One of the many things I did not know about Delhi is that it is the capital city with the second-largest number of bird species (after Nairobi). So when I went there for work last year, I added three days of birding to the trip. Most of the time was spent in and around Sultanpur, a highly recommended bird sanctuary about 50 km from Delhi. But even my hotel in a relatively central area of Delhi – and the crowded park next to it – yielded some nice birds.

Such as (in alphabetical order, so I do not have to come up with a more convincing ordering principle) …

Ashy Prinia. Not the most exciting bird in the world, I guess, but still worth showing in a democracy.

Asian Pied Starling

Bank Myna. Indeed, looking a bit like bankers, same stern expression. One day I will be famous for my bad jokes.

Bay-backed Shrike. Any shrike is always welcome.

Black Drongo. Also a regular in Shanghai.

Black Francolin. Very shy, unfortunately.

Black Ibis. Yes, I can understand how the bird got its name.

Black Kite. These photos were actually taken right from my hotel room. No surcharge for the room despite being perfect for birders.

Black-necked Stork

Black-rumped Flameback. House-hunting, apparently.

Black-winged Kite. Looks like it should have played an extra in “Game of Thrones”.

Brahminy Kite

Brahminy Starling. Not a great shot, admittedly, but a great-looking bird.

Brown-headed Barbet. Some day, I will have to write a post just about barbets.

Brown Rock Chat. Power to the ordinary people and birds.

Cattle Egret. Doing what cattle egrets do: communicating with cattle, even though these tend to be somewhat dull conversation partners.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse. In beautiful morning light.

Common Hawk Cuckoo

Common Myna

Coppersmith Barbet

Crested Lark. Not every bird in India is colorful.

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Thick-knee. Masters of camouflage.

Glossy Ibis.

Great Grey Babbler. This species constantly looks like it is very concerned about something, though I have no clue what that is.

Greater Flamingo. One of my frustratingly few successful in-flight shots.

Greater Painted-Snipe. Very close to a village – these birds are much more shy in China …

Green Bee-eater. Not an Inca orgy but a bee-eater baccanale? Though with just two birds and no alcohol in sight, this may not be the right term.

Green Sandpiper. Another bird for the common people.

Grey Francolin. Looks like the background has been photoshop, but I swear it has not …

Of course, the alphabet does not stop here, but this post does … to be continued. Can`t show you all my photos at once …

More photos of Indian birds here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Kai Pflug
Kai has lived in Shanghai for 21 years. He only started birding after moving to China, so he is far more familiar with Chinese birds than the ones back in his native Germany. As a birder, he considers himself strictly average and tries to make up for it with photography, which he shares on a separate website. Alas, most of the photos are pretty average as well.He hopes that few clients of his consulting firm—focused on China’s chemical industry—ever find this blog, as it might raise questions about his professional priorities. Much of his time is spent either editing posts for 10,000 Birds or cleaning the litter boxes of his numerous indoor cats. He occasionally considers writing a piece comparing the two activities.