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aby_naturography, Idukki (2026)

04/04/2026

Pluviophile..! 💚 🌧️ Mention your pluviophile friend.

31/03/2026

The Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) is a species of bird belonging to the Phasianidae family, native to the forests and scrublands of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males typically larger and more colourful than females. Males have glossy black plumage with a bluish-green sheen, crimson facial skin, and a long tail with white-tipped feathers. Females are brown with mottled patterns for camouflage.

These birds are primarily ground-dwellers, foraging for seeds, insects, fruits, and vegetation. They are often shy and elusive, preferring to stay concealed in dense vegetation. During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. Nests are typically shallow depressions on the ground, concealed amidst vegetation. Females incubate the eggs and care for the chicks.

The Kalij Pheasant is not considered globally threatened, though certain subspecies may face localised threats due to habitat loss and hunting. In some regions, they are hunted for their meat and feathers. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting their habitats and regulating hunting practices are essential for the long-term survival of Kalij Pheasant populations.

A male of Kalij Pheasant is in the frame.

📸 @ Sattal, Uttarakhand.

19/03/2026

Mountain Glider...! 💙

The Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythroryncha) is a striking member of the Corvidae family, widely recognised for its vibrant plumage and exceptionally long, graduated tail. Native to the Himalayan foothills, Southeast Asia, and parts of China, this species is distinguished by its bright orange-red bill and legs, which contrast sharply against its deep violet-blue body and black head. A characteristic white patch sits on the nape of its neck, and its elongated tail feathers are tipped with prominent white and black bands. Inhabiting broadleaf evergreen forests and hilly scrubland, these birds are highly social and vocal, often seen gliding through the canopy in small, noisy groups. As omnivores, their diet is diverse, ranging from insects and small mammals to fruits and seeds, showcasing the high intelligence and adaptability common to the crow family.

📸@ Gaula River, Uttarakhand

# Urocissaerythroryncha
🌎

07/03/2026

Hidden in the jungle !😱
The hump-nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale) is a venomous snake belonging to the genus Hypnale. It is a resident of the Western Ghats and the island of Sri Lanka. Its most distinguishing feature, the upturned, pointed snout, lends it its common name. These relatively small snakes blend seamlessly into their surroundings with cryptic colouration and patterns that provide exceptional camouflage. They thrive in damp, humid environments, making forests, plantations, and rocky hillsides their preferred habitats.

As terrestrial creatures, they spend their lives primarily on the ground, often concealed within leaf litter or beneath dense vegetation.They are nocturnal and eat small animals, including rodents, lizards, and frogs. They are ambush predators who patiently await prey to venture within striking distance.

Bites from these vipers can lead to significant medical complications, encompassing local envenomation, renal injury, and coagulopathy. When encountering a snake, it is best to observe it from a safe distance and allow it to continue undisturbed. It is important to save these creatures as they have a crucial function within the ecosystem.

📸 @ Thattekad, Kerala

22/02/2026

Mountain Chanter..!!⛰️🎶🎵

The Streaked Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron lineatum) is the soulful voice of the Himalayan foothills. Named for the distinct white shaft streaks that decorate its olive-brown plumage, this bird is a master of the undergrowth. While its colors are subtle, its personality is anything but—these birds are famously social, moving in "chatty" pairs or small parties, often hopping through garden shrubbery and montane forests with a bold, inquisitive nature.

Beyond its striking grey-blue crown and rufous-toned wings, the Laughingthrush is best known for its melodic, whistling call—a cheerful "pretty-dear" that echoes through the mountain mist. An adaptable omnivore, it spends its days foraging on the ground for insects, seeds, and berries.

Ground-dwelling acrobat & Deep-cup architects: This species spends most of its life hopping through low bushes and foraging on the forest floor. They build unusually deep, sturdy cup-shaped nests hidden low in thorny bushes to protect their bright greenish-blue eggs from harsh mountain winds.

Call and Response: Pairs maintain a constant musical dialogue where one bird whistles a phrase and the partner answers instantly, ensuring they stay connected even in the densest mountain thickets.

📸 @ Sattal, India

11/02/2026

Quite Devotion! 💚

The spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), a majestic bird found in southern Asia, is easily recognizable by the distinctive spots on its large, pinkish bill. These magnificent creatures inhabit various water bodies, including lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. They are primarily piscivorous, meaning they primarily feed on fish. These skilled fishers use their unique gular pouches to scoop up prey from the water's surface.

These social birds often gather in large colonies, creating a noisy and vibrant spectacle. Known for their graceful flight, their long wings carry them effortlessly across vast distances. While they may appear clumsy on land, they are agile swimmers and adept hunters. They are resident breeders, establishing breeding colonies in specific areas within their range and returning year after year to nest and raise their young.

Although their population is stable, habitat loss and pollution threaten their survival. By conserving their habitats and raising awareness about their importance, we can ensure the continued existence of these magnificent birds for generations to come.

Gular Pouch: The pouch-like structure on a pelican's bill, known as a gular pouch, is a highly specialized adaptation that allows them to efficiently catch and store fish before swallowing.

📸 @ Koonthakulam, Tamil Nadu

🌏ourhome_naturestories💚❤️

04/02/2026

Crimson Spark..! 💞

The Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava) also known as the Red Munia or Strawberry Finch, is a small, sparrow-sized bird native to the open fields and grasslands of tropical Asia, especially the Indian Subcontinent. The male moults into a vibrant plumage that is predominantly scarlet red, covered in scattered white spots, with a black lower belly, eye-stripe, and wings. This spectacular colouration is the reason for its "Strawberry Finch" nickname. The female, however, is much more subdued, remaining mostly grayish-brown with a distinct red rump and fewer white spots on her feathers. Outside the breeding season, the male undergoes an eclipse moult and resembles the female, with duller, brownish plumage, though he often retains the red rump and a scattering of white spots, while the female is generally duller with less white spotting overall. They are gregarious birds, often found in small flocks near water, and their popularity as a cage bird has led to introduced populations in various parts of the world.

Eclipse plumage:- is dull, female-like plumage worn by the male for a month or more in summer after breeding. It is usually seen in typical ducks but also found in other birds as well.

The first part of its scientific name, Amandava, is derived from the city of Ahmedabad in India, as it was a historic centre for the bird trade, but the species' natural range is much broader.

These birds are too sensible. If we photograph them, we need to have a moral responsibility to be as unobtrusive as possible because if the bird becomes too suspicious, it will abandon the eggs/chicks.

📸 @

29/01/2026

Flashy Ashy...!! Give me your 💚

The Ashy Prinia or ashy wren-warbler (Prinia Socialis) is a small sociable bird that’s easy to spot. This 13–14 cm long small warbler is in the family of Cisticolidae. This Prinia is a resident breeder in the Indian Subcontinent, ranging across most of India and in few neighbouring countries. They have a short black bill. The crown is grey and the underparts are rufous in most plumages. The tail is usually held upright and the strong legs are used for clambering about and hopping on the ground. They are wary and skulking, diving under cover when approached. The males and females look similar and the birds are often found in pairs rather than flocks. The eggs hatch in about 12 days.

The species has been found to be monogamous and both parents take turns in incubating eggs and feeding the young ones. Plaintive and Grey-bellied cuckoos are known to be brood parasites of this species. Eleven species of Prinia are found in India, and this individual is in the frame is Ashy Prinia.

Brood Parasitism: Brood parasites are organisms that rely on others to raise their young. It occurs when a bird lays its eggs in the nest of another bird of the same or different species.

Insectivorous : (of an animal) feeding on insects, worms, and other invertebrates.

📸 @ Kalamassery, Kochi.

🐦

18/01/2026

The changeable hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), also known as the crested hawk-eagle, is a large raptor in the family Accipitridae. It is characterised by its beautiful crest, sharp talons, and acute vision. This species is widely distributed across India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Typically, it has dark-brown upperparts and white underparts. There are two distinct groups: those with prominent crests and those with little to no crest. Additionally, a dark morph exists in some populations. Among its genus, the changeable hawk-eagle is the most widely distributed, adaptable, and abundant species. The name "changeable" refers to these varying color morphs.

Outside of the breeding season, this bird is usually seen alone, perched upright in open, well-wooded areas. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays a single egg per season. As a carnivore, it primarily feeds on a variety of birds and small mammals.

While its conservation status is currently Least Concern (LC), habitat destruction and fragmentation may threaten the survival of the population in the near future. Other major threats include opportunistic poaching and illegal shooting.
The individual shown in this frame is a juvenile.

📸@ Urban Canopy, Kalamassery, kochin.

15/01/2026

Passport Size !! 👀

The Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is a species of Old World monkey that belongs to the Cercopithecidae family. They are native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, China, and Thailand.

Rhesus macaques are medium-sized primates with a robust build and a distinctive face. They have a reddish-brown fur colour, which gives them their name "Rhesus." Their face is characterized by a prominent muzzle, a pinkish face with a hairless area around the eyes, and cheek pouches used for storing food.

These monkeys are highly adaptable and are known to inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas. They are social animals and live in hierarchical groups known as troops, which can consist of dozens of individuals. Troops are typically led by a dominant male. Rhesus macaques are omnivorous, feeding on a varied diet that includes fruits, leaves, seeds, insects, and small animals.

Due to their behavioural characteristics, intelligence, and close genetic relation to humans, Rhesus macaques have been extensively studied in various fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and genetics. They have played a crucial role in medical research, particularly in studies related to vaccines, infectious diseases, and organ transplantation.

However, their adaptability and increasing proximity to human settlements have also led to conflicts, especially in urban areas where they may raid crops or come into contact with humans. Overall, Rhesus macaques are fascinating creatures with a significant presence in the ecosystems they inhabit and a valuable contribution to scientific knowledge.

📸 @ Jim Corbett National Park

🐒 🌸

06/01/2026

Tale of a long tail…! 💚

Indian Paradise Flycatcher(Terpsiphone paradise) is one of the most beautiful birds of India. They are native to Asia, where they have widely distributed and considered under the birds of paradise family. The adult male sport a long ribbon-like tail. The males occur in two colour morphs cinnamon and white. Females are short-tailed with rufous wings and a blackhead. They are socially monogamous, which means that both the males and females share the responsibilities of incubation, nest-building and feeding the young ones. They are insectivorous and mainly feeds on insects. I was lucky to spot this majestic bird at my regular bird sighting place and share it here.

Birds are both homeothermic and endothermic.
Homeothermic means that they can maintain a constant (high) body temperature. Endothermic means that they can maintain their (high) body temperature by creating heat through metabolic means.

Reptiles and amphibians are ectotherms, while birds are endotherms. An ectotherm (reptile/amphibian) relies primarily on its external environment to regulate the temperature of its body.

📸 @ Urban Canopy, Kalamassery

28/12/2025

The Montane Forest Lizard (Monilesaurus montanus) is a medium-sized, arboreal lizard endemic to the high-altitude regions of the Western Ghats in South India. Formally identified as a distinct species in 2018, its name is derived from the Latin words monile (necklace) and montanus (mountain), referring to a characteristic fold of skin across its neck and its restricted habitat in montane Shola forests above 1,500 meters. This species typically features a yellowish-green body adorned with irregular light and dark brown patches, providing excellent camouflage against mossy tree trunks in regions like Kudremukh, the Nilgiris, and Silent Valley. Notably, this lizard is a specialist of "sky island" ecosystems, making it a significant indicator of the health of high-altitude tropical cloud forests. Because it relies on these unique, isolated habitats, any change in its population can signal shifts in the delicate environmental balance of the Ghats.

📸 , Kerala

aby_naturography