Tribe Verified· Documenting Indian wildlife for over 20 years.

Birds of the Indian Subcontinent: Behaviour & Portraits

byVinod GoelShips across IndiaStarts from₹4,500 per print (Size A3 to A2)View full gallery

India is home to over 1,300 bird species. Through my lens, I aim to show not just their beauty, but their daily struggles, family bonds, and the unique stories they share with us.

This is the Bengal Florican, a critically endangered bird native to the Indian subcontinent. I was fortunate to spot this rare bird walking along a path in Manas Tiger Reserve. It is a reminder of the unique species that can only be found in special places like North East India.

The Silver-breasted Broadbill is another beautiful and rare bird that you can find in Manas Tiger Reserve. Its bright colours stand out against the green foliage. Exploring these remote forests allows us to see such incredible species up close.

Here, an Indian Grey Hornbill carries a garden lizard in its beak. During the breeding season, the male is a devoted husband, feeding his female partner while she is sealed inside a tree cavity with her eggs. I captured this moment in Delhi as crows were trying to steal his food.

The male Indian Grey Hornbill is perhaps the most devoted husband in the avian world. For about 70 days, he is the sole provider of food for the female and chicks inside the nest cavity. This photo shows him in flight, bringing a meal to his family.

This Crested Serpent Eagle has caught a pair of toads that were mating. What makes this image special is that even with prey in its talons, the eagle was trying to snatch another meal from a crow on the opposite bank. It shows the endless struggle for survival in the wild.

Yellow-wattled Lapwings are ground birds whose habitats are disappearing due to development. They are known for their unique courtship behaviour. I photographed this pair in the dry wilderness of Chhattisgarh, a habitat that is vital for their survival.

Our country has 12 species of parakeets. The most common is the Rose-ringed Parakeet, which can mimic human speech. This image from Delhi shows their social nature and the strong emotional bonds they form, much like humans.

Many people have heard that Koel chicks are raised by crows, but few have seen it. Every year in Delhi, I witness this behaviour. Here, a young Asian Koel chick is being fed by its foster crow parents, a true wonder of nature.

Who would think that such a wildlife spectacle exists in the heart of Mumbai? This video shows the thousands of pink flamingos that visit Bhandup Creek. A boat ride here is not just a journey, it is an escape into a hidden paradise.

About Birds of the Indian Subcontinent

When I photograph a bird, I look for a story that goes beyond a pretty picture. Take the Indian Grey Hornbill, for instance. Many do not know the male acts as a devoted provider, sealing his partner in a tree cavity for nearly 70 days and feeding her solely through a slit. I spent months waiting in Delhi to document this specific survival behaviour, showing the truth behind these birds often seen in our city parks.

Documenting Indian wildlife for over 20 years. — Approved by the tribe

Vinod Goel

Ships across IndiaStarts from ₹4,500 per print (Size A3 to A2)

I am a retired civil servant who traded the office for the jungle. My photography is about documentation—busting myths and showing the real lives of our avian neighbours, from the rare Bengal Florican to the common crows in our backyards.

Documenting Indian wildlife for over 20 years. — Approved by the tribe