Mukesh Mishra Photography

From nests to dens, motherhood speaks every language of the wild.

Circus aeruginosus - Western Marsh Harrier

- Physical Characteristics:
- Medium-sized bird of prey, measuring around 48-56 cm in length
- Weight: approximately 400-700 grams
- Body Structure: slender build with long wings and tail
- Body Details:
- Males: brown upperparts, grey wings, and yellowish head
- Females: dark brown plumage with creamy head and throat
- Both sexes have a distinctive white rump patch
- Feather Details: soft and smooth feathers with a subtle sheen
- Plumage: breeding and non-breeding plumage differ slightly

- Behavior:
- Carnivorous diet: feeds on small mammals, birds, and insects
- Known for its low-flying hunting style, often skimming over wetlands
- Often seen flying slowly and deliberately, scanning for prey

- Season and Distribution:
- Found in wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas across Europe, Asia, and Africa
- Breeds during the spring and summer months, often nesting on the ground or in vegetation
- Migrates to warmer regions during winter

- Interesting Facts:
- The Marsh Harrier is a skilled hunter, using its acute hearing and vision to locate prey
- It's a social bird, often seen in small groups during migration or wintering grounds
- Its distinctive call sounds like a loud, nasal "krek-krek-krek"






Nikon Gears | Jan 2026 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Pitta brachyura – Indian Pitta

- Length: 18–20 cm
- Weight: around 55–75 grams
- A vividly coloured ground-dwelling bird with a short tail, strong legs, and a slightly curved bill
- Plumage: Striking combination of bright green upperparts, turquoise-blue wing patch, and buff underparts with a vibrant reddish vent
- Head: Black crown bordered by buff supercilium (eyebrow) and a black eye-stripe
- Bill: Strong, black, slightly downcurved, adapted for probing soil
- Eyes: Dark and alert
- Legs: Long and pinkish, suited for hopping and foraging on forest floor
- Tail: Short with bluish tinge and often flicked while calling or foraging

- Behavior:
- Primarily terrestrial; hops through leaf litter searching for insects, worms, and small invertebrates
- Shy and elusive but becomes vocal during breeding season with a loud, two-note "whee-whee" call
- Active at dawn and dusk; prefers dense undergrowth or forest edges

- Distribution & Season:
- Breeds in central and peninsular India during the monsoon (June to September)
- Migrates to southern India and Sri Lanka in winter (October to February)
- Found in deciduous and moist forests, gardens, bamboo groves, and scrub jungles

- Fun Facts:
- Known locally as "Navrang" due to its nine distinct colours
- Despite bright colours, extremely well-camouflaged in its natural habitat
- A seasonal migrant within India, unlike many pittas that are fully tropical residents
- Rarely seen in flight; prefers to hop and vanish into thick foliage
- A favourite among birders due to its vivid colours and elusive nature






Nikon Gears | June 2019 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Otus bakkamoena - Indian Scops Owl

- Physical Characteristics:
- Small-sized owl, measuring around 20-23 cm in length
- Weight: approximately 125-170 grams
- Body Structure: compact build with a rounded head and forward-facing ear tufts
- Body Details:
- Mottled brown and grey plumage with streaks on the breast
- Distinctive facial disk with a black border
- Feather Details: feathers are soft and fringed, allowing for silent flight
- Plumage: cryptic coloration helps with camouflage

- Behavior:
- Nocturnal birds, active at night and resting during the day
- Known for their distinctive calls, often used for territorial defense and mating
- Feed on small insects, spiders, and other invertebrates

- Season and Distribution:
- Found in the Indian subcontinent, including India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan
- Inhabits a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas
- Breeds during the dry season, often nesting in tree cavities or rock crevices

- Interesting Facts:
- Indian Scops Owls have exceptional night vision, thanks to their large eyes and reflective retinas
- They are known for their ability to rotate their heads up to 270 degrees
- Their silent flight allows them to sneak up on prey undetected






Nikon Gears | June 2023 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Ficedula Parva – Red-breasted Flycatcher

- Scientific Name: Ficedula parva
- Common Name: Red-breasted Flycatcher

- Physical Characteristics:
- Length: 11–12 cm
- Weight: 9–12 grams
- Body Structure: Small, compact flycatcher with a short neck and slender bill
- Colors:
- Males (breeding): Greyish upperparts with a distinct orange-red throat and breast patch
- Females and non-breeding males: Pale brown above, off-white below with faint or no red
- Feather Details: Soft, fine feathers with clean contrast on the breast in males
- Plumage: Seasonal—bright throat patch in breeding males, duller in non-breeding and females

- Behavior:
- Insectivorous, catching flies and insects mid-air or picking them off leaves
- Active and alert, often flicks wings and tail while perched
- Emits soft, sharp calls and melodious whistling song during the breeding season
- Generally solitary or found in loose mixed flocks during migration

- Season and Distribution:
- Breeds in Eastern Europe and parts of Western and Central Asia
- Winters in the Indian subcontinent, including northern and central India
- Prefers open woodlands, forest edges, and gardens during migration and winter

Migratory species—arrives in India around October and departs by March

- Interesting Facts:
- Males sing frequently during spring to attract mates and defend territory
- Known for their calm and approachable behavior in wintering grounds
- The red throat is a key ID mark but only visible in adult breeding males
- Plays a vital role in controlling insect populations during migration






Nikon Gears | Nov 2025 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Cyornis tickelliae - Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher

Physical Characteristics:
- Length: approximately 13–15 cm
- Weight: 12–18 grams
- Body Structure: small, slender flycatcher with a rounded head, fine bill and medium-length tail often flicked while perched
- Colors: Upperparts bright cobalt-blue to deep azure in males, Face and throat blue blending into orange underparts, Breast and belly rich orange to rufous, Female duller with olive-brown upperparts and buff underparts with faint orange wash
- Feather Details: smooth, fine feathers with subtle sheen, especially visible in males under sunlight
- Plumage: strong contrast between blue upperparts and warm orange underparts in males

Behavior:
- Usually seen singly or in pairs in shaded forest areas
- Tail flicking and slight wing movements common while resting
- Emits soft, melodious whistles and short calls

Feeding habits:
- Primarily insectivorous
- Feeds on flies, beetles, ants, termites and small flying insects
- Occasionally takes spiders and other small invertebrates

Season and Distribution:
- Widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh
- Prefers moist deciduous forests, shaded gardens, plantations and forest edges
- Mostly resident species with minor local movements
- Breeding season generally from March to June
- Builds cup-shaped nests on ledges, tree cavities or sheltered spots

Migration pattern:
- Non-migratory resident species
- May show small seasonal shifts depending on habitat and food availability

Interesting Facts:
- Males are more vividly colored than females
- Often remains in shaded areas, making its bright colors stand out in filtered light
- Frequently seen in well-wooded gardens and forest understory






Nikon Gears | Dec 2025 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Glaucidium cuculoides - Asian Barred Owlet

Physical Characteristics:
- Length: approximately 22–25 cm
- Weight: 120–180 grams
- Body Structure: small, stocky owl with a rounded head, short tail and compact body
- Colors: Upperparts brown with prominent white spotting, Underparts white to pale buff with bold horizontal brown barring, Face pale with darker concentric markings forming a subtle facial disc, Tail dark brown with narrow white bars
- Feather Details: dense, soft feathers with barred and spotted patterns providing excellent camouflage
- Plumage: strongly patterned with horizontal barring below and spotting above, giving a textured appearance

Behavior:
- Largely diurnal and crepuscular, often active during early morning and late afternoon
- Frequently seen perched in open on branches, scanning surroundings
- Bobs its head and tail while observing potential threats or prey
- Emits repetitive, whistling calls that carry through forest habitats
- Usually solitary or in pairs

Feeding habits:
- Carnivorous diet including insects, small birds, lizards, rodents and other small vertebrates
- Hunts by swooping down from a perch onto prey

Season and Distribution:
- Prefers forests, wooded areas, plantations and well-wooded countryside
- Common in foothills and forest edges
- Breeding season generally from February to May
- Nests in tree cavities or old woodpecker holes

Migration pattern:
- Non-migratory resident species
- May show minor local movements depending on food availability

Interesting Facts:
- Unlike many owls, it is often active during daylight hours
- Its head-bobbing behavior helps judge distance and depth
- Often mobbed by smaller birds when detected
- Produces a rhythmic whistling call that is easy to recognize






Nikon Gears | Sept 2024 | Mahananda
©️ www.mukeshmish

Caprimulgus asiaticus – Indian Nightjar

- Length: 22–25 cm
- Weight: 40–50 grams
- A small, nocturnal bird with cryptic plumage that blends perfectly with dry leaves and ground
- Body: Short-necked, flat-headed, with large eyes adapted for low-light vision
- Bill: Short with wide gape surrounded by fine bristles to catch insects mid-air
- Wings: Long and pointed; tail short to medium with white tips in males
- Plumage: Mottled grey, brown, buff, and black—perfect camouflage against forest floor or dry scrub
- Legs: Short and weak; spends most time on ground

- Behavior:
- Active at dusk and night; roosts on the ground during the day, motionless and nearly invisible
- Feeds on moths, beetles, and flying insects, captured during silent low flights
- Male may sing from road edges or open clearings at night—a sharp, repetitive "chuk-chuk-chuk"

- Distribution & Season:
- Found across most of peninsular and central India, extending to Sri Lanka and parts of Southeast Asia
- Prefers dry scrublands, open woodlands, farmland edges, and even near human habitation

- Breeds mainly from March to August
- Lays eggs directly on bare ground without a nest; eggs are extremely well-camouflaged

- Fun Facts:
- Masters of disguise—virtually invisible during the day due to perfect camouflage
- Known to freeze in place when approached, relying on stillness to avoid detection
- Their calls often mistaken for frogs or mechanical sounds at night






Nikon Gears | Sept 2025 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Tadorna ferruginea - Ruddy Shelduck

Physical Characteristics:
- Length: approximately 58–70 cm
- Weight: 1–1.6 kg
- Body Structure: large, upright duck with long legs, strong neck and a broad wingspan
- Colors: Overall rich orange-rufous body, Head paler buff to light orange, often appearing slightly washed out, Tail black with contrasting white wing patches visible in flight, Male shows a narrow black neck ring during breeding season, Female lacks the neck ring and appears slightly duller
- Feather Details: smooth, dense feathers with subtle sheen, especially visible on wings
- Plumage: clean and bold coloration with strong contrast between orange body and black tail

Behavior:
- Often seen in pairs or small groups, sometimes in larger flocks during winter
- Strong and direct flier, often flying in pairs with synchronized wingbeats
- Known for loud, honking calls, especially during breeding season
- Frequently rests on sandbanks, lakeshores and open fields near water
- Shows strong pair bonding and territorial behavior

Feeding habits:
- Omnivorous diet including aquatic plants, grasses, grains and seeds
- Forages both on land and in shallow water

Season and Distribution:
- Common winter visitor to wetlands, rivers, lakes and reservoirs across India
- Breeds in high-altitude lakes, riverbanks and steppe regions
- Breeding season generally from April to June in northern range

Migration pattern:
- Long-distance migratory species
- Migrates southward to South Asia during winter
- Returns to northern breeding grounds in spring
- Often travels in pairs or small flocks

Interesting Facts:
- Also known as “Brahminy Duck” in India
- Frequently seen resting on rooftops or open ground away from water
- Forms strong lifelong pair bonds
- Calls are loud and echoing, often heard before the bird is seen






Nikon Gears | Feb 2026 | West Bengal
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Merops philippinus – Blue-tailed Bee-eater

- Length: 23–26 cm (plus 5–7 cm for tail streamers)
- Weight: 30–35 grams
- A slender, elegant bird known for its vibrant colors, aerial agility, and insect-catching prowess
- Plumage: Green overall with golden-buff throat, blue undertail, and a distinct blue rump and tail
- Face: Black eye-stripe bordered by pale blue supercilium
- Bill: Long, curved, and black — ideal for catching flying insects mid-air
- Eyes: Deep red, adding intensity to its striking facial pattern
- Wings: Long and pointed, built for swift and acrobatic flight
- Tail: Blue with extended central tail feathers forming graceful streamers
- Legs: Short and weak — built more for perching than walking

- Behavior:
- Feeds almost exclusively on flying insects, especially bees, wasps, and dragonflies
- Highly social — roosts communally, nests in colonies, and often seen in small flocks
- Perches openly on wires, bare branches, or mounds with upright posture
- Utters a soft, rolling “prrrt” or “trillip” call in flight or while perched
- Shows graceful, gliding flight patterns with occasional rapid wingbeats

- Distribution & Season:
- In India, commonly seen in open country, wetlands, riverbanks, agricultural fields, and sandy banks
- Breeding season: February to June, varies slightly by region

- Fun Facts:
- Named for its brilliant blue tail and preference for bees as prey
- Nest tunnels can be over a meter long
- Often seen in artistic poses with prey in beak, making it a photographer’s delight






Nikon Gears | April 2023 | Gujarat
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in

Euodice malabarica - Indian Silverbill

Physical Characteristics:
- Length: approximately 10–11 cm
- Weight: 10–14 grams
- Body Structure: small, compact finch with a rounded body, short neck and a stout conical bill
- Colors: Upperparts pale sandy-brown to fawn, Underparts lighter buff to whitish, Rump and tail darker brown, Bill silvery-grey to bluish, giving the species its name
- Feather Details: fine, smooth feathers with subtle tonal variation rather than strong patterns
- Plumage: soft, uniform earthy tones providing effective camouflage in dry and open habitats

Behavior:
- Highly social, usually seen in small flocks or large feeding groups
- Active and constantly moving, often hopping on ground or low vegetation
- Communicates with soft, repetitive chirps and twittering calls
- Frequently perches on grass stems, shrubs and wires
- Roosts communally, often huddling closely in vegetation

Feeding habits:
- Primarily granivorous
- Feeds on grass seeds, millets and small grains
- Often forages on the ground in open areas and agricultural fields
- Occasionally consumes small insects, especially during breeding season

Season and Distribution:
- Common in dry grasslands, scrublands, agricultural lands, village outskirts and urban edges
- Breeding season generally from June to September, often linked with monsoon
- Builds round, dome-shaped nests made of grass in bushes, trees or even man-made structures

Migration pattern:
- Non-migratory resident species
- May show short local movements in response to rainfall and food availability

Interesting Facts:
- Often forms mixed flocks with munias and other small finches






Nikon Gears | Oct 2025 | Bangalore
©️ www.mukeshmishra.in