Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Birds of Mount Abu in April.(2024)

 Discovering the Avian Gems of Mount Abu in April

The tranquil views of Mount Abu host a superb display of avian diversity in April. As the month ends, birdwatchers treat themselves to sightings of some of the most sought-after species in the region, such as the magnificent Oriental Honey-buzzard, the royal Crested Serpent Eagle, and the melodic Indian Blackbird. The gorgeous Indian Paradise Flycatchers, whose ethereal beauty is a pleasure to behold amidst the lush vegetation, add to the charm. Meanwhile, the vivid colours of the Common Rose Finches and the attractive Green Avadavats draw attention to the serene surroundings. 

Despite the usual April heat, the last week of April was cool for birdwatchers. Although the meteorologist predicts a hot summer, there is still hope for sporadic thunderstorms to reduce the risk of forest fires, which was a major concern last summer. A word of caution to fellow birders: avoid weekends in Mount Abu, as tourist influx can reach overwhelming levels, leading to traffic snarls and outrageous tariffs at accommodations. Travel light and bring only the essentials to ensure a pleasant experience.

Come enjoy a chosen assortment of Abu’s avian riches, which are a testament to the abundant biodiversity in this charming hill station. I hope these images will make you appreciate and be in awe of nature’s beauty, and that they will motivate all to treasure and save these delicate ecosystems for future generations. 

Bird of the week

"A raptor with unusual plumage is the Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Adults have a combination of brown and rufous colours, whilst youngsters are more mottled. Soaring over the air, with big wings and a hooked beak."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus resident

22 April 2024.

"House Sparrow - Passer domesticus, female perched on a dry stump with nesting material in her beak."
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

"The black-rumped flameback (Dinopium benghalense), also known as the lesser golden-backed woodpecker or lesser goldenback, is a woodpecker found widely distributed in the Indian subcontinent, in the snap is seen climbing up a date palm tree."
Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

"Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus.resident perched in the shade of a Jacaranda tree."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus.

"Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense, perched on a date palm tree calling."
Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense

Full moon, also know as the Pink Moon in April 2024"
Full moon, also called the Pink Moon in April 2024

23 April 2024.
"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus, perched on a branch of the tree flame of the forest."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

"Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), a small and lively songbird. Distinctive yellow-green plumage with a white eye-ring. Perched on a branch."
Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

"Shikra - Accipiter badius resident flying through the air seeking a prey."
Shikra - Accipiter badius

24 April 2024.

"A raptor with unusual plumage is the Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Adults have a combination of brown and rufous colours, whilst youngsters are more mottled. Soaring over the air, with big wings and a hooked beak."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

"A raptor with unusual plumage is the Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Adults have a combination of brown and rufous colours, whilst youngsters are more mottled. Soaring over the air, with big wings and a hooked beak."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

"Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus, perched on a rock staring into the sky."
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri , in flight."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri 

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri  in flight."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri 

25 April 2024.

"Male Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) perched on a branch, displaying vibrant plumage with shades of red and pink. The small bird has a distinctive cone-shaped beak, perched on a branch cleaning its beak."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus 


Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus April 2024 Mt Abu.mp4


"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis,perched on a cable,as can be seen the male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch, chirping a melody."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

"Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus, flying through the air in an agitated mood."
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

26m April 2024.

"Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus), a small and lively songbird. Distinctive yellow-green plumage with a white eye-ring.Perched on a thick branch."
Indian White-eye - Zosterops palpebrosus

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis,perched on a thick branch with grub in its beak,as can be seen the male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis: Females are greyish black above and greyish white under.are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests.Perched on a branch"
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive appearance. Recognizable by its brownish plumage, red patch behind the eye, and prominent red whisker marks. Perched on a cable."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

27 April 2024.

"The Brahminy Starling boasts a stunning appearance. With its lustrous blue-black head, neck, and upper body, complemented by a unique white patch on its wings, this bird truly stands out. Its underparts are a soft buff hue, and it features a bill that tapers to a fine point.Perched on a cable with its tail fanned out."
Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum 

"Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus, female perched atop a mulberry tree."
Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus

"Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica) The resident, common, has a conical silver-grey beak, buff-brown upper body, white underbody, buffy flanks, and dark wings. The tail is black, and the wings are dark, contrasting with the white rump. Perched on a bamboo shoot"
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

"A raptor with unusual plumage is the Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus). Adults have a combination of brown and rufous colours, whilst youngsters are more mottled. Soaring over the air, with big wings and a hooked beak."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus

28 April 2024.

"Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo Daurica  A brightly coloured swallow with a deep forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, and an unfinished orange colla.Perched on a cable."
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

29 April 2024.

Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus 

"Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis,perched on a sable, as can be seen the male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch."
Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis

"Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo Daurica  A brightly coloured swallow with a deep forked tail, pale orangish rump, black squared-off undertail coverts, and an unfinished orange colla.A pair perched on a cable."
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica

"Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus a collage."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

"Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis), a small and agile passerine bird. Features distinctive black and white plumage with a prominent spot on the breast. Perched on a branch, displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

"Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis), a small and agile passerine bird. Features distinctive black and white plumage with a prominent spot on the breast. Perched on a branch, displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

30 April 2024.

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos, flying overhead displaying it's torn and tattered wings."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), a medium-sized songbird with a distinctive appearance. Recognizable by its brownish plumage, red patch behind the eye, and prominent red whisker marks. Perched on a  branch."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus


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