‘Rarely spotted’ and ‘first-time record’ were the buzzwords of 2020 among the Indian birding community as the year marked the arrival of extraordinary visitors. Here are some birds who made headlines in 2020 :
- Four majestic whooper swans were spotted in Kashmir recently for the first time after 50 years.
- The desert finch, usually found in Pakistan and Afghanistan, made its stopover at Gurgaon in Delhi, making it to the first photographic record in India.
- Greater white-fronted geese were photographed at Wadhwana lake in Vadodara for the first time.
- The red knot, flying all the way from Japan and North Korea, marked its presence at Rann of Kutch.
- Amur falcons were recently spotted at Lonavala lake, an indication of the healthy environment in the region.
There were other reasons to cheer for the birding community . Cities are bustling with bird life now thanks to reduced noise levels and less pollution. Some commonly spotted birds this year include:
- House sparrows which are Native to Eurasia.
- Red-whiskered bulbuls which are songbirds that are generally found in pairs or small groups .
- Common ioras which are quite vocal, and can produce a wide variety of calls.
- Brown-breasted flycatchers, which have large, white-framed eyes.
- The female Purple-rumped sunbird which is greyish-brown above and pale yellow below.
- Indian grey hornbills which are usually seen in pairs or small groups in woodlands, plantations, gardens, and parks in cities where they feed on large, fruiting trees.
- The male Indian Paradise flycatchers which are known for their long ribbon-like tail.
- The chocolate-brown Brown rock chats which can be seen standing tall on ridges, cliff edges, and buildings.
- The Indian Golden Oriole which is known for its characteristic dipping flight style.
- The Black kite which is commonly found in urban areas, rubbish dumps, aquatic habitats, and grasslands.
