Windows to Woods

The other day I made an unplanned visit to the mini forest while returning from the grocery store. So, obviously, I didn't have my camera with me. That is why this post does not contain any pictures at all. However, I couldn't help but share this experience instead of the post I had planned initially. So, here's what happened when I went to the forest at noon- There was pin-drop silence; I was trying to spot some birds when suddenly something big flew over my head. Until I could figure what it was, another smaller bird flew over in the same direction. The smaller one was the Red-vented Bulbul , sitting on a branch, all fluffed up. And just below it was the bigger bird - Asian Koel . The Koel then flew to another tree, followed by the Bulbul, again😂. While on the opposite tree, some beautiful birds were making their signature sound. Nah, not the Asian koel. There were two Red-whiskered Bulbul dancing and singing around the Greater Coucal who was quietly enjoying the shade....

Yes, finally one of those famous birds, the Asian Koel. I think many of you have heard the sweet song of Koel early in the morning but found it hard to spot him. That's right "him", quite a few of us have the impression that the female is a singer whereas, actually, the female does not have a very lovely voice. Moreover, the koels are sexually dimorphic i.e., the male and females are different in appearance. The male has a shiny bluish-black plumage while the female is brown in colour with white spots all over the body. However, both have crimson iris and a pale greyish bill. The first time I spotted a male Koel, I didn't know it was a Koel, I thought it was a juvenile Greater Coucal. Later, on observing the photos carefully, I realized that it was the Koel. I had never thought that I would get a chance to watch this singer so closely. And to my surprise, I still get to observe it almost every day. It mostly roosts on dense trees like the blackboard and sometimes neem...