Flying beauties of Himachal Pradesh

Among the many beautiful birds that grace the forests of Himachal Pradesh, few capture the imagination quite like the Asian Paradise Flycatcher ( Terpsiphone paradisi ) . With its graceful flight, glossy black head, striking blue eye-ring and, in adult males, spectacular ribbon-like white tail streamers, this bird truly lives up to its name. Although often seen only for a few fleeting moments as it darts through the forest canopy in pursuit of insects, every encounter with the Asian Paradise Flycatcher leaves a lasting impression. During the breeding season, its presence adds movement, colour and vitality to woodland habitats. The bird is called  Dudhraj  in Hindi due to milky white colour of its body. The long white tail of the bird looks even more beautiful when it flies in a wavy motion up and down, manoeuvring in the sky to catch insects.The long tail is used to impress the female and may be for balancing the body during frequent changes of direction in flight. ...

Shikra has come again for nesting  on the Khirak ( Celtis australis ) tree in my backyard. Today in the morning,i heard the typical light,shrilling call of the bird.Last year it had come late in the month of April. Perhaps the summer is a bit early this year or may be Shikra is feeling the heat of Global warming. Anyway the bird is here preparing to nest on the same tree where it had been last year. Thats the most amazing thing about the birds. How do they they manage to locate the place and come back year after year to the same tree almost? Shikra is a Raptor(bird of prey) and is fond of smaller birds and their young ones. When Shikra arrives here,the Himalayan crows are the first line of defense who try to scare it away by forming groups. But Shikra is quite brave and knows the nature of the crows and it does't leave.  This fight for existence keeps on going till the Shikra is here. While Shikra comes, the other smaller birds ...

Alexandrine parakeet can be easily distinguished from other parakeets due to its large size(about 55cm) and the maroon patch on its shoulders. The male has got a black strip on the chin and a pink collar. the voice is deep and heavy as compared to other parakeets. The beak of Alexandrine parakeet is quite large and strong. I have seen it breaking wallnuts with its strong beak. interestingly it uses its feet as hands. it can also be seen using its beak as a support while going down on the branches. its really interesting to watch this bird breaking hard nuts by using its strong beak and feets. alexandrine parakeet is also fond of Jacaranda pods.

High in the tranquil forests of the Western Himalaya, where pine needles carpet the ground and oak canopies filter the morning light, a soft ringing call occasionally echoes through the trees — klee-klee-klee . If you pause and look carefully along a mossy trunk or a quiet forest clearing, you might spot the source: the Grey-headed Woodpecker . Unlike some of its more flamboyant relatives, the Grey-headed Woodpecker is not a bird that immediately commands attention. Its beauty lies in subtlety. With its gentle green plumage and quiet behaviour, it blends seamlessly into the forest, becoming part of the landscape rather than standing out from it. For patient birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, encountering this understated bird is always a rewarding experience. A Woodpecker in Soft Greens The Grey-headed Woodpecker ( Picus canus ) is a medium-sized woodpecker , typically measuring around 25–27 centimetres in length . Its plumage is dominated by soft shades of green, which allow it t...