Indian Roller(Coracias benghalensis)

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Raptors,the ultimate Hunters

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If we go by dictionary,the word Raptor means a bird of prey, e.g an eagle or hawk. Whenever we hear the word raptor the immediate phrase coming to our mind is "a bird of prey".The two terms are synonymously used for these birds which are commonly known as Raptors.The term Raptor has its origin in Latin verb Rapere and it literally means a plunderer,signifying that the raptors forcefully seize and carry away their prey. Yellow Billed Blue Magpie The foremost character of all the birds of prey is that they eat meat.But it does not distinguish them as a class,because there are many meat eating birds like Magpies(see photograph of Yellow billed Blue magpie carrying its prey in beak) and Crows.However these other meat eating birds do not use their  feet to kill and carry the prey and instead they depend on their beaks.The Raptors on the other hand make use of their strong legs and sharp talons to get hold of the prey and take it away. Raptors have very s...
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Alexandrine Parakeet

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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.
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Shikra

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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 ...
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