World Photography Day: A symphony of birds

The grey-headed canary-flycatcher is about 12–13 cm long with a squarish grey head, a canary yellow belly and yellowish-green upperparts. They are found mainly in forested habitats where they often join other birds in mixed-species foraging flocks. Shot at Ganeshgudi, Karnataka

The black-naped monarch or black-naped blue flycatcher is a slim and agile passerine bird belonging to the family of monarch flycatchers found in southern and south-eastern Asia. The breeding season in India is March to August and the nest is a neat cup placed in a fork

Tickell’s blue fly catcher, a boldly coloured forager is a favourite of birders for its attractive plumage. A small perching bird which is blue on the upperparts, and the throat and breast are a reddish brown. Tickell's blue flycatcher is about 12cm in size and breeds in the dry forest, scrubs, bamboo and gardens.

The Brahminy starling's specific name, Pagodarum, is presumably in honour of this species' fondness for perching on buildings and temple pagodas in southern India. As seen in this image too, the Pagodarum is perched on the edge of a roof. One of the distinctive features that make this bird even more attractive is the dual-coloured beak that is complemented by a well-groomed hair-style with a spiky look.

Shot at Thol, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Yellow /Golded Browed Bulbul is a species of song bird from the bulbul family. It is mainly yellow on the underside and olive above with a distinct yellow brow. They are easily located by their loud calls but tend to skulk within foliage below the forest canopy.

Shot at Ganeshgudi

This medium-large dark brown Serpent Eagle is stocky, with rounded wings and a short tail. Its short black and white fan-shaped nuchal crest gives it a thick-necked appearance. The bare facial skin and feet are yellow. The underside is spotted with white and yellowish-brown.
Shot in the Jungles of Chandrapur at Tadoba, Nagpur, Maharashtra

The Lapwing pair were in a playful mood chasing each other while playing around. Shot at the backwaters of Airoli, Navi Mumbai

The Purple Swamphen is a large rail. It is mainly dusky black above, with a broad dark blue collar, and it is dark blue to purple below. As the Purple Swamphen walks, it flicks its tail up and down, revealing its white undertail. The bill is red and robust, and the legs and feet orange-red.
The shades of blue and purple glisten in the sunlight and it is an absolute delight to see her flying with her wings wide open.

Shot at Nalsarovar, Ahmedabad

The Rudy Shellduck’s plumage is orange brown and its head is paler. The wings are white with black flight feathers. In the breeding season, the males have a black ring at the base of the neck. The female bird has a white patch on the face. The Ruddy Shelducks inhabit large wetlands, salt lakes, crater lakes, rivers with mud flats, and shingle banks. They feed on roots, shoots, buds, grasses, leaves, seeds and stems.

Shot at Nalsarovar, Ahemdabad.

Seagulls in flight mode. The intent was to capture the glory of the flight of these birds and capture the details of the open wings as well as other minor details around the eyes and the beak. The harsh afternoon sunlight has been used to further enhance the finer details of its wings.

Seagulls are attentive and caring parents. The male and female pair for life, and they take turns incubating the eggs, and feeding and protecting the chicks. Gulls have a complex and highly developed repertoire for communication which includes a range of vocalisations and body movements.

Shot at Nalsarovar, Ahmedabad

Morning Glory , Golden Light
The early morning rush hour for our friends with wings. An attempt to capture the enchanting morning hues along the Nalsarovar lake in Gujarat.