Amazing Birds of India

Bar-headed geese are a migratory bird species wintering in India. These birds can be seen in wetlands like Chilika Lake in Odisha and Irai Lake in Maharashtra. They are known by their features with pale, gray bodies, yellowish-orange legs and bills, and distinctive black bars on their necks. In the spring they return to their breeding sites in Central Asian countries. Bar-headed geese are social birds, and when migrating in flocks, they fly in “V”-shaped formations, communicating visually and vocally. They are herbivores and feed mainly on grasses that surround lakes where they nest. They also eat corn, barley, rice, and wheat, and occasionally will take mollusks, insects, and crustaceans.

Black storks are long-distance migratory birds that winter in India. They have an elegant appearance with iridescent black plumage, white undertail coverts, and long necks. Their long legs are orange-red, and they have pointed bills. These birds are usually seen solitary or in pairs. They forage for food in freshwater bodies and stealthily wade into shallow waters to catch their prey.

Common kingfishers are residents of India. These colorful birds have blue and orange plumage and long pointed bills. They inhabit areas around streams, lakes, and other water sources with fish. They sit quietly in trees waiting for their prey and then dive into the water to catch a fish.

Grey-headed swamphens are native to the Indian subcontinent. They inhabit freshwater bodies like rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes. These birds have bluish-purple underparts, red bills, and forehead shields. They have a variety of loud calls used for communication, including deep honking and pig-like grunting noises. They also produce trumpeting calls, especially when taking off in alarm. Grey-headed swamphens are omnivores and dine on a wide variety of plant material and insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs, worms, snails, and other aquatic invertebrates.

Grey junglefowl are wild forebearers of domestic chickens. They inhabit evergreen and deciduous forests and can be seen in the forests of Bandhavgarh National Park and Nagarhole National Park. The male birds have golden spots around their necks and long dark plumages with red wattles and combs. Females have black and white markings on the underparts and light yellow legs. They are active during the day and spend the majority of their time on the ground. They forage in small mixed or single-sex groups.  Grey junglefowl have an omnivorous diet, feeding on grains, including bamboo seeds, berries, insects, and termites.

Indian rollers are colorful birds and the state birds of Odisha. These are the most commonly sighted birds in India. They have colorful wings with shades of blue, green, purple, and brown. They inhabit open grasslands, farmlands, and scrub forests. These birds feed on insects, reptiles, moths, and even frogs. The Indian roller is considered to be a sacred bird in Hindu mythology and is associated with the deity Lord Shiva.

Knob-billed ducks inhabit tropical wetlands and are found around freshwater rivers, lakes, and marshes. They have speckled white heads and upper necks and pure white lower necks and underbodies. The males have large black knobs on their bills. They can be seen in places like Ghana National Park. They feed on vegetation by grazing or dabbling and, to a lesser extent, on small fish, invertebrates, and seeds.

Lesser flamingos are the smallest flamingo species. These are migratory birds. Their lovely pink coloring comes from their diet, which is formed by the blue-green algae found in saltwater lakes and saline lagoons. The algae has a special pigment that colors the body of these birds. Lesser flamingos have special bills that can filter food items through water. They winter in India, primarily in the Rann of Kutch, where they breed in large colonies.

Red-wattled lapwings are ground birds. They inhabit areas close to water sources like lakes and ponds. They make loud alarm calls. Their lapwings are bright brown with red bills and long pale yellow legs. Red-wattled lapwings are usually seen in pairs or trios not far from water. They occasionally form large flocks, ranging from 26 to 200 birds. They are carnivores, and their diet includes a wide range of insects, snails, and other invertebrates, mostly picked from the ground. They may also feed on some grains.

Rose-ringed parakeets are endemic to the Indian subcontinent. They are recognizable by their distinctive green color. The males have a neck ring mostly red in color. These birds have reddish beaks and elongated pointed tails. They feed on seeds, buds, nuts, and berries, foraging for food in farmlands and fruit plantations. Rose-ringed parakeets can mimic human voices.