INDIAN SILVERBILL

A lovely Indian Bed called “Khatia”  had been placed under  an  Open Straw Hut  besides a Lake near a 300 year old Banyan Tree.( do check out http//www.travelwithmukul.wordpress.com for pictures in the days to follow) .

Seizing the great opportunity  I stretched out on the “Khatia” and placed the  Camera on my Chest as an Indian Eagle Owl had been spotted on a Tree across the Lake.

 

Open Straw Hut chosen by The Munia and me

As I lay down for a little Siesta  I heard a lot of Chirping and assumed House Sparrows were visiting the Straw Hut. The importance of using Organic Materials immediately crossed my mind and I blessed the thoughtful architects of the Straw Huts at Lakshman Sagar.

Within second seconds of my lying down I was pleasantly surprised to see a White Rumped Silverbill or White-throated Munia ( English) , Lonchura malabarica ( Scientific name) directly above my Abdomen in the midst of the Straw Hut.

The tiny bird or Munia ( means small in coll. Hindi) had chosen this very Hut to make a nest, Lucky me.( and in the process all those who read these blogs as well, Lucky us)

 

Gazing at the nest under the Beams of Straw

I recognized the Tiny White Rumped SilverBill on account of the distinctive beak which had been pointed out ( see the featured image and picture below) to me by my dear Friend and Birding Guru Hema Maira only two weeks before near Delhi on one of our Birding Trips.

The distinctive beak is unique to the Indian Silverbill as they are primarily Seedeaters.

 

Indian SilverBill

The male and female of the White-rumped Silverbill are hard to distinguish as their plumage is nearly identical.

At the risk of being clobbered  by experts I guess the Munia on the right in the picture below is Mrs Munia.

You can see how tiny these birds are as the Jute Rope looks Huge in the picture below.

 

Mr & Mrs Indian SilverBill

I cut my siesta short as I felt I was a hindrance to the Nest Making process of these sweet Munias.

I was delighted with the pictures and sauntered off to another location leaving the SilverBills and the Straw Hut.