Common Birds of Delhi
The National Capital Territory of Delhi boasts of a birdlist of over 450 species year-round making it, after Nairobi, the second richest city in the world for birds.
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Delhi's diverse landscape, combining the fertile Yamuna floodplain, the wooded Delhi Ridge, and various urban green spaces, creates an exceptional bird habitat despite significant urbanisation.
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Wetlands like Okhla, Najafgarh Jheel, Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Asita East, are crucial wintering grounds for migratory ducks, waders, cranes, flamingos, and pelicans. Urban parks and ridge forests, including Lodhi Garden, Sanjay Van, Aravali Biodiversity Park, Sunder Nursery, Amrut Biodiversity Park, and Baansera Park, host resident species such as peafowl, woodpeckers, parakeets, drongos, and sunbirds.
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APPEARANCE
The Asian Green bee-eater is mostly bright green, especially on its underside (belly). It has a black stripe around its throat called the gorget, kind-of like a necklace. It also has a black stripe across its face, going through its red eye that looks like an eye-mask. Finally, it has two long, black feathers sticking out from its tail, about 6 centimeters long.
BEHAVIOUR
Bee-eaters tend to live in social groups. A group consisting of a few monogamous pairs.
SIZE
16-18 cms | 18.5 - 6.3-7.1 inches (includes tail feathers)
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Male more colourful, The juvenile birds are duller and lack the black tail streamers and gorget on the neck.
APPEARANCE
The Red-vented Bulbul sports a black head and crest, dark brown "scaly" body, paler belly, white rump, red undertail or vent, and black tail with white tip.
BEHAVIOUR
The Red-Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) is a songbird which enjoys being social, thanks to its highly adaptive nature, it is a common urban park bird in delhi.
SIZE
20 - 23 cms | 7 - 7.8 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Males and females look alike, though juveniles are duller overall, with some brown edging.
APPEARANCE
The Common Tailor bird is a tiny songbird, olive-green and rufous-capped bird.
BEHAVIOUR
The Common Tailorbird is a highly active forager, hopping and flitting through undergrowth, bushes, and low trees, primarily hunting insects and spiders, but also sipping nectar. Known for its loud, sharp calls, it's often heard before seen. This territorial bird typically lives alone or in pairs, rarely in large groups. Its most remarkable trait is its unique nest construction, where it "sews" leaves together with plant fibers or spider webs using its sharp beak to form a hidden, cradle-like nest.
SIZE
10-14 cms | 3.9-5.5 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
The sexes look alike, but males have longer central tail feathers during breeding season.
APPEARANCE
The Ashy Prinia is a small, slender warbler characterised by its upright tail, short rounded wings, and strong legs. Its upperparts are typically ashy grey, especially in breeding season, with rufous or rufous-buff flanks that lighten towards the throat.
BEHAVIOUR
The ashy prinia is an energetic, acrobatic forager, most active in low shrubs, tall grass, and gardens. They move with restless, hopping, and clambering movements, often flicking their tails.
SIZE
12-14 cms | 4.7-5.5 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Both sexes alike
APPEARANCE
The Male Asian Koel Looks somewhat like a crow, but with a sleeker body, longer tail, and dazzling lustre. The Female Asian Koel is very different from the male (sexual dimorphism). She has a dark brown crown with reddish-brown streaks on her head. Her back and rump are dark brown with white or buff spots, and her underside is whitish or cream with many brown bars or streaks. Her tail has bands of dark grey or brown and pale markings.Eyes are also red, and the bill is paler greenish.
BEHAVIOUR
The Asian koel does not build its own nest. The female lays a single egg in the nest of host species—most often crows. The host raises the koel chick, often unable to distinguish it from its own. Shy and elusive, usually found singly or in pairs well-hidden in the tree canopy.
SIZE
39–46cm | 15–18 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
Males and females show sexual dimorphism and do not look alike.
APPEARANCE
Red-naped Ibis
BEHAVIOUR
Unlike some other bee-eaters, they don't usually live in big groups and aren't as constantly active.
SIZE
16 - 18 cms | 6.3 -7.1 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
males and females appear similar, the blue throat feathers of the male show higher ultraviolet reflectivity than those of the female.
APPEARANCE
Common Myna
BEHAVIOUR
Unlike some other bee-eaters, they don't usually live in big groups and aren't as constantly active.
SIZE
16 - 18 cms | 6.3 -7.1 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
males and females appear similar, the blue throat feathers of the male show higher ultraviolet reflectivity than those of the female.
APPEARANCE
Spotted Owlet
BEHAVIOUR
Unlike some other bee-eaters, they don't usually live in big groups and aren't as constantly active.
SIZE
16 - 18 cms | 6.3 -7.1 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
males and females appear similar, the blue throat feathers of the male show higher ultraviolet reflectivity than those of the female.
APPEARANCE
Indian Peafowl
BEHAVIOUR
Unlike some other bee-eaters, they don't usually live in big groups and aren't as constantly active.
SIZE
16 - 18 cms | 6.3 -7.1 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
males and females appear similar, the blue throat feathers of the male show higher ultraviolet reflectivity than those of the female.
APPEARANCE
Jungle Babbler
BEHAVIOUR
Unlike some other bee-eaters, they don't usually live in big groups and aren't as constantly active.
SIZE
16 - 18 cms | 6.3 -7.1 inches
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS
males and females appear similar, the blue throat feathers of the male show higher ultraviolet reflectivity than those of the female.
