open woodland including savannah and cultivation. Its hunting technique is similar to other small hawks such as Sparrowhawk, relying on surprise as it flies from a hidden perch or flicks over a bush to catch its prey unaware. The prey is lizards, dragonflies, and small birds and mammals.

It nests in trees, building a new nest each year and laying 3-7 eggs.

For more information about this intriguing bird, check out the upcoming Arunachala Grace Newsletter, August issue. If you don't yet have a free subscription sign up at the facility on the left hand column of this page.

Amazing Peacock Photos

2008-07-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

All these photographs (except for the very last one) were taken at Ramana Ashram one morning. I think they are fascinating in the way they show the structure of the body and feathers of this bird.

These tail feathers, or coverts, spread out in a distinctive train that is more than 60 percent of the bird’s total body length and boast colorful "eye" markings of blue, gold, red, and other hues. The large train is used in mating rituals and courtship displays. It can be arched into a magnificent fan that reaches across the bird's back and touches the ground on either side. Females are believed to choose their mates according to the size, color, and quality of these outrageous feather trains.

There are two familiar peacock species. The blue peacock lives in India and Sri Lanka, while the green peacock is found in Java and Myanmar (Burma). A more distinct and little-known species, the Congo peacock, inhabits African rain forests.

Owl Visitor

2008-06-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

This week I got a lovely owl visitor who stayed around my garden for a couple of days as I believe he was disorientated and taking a breather.

The below is a photograph of the nearby deserted pump house that he calls home, unfortunately the landowner and some of his friends, spent a morning burning nearby thorny bushes and the smoke and noise of the men frightened the owl away from its home.

This is one of the entrances/exits to his home which I'm sure is shared by lots of other birds - all-in-all quite a nice little residence.

Sadly for me but happily for the owl, after a couple of days everything had settled down nicely and he went back to his upmarket home. But it got me thinking about owl boxes and how easy it is to make them a very nice residence (as in the below photograph).

And also below a drawing showing the plan for a simple do-it-yourself owl box.

On further investigation found some interesting links about bird boxes:

A comprehensive guide on how to build birdhouses and nest boxes for many avian species.

To learn how to build nest boxes from off-the-shelf materials, this site illustrates some several creative ways to build boxes for barn owls from drums and boxes.

You can buy Bio-Diversity’s Construction guides (at a modest charge) for barn owls and kestrels. There are suggestions for location, equipment needed and step-by-step instructions.

Indian Pond Heron

2008-06-28T02:30:00.000-07:00

The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) is a very common species throughout Tiruvannamalai District, where it is often quite tame and easily approachable. Found wherever there is water, river, jheel, roadside ditch or Temple pond.

Its normal way of feeding is to stand hunched up at water's edge or wading in the shallows, waiting patiently for movements and jabbing at the quarry when opportunity offers - its diet consists of freshwater molluscs, amphibians and insects

Searching for food

Non breeding Indian Pond Heron

Indian Pond Heron with Breeding Plummage

In Flight

Its an egret-like marsh bird chiefly earthy brown when at rest, but with glistening white wings, tail and rump that flash into prominence immediately it flies. Its flight is heron-like; steady wing beats with neck pulled in. This bird at rest is quite drab, and the contrast when it takes flight and suddenly becomes a blur of white, is really spectacular.

Nesting

Its breeding habitat is marshy wetlands nesting in mixed congregations of crows and other birds in large leafy trees. Its nesting season in South India is November to January and it lays 3-5 pale greenish blue eggs. In the below photograph an adult Heron is tending some very hungry juveniles.

Chinese Pond Heron

To the east of its range, The Indian Pond Heron is replaced by the Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola Bacchus) which is slightly larger but almost indistinguishable during the non-breeding season.

Non Breeding Adult Chinese Pond Heron

Chinese Pond Heron in Breeding Plummage

Garden Lizard

2008-06-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

This beautiful lizard seems to have made his home in the garden. In the following sequence of photographs he is gently sunning himself in the afternoon sun. I was experimenting with my new camera lens and he seemed to understand what was needed of him, and gave me some very nice poses.

Black Drongo

2008-05-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

There are nine species of Drongo and all of them come in wholly glistening black plumage except for two whose names are suggestive of the slight difference, that is, the white-bellied Drongo and the ashy-Drongo. In body size, they are all comparable to the Dove but with a much longer tail, ending in a deep, wide fork. The variety most particularly associated with Tiruvannamalai District is the Black Drongo. A dark red iris and a white beauty spot, the size of an aspirin tablet, between the eyes and the beak distinguish it from others of his species.

Photos of the Black Drongo

Drongo rolling for ants

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Nesting Habits of the Black Drongo

The Black Drongo Dicrurus Macrocercus (Tamil=Karuvattu Vali) or Common King-Crow lays (throughout India) in April, August, but primarily in May, June and July.

The bird builds its nest in a fork of a tree, generally 10-30 feet from the ground. The nest of the King-Crow is usually composed of tiny twigs and fine grass-stems, and the roots of khus-khus grass, neatly and tightly woven together, and exteriorly bound round with a good deal of cobweb, in which a few feathers are sometimes entangled; the nest is generally a flimsy concern and the eggs are often visible from below. The cavity is broad and shallow, and at times lined with horsehair or fine grass, but most commonly only with khus. The bottom of the nest is very thin, but the sides or rim rather firm and thick; with cavity around 4 inches in diameter, and about 1½ in depth. This bird lays from between 3-5 eggs varying in size from 0·87 to 1·15 inch, and in breadth from 0·7 to 0·85. With the eggs varying greatly in colour, with some almost a pure white, and others spotted and blotched, especially at the larger end, with claret and light purple on a rich salmon-colored ground

The nest with young

The Drongo is very jealous of the approach of other birds (even of their own species) to a nest in which they have eggs. They are pugnacious to a degree, fearlessly attacking every bird that approaches the tree on which the nest may be. The birds are very noisy in the breeding-season, keeping all intruders off. The bird favours large trees preferably standing alone in the open. The Black Drongo puts Crows and Kites to flight should they venture to plunder bird nests of eggs and hatchlings. So peace-loving birds such as Doves and Mynahs prefer to build their nests directly below those of the Drongo.

Young Drongo experiencing the world!

Adult Drongo with juvenile

The Black Drongo i.e. King-Crow, so conspicuous on the backs of cattle, telegraph-wires, all through the cold and hot seasons, is conspicuous by its absence during the breeding-season. Many of them retire to woods and gardens to breed, but even when they do not, they keep very quiet while they have their nests and hardly ever show themselves out of the tree.

Nice Video of a group of Black Drongos

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I found a very interesting article by a bird lover on a mob Drongo Bird attack on a person. The article is amusing BUT shows just how aggressive and fearless this bird is!

"Drongos Attack!

You’re invited to join me for a morning jog… Just be prepared for a possible attack from above! Actually, possible attack from above, from below, from the right, from the left, and especially from the rear. It’s a bird; it’s a plane-- No! It’s the Black Drongo! The Black Drongo is a large, loud, black bird that has absolutely no fear of humans. To read more. Go to this link>>>

Indian Treepie

2008-04-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

This very pretty bird is a regular visitor to my garden. Bearing in mind its very dashing good looks, I was surprised to learn that it is in fact a member of the Corvidae (crow) family.

This bird is common throughout Tiruvannamalai District and equally happy in open forest, scrub, plantations and gardens

It lives on fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds; it has also been known to take carrion. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through branches and will sometimes travel in small mixed hunting parties with unrelated species such as drongos and babblers.

The Indian Treepie has a variety of calls, some loud, harsh and guttural and others pleasing and melodious. One of its commonest calls is kokila and a bob-o-link!

So Many Babblers!

2008-03-31T04:46:00.001-07:00

They are many varieties of Babblers in addition to the three mentioned below. But to clear up some confusion, I list some differences in the variety of this bird species.

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Common Babbler

The Common Babbler is slim, earthy brown with upper plumage streaked darker. This bird can be easily identified from other Babblers because of its long, graduated, finely cross-rayed, loosely attached tail. It prefers dry open country and semi-desert with thorn scrub and shrubby vegetation. The Common Babbler feeds on the ground and scuttles along like a rat through thorn scrub and thickets, as it is loth to fly. It has a feeble flight which is comprised of a few rapid flaps, followed by a glide on outspread wings and tail.

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Jungle Babbler

At Tiruvannamalai the variety of Babbler most commonly seen will be the Jungle Babbler, of which there are six varieties with differences in colouration.

The Jungle Babbler is an earthy brown, untidy looking bird with a longish tail. It is the size of a Mynah bird. It invariably flocks in half-a-dozen or more, hence its popular names ‘Sat Bhai’ (Hindi) and ‘Seven Sisters’ in English. It inhabits outlying jungle, well-wooded compounds, gardens and groves of trees about towns and villages.

Flocks hop about on the ground rummaging amongst fallen leaves and mulch for insects. The flock keeps up a costant conversational chatter and squeaking which sometimes develops into loud wrangling. Sociable even while paired off and nesting. The Jungle Babbler feeds in flocks and bands together to ward off attacks by cats or predatory birds. Their food; insects, especially spiders and cockroaches, wild figs, berries, grain and flower nectar.

This bird nests irreguarly thorughout the year in a loosely built nest of twigs and grass in the fork of a high leafy tree branch. The Jungle Babbler lays about 3-4 turquoise blue eggs. The bird shares parental duties both with its mate and within the community.

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Yellow Eyed Babbler

The Yellow Eyed Babbler (of which there are three different varieties) is mostly a dweller of thorn scrub and grass jungle, commonly met in patches and separating cultivated fields. This bird be easily identified by the conspicuous orange-yellow ring around the eyes.

Salim Ali – Ornithologist

2008-03-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

The most famous ornithologist of India, is Salim Ali (1896-1987) known as the "Birdman of India." Born as the tenth and youngest child of a Muslim family of Bombay, the lad was orphaned at the age of ten and was brought up by his maternal uncle.

Salim Ali was introduced to the serious study of birds by the Secretary of the Bombay Natural History Society, a Mr. W.S. Millard, which was to fuel Salim's pursuit of a career in ornithology. After a difficult early education at St.Xavier's College, Mumbai, he dropped out and went to Tavoy, Burma, which gave him the opportunity to develop skills as a naturalist and hunter.

In 1917, Salim returned to India, resumed his education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology and in the following year married a distant relation. In 1926 he was hired as a guide lecturer at the History Section of the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai. In 1930, as the position of guide lecturer has been eliminated due to lack of funds, Salim moved to a coastal village near Mumbai, where he began making observations of the Baya Weaver bird.

He later undertook a systematic bird study of various Indian princely States, and with Richard Meinertzhagen, made an expedition into Afghanistan. Salim Ali was accompanied and supported on early ornithological surveys by his wife, who sadly died in 1939.

Salim Ali was very influential in ensuring the survival of the Bombay Natural History Society, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and the Silent Valley National Park. In 1990, the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History was established at Anaikatty, Coimbatore aided by the Government of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests. Salim also took an interest in bird photograph with a friend Loke Wan Tho.

Ifyou are interested in obtaining what is regarded as the definitive compendium of Indian ornithology, you could do no better than purchasing a copy of Salim Ali, Book of Indian Birds.

Red Wattled Lapwing

2008-03-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Red-Wattled Lapwing is a bird commonly found around Tiruvannamalai. Probably the most uncommon and distinctive thing about it, is its amusing and easy recognisable call, which sounds like a scolding, did-he-do-it; often uttered throughout the night.

In the below photograph you can easily see another curious thing about this bird which is its white V-shape wingbar prominent only while in flight.

This bird which is a large wader is often found at the banks of reservoirs and water catchment areas, and is in great numbers around the Samudram Lake area here at Arunachala.

Indian Roller

2008-03-12T05:45:00.000-07:00

The Indian Roller, (Coracias benghalensis) is also sometimes locally called the Blue Jay, is a very common bird around Tiruvannamalai. And often seen around the area I live at, Samudram Lake. It is the twists and turns of this bird that has given it the name of Roller. It especially indulges in a spectacular courtship display, somersaulting and nose-diving in the air to the accompaniment of harsh, grating screams.

This beautiful bird builds its nest around March to July which is generally made from straw, rags and rubbish in a natural tree-hollow or a hole in a wall of a building. However, a couple of Rollers have just built their nest under the cover of my bamboo roof. Eggs laid usually number 4 or 5 and are glossy, white, roundish ovals.

On several occasions I have noticed the Rollers standing guard against predatory Indian squirrels and crows, who have threatened the nest. These birds have a reputation of fearlessness and will dive and roll not only at animal intruders but also at humans.

The Indian Roller is the size of a Pigeon, blue with biggish head, heavy black bill, rufous brown breast, and pale blue abdomen and undertail. But it is dark and pale blue portions of the wings that show up as brilliant bands in flight.

The Roller generally prefers open cultivated country and light forest. From a lookout on a telegraph wire or high spot, it pounces upon some large insect, frog or lizard on the ground, returning with it either to the same perch or flying to another. This bird is regarded as highly beneficial to agriclture as it destroys vast quantities of injurious insects to farmers.

Peacock

2008-03-04T01:23:00.000-08:00

Those who have visited Arunachala have noticed the many Peacocks both at Ashrams and also found to be inhabiting Ramana Nagar. The term "peacock" is commonly used to refer to birds of both sexes. Technically, only males are peacocks. Females are peahens, and together, they are called peafowl. The Indian Peafowl is indigenous to the country and is designated the national bird of India.

The male (peacock) Indian Peafowl has iridescent blue-green or green coloured plumage. The so-called "tail" of the peacock, also termed the "train", is not the tail quill feathers but highly elongated upper tail coverts. The train feathers have a series of eyes that are best seen when the tail is fanned. Peafowl are best known for the male's extravagant tail, which it displays as part of courtship. Peacocks don't develop their long trains until they are 3 years old and they molt the train yearly.

Males possess metatarsal spurs or "thorns" used primarily during fights. Suitable males may gather harems of several females, each of which will lay three to five eggs. Wild peafowl often roost in forest trees and gather in groups called parties. The female (peahen) Indian Peafowl has a mixture of dull green, brown, and grey in her plumage. Although she lacks the long upper tail coverts of the male, she does have a crest. Females can also display their plumage to ward off danger to their young or other female competition. The average lifespan of these birds in the wild is 20 years. The male size: Body, 35 to 50 in (90 to 130 cm); Tail, 5 ft (1.5 m) and Weight: 8.75 to 13 lbs (4 to 6 kg).

Colour in nature occurs due to two basic processes: pigmentation and structural coloring. Pigment is a substance that, like a dye, gives colour to living and inanimate objects. Peacocks and other structurally coloured animals and things, such as rainbows, soap bubbles and the blue sky, instead get most of their colour from light reflection. In peacock feathers, colour is produced by the reflection of light with frequencies within the partial photonic band gap. If you change the view angle, the partial photonic band gap will shift to short wavelengths for oblique incidence.

During mating season the bird will often emit a very loud high pitched cry, "may-awe, may-awe, may-awe." Peafowl are omnivorous and eat plant parts, flower petals, seed heads, insects and other arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians. A peahen's clutch may range from 3—12 eggs, although 4—6 is average. The eggs are usually laid 2 days apart and in the later afternoon. Peafowl eggs take 28 days to hatch. The young are known as peachicks.

Peacock watching is highly entertaining, specially when Peacocks and Monkeys decide to ‘have a go,’ and in this respect recall a fascinating afternoon on a roof at Ramana Ashram watching squabbling peacocks and monkeys.

Baya Weaver

2008-03-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

Walking around the partly dried out Samudram Lake, I spotted 3 Baya Weaver nests high up in an inaccessible thorny bush area. The Baya Weaver has been known to nest in trees with a hornet's nest or with the nests of fiercely biting Red Ants, so this bird is careful about protecting its home. Baya Weavers nest in colonies of up to 20-30, usually in trees near freshwater and open ground and is generally found in grassland, cultivated areas, scrub and secondary growths usually near fresh or brackish water.

Baya Weavers eat mainly grass seeds and have large conical beaks to deal with their food. This bird forages in flocks, in grass as well as on the ground and flock flies in close formation, often performing complicated manouvres.

The Baya Weaver's nest is an architectural feat. It hangs from a palm frond or branch and looks like an upside down flask. The general features are a central nesting area with a long tube that leads to a side entrance. This tube makes it difficult even for snakes to enter the nest. Although they look precarious, most nests are very well attached and are impossible to remove without almost destroying the nest. The nests last well through the 3-month breeding season, sometimes even up to a year. After the breeding season, other small birds may roost in the abandoned nests. The nests are made entirely out of strips of grass which the birds collect by cutting a notch in a tall grass, then stripping off a 30-60cm length.

The birds’ breeding season is December-March. At this time, the males put on a brighter costume and they start to build their amazing nests. No stalks or entire grass blades are used. The birds then use their strong beaks to weave and knot the strips of grass. A newly-made nest is green with fresh grass and turns brown as the grass dries. A bird may make up to 500 trips to complete a nest.

The males are promiscuous and try to attract females by building several nests halfway. These half-built "male" nests look like motorcycle helmets complete with chin strap! A female bird first inspects the male's handiwork of a nest before signalling her approval to him. Once a female chooses to mate with him, he might finish the nest. But often, the female completes the nest.

When the female lays and is preoccupied with incubating the eggs, the male abandons her and immediately uses his other half-finished nests to woo a new female. Most males mate with two females, but sometimes three. The males defend his nests from other males. Meanwhile, the female is left to incubate and raise the brood on her own. 3-4 white eggs are laid and the nestlings are fed insects.

White-breasted Kingfisher

2008-02-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

This is a bird commonly seen around Arunachala, particularly around Samudram Erie, which gets nice and marshy during rains. This morning I had one of these birds sitting outside my garden - probably didn't come in because way too much competition from crows dropping by for breakfast, lunch and dinner . . . !!!. Yes, the colours are magnificent and authentic, the White-breasted Kingfisher REALLY does look like this.

The White-breasted Kingfisher (Halcyon Smyrnensis) is found on plains and lower hills all over India and is very common at Tiruvannamalai. This Kingfisher is not dependent upon water and although seen at ponds, puddles and rain filled ditches also habitates light forests situated considerable distances from water. From a favourite lookout on a telegraph wire or post, the Kingfisher pounces down on creeping prey and flies off with it to another perch nearby where the victim is battered to death and swallowed. This bird's food comprises; fish, tadpoles, lizards, grasshoppers, insects and occasionally young birds and mice

This Kingfisher is a beautiful bird that never fails to get attention. It is a brilliant turquoise-blue with deep chocolate-brown head, neck and underparts, a conscious white ‘shirt front’, and long, heavy, pointed red bill. A white wing-patch prominent in flight. It’s size is that between a Myna and a Pigeon. Both sexes are alike but juveniles are a duller version of the adult.

This is a large Kingfisher, 28 cm in length with a flight both rapid and direct with short rounded wings whirring. This bird has a loud musical frequently repeated chattering song delivered from a tree top or some exposed elevated perch. The call is a chuckling chake-ake-ake-ake-ake. This Kingfisher is noisy and territorial. Nesting season is principally March to July and generally takes place in a horizontal tunnel dug into the side of a dry earth cutting or tunnel. Eggs 4 to 7, white, spherical. Both sexes excavate, incubate and feed the young.

Marshy Land

2007-11-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

During the last few weeks we have been experiencing spectacularly great weather, so much so that I have been roused to get up early in the mornings to take my 5 dogs out for a walk and run.

The dogs run, play, make a lot of noise and commotion and go along happily splashing around in the water of the pond and marshy ground.

It didn't take me long to notice that as soon as we appear in the morning, birds immediately congregate in the sky above waiting for the rich rewards of dragonfly breakfast - as swarms of insects are disturbed from their hiding place by my dogs' noisy play!

Loten Sunbird

2007-11-18T07:36:00.000-08:00

Rani is a local woman who with her Swiss husband has a 3 acre compound off the Perumbakkam Road south of Arunachala. When the couple bought their land some years back it was just empty fields. Now it is well populated with indigenous trees and shrubs. Through intelligent tree selection, the garden is thriving in spite of often a severe water shortage during the hottest Summer months.

In the above photograph Rani poses in the outdoor tea shop she recently opened on her land. Below is one of her prized turkeys - a creature I have never previously seen here at Tiruvannamalai.

The next photographs are of Rani's garden, which are alive with the bird calls of many indigenous bird species.

But today am writing about this pretty Loten Sunbird who has built its nest hanging from the Cafe's bamboo roof.

In clearer detail a photograph of another Loten Sunbird.

Welcome

2007-11-11T02:57:00.000-08:00

All enquiries and questions regarding birds and the environment at Arunachala are always welcome. Please get in touch using the email link at the top left column of this Blog.

Bird Watching

2007-11-11T02:06:00.000-08:00

The most important point for bird watching is to remember that although birds constantly move about, their activity is greatest in the early mornings. This is also the time birds are generally more vocal and one can hear their songs.

In wooded areas birds often congregate in large assemblies where they mix in co-operative bands of mixed species, often in regular daily circuit. All the members of the association profits through the co-ordinated efforts of the assembly. While Babblers rummage amongst the fallen leaves for insects, they disturb a moth which is presently swooped upon and captured in mid–air by a Drongo on the look-out. A Woodpecker scuttling up a tree-trunk in search of beetles, stampedes numerous winged insects camouflaged upon the protectively coloured bark or lurking within its crevices, thereby sending out insects for a vigilant Flycatcher.

Banyan and Peepul trees when in ripe fig attract a multitude of birds of many species. A lively scene presents itself as the birds arrive, all eager to gorge themselves on the abundance of fruit around. Some of the best venues for bird watching are afforded by the Silk Cotton, Coral Flower, or Flame-of-the-Forest (Butea) trees in bloom. Almost every small bird of the surrounding countryside flocks to the blossom for the sake of the sugary nectar.

Another popular time to view birds is just after rain when winged termites are emerging from their nests. A termite swarm acts like a magnet upon the bird population. At such times, common birds found at Arunachala are in abundance: such birds; Crows, Kites, Kestrels, Crows, Owls, Mynas, Bulbuls, Sparrows, Bayas, Munias, Treepies, Drongos, Woodpeckers and Barbets.

Emerald Dove

2007-11-11T01:45:00.000-08:00

STATE BIRD OF TAMIL NADU

Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps Indica
Green-winged Pigeon, Bronze-winged Dove

Main features: Medium (25cm), metallic green mantle, wings; head, underparts rich pink.

Male: Forehead, eyebrow, shoulder white; crown and nape greyish; bill red; feet crimson.

Female: Same as male but duller; forehead, eyebrow grey; crown, nape brown; white shoulder patch absent or indistinct.

Call: Described as a low cu-oo or tik-oo, repeated monotonously; soft deep tu-hoop.

In flight: Green wings and mantle contrasts strongly with reddish underparts; two distinct black and white bars on lower back.

World distribution: India across to China and the Philippines, Southeast Asia to eastern Australia.

Classification: Family Columbidae. World 310 species.

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The beautiful Emerald Dove is the official State Bird of Tamil Nadu. It is quite common but as its very shy and secretive, is rarely seen.

Emerald Doves feed on fallen fruit and seeds (including grass seeds, figs and bamboo). They also eat tidbits like termites. Unlike some fruit-eating birds, however, Emerald Doves destroy the seeds that they eat and don't appear to play a major role in plant dispersal.

This bird usually forages on the ground, mostly under tree cover. Sometimes, they cautiously venture out onto open grassland to forage, but will scuttle back into the undergrowth at the slightest hint of danger. They fly low and quickly, zipping in and out among trees and undergrowth. They also visit mineral seeps in the forest.

Unlike other doves, Emerald Doves forage alone, or in pairs. When several are drawn to a food-rich areas, each maintains a small feeding territory.

Pigeons and doves do not have well-developed oil glands, which in other birds are used to waterproof their feathers. Instead, pigeons and doves have special plumes scattered throughout their body which disintegrate to produce a powder which cleans and lubricates the feathers.

Breeding: Emerald Doves appear to have a limited breeding season from April to September. Like other pigeons, the nest is a flimsy platform, often simply leaf litter that gathers naturally in a palm frond, stabilised by a few twigs. A nest may comprise a large leaf lying on a tangle of creepers. They only nest in the forest or closed-canopy woodland, 1-5m above the ground. Males perform a bobbing dance during courtship.

1-2 white eggs are laid, but usually only 1 chick survives. Only the female incubates. The eggs hatch in about 2 weeks and the young fledges in 12-13 days.

Migration: Although Emerald Doves may travel long distances to forage for food and are somewhat nomadic (following fruiting seasons), they are not migratory. They are found in lowland and montane forests, secondary growths, mangroves; also in cultivated lands.

Status and threats: Although Emerald Doves have adapted to feed in parks and agricultural land, they still require natural wooded areas to nest in. Because of their beautiful colouration and soothing call, Emerald Doves are often trapped and sold as cage birds.

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Pigeon's Milk
The most fascinating feature of pigeons and doves is their ability to produce crop milk. During breeding season, special glands in the crops of both males and females enlarge and secrete a thick milky substance.

The chicks drink this milk by poking their bills into the parent's throat. Thus, pigeons and doves can feed their young without having to incessantly hunt or forage for food. Instead of laying many eggs, they lay one or at most two eggs.