Resources

SIZE

23 cml

FOOD

Insects, but also fruits, nectar and human food scrap.

HABITAT

Gardens, urban and suburban areas.

BEHAVIOR

Also commonly known as Seven Sisters because of its habit of moving around in a small flock typically numbering around 6-8 birds. It does not fly long distances. It usually gains height by moving up a tree or tall shrub.

SONG & CALL

Very high-pitched. Its normal call is a musical trr-ri-ri ri uttered by one or more of the flock while the others hop around feeding. When an intruder arrives, this call is taken up by the whole flock, increasing to an excited, loud and discordant chorus of squeaking and chittering.

FUN FACTS

Each Babbler has its place and specific role within the community. Some individuals act as sentinels, keeping a lookout for predators, while others forage for food. There are also individuals assigned to care for and feed the young chicks. This cooperation and division of responsibilities contribute to the group’s overall survival.

SIZE

17cm

FOOD

Mainly fruits, berries and sometimes insects.

HABITAT

Groves, light forest, city gardens, roadside trees.

LIFESTYLE

It is solitary or lives in small groups. It can climb up trunks like a woodpecker. It often spends early mornings sunning on bare branches.

SONG & CALL

The call is a loud, rather metallic Tuk…Tuk…Tuk (or tunk), reminiscent of a copper sheet being beaten, giving the bird its name. Repeated monotonously for long periods, starting with a subdued Tuk and building up to an even volume and tempo.

FUN FACT

It can eat nearly 1.5 to 3 times its own body weight in berries each day.

SIZE

20cm

FOOD

Omnivorous. Fruits, flower buds, insects, and nectar.

HABITAT

Gardens, wooded areas, forests, and even urban parks.

LIFESTYLE

It is a social bird, often seen in pairs or small groups, chirping and flitting through trees and bushes. These agile fliers are swiftly navigate through dense vegetation in search of food, while communicating with other members of its group.

SONG & CALL

Its song is a medley of whistles, trills, and cheerful warbles. Besides its song, its calls include distinct Oo-ee or Ka-oh sounds, which it uses for communication within its group or to mark its territory.

FUN FACT

In 19th-century India, this bird was frequently kept as a cage pet and for fighting, especially in the Carnatic region. It was held on the finger with a thread attached to its leg and when it fought it pulled out the red feathers of its opponents.

SIZE

20cm

FOOD

Insects, fruits like banyan and peepal figs, berries and nectar.

HABITAT

Dry open scrub country, plains, gardens and woodlands with dense shrubbery.

LIFESTYLE

Usually seen singly or in pairs, it hides in dense, low growth from where its chattering calls suddenly explode, seen only momentarily when it emerges on bush tops, or flies low from one bush patch to another. It usually does not associate with other birds.

SONG & CALL

It is rather noisy but uncommonly seen. Its call is a cacophonous explosion of loud discordant babbles, usually lasting 1-3 seconds. Its calls can be a rasping Churr.

FUN FACT

It plays a significant role in dispersing seeds by consuming fruits and then spreading the seeds elsewhere.

SIZE

50cm

FOOD

Insects, lizards, frogs, eggs, young birds, and small snakes.

HABITAT

Open woodlands, grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub, edges of forest.

LIFESTYLE

Solitary or in pairs it moves amidst dense vegetation. It settles in the trees, but is a poor flyer, lazily flying short distances. Largely terrestrial. One of the non-parasitic Cuckoos.

SONG & CALL

It has a unique, deep booming call that resonates through the forest. Its most common call is a series of loud, low-pitched Coop-coop-coops or Woo-woo-woo notes in varying tempo/speed in runs of 6-7 at a time, though up to 20 has been heard. Often in duets with another nearby bird (if it is the mate, the female is recognisable by her lower pitched call). During courtship, it may also utter a mixture of harsh, weird croaks and chuckles.

FUN FACT

It is quite meticulous about its appearance. It uses its long tail to balance. It often engages in preening to keep its feathers tidy.

SIZE

40cm

FOOD

Opportunist and generalist omnivore.

HABITAT

Inhabited and cultivated areas. Wide range of habitats with trees.

LIFESTYLE

Usually seen singly, in pairs or in small groups. Highly adaptable and intelligent. It is capable of solving complex problems and using tools to obtain food. A quick learner, it can recognizes individual humans, especially those who regularly provide food.

SONG & CALL

Its calls include harsh Kaaa-kaaa and guttural sounds, often varied in pitch and tone. It uses distinct calls to communicate within its groups, to indicate danger, signal food sources, or establish territory. During interactions, it may create a series of sharp, repeated Caws.

FUN FACT

It may soften its food by dropping it in water and has also been observed to eat sand after feeding on meat from a carcass.

SIZE

34cm

FOOD

Mostly insects, rarely wild fruit and small lizards.

HABITAT

Forests, open country, near habitation.

LIFESTYLE

Solitary, rarely in pairs, strictly arboreal.

SONG & CALL

Famous call, uttered untiringly in crescendo, also described as Pi-pee-ha…. Pi-pee-ha…. Call may be heard all through the day, starting early before dawn. Mostly silent during rains. Becomes increasingly louder with the summer and during moonlit nights.

FUN FACT

The call of this bird has been popularly transcribed as Brain-fever in English. But other interpretations of the bird call include piyaan kahar in Hindi (“where’s my love”) or chokh gelo (in Bengali, “my eyes are gone”) and paos ala in Marathi (“the rains are coming”).

SIZE

32cm

FOOD

Grass seeds, grains, fallen fruits and seeds. Occasionally winged termites.

HABITAT

Light forests, gardens and urban areas.

LIFESTYLE

Mostly found on the ground in pairs or small groups where it forages for seeds and grain. It takes flight from the ground with an explosive flutter.

SONG & CALL

Its vocalizations include cooing softly with a Krookruk-krukroo…kroo kroo kroo. The number of terminal kroos vary from 3 to 6.

FUN FACT

In various cultures, Doves are symbols of peace, love, and harmony. The gentle nature and soothing cooing of the Spotted Dove have inspired poets, artists, and storytellers across time.

SIZE

23cm

FOOD

It is mostly an aerial predator of insects but can also hunt forage from the ground. Preys rarely on small birds, reptiles, or bats.

HABITAT

Open agricultural areas and light forest.

LIFESTYLE

Often seen on a bare perch, telephone line, or on grazing animals. Known for its fearless behaviour towards much larger birds, such as crows, never hesitating to dive-bomb any bird of prey that invades its territory. It is capable of fast manoeuvres that enable it to capture flying insects.

SONG & CALL

Although it is capable of producing a fairly wide range of calls, its most common call is a two-note Tee-hee or Ti-tiu resembling that of the Shikra Hawk. It also utters a harsher-sounding chattery Cheece-cheece-chichuk. At the start of the breeding season, it can be heard indulging in noisy duets, mainly during the hour or two before daybreak.

FUN FACT

Known to feed late in the night on insects attracted to artificial lights.

SIZE

8cm

FOOD

It sips nectar from flowers, pollinating them in the process. It also feeds on the pulp of small berries.

HABITAT

Forest and urban areas with fruiting trees.

LIFESTYLE

It is a very restless bird, flying from tree to tree and hopping from flower to flower.

SONG & CALL

Its songs include the most high-pitched trill of birds around. The bird flies from tree to tree while uttering its incessant and rapid Chik-chik-chick call.

FUN FACT

This bird is associated with the spread of a parasitic plant. When the seed is excreted, it sticks to the bird. Then to get rid of it, the bird rubs against the branches, thus causing the seed to stick in place and grow there.

SIZE

30cm

FOOD

Seeds and insects, particularly termites and beetles.

HABITAT

Open fields, thorn scrub and light dry jungle.

LIFESTYLE

It’s a fast runner but weak flyer. It flies short distances, escaping into undergrowth. It normally forages on bare ground in scrub and open country. It is usually seen in small groups.

SONG & CALL

The loud calls of the birds are commonly heard early in the mornings. Pairs of birds will sometimes engage in a duet. The female call is a Tee-tee-tee repeated and sometimes a Kila-kila-kila and the challenge call Kateela-kateela is a duet.

FUN FACT

The male engages in unique dances and strutting displays to impress the female. It might bob its head, strut around in circles, or perform rhythmic movements accompanied by its calls. It can also engage in playful chasing or pursuit behaviour.

SIZE

32cm

FOOD

Mostly insects, although small reptiles, frogs, seeds and berries are eaten as well.

HABITAT

Open ground rich in insects to forage and cavities to nest.

LIFESTYLE

It makes seasonal movements in response to rain in the Western Ghats. It has a characteristic undulating flight, like a giant butterfly. It is a solitary forager that typically feeds on the ground.

SONG & CALL

Its call is a soft Oop-oop-oop. The call is typically trisyllabic, although 2 and 4 syllables are also common. Other calls include rasping croaks, when alarmed, and hisses. The female produces a wheezy note during courtship feeding by the male.

FUN FACT

It has well-developed anti-predator defence in the nest. A gland of the incubating and brooding female is modified to produce a foul-smelling liquid, and the glands of nestlings do so as well. These secretions smell like rotting meat, helping deter predators, as well as deterring parasites through its antibacterial properties.

SIZE

13cm

FOOD

Mainly insects and spiders.

HABITAT

Wooded areas, scrub and cultivated lands. But also gardens and urban parks.

LIFESTYLE

It forages in trees in small groups, searching among the branches for insects. It sometimes joins mixed species feeding flocks. Once it lands, it spreads its tail and droops its wings.

SONG & CALL

This bird is quite vocal and can produce a wide variety of calls. It is easily detected from its common loud whistles Wheeeee-tee with 2 notes: the first one is longer and higher pitched than the second one. This song often consists of phrases that are repeated in sequences, creating a distinctive and pleasant sound. Apart from this, it utters variable Chirrs and chattering.

FUN FACT

During breeding season, the male has brighter plumage and a black cap. It moults twice in a year and the plumage variation makes it somewhat complicated for identification.

SIZE

27cm

FOOD

Fishes, frogs, lizards, insects and occasionally scorpions, small mice and even young birds.

HABITAT

Open country, forest, cultivated areas, lakes, riversides, coastal mangroves and estuaries.

LIFESTYLE

Solitary, or in scattered pairs perched on wires, poles and trees. Dives to the ground or over water to catch prey.

SONG & CALL A noisy, loud crackling laugh, often audible over crowded urban areas. A longish quivering whistle, sounding as Kililililili… with song tonality decrescendo, a characteristic feature when birds are breeding. Kit-kit-kit uttered in flight. The female in invitation makes a rapid and prolonged Kat kat katcall.

FUN FACT

Oddly enough, it can’t swim. When fishing, it plunges in from nearby perches, where it may sit patiently for long periods. It can plummet, strike, and be back on its perch in 2-3 seconds, reaching speeds of over 40 km per hour as it enters the water. Even if it likes fish, it can also be found far from water.

SIZE

43cm

FOOD

Omnivorous, consuming a variety of insects, caterpillars, eggs and small vertebrates.

HABITAT

Light forests, orchards, city parks, fields and open areas.

LIFESTYLE

Solitary or in pairs, it is arboreal and spend most of its time in leafy trees and shrubs. Its presence often goes unnoticed.

SONG & CALL

A loud, rising and increasingly anxious repeated Kuoo-kuoooo and a bubbling more rapid repeated Koel-koel. The female only utters a sharp, quick, repeated Kik kik kik kik as she dashes from tree to tree.

FUN FACT

It is a brood parasite, laying its single egg in the nest of many other birds, including crows. The young Koel does not always push out eggs or the host chicks. Its initial call is like that of a Crow.

SIZE

26cm

FOOD

Mainly insects, particularly beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and other small invertebrates.

HABITAT

Open grasslands, fields, marshes, and the edges of water bodies.

LIFESTYLE

Although it does not migrate, it is known to make seasonal movements in response to rain. It forages by walking slowly on the ground, using its long bill to probe for food in the soil and vegetation.

SONG & CALL

Its call is a sharp Pee-wit or Keek-keek-keek, often repeated loudly. This call is heard during their breeding season to signal potential danger or to maintain contact within the group.

FUN FACT

When disturbed or feeling threatened, it may pretend to have a broken wing to distract predators from its nest or young chicks.

SIZE

24cm

FOOD

Omnivorous. Insects, fruits, seeds, scraps of food, and occasionally small reptiles or small mammals.

HABITAT

Adaptable, including urban areas, parks, gardens, open woodlands, and farmlands.

LIFESTYLE

Very common and familiar bird. Hardly ever stays far from man and habitation, rather confident in looks, aggressive, curious and noisy, often seen on the ground. It pecks for worms, and attends to grazing cattle. It can enter in verandas, kitchens, and sometimes steals from the dining table.

SONG & CALL

It has a wide variety of calls, ranging from cracks, squawks, chirps and clicks to whistles, some expressive of passing moods, others of emotions such as pleasure, contentment, alarm, anger or agitation. One of its more familiar calls is a loud scolding Raadio-raadio-raadioa. An excellent mimic, it can imitate a wide variety of sounds, including human speech, other bird calls, and even car alarms or mobile phone ringtones.

FUN FACT

Some people keep Common Mynas as pets due to its mimicry abilities and sociable nature. However, it is considered invasive, and efforts are being made to reduce its negative impacts on native wildlife.

SIZE

25cm

FOOD

Fruits, insects, and nectar. It likes ripe fruits like mangoes and figs.

HABITAT

Forest, orchards, gardens, often in inhabited areas.

LIFESTYLE Shy, it rarely descends to the ground. Known for its acrobatic flight, often gliding gracefully between trees while searching for food.

SONG & CALL

Its melodious song consists of a series of varied whistles, warbles, and musical notes. It’s a flute-like sound, like Weela-wee-ooo, Wiel-a-wo or Pee-lo-lo… Its basic call, usually near the nest in the period before dawn, is a harsh Chee-ar.

FUN FACT

While its bright yellow plumage might seem conspicuous, it provides excellent camouflage, making it challenging to spot.

SIZE

42cm

FOOD

Nocturnal hunters of small mammals like rodents, insects, reptiles, and occasionally, smalle birds.

HABITAT

Dense forests and wooded areas with ample trees for roosting during the day and hunting at night.

LIFESTYLE Solitary creatures, usually seen alone or with their mate. It is most active during the night.

SONG & CALL

Thanks to its facial disc, it has excellent hearing. Just by listening, it can precisely locate its prey in the dead of night. It has a diverse range of calls and often produces a distinct series of deep hoots, described as a low, rhythmic Ho-ho-hoo hoo hoo.

FUN FACT

The courtship includes a unique dance, where it might bob its head, swollen its feathers, and even offer gifts of food to impress its potential partners.

SIZE

20cm

FOOD

Insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and small rodents. Occasionally small birds or reptiles.

HABITAT

Open woodland areas, farmlands, parks, and urban environments. It is adaptable and can thrive in diverse landscapes.

LIFESTYLE

It is nocturnal but often seen during the day. When disturbed from its daytime site, it bobs its head and stares at intruders.

SONG & CALL

A harsh screeching Chirurrr-Chirurrr-Chirurrr followed by, or alternating with Cheevak-Cheevak-Ccheevak and a variety of other screeches and chuckles.

FUN FACT

This bird, very familiar to humans especially with its loud calling, has been associated with bad omen. The species name brama refers to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.

SIZE

36cm including tail

FOOD

Omnivorous, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, flowers, and occasionally, insects and larvae.

HABITAT

One of the few parrot species that have successfully adapted to urbanisation and disturbed habitats.

LIFESTYLE

Often seen in flocks, chattering and foraging together. It is an agile flyer, displaying acrobatic manoeuvres in flight, and has a curious nature.

SONG & CALL

It is a noisy species, with an unmistakable loud, sharp, screaming Keeak-keeak-keeak call uttered both at rest and flying, though it can remain very quiet when it suits them. It emits a variety of calls, from sharp squawks to melodious chattering. It is quite vocal during its flight, communicating with other members of their flock.

FUN FACT

Both males and females have the ability to mimic human speech. First, the bird listens to its surroundings, and then it copies the voice of the human speaker. Some people hand-raise rose-ringed parakeet chicks for this purpose. Such parakeets then become quite tame and receptive to learning.

SIZE

90cm to 1m30 with the train

FOOD

Omnivorous. Seeds, insects, fruits, small mammals and reptiles.

HABITAT

Forests, open grasslands, and cultivated areas.

LIFESTYLE

A social bird often found in small groups called parties. It forages on the ground and usually tries to escape through undergrowth and avoid flying. It flies into tall trees to roost. It is fond of dust-bathing and at dusk, groups walk in single file to a favourite waterhole to drink.

SONG & CALL

The male Peacock produces a loud, distinctive call known as a “scream” or “meow” that sounds like May-awe or Kee-ow. During mating season, the male also creates rattling sounds by vibrating its tail feathers to attract female. Other different alarm calls are commonly produced by both sexes.

FUN FACT

Known as Mayura in Sanskrit, is frequently depicted in temple art, mythology, poetry, folk music and traditions. Native to India, it became the national bird.

SIZE

20cm

FOOD

Insects like beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and spiders. Occasionally, fruits and seeds.

HABITAT

Diverse habitats, from forests and woodlands to gardens and urban parks. It is adaptable and can be seen perched on fences and branches.

LIFESTYLE

Known for its friendly nature, it is curious and agile. It hops around in search of food, often with quick, jerky movements. It may even follow humans in gardens.

SONG & CALL

One of the finest singers. Its songs consist of a blend of chirps, warbles, and melodious whistles. Its main song is a soft series of musical, sad-sounding Swee-ee or Swee-swee that can be heard during the early mornings and late evenings. It also comes out with occasional bursts of loud, sharp Chee-witch-witch calls, quite different from the tuneful song used in the breeding season.

FUN FACT

It has good mimicry skills, sometimes imitating other bird calls or sounds it hears in its surroundings. Studies made of its song show it has dialects, its song varying by region.

SIZE

15cm

FOOD

Mostly insects but also frogs and lizards when feeding its young during nesting.

HABITAT

Open stony, grassy and scrub forest. Often close to human habitation.

LIFESTYLE

It runs in short spurs along the ground, hunting or perches on low thorny shrubs and rooftops. Solitary or in pairs. Rather suspicious, it maintains a safe distance from humans. Individuals may forage late in the evening to capture insects attracted to lights.

SONG & CALL

Its songs are characterized by a combination of rich whistles, warbles, and chirps. The male has variants for inviting mates and for deterring other males. The call is a long-drawn Sweeeech or Weeeech. The warbling song, which is also the breeding song, is a guttural charr note.

FUN FACT

During the breeding season, the male can be aggressive to others. It has been seen attacking its own reflection on car or bike mirrors.

SIZE

10cm

FOOD

Nectar, but will also eat insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young.

HABITAT

Forest, gardens

LIFESTYLE

It is active and agile, moving swiftly among flowers to feed on nectar. It possess remarkable flight agility, allowing it to hover while feeding.

SONG & CALL

Its calls are a mix of chirps and short musical notes. Fairly loud and sharp Tchit Tchit call and Chewit Chewit notes.

FUN FACT

When it can’t have access to a flower’s nectar because of its shape (for example, very long and narrow flowers), it simply punctures the flower at the base near its nectary, from which it sips the nectar.

SIZE

12cm

FOOD

Insects, spiders, caterpillars, beetles, and other small invertebrates. Occasionally, fruits and nectar.

HABITAT

Common resident in urban gardens, woodlands, thickets and shrublands.

LIFESTYLE

Energetic and agile, it is known for its active movements within the foliage. It darts and flies through the bushes, often disappearing from sight due to its small size and quick movements. Singly or in pairs, usually low in the undergrowth or trees, sometimes hopping on the ground.

SONG & CALL

Its song is a series of loud, melodious and repetitive notes, that it sings tirelessly and is often described as Tuui-tuui-tuui-tuui-tuui-tuui…

FUN FACT

It get its name from the way its nest is constructed. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider silk to make a cradle in which the actual nest is built.

SIZE

47cm

FOOD

Omnivorous. Fruit, nectar, seeds, invertebrates, small reptiles, eggs and young birds.

HABITAT

Open forest, wooded areas, gardens, and urban areas.

LIFESTYLE

Known for its high intelligence, it is an agile forager, clinging and clambering through the branches and sometimes joining mixed hunting parties along with species such as Drongos and Babblers.

SONG & CALL

Wide repertoire of calls, but its common call is a fluty guttural three-note Bob-o-link or harsh Ko-tree.

FUN FACT

It has a reputation for being quite bold and is known to snatch food from picnic tables or even from people’s hands if given the chance.

SIZE

33cm

FOOD

Insects, small fishes, frogs, seeds, and various aquatic plants.

HABITAT

Near marshes, ponds, lakes and wet grasslands.

LIFESTYLE

It is somewhat bolder than most other Waterhen and is often seen stepping slowly with its tail cocked upright in open marshes. It probes with its bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight.

SONG & CALL

Its call is a loud and repetitive distinctive Kuk-kuk-kuk or Kek-kek-kek sound. A series of hooting, grunting, or rasping notes or phrases, repeated monotonously, mainly during crepuscular time, just after the first rains and during breeding season.

FUN FACT

It is an excellent runner and swimmer but may fly for short distances when necessary.

SIZE

28cm

FOOD

Insects, mainly beetle larvae from under the bark and termites.

HABITAT

Forests, orchards, gardens, in neighbouring villages and other habitation.

LIFESTYLE

It is normally seen in pairs or small parties and sometimes joins mixed species foraging flocks. It climbs up and down tree trunks, using its stiff tail feathers for support.

SONG & CALL

Its call is a single strident Klerk and a whinnying laughing Kyi-kyi-kyi that echoes through the forest. It also makes distinct drumming sounds by pecking on trees.

FUN FACT

To reach insects deep within the tree bark, it has an exceptionally long and sticky tongue. This helps it to extract insects from crevices that would be challenging for other birds.