White Browed Wagtail

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

Seshadri Swami and Birds

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."

Bird Watching

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.