we put out several bowls of water in different places around our house in maharashtra for the birds. sources of water are scarce in the dry season so many species of birds come to bathe and drink.
brahminy starlings (Sturnia pagodarum) are among the most frequent patrons. these are photos of an adorable family.
the most popular bowls are in front of the house under a small bel tree and very close to a mango and a cashew tree. birds come all day long, often different species at the same time. we can photograph the activity from inside, looking out the front door
here the baby has grown some but is still immature. if you look close you can see the drops of water from the splashing
and here a jungle myna (Acridotheres fuscus) has dropped in for a quickie
as often as not there is some activity in the water somewhere. but when crows come they chase away the other species. then they proceed to dirty the water by putting rotting fish innards and the likes in the bowls. i am not sure why they do it but when they do the other birds avoid those bowls until we clean them.
one species that often visits but never drinks or bathes is the
malabar grey hornbill (Ocyceros griseus). they stay up in the trees where they assume a wide variety of poses. some, like this one featuring the eye and bill are very comical. these malabar grey hornbills lack the characteristic casque typical of other hornbills but we don't discriminate for that. we love them just the way they are
either my wife or i have taken all these photos. i have made personal greeting cards with the first three and sent them as private messages on whatsapp so this is not the first time they have been shared. it is conceivable that the images have been later shared more publicly by the recipients but if so it is without my knowledge or consent.