Bulbul chicks

Second week of August 2024, a bulbul pair started visiting our utility area. It's a hint that the pair would be having children soon. The pair brought in twigs and coconut strands to make a nest. They weaved their nest over the two previous nests already present in the same space. I a week or so three eggs were laid and incubation began. The eggs hatched in less than two weeks. The pair got really busy fetching food for the always hungry chicks. The pair was very watchful and turned hostile whenever we went to the balcony for chores. On September 7th morning around 11 AM the chicks emerged from the nest and perched on our clothesline. They were ready to leave the safety of the nest and become independent. This was a rare sight- the mother and her three chicks perched together. Father was close by, looking out for threats. Once the chicks are out of the nest, there's no turning back. They could barely fly yet they are raring to move on. Few minutes after this shot two of the chicks flew out, their parents staying close by until their wings gained strength. The last chick stayed back a couple of hours more and then flew down.

Fortunately there are plenty of trees and plants behind our apartment where the chicks could take shelter and remain safe until they were fully ready. I hope all three are fine and flying around in our locality.

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Red Whiskered Bulbul

A bulbul couple decided to raise it's babies in our home. In the first week of April the bulbul couple built a nest in our utility area, on the clothesline pipe. We tied a foot wide basket under it as a safety catch. Soon after the nest was ready, eggs were laid and one of the bulbuls would remain in the nest most of the day, keeping the eggs warm.  The eggs hatched in the second week, we got one look at the chicks on the 14th. The couple was busy, both taking turns to guard the babies and fetching food. We could hear the feeble chirps of the babies crying for food, they were hungry through out the day.

These pictures were shot on 20th morning..

head turned 180°

Bulbul holding food for the chicks

A few minutes after shooting these pictures I saw the chicks perched on the basket rim. They were ready to leave the nest and face the world outside. Within the next hour both chicks left the nest.. all the best to the little ones!

To see more pictures, click Red Whiskered Bulbuls.

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Bulbul pair relaxing on coconut tree

Jan 3, 2024. Though a sunny day, it was cold inside the house. May be it was cold in a shaded place. i happened to notice a pair of Bulbul on a coconut tree. The bulbuls look like they are trying to keep each warm.

As I took pictures, one of the bulbuls looked in my direction. I feel it heard the camera's beep or may be it sensed that they are being watched.

After a few minutes they separated, maybe it's time to head home, where ever it was. Another thing, notice how slime the bulbul looks while standing.

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Bulbul on African Tulip tree

Perched on a branch of a African Tulip tree, this Bulbul was shaking vigorously to rid itself of dirt and insects from its feathers. Then it cleaned its beak. The ritual went on for couple of minutes.

 

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Red Whiskered Bulbul

 

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Sunday morning shots

Woke up at 4AM, went out to feel the cool morning air and saw the Crescent high in the Eastern Sky.

Later at Botanical Garden...

...I managed to shoot this Red Whiskered Bulbul after waiting for 15 minutes. Just learning to photograph birds.
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