Watch | 2020: indian bird-watchers' paradise

‘Rarely spotted’ and ‘first-time record’ were the buzzwords of 2020 among the Indian birding community as the year marked the arrival of extraordinary visitors. Here are some birds who made

headlines in 2020 : * Four majestic whooper swans were spotted in Kashmir recently for the first time after 50 years. * The desert finch, usually found in Pakistan and Afghanistan, made its

stopover at Gurgaon in Delhi, making it to the first photographic record in India. * Greater white-fronted geese were photographed at Wadhwana lake in Vadodara for the first time. * The red

knot, flying all the way from Japan and North Korea, marked its presence at Rann of Kutch. * Amur falcons were recently spotted at Lonavala lake, an indication of the healthy environment in

the region. There were other reasons to cheer for the birding community . Cities are bustling with bird life now thanks to reduced noise levels and less pollution. Some commonly spotted

birds this year include: * House sparrows which are Native to Eurasia. * Red-whiskered bulbuls which are songbirds that are generally found in pairs or small groups . * Common ioras which

are quite vocal, and can produce a wide variety of calls. * Brown-breasted flycatchers, which have large, white-framed eyes. * The female Purple-rumped sunbird which is greyish-brown above

and pale yellow below. * Indian grey hornbills which are usually seen in pairs or small groups in woodlands, plantations, gardens, and parks in cities where they feed on large, fruiting

trees. * The male Indian Paradise flycatchers which are known for their long ribbon-like tail. * The chocolate-brown Brown rock chats which can be seen standing tall on ridges, cliff edges,

and buildings. * The Indian Golden Oriole which is known for its characteristic dipping flight style. * The Black kite which is commonly found in urban areas, rubbish dumps, aquatic

habitats, and grasslands. Published - January 08, 2021 05:18 pm IST Read Comments Remove SEE ALL PRINT RELATED TOPICS animal / animal science / science and technology