Many of us have heard the famous idea that ‘art imitates life, and life imitates art’. And this is true in many ways. But this is not just true of art – for we see this in science and technology as well! As society becomes more advanced, we often look to nature, with its patternsContinue reading “Art Imitates Life – As Does Technology?”
Author Archives: kabirsamsi
My Process of Identifying A Bird
In recent posts, I have talked a lot about looking at distinctions between different birds, or interesting characteristics exhibited across species. However, there is a key question here that needs to be answered before we get there – how does one go about identifying birds? Seeing birds while birding is almost never as straightforward asContinue reading “My Process of Identifying A Bird”
What Makes Bird Nests Different?
In an earlier article, we had looked at the process of birds building their nests – with the specific example of two Northern Mockingbirds over the 2021 Winter-Spring. But as I have found time and again, nothing is ever the same for all birds – and the same applies to nests! Every group of birdContinue reading “What Makes Bird Nests Different?”
To Raise A Mockingbird – Chronicles of a Mockingbird’s Nest Building
The process of a bird’s development into adulthood is a fascinating story. But one story which often gets overlooked is just how parents build the nests that hold their eggs. You have probably seen nests of many different birds, with or without eggs in them. But have you ever had the chance to observe parentContinue reading “To Raise A Mockingbird – Chronicles of a Mockingbird’s Nest Building”
Could An Advance-Warning System Predict the Next Zoonotic Pandemic?
When I was 6 or 7, my initial interest in birds lay in sorting them by their characteristics – size, color, behaviors. Later on, the thrill was in discovering new exotic species in my birding books – imagining that giant condors and eagles that inhabited the tops of the eucalyptus trees in our neighborhood. More recently,Continue reading “Could An Advance-Warning System Predict the Next Zoonotic Pandemic?”
Woodpeckers, Hoopoes, Flickers – Are They Linked?
Birding often evokes a sense of déjà vu – we see birds across different geographies and zoological families, but they so remind us of each other! One of these cases was when I was on safari in India, and I spotted a small bird in a thicket of grass. I recognized it as a Hoopoe,Continue reading “Woodpeckers, Hoopoes, Flickers – Are They Linked?”
A New Angle on the Red-Breasted Nuthatch
Some birds, like Treecreepers and Nuthatches, get most of their food, build their nests, and so on, while climbing up and down trees. Most of the time, they can be found inching up and down trees to find insects, seeds and water in cavities. When we look at these birds, we see them at sideContinue reading “A New Angle on the Red-Breasted Nuthatch”
Doves Around The World – Our Different Impressions
Pigeons and doves are universally recognized birds around the world. Whether you look at Turtle Doves and their representation in religion, or the Feral Pigeons found in almost all large urban regions, pigeons and doves have become cultural icons in our time. With around 300 different species found worldwide, pigeons and doves, both very similarContinue reading “Doves Around The World – Our Different Impressions”
The Curious Case of the Anna’s Hummingbird’s Gorget
While this may seem like any other hummingbird, it is actually a fascinating sight! This is an Anna’s Hummingbird, one of the largest hummingbirds in the United States, and the largest on the West Coast. I often spend time in my backyard, looking for birds, and waiting for them to get into the perfect photographingContinue reading “The Curious Case of the Anna’s Hummingbird’s Gorget”
White-Throated Kingfisher – The Cobalt Woodpecker?
What a beauty! India is known for its many beautiful kingfisher species, including this one, the White-Throated Kingfisher. I spotted a few different kingfisher species along this trip. This one in particular was quite hard to get to stay still! It was perpetually moving around, perhaps searching for prey. We had spent the whole dayContinue reading “White-Throated Kingfisher – The Cobalt Woodpecker?”