Sunday, October 25, 2015

White-throated Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis, home garden, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.





After laying its eggs in a hole in the wall of an embankment, the parents would be constantly on the watch for predators. I have seen them pecking at the head of a much larger ''Monitor Lizard' when the latter went close to the eggs. The parents feed the young ones till they are fit to fly. After about a week of flying they part ways. Even though it is called  a King-fisher this type exists by eating moths, dragonflies, grasshoppers etc.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Brown-headed Barbet - Megalaima zeylanica, Avissawella, Sri Lanka.



On seeing fruits placed on the bird feed tray, this bird would alight on a high tree close by and would make its piercing call. After  a period of silence, it would fly down and eat the fruit. It is a very shy bird and would  take flight at the slightest distraction.