Birds of Mount Abu Birds in August 2019 mountabubirds.blogspot.com

Birding in August 2019. Mount Abu

The first rainbow for this year 2019

The overcast sky and hazy weather on Mount Abu in August are undoubtedly depressing for birders at this time of year. The gloomy weather is great for the offspring of a variety of animals since it gives an abundance of food. Red Spurfowl, Red-wattled Lapwing, Ashy Prinia, Green Avadavat, Spot-breasted Fantail, Brahminy Starling, and White-breasted Waterhen, as well as immature birds, abound.

Poor light shooting circumstances test the die-hard birder for most of August...Fine rain and hazy circumstances wet and slippery forest walkways challenge birders' shooting skills. During this time, I went birding and displayed my tiny bird collection.

Birds in the first week of August 2019.

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus 

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus

Birding in the second week of August 2019

Indian Chat - Cercomela fuscaIndian 

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

Indian Silverbill - Euodice malabarica 

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Shikra - Accipiter badius

Spotted Dove - Streptopelia chinensis

Birding in the third week of August 2019.

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Dusky Crag-Martin - Ptyonoprogne concolor

Large-billed Crow - Corvus macrorhynchos

Little Swift Apus affinis affinis

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Red-whiskered Bulbul - Pycnonotus jocosus

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis 

Birding in the last week of August 2019

Brahminy Starling - Sturnia pagodarum Sub-adult 

Eurasian Marsh-Harrier - Circus aeruginosus

( A lifer for me my first recorded Eurasian Marsh-Harrier in our area)

Eurasian Marsh-Harrier - Circus aeruginosus

Eurasian Marsh-Harrier - Circus aeruginosus

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

( Noticed a metal ring around the leg. Rajat Bhargava, BNHS tagged a few birds. here in Abu)

Green Avadavat - Sporaeginthus formosus

Indian Yellow Tit - Machlolophus aplonotus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri 

Birding in The month of November Mount Abu mountabubirds.blogspot.com

4 November 2018.

Himalayan griffon vulture Gyps himalayensis

Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis

Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis

Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis

There was a time in Mount Abu when the Long-billed Vulture/ Indian Vulture was resident in this place so were the Egyptian Vulture till the early late seventies, these species used to breed here. The Indian White-backed Vulture/ White-rumped Vulture was also a common sight. Today, to see a vulture in Abu is a great elation for birders of this region. The Himalayan Griffon is seen once in a way flying over. 

Red-throated Flycatcher r Ficedula albicill 

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus 

White-breasted Waterhen- Immature

White-breasted Waterhen- Immature

Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 

Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 

Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis 

Shikra Accipiter badius 

Water birds of Mount Abu mountabubirds.blogspot.com

Rails, crakes, gallinules, and coots--Gruiformes- Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds, which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically, they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. Most species have sturdy legs and long toes, which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. About 15 species occur in India.

Source: Wikipedia Open link in New Window

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  - Adult Mt Abu

Common Coot Fulica atra atra  Mt Abu

White-breasted Waterhen - Amaurornis phoenicurus