Ek Chidiya. Anek Chidiyan.

Urban cliffs have new royalty 👑✨
This peregrine falcon has made the city its hunting ground, perched high on building corners as if they were ancient cliffs. In my close encounter, I noticed something fascinating: a small white fluff giving a crested look, and the aerodynamic design of its nostrils—nature’s engineering at its finest.

Those bony structures inside the nose aren’t just for show—they act like built-in “air brakes,” slowing down the rush of air when the falcon dives at speeds over 300 km/h. Imagine hitting freeway speeds in a vertical plunge and still breathing with ease! That’s the genius of evolution.

From skyscrapers to ledges, peregrines remind us that wildness adapts, thrives, and surprises us in the most unexpected corners of our cities.

On the outskirts of Amsterdam, the Greylag Goose Europe’s largest native goose and the wild ancestor of most domestic geese. With its grey plumage and orange bill, it is a familiar species across wetlands and agricultural landscapes.

The Greylag is not confined to Europe—every winter, flocks migrate southwards and reach India. They are regularly recorded in Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Gangetic plains, Assam, and Manipur, with Chilika Lake in Odisha hosting some of the largest gatherings. Occasional sightings in Maharashtra and Karnataka make them a prized find for birders here.

✨ Key Facts
Species: Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Range: Breeds in Europe and Asia; winters in Africa, West Asia, and India.

India Distribution: Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Gangetic plains, Assam, Manipur; abundant at Chilika Lake, Odisha.

Behavior: Highly social, migratory, and often seen in coordinated V‑shaped flight formations.

Conservation: Globally Least Concern, but protected under Schedule‑II of India’s Wildlife Protection Act.

From the canals of Amsterdam to the skies of Bangalore—life writes its own mysteries. The Black-headed Gull, a familiar sight in Europe, suddenly became the star of Indian birding when one wandered into Bangalore this month. As birders rushed to capture its rare presence, I found myself surrounded by awe and excitement. One chidiya, many journeys…

✨ Did You Know?
* Despite its name, the head is chocolate-brown in breeding season, not truly black.
* They are highly migratory, traveling thousands of kilometers between Europe and Asia.
* Known for their adaptability, they thrive in wetlands, coasts, and even urban parks.
* Their call is a sharp “kree-ar,” often heard in flocks circling above water.
* In India, sightings are rare and celebrated, making these visitor a true sensation.

"In the heart of Amsterdam’s Vondelpark, amidst winding paths and city whispers, the Egyptian Goose stood regal by the water. Native to Africa yet thriving in Europe, it carries with it a story of journeys across continents. One chidiya, many stories…"

Note: Vondelpark is one of Amsterdam’s most beloved green spaces, a true urban oasis for birding. Alongside Egyptian Geese, I spotted at least 20 different species of birds in freezing cold hour that I could spend there.

✨ Did you know?

* Egyptian Geese are native to Africa, but now flourish in parks and wetlands across Europe.
* They are strikingly marked with chestnut patches around the eyes and wings, making them unmistakable.
* Pairs often mate for life, fiercely defending their territory together.
* Goslings are independent from birth, able to forage on their own almost immediately.
* Despite their elegance, they can be surprisingly fast flyers—up to 80 km/h.

"In Zaansche Schans, Netherlands where windmills turn and waterways whisper, the Ring-necked Pheasant stands as a quiet symbol of resilience. Native to Asia yet thriving in Dutch fields, it bridges continents and stories. One chidiya, many journeys…

✨ Did you know?

* Native to Asia, but now thriving across Europe and North America.
* Males can fly up to 40 miles per hour, though they prefer running through fields.
* Females are camouflaged in mottled brown, a natural shield while nesting - highly camouflaged, pics coming soon
* Diet is versatile—grains, seeds, berries, and insects, making them vital for balancing ecosystems.
* Symbol of rural life in many cultures, often linked to abundance and resilience.

The Pink Canopy Diaries - Part 1

Petals, Plumage, and the Pulse of a Season! When Cherry's blossom, and the visitors were a surprising lot!

The Prunus cerasoides blossoms came and went in just a week—like a festival of petals outside my balcony. But oh, what a week it was!
🌸✨ A Week of Pink Magic ✨🌸

Every day, new visitors arrived and posed against the pink canopy:
🪶 Shikra, regal and watchful and most surprising, towards the end of the week
🎵 Koel, haunting mornings, misty wet morning!
🧵 Tailorbird, stitching songs
☀️ Purple sunbird & purple‑rumped sunbird, sipping light
🟡 Common & jungle mynas, bold and busy
🎶 Red‑vented & red‑whiskered bulbuls, full of chatter
👁️ White‑eye, curious spark


🌾 Blyth’s reed warbler, quiet migrant
🔨 Pale‑billed flowerpecker, tapping nectar trails
💚 Rose‑ringed parakeet, leafy laughter


🌳 White‑cheeked barbet, drumming calls
🎨 Asian tit, monochrome charm

For seven days, the balcony became a theatre—petals falling, feathers flashing, and me watching with a heart full of joy. The blossoms may have faded, but the memories are still in bloom.

The Common Hawk-Cuckoo — India’s famous Brainfever Bird. Its haunting call rises with the summer heat, echoing across villages and cities. A hawk in disguise, a cuckoo at heart — it mimics the Shikra but entrusts its chicks to other birds.

🌿 Nature’s design is full of paradoxes:

Fierce look, gentle caterpillar diet.

Hawk-like wings, cuckoo instincts.

A call that stirs both awe and restlessness.

We spotted it, perched and calling, reminding us that every bird carries a story of survival and adaptation.



bird.id Nikon

Blue-tailed brilliance
Hoskote Lake Bangalore 💙🐦
Few birds bring such a splash of color and elegance as the Blue-tailed Bee-eater.
Graceful in flight, poised on a perch, and always a joy to watch against the backdrop of open skies.
Every sighting feels like nature painting with its brightest brush.

Pied or Jacobin Cuckoo

It’s raining cuckoos in Bangalore! 🌧️🐦
This time, the Jacobin Cuckoo posed perfectly — crest raised, framed by stunning surroundings. Though a familiar visitor, seeing it in such regal form felt extraordinary.

The Jacobin Cuckoo’s migration from Africa to India coincides with the southwest monsoon. For centuries, its arrival has been seen as a sign that rains are near.

In Sanskrit poetry, the chātaka is depicted as a bird that waits with its beak open for the first drops of rain, symbolizing longing and hope. The Jacobin Cuckoo is identified with this mythical bird.

Plaintive Cuckoo
What a day in Bangalore! 🌿🐦
Our birding group was buzzing with excitement as we witnessed a rare first sighting — the Plaintive Cuckoo!
Actively feeding on hairy caterpillars, diving from its perch with incredible precision… and I was lucky enough to capture it on camera.

Oh! BTW By outsourcing parenting, the cuckoo saves energy for feeding and migration.

Moments like these remind us why birding is pure joy — discovery, wonder, and the thrill of sharing it together.