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Avian Courtship and Family Life in the Wild

bySumit Kumar SumAvailable online; Shoots across IndiaStarts from6,500 per framed printView full gallery

Watching a bird pair build a nest or perform a courtship dance is nature at its most raw. Here are some of those fleeting, intimate moments I have been lucky to witness in the wild.

"Chalo saath bhatakte hain..." A Grey Francolin pair exploring their territory together. Though elusive, they can be quite photogenic when they feel safe.

A beautiful pair of Black Francolins engaged in a courtship ritual during the monsoon season. The male displays his striking plumage for the female.

The Black Francolin courtship continues, with the male bowing low to the female.

The pair moves through the lush green grass, their bond evident in their proximity.

Another moment from the Black Francolin courtship sequence, a private dance in the wild.

The Black Francolin pair, a final look before they disappear back into the undergrowth.

A closer look at the Pied Kingfisher courtship. You can distinguish the male by the double band on his chest, while the female has a single, broken band.

A pair of Bar-headed Geese flying in perfect sync, a beautiful example of the strong pair bonds these birds form.

A Black-necked Stork couple standing together. These birds are known to be monogamous and stay together for life.

A pair of Spot-billed Ducks, another example of a couple that stays together, living longer and raising their young more successfully.

About Courtship & Family Life

I don't use hides or artificial setups for these shots. You might see a Black Francolin courtship display in my gallery, but getting that frame often meant sitting silently in damp grass for hours, letting the birds accept my presence. It is not just photography; it is about waiting for the wild to trust you enough to show its personal side.

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