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Goa, strictly for the birds

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  • <p><b>Woolly Necked Stork</b> <br><br>Though relatively common, the handsome Woolly-necked Stork (<em>Ciconia episcopus</em>) is not an easy bird to see up close, because it takes flight when approached. This is one of the closest sightings I have ever had of this bird. I also spotted it during the boat ride on the Zuari River. <br><br> <em>Are you a trigger-happy photographer? <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/yourpics/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Send us your finest bird photos;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Send us your finest bird photos</a> and we'll publish the best here.</em></p>
    2/8

    Woolly Necked Stork

    Woolly Necked Stork

    Though relatively common, the handsome Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) is not an easy bird to see up close, because it takes flight when approached. This is one of the closest sightings I have ever had of this bird. I also spotted it during the boat ride on the Zuari River.

    Are you a trigger-happy photographer? Send us your finest bird photos and we'll publish the best here.

  • Black capped Kingfisher <br><br>Bird-watchers from all over the world visit Goa to see this spectacularly colorful bird. The canals and mangrove forests around some of the fishing hamlets in Goa are known to harbor many varieties of kingfisher. Of these, the Black-capped Kingfisher is the most sought-after. <br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
    3/8

    Black capped Kingfisher

    Black capped Kingfisher

    Bird-watchers from all over the world visit Goa to see this spectacularly colorful bird. The canals and mangrove forests around some of the fishing hamlets in Goa are known to harbor many varieties of kingfisher. Of these, the Black-capped Kingfisher is the most sought-after.

    Photo: Lakshmi Sharath

    Submit your finest bird photographs or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
  • Slaty Breasted Rail<br><br>I saw this bird hiding among the reeds on the banks of the river Zuari. This bird was a lifer for me. In birding terms, a lifer is a bird that has been spotted for the first time in the birdwatcher’s life.<br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best submissions will be featured here.
    4/8

    Slaty Breasted Rail

    Slaty Breasted Rail

    I saw this bird hiding among the reeds on the banks of the river Zuari. This bird was a lifer for me. In birding terms, a lifer is a bird that has been spotted for the first time in the birdwatcher’s life.

    Photo: Lakshmi Sharath

    Submit your finest bird photographs or share them with our Flickr pool. The best submissions will be featured here.
  • Grey Heron <br><br>Not cranes, not storks, these large grey birds are herons. Note the long, fish-spearing beak. It was early in the morning as we sailed down the Zuari and spotted this Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) on the river banks. <br><br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
    5/8

    Grey Heron

    Grey Heron

    Not cranes, not storks, these large grey birds are herons. Note the long, fish-spearing beak. It was early in the morning as we sailed down the Zuari and spotted this Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) on the river banks.


    Photo: Lakshmi Sharath

    Submit your finest bird photographs or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
  • Chestnut-tailed starling <br><br>Relatives of the mynas, the starlings are noisy, active birds that are often found in large flocks. I was walking around the Tambdi Surla temple when this Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) was looking down at me , perhaps wondering if I had anything in store for it. <br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
    6/8

    Chestnut-tailed starling

    Chestnut-tailed starling

    Relatives of the mynas, the starlings are noisy, active birds that are often found in large flocks. I was walking around the Tambdi Surla temple when this Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) was looking down at me , perhaps wondering if I had anything in store for it.

    Photo: Lakshmi Sharath

    Submit your finest bird photographs or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
  • Crimson-backed sunbird <br><br>Also known as the Small Sunbird, this tiny bird is found in the foothills of the Western Ghats. One of the easiest birds to spot, it is rather difficult to photograph as it never sits still.<br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br> <br> <a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
    7/8

    Crimson-backed sunbird

    Crimson-backed sunbird

    Also known as the Small Sunbird, this tiny bird is found in the foothills of the Western Ghats. One of the easiest birds to spot, it is rather difficult to photograph as it never sits still.

    Photo: Lakshmi Sharath

    Submit your finest bird photographs or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
  • Orange-headed Ground Thrush <br><br>Sporting such brilliant colors, this Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrine) was seen on the way to Dudhsagar Falls. It was patient enough to pose for us. These thrushes spend most of their time on the ground, searching for insects among fallen leaves. <br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br> <br> <a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
    8/8

    Orange-headed Ground Thrush

    Orange-headed Ground Thrush

    Sporting such brilliant colors, this Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrine) was seen on the way to Dudhsagar Falls. It was patient enough to pose for us. These thrushes spend most of their time on the ground, searching for insects among fallen leaves.

    Photo: Lakshmi Sharath

    Submit your finest bird photographs or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
<p><b>Woolly Necked Stork</b> <br><br>Though relatively common, the handsome Woolly-necked Stork (<em>Ciconia episcopus</em>) is not an easy bird to see up close, because it takes flight when approached. This is one of the closest sightings I have ever had of this bird. I also spotted it during the boat ride on the Zuari River. <br><br> <em>Are you a trigger-happy photographer? <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/yourpics/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Send us your finest bird photos;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Send us your finest bird photos</a> and we'll publish the best here.</em></p>
Black capped Kingfisher <br><br>Bird-watchers from all over the world visit Goa to see this spectacularly colorful bird. The canals and mangrove forests around some of the fishing hamlets in Goa are known to harbor many varieties of kingfisher. Of these, the Black-capped Kingfisher is the most sought-after. <br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
Slaty Breasted Rail<br><br>I saw this bird hiding among the reeds on the banks of the river Zuari. This bird was a lifer for me. In birding terms, a lifer is a bird that has been spotted for the first time in the birdwatcher’s life.<br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best submissions will be featured here.
Grey Heron <br><br>Not cranes, not storks, these large grey birds are herons. Note the long, fish-spearing beak. It was early in the morning as we sailed down the Zuari and spotted this Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) on the river banks. <br><br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
Chestnut-tailed starling <br><br>Relatives of the mynas, the starlings are noisy, active birds that are often found in large flocks. I was walking around the Tambdi Surla temple when this Chestnut-tailed Starling (Sturnia malabarica) was looking down at me , perhaps wondering if I had anything in store for it. <br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br><br><a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
Crimson-backed sunbird <br><br>Also known as the Small Sunbird, this tiny bird is found in the foothills of the Western Ghats. One of the easiest birds to spot, it is rather difficult to photograph as it never sits still.<br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br> <br> <a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.
Orange-headed Ground Thrush <br><br>Sporting such brilliant colors, this Orange-headed Thrush (Zoothera citrine) was seen on the way to Dudhsagar Falls. It was patient enough to pose for us. These thrushes spend most of their time on the ground, searching for insects among fallen leaves. <br><br>Photo: <a href="http://backpakker.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Lakshmi Sharath;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Lakshmi Sharath</a><br> <br> <a href="http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/submissions.html" data-ylk="slk:Submit your finest bird photographs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Submit your finest bird photographs</a> or share them with our Flickr pool. The best photos will be published here.

To most people Goa is a land of beaches, great food and the good life. But towards the Western Ghats that border its eastern limits, Goa is a birder’s paradise. Dense forests, river beds, and mangrove forests along the many backwaters and streams are flocked by several winged species – some endemic, a few migratory but most are residents. LAKSHMI SHARATH spent a week in Goa roaming around the forests and gazing at the rivers. At all times, she was greeted by several bright and beautiful birds