Showing posts with label Pigeon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pigeon. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

"Hariyal" says Hello

Hariyal or Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

    Hello there. Have you seen me before here? Let me introduce myself. I am 'हरियल' also known as Yellow-footed Green Pigeon. I think my English name is unimaginative; probably the person who named me so thinks it is colourful!

Tree dwelling is the best

    I am a tree dwelling cousin of the common Rock Pigeon. You may have spotted me in the peepal tree near your home. The peepal tree is a favored neighborhood; the branches perfect for  perching and nest, it's leaves give shade and privacy and fruits are our daily diet. Our entire clan can live in a peepal tree, unseen by predators and troublemakers, the canopy providing a perfect camouflage.

Hariyal family tree
    You are familiar with the rock pigeon, who is an ardent fan of the cities and all kinds of human construction. It leaves no building structure or a shady nook unexplored. Till a century or two back, this pigeon was essential for message delivery system of humans. The age old livelihood and traditions of the rock pigeon is displaced by the  cables, wires and transmission towers. The rock pigeons of the world are trying to fight back.

Rock pigeon admiring human creations

    They are protesting by mass gatherings near cables and wires hanging in the city. Sometimes the pigeons use force and try to weigh the wires down by shear large numbers. The wires and cables are not relenting or retaliating; the towers may shock the pigeons sometimes but that is about all. Every popular space of humans, has it's own protesting pigeon gang. The gangs graffiti these spaces with feathers and big stinky splotches and voice loud "go- go-goo" slogans.

Rock pigeon gang & Raging red eyed pigeon
    Usually, the humans don't pay them much attention; but some fools try to feed the pigeon gang. Do the humans not see the rage- red eyes of the rock pigeons?

    Enough about the raging rock pigeon now! This post is about me - the blue eyed darling of pigeon species. Poets have penned odes praising our blue eyes. Yes, my kind is special. So is our call, a sweet whistling one, just like that of  naughty little child.

Grab on to the tree branch

    Keep an ear out for our whistles near fruit laden trees. Our flock eats all kind of berries and ficus fruits. Trekking through the branches is easy because of our big strong yellow feet. These feet help in grabbing the branches  and holding on to them during windy, stormy weather. Strong wide feet are good for everyone; they take one far and wide. We cannot comprehend the trend of thin narrow feet and pencil thin heels.

Hariyal loves berries

    My species is spread all over the Indian subcontinent. You need not go towards sanctuaries and forests to search for me. I can be found with my flock in the local gardens or any tree lined avenue amidst tree foliage. Bothering humans by dirtying their buildings, cars, clothes etc is the agenda of rock pigeon, not ours. If you wish to befriend the Hariyal flock, plant some indigenous trees in your neighborhood. And if your neighborhood is green with lots of trees, then my kind will probably be the in the nearby tree. Just use the binoculars to locate our bright yellow feet, or the pale pink shoulder patch; or if you are lucky enough then the gorgeous blue eyes, watching you from behind the green leaves.

Our shy neighbor - Hariyal

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Birding in Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar empire

Hampi, once capital of Vijaynagar empire, is now a world heritage site. The extent and magnificence of the Vijaynagar empire can be experienced here, while exploring remnants of the city that are spread over few hundred square kilometers.

Pigeons in temple courtyards

The ruins, surrounding paddy fields, banana plantations and rocky surroundings provide diverse ecosystems for our avian friends. Here are some of the common ones which can be found while exploring Hampi & its surroundings.


Green Bee Eater

Cormorant at Pushkarni stepwells

Skylark at Royal Palace enclosure

Scaly breasted Munias amidst banana plantation
Spotted owlet

#birdwatching #indianbirds #woodpeckers #birdingwindow #birding #birdingathome #naturelovers #nature

Friday, March 11, 2011

The pigeon story: A first hand account



This is the story of a pair pigeons who made home a corner of the balcony at my place. I never thought the eggs will ever hatch if they escaped the evil eyes of crows around, but they were meant to survive. All was well till an unfortunate incident united us with the pigeon family in their agony...



I had thought the eggs will fall prey to one of the crows around. Pleasantly, one fine morning, I discovered the poor helpless chicks out in open. I really felt bad for them. Dunno why the mother pigeon could not find a safer place....



Things in a larger perspective. That pot in the upper rack in the corner is the home to the chicks. Thats where the eggs were laid. I know you are amazed too. The mother pigeon would fly to neighborhood every time we went to balcony. She trusted us completely or was just helpless...



Chicks are growing....



Still growing, day by day....



Could finally catch them with mom.



My bai had already started complaining about the mess they were creating everyday :)



Soon they will outgrow the pot. Probably they have already. Look at the mess around...



Closer. That makes them attentive...



Here they are in their teens. When we are not looking the whole balcony is their playground and now they have their personal pots to sit. Huddled together for the click...



The youth, cant tell them from parents in one glance.



Venturing unknown territories..



They are no more afraid of us. Well, cant say that, they can hardly fly.



Tragedy struck!!! The chicks were attacked by an eagle ;( One fell victim to it, the other literally knocked on the door to let it in the house.

Here we see the mother pigeon. She could not find the chicks at the usual place. She sensed something wrong happened in the balcony, wont dare coming there. Just waiting somewhere near by.



Waiting for the chicks to appear...





The remains of the fight put up...



The refugee. He spent the whole night there.



We tried to feed it, but it wont budge.



Morning came, so came the parents looking for the kids. At least they found one. We were so relieved. They kept returning next two days, still hopeful, but ALAS!!



The story ends with this reunion. Hope they have a short memory and remain happy ever after, but not so short a memory to make a similar nest. They learnt it the bitter way, if they have.

Brownie chooses his path (Part 3 of 3)

     While Brownie's affiliations with humans grew, he remained the ferocious alpha for other dogs. An abandoned pet dog found her way i...