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Capturing the Vibrant Behavior of Flycatchers and Kingfishers

byTushar TandelBased in Navi Mumbai; Travels to Gir, Jaisalmer, Western Ghats & Pune for shootsStarts from₹12,000 per videoView full gallery

From the ribbon-like tails of the Paradise Flycatcher to the lightning-fast dives of the Kingfisher, these birds are poetry in motion. I wait for the exact moment their behavior tells a story.

The dance of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher is a sight to behold. Its long, ribbon-like tail flows behind it, creating a moment of pure elegance that I was thrilled to capture on film.

Known as 'Swargiya Nartak' or the heavenly dancer, the Indian Paradise Flycatcher lives up to its name. This portrait captures its delicate beauty against a soft, green forest backdrop.

A male Indian Paradise Flycatcher, with its striking blue crest, perches gracefully. Filming this species requires patience, and the reward is capturing a true jewel of the forest.

My quest for the ethereal Indian Paradise Flycatcher took me deep into the wilderness of Tamhini. This video documents the journey to find and film one of nature's hidden gems.

A vision of grace and wonder. This shot of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher highlights its stunning form and the lush, green canopy of its home in the Western Ghats.

Every kingfisher is beautiful, but the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is the true gangster. This video captures the moment this tiny, vibrant bird arrives and steals the show with its stunning colors.

This Pied Kingfisher can hover better than a drone. I filmed this incredible display of natural engineering completely handheld, showcasing the bird's ability to stay locked on its target.

A Common Kingfisher, with its vibrant plumage, proudly shows off its small catch. This is a classic wildlife moment, capturing the triumph of the hunt in a flash of color.

A quiet moment with the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher. This video captures the deep, rich blue of its feathers as it perches, showcasing the subtle beauty found in the forest.

About Avian Marvels: Flycatchers & Kingfishers

Filming small, skittish birds like the Paradise Flycatcher or the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is not about chasing them; it is about patience and fieldcraft. When you want that perfect hover shot or a mating display, you need to know their perching habits before you even raise the camera. I prefer shooting handheld with my Nikon Z8, which lets me track their erratic flight paths instantly without needing a bulky tripod, giving you raw, high-frame-rate footage that feels alive.

Experienced tracker in Western Ghats wetlands — Approved by the tribe
T

Tushar Tandel

Based in Navi Mumbai; Travels to Gir, Jaisalmer, Western Ghats & Pune for shootsStarts from ₹12,000 per video

Hi, I am Tushar. I hold down a regular day job, but the wild is where I actually recharge. I do not just shoot wildlife; I live for the silence of the forest and the thrill of tracking a bird for hours just to get that one behavior shot.

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Capturing a Pied Kingfisher as it hovers and dives is a technical challenge I love. This action shot, taken in Wai, freezes the bird's wings in a beautiful pattern against a soft green background, showcasing its incredible aerial hunting skills.
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A Grey-lored Broadbill gathers nesting material in Manas National Park, Assam. Both the male and female work together to build their intricate, pendulous nests high in the trees, a testament to their cooperation.
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A Crested Kingfisher with a freshly caught fish held firmly in its beak. The incredible detail shows the scales of the fish and the water droplets on the kingfisher's speckled feathers, a successful moment frozen in time.10
A Common Tailorbird stands proudly on a green railing with its catch. This candid shot captures the bird with a large insect in its beak, showcasing its role as a predator in the local ecosystem.
An Indian Cormorant captured mid-flight against a soft green background. Its wings are fully spread, revealing the texture and iridescence of its dark feathers as it carries a twig, likely for nest-building.
A Striated Babbler is captured with its wings spread wide in a moment of beautiful motion. The soft, warm light illuminates the intricate patterns on its wings and body as it navigates through reeds.

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A Great White Pelican comes in for a landing, its massive ten-foot wingspan spread wide and feet acting as landing gear. These birds are remarkably buoyant and graceful fliers for their size.16
An Indian Spot-billed Duck in a perfect moment of flight, showcasing the iridescent green speculum on its wings. The rhythmic downstroke and upstroke of the wings is the secret to the marvel of flight.
The interplay of wing feathers with air is captured as a Spot-billed Duck glides over the water. Each movement is a seamless preparation for the next, a tandav of weightless feathers and invisible air.
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A fascinating moment between two Blue-tailed Bee-eaters. This beak-to-beak interaction is a form of courtship feeding, a behaviour that strengthens their bond.
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