Notes on behavioural observation of some water birds during the Annular Solar Eclipse

In this communication, we report the behaviour of various water birds observed during the annular solar eclipse which happened on 26th November 2019. We observed the behaviour of eight species of birds’ viz. Greater Flamingoes Phoenicopterus roseus, the Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis, Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta, Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus, Eurasian spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Northern shoveler Spatula clypeata, Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis and Dalmatian pelican Pelecanus crispus throughout the eclipse period i.e. from 8:05 AM to 10:51 AM. Various behavioural chan`ges were observed in all the targeted species except the Indian cormorant. It rested on a pole for the whole eclipse period. Detailed observations are given in the note. Reduction in light levels due to solar eclipse does affect the activity of birds.