River Lapwing - Near Threatened...

I have seen Lapwings in three countries I have visited and to my mind Lapwings can be divided into two distinct types - the first ones the have successfully adapted to human way of life and live in close proximity - irritating but survivors. The second are the shy birds avoiding humans and not comfortable in their proximity and these are the ones who have suffered the most at the hands of humans. I will not say the there are prosecuted by humans but indirectly have suffered by actions of humans.

River Lapwing

Today I speak about such a bird that has suffered in the hands of humans - not directly but indirectly - mainly because of degraded and highly polluted quality of water in the rivers and streams, redirection of water via pipelines and brick-lined canals. Infact many a places in Punjab the brick lined canals are also a story of the past - the water canals are being replaced by underground pipelines leaving little or no flowing water for the birds at all. Next big problem has been of hydro-electric power schemes that stop water when most required and on other times release water without warning.

For a bird with such a wide range - it is nothing but sad that it is struggling to survive.

I have been so far been lucky to see this bird at not less than two to three locations close to my house (50 - 100 km range) - but each subsequent visit the quality of water is visibly degrading. I will not say that I am seeing any less birds but then I am just observing them and not doing so in any scientific manner. 

The status of this bird is unlikely to be more than 15000 birds and Annual Asian Waterfowl count has never produced more than 500 birds. 

The bird has its crest being displayed during breeding season and on other times when trying to ensure the territorial supremacy. Once again it is pleasure observing the bird with its crest up.

Ah hoy ! Crest up ! Crest up !

Before you move on look at the feet of the bird - no hind toe...

Bristled Grassbird: Vulnerable Species Endemic to India...

The Bristled Grassbird is a small passerine bird also called Bristled Grass Warbler. This species is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent and known to be patchily distributed in Indian Subcontinent. I photographed and bagged this bird as a lifer today in Jawaharpur, Punjab. Wiki lists this bird as insectivorous bird that skulk in dense and tall grasslands, often in marshy areas. The bird was considered to be sedentary, the species is now considered to be migratory, moving south and east in the Indian peninsula during winter and returning to their breeding grounds in the Northern plains south of the Himalayas.

The first sight of the bird in Jawaharpur, Punjab

This bird flew overhead to investigate when I played the call.

One last sight after we planned to moved on - after the two odd hour appointment

This is a warbler - that is large and brownish with broad dark streaks to the feathers of the crown and back and can appear almost babbler like in appearance. The tail is graduated and has dark ribs to the feathers the are visible in the first picture.

This bird has a bare patch of skin in front of the eyes on which a vertical row of five stiff rictal bristles arise and face forward. The bare skin is flexible and it is thought that the bristles provide protection to the eye as the bird scampers between the dense and rough grass back and formisn a kind of cage or visor over the eyes. The sexes are similar. 

The species is threatened by the destruction of grassland and marshland habitats.

Magic in the Air: Sunbirds

There is a magic in the air and I am not joking. This is the time of the year when most of the birds in the Northern Hemisphere put on the best of the plumages and show off. After all the breeding season for most of the birds is on. The males have to impress the females (nothing new I suppose). It may not be a known fact for many that in the Animal and the Bird kingdoms the word Beauty is more often than not related to Male and not the female - of course the exceptions are there but they are not the norm and few - far and in-between.

Purple Sunbird (Male)

Crimson Sunbird

You go around in my part of the world and one of the most common sounds and sights you will hear is of this small and a beautiful bird - Purple Sunbird. In and around Chandigarh (India) there are three sunbirds that are found - Purple Sunbird (Very Common), Crimson Sunbird (Common) and Fire-tailed Sunbird (Infrequent).

Crimson Sunbird

It has been no easy feat to picture these bird as it does not believe in staying put still even for a fraction of a second so when I got these opportunities when these birds come calling for a photograph I just cannot resist setting aside any other bird that I am targeting to give all my attention to these bird. I am glad that out of the 100s of snaps that I fire in all - I get these one odd pictures

Crimson Sunbird with a spider (a high protein diet during breeding)

to my satisfaction - rest have been used to satisfy the hungry Thrash Box of my Mac. Here I am presenting some of the pictures that I have.

Fire-tailed Sunbird (File shot, not in Breeding Plumage)