Barred Button-quail (F)

[Samrat Sarkar]

I have observing this bird since four to five years, never got a chance to shoot with my wide angle gear. No camera trap or no remote shutter. The bird was chased by a house crow and hid herself behind undulation. Initially I approached with my 500mm, then scrolled keeping my head down with my Olympus camera. Most of the frame was out of focus. She allowed me within one feet then flew away and disappeared into bush..

Olympus OMD EM1 + 12-40 Zuiko Pro.
ISO 250, 1/125, f7.1, EC 0, Full frame, at 12mm

[Disha Parchani]

WoW! Awesome shot it is! You had captured it very perfectly. But I think it appears in Monsoon season.

[Mrudul Godbole]

Its great that you managed to get so close :). Its quite nicely camouflaged in the mud and vegetation. Was it raining? Where is this photographed? Thanks for sharing.

[Samrat Sarkar]

Mrudul ji and Disha ji, this was shot on 10th this month. Sky was cloudy but not raining. Rain occurred day before. It is dew. I have been studying these birds in my village and just 30 mtr from my home. Grassland is an important habitat for this ground-dweller. Research is saying that all grassland bird may disappear due to habitat loss in next 20 to 30 years.
All buttonquails have sexually revers behaviour. Female is a bit larger than male. Only male incubates and looks after chicks still adulthood. Females mate with several male at a time and have no contribution in breeding except laying eggs. is it not interesting?
Samrat.

[Samrat Sarkar]

Here is the link about the extinction of ground dweller birds. Honourable viewers can check.
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/12/ground-feeding-birds-in-southeast-asia-may-be-going-extinct-outside-protected-areas/To

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Nice perspective. Was it injured? At times when they are in shock, they allow closer approach. I am not very sure if the focus is slightly behind the bird.

While moving closer, it is important to do it slowly and take your time.

Grasslands are vanishing at an astonishing pace due to conversion into buildings, taken over for agriculture and industries. Gone are the days when we used to find partridges in large numbers in the grasslands abutting the villages. Tough time for most of the species to survive the extreme changes that man is bringing out in such a short span of time.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Samrat Sarkar]

@ Sabyasachi da

I do not think that bird was injured. Her flight was normal. But I agree with you that the bird was shocked.
I have been observing that the number of eggs at a time is decreasing year after year. It is alarming. more study is needed.

Samrat.

[Sandipan Ghosh]

Love it totally......excellent perspective

[Murugan Anantharaman]

Nice picture and yes the bird does look a bit stunned. It probably felt anything else without feathers can be trusted more after its fiasco with the crow, which is probably why it let you move in so close. Very interesting behavior of the bird shared, that is indeed quite remarkable. Thanks for sharing.

[Mangru Minz]

Nice perspective , It's a dream to shoot birds with wide angle lens for all birder , you are Lucky one !!