Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron

It is a large heron with a reddish-brown head, streaky neck, and a purplish plumage, where it got its name. It thrives in freshwater marshes brimmed with high reeds and other vegetation, hunting fish, frogs, and insects. Quite timid and rarely seen compared to the much larger, bulkier, and with a subtler … Read more

Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)

It is a bird of prey whose males appear whitish gray, while females are harder to distinguish from their other harrier cousins. Barred primaries and darkish secondaries are conspicuous. When in flight, they look bulkier than Montagu’s Harrier but lighter than the Hen Harrier. It is a long-distance migrant, breeding mainly in … Read more

Southern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus rufirostris)

It is a black-and-white hornbill, with a distinct, diminutive red bill, where it got its name. Pairs thrive in open savannas, brimmed with ample ground cover, in which the bird species can be seen hopping as they search for invertebrates. They are territorial against the same species, and bowing their heading and … Read more

Long-billed Pipit (Anthus similis)

It is a medium to large, slender pipit who has variable characteristics across its wide range. South Asian and African populations tend to be more heavily-barred, and browner compared to their grayer-colored counterparts in the Middle East. As their name suggests, they have a long bill, accompanied by a long tail, and … Read more

Red-breasted Swallow (Cecropis semirufa)

It is a large swallow with brick-red underparts and rump and dark blue upperparts. This bird is distinguishable from its cousins through the metallic-blue marks on the side of its heads, covering its eyes and ears. It is a tenacious flyer, swooping and changing its course frequently over open habitats, such as … Read more

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

It is a smallish elegant heron with entirely white plumage, dark bill, black legs, and yellow feet. This bird occurs in various shallow water bodies or almost any habitat where small fish are present. Singles or loosely-structured groups are observed, which roost and communally. As a successful colonist, the species has a … Read more