All the birds in this post were spotted in my native village in Jehanabad district of Bihar https://maps.app.goo.gl/97WA1LNAWynNq27j9
Birds were spotted in November 2024.
I used the Merlin Bird ID app to identify the birds listening to their sounds.
*Disclaimer: Images of the birds used are not mine and credits go to the original publishers.
1. Red-wattled Lapwing (Titiari)
| Size | 32-35 cm |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Identification | Red battles near the beak, black head, white face, brown wings and yellow legs |
| Fun fact | Known as nature’s sentry, it loudly warns of nearby threads |
| Sound | Loud “Did-you-do-it” calls |
2. Green Warbler
| Size | 10-12 cm |
| Lifespan | 2-5 years |
| Identification | Greenish upperparts, pale yellow underparts, with prominent wing bars. |
| Fun fact | Often seen during their migratory journey through Bihar. |
| Sound | Soft “chip-chip” notes during migration. |
3. Hume’s Warbler
| Size | 9-11 cm |
| Lifespan | 2-5 years |
| Identification | Olive-green with yellowish underparts, white wing bars, and a dark eye stripe. |
| Fun fact | Migrates from high altitudes to Bihar during winter. |
| Sound | Repetitive “tsip-tsip” calls. |
4. Jungle Babbler
| Size | 12-15 cm |
| Lifespan | 5-10 years |
| Identification | Greyish-brown with a long tail often flicked upward. |
| Fun fact | Blends easily into undergrowth, more often heard than seen. |
| Sound | Continuous “cheer-up-cheer-up” chirping. |
5. Purple Sunbird (Jamuni Chiriya)
| Size | 10-12 cm |
| Lifespan | 5-7 years |
| Identification | Metallic blue-purple males, olive-yellow females. |
| Fun fact | Resembles a tiny hummingbird, hovering while feeding on nectar. |
| Sound | High-pitched “chee-chee” calls. |
6. Gray Francolin (Titar)
| Size | 33-36 cm |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Identification | Brownish-gray with black barring, black neck patch. |
| Fun fact | Their early morning calls serve as natural alarm clocks in rural areas. |
| Sound | Loud “kath-tur kath-tur” calls, especially at dawn. |
7. Common Myna (Gauraiya Myna)
| Size | 25-30 cm |
| Lifespan | 12-25 years |
| Identification | Brown body, black head, yellow eye patches, and white wing patches in flight. |
| Fun fact | Highly adaptable, often seen in both rural and urban areas. |
| Sound | Loud, varied calls and mimics other birds and sounds. |
8. Rose-ringed Parakeet (Tota)
| Size | 40-42 cm |
| Lifespan | 20-30 years |
| Identification | Green with a red beak; males have a pink and black neck ring. |
| Fun fact | Famous for their speech-mimicking abilities. |
| Sound | Loud screeching “kee-ak” calls. |
9. Spotted Dove (Panduk)
| Size | 30-32 cm |
| Lifespan | 5-10 years |
| Identification | Brown with white neck spots and long tail. |
| Fun fact | A peaceful presence, often seen in agricultural fields. |
| Sound | Gentle “coo-coo” calls. |
10. Eurasian Collared Dove
| Size | 32-34 cm |
| Lifespan | 3-10 years |
| Identification | Pale gray with a distinct black neck collar. |
| Fun fact | Symbolizes peace and harmony in many cultures. |
| Sound | Deep, soothing “coo-COO-coo” calls. |
11. Taiga Flycatcher
| Size | 12-14 cm |
| Lifespan | 4-6 years |
| Identification | Brown upperparts; males have a red throat in breeding season. |
| Fun fact | Travels from Siberia to winter in Bihar. |
| Sound | Soft “tsik-tsik” calls. |
12. Common Tailorbird (Sui Chiriya)
| Size | 10-14 cm |
| Lifespan | 2-3 years |
| Identification | Olive-green upperparts, rust-colored crown, long tail. |
| Fun fact | Ingeniously stitches leaves together to build nests. |
| Sound | Sharp “tew-tew” calls. |
13. Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Papiha)
| Size | 30-35 cm |
| Lifespan | 5-10 years |
| Identification | Greyish-brown with yellow eye ring and barred underparts. |
| Fun fact | Its calls are a hallmark of hot Indian afternoons. |
| Sound | Repetitive “brain-fever” call during summer. |
14. Plain Prinia
| Size | 12-14 cm |
| Lifespan | 2-4 years |
| Identification | Brownish upperparts, pale underparts, long flicking tail. |
| Fun fact | Frequently seen darting through grasslands. |
| Sound | Continuous “trik-trik” chirps. |
15. Gray Wagtail
| Size | 18-20 cm |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Identification | Grey back, yellow underparts, and long tail. |
| Fun fact | Constantly wags its tail while foraging. |
| Sound | Sharp “tsip” calls near water bodies. |
16. Paddyfield Pipit
| Size | 15-17 cm |
| Lifespan | 3-5 years |
| Identification | Brown streaked plumage, long legs. |
| Fun fact | Ground-dwelling, often seen in agricultural fields. |
| Sound | Repetitive “chup-chup” calls. |
17. Asian Palm Swift
| Size | 13-15 cm |
| Lifespan | 6-10 years |
| Identification | Slender body, brownish-gray plumage, forked tail. |
| Fun fact | Builds nests on palm fronds using sticky saliva. |
| Sound | High-pitched “sree-sree” calls in flight. |
18. Oriental Magpie Robin (Doyel)
| Size | 19-25 cm |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Identification | Black and white, long tail often held upright. |
| Fun fact | Known for its mimicry of other bird songs. |
| Sound | Melodious whistles and complex songs. |
19. Zitting Cisticola
| Size | 10-12 cm |
| Lifespan | 2-3 years |
| Identification | Brown streaked upperparts, short tail. |
| Fun fact | A tiny bird often mistaken for a moving grass blade. |
| Sound | Rapid “zit-zit-zit” sounds in zigzag flight. |
20. Asian Green Bee-eater (Harial)
| Size | 16-18 cm |
| Lifespan | 12-18 years |
| Identification | Bright green, black eye stripe, long tail feathers. |
| Fun fact | Skilled in catching bees mid-flight. |
| Sound | Soft “trill-trill” calls. |
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