White Cheeked Barbet

Not commonly seen in these regions, the White-cheeked barbet is an arboreal bird, inhabiting thickly wooded forests. Reported sightings are from Karnala and Phansad. Due to its overall green and dull brown appearance, it cannot be easily spotted in the upper reaches of leafy environs.

It is about the size of the common myna, with green body parts and streaked white and brown on the head, neck and chest. It can be identified from its thick beak and white protruding cheek parts and large black eyes.

The barbet’s large beak makes it convenient for it to feed on berries and small fruits of the banyan and fig trees. Sexes are alike and share all nesting duties. 

 

The nest is a hole, high up in the recesses of large trees, away from prying human eyes. Not many such places are left in India, which makes very essential that we preserve our natural heritage.

Location: Thekkady

Natural Calamities

Bird Behavior before Natural Calamities
Can studying bird behavior lead to the prediction of natural calamities? And can localized industrialization lead to extinction of some species?

Reported evidence suggests that birds have an inborn or inherent connection with nature. There have been instances of unusual behavior in birds before natural calamities have struck. Observations include birds abandoning their nests; hens not laying eggs; and crows gathering together in the middle of the night—all for no plausible reason. However,  scientific evidence linking bird behavior to changes in weather and atmospheric conditions has not been documented.

Could it be possible that birds and animals can really predict or sense approaching disasters?

Earthquakes

Birds, because of their geomagnetic sensitivity (which helps them in their migratory routes), may be able to sense minute changes in the geological movement of the tectonic plates. These changes result in abnormal behavior in birds. This kind of tectonic activity causes large flocks of birds to take to flight in middle of the night, or nocturnal birds to come out of hiding during bright daylight. They get excited and some of them die. 

Evidence indicates that sparrows are particularly sensitive to radio waves which may be emitted during earthquakes. They respond by chirping continuously (they do not twitter as they do normally) and edgily, and by taking short swift flights in large flocks. Cocks and hens try to get onto higher ground. Cocks begin to crow while hens lay defective eggs. Some birds like ducks stay away from water and become aggressive while others like seagulls fly away from water bodies. Birds such as parakeets may die.

Rainfall

Birds may be able to detect rapid changes in atmospheric pressure and humidity levels with the help of their extremely sensitive organs. They might, hence, be able to predict regional occurrences of rainfall and thunderstorms.

Can localized industrial activities and deforestation affect survival of species?

Human intervention in the environment can adversely affect the inborn abilities and survival instincts of birds and animals by interfering with their senses. For example, atmospheric pollution can cause birds to get disoriented during long migrations. This is something which happens with the best of our modern communication systems and highly trained personnel!

It is possible that destruction of local habitats on migratory pathways, which the birds depend on during migration, can eventually lead to extinction of particular species. Some species, like the crow and pigeon, have adapted very well to human habitations, but this is not always the case.

More studies are required before we can have a definitive answer to this question. What is beyond doubt is that natural calamities are due to adverse effects of human activities on the ecosystem.

The time to act is fast disappearing. Unless drastic efforts are made to protect the environment, the very survival of our future generations will be be at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Spot-winged Tit or Spot-winged Crested Tit
Location: Bandavgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Courtesy: Upendra Chandratreya

Rain

Today, when it rains, have a good look out of your window. Don't ask yourself what you are looking at. Ask yourself what you are seeing. If you are a true nature-lover, though you may be looking at a polluted roadside, crammed with vehicles, you will see how the rain has cleansed the atmosphere—how it has washed off part of the haze in the air and formed a magnificent rainbow.

Look a little beyond the hustle and bustle that forms a part of the lives of almost all of us: the rainy season is the best time of the year to connect with nature. Most people just look upon the rain as something to be avoided (so as to stay dry). But that is not so. In fact, this season is the best time to find how closely you share this world with a huge number of plant, bird and animal varieties.

The unique location of India has gifted this country with a variety of species, plant, bird and animal. From the Himalayas guarding the northern part of the country to the 7,517 kilometer-long coastline, India is home to diverse classes of organisms. In fact, five percent of all the documented species of the world are in India.

Now, you may ask - what is five percent? Just a small number? Five percent of the entire world's species means five out of every hundred species, and there are approximately 1.8 million known kinds of organisms classified till date.

No part of the Indian subcontinent is possible to be imagined without birds. There will always be birds everywhere. At this time of the year, bird activity is high (though not the highest) because of the easy availability of food and water. When it is pouring heavily, many birds can be seen sheltering in trees.

Birdwatching is recommended if your job stresses you out, because it is proven that this hobby aids stress management. The near-perfect coloring of some birds can potentially take one's mind of the pressures of life and refresh the mind and body. Apart from the common pigeons, crows and mynas, there are several exotic birds that that one can see almost every day, like the golden oriole and coppersmith. These birds are also fairly common, but city people would probably think otherwise, because city life leaves people with almost no time to stand and stare.
There are more than 1200 species of birds in India. So, even if you went on a birdwatching trip every week, you could be assured of peace of mind for twenty-five years. There are so many birds to choose from that one can never hope to get tired of watching them. After all, they were created by Nature. And they may, in all probability, be our closest link to Nature.

We have witnessed the massive loss of life and property in the recent natural calamity that has befallen our fellow countrymen in Uttarakhand. Our prayers are with them. The tragedy is largely attributed to the greed of a few unscrupulous people, excessive urbanization and an uncaring administration. 

Lets us do our best towards conserving nature and that we do not cross the threshold beyond which we have no control over nature's wrath. 

 

Plumbeous Redstart - male (top) and female

Picture courtesy: Upendra Chandratreya

Malabar Grey Hornbill

The Hornbill is a large bird, about the size of a Pariah Kite. It is dark-grey in color, with a large bill well suited for picking up berries from banyan or peepul trees. 

There are two sub-species of the Grey Hornbill. The species found in the heavy rainfall regions of the Western Ghat regions is the Malabar Grey Hornbill, while that found in other lightly wooded regions is the Indian Grey Hornbill. The Indian Grey hornbill has a small projection over its bill, which is lacking in the Malabar species.

Habits

It is an arboreal bird found throughout the country, in lightly wooded regions. It moves by hopping over tree branches in search of berries and fruits, often stretching upside down while picking up fruits with its long bill. It also feeds on small lizards and mice. It nests in small tree hollows, with the female walled up with mud and bird droppings during incubation. The male provides for it until the young birds are hatched and the nest is broken open.

Sexes are alike.

Photograph location: Thekkady

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