View attachment A431016A-E24E-4BE9-B0BF-24EA0FB10CFA.jpegThe Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), unlike its Grey Cousin, is more heard than seen. A striking bird from North and Western India, the male of the species is gorgeously coloured and most birders enjoy looking at/ photographing it call, perched on a mound, pillar or wall.
The female on the other hand is more brown/ beige, with very nicely detailed plumage and a silent customer. During the monsoons and just after the males are heard calling, their high pitch call rather distinctive.
I was in Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary last weekend with some friends. A small arid grassland at the edge of the Thar Desert in India, Tal Chappar is a great place to see a wide range of migratory and resident raptors, Larks and of course Blackbuck. One can drive inside the sanctuary, sticking to a network of fair weather roads.
It was in the afternoon. After a brief post lunch siesta we drove back into the Sanctuary. We heard the male call. We stopped. On our left was a smallish patch mostly devoid of grass, salt encrusted and with some halophytes.
Out came the female. She is, by all means, a fine looking girl. She goes about her business, pecking at small seeds, paying no heed to the male’s strident calls.
Then struts out the male, feathers all fluffed up. Approaches the female and mounts her. He spreads his wings in some sort of embrace. The female is completely hidden as she submits. Suddenly it is over.
He sure wasn’t pleased. He prances, dances and screams in what was a most beautiful display. His russet barred wingtips point down like swords, the white spots on his body distinct, he raises the rufous ring around his neck. Time stood still for us as he repeatedly wooed his companion while she kept avoiding him. He attempted to mate a couple of times. Probably he was successful.
She soon was fed up by all that extra attention. She scampered towards the grass. He followed, calling to her. Twice did he start to get her to be compliant. Twice she refused his advances.
Then they both look back at us, a look of disdain on their faces, cursing us for intruding into what was an intensely private moment.
They both went into the grass.
Sharing some photographs I managed to take.
Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
2 October 2021
Arijit
The female on the other hand is more brown/ beige, with very nicely detailed plumage and a silent customer. During the monsoons and just after the males are heard calling, their high pitch call rather distinctive.
I was in Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary last weekend with some friends. A small arid grassland at the edge of the Thar Desert in India, Tal Chappar is a great place to see a wide range of migratory and resident raptors, Larks and of course Blackbuck. One can drive inside the sanctuary, sticking to a network of fair weather roads.
It was in the afternoon. After a brief post lunch siesta we drove back into the Sanctuary. We heard the male call. We stopped. On our left was a smallish patch mostly devoid of grass, salt encrusted and with some halophytes.
Out came the female. She is, by all means, a fine looking girl. She goes about her business, pecking at small seeds, paying no heed to the male’s strident calls.
Then struts out the male, feathers all fluffed up. Approaches the female and mounts her. He spreads his wings in some sort of embrace. The female is completely hidden as she submits. Suddenly it is over.
He sure wasn’t pleased. He prances, dances and screams in what was a most beautiful display. His russet barred wingtips point down like swords, the white spots on his body distinct, he raises the rufous ring around his neck. Time stood still for us as he repeatedly wooed his companion while she kept avoiding him. He attempted to mate a couple of times. Probably he was successful.
She soon was fed up by all that extra attention. She scampered towards the grass. He followed, calling to her. Twice did he start to get her to be compliant. Twice she refused his advances.
Then they both look back at us, a look of disdain on their faces, cursing us for intruding into what was an intensely private moment.
They both went into the grass.
Sharing some photographs I managed to take.
Tal Chappar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan
2 October 2021
Arijit
