MEGHALAYA TRIP – How to Plan and What to do? A Complete Guide

 There is no doubt that Meghalaya is one of our favorite places. Situated in the hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas, Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of India. In Sanskrit, Meghalaya translates into ‘abode of clouds’ and it is rightfully called so. Claimed to be one of the wettest places on the earth, Meghalaya sees the hide and seek played between the sun and rains.

Surrounded by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills, Meghalaya offers simple and unspoiled beauty to its visitors. The state boasts of incredible natural beauty, cascading waterfalls, sparkling clean rivers, natural caves and a colourful cultural heritage. From the gorgeous waterfalls of Cherrapunjee to the clear waters of Umngot, Meghalaya is literally a place halfway between heaven and earth.

Contents

Where is Meghalaya?

Meghalaya Trip – Is it safe to visit Meghalaya?

How to Reach Meghalaya?

Local Transport in Meghalaya

Moving around Shillong

Moving around towns in Meghalaya

Bike Renting at Shillong

What is the Best time to visit Meghalaya?

Places to visit in your Meghalaya Trip

1) Shillong

2) Cherrapunji

3) Nongriat Trek

4) Mawlynnong

5) Mawphlang

6) Dawki

Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya Trip

1) Mawlyngot

2) Mawlyngbna

3) Kongthong

4) Umden

5) Nongkhnum Island

6) Tura, Garo Hills

Where to stay during the Meghalaya trip?

How much does it cost on a Meghalaya Trip?

Meghalaya Travel Guide (FAQs Answered)

More pictures to convince you for a Meghalaya Trip

Where is Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is located in the northeastern part of India. Meghalaya was carved out of the state of Assam and shares its borders with Assam and Bangladesh in the west and south.

Meghalaya Trip – Is it safe to visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is perhaps one of the safest states that we have visited. The people are friendly and will always be ready to help you.

Meghalaya is also one of the safest places for women to travel. Being a matrilineal society, crimes against women are not much seen here. Meghalaya is one of the states where I feel quite at home during solo travel as well.

How to Reach Meghalaya?

Just like the other northeast states, Guwahati forms the entry point of Meghalaya as well. Shillong is the most important and the capital city of Meghalaya. Your Meghalaya trip will probably start from Shillong itself.

Shillong has a domestic airport that is connected by flights from Kolkata, Guwahati and New Delhi. However, the best way to enter Meghalaya would be to arrive at Guwahati and then move on to Shillong.

The nearest railway head is Guwahati. You will get shared jeeps and cabs just outside the Guwahati Railway Station at Paltan Bazar. You will also get shared jeeps and cabs from Khanapara in Guwahati.  Buses are also available from the ASTC Bus Stand outside the railway station. Regular buses are also available from ISBT, Beltola in Guwahati.

Helicopter services are also available from Guwahati to Shillong. But we recommend you to take the road. Shillong is only 100 km from Guwahati and the roads are pretty good and scenic as it follows an uphill drive through lush greenery.

Tentative fare from Guwahati to Shillong

Guwahati Airport to Shillong (small car): INR 2200

Guwahati Airport to Shillong (big car): INR 3000

Guwahati Railway Station to Shillong (small car): INR 2000

Guwahati Railway Station to Shillong (big car): INR 2700

Shared Sumos from Guwahati Paltan Bazar to Shillong Anjali Stand: INR 200-250.

Shared Cabs (Swift) from Guwahati Paltan Bazar to Shillong Anjali Stand: INR 300-350.

Local Transport in Meghalaya

Your first stop in Meghalaya trip will perhaps be Shillong. From Shillong, you have to visit different places.

Moving around Shillong

Buses and Yellow Taxis are available for travelling to various destinations in the city. Tourist Taxis are available in Shillong for local sightseeing as well as for long-distance tours.

The Main Taxi Stand is at the Police Bazar Stand. From here you will get shared yellow taxis to different destinations in the city. City buses are also available for going around in Shillong.

The Meghalaya Tourism Office is located at Police Bazar itself. You can book city tours and various other sightseeing tours from there. They conduct tours to Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong, Dawki and other places as well. You can also hire cars for going around from the Tourism Office.

Moving around towns in Meghalaya

You can hire cars for travelling to various destinations in Meghalaya from the Police Bazar Taxi Stand.

If you want to travel by shared vehicles, the Sumos are available from Bara Bazar Sumo Stand near Ïewduh. Shared Sumos to other destinations like Dawki, Kongthong, Nongstoin are also available from there.

For offbeat places, the number of shared jeeps is quite less. So if you want to travel around Meghalaya by shared vehicles, keep some time in hand and get to know about the vehicle timings beforehand.

Bike Renting at Shillong

You can explore Meghalaya on a bike just like we did and enjoy the adventure on the road. The main roads are quite good in Meghalaya and riding is quite enjoyable. Shillong has a number of bike rentals from where you can get scooters and motorbikes for hire.

The rental agencies usually take a deposit amount depending on your ride and you also have to submit one of your Identity proof in original there. They will return the ID once you return the bike. They also provide one helmet with the bike. You can also ask for another helmet at a nominal extra cost.

The rate for scooty or scooter is INR 600-800 per day (without petrol)

For Bikes, it is INR 1000-1200 per day, and for Royal Enfield, the rental is usually INR 1500-1800 per day.

What is the Best time to visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya has a tropical climate. The best time to visit is the winter months from October to March. But if you want to see the waterfalls in their full glory, visit at the end of the rainy season or just after it, i.e between August to the beginning of October.

Meghalaya is one such place in India that is beautiful in all the seasons. While our favourite time to visit is during the monsoon, the other seasons are equally enchanting. When you want to go for a Meghalaya trip actually depends on what you want to do.

April to June (Summer)

The weather is agreeable during this time and the temperature remains cool. Summer is definitely a peak season for a Meghalaya trip. This is a good time to go outdoors and explore. This is also a good time to do caving. However, the waterfalls will have less water. The Seven Sister Waterfalls in Cherrapunjee can be hardly seen during this time. It looks like small strips of water cascading down the mountain cliff, during the summer.

July to September (Monsoon)

Monsoon arrives in Meghalaya in June itself. However, from July it is peak monsoon. Since Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on earth, it receives a lot of rainfall. Monsoon in Meghalaya is simply beautiful. Everything looks lush and green and the waterfalls get a life of their own. The clouds and fod renders a mystique and charm to the place.

Cherrapunjee and Mawsynram are particularly beautiful during this time. However, you will probably not get the clear water at Umngot River at Dawki during this time. Caving is also not recommended during this time.

In short, if you love to travel during the rain, we would definitely recommend you for a Meghalaya trip. However, be prepared for bouts of showers every now and then. Also, do carry your rain wear during this time.

October to November (Autumn)

This is one of the best seasons to visit Meghalaya. The rains have stopped, but the after effects of rain are still there with greenery everywhere and lively waterfalls. The weather is sunny and cool, perfect for outdoor activities and treks.

December to February (Winter)

The weather remains comfortably cold; however, the days are a bit warm. The mornings are usually foggy. Winters are also a good time to explore and do all the outdoor activities like trekking and caving. This is also a good time to visit Dawki. You will see the crystal clear waters of the river for which Dawki is so famous for.

Places to visit in your Meghalaya Trip

1) Shillong

Shillong, the capital of the state is a busy, trendy and energetic city with a vibrant population. There is a lot of British influence in the architecture of Shillong. With the beautiful hills around and the number of lakes, Shillong is referred to as the ‘Scotland of East’. Police Bazar is the busiest point in Shillong with a busy marketplace. Most of the major hotels in Shillong are found around Police Bazar. You can use cozycozy to find a cheap accommodation for your trip to Meghalaya. Shillong has some fine cafes that also offer music. Shillong is the place of music lovers.

Attractions in Shillong:  Plenty of places to visit here – Ward’s Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Shillong Golf Course, Smit, Laitlum Canyons, Bishop & Beadon falls and Umiam Lake.

2) Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji or Cherrapunjee, also known as Sohra is located around 60 km from Shillong. You can visit Cherrapunji from Shillong and come back in a day. There are tours conducted by the Meghalaya Tourism for Cherrapunji. But we recommend a night stay at the place. Shared cabs to Cherrapunjee are available from Bada Bazar in Shillong. The Yellow Sumos take you to different places in  Meghalaya.

Cherrapunjee was said to be the wettest place on earth before Mawsynram took over. Naturally, the place is amazing during the monsoons.

Attractions in Cherrapunji: The Nohkalikai Waterfalls is the fourth highest waterfall in the world and makes for a grand sight. The Seven Sister Falls, Wei Sawdong Falls and Dainthlein Falls are also worth visiting. The Mawsmai and Arwah caves are other places that you should visit. Amazing stalactites and stalagmite formations are found in these caves.

From Cherrapunji, you can visit Mawsynram, the wettest place on the earth and the Khasi monoliths.

3) Nongriat Trek

The fascinating experience of Cherrapunjee is the visit to the Double Decker Root Bridge in Nongriat village. The route from Tyrna is the easier one to reach Nongriat, but you have to descend as many as 3500 steps to reach the village. Once you are at Nongriat, the trouble will seem nothing compared to the views and hospitality you will receive there. It is advisable to stay for a night at Nongriat if you wish to do the Double Decker Living Root Bridge Trek.

4) Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong is declared to be the cleanest village in Asia. The place is around 80 km from Shillong and a trip to Mawlynnong and Dawki can be done in a day keeping your base at Shillong. Like Cherrapunjee, Meghalaya Tourism conducts tours to Mawlynnong as well. Mawlynnong has a number of homestays as well where you can stay for the night.

The village is extremely clean and well-maintained, having bamboo dustbins at places. With greenery all around and colourful flowers and orchids blooming, Mawlynnong simply looks amazing.

Attractions in Mawlynnong: There is another single decker Living root bridge in Riwai village. There is a balancing rock that you can visit. The Skywatch is a tall bamboo structure that allows you to climb atop and have gorgeous views of the Bangladesh plains from there.Mawlynnong Asia’s cleanest village

5) Mawphlang

Around 45 km from Shillong, the Mawphlang Sacred Groves is situated in the East Khasi Hills. Once you reach the place, you can see rolling green plains, dense forests amidst the backdrop of blue skies. You can get a shared sumo to Mawphlang as well. There are accommodation options at Mawphlang in case you want to stay there for the night. A sacred grove is a small forest area considered sacred by the Khasi tribe. The sacred grove usually has a number of medicinal plants and herbs and exotic plant species.

Attractions in Mawphlang: The sacred grove, Khasi Heritage Village.

Mawphlang is also the starting point of the David Scott Trail.

6) Dawki

All the beautiful pictures of reflections of country boats on crystal clear water that you have seen are probably taken at the Umngot River in Dawki. Situated on the border of Bangladesh, Dawki is the last town on the Indian side before the Bangladesh border. You can reach Dawki by a shared Sumo from Bada Bazar in Shillong.

You can stay at Dawki or move forward to Shnongpdeng, another beautiful hamlet on the banks of Umngot River. There are a number of homestays at Shnongpdeng and camping options are also available at both Dawki and Shnongpdeng.

Attractions at Dawki & Shnongpdeng: A number of water activities like country boat ride, scuba diving, cliff jumping and fishing.

Offbeat places to visit in Meghalaya Trip

There are a number of places that are unexplored and offbeat. Here we are writing about a few. More more detailed guide, read our article on Offbeat and Unexplored Places in Meghalaya.

1) Mawlyngot

Mawlyngot is a beautiful village amidst green tea gardens and a serene atmosphere. The tea gardens, tea factories are places of interest here. 

2) Mawlyngbna

Mawlyngbna is a place for adventure seekers. The Travellers Nest is the only place of accommodation here. Situated amidst the forests, the Travellers nest has only two cottages. Camping can also be arranged here. You can go trekking, visit the waterfalls and go kayaking in the lake.

3) Kongthong

Kongthong is a very interesting place in Meghalaya. Situated between two famous ridges, getting to Kongthong is an adventure in itself. The unique culture of Kongthong’s inhabitants is they do not call out to each other using their names, they instead sing out names that are given to every individual of the village at childhood. Kongthong is also known as the Whistling Village of Meghalaya.

4) Umden

Umden is situated in the Ri-Bhoi district and is known for its eri silk production. Here you can witness all the steps in sericulture starting from rearing of silkworms to spinning and reeling of silk to yarn production and dyeing and finally to weaving. The village itself is really beautiful nestled in a serene valley.

5) Nongkhnum Island

The road to Nongkhnum Island is long, but the view that you get here compensates all your trouble. It is the largest river island in Meghalaya and is situated near Nongstoin. The island with clear waters of the river is a serene place with hardly any soul. You can also go camping on the river island.

6) Tura, Garo Hills

Tura is the second most important city in Meghalaya after Shillong. Located in the Garo hills, Tura offers great eco-tourism options and the wildlife sanctuaries in this area have interesting wildlife. Siju Caves, one of the longest cave systems in India, also lies close to Tura.

Overnight Buses to Tura are available from Shillong Polo Ground. Sumos are also available in the morning. Tura is also accessible from Guwahati. Hotels and homestays are available in Tura.

Attractions in Tura: The entire Garo Hills are full of many interesting places. The Tura peak, Nokrek National Park, Rongbang Dar Waterfall are few of the places near Tura worth visiting. Other interesting places include the majestic Balpakram National Park and gorge, Pelga Falls, Siju Caves and Naphak Lake.

Where to stay during the Meghalaya trip?

You can stay at hotels or homestays in your Meghalaya trip.

Shillong and Cherrapunji have a number of hotels of various budgets. You will also find homestays and hostels in Shillong. Homestays are also available in Cherrapunji.

For places like Mawlynnong, Dawki, Kongthong and others, you have to rely on homestays.

How much does it cost on a Meghalaya Trip?

Meghalaya, in general, is quite cheap and it is easy to backpack across the state spending as less as INR 800-1000 per day. You can even spend less. Hostels are available in Shillong. Local transport and food at local eateries are cheap.

If your budget is higher, there are high end hotels for stay and you can travel in luxury by car.

Meghalaya Travel Guide (FAQs Answered)

What is Meghalaya famous for?

Meghalaya is famously known as the “Abode of clouds” and is mainly famous for being the home to the wettest place on earth. Meghalaya is also famous for its waterfalls, caves, living root bridges and colourful festivals. The state is also famous for its large variety of orchids.

How many days are enough for a Meghalaya trip?

5 days are ideal for a Meghalaya trip where you will visit the major attractions of the state. You can spend 2 days in Shillong, 1 day in Cherrapunji and another day in Mawlynnong (the cleanest village in Asia) and Dawki. You can compress your Meghalaya trip to 3 to 4 days by planning efficiently, but it will be a rush.

Is Meghalaya safe for tourists?

Meghalaya is one of the safest places to travel in India, especially for solo women travellers. Meghalaya follows a matrilineal society, which means that the family lineage is taken from the mother’s side. Women are empowered and crimes against women are not usually seen. The locals are helpful to tourists and so is the local police force.

What is the best time to visit Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is an all-weather destination. However, the best time to visit is during the summer (April to June) and during the Autumn (October to November) when the weather remains cool and sunny, perfect for outdoor activities.

How much will it cost for a Meghalaya trip?

Meghalaya is quite cheap to travel. You will find hostels in Shillong and homestays at cheaper rates. Food and local transport are also quite cheap. For a backpacking Meghalaya trip, you can spend as little as Rs800-1000 per day or even less.

What can I buy in Meghalaya?

Meghalaya is famous for bamboo handicraft items. Shillong has a number of shops where you will find handicraft items. You can also buy stoles and shawls. Various organic products like spices, honey and tea are grown in Meghalaya that you can buy.

What should I wear in Meghalaya?

For spring and summer, wear light cotton clothes preferably during the day. For monsoons, you must carry your raincoats and rain jackets and proper shoes. Winters are quite chilly, so carry your woolens and jackets.

Meghalaya is quite a fashionable state. Men and women are tuned into the latest fashion trends. So you can wear anything within the range of propriety.

HUMBOLDT PENGUIN

 The Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is a medium-sized penguin that lives in South America. Its nearest relatives are the African penguin, the Magellanic penguin and the Galápagos penguin. The Humboldt penguin and the cold water current it swims in both are named after the explorer Alexander von Humboldt.

Appearance

Humboldt penguins have a black head with a white border that runs from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin and joins at the throat. They have blackish-grey upperparts and whitish underparts, with a black breast-band that extends down the flanks to the thigh. They have a fleshy-pink base to the bill. The male is heavier and larger than the female and has a longer bill. Juveniles have dark heads and no breast-band. They have spines on their tongue which they use to hold their prey.

Distribution

Humboldt penguins are found only on the west coast of South America. They breed from southern Chile along the dry and arid coastal regions of the Atacama Desert to subtropical Isla Foca in north Peru. Their range is restricted to the coast and offshore islands affected by the Humboldt current, which provides a continuous supply of nutrients and food. In Chile, the most important breeding colony is at Isla Chañaral. Humboldt penguins are sedentary during the breeding season; they usually stay in proximity to their nests. They can cover large distances, particularly in response to food shortages or changes in environmental conditions. They are a true migrant between Peru and Chile. Humboldt penguins breed on cliff tops, caverns, hollows, cliff tops, beaches, and scrapes covered by vegetation.

Habits and Lifestyle

Humboldt penguins are highly social and communicative birds, gathering in large colonies, providing them protection from predators. They are excellent swimmers and see well both underwater and on land. Humboldt penguins are visual hunters. They leave their islands for foraging after sunrise and different populations have different preferred foraging distances from the colony. Their foraging rhythm depends on the light intensity. They spend more time foraging during overnight trips. Fish are mostly seized from below through short, shallow dives. Penguins, not rearing chicks, are able to be away from their colonies and can travel long distances, looking for new foraging areas. However, those, rearing chicks, generally tend to stay in the same area, foraging in shallow water. Humboldt penguins have different calls that they use to communicate in different ways. If an individual comes too close to an adult Humboldt penguin, the ‘Yell’ is a warning call which is followed by pecking or chasing if ignored. The ‘Throb’ is a soft call between pairs at the nest, used by incubating birds when their mates return to the nest. The ‘Haw’ is a short call given by juveniles alone in the water and by paired birds when one is on the water and the other is on land. The ‘Bray’ is a long call used to attract a mate and advertise a territory during the pre-laying and pre-hatching periods. The ‘Courtship Bray’ is similar to the ‘Bray’, however a different posture is assumed and is given synchronously by pairs during the pre-laying period: the birds stand together pointing their necks and head up, with flippers out to the side. The ‘Peep’ is given by chicks begging for food.

Diet and Nutrition

Humboldt penguins are carnivores (piscivores). Their diet primarily consists of pelagic schooling fish. Northern colonies consume primarily Atlantic saury and garfish, whilst southern populations primarily consume anchovy, Araucanian herring, silver-side, pilchard and squid.

Mating Habits

Humboldt penguins are monogamous and form pairs. The breeding season lasts from March to December, with the highest breeding activity in April and August-September. Before mating, the animals undergo a molting period of about 2 weeks, during which they do not go out to sea and have to starve. By the end of the molt, they finally venture into the sea to forage and return to their breeding grounds, where they mate. During courtship, Humboldt penguins bow their heads to each other and exchange mutual glances with each eye, alternatively. To attract a partner, the bird extends its head vertically, collapses its chest, flaps its wings, and emits a loud call resembling the braying of a donkey. The mutual displaying consists of the pair standing side by side repeating the actions once again. Humboldt penguins burrow their nests on the ground on guano layers and beaches, or nest on cliff tops. Usually, 1-2 eggs are laid and incubated for about 40 days. Both the male and female incubate the eggs alternately. When the chicks hatch out they are semi-altricial; both parents care for them, until the young reach the age of 70-90 days, when they gain their adult plumage. By that time, the young are fully independent and go to sea. They become reproductively mature and are ready to breed at 3 years of age.

Population

Population threats

Humboldt penguins are frequently tangled in fishing nets and killed by explosives, used by fishermen. They are threatened because of mining operations, conducted in the area of their range. The animals are captured for the illegal pet trade, food, as use as fish bait. Human disturbance is among other serious threats to this species’ population; in the northern part of Chile, an important breeding site of Humboldt penguins is presently in danger due to the construction of 2 coal-fired power stations in the area.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Humboldt penguin is 23,800 mature individuals. The breeding population in Chile consists of 5,100 breeding pairs, equating to 10,200 mature individuals. In Peru, the population is estimated to be 13,600 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.

Southern rockhopper penguin

 The southern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) is a species of rockhopper penguin, that is sometimes considered distinct from the northern rockhopper penguin. It occurs in subantarctic waters of the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as around the southern coasts of South America.

Rockhopper penguins are known to have complex foraging behaviors. Influenced by factors such as sea ice abundance, prey availability, breeding stage, and seasonality, rockhopper penguins must be able to adapt their behavior to fit the current conditions. Rockhopper penguins employ different strategies according to their conditions. When making foraging trips, rockhoppers typically leave and return to their colonies in groups. One study showed they are known for going up to 157 km away from their colonies when foraging. Females typically forage during the day in 11-12h trips consisting of many dives, but they will occasionally forage at night. Night dives are typically much shallower than day dives. Dives typically last around 12h, but can be up to 15hrs, with penguins leaving the colony around dawn (04:00) and returning at dusk (19:00).

Rockhopper penguins employ different strategies and foraging behaviors depending on the climate and environment. A main factor is food location. Subantarctic penguins must dive for longer periods of time and much deeper in search of food than do species in warmer waters where food is more easily accessible.

Description

This is the smallest yellow-crested, black-and-white penguin in the genus Eudyptes. It reaches a length of 45–58 cm (18–23 in) and typically weighs 2–3.4 kg (4.4–7.5 lb), although there are records of exceptionally large rockhoppers weighing 4.5 kg (9.9 lb). It has slate-grey upper parts and has straight, bright yellow eyebrows ending in long yellowish plumes projecting sideways behind a red eye.

Ecology

The southern rockhopper penguin group has a global population of roughly 1 million pairs. About two-thirds of the global population belongs to E. c. chrysocome which breeds on the Falkland Islands and on islands off Patagonia. These include most significantly Isla de los Estados, the Ildefonso Islands, the Diego Ramírez Islands and Isla Noir. E. c. filholi breeds on the Prince Edward Islands, the Crozet Islands, the Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, Macquarie Island, Campbell Island, the Auckland Islands and the Antipodes Islands. Outside the breeding season, the birds can be found roaming the waters offshore their colonies.

These penguins feed on krill, squid, octopus, lantern fish, mollusks, plankton, cuttlefish, and mainly crustaceans.

A rockhopper penguin, named Rocky, in Bergen Aquarium in Norway, lived to 29 years 4 months. It died in October 2003. This stands as the age record for rockhopper penguins, and possibly it was the oldest penguin known.

Benthic and pelagic dives

Rockhopper penguins are known to employ two different types of dives when foraging, pelagic and benthic dives. Pelagic dives are typically short and relatively shallow and used very frequently. Benthic dives are much deeper dives near the seafloor (up to 100 m deep) that typically last longer and have longer bottom time. Penguins performing benthic dives typically only perform a few depth wiggles (changes in depth profile) at their maximum depth. at an average speed of range of 6.9–8.1 kilometres per hour (6,900–8,100 m/h). Although deeper dives tend to be a bit longer than shallow dives, foraging rockhoppers will minimize their travel time when performing benthic dives to gain maximum efficiency. Benthic dives in particular show a stronger correlation to full stomachs than pelagic dives. Emperor penguins, gentoo penguins, yellow-eyed penguins and king penguins also use this deep-dive technique to obtain food.

Prey availability is dependent on many factors, such as current climate and conditions of the area. Typically, females will bring back a majority of crustaceans and occasionally some fish for their young. The female’s foraging success directly affects chick growth. If food is scarce, females are able to fast for very long periods of time and sometimes will only forage for the chick’s benefit.

Dive limitations

Because foraging conditions and outcomes are so variable, several factors can limit foraging practices. The timing of breeding, incubation and brooding periods greatly affect foraging time, as females are unable to leave broods for long periods of time. Females during the brooding period will follow a much more fixed foraging schedule, leaving and returning to the colony at roughly the same time each day. When not in breeding season, females have much more variability in the length of foraging trips. If females have low energy levels because they are fasting while provisioning chicks, they may make several short foraging trips instead of one longer one.

While benthic dives are efficient and favorable for rockhoppers, they present physiological limitations such as limits in lung capacity, which affects duration of dives. The longest aerobic dive rockhoppers can perform is about 110 seconds long, but dives can last upwards of 180–190 seconds.

PAINTED STORK

The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala ) is a large wader in the stork family. It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia south of the Himalayas in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia. Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name. They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes. They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch. As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish. They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds. The only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at the nest. They are not migratory and only make short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding. Like other storks, they are often seen soaring on thermals.

Appearance

Painted storks are large waders found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia. Their distinctive pink flight feathers of the adults give them their name. These beautifully colored birds have a heavy yellow beak with a down-curved tip that gives them a resemblance to an ibis. Males and females appear alike but the males of a pair are usually larger than the female.

Distribution

Painted storks are widely distributed over the plains of Asia. They are found south of the Himalayan ranges and are bounded on the west by the Indus River system where they are rare and extend eastwards into Southeast Asia. Painted storks are absent from very dry or desert regions, dense forests, and the higher hill regions. They prefer freshwater wetlands in all seasons, but also use irrigation canals and crop fields, particularly flooded rice fields during the monsoon.

Habits and Lifestyle

Painted storks are not migratory and only make short-distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding. These birds are highly gregarious and feed in groups in shallow wetlands, crop fields, and irrigation canals. Painted storks feed mainly on small fish which they sense by touch while slowly sweeping their half-open bill from side to side while it held submerged. They walk slowly and also disturb the water with their feet to flush hiding fish. They forage mainly in the day but may forage late or even at night under exceptional conditions. After they are fed Painted storks may stand still on the shore for long durations. Like other storks, they are mostly silent but clatter their bills at the nest and may make some harsh croaking or low moaning sounds at the nest.

Diet and Nutrition

Painted storks are carnivores (piscivores). Their diet consists mainly of small fish, but also crustaceans, amphibians, insects, and reptiles. They also take frogs and occasionally snakes.

Mating Habits

Painted storks are monogamous and form pairs. They breed on trees either in mixed colonies along with other water birds or by themselves. The breeding season begins in the winter months shortly after the monsoons. In northern India, the breeding season begins in mid-August while in southern India the nest initiation begins around October and continues till February and or even until April. The female lays 1 to 5 eggs and incubates them for about a month. The chicks are altricial; they are born naked and with closed eyes. To feed nestlings, parents regurgitate fish that they have caught and these are typically smaller than 20 cm long. The fledging period is nearly two months and reproductive maturity is generally reached at about 4 years of age.

Population

Population threats

The main threats to Painted storks include habitat loss and agricultural pollution, disturbance from human activities, hunting of adult birds, and collection of eggs and newly hatched chicks.

Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total Painted stork population size is around 25,000-35,000 individuals or 16,000-24,000 mature individuals. This includes 25,000 individuals in South Asia and 1-10,000 individuals in South-East Asia. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.

Assam – Everything You Need To Know

 Assam is one of the beautiful states to visit in northeast India. With its sacred temples, unique culture and amazing festivals, Assam becomes one of the exciting places to visit in northeast India. It is one of the Northeast’s Seven Sisters with a perfect mix of everything for a beautiful getaway. Assam also stands as home to various attractions that attract tourists from all over the world. You can either shop in their busy markets or spot wildlife in some of the famous national parks or celebrate the festival with the locals of Assam or just taste the scrumptious food they serve with a bright smile on their face – The choice is yours. But just remember that anything that you do here will be worthy and stay fresh in your soul for life.

Best time to visit Assam

Planning a perfect vacation is mainly dependent on the time you are choosing to visit. So, make sure you choose the ideal time to visit Assam.

Months between October and April are said to be the best time to visit Assam. During this time, the weather will be pleasant all over the state and you would be experiencing neither heavy rainfall nor scorching summer. 

Summer in Assam

Months between April and June are considered to be the summer months and the temperature ranges from 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. Though the weather can be too hot at times, summer is the perfect time to spot wildlife.

Monsoon in Assam

Months between July and September are said to be the monsoon months in Assam and the temperature ranges from 28 to 32 degrees Celsius. Though there will be heavy showers frequently which is not favourable for sightseeing, the tea plantations and other greeneries turn all the more beautiful after the rain.

Winter in Assam

Months between October and March are said to be the winter months in Assam and the temperature ranges from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. This time is the best time to visit Assam as the climate will be pleasant and soothing throughout the day. Hiking, sightseeing and camping become more comfortable if tried during any of these months.

Things to do in Assam

A place can become exciting only if it has many interesting things for tourists to do. One such place is Assam which offers a lot of things that visitors can enjoy. Find below the list of things that this travel guide to Assam has for you.

• Shopping
• Visit the tea plantations
• Try an adventure
• Spotting wildlife
• Take part in a festival

1. Shopping

No matter what destination you are visiting, shopping a place on your itinerary. In Assam, you have a lot of shopping places where you can buy the best souvenirs. Right from handicrafts to paintings to silk sarees, you can get everything here at a reasonable price. The best places for shopping include Fancy Bazaar, Pan Bazaar and Paltan Bazaar.

2. Visit the tea plantations

The tea estates in Assam are like no other. They serve the best aromatic tea that you would have never tasted before. Okay, forget about the tasting. But just taking a stroll in any of these tea gardens itself can be more than amazing. Some of the top tea gardens are Manohari Tea Estate, Nonoi Tea Estate, Almari Tea Estate and so many more.

3. Try an adventure

If you are an adventure lover, then Assam has something for you. Be it the land sports or water sports, you will absolutely have a thrilling experience here. Some of the activities that you can try are mountain climbing in Elephant Rock, trekking in the Karbi Hills and the Cachar Hills, river rafting, hang gliding in Kamakhya Hills and many more. While you are visiting Assam, do not miss to try an adventure, as this is an experience for a lifetime.

4. Spotting wildlife

Assam is one place that is well known for its national parks. This is the reason why wildlife lovers flock here to spot the best of wildlife. It stands as home to a large number of explored and unexplored places where you can spot some rare species of fauna.

Some of the national parks that you can visit in Assam are Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary and Porbitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

5. Take part in a festival

Festivals are one of the best ways to celebrate culture. And, Assamese expertise that. There are a lot of festivals that are celebrated by the people of Assam. During the festival, people dress up in ethnic clothes and wear big ornaments to show their status in society. Some of the festivals are listed below.

• Bihu Festival
• Ambubachi Festival
• Majuli Festival

Bihu Festival – It is one of the most important festivals of Assam. It is a harvest festival that is dedicated to worship Brai Shibrai. On this day, the Assamese dress up in ethnic clothes and celebrate the day by singing songs and preparing feasts. This festival is celebrated in April and make sure to visit if you are planning a trip during that time.

Ambubachi Festival – It is one of the most loved festivals that’s celebrated in Kamakhya Devi temple. Ambubachi Festival is a four-day long festival that is dedicated to worship Goddess Kamakhya. This festival includes various Tantric shows that visitors could enjoy.

Majuli Festival – It is one of the most beautiful festivals where you can witness people coming in huge numbers. In this festival, you could see a lot of artists showcasing their talents. From food to handicrafts to artefacts to traditional clothing, there will be a lot of exhibitions arranged. Don’t forget to buy some beautifully crafted potteries to take home!

Top Places to visit

Wondering where to visit on your trip to Assam? You have got a lot of options. This beautiful state has something to offer for everyone. Check out the below places that are mentioned in this travel guide to Assam that you can visit to make your trip interesting.

• Guwahati
• Kaziranga National Park
• Majuli Island
• Dibrugarh
• Tezpur
• Manas National Park
• Haflong

1. Guwahati

Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, is one of the top places to visit while making your way to Assam. Standing as the home to an international airport and India’s first solar-powered railway station, Guwahati is a city that’s well connected with all the other Indian cities. It houses many top attractions which include temples, lakes, national parks, museums and so much more. So, while planning your trip to Assam, make sure you include Guwahati on your itinerary as your trip will never be complete without visiting this city.

2. Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is one of the must-visit places if you are a wildlife lover. This place stands as home to the largest population of one-horned rhinos on earth. Other animals that you could spot include swamp deer, elephants, Bengal foxes, sloth bears, leopards and many more. A place of such beauty had been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1985. One of the best things that you can do here is taking a safari to explore this park. If you want to experience wildlife at its best, then you must visit Kaziranga National Park.

3. Majuli Island

Welcome to the pollution-free freshwater island in Assam! It stands as a home to some awe-striking landscapes that could literally take your breath away. But the reason people love Majuli Island so much is because of the culture that’s followed by the tribals of this place. So, while visiting Majuli Island, take part in one of their festivals to experience their culture and celebrate it with them.

4. Dibrugarh

Here comes the spiritual soul of Assam. Dibrugarh is the largest city and one of the fastest-growing cities in the state. If you think this city is not much of a tourist destination, then you are wrong. It is one of the places where you can have a peaceful getaway. Jokai Botanical Garden, Jeypore Rainforest, Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, Dibru River and the Lord Jagannath Temple are some of the attractions in Dibrugarh. Apart from all these places, visiting a tea plantation can be so appealing. No wonder this city is called the ‘Tea City of India’.

5. Tezpur

Well-known for its tea gardens and paddy fields, Tezpur is one of the beautiful places to visit in Assam. Not just it’s beautiful but also stands as home to a large number of attractions like Agnigarh, Bura-Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalia Bhomora Setu Bridge, Nameri National Park and many more. While you are visiting Assam, don’t forget visiting Tezpur which is a place filled with nature, culture and history.

6. Manas National Park

Here comes another famous national park which is Manas National Park. It is one of the thrilling places that you can visit while you are in Assam. This place had been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO which is enough to know how amazing this place is. It is said to have the second-largest tiger population in the country which includes many endangered species. Manas National Park is not only a place for tigers as it houses many other species of flora and fauna.

7. Haflong

The next place on the list is Haflong. It is said to be the only hill station in Assam which is beautifully filled with breathtaking landscapes and lakes. It attracts a lot of tourists from all over the country just by its natural beauty. No wonder it is called ‘Scotland of Assam’. Though there aren’t many places to explore within Haflong, you can visit the places that are located around Haflong.

How to reach

Assam is a state that’s quite easily accessible from all the other states and even said to be the gateway to the Northeast. Take a look at this travel guide to Assam guiding you on how to reach the state.

By air

You can reach the airport in Guwahati which is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport. It is located 25 km from the city centre and you can either take a taxi or a bus to reach your destination.

By train

If you are planning to reach Assam by train, then get down at the railway station in Guwahati which is well connected to all the major states in India.

By road

Taking roadways in Assam is quite good and recommended as you will be able to travel to even the smallest corners with ease. There are several national highways that pass through the state to a few other states in the country. Some of the highways are NH31, NH37, NH38, NH40 and NH52.

Additional points to remember from this travel guide to Assam

If you are visiting Assam in summer, then make sure you carry all the required items like an umbrella, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses and many more.

Because you visit a new state, make sure you keep your bags safe.

Assam has some delicious cuisines that one should never miss tasting. So make sure you try some mouth-watering dishes.

I know you will be excited to click some candid pictures of the tribal people in Assam but not everyone would be okay with it. Some people might be camera-shy so make sure you ask their permission if you are capturing a picture of them.

Don’t litter.

That brings us to the end of the travel guide to Assam. Right from spotting wildlife in the famous Kaziranga National Park to shopping in the streets of Assam, you can have the best of everything in this beautiful state. Assam becomes one of the worth visiting places among the Seven Sisters of India with its traditional festivals, delicious food and rich biodiversity. 

Wildlife of Patagonia

 Peerless Patagonia is striking in grandeur, yet humble in character. As Andean spires rise to the sky, glaciers wind their way down to turquoise lakes dotted with floating icebergs. Condors, guanacos and elusive pumas live unhindered in Torres del Paine National Park, while king penguins waddle freely in a private reserve. A place this staggering in its mountain landscapes and so rich in wildlife could surely boast, but Patagonia quietly woos nature and animal lovers from afar.

Today we’ll meet some of the almost 500 animal species that inhabit this mountainous region. From the soaring Andean condor to the lesser rhea, get to know the creatures that call this majestic landscape home. You’ll find it illuminating, whether you’re departing soon on our Patagonia Wilderness & Wildlife Explorer trip or simply have a fascination with this rugged jewel at the bottom of South America.

Where Exactly Is Patagonia?

Part Chile and part Argentina, Patagonia covers approximately 400,000 square miles. Most tourism centers around the northern lake districts, Los Glaciares National Park (Argentina) and Torres del Paine National Park (Chile). While no one would call these areas tamed, they see considerably more visitors than the expansive ranching country of Argentina and the islands and inlets comprising Chilean Patagonia.

Argentinian Patagonia extends south of the Rio Negro. Chilean Patagonia extends more than 1,000 miles north to south over the regions of Araucania, Los Rios, Los Lagos, Aisen and Magallanes. On a Nat Hab journey to the area, we introduce you to both of Patagonia’s major national parks, as well as Tierra del Fuego and Francisco Coloane Marine Park.

Hiker at Mirador Condor enjoying the breathtaking view of Los Cuernos rocks and Lake Pehoe in Torres del Paine National Park.

Patagonia Wildlife

Wildlife lovers are in their element in Patagonia. Known particularly for pumas, penguins and whales, you’ll also find the world’s smallest deer, ROUS (rodents of unusual size), flightless rheas, massive Andean condors, armadillos, fox and slender guanacos. So, yes, if you’re into animals, put Patagonia on your bucket list!

Southern pudu

Now for our favorite part: showing off a little for a region that may not care to toot its own horn. We’ll introduce you to the “Big 7” of Patagonia wildlife, plus a few more besides.

Prowling Pumas

Also known as cougars or mountain lions, pumas are one of the largest subspecies of the Felidae family. They’re also the largest predators in Patagonia.

On a Nat Hab trip to Patagonia, you’ll spend three full days searching for pumas from our base at EcoCamp Patagonia, backdropped by the sheer spires of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. Follow the sendero de la fauna (the animals’ trail), which was named for the guanacos often seen here. These llama-like animals also happen to be ideal prey for pumas. Look up as we explore, perhaps glimpsing one of the stealthy cats high on a rocky crag. 

Soaring Andean Condors

It’s tough to miss the Andean condor. the males are one of the largest flying birds on the planet and the largest vultures in South America, weighing between 18 and 33 pounds and boasting a wingspan anywhere from 8.1 to 10.6 feet. Watch for them soaring over open grasslands and mountainous alpine regions, as well as foraging in beech forests, as we make our way through Torres del Paine National Park. The range of the Andean condor used to stretch from Venezuela to the Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of the continent but hunting and habitat loss has led to a sharp population decline.

While once they consumed guanaco and vicuña carcasses, the condors must now scavenge livestock remains and introduced species such as the European hare and red deer.  Observe and photograph Chile’s national bird without intruding on their habitat.

Great Guanacos

You’re bound to see a good number of guanacos as we explore Patagonia. There are more than 1,500 of them in Torres del Paine alone! But, as with all wildlife, don’t get too close. They’re very protective of their young, so watch from afar as they chase each other energetically and playfully. Don’t be fooled by the slender limbs and long neck—these camelids, endemic to South America, are one of the continent’s largest mammals, weighing between 200 and 300 pounds and standing approximately 3.5 feet at the shoulder. We’ll find them in the forests, grasslands, deserts and shrublands of the Andean foothills, in areas ranging from sea level to 13,000 feet.

Fun fact: The guanaco can run nearly 35 miles per hour—faster than any other Patagonian animal except the puma!

P.S. Like the guanaco, the vicuña (another member of the camelid family) has pale cinnamon fur and a white belly. They’re shyer than the guanaco but can also zip along when necessary, running up to 29 miles per hour at high elevations. They’re able to reach such speeds because their hearts are twice the size of similar-sized mammals!

Diminuitive Deer

Andean deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) crossing a river

Elusive and currently under threat due to changes in their natural habitat and predation by puma, the short, stocky huemul may show itself as we hike through Torres del Paine, especially near Lago Grey. They’re adept climbers, living on rocky terrain and traversing mountain passes easily. Also known as the south Andean deer or southern guemal, you may recognize them as one of the two animals found on Chile’s coat of arms, alongside an Andean condor.

Remember when we mentioned the world’s smallest deer? Meet the Southern pudu. Listen for the soft “moo” sound of a female as she calls to her young, or the more bleating call of a male.

When the pudu senses danger, its hair rises, its body trembles and its eyes fill with tears (actually, its lacrimal glands open). Doesn’t that make your heart melt? The Southern pudu is currently a protected species but continues to be hunted for its hide and meat.

Little Lesser Rheas

Also known as Darwin’s rhea, the lesser rhea may have the largest wings in proportion to its body of all ratites (flightless birds with a flat breastbone without a keel), but they’re quite diminutive in height and weight. The rhea has the appearance of a small ostrich (often referred to as the South American ostrich), with brown plumage flecked with white. Juveniles don’t obtain the flecks until they’re 3 to 4 years of age. They’re found in the open scrublands of Patagonia, the Altiplano of Southern America, and across the steppes and Puna grasslands of the Andean plateau.

Playful Penguins

Now, for the cutie you’ve been waiting for: the giggle-inducing, addictively adorable penguin. During our Patagonia Wilderness & Wildlife Explorer nature tour, you’ll meet both Magellanic and king penguins, the latter in the most northerly king penguin colony in the world.

King Penguin Park is a private conservation reserve on Inutil Bay. From elevated boardwalks and in strategic hides, you’ll observe the entertaining antics of the world’s second-largest penguin species. Take your time and enjoy; this is the only place in the world to see this species outside Antarctica and the Falkland Islands. While we’re here, we also hike to Swan Lagoon to see black-necked swans, white-necked swans, flamingos, caiquens and various duck species.

Moving on, we wake early for a full day of whale watching and marine life encounters on Bahia Carrera in the Strait of Magellan. As we cruise past Froward Cape (the southernmost point on the mainland of the Americas), look for sea lions and elephant seals lounging on the rocks. As we enter Francisco Coloane Marine Park, Keep your eyes “peeled” for Peale’s dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, petrels, cormorants, skuas, albatrosses and Magellanic penguins at close range.

The Magellanic penguin rookery on nearby Isla Magdalena is massive. The penguins nest here from September to March.

Peale’s dolphin (Lagenorhynchus australis) is a small dolphin found in the waters around Tierra del Fuego.

Ostrich Fact Sheet

 Ostrich: the largest and heaviest living bird.

Kingdom: | Animalia
Phylum: | Chordata
Class: | Aves
Order: | Struthioniformes
Family: | Struthiondae
Genus: | Struthio

There are two living species of ostrich: the common ostrich (Struthio camelus) and the Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes).

Size and Weight:

The ostrich is the largest and heaviest living bird. Males are typically larger than females, weighing 220 to 287 pounds and measuring 6.9 to 9 feet in height. Meanwhile, females weigh 198 to 242 pounds and range in height from 5.7 to 6.2 feet.

Appearance:

Ostriches are the largest and heaviest birds in the world. Given their weight, they are flightless and cannot fly into the sky. Instead, ostriches are great runners and are able to reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour. One stride can be 10 to 16 feet long. They have long, strong legs with two clawed toes, allowing them to reach these high speeds.

An ostrich has a long neck, prominent eyes and sweeping eyelashes. Ostriches have the largest eye of any land animal. An ostrich’s eye is nearly 2 inches across. Their long neck and excellent vision help them see great distances, allowing them to keep an eye out for predators.

Ostriches have unique feathers that are loose, soft, and smooth, giving them a “shaggy” look. Adult male ostriches are black with white wings and tail feathers, while immature birds and adult females have brownish-gray feathers.

Diet:

Ostriches are omnivores. Their diet varies depending on the food available in their habitat. They primarily eat plants, but also eat insects, snakes, lizards and rodents. They are able to consume things that other animals can’t digest because they have tough intestines to absorb as many nutrients as possible. Ostriches also swallow sand, pebbles, and small stones that help grind up food in the gizzard. Since they eat a lot of plants, ostriches do not need to drink water. However, they may drink water at a water hole.

Habitat:

Ostrich habitats include savannas and desert regions.

Geography:

Ostriches are native to Africa.

Breeding:

Ostrich courtship is ritualized and synchronized. A male used his black-and-white coloring to attract a female. He will sink to the ground like a bow and then wave and shake the feathers of first one wing and then the other while moving his tail up and down. After this movement, he gets up and moves toward the female, holding his wings out and stamping as he goes to impress her. If she approves, she mates with him.

The dominant hen mates with the territorial male, and they share the tasks of incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks. The territorial male is polygamous and may mate with other females. The other females may also mate with wandering males. The other females then lay their eggs in the same nest as the dominant hen’s eggs. The nest is a shallow depression scratched in the dirt by the male. The dominant hen makes sure her eggs are closest to the center, and therefore most likely to hatch successfully. A communal nest allows more eggs to successfully hatch overall for the flock. A female ostrich lays 7 to 10 eggs at a time. Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs, weighing about 3 pounds, measuring 6 inches in length and measuring 5 inches across. Only dinosaurs produced larger eggs.

The incubation period is about 42 to 46 days. When they hatch, the chicks are about the size of barnyard chickens, but they grow at a rate of 1 foot per month. Chicks will start to leave the nest with their parents a few days after hatching. By four months, they start to show their adult plumage and by six months, they are about the size of their parents. Ostriches reach sexual maturity around three or four years old, which is when males grow their black-and-white feathers.

Social Structure:

Ostriches live in groups, which helps with defense. They are typically found in flocks of about 10 birds or just a male and female pair but sometimes gather in large flocks of 100 or more. These groups have a pecking order with a dominant male, a dominant female called the “main hen” and several other females. The dominant male establishes and defends their territory. Lone males may also come and go during the breeding season.

Lifespan:

In the wild, ostriches live 30 to 40 years. But in captivity, ostriches have been known to live until their 70.

Threats:

Ostriches have several natural predators, including cheetahs, lions, leopards, hunting dogs and spotted hyenas. Other predators, like Egyptian vultures and jackals, may take ostrich eggs. When an ostrich senses danger and cannot run away from the threat, it will flop to the ground and remain still with its head and neck flat on the ground, so it blends in with the ground. When an adult ostrich is threatened, it attacks with a ​clawed foot that delivers a kick powerful enough to kill a lion.

Humans pose other major threats to ostrich populations and their habitats. As human populations grow and expand, ostriches are losing their habitat. Ostrich feathers have long been popular in fashion. In the 18th century, ostrich feathers were so popular in fashion, particularly in the hat industry, ostrich populations declined. Ostrich farming helped the population recover and still continues on a smaller scale. Ostriches are farmed and hunted for feathers, skin, meat, eggs, and fat.

Conservation Status:

The common ostrich is listed as “Least Concern” according to the IUCN’s Red List. Meanwhile, the Somali ostrich is listed as “Vulnerable.”

Conservation Efforts:

Strict protection and farming are needed to conserve the remaining ostrich populations. Conservation groups and government agencies work to protect these populations. For example, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park works with the red-necked ostrich in Niger and provides technical expertise and funding to develop and manage a breeding program for the birds. This helps to establish secure and self-sustaining populations in that country. The African Wildlife Foundation helps to conserve ostrich populations by working with local communities to decide on an appropriate plan to bring tourism to the area.

BROWN NODDY

The brown noddy or common noddy (Anous stolidus ) is a seabird in the family Laridae. The largest of the noddies, it can be told from the closely related black noddy by its larger size and plumage, which is dark brown rather than black. The brown noddy is a tropical seabird with a worldwide distribution, ranging from Hawaii to the Tuamotu Archipelago and Australia in the Pacific Ocean, from the Red Sea to the Seychelles and Australia in the Indian Ocean and in the Caribbean to Tristan da Cunha in the Atlantic Ocean. The brown noddy is colonial, usually nesting on elevated situations on cliffs or in short trees or shrubs. It only occasionally nests on the ground. A single egg is laid by the female of a pair each breeding season. In India, the brown noddy is protected in the PM Sayeed Marine Birds Conservation Reserve.

Appearance

The brown noddy is 38–45 cm (15–18 in) in length with a wingspan of 75–86 cm (30–34 in). The plumage is a dark chocolate-brown with a pale-grey or white crown and forehead. It has a narrow incomplete white eye-ring. The tail is long and wedge-shaped, and the feet and legs are dark.

Diet and Nutrition

The brown noddy forages by swooping over the water and dipping down to catch small squid and fish.

Mating Habits

The brown noddy is a colonial bird, usually nesting on cliffs, trees, or bushes. It occasionally lays its eggs on the bare ground. The nest itself is usually a platform nest, made of sticks and twigs.

In their nuptial displays, the female and male bow and nod to each other. Courtship feeding and flights accompany this, in addition to the transfer of a small, freshly caught fish from the male to the female.

This bird lays a clutch of one pink cream egg with lilac and chestnut maculation. The egg usually measures around 52 by 35 millimetres (2.0 by 1.4 in). This egg is incubated by both sexes for 33 to 36 days, with each parent incubating for one or two days while their mate is feeding at sea. After the chick hatches, it grows quickly; usually reaching the weight of the parents in three weeks. When it fledges, about six to seven weeks after hatching, it can sometimes weigh more than the parents, although this weight is lost quickly once it starts to fly. At this point, the fledgling is starting to rely on its parents less and less as it learns how to provide for itself.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equallu lay

In Leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Tow roads diverged in a wood, and I–

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Longing

I’ll write for you a poem

that you can read from time to time.

A tale of how we could be,

in a world where you are mine.

We’d travel near and far, just us,

walking city blocks together.

Our feet could take us anywhere

and our hands would still be tethered.

The starlight could be blinding

as the sunshine fades away.

Just tell me what to write

and I’ll create anything you say.

I could write us into forever

if you let my mind run wild

I’d write us onto the tops of mountains

where we’d play just like a child.

I’d write us into all the wonders

that I’ve ever dreamt of seeing,

but the saddest part of writing

is that I can’t write you into being.