Wednesday, February 21, 2024

February Birdwatching Adventure: Exploring Mount Abu in 2024

 Discover Mount Abu through a birdwatching trip in February 2024.


Abu had the perfect winter experience in the second week of February, with freezing temperatures at night and warm temperatures during the day. The setting was ideal for birding - not too demanding, with just the right amount of adventure and serenity.

While the raptors appeared to be taking it easy at this time, I could still get some magnificent images of these majestic birds. Among them were the Common Buzzard, the Long-legged Buzzard, the native shikras, and the wonderful Eurasian Sparrowhawk, all on their yearly visit to the region.

I've put together a brief assortment of my daily encounters with these magnificent birds to bring you joy. Join me as we explore the exciting world of birding in the tranquil settings of Mount Abu.

Bird of the week

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus, local migrant


9 Feb 2024.
"Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros, winter visitor eying a ladybug as a potential meal."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros winter visitor

"Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) perched on a rock, displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) winter visitor

"Brown Rock Chat (Oenanthe fusca) perched on a rock. Small, brown bird with a pale throat and distinctive markings on its wings."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca resident

"A Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) captured perched along the streams edge, showcasing its mottled brown plumage with a white underbelly. Its slender body and long bill are characteristic of this elegant wading bird."
A Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) winter visitor

"Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus resident, perched atop a datepalm tree."
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus resident

“This is a small species the Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca,with a grey back, whitish underparts, a grey head with a darker "bandit mask" through the eyes and a white throat.A common winter migrant.”
Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

"A Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach) perched on a concrete road, its distinctive black mask and hooked bill contrasting against the pale background. The bird's long tail and upright posture are characteristic as it scans its surroundings."
Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis,perched on a garden fence, the male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

9 Feb 2024.
"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus,passage migrant perched on a Prickly sowthistle,feasting on it's seeds."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus passage ,winter migrant

"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus,passage migrant perched on a Prickly sowthistle,feasting on it's seeds."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus passage ,winter migrant

"Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius,perched on a Prickly  sowthistle, feeding og the tiny insects on the plant."
Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

"Soaring Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) has big wings and a unique feathered pattern on its underbelly. The bird's coloration is rufous-brown, and it has lengthy legs. The background is a wide sky, suggesting its flying habitat."
Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus winter visitor


 Long-legged Buzzard mobbed by Shikra Feb 2024 Mt Abu..m4v

"White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis.The plumage is a striking blue and white, with a noticeable white neck.Sitting on a cable above a stream with a crab in it's beak."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis 

"Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica, resident, perched atop a cactus with a sky blue background,"
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica, resident

"A lively Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) perched on a branch, displaying its yellow throat and complex plumage patterns."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

10 Feb 2024
"Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) perched in the garden, displaying dark plumage with contrasting orange-red tail feathers. Winter common migrant to Mount Abu."
Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros common winter visitor

"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus, winter migrant feedin of Prickly sowthistle seeds."
"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus, winter migrant feedin of Prickly sowthistle seeds."
"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

"Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea, perched on a wild plant stem, displaying its unique grey plumage and graceful posture."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"A Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) perches on a cable above a running stream,scratchin itself and displaying its unique grey plumage and graceful posture."
Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, displaying a remarkable green head, with a red curved beak."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"A tiny and agile passerine bird, the Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis). The plumage is distinctively black and white, with a large patch on the breast. Perched on a branch, showing off its fan-shaped tail and engaged in typical tail flicking behaviour."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"A lively Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) perched on a branch, displaying its yellow throat and complex plumage patterns."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

11 Feb 2024.

"Image of a Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), a graceful raptor with predominantly white plumage and striking black wingtips, hovering against a clear sky."
Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus 

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo 

12 Feb 2024.

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus  Mt Abu Feb 2024.mp4

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"Soaring in the azure sky comes the winter visitor, the Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Huge raptor with large wings, fan-shaped tail, and brown plumage. The buzzard soars overhead, showcasing its remarkable wingspan against the pristine winter sky."
Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo

"A collage of Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus  Feb 2024 Mt Abu.jpg."
Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen) Falco peregrinus  Feb 2024 Mt Abu.jpg

"A medium-sized songbird with a striking look, the Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus). Its brownish plumage, red patch behind the eye, and pronounced red whisker markings distinguish it. Perched on a branch."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

"A lively Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) perched on a branch, displaying its yellow throat and complex plumage patterns."
Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis) 

13 Feb 2024.
"Male Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) mating plumage. Small songbird with purple and black iridescent feathers, a long curved beak, and a shiny green cap. During the mating season, it perches on a  branch, displaying its vibrant colours."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus.

"Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva ,winter visitor pereched on a branch in the setting sun."
Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva 

"Mid-air dive of a White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis). The plumage is a striking blue and white, with a noticeable white neck. The bird's wings are tucked in as it dives towards the water, demonstrating the bird's adept hunting behaviour."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

14 Feb 2024.
"A Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) glides into the sky, wings spread. The stork's sleek black plumage contrasts with the white feathers on its belly and under wings. Its long neck extends forward, and its pointed bill may be seen as it cuts through the air. The stork's magnificent presence is captured as it flies easily across a beautiful sky."
Black Stork - Ciconia nigra  winter visitor rare.

"Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca, caught in flight , while hunting on the wing , impressive show of open wings,"
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, beautiful show of outstretched wing after take of from perched position."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis 



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