Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 46
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
They are also called ring-necked parakeet. This bird is sexually dimorphic. Male have a red-black ring around the neck while female and young ones of both sexes miss that ring ( or have grey colored ring). Both have distinctive green color in wild. (Other colors in captured breeds possible.)
There is a nest on tree visible from our rear balcony(we live on first floor). We (my family) are observing it for over a month now. Around second week of March 2021, spotted dove laid two eggs in this nest and was sitting their through day and night, through hot sunny afternoons and occasional untimely rain that occurred. It would just go away for few minutes couple of times a day. When she laid eggs, some of the leaves of the tree were still intact.
Spotted dove sitting on eggs to them warm
Sometime around end of March, I observed Banded Goshawk(Shikra) with its kill, on adjacent tree. It was mostly a lizard (I am not sure). But I had read about Shikra being a bird of prey and also feeds on cheeks of many birds. This is where I felt a little worry for the little ones of dove who were about to arrive.
Shikra with its kill
And one fine day, the eggs hatched and I could observe two chicks. Mother going away from nest for some time was still happening. Also, I would observe Shikra around. So I started to think a lot. Is there any way to keep these two nestlings safe, at least till they learn to fly?
I even thought who am I to interfere with nature? So, if Shikra attacks the chicks, should I intervene to save them or should I just be observer and let nature be in charge? Hypocritical ethical dilemma. I decided to not think much and follow my instincts whenever situation occurs.
Spotted Dove and its chick
Around 8-9th of April, I observed Greater Coucal on another nearby tree. I have observed Coucal foraging on ground and eating food leftover too. I had skipped many lines while reading about this bird on Wikipedia. So I was under the impression that the only threats to little nestlings are shikra and gravity.
Greater Coucal
Finally, on 16th April, my wife called me to tell that some bird is killing the chicks. I rushed to rear balcony. I could just observe Coucal lifting the nestlings with its beak and flying away. As wifey had observed the event a bit longer, she said, it killed the nestlings in the nest itself by poking with beak again and again. Greater Coucal feeds on nestlings of other birds. I read it from various sources, having already witnessed it.
Empty nest after nestlings were killed and taken away
Not being the expert of bird behavior or emotions if any, I am not sure how exactly it impacts. But I have observed the spotted dove visiting the nest multiple times and flying away, as if she is visiting to check.
Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 45
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
The first photo is taken from rear gallery of my house when this bird was feeding on ground (Saint Anne’s Public School Playground). This is one rare occasion I think. I mostly observed this bird in pond. The second photo is from a pond near Anandwan, some 3-4 km from house.
Red Wattled Lapwing
More birds to follow.
(Update: Observed these birds again at Mama Talav (Pond) near Bhatala. Some 20 km drive from my home. Find couple of clicks below)
Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 43
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
Observed this particular bird only once on 6th April 2021. It was foraging on ground. Thanks to Ruhaan (my 2 year old) for bringing my attention to the bird by saying ‘baba, chiu’ repeatedly :-).
Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 42
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
Female/Immature male were spotted. Adult males have a rusty-orange throat that continues onto the breast. Could not spot adult male yet (till 19th March 2021)
Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 41
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
Had a very brief sightings and blurred photographs of this bird from couple of months. On 17th March 2021, spotted the male on nearby tree. Yellow and black is one of my favorite color combination for minimalist leaflet design. This birds bright yellow colors and dark patches on wings, near eye(in males) etc. are really distinctive.
Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 40
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
Shikra is also called as little banded goshawk.
Observed a juvenile for the first time on 12th March 2021 from terrace. Same evening observed an adult but couldn’t click a clear picture. Shikra is bird of prey. Had heard of Shikra as one who takes away young chicks of hen. Hopeful of clicking good pictures of adult soon. (Updating: Just a day later, spotted Adult male. Uploading pictures now.)
Post is part of the project- Birds in the neighborhood. | Bird 39
These clicks are taken from various locations from 10 feet to 100 feet from my home in Warora (Dist: Chandrapur).
It is state bird of Maharashtra and it is called hola or hariyal(हरियाल) in marathi. Really mesmerizing beauty. Observed in for first time on 5th March 2021. Clicked these photos from my terrace.
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