If you ask me what is the most beautiful bird that i have ever seen, without any hesitation, i will answer Siberian Rubythroat. Though i have yet to see many birds, i doubt my answer will change in future.

After joining CDES for my masters degree, i used to wander around in TU coronation garden for many reasons. Running after birds was one. The garden is almost elliptical in shape with roads in the south, agricultural fields, CDES and CDG in the north, banks in the east and clock tower, library and cafeteria in the west. Running almost through its center is a gully seasonally filled with water that forms a small depression. There is also green house with a small clearing surrounded by bushes. Under these very bushes, i saw my first rubythroat one fine morning.  I was out in the garden when i heard chirps of a bird. I went around the green house, looked inside the gully, scanned the clearing but couldn’t locate it. I was near the bushes when i heard it again. It was closer to me this time. So i bent over and under the bushes, there it was. The first thing that popped in my mind was, “WOW!!”. With a necklace of finest ruby, this little bird rightfully deserves its name “Siberian Rubythroat”. I was so thrilled that only after a couple of minutes did i notice its dull body. But who cares when one has such jewellery!!

I saw its cousin White-tailed Rubythroat in Humla which was also equally breathtaking.  Since then, only once have i seen it again. I hope its not the last. I look forward to seeing you again my friend.