Arunachal Pradesh and 1 of its owls: Collared Owlet

Driving in the Himalayas. Our driver is a real expert. Right next to the roadside of the well-known Mandala Road in Arunachal Pradesh, only about 10m away, a little owl is sitting on a bamboo bush. A heated discussion ensues. Eventually the owl turns out to be a Collared Owlet (Taenioptynx brodiei). This small owl… Continue reading Arunachal Pradesh and 1 of its owls: Collared Owlet

Inhabitant near Nasser-dam: Clamorous Reed-Warbler

In the early morning, activity can quickly be heard in the reeds in front of the lake shore. The Clamorous Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus) can be heard from afar. In fact, wherever the species occurs, it is most conspicuous for its powerful song, which is similar to that of other great reed warblers – such as… Continue reading Inhabitant near Nasser-dam: Clamorous Reed-Warbler

Wachtelzwergkauz im Himalaya

Unser Fahrer ist ein echter Könner. Direkt neben dem Straßenrand der bekannten Mandala Road in Arunachal Pradesh in nur ca. 10m Entfernung sitzt an einem Bambus-Gestrüpp eine kleine Eule. Darüber entspinnt eine heftige Diskussion. Die Eule stellt sich als Wachtelzwergkauz (Taenioptynx brodiei) heraus. Von der größeren, meist sympatrischen vorkommenden Asian Barred Owlet bzw. dem Kuckuckszwergkauz… Continue reading Wachtelzwergkauz im Himalaya

Caspian Tern on southern shores

„Among the vast hordes of sea birds nesting in the great colonies of the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts, this king of all the terns may be seen climbing into the air on its long, strong wings, its big red bill wide open, yelling out its loud raucous cry of defiance. As the dominant, ruling… Continue reading Caspian Tern on southern shores

Sykes’s Warbler wintering in Sri Lanka?

During a stay at the western coast of Sri Lanka, bird-lens.com shot images of an alleged Acrocephalus-Warbler in Briefs Garden, an ornamental garden near the west coast. Immediately I was thinking of a Blyth’s Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) but could not really confirm ID not at least because the habitat – a garden hedge – was… Continue reading Sykes’s Warbler wintering in Sri Lanka?

Common Barn-owl in Sri Lanka

The buoyant, slow, wavering flight of the Common Barn-owl (Tyto alba) with its legs dangling makes the owl appear ghost-like. Sometimes it can be seen as a fast, dark shadow in the evening sky. The nocturnal birds are a special challenge for bird photographers. They can only be photographed with a lot of knowledge of… Continue reading Common Barn-owl in Sri Lanka