Chilika Lake, Odisha

India's largest lagoon is home to a rich variety of birds, especially winter migrants, while also harboring a sizeable population of Irrawaddy Dolphins.

Northern Pintail (female)

Pintail,

Whiskered Tern (Breeding)

Tern,

Whiskered Tern (Non-breeding)

Tern,

Intermediate or Median or Yellow-billed Egret

As our boat waded near her this Median Egret tensed into an alert pose, ready to make a getaway if we got too close.

Egret,As our boat waded near her this Median Egret tensed into an alert pose, ready to make a getaway if we got too close.

Black-tailed Godwit (non-breeding)

Godwit,

Ruddy-breasted Crake (adult)

Ruddy-breasted Crake in the Mangalajodi wetlands in Chilika Lake, Odisha.

Crake,Ruddy-breasted Crake in the Mangalajodi wetlands in Chilika Lake, Odisha.

Cattle Egret

Egret,

Little Grebe

Grebe,

Brahminy Kite (Adult)

Kite,

Citrine Wagtail

Wagtail,

Northern Pintail (male)

Pintail,

Ruff (female)

Female Ruff preening. Shot at Mangalajodi wetlands in Chilika Lake.

Ruff,Female Ruff preening. Shot at Mangalajodi wetlands in Chilika Lake.

Glossy Ibis (breeding)

Ibis,

Garganey (Female)

Garganey,

Wood Sandpiper

Sandpiper,

Eurasian Wigeon

Wigeon,

Common Snipe

Snipe,

Black-winged Stilt

Shot in Mangalajodi wet lands.

Stilt,Shot in Mangalajodi wet lands.

Brown-headed Gull (Breeding)

Gull,

Bronze-winged Jacana

Jacana,

Cinnamon Bittern (juvenile)

The identification is a little doubtful. This reclusive bittern was well-camouflaged among the reeds, and I was only able to see some cinnamon spotting.

Bittern,The identification is a little doubtful. This reclusive bittern was well-camouflaged among the reeds, and I was only able to see some cinnamon spotting.

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Jacana,

Black-winged Stilt (immature)

Stilt,

Ruff (breeding-male)

Ruff,

Black-winged Stilt

Stilt,