Plani Prinia Feeding

The above photographs are showing the Plain Prinia parents feeding the chicks.I managed to locate the nest inside a bush at about 2 ft from ground.Observed it for almost 15 days. By the time the bird get comfortable with my presence. I waited and watched the bird feeding the chicks entire day.Finally got some feeding shots.You can clearly see the bird holding a grasshopper and feeding it to the chicks.The chicks are voracious feeders.They eat almost 3 to 5 times of their body weight.The parents keep the nest clean by clearing the droppings inside the nest.After 12 days of hatching finally the chicks left the nest.This is the beauty of nature and beauty of bird watching.Yhis photograph is taken with a 200 mm lens with Nikon F3 camera.

Small Minivet

This is one of the fresh photograph of female small Minivet feeding the chicks. I have posted earlier about this bird on my post Fire on the wings.You can see in this picture how the nest is built on the fork of a branch and almost camouflage with the tree.Even the chicks are not easily visible. This is how the bird protects their chicks from predators. I observe this bird for days feeding the chicks high on a tree. Finally got a chance to take some photographs.Enjoy this beauty of nature. In this new year lets unite to save these wonderful birds so that our future generation will able to see them.

Red-vented Bulbul,The Nesting

The breeding season of Red-vented Bulbul is from March to July.It builds its nest at the fork of a branch of tree or bush generally at a height of around 2-5 m (7-15 ft). Nests are occasionally built inside houses.The nest is cup shaped built with rootlets. Mostly three eggs are found which are pinkish in color blotched with brown.Both the parent incubates the egg for a period of 15-18 days. The chicks remain in nest and are fed for about 10 to 12 days by both the parents.They keep the nest clean by swallowing the fecal material.

This nest in above photograph is built in a Bougainvillea plant in my friend's house just in front of the main gate. I watched it regularly and taken few shots without disturbing the bird.This photograph is taken by my Nikon F801 camera with a 200 mm lens.This is a bright example of man and wildlife thriving side by side.Enjoy the bird watching and know the bird in your back yard.

Red-Vented Bulbul

Common name: Red-vented Bulbul
Species          : Pycnonotus cafer
Family            : Pycnonotidae
Size                : Smaller than a Myna

The Red-vented Bulbul  is a passerine bird  of the bulbul family .The body is a grayish  brown with a scaly pattern above and gray below.The Red-vented Bulbul is easily identified by its  crested glossy black head .  The rump is white while the vent is red i.e  a distinguishing  red patch under  the tail. The black tail is tipped with white. Both male and female look alike.This bird is commonly seen in gardens, scrub jungles and also near human habitation and cultivated lands.It feeds mainly on fruits, petals of flowers, nectar, insects etc. Mostly seen collecting figs to eat from the  trees like peepal and baniyan. The bird can be easily identified from its  whistling sound .It can be easily reared and tamed.In India it is used as a common fighting bird which shouldn't be.After all birds are born to be free.It is nice to observe them in their natural habitat moving freely.

Asian Paradise Fly catcher, The nesting

Nesting Season of Asian Paradise flycatcher is generally June to August i.e the rainy season.It may be due to availability of more flying insects during this period.

The nest is conical in shape and just the size of a tea cup.It is found hanging from a tip of a small and thin branch of a tree generally at a height of 8ft to 15ft from the ground. The nest is woven with fine grasses and fibers.The outer wall of nest is plastered with cob webs and spider egg shells. It is observed that the female alone built the nest.The female generally lays four numbers of pale pink colour eggs with blotches of reddish brown.In some cases three eggs are also found. Incubation takes nearly 18 days and both the parent incubate the eggs alternately.The nestling period is around 10 to 12 days.The chicks are raised by both the parents.

It is quite thrilling to watch the parents feeding the nestlings.I observed it very close to the nest.The photograph is taken by my pretty old Nikon 801 camera with a 200 mm lens.Watching nature so close is a rare experience to share.Enjoy the bird Watching.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher, The Male

The typical adult male "Asian Paradise flycatcher" is about 20cm long.But the long ribbon like tail of almost 30cm is the most significant character of the male.It is amazing to watch the bird with such a long tail flying from tree to tree and hunting flying insects.

Another significant character of the male is that it changes it's color during it's development from subadult to adult male .The subadult male ( first two years of growth ) have chestnut brown color on the back with whitish underpart and metallic blue black head.When it grows to adult male i.e in third year from hatching it changes it's color to shining white except the head.The wings laterally appears to have black stripes.In some cases in the second year of development the male with partly white and partly chestnut brown color tail is also seen.

This is the beauty of nature in true sense.I watch these birds for hours and admire their beauty.All these photographs are shot with my pretty old Nikon F3 camera and a 200 mm lens.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Asian Paradise Fly Catcher
Species : Terpsiphone paradise
Family : Corvidae
Size : About the size of Bulbul

The Asian Paradise-flycatcher is a noisy bird with a sharp skreek call. It has short legs and sits very upright whilst perched prominently, like a shrike. It is insectivorous, hunting by flycatching .Pairs are seen moving after winged insects in shady grooves and thin jungles near nullahs. Sometimes seen near homestead in rural areas. The birds are seen moving only after the tiny creatures that fly and catch those in flight. The birds as observed are not sedentary and arrive at this locality during March much before the rain every year.

The sub adult male and female look alike except the tail.The bird is usually 20cm long while the male has a 30 long tail which is the unique character.The body of the female is chestnut brown color with grayish underpart.The head and throat are metallic black.The eyes have blue circle.The tail is short and roundish.I will tell about the male in my next post which is very unique as compare to other birds.Now enjoy the beauty of bird watching.