The few endemic birds of the Nicobar islands are very charismatic. And they were the biggest motivation for me to make the journey to the remote island of Great Nicobar in March this year. The world’s smallest eagle made the trip special!
Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger) feeding on Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) This bird was photographed at Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan in September 2012. Read more about this encounter
Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger) This bird was photographed at Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan in September 2012. Read more about this encounter
Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger) These birds were photographed at Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan in September 2012. Read more about this encounter
Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) This large eagle is a winter visitor to parts of North-Western India. A winter visitor from Europe and Central Asia, this majestic bird is seen in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The image is that of a juvenile bird. It had just finished quarreling with a Red-headed Vulture and settled on the tree to warm itself up in the rising sun. This bird was photographed in Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan on November 21, 2010.
Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) Also known as the Asian King Vulture, this magnificent vulture was a very common sight in India a couple of decades ago. As with many other vulture species, their numbers have fallen (dramatically is an understatement) due to excessive use of the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which is highly poisonous for the birds. Juveniles, like this one, are invaluable for the survival of this species. This one would take around 3 to 4 years to assume adult plumage (pink head and dark wings). This bird was photographed in Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary on November 21, 2010.
Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) Also known as the Asian King Vulture, this magnificent vulture was a very common sight in India a couple of decades ago. As with many other vulture species, their numbers have fallen (dramatically is an understatement) due to excessive use of the veterinary drug Diclofenac, which is highly poisonous for the birds. Juveniles, like this one, are invaluable for the survival of this species. This one would take around 3 to 4 years to assume adult plumage (pink head and dark wings). This bird was photographed in Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary on November 21, 2010.
White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) This resident medium-sized hawk is found in open areas across India. The juveniles (as illustrated in this photograph), have a lighter brown plumage with dark brown eyes. As they mature, the birds acquire a dark-brown plumage and white eyes. Every year, during the late-summer and monsoon months, hundreds of juvenile White-eyed Buzzards flock to Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. This bird was photographed in Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan on August 14, 2009.
White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) This resident medium-sized hawk is found in open areas across India. The juveniles (as illustrated in this photograph), have a lighter brown plumage with dark brown eyes. As they mature, the birds acquire a dark-brown plumage and white eyes. Every year, during the late-summer and monsoon months, hundreds of juvenile White-eyed Buzzards flock to Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. This bird was photographed in Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan on July 19, 2011.
White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa) This resident medium-sized hawk is found in open areas across India. The juveniles (as illustrated in this photograph), have a lighter brown plumage with dark brown eyes. As they mature, the birds acquire a dark-brown plumage and white eyes. Every year, during the late-summer and monsoon months, hundreds of juvenile White-eyed Buzzards flock to Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan. This bird was photographed in Tal Chapar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan on July 19, 2011.