LEARN MORE ABOUT BIRDS AND BIRDWATCHING K.V. Sudhakar & Kumaran Sathasivam
Once you have started observing birds, you will have numerous questions about them. You will find birds that are new to you. If you want to identify them or find out more about them, you need to take the help of experts. Locate one near you by joining a birdwatching group. But an expert cannot be at hand always. However, you can benefit from some other resources. The most important among these are books.
Books Well-illustrated books are invaluable to the birdwatcher! The most useful book for Indian birdwatchers is The Book of Indian Birds by Salim Ali, published by Oxford University Press/BNHS. Another useful book, attractively brought out by Harper Collins, is Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Martin Woodcock.
Later, as your experience grows, you may wish to consult the bigger books that are available now.
Organisations There are several organisations that have been formed to serve people like you with an interest in birds and nature. It is a good idea for you to get in touch with one of these.
The oldest nature organisation in India is the Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai. It is over a hundred years old and its members are from all over India and outside.
These are a few other organisations you could join:
The Oriental Bird Club, Bedfordshire, UK
Worldwide Fund for Nature—India, New Delhi
Madras Naturalists’ Society, Chennai
Rishi Valley Institute for Bird Studies, Rishi Valley, Andhra Pradesh conducts a correspondence course in ornithology, the study of birds.
Appearance: This myna looks very much like the Common Myna, and both are widely found. The Jungle Myna is greyer in colour, with a small tuft of feathers behind the beak.
Found in (place and season): The Jungle Myna may be seen throughout the year in trees and on the ground or flying from one tree to another.
Some details: The Jungle Myna nests in tree holes. It regularly moves around in flocks.
House Sparrow
Appearance: This is a familiar, small bird. The male and female are different in appearance. The male is more richly coloured and has a grey head. It has black markings on its throat.
Found in (place and season): The House Sparrow is found both in cities and in villages. It does not migrate.
Some details: The House Sparrow, which used to be a very common bird in cities and villages, is now much less common. The reason for this is unknown.
Blue Rock Pigeon
Appearance: The Blue Rock Pigeon is a little smaller than a House Crow. It is greyish blue in colour, with a shiny purple-and-green neck. It has two dark bars on its wings.
Found in (place and season): The Blue Rock Pigeon has made its home in busy cities. It can often be seen on the roofs of houses.
Some details: The Blue Rock Pigeon usually lives near human habitations. Its nest is a flimsy collection of sticks placed on a ledge.
Redvented Bulbul
Appearance: The Redvented Bulbul is somewhat smaller than a myna. It is brown, with a black head and scale-like marks on its back. It gets its name from the red patch below its tail.
Found in (place and season): The Redvented Bulbul is found on fruiting trees. It may be seen in gardens, where it often makes its nest in shrubs.
Some details: The Redvented Bulbul makes cheerful calls. It feeds on insects, fruits and berries.
