Researcher’s Corner
This is a space where young ornithologists share their own journeys into the world of bird study. Through their stories, you will learn what first sparked their interest in birds, the hurdles they have overcome, and the lessons they have gathered along the way.
Whether you’re curious about starting a career in ornithology or simply inspired by these experiences, this corner offers both insight and encouragement.
You can join the conversation by leaving a comment or reaching out to the researchers directly.
Gaurav Singh
The first bird that stopped me in my tracks did so by accident – and so did everything that followed. Physicist by training, birder by accident, ornithologist by choice – crossing boundaries can be the best science of all.
Archita Sharma
My journey into wildlife science started with small wild cats in Central India, sloth bears in Rajasthan, and toads in Delhi, but my research passion truly took flight with birds in the Western Ghats.
Garima Gupta
Where birds, biodiversity, and people intersect—that’s where I work. Bridging ecology and community voices to build conservation that is resilient, inclusive, and grounded in both science and lived experience.
Bishal Thakuri
From watching Baya Weaver’s nest near my home to researching avian diversity in Himalayan agroforestry, my journey with birds reflects a lifelong connection between curiosity, ecology, and conservation.
Arjun Kannan
I was riding pillion on a bike with Prashanth in 2018 at Rollapadu Sanctuary when he suddenly pointed out to a Harrier flying past. Little did I know then that I will be following these magnificent raptors across India for years to come!
Niharika
From a field trip to Corbett Tiger Reserve to bird surveys across central India, my journey into ornithology began with curiosity and grew into research.
Alex Jacob
What looked like flying red flowers on a Bombax ceiba tree turned out to be Scarlet Minivets, a surreal field moment that left me with goosebumps. That moment remains deeply etched in my memory and is one of the most beautiful field experiences I have had.
Vallari Sheel
Delhi hosts rich, often overlooked biodiversity. Growing up in the city amid its trees & birds—witnessing both nature’s destruction and myriad plant-animal interactions—shaped my path as an urban ecologist advocating for native trees and city nature.
Abhijith A V
Wayanad has always granted me countless memories, many of them from the time spent watching birds. But the memory lane of my tryst with the Legge’s Hawk Eagle stands out the most: not because of the bird...
Golusu Babu Rao
“I scanned the area with my binoculars and noticed a group of shorebirds moving around the mudflat, pecking and probing the invertebrates in the mud. Their agile movements and foraging patterns were mesmerizing. Suddenly, a large shadow swept over the mudflats, and shorebirds began simultaneously darting in the air.”
Astha Chaudhary
“I looked around and finally spotted the source: a large Prosopis shrub that almost looked like a tree, standing next to a Salvadora persica. To my surprise, there was a small flock of birds with muddy-colored feathers and distinctive beaks, feeding on the Salvadora. I wasn’t sure of the species, but I had a hunch they might be the…”
Dhanusha Kawalkar
It was a bright day, and I was ready for the day-long data collection. I eagerly scanned for the swiftlets, but they were nowhere to be seen. By noon, I had spotted Little Swifts, Asian Palm Swifts, Swallows, and every other bird except the Indian Swiftlet!