Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 560, Nikon Z 6 Slight crop, morning; there are similarities between this and our Eurasian/African cuckoo, including the mimicry of hawks and distinct songs. Both are remarkable birds, our cuckoo is even more elusive, secretive and very hard to spot. We were helped by the fact that young birds (fending fully for themselves) were roaming the area, and so we had the luck to see two different individuals in separate locations. Rajasthan
Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 450, Nikon Z 6 Crop (APS-H), early morning light 5 min. later;. The 3rd winter plumage.; vultures are long-lived birds. Rajasthan
Nikkor 200-500 VR/TC 14 III @700mm, f8, ISO 220, Nikon Z 6 Sunrise lit; red-vented bulbul perched on the left. The rare visitor to the UK drew a great interest of bird watchers when it appeared on the Isles of Scilly this June. This is the Indian subspecies that has a pale beak, compared to the black beak of the nominate ssp. Their numbers plummeted in the last few decades in India. That is very likely a result of excessive use of chemicals. It harms all of us in one way or the other; the vultures, raptors and owls are among the first indicators in the bird world as we know from Europe all too well. Rajasthan
