Salman Baloch's Wildlife Photography

گار بیت ڈکال ڈیھ ءَ مانشانیت رحمتے
غم مکن! باندات ءِ صبا! گلزار ءَ بچار

چہ منی نیمگ ءَ کُلیں راج ءَ ائید ءِ وَشّی مراد باتاں۔
سلمان بلوچ

جِنگانی میان استمانی روچ

ڈگاری بِرَئی
Phantom of the Scrub – The Elusive Barred Buttonquail, recorded in Windar, Balochistan in November 2017
The Barred Buttonquail (Turnix suscitator) is a shy, ground-dwelling bird that prefers to run rather than fly. With its beautifully barred plumage blending perfectly into dry grasses, this tiny wanderer is often heard before it is seen.

In Balochistan, it is mainly found in dry scrublands, grassy plains, and cultivated fields — especially across the plains and semi-arid regions including areas around Lasbela, Khuzdar, and parts of eastern and southern Balochistan. Its secretive nature makes every sighting a special moment for bird lovers.

A true master of camouflage, the Barred Buttonquail reminds us that even the smallest birds carry big mysteries in the wild

Rufous Rump Over Urak

European Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis rufula) کِشلاپ پی پی پلستان
Recorded at Urak, Balochistan — May 2024

A graceful and fast-flying swallow, the European Red-rumped Swallow is distinguished by its pale underparts, finely streaked throat, and the warm rufous patch on the rump. It often nests in colonies, building flask-shaped mud nests under bridges, cliffs, and buildings, and feeds on insects on the wing.
Breeds across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of western & central Asia, and winters mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In Pakistan, it is a passage migrant and local breeder, recorded primarily in western regions including Balochistan.

Golden Bills of the High Cliffs

Yellow-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus) زرچُمبی کلاگ
Recorded at Hazarganji National Park, Balochistan — May 2025

A lively and intelligent mountain corvid, the Yellow-billed Chough is instantly recognizable by its glossy black plumage, bright yellow bill, and acrobatic flight. Highly social, it is often seen in noisy flocks soaring over cliffs and alpine slopes, perfectly adapted to life at high elevations.
Widely distributed across the mountain ranges of Europe and Asia, from the Alps and Caucasus through Central Asia and the Himalayas. In Pakistan, it occurs in northern and western highlands, including parts of Balochistan, mainly in rocky alpine and subalpine habitats.

A Crowned Visitor of the Highlands

White-capped Bunting — Emberiza stewarti چِلَّگ
Recorded at Khurwari Baba Road, Ziarat, Balochistan - May 2024
A smart and understated mountain bunting, the White-capped Bunting is recognized by its pale crown, finely streaked upperparts, and soft, musical calls. It favors open woodland, scrubby slopes, and highland valleys, often seen feeding quietly on the ground or low vegetation.
Occurs across western and central Asia, with populations ranging from eastern Iran and Afghanistan through Pakistan, extending into parts of Central Asia. In Pakistan, it is mainly a summer visitor to northern and western highlands.

When Paradise Flies Through Balochistan

Indian Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) بُلّی رِٹّو
Recorded in Kojak Pass, Balochistan — May 2024
An elegant forest bird famed for its long flowing tail streamers and graceful flight, the Indian Paradise Flycatcher is often seen flitting through woodland canopies while catching insects mid-air. Males occur in chestnut or white morphs, while females are shorter-tailed and subtler in color.
Found across the Indian subcontinent, including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It is seasonally migratory in much of its range, breeding in northern regions and moving southwards during winter. This record indicate possibility in Afghanistan, also recorded in Iran.

Orange-winged Dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) پرک
Recorded in Shelabagh, Balochistan — May 2024

It is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from West Africa through East and Southern Africa, and extends northwards into North Africa. Beyond Africa, it occurs in parts of the Middle East, including the Arabian Peninsula, southern Iran, and reaches into south-western Pakistan, where it is locally recorded, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
The species typically inhabits ponds, lakes, slow rivers, and seasonal water bodies, and is well adapted to hot, dry climates.

Balochi Heath first photographic record of life specimen
This photo recorded at Khojak Pass, Balochistan with ustad Awan
AI notes:
Scientific Name: Coenonympha myops macmahoni.
Habitat: Recorded in mountainous, arid regions like Hazarganji National Park and Chiltan.
Significance: The first-ever photograph of this species in its natural habitat was released in June 2024 by the Pakistan Butterfly Society.
Photographic Record: Captured by Salman Baloch's Wildlife Photography, confirming its presence in Pakistan.

This species is part of the diverse butterfly fauna reported in Pakistan, which includes over 400 known species.

Desert Wanderer of Balochistan

Afghan Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) کوھی کسیپ
Qilla Abdullah, Balochistan (May 2024),
کوھی کسیپ چہ روسی کسیپ ء نام ء زانگ بیت، اے یک کسانیں کسیپے کہ ھشواگ، کوہ ءٗ دگہ ھشکاوگیں دمگاں بیت، اے میان استمانی ایشیا، ایران، اوگانستان ءٗ پاکستان ء مانیت۔ بازیں مردم اشی ء گس ء دار انت چہ ھمے سوب ء اشی ء. سک تاوان وارتگ۔ اے کساس 5-10 انچ ء کچ ء بیت۔

This Afghan tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) is a quiet symbol of resilience. Thriving in harsh, arid landscapes, it moves with patience and purpose—reminding us that even the toughest environments nurture remarkable life. Protecting such species means protecting the balance of our deserts.

Flash of Blue by the Stream
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) کسانیں اسپاں شِدوک
کسانیں اسپاں شِدوک یک کسانیں رنگی ایں مُرگے کہ گیشتر کؤر، دریا، تچوکیں آپی دمگ ءَ گندگ کئیت
A Common Kingfisher darts like a living jewel, turning quiet waters into a moment of magic. Captured in September 2017 at Moola, Khuzdar, Balochistan—where nature paints in brilliant blues.

Whisper of the Desert Wings
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) گورداس
کِشکَٹو،کَٹو، گورداس اے مُرگ جتا جتا ناماں زانگ بیت۔ اے اکس من چہ دٗراجی، بلوچستان ء کشتگ۔
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse blends perfectly with the arid silence, a true spirit of the desert. Recorded in August 2018 at Durraji, Balochistan—where survival meets subtle beauty.