Birding Around Mukteshwar - II

Redbilled Blue magpie

A well known idiom says that,"Early bird catches the worm". Most members of the Avian world follow this advice religiously. Early morning is the time when birds are most active. This also the time for birders and especially bird photographers to observe and capture the avian life at its best. 

Hectic schedule, during recent visit to Mukteshwar, pushed birding to backseat. However, my visit to the place would be incomplete without documenting some feathered friends. Hence, one day, just after sunrise, I embarked on walk around our hotel  to greet these local residents.

Titmouse

Juvenile Himalayan Treepie

Titmouse, also known as chickadee, is a resident bird found in forested areas of Northern Himalayas. Many orchard owners depend upon the help of this active little bird for a successful fruit crop. They search every crevice for hibernating insects and for the larvae and eggs from which harmful insects hatch. These sprightly, bold, and inquisitive birds have been described as "feathered question marks."

Grey Treepie or Himalayan treepie, and the Red-billed bluemagpie are related to crows, jays and magpies. They are widely distributed along the foothills of the Himalayas in South Asia and extending into Southeast Asia.

    Streaked laughing thrush is part of the babbler family. Like most birds of thrush and babbler family, forages for food on ground. The bird in the pictures below has captured a betel for breakfast.

Streaked Laughing thrush