Category: Accipitridae
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An hour at Kanjli
An hour at Kanjli Kanjli is a 1200 acre man-made wetland near Kapurthala in Punjab. It was created to facilitate irrigation in the surrounding areas.
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Brahminy Kite
Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) Size(45-50cm): Brahminy Kite is a medium sized raptor. Area: It is found throughout the Indian landmass except for drier parts of Rajasthan and high altitude regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Habitat: It is a Fish Eagle (Red-backed Fish Eagle) that is found near lakes, rivers, marshes, estuaries, lagoons and…
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Black Shouldered Kite
Black Shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) Size(30-33cm):This species of Kite is just a bit bigger than the Shikra. Area: All India till 1600m in outer Himalayas. Habitat: Usually grassy countryside, mild forests, cultivated farmlands and open scrubs. My two words:Black Shouldered Kite has a grey-white plumage. It has blood-red eyes with black markings over them. As…
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Black Kite (Pariah kite)
Black Kite (Milvus migrans) Size(60-65cm): Medium sized raptor. Just a little small than the Greater-Spotted Eagle. Area: All India till about 2000m in Himalayas. Above that subspecies M. m. lineautus exists. Habitat: Forests, human inhabitation and cultivation. My two words: The birds has a dark brown plumage with paler head and neck. Underparts have streak. The tail is forked. The…
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Kites (Elaninae, Milvinae)
Kites (Elaninae and Milvinae) Kites are medium to large sized birds of prey in the family Accipitridae. They have sharp and strong talons with sharp and hooked beaks which help them tear the meat from their prey. There are two types of Kites found in India – Elanus Kites and Milvine Kites. The Elanus Kites…
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Shikra
Shikra (Accipiter badius) (adult) Size(26-30cm):It is a small raptor bird which has short and rounded wings with a narrow tail. Area:Almost all India except higher areas of Jammu and Kashmir (above Jammu). Habitat:Prefers to live in mild forests and open country. Nowadays it’s becoming more common near human inhabitation. My two words:Shikra might sometimes be…
Birding With Arjun 