Sunday, June 9, 2024

Birding at Mount Abu in May (2024 ).

 A Journey Through Mount Abu's Scorching Summer: Birding in May.

Birding in May has always been a challenging experience for me in Mount Abu. This year the summer came with a mixed bag of moods. The first week was hot and dry. Followed by some thunderstorms and not-so-pleasant weather in the second week. The third week of May experienced the hottest period ever witnessed. The heat wave started in mid-May and has been the hottest on record for this century, with temperatures in the area reaching a scorching 40°C+.
It was during this time of the year I once again suffered from my Immune system going berserk. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude that I began my treatment promptly and avoided being hospitalized. I did my stint of birding late in the evenings.
I have put together a collection of birds observed and photographed during this period.
If one is birding during summer in Abu times, remember to stay hydrated, spend as much time inside and only venture out early mornings and late evenings as the UV in Abu is very high.

Bird of the Month

"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 floor of dried stream, displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogulari

"A collage of ,A perched Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis) rests on a worn stump, its delicate grey plumage blending in with the surroundings' subdued tones. The bird's slim body and long tail may be seen as it perches alertly."
Ashy Prinia - Prinia socialis

"A collage of Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense , in flying and perched positions."
Black-rumped Flameback - Dinopium benghalense Mt Abu May 

"The Brahminy Starling has an impressive appearance. This bird really sticks out with its glossy blue-black head, neck, and upper body, accented by a distinctive white patch on its wings.Perched on a branch."
Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum 


Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum Mt Abu May 2024.mp4.

"Brown Rock Chat (Oenanthe fusca) perched on an electric cable. Small, brown bird with a pale throat and distinctive markings on its wings dressed in its mating plumage."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca  

"Brown Rock Chat (Oenanthe fusca) perched on an electric cable. Small, brown bird with a pale throat and distinctive markings on its wings carrying food."
Brown Rock Chat - Oenanthe fusca  

"Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo, a striking black bird with slender neck and b ill, threesome flying through the evening sky."
Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo 

"The green avadavat, known as the green munia (Amandava formosa), is an Estrildid finch with a green and yellow body, a vivid red beak, and black "zebra stripes" on its sides. They are indigenous to Mount Abu.The photograph depicts a bird on a black cable."
Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

"House Sparrow - Passer domesticus, Males have rufous napes, vivid buffs and browns, and beautifully patterned wings. They also wear stylish black bibs. Pale pearly-gray underparts. Females are simply brown. In this snap the mail bird is tailless."
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

In my area, I’ve noticed several sparrows missing their tail feathers over the years. I thought predators might have attacked them, as moulting during the mating season seemed unlikely. After seeking information, I came to know that house sparrows often attempt to build nests inside our homes when they are at their busiest nesting period. To stop this annoyance, certain locals capture sparrows and remove their tail feathers as a deterrent.

"House Sparrow - Passer domesticus, female perched on a cable with nesting material in its beak."
House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

"Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus. Dark thrush with a bright orange bill. Male is slightly darker than the female, Perched on a branch of the Flame of the forest tree."
Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus

"Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus, taking off with outstretched wings."
Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus

"Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus, taking off with outstretched wings."
Indian Blackbird - Turdus simillimus

"Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus, parched on a curved branch, displaying its mating plumage."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

"Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus, perched on a branch with its feathers ruffled."
Indian Robin - Copsychus fulicatus

"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.Pair perched on a dry branch"
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

"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 dry branch"
Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica

"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

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

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

"Indian Yellow Ti,resident collage with different poses"
Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos Indian Jungle Crow, common resident of Mount ABu, perched on a branch cawing and staring straight into the camera lens."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos Indian Jungle Crow, common resident of Mount ABu, perched on a stump cawing."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos Indian Jungle Crow, common resident of Mount Abu, landing on a cable."
Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

"Oriental Honey-buzzard, a collage showing different mobes and birds in flight."
Oriental Honey-buzzard - Pernis ptilorhynchus


Oriental Magpie-Robin - Copsychus saularis.  Mt Abu May 2024.mp4

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus, attired in mating plumage callin to its mate prtvhed on a branch."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

"Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus. clinging on to a flowering branch of the Amaltash Tree."
Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

"Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica., resident in flight."
Red-rumped Swallow - Cecropis daurica.


Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer   Mt Abu May 2024.mp4

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), as seen in the snap, has a gorgeous black crown on their head and a red facial patch that forms attractive cherry cheeks, with a white patch on lower ear-coverts bordered below by a black moustachial stripe. Endamic to Mount Abu."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

"Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), as seen in the snap, has a gorgeous black crown on their head and a red facial patch that forms attractive cherry cheeks, with a white patch on lower ear-coverts bordered below by a black moustachial stripe. Endamic to Mount Abu."
Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, male feeding from on the beans of the kekar tree."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

:"Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri, female perched on a cable."
Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

"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 floor of dried stream, displaying its fan-shaped tail and engaging in characteristic tail flicking behavior."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis.

"Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis, resident perched on a rusted barbed wire."
Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis.

"Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensi. Brown overall with a rosy breast and a unique white-spotted black nape patch. Found commonly in fields, parks and gardens. The one in the snap is stretching its wings."
Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

"White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus, resident perched on a large rock."
White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

"White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus, in flight."
White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis

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








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