How would you describe it? A bird without feathers? A mother that nurses her young—yet flies? A creature often confused with its blood-feeding cousin, yet far more helpful than harmful? Welcome to the misunderstood world of the Indian flying fox (Pteropus giganteus), a species of megabat in the Pteropodidae family. By night, these flying mammals […]
The arrival of the South West Monsoon in Kerala is more than a change in weather—it’s a symphony of transformation that touches every corner of the land, water, and sky. Heralding this shift is a surprising visitor: the Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), a dragonfly that travels from as far as South Africa, crossing oceans and […]
It’s easy to accept that the Gaur—its glossy black hump rising above the undergrowth—is the largest bovine in India. And when the majestic Dalmatian Pelican spreads its broad white wings, few would argue that it’s the largest flying bird in the country. But when it comes to India’s largest butterfly, our minds instinctively wander to […]
A feisty little carnivore, quick-witted and daring—the Indian Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii) is one of nature’s most remarkable survivors. It’s the most adaptable among India’s six mongoose species and has carved out a place for itself in some of the most unlikely environments—right alongside humans. Thanks to Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book tale of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the […]
Its song bursts forth with the energy and joy of a schoolboy, which is precisely why the British, during their colonial reign in India, fondly nicknamed it the “Whistling Schoolboy.” Found near streams, rivulets, and shaded forest glades, the Malabar Whistling Thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii) fills the cool morning air with an almost human-like whistle, repeating […]
With its rhythmic, authoritative walk and piercing scarlet eyes, the Greater Coucal—or Crow Pheasant as it’s often called—cuts a figure as villainous as it is captivating. Moving stealthily through thick undergrowth, this striking bird causes an entire chorus of small birds to fall silent and watch cautiously. For those who enjoy quiet birding moments, this […]
In ancient South India, a single seed of a vivid red-and-black plant could determine the weight of gold, heal diseases, or—if misused—bring death. That seed belonged to the Wild Liquorice (Abrus precatorius), a slender climber of the deciduous forests up to 1000 meters above sea level. Its small, shiny seeds—bright red with a distinct black […]