Bird Behavioral Observations- Mobbing

Jungle and House Crows mobbing a Barn Owl

This was one of my earliest bird behavioral observations related to mobbing, this was back in October 2012.

You can count about 20 Jungle and House Crows mobbing a Barn Owl in this picture, believe me there were many more.

Mobbing is most usually performed as a protective and defensive measure by birds of similar species to protect their young from a predatory bird, in this case, the Barn Owl.

While mobbing a predator, birds cooperatively attack and harass the predator and force it to leave the area, the area most usually being a nesting colony, thus the reason for the attack on the predator.

Barn Owls are nocturnal, you don’t usually get to see them in broad daylight. I don’t know what the individual in the picture was up to, but it surely got taught a lesson by the Crows, poor fellow.

Barn Owls are one of my favorite Owl species and unfortunately I only have this one  picture as a memory of my first on-field observation of a Barn Owl, but I am glad I was there that day when it happened! 🙂

Monsoon Delights- Lingmala Falls

 

Lingmala Waterfall

One place you don’t want to miss if you visit Mahabaleshwar, a hill station near Pune and Satara, during the Monsoon season is Lingmala Waterfall.

The place is an absolute delight and offers breathtaking views of the valleys below, the adjoining peaks and especially the waterfall.

Make a visit during the month of August when the monsoon is at its peak and you surely won’t be disappointing.

Birders can keep their eyes open for Short-toed Snake Eagles, Oriental Honey Buzzards, White-rumped Shamas, Malabar Whistling Thrushes and other commoners.

The rains give an absolute heavenly feel to the Sahyadris this time of the year, and if you don’t mind getting a little wet or just getting soaked in the heavy rains then Mahabaleshwar is the place for you! 🙂

Here is another image of Lingmala Waterfall. Enjoy your visit! 🙂

Lingmala Falls, Mahabaleshwar.