He was a whistling schoolboy once, Who heard god Krishna’s flute, And tried to play the same sweet tune, But touched a faulty note. Said Krishna to the errant youth- A bird you must become, And you shall whistle all your days Until your song is done....Ruskin Bond The Malabar whistling thrush is a bird with THE most beautiful song. It is also known locally by the name of Whistling Schoolboy for the whistling calls they make at dawn & dusk that have a very human quality. The species is a resident in the Western Ghats and associated hills of peninsular India including central India and parts of the Eastern Ghats. This large thrush appears blackish with shiny patches of blue on the forehead and shoulders. The blue becomes visible only in oblique lighting. The bill and legs are black. Malabar whisting thrushes are usually found in dark undergrowth and dense riverine forests. They bathe frequently in water usually in the mornings and evenings, and midday when the weather gets hot and warm. The birds breed from March to December, which begins with the onset of Monsoon. Courtship involves chasing flights and calling. They usually nest in a cavity on a stream side but will sometimes make use of nearby buildings. The nest is a cup made of moss, bamboo roots and grass, with a broad base and tapering towards the top. The base of the nest appears to be cemented to the rock with mud. The nests are mostly fully concealed and nesting success is directly related to it. The birds show high site fidelity; occupying and nesting near their previous season nests. The clutch consists of 2 to 4 eggs.The eggs are pale salmon pink with speckling. The eggs are incubated for about 16 or 17 days by both the male and female. Coorg, Karnataka 25 Jan 2015
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 07:57:44 +0000
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