Young Birdwatcher's Club

Indian Palm Squirrel, also known as three-striped palm squirrel belong to rodent family. These squirrels are closely connected with the trees like the birds, who perch on the trees. Squirrels in general look very cute and are very intelligent. It is a sight to see squirrels running up and down the trunk and branches of the tree and while making a call would move its tail up and down. They eat in a very peculiar way by using their forelegs and sitting on its hind legs, which makes them look super cute when nibbling from their forelegs. They are the most active during summer season. During winters they love cozying up in their nests up in the trees or in the cracks in wall or deserted houses. They are known to make super cozy nests for their young ones. Squirrels are known to take away cotton from some discarded mattress or a pillow, are also known to take away soft pieces of cloth and other fibers from the trees and line their nest up with such soft things making it a cozy nest. As per

Every morning we wake up to the beautiful distinct song sung by the yellow and brown coloured bird.  It is known as the Common Iora or Shaubigee.  A very shy and an illusive bird of the size of a sparrow, we found it extremely difficult to record its song as well as take a good picture as it remains hidden in trees. Thanks to one enthusiast young bird watcher Shonit Aurora from our group that we could get some real good pictures and a video which is presented in today's blog. Spread across the Asian Sub-continent, common Iora, has a beautiful yellow and blackish brown plumage.  Many a times we confuse it with a weaver bird or the oriental white eye but one can immediately identify a common Iora by its melodious song and mating calls.  primarily an insect eater, it relishes wild fruits and nectar.   Most active during Summer months, they lay two to four eggs and both the parents take equal responsibility in rearing the chicks. The above picture is by Mr. Noor Rathod, a nature photog

Bee-eaters as the name suggests, are efficient while catching flying insects mid-air. They are colourful birds in hues of blue, yellow and green. You can identify them from the long single feather in their tail, which looks majestic. They catch a flying insect amazingly fast and return to their place with the catch to enjoy the meal. Bee-eaters are usually found near water bodies and in open areas away from the hustle bustle of an inhabited place. Many a times while travelling, we see many birds perched on overhead electricity lines, by the side of the highways or village roads - they are mostly Bee-eaters. There are different types of Bee-eaters, but today we are presenting to you the Blue tailed Bee-eaters, photographed by our friend  Keyur Sheth , a passionate and well-known wild life photographer based out of Ahmedabad.

Each and every creation of Nature is equally important for sustaining and balancing Life on Earth.  Birds, animals, insects, trees and reptiles all play a very crucial role of balancing and co-existence.  Our today's friend featured in our blog is the commonly found reptile known as Oriental Garden Lizard and કાંચિડો in Gujrati.  Their habitat includes forested areas and open lands, farms, rural areas and gardens in urban areas.  They are non-venomous and harmless reptiles, generally living on trees and bushes and helping us in controlling the insects and pests which other wise would eat away plants and crops.  Unfortunately, they are misunderstood and feared by majority of the urbanites.   The male Oriental Garden Lizard has a prominent blackish collar below the neck and during the mating season displays bright orange shade on it's neck and head.  They also have thick scales which resembles the mane of a lion.  Female Oriental Garden Lizards are more delicate and sleek in look

Common Myna the 'Big Mouth' among the Indian Birds loves to chatter all the time. They are always found in a flock. Mynas like human company and often are found near human gatherings and congregations. They are the most adaptive birds and have especially developed the taste for the left-overs of the cooked food. Some of them have learned the art of looting - will straight attack your plate and take the bites of roti, puri or bhajis and whatever might fancy them.   Mynas are little smaller then pigeon in size, dark brown in colour with a characteristic yellow beak and yellow patch around the eyes. These birds are very temperamental in nature and creates ruckus wherever they are. Mynas are a common sight throughout our country and the other parts of the Indian sub-continent. The name Myna has been derived from its common name across the country in different languages but in Gujarati language it is known as ' Kabar '. Mynas are known to steal eggs and chicks of other bird