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Black Throated Bushtit is also known as Black Throated Tit. It is small passerine bird of Aegithalidae family. It is found in Northern India, North Eastern Bangladesh , Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam , Myanmar and Taiwan. In India it found mainly in Himalayan range at more than 5000 ft height. I found it at Himachal Pradesh during my trek to Chandrakhani Pass. It is found in small bushes and small trees. Black Throated Tit is small bird so it is difficult to find in bushes. But its wonderful colors and body attract to capture its image.

Facts and Description of Black Throated Tit :

• Black Throated Tit is around 10.5 cm long. Weight of it is around 4-9 gm. 
• There is a variation in plumage  depending on subspecies . All have medium tail , black throat and black bandit mask around the eye.
• Dark grey back and wings, tail and belly are white.
• Black Throated Tit is travel in large flocks around 40 birds.
• They built their nest out of moss and hang from tree branches.
• Black Throated Tit feed small insects and spiders. They also feed small seeds, fruits and berries .
• It lives in open broadleaf forest and also at pine forest.
• Binomial name of Black Throated Bushtit is Aegithalos concinnus.
• Black Throated tit is  Least Concern in IUCN list.

Himalayas are one of the best place for birding. There are many places where you can find different types of birds. In manali trek to the Chandrakhani pass i found more than 35 spices of different birds. Also trek to Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand i also found more than 25-30 spices of birds. Among them half of spices are common in both and easily available in the ways and bushes. Some spices you have to wait and watch for clicking photos. Sometimes you may lucky to get have clear and sharp photos of the birds. Because in Himalayas there is a dense forest and birds can easily hide in the bushes. 

Gear Used : Canon 6D, Canon 80D , Canon 100-400mm lens

Asian openbill is also known as Asian openbill stork. It is a large wader bird in stork family. Binominal name of it is Anastomus Oscitans and its family is Ciconiidae. It is generally found in South-east Asia region. Like other stork it size mostly similar to them. Only difference in color as openbill stork is greyish or white in color and glossy black wings. In Gujarat it is found in Thol bird Sanctuary , Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary, Pariej Wetland and agriculture areas at many places. It found in low level wetlands where it can find food easily. In Gujarat like Asian openbill stork other stork bird found like Painted Stork, Wooley Necked Stork etc.

Description and Facts about Asian openbill stork :

• Asian openbill stork is greyish or white in color. Its wings and tail are glossy black in color.
• As it name openbill the gap between lower and upper mandible of the beak. The gap between beak is not seen in young bird. The gap is very useful for gripping snails and shells .
• They are generally found in flocks. 
• Asian openbill generally found near river bank, wetlands, Irrigation canal and agriculture areas.
• It is very rare spices in Panjab and Sind region of Pakistan But it common in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand and Cambodia.
• They are mostly seen in Winter from September to February.
• Asian openbill feed snails and they separate shell with its beak. They also feed frogs, water snakes and large insects.
• Asian openbill breeding season is after monsoon in November to March in Southern India and Shri Lanka and in Northern India and Nepal starts from July to September .  
• In colonial India a sportsman shot Asian openbill for meat  calling  it the  " beef-steak-bird".

In Gujarat there are lots of bird sanctuary where migratory birds and also resident birds visit through all seasons. Thol Bird sanctuary, Nal sarovar , Little Rann of Kutch, Pariej Wetland, Velavadar National Park, Khijadiya sanctuary etc are famous sanctuaries for bird watching. Thol Sanctuary is famous for Flamingo bird, Pelican, Bar headed Goose and many migratory birds. I found 3 spices of stork bird name Painted Stork, Asian openbill stork and Woolly necked stork in thol bird sanctuary. Thol sanctuary, nalsarovar , Little rann of kutch are very near to my home so i visit all sanctuary often.

Gear Used : Canon 6 D, Canon 1000 D , Canon 100-400 mm lens

Location : Thol bird sanctuary, Sanand, Kadi , Gujarat

There are lots of spices of Finch bird. Pink browed rose finch family name carpodacus rodochroa. Very small in size like a sparrow. The male is bright raspberry pink color and female is brown with streaked Buffy underparts and broad white eyebrows. This spices generally found in Himalayan range about 8000-12000 ft heights. I found both Male and female during my different trek. The male i found on my Har Ki Dun trek, Chandrakhani Pass Trek in manali and female i found at Singalila National Park. Images are taken at  with my canon 6D and 100-400 mm lens.

Pink Browed Rose finch generally found in heights above 7000ft . During my trek to Har Ki Dun and Manali (Chandrakhani pass ) i found Lost of birds among them one is Rose finch. It  is really beautiful to see this bird . Its color is very beautiful and looks like raspberry pink. It was difficult to shoot with distance and got sharp image. Well i had a good camera and lens so that i capture this sharp image.

Pink Browed Rosefinch is generally found at Himalayas. I found it at Har Ki Dun trek and also at Chandrakhani pass trek to Manali.  Bird is so beautiful in color you can not resist to capture image of it. There are also different types of finch bird available in manali and also at Uttarakhand. They generally found in pair of male and female. 

Gear Used : Canon 6D, Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm lens, Canon 80 D

Bay backed Shrike is generally found in south Asia and it is resident bird of south Asia. In Gujarat it found many places and near to agriculture areas. Also found in Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Sanctuary and many other sanctuaries . It is member of bird family Lannidae. Binominal Name of Bay Backed Shrike is Lanius Vittatus. It is generally found in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan and also in Shri Lanka.  In Lannidae family there are total 34 spices of shrike found in different places.

Description and facts about Bay Backed Shrike 

• Bay Backed Shrike is smallish shrike. 
• It has long black tail and maroon brown above parts with pale  rump.
• Bay backed shrike Underparts are white.
• On the eye of Bay backed shrike there is a black strike like a bandit mask.
• Legs and bill are dark grey in color.
• It built nest in bush, cultivation area or scrubby areas.
• It lays 3-5 eggs .
• They found generally in Pair.
• For hunting they fly 2 to 2.5 mt high from ground and catch food within 10 mt radius .
• Shrike has good eyesight and sharp beaks.
• Status of Bay Backed Shrike is least concern in IUCN list.

Bay backed Shrike is resident bird in Gujarat. It is found at many places like agriculture areas, farms, scrubby areas etc. I found it in Thol Bird sanctuary first time and then at agriculture areas outskirts it found easily. They find food easily near to agriculture areas and farms so they live near to them.  

Camera Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 6D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

Eurasian Curlew is also known as a Common Curlew. It is a large wader bird in family Scolopacidae. During winter it found in Africa, South Asia  and southern Europe areas.  In Gujarat it is found in Little rann of kutch and Great Rann of Kutch areas. I found it at Little rann of kutch during morning safari.  It was first recorded in 1377 in Langland. It is found near to scrubby riverbeds , groves and thorn forests.  Eurasian Curlew is restricted to Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Shri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Facts about Eurasian Curlew :

• Eurasian Curlew is the largest wader in its range.
• Its length is around  50-60 cm . Wingspan is around 90-105 cm. Weight of Eurasian Curlew is around  400 - 1350 gm approx.
• Its color is mainly greyish brown, greyish blue leg, white back and a very long and curve  bill .
• The bill is the longest in adult female than male.
• Eurasian curlew lay 4 eggs and generally lay in april or may. They incubate eggs about a month.
• It has been found that eurasian curlew built their nest near to Common Kestrel nest for protecting from Predators.
• Eurasian curlew feed small invertebrates and crabs, earthworms  too.
• The population of Eurasian Curlew is declining in very huge rate.  It is now in the Nearest Threatened list in IUCN list in 2008.
• In last 25 years eurasian curlew population decline 50% in England and Scotland and 90% in Ireland .

Eurasian Curlew is a migratory bird in Gujarat during winter season. It is found in Little Rann of Kutch during november to march . Little rann of kutch is also famous for migratory raptors and eagles. Also lots of birds like Greater Flamingo, Falcons, Eagles, Pelicans, Short Eared Owl, Desert Fox  and a Wild Ass . Indian Wild ass is found only in Gujarat in Kutch area. The little rann of kutch land is dry during summer and after monsoon it is muddy. 

Camera used : Canon 6D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

How to Reach LRK : Little rann of kutch is around 100 -120 km from Ahmedabad.  

Common Kingfisher is also known as Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher.  It is sparrow size bird with blue color on top of the body.  It is widely distributed in North Africa and Eurasia. When rivers freezes in winter they migrate from their. In India common kingfisher also a widely distributed in all over region. They generally found near to the water areas like canals, rivers, river birdges, ponds etc. I took a shot of common kingfisher or Eurasian Kingfisher at Thol bird sanctuary located in Gujarat near Sanand.

Description and facts about Common Kingfisher :

• It is about 16cm long and 25cm with wingspan.

• Its weight around 35-44 gm.

• It has short tail as all kingfisher tail is short.

• It has green blue upperparts and it has green blue neck stripe.

• Juvenile is similar to adult but dull underparts.

• Main flight feathers moult between july to november and it will takes 90-100 days to grow.

• Kingfisher flight too fast on low water.

• It is widely distributed in Europe, Asia and North Africa ( winter visitor ).

• Common kingfisher eats 60% of its body every day.

• Common Kingfisher lays 2-10 eggs which are white glossy in color.

Common Kingfisher in Gujarat :

Common Kingfisher or Small Blue Kingfisher found in Gujarat at many places like Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary, Velavdar Sanctuary and many other outskirts of Wetlands too. They are very small and cute in look. There are lots of kingfisher bird spices found in Gujarat also. 

Bar Headed Goose is high flying geese generally found in Asia. Bar Headed Goose and Bar Headed Geese both name you can use and both are same. It breeds in central Asia. It found many states in India during winter. In India its a winter visitor and breeds also during the month of November to April. For identification its looks simple because of it looks separate from other goose. There are black bars on head makes them different from other goose. It found in lakes and grasslands. I shoot them in Thol Bird Sanctuary near Sanand, Gujarat.

Migratory Birds In Gujarat : Bar Headed Geese/ Bar Headed Goose

You can call Bar Headed Goose or Bar Headed Geese also. It is migratory bird in India and also it can fly long distance and also at high altitude too.  Some description and interesting facts about bar headed goose are as follow

• Bar headed goose size around 70-75 cm length and weight around 2-3.5 kg
• Bar headed Goose color is pale grey. It is easily different from other geese birds as it has black color bars on head so it is called bar headed goose.
• Bar Headed Goose call is like typical goose honking.
• Bar Headed Goose breeds in Central Asia near mountain lake. Also breeds in winter in south Asia.
• Bar Headed Goose lays 3-8 eggs at a time.
• Bar Headed Goose known for high altitude flying bird because it fly over the Himalayas. Before crossing Himalayas it migrate from South Tibet, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia.
• Bar Headed Goose is one of the Wolrd's Highest flying birds. 
• Some report says it fly over Mount Makalu ( fifth highest mountain in World ) around 27825 ft and also from Mount Everest around 29029 ft but this report has no verification but we must say that Bar Headed Goose is high Altitute flying bird. It is an interesting subject to study for Naturalist that why Bar Headed Goose flying so high and extream altitude.
• Bar Headed Goose built their nest in Tibetan Plateau.
• Bar Headed Goose has little large area of wing than other goose because of their weight.
• Bar Headed Goose can migrate around 1600 km in a day.
• Rajhans is the Gujarati name of Bar headed Goose.
• Bar headed Goose eat plants and invertebrates.
• Bar Headed Goose is Least Concern in IUCN list.
• Bar headed Goose Binominal name is Anser Indicus

In Thol Bird Sanctuary lots of migratory birds found and more than 150 different spices of birds found . Main attraction of Thol Bird Sanctuary is Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican , Bar Headed Goose, Ducks, Waders, Blue Throat, Flycatcher, Greater spotted Eagle, Pochard and many more. 

During winter to summer season this bird is found at Thol Lake. I often travel to Thol Lake because its very near to my house. I reach early morning and back after half day. This time Bar headed goose is very close to me. I am so lucky that i got very sharp and clear blurred picture.The bird looks awesome in solo picture and in duo and also in a group. Bar headed goose is very shy bird so its is too difficult to get them very close. They are also high altitude migratory birds and passes over Himalayas from migration time.

Camera Used : Canon 6D, Canon 80 D, Canon 100-400mm lens

Location : Thol Bird Sanctuary, Sanand, Kadi

Places to Visit near Thol Bird Sanctuary : Adalaj Ni Vav, Motera Sun Temple, Little Rann of Kutch, Mahatma Mandir Gandhinagar.

Indian Grey Hornbill is now found in Gujarat many places in Arravalli Hills. I found it at Jessore Sanctuary near palanpur. There are also many more places where Indian Grey Hornbill found in Gujarat like Polo Forest, Sarita Udhyan Gandhinagar also Balaram many places and many forest area and outskirts of forest. Before 10 years there are less chances of Indian Grey Hornbill in Gujarat but now a days population increase of Indian Grey Hornbill. My friend Parikshit Acharya found many years ago at Jessore Sanctuary for the first time at Jessore and his artical was published in BNHS ( Bombey Natural History Society). After that we found it at many places in North Gujarat. There are also chances in south Gujarat but we didn't explore much in south Gujarat.

About Indian Grey Hornbill :

• Indian Grey Hornbill is a common hornbill.
• They generally found in pair.
• Color of Indian Grey hornbill is light grey as per its name and dull white belly and feathers also in grey color.
• As his name is Hornbill its horn is long and curvey. Horn color is black or dark grey.
• It is medium size 60 cm in lenght.
• In male hornbill skin around eye is dark and in female hornbill its pale raddish.
• Hornbill spices found generally at 2000ft height. It found also in cities on large trees.
• Indian Grey Hornbill call like black Kite.
• April to June is nesting and breeding season for Indian Grey Hornbill. It lays 1-5 eggs.
• Indian Grey Hornbill found all over India and also in Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• Indian Grey Hornbill feed fruits, berries, insects, snakes, lizards etc.
• Indian Grey Hornbill is in Least concern in IUCN list.
• The Dayak tribe consider that if Hornbills are flying over house is sign of good fortune to come.
• The Sulu Hornbill spices is the rarest hornbill in the world. They generally found at Philippines.
• Hornbill lifespan around 30-35 years but they live less may be because of Habitats.

Hornbill Spices :

There are many spices of Hornbill bird in world. But in India there are some of them found. So i listed below the Hornbills Of India . I don't have all Hornbills Images but you can refer on Nature in Focus link  www.natureinfocus.in/animals/the-hornbills-of-india for all Hornbills of India Images.

• Malabar Grey Hornbill
• Rufous Necked Hornbill
• Wreathed Hornbill
• Oriental Pied Hornbill
• Indian Grey Hornbill
• Narcondam Hornbill
• Austen's Brown Hornbill
• Malabar Pied Hornbill

Indian Grey Hornbill generally seen in pair so if you found one then another is also their. Capturing hornbill is bit tough because they are on large trees so you need good binocular and good camera lenses to have a good Image of Hornbill. I was not much lucky but i have a record shot of Indian Grey Hornbill and have a tick in my bird list of Indian Subcontinent.

Gear Used : Canon 6D, Canon 100-400mm lens

Location : Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Way to Kedarnath Temple.

Black Headed Ibis has various names like Black Necked Ibis, Indian White Ibis and Orientle White Ibis. The Binominal Name of Black Headed Ibis is Threskiornis melanocephalus. It is large size water bird found in South Asia many regions. It is found in many low water areas and aslo breeds here too. Black Headed Ibis is also found in resident areas near me also where some low water areas. Near to me Black headed Ibis also found in Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird sanctuary, Pariej Sanctuary and many more places like farms, ponds, low grasslands etc.

About Black Headed Ibis Bird :

• Black Headed Ibis is one of the large water birds spices.
• Its lenght about 65-75 cm .
• It has white plumage and black head and neck. Its beak is curvy.
• Adult male has grey feather at tail during breeding season.
• Black Headed Ibis are native to Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Shri Lanka, Combodia, Thailand etc. They are migrant to Japan, Koreaand mongolia.
• Black Headed ibis is versatile to use man made habitats. It generally found in ponds, Canals, riverside, lakes, crop fields, garbage dumping etc.
• It build nest near wetlands. It build platform for nest and made from sticks, grass and threads.
• Black Headed Ibis are treatened so its population is decreasing but they are not in endangered spices.
• Ibis can do aerating the soil while probing beak in soil for insects.
• Ibis birds are predators for snakes, monkeys, crows and alos birds of prey.
• Ibis sleep together on trees at night. They are active during day.
• Ibis lifespan is up to 25 years.
• Favorite food of Ibis are snail, fish and aquatic animals but they can also eat bread and popcorns too.

In resident areas there are also lots of birds you can find. At the end of resident area small pond and lakes made by humans and they are really good habitat for some birds. Ibis birds are very familiar to humans so they can live near the resident areas. Its beak is looking attractive because of curve and also scared to others. In resident birds of Gujarat ibis bird found many farm areas and wetlands, grassland, canals etc. It is also found in bird sanctuary Gujarat like Thol Bird Sanctuary near sanand, Nalsarovar Sanctuary etc. Both sanctuary are nearest places to my home so i oftenly visit both sanctuary. During winter these both sanctuary are full of migratory birds. 

Gear Used : Canon 6D, Caon 100-400mm lens

Black Winged Stilt is a wader bird from stilt family. It is widlely distributed bird in Aisa, Africa, Europe. The scientific name of Black winged stilt is Himantopus . In Gujarat it is widely found in low water wetlands and some ponds and farms. Black winged stilt widely found in Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Sanctuary and their ourskirts. It is black and white bird with long legs and small in size. Not too small but medium size like Black Tailed Godwit bird. 

About Black Winged Stilt Bird :

• Black Winged Stilt bird size 32-36 cm for adult.
• They have long and thin black bill.
• Black winged stilt legs are pink in color and also long too.
• Black winged stilt head is white in color and neak is black in varying.
• Male has black back and greenish glow and female has brown hue.
• It has 5-7 subspices and sometime it reffered as Common stilt.
• Black winged stilt breeds in small pond, lakes, marshes. 
• Black winged stilt eat mainly insects.
• Black winged stilt pick their food from water or sand.
• It built nest near water and easily spotted. Also built nest in small group. Sometimes built nest with Avocets.
• Black Winged stilt is one of the spices to which the agreement on the conservation of African Eurasian migratory water birds. 

Thol Bird sanctuary is located near Thol village in Sanand. It is really good place for bird watchers. In Thol Lake you can find waders, large birds, tree birds, migratory birds, resident birds etc. Also more than 150 spices as per my knowledge may be more numbers found here. Also Migratory birds are most attractions of Thol Lake during Winter. In migratory birds most found Flamingos, Pelicans, Bar Headed Goose, Sarus Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Grey legged Goose, Pied Avocets etc.

Lits of Migratory birds At Thol Lake :

• Flamingos
• Great White Pelicans
• Bar Headed Goose and Grey heded Goose
• Ducks
• Spoonbills
• Sarus Cranes and Demoiselle Cranes
• Eagles
• Mallard

Best Time to Visit Thol Sanctuary :

Well for birding winter is the best time for Thol Bird Sanctuary. If you want day out then any time is better for thol except monsoon. There are lots of birds stay througout year in Thol lake. In winter lots of Migratory birds are most attractions of Thol Sanctuary. From November to March is the best time to visit Thol Lake.

Nearest Railwaystation With Major City : Ahmedabad

Russet Sparrow is a bird of sparrow family. It is generally found at Himalayas in India. It is very common at himalayan birding sites. House sparrow bird is now moved from city areas because of croweded area and pollutions and mobile towers. Russet sparrow i found during my trek to Manali and Har ki Dun trek also. So it is resident bird of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It is small size bird and very friendly bird even you get very close to it.

About Russet Sparrow :

• Russet Sparrow is seed eating bird.
• Russet sparrow has thick bill.
• Russet Sparrow length is about 12-15 cm.
• There are three subspices of it recognised. Rutilans, intensior, cinnamomeus.
• Rutilans and intensior breeds in eastern Asia and cinnamomeus breeds in Himalayas.
• Sparrow feed seeds of grains and hurbs.
• They lay 5-6 eggs at a time.
• It is warm rufous in color. 
• Among all subspices the Himalayan Russet sparrow is little larger then others.
• Russet sparrow call is Cheep or chilp...

Sparrow is very familiar bird. House sparrow is very common in city areas. But now a days because of mobile towers and architectures and highrise building made them migrate from city. Russet Sparrow i found during my trek to Manali and also Har ki Dun trek. When i was on trek of Chandrakhani pass i frequently found russet sparrow in villages . Same thing during my har ki dun trek i found russet sparrow in small villages as a resident bird. 

Har ki Dun and Manali both from differant state Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh. So it shows russet sparrow widely spread in Himalayas. Actually Himalays are heaven for birding. There are huge number of spices of different birds in Himalayan range. Most popular places for birding in Himalayas are Manali, Har ki Dun, Pangot, Sattal, Nainital etc. 

Location : Har ki Dun trek, Manali Trek to Chandrakhani pass

Gear : Canon 6D, Canon 1000D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

White browed Fantail bird is small size bird. It is Passerine bird of family Rhipiduridae. In Gujarat White browed Fantial found many places like Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar, Velavadar Sanctuary and many more farms outskirts dense bush areas. I found it at Thol Bird Sanctuary. During nesting time it may be agressive . White browed fantail looks beautiful when he open its tail feathers. It makes beautiful black and white feather abstract. Its feathers of tail looks like hand fan with design.

About White browed Fantail bird :

• White browed Fantail length about 18 cm .
• White browed Fantail found in Many regions of Asia , south Asia etc.
• It has dark brown upperparts and also white spots on wings. Underparts of White Browed fantail is white.
• White Browed Fantail Tail looks like hand fan shape.
• It build its nest like a cup shape.
• It lays eggs arround 2-5 in nest and its color like white and light browinish spotted in color.
• Fantail bird lifespan around 2-5 years.
• Incubation period during breeding season around 14 days.
• Fantail feed invertebrates like insects, moths,spiders, beetles, flies etc.
• According to Maori tribal legend if the fantail fly in your house then it signs of death of someone in your house.
• Tiwaiwaka , Piwakawaka, Tirairaka , Tiwakawaka are some common names of Fantail bird in Maori tribal.

Why It is called Fantail ? :

When its tail spread it looks like fan and foraging and when its tail folded it is rounded at the end. Thats why its called Fan-tail.

Thol Lake is one of the best place for birding in Gujarat. Thol bird sanctuary is in Sanand District near Thol Village. In Thol lake more than 150 different spices of waders and also nesting birds. Also Migratory birds are found here and stays here. Famous Flamingo Birds found here during winter and some of them found allover year and nesting here. 

Indian Paradise Flycatcher is previously known as Asian Paradise Flycatcher short form ( APFC ). It is widly spread in India and in Asia. All Flycatcher birds are medium in size. Asian paradise flycatcher size also medium. The Indian Paradise flycatcher is in lease concern on IUCN red list. There are three sub spices of Paradise Flycatcher

• T. P. Paradisi 
• Himalayan Paradise Flycatcher
• Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher

About Indian Paradise Flycatcher Bird :

• Adult Indian Paradise flycatcher size is around 19-22 cm.
• Flycatcher head color is black with crown and crest. 
• Male paradise flycatcher is white in color and female is rufous.
• Young Male Asian paradise flycatcher is much similar like female.
• Young male paradise flycatcher color is rufous and it has short tail. 
• After 2015 Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Amur Paradise Flycatcher and  Blyth's Paradise flycatcher are known as Asian Paradise Flycatcher.
• Indian Paradise Flycatcher is the State bird of Madhya Pradesh.
• Indian Paradise Flycatcher is known as Dudhraj in Gujarati. 
• Indian Paradise Flycatcher lay one eggs per day and it lay 4-8 eggs after nesting. Incubation period is around 13-15 days .

Paradise Flycatcher Name is from Greek terpsi mean ' Delighting in ' and phonos mean ' Voice ' . So it is Delighting In Voice Bird. The Indian Paradise flycatcher or Asian Paradise flycatcher found in Central and south India, Bangladesh , Myanmar, Shri Lanka and many more regions of Asia.  Indian Paradise Flycatcher eat insects like moths, beetles, Butterflies, Ants and Spiders too. The Average lifespan of Indian Paradise Flycatcher is aroun 8-10 years. I found Indian Paradise Flycatcher during my Manali trekking and Also at Thol Lake. During my trek to manali i found both Male and female Indian paradise flycatcher but unfortunately i capture only female paradise flycatcher. At Thol Lake i found only Female Paradise flycatcher. I get Male Indian Paradise flycatcher at Corbett national Park during my saffari ride. But some poor quality result photos.

Camera Used : Canon 6 D, Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

Location : Male Indian Paradise Flycatcher found at Corbett National Park , Female Indian Paradise flycatcher found at Thol Bird Sanctuary and also at Manali trekking at Rumsu village.

Black Tailed Godwit is a wader bird found in many places of Gujarat. It generally found in India, New Zealand , West Africa, West Europe and Australia during winter season. In Gujarat it found in many places like Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Khijadia Bird Sanctuary and many other muddy areas where they can found their food easily. I got them at Thol Bird Sanctuary during may month.

About Black Tailed Godwit :

• It has long bill around 7 to 10 cm long.
• It has orange-pink base bill with dark tip.
• Legs of Black Tailed Godwit are dark grey or black.
• Adult has brown-grey breast and upperparts and in Juvenile has orange neak and breast.
• Total lenght is around 70-80 cm and weight is almost 250-350 gm.
• Call of Black tailed Godwit is weeka...weeka...weeka
• They build nest on shallow ground.
• They lay eggs and protect them up to 30-50 m.
• They lay 3-6 eggs and color dark brown or olive green.
• They eat insects like grasshoopers, beetles , flies, caterpillers, fish eggs etc.
• Black tailed Godwit hunted in France.
• Population of black tailed godwit all around the world is around 6 to 8 lakhs.

Black tailed Godwit At Thol Lake :

Thol Lake near Ahmedabad around 25 km is one of the best place for birding. Here you can find more than 200 spices of different birds. Waders and flamingos are resident birds here. During winter the lake is full of birds like Flamingos, Pelicans, Sarus Cranes, Demoiselle Crane and many more tree birds like Asian paradise flycatcher, Fantail, bee eaters , kingfisher birds , swamphen etc. Must visit place near Ahmedabad for bird watchers. 

I shoot Black tailed godwit very near in Thol Lake and take a ground level shot to make good bokeh image. I was too far but i use canon 100-400 mm lens so i got good result no too good but good enough. I shoot 2 Black tailed Godwit territory fight and also matting of black tailed godwit too. Well i was confused either they fight or matting . Their long bill looks dangerous when you are very close to them. Taking a ground level shot is little bit difficult if the crowiling area is full of mud or wet. Generally i shoot without disturbing birds and shoot from much distance.

Gear Used : Canon 6 D body , Canon 100-400 mm lens

Location : Thol Bird Sanctuary

Rock Bunting is sparrow size bird and it looks beautiful small size bird. It is Passerine bird. It is in the bunting family Emberizidae. In India it found in Himalayan range. I found and shoot it at Chandrakhani Pass area during my trek to manali. 

Description Of Rock Bunting :

• It is small size bird about 15-16 cm in length 
• Male rock bunting has chestnut upperpart during breeding season.
• It has a pale grey head with black stripping mark.
• Female rock bunting has paler underpart and grey brown back which is simillar to male but dull from male.
• In Africa and Turkey rock bunting has white wing bars.
• It generally found in  Afria, Europe , Asia many parts
• It is partially migratory bird.
• It breeds in dry and rocky mountain areas.
• It lays 3-5 eggs which are greyish in color.
• Call of Rock Bunting is tseee and it sing like churrr... chirrriii...itt

During my trek to manali we go to chandrakhani pass and i found more than 30 spices of birds during my trek. Different spices of birds found here so if you go for birding go by trek i recommand. Some birds i missed because of small size birds and difficult to capture with my lens and some birds images are not clear but can identify easily. Himalayan mountain range is best place for bird watching and bird photography. Some destinations like Sattal , Delhousie and Singalila National Park are heaven for birding and bird watching. Chandrakhani pass is high altitude pass where you can find rare spices of bird like Himalayan Monal but i am not luck so i could not found it. Amazing snow in june month when we went their at chandrakhani pass. Manali Trek open from May  to  July - August . 

Trek start from Dobhi and return to Dobhi takes 4-5 days. I went with YHAI - youth hostels association India who manage different treks in all over India. Cheap and well managed trek they arrange. You can book in advance from direct website of https://www.yhaindia.org/ 

Gear used : Canon 1000 D with Canon 100-400 mm lens

Location : Near to chandrakhani pass , Manali

It is the largest species of Flamingo bird family and also a most widespread species of flamingo family.It is found in India ,south east , middle east and Africa. It is migratory bird. They also breed in India. In Gujarat they breed in Rann Of Kutch , Little Rann of Kutch also found in Thol Bird Sanctuary. I often visit Thol sanctuary so got good shots of them. Best time for shoot them is may-Jun at Thol bird sanctuary bcz of water level is too low . It is been recorded that some flamingo birds are resident in Gujarat at many places like LRK, Khijadia sanctuary, Nalsarovar and Thol Sanctuary. They also breed here and stay for all seasons. So you can find greater flamingo birds in all seasons in Gujarat at many places. 

Flamingo bird facts and description : 

• Greater flamingo bird is the largest living spices of flamingo.
• Greater flamingo has no subspices.
• Flamingo color most of pinkish white in plumage. Wings are red and feathers are black in end.
• Greater Flamingo bird call is like honking.
• The average lifespan of flamingo bird is 30-40 years.
• Main Difference between Greater flamingo and lesser flamingo is height . Lesser flamingo is shorter than greater flamingo. Also Greater flamingo has pale pink bill and black tip. In other case lesser flamingo has dark crimson bill. Lesser flamingo is also more red in color than greater flamingos.

Greater Flamingo birds In Thol Lake : Thol sanctuary is often i visit. Flamingo birds are stay here all seasons. I got good numbers of Greater flamingo and lesser flamingo bird images in a group when i visit Thol. This is my best time with flamingos. Also i got some beautiful pictures of flamingo birds with group and also in duo with some masti. Flamingos looks very good in frame bcz of their color. Thol lake is good place for birders because more than 150 birds spices found here. Also some mammals like Blue bull and black buck also found here. Lots of water birds and tree birds found here. Also sanctuary is not so big so you can find all birds in around 6 sqkm area. Best time to visit thol lake is November to March. All migratory birds are visit in winter so that is best time. Early morning is best for birders. 

Timing And Fees of Thol Sanctuary :

Thol Sanctuary open at 6 AM in morning and close at around 5 PM

Fees of Thol Sanctuary is 50 INR per person and camera fees are 200 INR. Car fees are 500 INR. 

Weekend fees may change that actually i don't know about it. 

Two flamingos with little egret in between of them with down head all. The images of flamingo bird making a good frame. Because of its color flamingo birds images are very attractive and also their grouping make a perfect frame of flamingo bird picture.

A morning pared time for flamingo birds. A beautiful Greater flamingo birds are in a raw make image nice and show their unity. 

Perfact wingspan of Flamingo bird looks great. Pink Wings make image more attractive.

Solo Greater flamingo bird 

Some masti time for two flamingo birds .

Above image shows the discipline of Flamingo Bird and looks like a morning pared they are doing . 

https://youtu.be/9dVBrR9NSOo

A group of Flamingo Birds at Thol Lake make your frame awesome.

Location : Thol Lake, Gujarat

Thol lake is just 25 km approx. from Ahmedabad. You can visit one day for Thol lake is enough. Also you can find another migratory birds like pelicans , bar headed goose, river tern and many more resident spices.

Ahmedabad to Thol lake distance about 25km

During my trek to manali and Har ki Dun i got lots of birds spices and also good numbers of flycatcher birds. Himalayan mountain range is one of the best place for birds and thats why it called birds paradise. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand states in India are best place for birding. Places above 7000 ft height are really heaven and pollution less and noice less. 

Flycatcher is a beautiful bird . there are lots of spices of them. Little pied flycatcher is found in asia , bhutan,nepal, malaysia,myanmar,laos etc. In india it found mostly in Himalayan Mountain range. Its color is black and white. Black on top body and white in bottom from neck to tail. Also white strip on eye and wings also.I shot it in manali and also in Har ki Dun trek.

About Little Pied Flycatcher Bird :

• It is Resident bird of Himalayas, NE India and Bangladesh.
• It is small and compact in size.
• It has Bull headed with small dark bill.
• Male is striking with mainly black upperparts and white underparts.
• It has long and broad white supercilium, white patch on wing, and white sides to base of tail.
• Female has brownish grey upperparts and whitish underparts with brownish grey wash to breast and flanks.
• Juvenile has buff spotting on upperparts and tips to coverts and whitish underparts with dark scaling on breast.
• Sound of Little Pied Flycatcher is series of thin, high pitched notes.
• It breeds in broadleaved deciduous and evergreen forest.

Manali Trekking : Manali is heaven for birders. Lots of spices of different birds found here. Just go for trek to manali and you will have lots of birds spices in your memories and also Amazing Himalays. Himalayan mountains are best place to see in India. If you go by trek to himalaya you will see beautiful scenery of Himalaya with full of snow mountains in summer also. At 11000 ft height you will definitely found snow in your trek. When you wake up in the morning you will have beautiful sounds of different birds. 

Camera Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

A bird with long tail Yellow Billed Blue Magpie bird found in NE India and mostly in Himalayas. During my trek to manali chandrakhani pass our base camp dobhi is beautiful place and i found lots of birds around my base camp. Yellow Billed Blue Magpie Bird is easily identify because of its long tail. A beautiful bird with long tail looks blue in color and strips on tail. It founds mostly in himalayan range. It is resident bird of Himalayas. It belongs to crow and jay family.

Description of Yellow Billed Blue Magpie :

• It has Yello bill and small white crescent on nape.
• Duller blue Grey Mantle and wings.
• Juvenile similar to adult but has duller head and upperparts also more extensive white on nape and dull olive yellow bill.
• In western himalayas has white underparts and bluer mantle and wings than Eastern Himalayas which has greyer mantle and wings and primrose yellow wash to underparts.
• Call of Yellow billed blue magpie is A wheezy bu - zeep - peck - peck , pop - upclea , pu- pu -weer and a high clear - clear.
• Usually its in pairs or flock of up to ten.
• They build nest on fork of tree and made by roots and grass.
• The clutch consists 3 or 4 eggs.
• They eat small mammals, fruits, insects etc.
• Breeding zone in between 5000 ft to 9700 ft approx.
• Its length about 66 cm and tail length 45 cm approx.

Himalayan Mountain range is best place for birding and landscape photography. Different areas of NE himalayas and E Himalayas have different landscape views of Himalayas. Some good places to go by trek are Manali chandrakhani pass, Har ki Dun trek, Valley of Gods, Sattal, Valley of Flowers, Kaza, Spitti Valley , Singalila National Park etc... 

Gear Used : Canon 1000 D , Canon 100-400 mm lens

Plumbeous water Redstart is pesserine bird and also old in Flycatcher Family. Generally it founds in Asia and China. This spices also have two subspices Phoenicurus fuliginosus fuliginosus and Phoenicurus fuliginosus affinis. In India it found in verious places in Himalayan range. Generally it found near to river in search of food. It found on stones which are in river water. I found it during my trek to manali chandrakhani pass. Also during Har ki dun trek i found it.

Description and Habitat Plumbeous Water Redstart  :

• Male Plumbeous Water Redstart are slate blue in color and females are grey.
• Total length of Plumbeous water redstart is  14-15 cm approx.
• Weight of Plumbeous water redstart is around 20-23 gms
• Male Plumbeous Water Redstart color in slate blue and tail is rusty red. 
• Female Plumbeous Water Redstart are grey and white rump.
• Plumbeous water redstart found in India, China, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Taiwan etc. It covers all Asian country almost.
• Plumbeous Water Redstart feed small insects like mayflies.
• Plumbeous Water Redstart lives in between 2000 meter to 4000 meter height.
• Plumbeous Water Redstart is very protective in its habitat.
• Plumbeous Water Redstart flies above 20ft from river to catch flies.
• Plumbeous Water Redstart population remains stable within last 10 years.

Manali is very good place to visit during winter and also during summer. Both season weather is different. In winter you enjoy snowfall and in summer you can play with snow. I visited manali in good hotels during winter and also by trek in summer. Both time i enjoy lot. During manali trekking i found more than 30 spices of birds and also amazing himalayan landscapes. At that time i had not good enough camera but still i got good images of birds and landscapes. 

Gear Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400mm lens

I found two types of Bulbul Bird in trek of Manali. During my trek of manali i found more than 30 spices of different birds and among them i found two types of bulbul Black Bulbul And Himalayan Bulbul. Both bulbul are different from bulbul found near to my home red wented bulbul. Manali is heaven for birding and also for landscapes. Himalayas is my fevorite destination. 

Himalayan Bulbul :

• Himalayan bulbul is resident in north pakistan hills and Himalays.
• It has white cheeks, brownish grey upperparts, and yellow went.
• It has brown crest, brown nape, smaller white cheek patch with black crescent at rear.
• Call of Himalayan bulbul is we - did - de - dear - up , who - lik - lik - leer . 
• It feed small insects and invertebrates.
• Its size about 18 cm length and wing span around 25-30 cm. weight around 30 gm.
• It built nest in bushes and low branches.
• Female lays generally 3 eggs and they incubates in 12 days.
• Cheeks leave nest when they are 9-12 days old.

Black Bulbul :

• It is known as Himalayan Black Bulbul or Asian Black Bulbul.
• Slate grey to blackish bulbul with slight crest.
• It  has bright red bill, legs and feet, pale fringes to undertail coverts and shallow fork to tail.
• Juvenile lacks crest, has whitish throat, grey breast band, brownish cast to upperparts, bill and legs.
• Call of Black bulbul is repeated series of three or four rising and falling notes.
• Length of black bulbul is 25 cm .
• They have black streak behind the eye.
• Black bulbul is also known as Malagasy Bulbul.
• It found in Himalays and Southeast Asia.

Himachal Pradesh Birds :

Himalayas is the heaven for bird watching and birding. During trek you can found lots of spices of beautiful birds. Himachal Pradesh is very good for trekking too. Manali is best for trekking in Himachal Pradesh. Chandrakhani Pass is the last destination for manali trekking. During the trek you can found lots of spices of birds very closely. It is also good to see their behaviour and understanding their life. Visit in april to july so you can find lots of birds. Best season is April to July for trekking to Himalayas.

Gear Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

The Indian White Eye bird actually name changed from Orientle White Eye. It is small passarine bird from white eye family. This bird can easily identify because of its white ring on eye. A small bird with white ring on eye looks beautiful. Its a resident breeder in India. I found it at Himachal Pradesh when i was on trek to Manali. Small bird found in small trees and woodland. 

Description About Indian White Eye :

• Size of bird is very small about 8-9 cm.
• Color is yellow on upper parts and yellow throat and vent and white ring on eye.
• Belly is white grey also yellow in some subspices.
• It feed nectar and small insects.
• Total 11 subspices recorded.
• Breeding season is February to september and April is peak.
• They build nest in very short time and lay pale blue eggs.

Birding At Manali : 

Manali is one of the best place for birding. Bird watchers oftenly came here and do lots of bird photography. There are lots of birds spices are found here. Better you go by trek so you can explore more birding area of manali. Chandrakhani Pass is very good place at height of 9000 ft above where you can found Himalayan Monal. Also lots of snow at this place so you can enjoy the nature beauty of the place. Amazing Landscapes you can take from here of Himalayan Mountain Range. 

Indian White eye is Least concern bird in the IUCN bird list. It found in many areas.

Gear Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm Lens

Photo Taken at Dobhi Base camp outskirts of YHAI.

Verditer Flycatcher is summer visitor to Himalayas and North East India. I found it at Manali when i was on trek to chandrakhani pass. Flycatchers are really beautiful birds to see and to catch. The color of Verditer flycatcher is really amazing blue. Its attract to your eyes. Himalayan range is full of birds. Specially birds are migrated and also winter visitors.

About Verditer Flycatcher :

• It is blue in color and dark patch between the eyes and above the bill base.
• Male is Entirely greenish blue, brighter forehead and throat and black lores.
• It is not confusable with any other flycatcher.
• Female is similar but duller and greyer and dusky lores.
• Pale blue flycatcher is confusable with female verditer flycatcher.
• Voice song comprises series of rapid, undulating, strident notes ascending the scale.
• It found in open forest, tall trees in open areas, groves and gardens.

Himachal Pradesh Birds / Manali Birds :

Manali is very good to bird watchers. Go by trek from Dobhi to Chandrakhani Pass. Trek organized by many but i suggest go with Youth Hostel YHAI. From Dobhi you can get good birds and by moving to chandrakhani pass about 10000 ft height you can get lots of birds. I found more than 35 spices of different birds during my trek. Trekking is good experience to get in touch with nature closely. You can get amazing landscapes here of Himalayas and Himalayan Range with beautiful sunrise and sunset.

Gear Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

Great barbet or asian barbet generally found in himalayas. It is the largest barbet in barbet family. It lives in forests above 3000 m height. I found it during my Manali trekking at 8000 ft height. There are about 80 spices of barbet. More than 10 spices found in India. It generally found at tall tree branches so difficult to see and take a photos. But sometimes you are lucky that you get better pictures too. 

Description About Great Barbet :

• Size of Great barbet  is 12-13 inch and weight aprox 190-290 gm.
• They eat fruits and insects.
• The adult has brown back ,blue head ,large yellow bill and red went.
• Nesting season is April to July.
• The color of this barbet is really a great combinations by god.
• They also found in Nepal , Bhutan and bangladesh.
• They generally found in lower to middle altitudes of himalays.
• Great Barbet male territorial call is kay-oh very loud.
• Also Great Barbet call is repetitive piou-piou-piou .

Birds of Manali :

Manali is one of the best place for birding. While you go with leisure tour you cannot get much birds but when you go in trekking then you get most of birds in unexlpored areas. Also trekking is good for your fitness too. Himalayas are really amazing for trekking and birding. 

Camera Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 100-400 mm lens

Grey Headed Swamphen Or Sultana Bird: Purple swamphen bird is water bird and also a backyard bird too. There are six spices of purple swamphen. It is also known as Sultana Bird. Purple swamphen bird is chicken size bird. It has large feet  and bright plumage and red bill. It is generally found near lower water areas in wetlands. It is easily identifiy and also easy to find because of its color purple catches easily to your eyes towards it.

Six spices of swamphen are : 

• Western Swamphen 
• African Swamphen 
• Grey headed swamphen 
• Black backed swamphen 
• Philippine swamphen 
• Australasian swamphen. 

In Gujarat generally it found at wetland areas like Thol Lake, Nalsarovar, Pariej wetland etc. Also some low water area they are found.  

Some Facts about Grey-Headed swamphen : 

• Purple swamphen can fly long distance . 
• They are good swimmer too.  
• They can make loud bleating and hooting call. 
• They are seasonal breeders. 
• Swamphen live in pair . 
• They eat small fishes and snails like invertebrates. 
• Color of Purple swamphen is like a peacock and a red bill on its head looks beautiful. 

Purple swamphen is very good in color so the pictures are looking bright. Some of pictures are taken from my old camera so they may be not so good but i tried my best. Above image taken from my canon with 100-400 mm lens and in background and foreground a green grass make my image really fantastic.

Birds of Gujarat : Purple swamphen generally found in water areas and wetlands. My nearest place and bird sanctuary is Thol Lake. I often visit Thol Lake for birding. During winter season lots of Migratory birds came here and stay during winter. Swamphen bird is residence here and you can get them the whole year. They also breed here. 

Gear used : Canon 100 - 400 mm lens, Canon 6 D , Canon 1000 D 

Location : Thol Bird Sanctuary , Near Sanand , Gujarat

Flycatchers are really beautiful birds. All species have their different specification and different from other birds. Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher bird is one of them.In India it found in north side at Himalayan Mountain range.I got shot at manali when i was on trek of chandrakhanipass. Beautiful Bokeh with Flycatcher bird is really cool.

Binominal name : Ficedula Strophiata 

Family :Muscicapidae 

About Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher Bird: 

• Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher is resident bird of Himalayas.
• Male Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher has dark olive brown upper parts, blackish face and throat.
• Male  flycatcher has prominent white forehead and eyebrow.
• Small rufous patch in center of grey breast and large white patches at sides of tail in male Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher. 
• Female Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher has less distinct eyebrow, duller and less distinct rufous.
• Also female has paler grey face and throat.
• Juvenile Rufous gorgeted flycatcher has tail pattern as adult, underparts spotted with orange buff and orange buff throat and breast.
• Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher bird call is a thin zreet-creet-creet-chirt-chirt ......

Manali is beautiful place to visit during winter and also in summer. If you go in winter you can see live snowfall and that is amazing experience. While if you are nature lover then go by trekking and enjoy untouchable nature. You can find lots of birds around you while you are on a trek to manali. It was my first long trek experience when i go. But i must say it is the only way to feel nature closely you go by trekking. And if it is Himalayan trek then no word to say, it is marvelous. 

Photos taken at chandrakhani pass manali. Chandrakhani pass is the last point of our trek at about 10000 ft height. Its  a heaven for bird watching and bird photographer. We really want Himalayan Monal at this point but we are not lucky enough to get it. But we are not disappointed because we found more than 30-35 spices of birds during our trek. We found good number of flycatchers at manali himachal pradesh. Rufous gorgeted flycatcher is beautiful bird and its color is grey so it mix up with tree so difficult to find. 

Camera used : Canon 1000 D with 100-400 mm lens.

Accentor is a small bird of prunellidae family. In India it is generally found in East Sikkim area. It built its nest low in a bush. When i was on a trip to Singalila National Park. I found at sandakphu  area. Sandakphu is high altitude place in Singalila National Park located in West Bengal. From here you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga very clear which is highest peak of West Bengal.  Lots of Birds here. To visit Singalila Park November to February you can found lots of snow and good landscapes too with snow on Mt Kanchenjunga. Also if you are going for birding you can visit March to May/June Month is the best . It is very cold weather during winter November to February at Singalila National park.

About Alpine Accentor Bird :

• Alpine Accentor bird is robin size bird. Length of bird is around 15 -17 cm.
• Bird just like similar to house sparrow in color with brown back streaked.
• Adult Alpine Accentor have red brown spotting on underparts
• Also adult have grey head too.
• In Asia Accentor found at 2000 m above height. Specially at Himalayas.
• It build nest in bush.
• It laying 3-4 plain (not spotted) eggs of sky blue color. 

Singalila National Park : 

Singalila national park is located in West Bengal. There are lots of birds in this sanctuary. Also its good for trekking at Sandakphu. From here you can see Mt. Kanchenjunga easily and very closely. Also a beautiful Himalayan Mountain range with snow. Amazing weather very cold in winter and moderate in summer. Summer season is the best for birding at sandakphu.

Alpine Accentor bird Binominal Name is Prunella Collaris .  Total 9 subspices are recognised of Alpine Accentor bird. 

Gear used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 55-250 mm Lens.

Hoopoe is a colorful bird.It found in Asia, Europe, Africa etc. The genus name is Upupa Epops. Upupa epops are Latin names. The hoopoe requires light vegetated ground such as trees,cliffs, walls and nest boxes. These types of environment  found easily everywhere. Its a medium size bird. For habitat and distribution Hoopoe bird is distributed all around in Asia, Europe and North Africa and easily found. For breeding hoopoe bird found wormer areas. It is also called as Eurasian Hoopoe bird too . In Gujarat it found at many farm outskirts and also at Thol Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar , Velavdar and many more areas.

Physical features of  Eurasian Hoopoe Bird : 

• Hoopoe bird is a small size bird. Its weight is around 45-90gms .
• Size of common hoopoe is around 25-32 cm. and 44-48 cm with wingspwan. 
• Its wings are round and broad so hoopoe bird can flight strong. 
• The beak of hoopoe bird is as long as woodpecker. 
• Body color is light and black strips. 
• A most beautiful thing about hoopoe is Crown of Feather on its head. That makes hoopoe special. 
• Hoopoe bird call is Hoo-Hoo-Hoo .

Some interesting facts about Common Hoopoe Bird: 

• Hoopoe bird is selected as a National Bird of Israel in 2008. 
• Hoopoe eats insects and pests which damage to agriculture and forest land. So Hoopoe is very helpful to save forest and agriculture land as it protect from such insects and pests. 
• Interesting thing about hoopoe is it like to take a bath in sun and dust. 
• Hoopoe bird average lifespan is 10 years. 
• Hoopoe bird can easily approached while they are eating and they didn't notice anyone around it. So that is the best time to get closer to hoopoe bird and get good Hoopoe bird images. 
• Hoopoe bird also noted at Mt. Everest. 

About Thol Lake : 

Thol bird sanctuary is located near Thol Village so its called Thol Bird Sanctuary. The village Thol located in Kadi Taluka and Mehsana District of Gujarat. Area of Thol Lake is around approx 7 km square. Thol is generally known for migratory birds found here. During November to March there are lots of migratory birds came here. More than 150-200 spices of different types of birds including migratory and residence are found here. May be my figure is not actual but its seems to near it. Most attractions of Thol Lake is Flamingo bird, Pelican Bird, Bar headed Goose, Cranes and also huge number of Duck spices. Best time to visit Thol lake is winter From November to March. Best time to reach is early morning before sunrise is good. You can see the beautiful sunrise with lovely sky colors and Birds with it. 

I got good and very close sharp Common Hoopoe bird or Eurasian Hoopoe bird images  

Nearest city to Thol Lake is Ahmadabad about 25 km approx.

Gear Used : Canon 1000 D, Canon 55-250 mm lens, Canon 6 D , Canon 100-400 mm lens

Backyard Birds : Dove bird is symbol of peace. It is loveable bird. It is very friendly to humans. Dove bird is now backyard bird because you can find it in your backyard. There are lots of spices of dove bird. Generally i found blue pegion at my home but these time i found Eurasian Collared Dove at my home. And look what close image i got it amazing.

The spices Eurasian collared dove is native Asia and Europe. There are two subspices recognised of Eurasian collared Dove 

• Western Collared Dove
• Burmese Collared Dove

Western Collared dove ranges Europe to India, China and Korea. Burmese Collared Dove ranges Central Myanmar to southern China-Eastern China. eurasian collared dove is not migratory. Eurasian collared Dove has been great colonisers of the bird world. They travelling from its native range to colder countries and many of them permanently stay their. 

Facts and Description of Eurasian Collared Dove :

• Its a medium size dove but smaller then wood pegion and similar to rock pegion.
• From Beak to Tail length is 13 inch.
• With wingspan length is 19-22 inches.
• Weight of Eurasian collared dove is 120-240 g.
• Color of eurasian collared dove is grey buff to pinkish grey and blue grey underwing patch.
• The tail feathers are grey buff and dark grey and tipped white below.
• Legs are short and bill is black
• Eyes appear black from distance but iris is red and narrow rim of reddish brown iris can be seen.
• Juveniles differs from collar and iris.
• Eurasian collared dove make large sound call  goo-goo-goo

Breeding and feeding :

• It breed near to human habitats where food and trees are available.
• Females lays two eggs in nest which color is white.
• Eggs incubates by both male and female. Male incubates in day time and female incubates at night.
• Incubation period is about 14-18 days.
• They feed grains, seeds and insects.
• They feed in farms and grain stores in a flock.
• Flock of Eurasian collared dove is from 10-40 most probably but it has been recorded up to 10000.

Pegion or Dove is a bird living in a human habitations. So they are very familier to humans. I also put some grains to feed them at my home. Generally Pigeon or Dove is very comman so you can shoot them photo anywhere with close up. I never take a shot of pigeon in jungle trail but this time at home The dove sitting on my gate light and i see beautiful background of my backyard trees with green background of Dove. I cann't stop my fingers to catch a photo. And see the result is great enough that i think The dove with green background. I also happy that i shoot too close to its eyes that i can see red eyes of Dove. Thats the beautiful part of the photo. 

Gear Used : Canon 6 D with Canon 100-400 mm lens.

It is very small falcon and in shape is like shrike.It is a species of "Birds of Prey " in a falconidae family.It is found in southeast Asia across Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, India,Vietnam. I shot it at Corbett National Park Dhikala forest Rest house backside. It is a smallest falcon in falcon family. In India it generally found in Himalayan Range like northeast Uttarpradesh, Sikkim, Bengal and Assam. Collared falconet is Shy Bird.

Description and Facts About Collared Falconet :

• Its wings are pointed.
• It is 18 cm Long only.
• Tail is rounded and medium length .
• The adult male has a black crown and white forehead.
• It is the member of genus Microhierax which are the smallest falcon.
• It is found in forest country aprox 5500 ft height.
• It roosts  and breed in old woodpecker or barbet holes in dead trees
• It feed mainly insects and small species of birds.
• It also shy and nervous.
• It has shortish wings and tail is medium length.
• It has also strong half feathered legs and very powerful feet.
• A bold white collar and supercillia
• It is a smallest falcon in falcon family.

Collared Falconet is a raptor so its feets are very strong to catch and it is also a good hunter bird. During my trip to Corbett national Park we done a morning safari and taking a rest at Dhikala forest lodge. On the back side of lodge on a old dead tree we found it. I seen Collared Flaconet for the first time and i ask to my mentor what is it ? and he said its a collared Flaconet and i ask  is it Falcon ? Well i am surprised that its a small bird that called Falcon but its true. It looks very cute to see but its a good hunter. Bird watching and bird photography is my favorite at that time and now also. Bird photography is very challenging because you have to follow the bird and its behaviour for taking a good picture of bird.