Winters Are Incomplete Without Birdwatching!

Everyone recognizes a parrot, right? And a crow? And that they are very different? How do we recognize them? Let's see.

A parrot is bright green — a crow is black.

A parrot has a bright red, curved beak — a crow has a black, thick, straight one.

A parrot has a shrill shriek — a crow has a harsh croak.

A parrot is usually seen flying around in trees (arboreal), hardly ever on the ground — a crow can be seen anywhere, often walking on the ground.

A parrot eats only fruit and seeds and flowers (fructivorous) — a crow will eat anything it can find (omnivorous).

In other words, we recognize birds just as we recognize people — by what they look like (appearance --size, colour, beaks, tail etc.), where we see them (habitat --trees, bushes, open fields, water etc), their habits (alone or in flocks, shy or bold etc) and in many cases their loud or distinctive voices.

Keeping these features in mind, see if you can spot and recognize any of these birds when you are walking in your garden or a park.

Also Read: Taking Flight – The Latest Issue of Connection, a Kids Magazine By Gaon Connection, Is Out

Babbler

Appearance: As big as a mynah but fatter. Grey with yellow eyes.

Habits and Habitat: Usually in groups. Often very noisy, chattering and babbling. Unafraid.

Flying around from trees to the ground, pecking about looking for food.

Artist: Ved Madesia

Magpie Robin

Appearance: Smaller than a mynah. Glossy black-and-white. Longish tail held upright.

Habits and Habitat: Usually alone. Not very shy. In trees and bushes.

Voice: A loud clear whistle.

Artist: Aparajita Bisht

Tailorbird

Appearance: Very small. Yellowish-green. Longish tail, often held upright.

Habits and Habitat: Usually alone. Shy. Hopping about in bushes and hedges.

Voice: High pitched tsee-tsee.

Artist - Ranu Mehra

Who knows why it is called a tailorbird? Find out and write to us (connect@gaonconnection.com).

All images from the Leafbird Foundation archives.