Grassland Wanderers
Life close to the earth is never still. In the heat shimmer of plains, in stony ground, in harvested fields — birds run more than they fly, sing while half-hidden, and carry entire lives in the open. They are hardy, quick, and endlessly inventive, shaping survival out of dust and grass.
Red Spurfowl pair at Munnar
Often seen scratching leaf litter, the female drab, the male richer in tone.
Seen mostly at dawn, calling from dense undergrowth.
Wire-tailed Swallows at Thane Creek
Long wiry tail-streamers only in males, catching light in flight.
Common near riversides, perching together in neat rows.
Chick of Khalij Pheasant, Sattal
Downy, secretive chick of the forest floor, blending perfectly with the undergrowth.
Usually a fleeting glimpse in early summer.
Green Imperial Pigeon, Tadoba
Glossy green back shimmering against sunlight, largest among Indian pigeons.
Most active in the canopy during fruiting season.
Khalij Pheasant (Female), Sattal
Understated earth tones, a shadow compared to the flamboyant male.
Shy, slipping away into cover at the slightest movement.
Desert Wheatear, LRK
Tail flicking, always restless, the pale plumage matches desert sands.
Winters on arid plains, often perched on low stones.
Indian Courser, LRK
Striking head pattern, running more than flying across open plains.
Best seen in open grasslands under the harsh sun.
Black Francolin, Sattal
Males striking with black, chestnut, and white; their call rings loud across fields.
Most vocal in monsoon dawns.
Silverbill Munia
Tiny, brown, and sociable, soft silver-grey bill gives it its name.
Always in flocks, busily feeding on grass seeds.
Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Bhigvan lake
Unmistakable yellow facial wattles, fiercely protective of ground nests.
Nesting in summer, loud alarm calls if disturbed.
Jungle Babbler pair on flower tree, Baramati Grasslands
Always in groups, noisy companions — the “Seven Sisters” of Indian scrub.
Heard before seen, active throughout the year.
Baya on Maize, Shelar Farm
Ingenious weaver, bold enough to raid grain stacks in farmlands.
Boldest during nesting season when demand for food peaks.
Ashy-crowned Sparrow-lark, Bhigwan Grassland
Male with striking black-and-white face, females cryptic in sandy fields.
Active in the hottest hours, blending with bare ground.
Red Collared Dove, Bandipur
Males wear a rose-pink wash with a black collar, females subtler browns.
Pairs often seen feeding quietly on open paths.
Tawny Lark
Song flights in the heat, bird itself dissolves into dusty plains.
Peak display during scorching summer days.
Lapwing Chick, Tadoba
Tiny, speckled chick running soon after hatching, always guarded by alarm calls.
Most visible in late spring and early summer.
Pratincoles, Bhigwan Lake
Graceful aerial hunters, forked tails and long wings, roosting on mudflats by day.
Seen in colonies near rivers and lakes in summer.
Demoiselle Crane, LRK
Elegant migrants, black neck plumes streaming, voices carrying far in flocks.
Winter visitors in large flocks to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Emerald Dove, OMH
Glittering green wings, shy forest-floor forager, India’s state bird in Tamil Nadu.
Best seen at forest edges after the rains.