Oct 31
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Bangalore, desert hedgehog, Digitalfrescos, fauna, hedgehog, long eared hedgehog, Mammal, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Desert hedgehog on the sand dune, DNP

The desert hedgehog is one of the smallest of hedgehogs. The spines (or quills to give their correct name) on its back can be banded with coloring similar to the four-toed hedgehog. It is usually identified by its dark muzzle. If desert hedgehogs are threatened, their muscles go tight and pull the outer layer of skin around the body, making their quills stick out in all directions. The quills tend to be longer than other hedgehogs for better protection against predation. As such it is extremely difficult to catch one. The desert hedgehog is reported to be a common species with a wide distribution and a large population. It is believed to be reasonably tolerant of habitat modification, and is not considered globally threatened. No major threats are reported for the species, although some note that increasing desertification within its range may be leading to the fragmentation of its populations, and in some areas it may suffer increased mortality due to road traffic. This is classified as least concerned by IUCN.
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Sep 29
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, common coot, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Common coot feeding, Jaipur

The common coot is also known as the Eurasian coot. It is found in Europe, Asia, Australia and parts of Africa. The juvenile is paler than the adult, has a whitish breast, and lacks the facial shield; the adult black plumage develops when about 3–4 months old, but the white shield is only fully developed at about one year old. This is a noisy bird with a wide repertoire of crackling, explosive, or trumpeting calls, often given at night. It is reluctant to fly and when taking off runs across the water surface with much splashing. It does the same, but without actually flying, when travelling a short distance at speed in territorial disputes. As with many rails, its weak flight does not inspire confidence, but on migration, usually at night, it can cover surprisingly large distances. It bobs its head as it swims, and makes short dives from a little jump. It is seen here grazing on the aquatic vegetation on a fresh water body. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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Sep 29
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, duck, lesser whistling duck, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, wishtling duck

Lesser whistling duck portrait, Jaipur

The lesser whistling duck is also known as Indian whistling duck or lesser whistling teal. They are nocturnal feeders that during the day may be found in flocks around lakes. They can perch on trees and sometimes build their nest in the hollow of a tree. This brown and long-necked duck has broad wings that are visible in flight and produces a loud two-note wheezy call. This is a largely resident species distributed widely across lowland wetlands of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Lesser whistling duck are usually gregarious. They feed mainly on plants taken from the water as well as grains from cultivated rice apart from small fish, frogs and invertebrates such as molluscs and worms. Local names like sili and silhahi in India are based on their wheezy two-note calls. Breeding Season determined by extent of rains, but tends to coincide with start of rainy period. Once paired these birds are monogamous and form life-time bonds. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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Sep 29
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, common moorehen, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Common moorehen calling, Jaipur

The common moorhen is also known as the waterhen and as the swamp chicken. The common moorhen lives around well-vegetated marshes, ponds, canals and other wetlands. It is likely the most common rail species, except for the Eurasian coot in some regions. This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments, well-vegetated lakes and even in city parks. The Common moorehen swims like a duck and walks atop floating vegetation like a rail with its long and slender toes. Populations in areas where the waters freeze, such as eastern Europe, will migrate to more temperate climes. This species will consume a wide variety of vegetable material and small aquatic creatures. They forage beside or in the water, sometimes walking on lilypads or upending in the water to feed. They are often secretive, but can become tame in some areas. Despite loss of habitat in parts of its range, the common moorhen remains plentiful and widespread. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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Sep 29
by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, grey headed swamphen, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, puple swamphen, purple moorehen

Grey headed swamphen feeding, Jaipur

Grey-headed swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus) is a species of swamphen occurring from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to southern China and northern Thailand. It used to be considered a subspecies of the purple swamphen. The grey-headed swamphen was introduced to North America in the late 1990s due to avicultural escapes in the Pembroke Pines, Florida area. State wildlife biologists attempted to eradicate the birds, but they have multiplied and can now be found in many areas of southern Florida. They forage on insects, mollusks, water beetles, and water-plant shoots. In their foraging sprees they sometimes invade the close by paddy fields and graze on the tender rice-shoots.It is a very shy bird and hides itself among the cat-tail reeds at the slightest disturbance. Pairs are often seen and sometimes a party of them can be seen foraging at close fields adjoining the swamps. It is in the group of Rails, and has the characters of all rails. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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