Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark

A small brown bird; inhabits the stony plains and open grassland environment.   

It can remain unnoticed due to its brownish-grey spotted plumage. It is this ability which enables it to stay largely hidden  and survive in the plains, particularly when the young birds are still cared for by the mother bird. (see pictures 2 and 3: female in the company of juvenile).

It is smaller than the common sparrow and is similar in appearance, with an ashy-brown head and light brown body. Its chest and abdomen are distinctly black and it has a black stripe running over the eyes.  

The female is brownish-gray overall, with pale brown chest and abdomen parts.

 

Kestrel

Usually found in open grasslands and fields, perched on telegraph wires or on solitary trees, on the lookout for its prey – chiefly rats and lizards, which abound in such areas.

The male is reddish-brown with brown spots all over. It has a black tipped tail and gray head, light-brown chest and abdomen parts. Female is similar with reddish-brown head.

During flight, it has an excellent ability to stop and hover in position for several seconds before swooping down and grabbing the prey in its claws.

Photograph location: Nannaj

Name	Kestrel
Alternate name(s)	Not known
Size	Large pigeon
Occurrence	Open grasslands, winter visitor to these regions
Status	Quite common
Distinct features	Gray head, reddish-brown body with brown spots and black tipped tail; chest and abdomen parts are light-brown mottled with dark-brown spots
Sexes	Alike; female with brown head

Flamingos

The Lesser and Greater Flamingos are seen in large numbers during this part of the year, as they migrate from colder climes. Large numbers of both species can be observed in and around the Bhandup creek.

 

The lesser flamingo is smaller (about 90cms) than the greater flamingo (about 140cms). Another feature which distinguishes the lesser flamingo from its larger cousin is its pink beak and crimson eyes (see pictures below; the greater flamingo shown is a juvenile).

Location: Bhandup creek

Yellow-beaked Babbler

At first glance, one would be forgiven for assuming that all babblers are alike. “A babbler is a babbler.” But, over a period of time, one begins noticing the minute differences between sub-species, and thus starts the process of learning to identify them. This is one hobby which I strongly recommend for everyone.

The yellow-beaked babbler shares the characteristics of the jungle babbler (see Jungle Babbler http://wonderfulworldofbirds.blogspot.in/2012/05/jungle-babbler.html). 

Noticeable differences are its pale cream crown, as against dark brown of the jungle babbler and mottled or spotted chest and yellow beak.  The other key difference between the two is its pleasant chirping call, while jungle babbler call is harsh.

Yellow-beaked babblers move about in small flocks of six or seven birds; they are partial to dry scrub type of forests. Like the jungle babblers, they are commonly observed near cultivated fields around small villages. The flocks are colloquially termed as sisterhoods. In Hindi, they are called saat bhai (“seven brothers”). They are endemic to South India and are rarely observed in the western region. Spotting them at Nannaj along with the large grey babbler was unexpected.

Name	Yellow-beaked Babbler
Alternate name(s)	Paleheaded Babbler
Size	Myna
Occurrence	Open scrubland forests, near cultivated fields in South India
Status	Common
Distinct features	Pale cream upper head, brownish gray body and large tail; throat and chest mottled with brown
Sexes	Alike