THE 10 GREAT DISTINCT TYPES OF PAINTINGS(HANDICRAFT) IN INDIA

Painting is the expression of ideas and emotions, with the creation of certain aesthetic qualities, in a two-dimensional visual language. Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface. The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and airbrushes, can be used. The support for paintings includes such surfaces as walls, paper, canvas, wood, glass, lacquer, pottery, leaf, copper and concrete, and the painting may incorporate multiple other materials, including sand, clay, paper, plaster, gold leaf, and even whole objects. An artist’s decision to use a particular medium, such as tempera, fresco, oil, acrylic, watercolour or other water-based paints, ink, gouache, encaustic, or casein, as well as the choice of a particular form, such as mural, easel, panel, miniature, manuscript illumination, scroll, screen or fan, panorama, or any of a variety of modern forms, is based on the sensuous qualities and the expressive possibilities and limitations of those options. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. Indian painting has a very long tradition and history in Indian art, though because of the climatic conditions very few early examples survive.[1] The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings of prehistoric times, such as the petroglyphs found in places like Bhimbetka rock shelters. Miniature paintings and folk art paintings are an artisan’s expression in pictorial form and have long formed an integral part of India’s handicrafts products. India has a very rich culture and tradition and it portrays it through its amazing art and craft. Various painting styles are prevalent across various regions, each representing tradition, customs, and ideologies passed on from one generation to other generation. Here is the list of 10 distinct types of Indian paintings.

1.Madhubani Paintings

One of the most celebrated styles of folk paintings in India is, Madhubani art or Mithila art which originated in the Mithila region of Bihar as a form of wall art. This painting is done with a variety of tools, including fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks and using natural dyes and pigments. There is ritual content for particular occasions, such as birth or marriage, and festivals, such as Holi, Surya Shasti, Kali Puja, Upanayana, and Durga Puja. Natural objects like the sun, the moon, and religious plants like tulsi are also widely painted. It originated from Madhubani district of the Mithila region of Bihar. Madhubani is also a major export center of these paintings. The paintings were traditionally done on freshly plastered mud walls and floors of huts, but now they are also done on cloth, handmade paper and canvas. Madhubani paintings mostly depict people and their association with nature and scenes and deities from the ancient epics. The colors used in Madhubani paintings are usually derived from plants and other natural sources. These colors are often bright and pigments like lampblack and ochre are used to create black and brown respectively. Some of the initial references to the Madhubani painting can be found in the Hindu epic Ramayana when King Janaka, Sita’s father, asks his painters to create Madhubani paintings for his daughter’s wedding. Madhubani paintings were initially practiced by different sects of people and hence the paintings were categorized into five different styles, such as Tantrik, Kohbar, Bharni, Godna, Katchni. But today, these five different styles have been merged by contemporary artists. The designs are characterised by eye-catching geometrical patterns, symbolic images, and scenes from mythology.

2.Warli Paintings

The 3000-year-old tradition of Warli paintings of the Thane and Nasik areas of Maharashtra are closely linked with nature and social rituals of the tribe. Warli paintings showcase daily activities of the local people of that community like farming, dancing, hunting, praying etc. Traditionally, women used twigs to draw lively designs with rice paste on mud walls of tribal houses to mark celebrations of harvests or weddings. Simple geometrical patterns in white against a red or yellow surface are used to depict everyday life scenes. Warli is not just an art form, but a way of life for the Warli (Varli) tribes from the mountains and coastal regions in and around the borders of Maharashtra and Gujarat. This art has an enigmatic appeal. Those from the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra surely have a sense of sentiment attached to the art form as they’ve seen it on the walls of rural schools and homes way before they became popular on modern lifestyle products. Today, the Warli art form is not only popular in metros like Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi, but internationally as well. Today, a variety of colours are being used to replicate these artistic motifs on fabrics, home décor or other artistic forms. From brightly coloured umbrellas to coffee mugs and tea cups, rustic wall clocks, accents for walls and stationery Warli is pretty much everywhere. It uses rudimentary style where circles, triangles and squares are used to depict human forms, animals and nature. Warli women used to paint these simple images on their home walls and this art has now travelled to our drawing room.

3.Kalighat Painting or Bengal Pat

The Kalighat painting style was developed around mid 19th century in the neighbourhood of Kali Temple in Calcutta. These drawings on paper were done by a group known as “patuas” hence the name Kalighata Pata. They depicted scenes of everyday life and mythological deities in a simple yet captivating manner and developed into the popular kalighat style of painting. Kalighat painters predominantly use earthy Indian colors like indigo, ochre, Indian red, grey, blue and white. As India’s unofficial cultural capital, has pioneered several movements and trends in literature, theater, and the visual arts over the past several centuries. Painted mostly on mill-made paper with flowing brushwork and bold dyes, Kalighat paintings are said to have originated in the vicinity of the iconic Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata. The art almost always depicted Hindu gods and mythological characters, or incidents, themes, and characters from everyday life. Legend has it that Sati slew herself after Lord Shiva was insulted by her father Daksha. Following this, Shiva wandered with her body on his shoulder threatening to destroy the universe. Vishnu, the preserver of Earth, intervened and shattered Sati’s body into 51 pieces which fell at different spots across the Indian subcontinent. These sites are known as Shakti Peethas. The toe of her right foot is said to have fallen at the site of the Kalighat Temple, associating it with Goddess Kali- the ferocious form of Sati.

4.Phad Painting

Phad paintings are created on hand-woven coarse cotton cloth, which is soaked overnight to thicken the threads. It is then stiffened with starch from rice or wheat flour, stretched, dried in the sun and rubbed with a moonstone to smoothen the surface and give it a sheen. The entire process of making a Phad painting is completely natural, with the use of natural fibres, and natural paints sourced from stones, flowers, plants and herbs. The paints are handmade by the artists, and mixed with gum and water before applying to cloth. Typical colors seen in a Phad painting are yellow, orange, green, brown, red, blue and black. Phad painting or Phad is a style religious scroll painting and folk painting, practiced in Rajasthan state of India. The narratives of the folk deities of Rajasthan, mostly of Pabuji and Devnarayan are depicted on the phads. The Bhopas, the priest-singers traditionally carry the painted phads along with them and use these as the mobile temples of the folk deities. The phads of Pabuji are normally about 15 feet in length, while the phads of Devnarayan are normally about 30 feet long. Traditionally the phads are painted with vegetable colors. Phad finds its origins in Shahpura, near Bhilwara, Rajasthan. Phad is a type of scroll painting that narrates elaborate religious stories of local deities and gods. The Phad painting would be unrolled, or unfolded after sunset, and the performance in front of village members, would last into the night. This is perhaps why the paintings are called ‘Phad’, which means ‘fold’ in the local dialect.

5.Kalamkari Painting

This 3000-year-old organic art of hand and block printing was traditionally used for making narrative scrolls and panels. Kalamkari derives its name from kalam or pen and is a in Kalahasti and Machilipatnam. The stylised animal forms, floral motifs and mehrab designs predominant in Kalamkari paintings have also found a place in Kalamkari textiles. Kalamkari art primarily involves earthy colours like indigo, green, rust, black and mustard. The unique feature of the Kalamkari art is that it makes use of only natural colours or vegetable dyes. Kalamkari art was the household occupation of several rural women and craftsmen in the ancient times and continues to be passed down from one generation to the next. Andhra Pradesh is still the main hub of kalamkari printing in the country. Craftsmen engaged in kalamkari art had to later modernize some of the ancient, Hindu-mythology inspired kalamkari themes because there was an increasing demand for these prints in the international market. Kalamkari art is available in two distinct styles: Machilipatnam and Srikalahasti: 1. Kalahasti Kalamkari, 2.Machilipatnam Kalamkari . An increasing number of people all across the globe are now discouraging the use of harmful chemicals in production and manufacturing. In such a scenario, kalamkari emerges as the perfect craft because it avoids the use of artificial chemicals and still produces beautifully colored fabrics.

6.Miniature Painting

It developed into a distinct style with a combination of Islamic, Persian and Indian elements. The painting is done using natural stone colors on a paper-based “wasli”. Mineral colors, precious stones, conch shells, gold and silver are used in the miniatures. Fine brushwork, intricacy, detailing and stylization are the unique attributes of miniature painting. Across India, the miniature painting style has developed into distinct schools of miniature paintings like Kangra, Rajasthan, Malwa, Pahadi, Mughal, Deccan etc. to name a few. The Miniature painting style came to India with the Mughals in the 16th century and is identified as an important milestone in the history of Indian art. Miniature art is an intense labour of love illustrated on a range of materials like palm leaves, paper, wood, marble, ivory panels and cloth. Organic and natural minerals like stone dust, real gold and silver dust are used to create the exquisite colors. Even the paper used is special; polished with stone to render a smooth non porous surface. Miniature painting, also called limning, small, finely wrought portrait executed on vellum, prepared card, copper, or ivory. The name is derived from the minium, or red lead, used by the medieval illuminators. Defined by delicate brushwork, a mélange of colors, and graceful forms, miniature paintings are so delicate, that even today, with so much modernization, squirrel hair is used to create the brushes used in this art form. Each painting abounds with fine photographic details, capturing even the hair on a character.

7.Gond Painting

Gond art is a form of painting from folk and tribal art that is practiced by one of the largest tribes in India – Gond – who are predominantly from Madhya Pradesh, but also can be found in of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, and Odisha. These vibrant paintings created with a series of intricately arranged dots and dashes were developed by the Gondi tribe of central India. The tribals recreate mythological tales and oral histories to traditional songs, natural surroundings, important events and rituals in with great intricacy, rich detailing, and bright colors. Traditionally, colors were derived from natural resources like cow dung, plant sap, charcoal, coloured soil, mud, flowers, leaves etc. Gond artists now use commercial water-based colors to paint on paper and canvas. The Gond, who are predominantly from Madhya Pradesh, but also can be found in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, and Odisha. Gond paintings can be described as ‘on line work’. Art is created by lines in such a way to convey a sense of movement to still images. Dots and dashes are added to impart a greater sense of movement and increase the amount of detail. Another very striking facet of Gond paintings is the use of bright vivid colors such as white, red, blue and yellow. A certain sense of balance and symmetry can be observed in the pattern used, such as spiral forms along with trees, leaves, animals and human figures. Gond comes from the Dravidian expression, Kond which means ‘the green mountain’.

8.Kerala Mural

The paintings present a highly stylised version of the gods, with wide open eyes, elongated lips and exaggerated eyebrows, which can be compared to forms depicted in the classical theatre of Kerala. Also, the figures along with animals and vegetation are executed in a technically unmatched manner. The color palette consists of just five colors (Panchavarna) or red, yellow, green, black and white and the colors are derived from natural sources. Ochre-red, yellow- ochre, bluish- green, white and pure colors are predominantly used in Kerala mural painting. There are over the deities who are held in high esteem by the Oriyas and who inspire religion, life and activity of the people also carry with them a tradition of art and painting which is as old as the deities themselves. Kerala mural paintings are the frescos depicting Hindu mythology in Kerala. The murals of Thirunadhikkara Cave Temple and Tiruvanchikulam are considered the oldest relics of Kerala’s own style of murals. The masterpieces of Kerala mural art include: the Shiva Temple in Ettumanoor, the Ramayana murals of Mattancherry Palace and Vadakkumnatha kshetram. Other fine mural paintings are depicted in temples at Trikodithanam, Vaikom Temple, Pundarikapuram, Udayanapuram, Triprangode, Guruvayoor, Kumaranalloor, Aymanam, the Vadakkunathan temple in Trichur, the Thodeekkalam temple in Kannur and the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple at Thiruvananthapuram.

9.Patachitra

Colors used in the Paintings are natural and paintings are made fully old traditional way by Chitrakaras that is Odiya Painter. Pattachitra style of painting is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. Patachitra is the cloth scroll painting tradition from Odisha, dedicated to mythological and religious themes. Bold, strong outlines, vibrant colors like white, red yellow and black with decorative borders are some of the characteristics of patachitra painting style,that is admired across the world. Patachitras are a component of an ancient Bengali narrative art, originally serving as a visual device during the performance of a song. The paintings of Odisha can be divided into three categories from the point of view of medium, i.e. paintings on cloth or ‘Patta Chitra’, paintings on walls or ‘Bhitti Chitra’ and palm leaf engravings or “Tala Patra Chitra’ or “Pothi, Chitra’. The painting the ‘pattachitra’ resemble the old murals of Odisha especially religious centres of Puri, Konark and Bhubaneshwar region. The colors are rich and vibrant, the motifs and designs very creative, the themes portrayed being quite simple, the narrative mostly from religious texts, the epics. – The Patachitra painting art is believed to be more than a thousand years old.

10.Picchwai

A stretched hand spun cloth and handmade paper is used as base medium. Natural stones are hand crushed and mixed with natural binder to create natural colors. Imagineers use brushes made of natural hair sources with wooden handles. In all, the entire process followed in creating these illustrative art form at Imagineers Studio is completely environment friendly creating minimum carbon footprint in line with original tradition. The art of Picchwai originated as wall hangings behind the main deity in Krishna temples in Nathdwara. They narrate stories related to Lord Krishna. Gradually with commercialisation secular themes are also incorporated in the Picchwai style of painting. Gopashtami Pichwai is a painting of Krishna playing his flute with cows. They are large paintings on cotton cloth painted with natural colours. These paintings are usually hung on the wall behind the idol of Lord Krishna. They illustrate some of this his leelas. Pichchwais are large paintings on cloth which were typically hung in the shrine on the wall behind the main idol. Picchwai is a sanskrit word, Pich in sanskrit means ‘back’ and Wai means ‘hanging’. Pichwai painting style is an Indian traditional art form which originated hundreds of years ago in the backdrop of Shrinath Ji temple situated in Nathdwara town of Rajasthan. Persons from rural area of India work on a single peace of Picchwai fine arts for weeks.

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THE 10 GREAT SMALLEST BIRD SPECIES IN THE WORLD (ranked by the Height of the Bird)

Bird is a warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrate animal distinguished by the possession of feathers, wings, a beak, and typically by being able to fly. Most Birds can fly, using powerful muscles to flap their wings. But few bird species do not have strong enough wings to fly , so these birds are flightless. Birds are a group of feathered theropod dinosaurs and constitute the only living dinosaurs. There are about ten thousand living species, more than half of which are passerine, or “perching” birds. Birds have wings whose development varies according to species. Many social species pass on knowledge across generations, which is considered a form of culture. Birds are social, communicating with visual signals, calls, and songs, and participating in such behaviours as cooperative breeding and hunting, flocking, and mobbing of predators. Songbirds, parrots, and other species are popular as pets. Recreational bird watching is an important part of the ecotourism industry. Many species of birds are economically important as food for human consumption and raw material in manufacturing, with domesticated and undomesticated birds being important sources of eggs, meat, and feathers. Here are the 10 Smallest Bird Species the world ranked by Height of the Bird.

1.Bee Humming Bird(Mellisuga helenae)

The Bee Humming Bird is the smallest living bird and also the world’s lightest bird at under 2 grams. It has the smallest nest in the world. The Bee Humming Bird, zunzuncito or Helena Humming Bird is a species of Humming Bird. They are also known as “the flying jewels” because they are able to change the color of their feathers when they fly, this is the unique character. It is native to Cuba. The Average length of Bee Hummingbird is 5 – 6 centimeters and weight is 1.7 grams. The male has a green pileum and bright red throat, iridescent gorget with elongated lateral plumes, bluish upper parts, and the rest of the under parts mostly grayish white. Female bee hummingbirds are bluish green with a pale gray underside. The tips of their tail feathers have white spots. Hummingbirds are named after the humming sound which is produced by their wings during flight. Hummingbirds are very intelligent animals. They have larger brain size than other birds. Their brain weights 4.2% of the hummingbird total body weight. They do not have the sense of smell.

Hummingbirds can see and hear better than humans. They can even detect ultraviolet light. They can move their wings 70 times in a single second, so it requires a lot of energy. Hummingbirds use carbohydrates (sugars) as the main source of energy for flight. Nectar from flowers is the best source of sugar. It also eats insects, which provide them with enough proteins. Female usually lays 2 eggs, which are very small about just ½ inches long. Eggs represent 10 percent of the mother’s weight. Baby cannot fly and it spends first three weeks of life in the nest. Most hummingbirds die in the first year of their life. Those that survive, have an average lifespan of 5 years in the wild and more than 10 years in captivity.

2.Costa’s Humming Bird(Calypte Costae)

The Costa’s Hummingbirds (Calypte costae) are small North American desert birds that occur in the western United States and Mexico, but are known to wander eastward and as far north as Alaska and Canada. Average length of Costa’s Humming Bird is only 8 centimeters long and average weight is 3 grams. It’s native to the southwestern USA. The desert might seem like a bad place for a creature that feeds at flowers, but it is the favored habitat for Costa’s Hummingbird. The Costa’s hummingbird can usually be found in the arid deserts and gardens of its range. The male Costa’s hummingbird has a green and black back and flanks and a small black tail with patches of white below its tail. The male Costa’s hummingbird sports a vibrant purple cap and has throat feathers that flare out behind its head. The female Costa’s hummingbird, not as distinct as the male, is gray-green above and white on its underparts.

Jules Bourcier, a French naturalist and hummingbird expert named the Costa’s Hummingbird after his friend Louis Marie Pantaleon Costa de Beauregar. Costa was a Sardinian patriot, statesman, military commander, historian, and amateur archaeologist who was also fond of collecting hummingbirds. Compact and short-tailed with a slightly drooping bill. Researchers calculated that a Costa’s Hummingbird needs to visit 1,840 flowers to meet its energy requirements for one day. Even though they are traditionally migratory birds, an increasing number of them choose to remain throughout the year in areas with temperate climates, where food supplies are ample. It feeds on nectar and insects. They are typically found near plants such as the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) and cholla cactus (Opuntia acanthocarpa). They use their long, extendible, straw-like tongues to retrieve the nectar while hovering with their tails cocked upward as they are licking at the nectar up to 13 times per second. Sometimes they may be seen hanging on the flower while feeding.

3.WeeBill(Smicrornis Brevirostris)

Average length of WeeBill is just 8 centimeters and weight is 6 grams. Wingspan is approximately 15 cm (5.9 in). The Weebill was described by John Gould in 1838 as Psilopus brevirostris. The Weebill’s common name comes from the short, stubby, pale beak. The eye is pale cream, and there is a pale line above the eye. The Weebill is native to Australia’s jungles, forests and it is Australia’s smallest bird. Inhabits dry, open woodlands, especially Eucalypt forests. Eucalyptus-rich areas, they have a diet that’s based on larvae and small insects. It is very vocal as it forages in trees, where it feeds primarily on insects, sometimes in mixed flocks with thorn bills and pardalotes.

The Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris) is a species of bird in the family Acanthizidae, it is an insectivorous passerine. The Weebill’s plumage is nondescript, with olive-grey upperparts and paler, more yellowish under parts. It grades from more brownish plumage in the Southern regions of Australia to more yellow in tropical areas. Other names of it include tree-tit, short billed tree-tit, scrub-tit, or short-billed scrub-tit. The voice of the Weebill is a loud, clear, musical “pee-pee p’wee”, “wee bit” or “wee willy weetee”, often heard from a considerable distance. They display a preference for foraging in the canopy foliage of healthy Eucalyptus trees, where they are more likely to retrieve insects. The Weebill is widespread in all climates.

4.Goldcrest(Regulus Regulus)

Goldcrest is the smallest bird in Europe. Average length of Goldcrest(Regulus Regulus) is 9 centimeters, weight is 5.7 grams and wingspan is 14 cm. Goldcrest includes many countries in the Middle East, East and Central Asia, India and many parts of Europe. It is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. Birds on the Canary Islands are now separated into two subspecies of the goldcrest, but were formerly considered to be a subspecies of the firecrest or a separate species, Regulus teneriffae. It is small bird with finely shaped bill and a short tail. Crown stripe yellow in female, orange in male. Since bird is often viewed from below, the crown stripe is often not visible. The dark eye with the large, pale grey eye-ring is a better character. Their thin beak is ideally suited for picking insects out from between pine needles.

It’s colourful golden crest feathers, as well as being called the “king of the birds” in European folklore, gives rise to its English and scientific names. The scientific name, R. regulus, means king or knight. The Goldcrest breeds in coniferous woodland and gardens. It builds three-layered nest on a tree branch. It is the fact that Goldcrests can incubate as many as 12 eggs at one time in their nest. Eggs are incubated by the female alone, and the chicks are fed by both parents. Contact call a very high pitched “zit zit zit”, only similar to Firecrest and treecreepers. Goldcrests eat tiny morsels like spiders, moth eggs and other small insect food. Birds from the North and East of its breeding range migrate to winter further South.

5.Simple FireCrest(Regulus Ignicapilla)

Averagelength of Simple FireCrest(Regulus Ignicapilla) is 9.3 centimeters and weight is 5.5 grams. FireCrest is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. The Firecrest is as small as the Goldcrest and is clearly very closely related to it, but the two species can coexist because of their subtly different ecological requirements. It is possible that this species was the original “king of the birds” in European folklore. It breeds in most of temperate Europe and northwestern Africa, and is partially migratory, with birds from central Europe wintering to the south and west of their breeding range. This kinglet is constantly on the move and frequently hovers as it searches for insects to eat, and in winter it is often found with flocks of tits.

Firecrests in the Balearic Islands and north Africa are widely recognized as a separate subspecies, but the population on Madeira, previously also treated as a subspecies, is now treated as a distinct species, the Madeira firecrest, Regulus madeirensis. The common Firecrest breeds in broadleaved or coniferous woodland and gardens. Seven to twelve eggs are incubated by the female alone. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge 22–24 days after hatching. It may be hunted and killed by birds of prey, and can carry parasites. Simple firecrests tend to be seen more frequently during autumn and winter.

6.Pardalote(Pardalotidae)

Average length of Pardalote(Pardalotidae) is 9.5 centimeters and weight is 6 grams. The Pardalote is a particularly attractive Australian bird and native to Australia. Pardalotes are a family, Pardalotidae, of very small and brightly coloured birds. This family is composed of four species in one genus, Pardalotus, and several subspecies. Within the family two species, the forty-spotted pardalote and the red-browed pardalote, are fairly invariant species, but the remaining two species are highly variable. Spotted Pardalote also called as HeadacheBird. All four species nest in deep horizontal tunnels drilled into banks of earth. Externally about the size of a mouse-hole, they can be very deep, at a metre or more.

Some species also nest in tree hollows. Eventhough they weigh just 6 g. Their small size lets them get into small holes of eucalyptus trees to hunt for lerps and other native larvae. The name derives from a Greek word meaning “spotted”. They are seasonal breeders in temperate areas of Australia, but may breed year round in warmer areas. Pardalotes spend most of their time high in the outer foliage of trees, feeding on insects, spiders, and above all lerps. Their role in controlling lerp infestations in the Eucalyptus forests of Australia may be significant. Pardalote has short tail, strong legs, and stubby blunt beak. They are monogamous breeders, and both partners share nest construction, incubation and chick-rearing duties. Voice is a very clear and repetitive double “ding”.

7.Brown Gerygone(Gerygonemouki)

Average length of Brown Gerygone(Gerygonemouki) is 10 centimeters and weight is 6 grams. It is a Small plain bird with thin bill. It’s Upperparts brown, under parts whitish, with gray face, red eye, and distinctive patch of white in under tail. Juveniles lack red eye and have yellow gape (base of bill). Inhabits rainforest, wet forest, and surrounding habitats of Eastern Australia. The Brown Gerygone is similar to both the Large-billed, G. magnirostris, and Mangrove,G. levigaster, Gerygones. The Brown Gerygone is one a group of species of small birds which were formerly known as warblers, due to their loud, melodious song. However, as they are not related to the ‘true warblers’ that occur in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia, their name was changed. Their new name, ‘gerygone’, which is pronounced ‘jer-ig-on-nee’, comes from Greek, meaning ‘the children of song’. It is also known as the Brown Warbler.

The tail feathers are dark and may be white-tipped. It feeds on insects. The brown Gerygone call is a soft what-is-it. In Victoria there has been a westward expansion of this species, with confirmed sightings in the Dandenong Ranges, East of Melbourne. It has been seen in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. The Brown Gerygone builds a rounded dome nest with a tapering ‘tail’ from roots, plant fibres, spider web, moss and lichens, which is suspended from a low branch or vine. Both parents feed their young ones.

8.Verdin(Ariparusflaviceps)

Average length of Verdin(Ariparusflaviceps) is 10 centimeters and weight is 7 grams. The Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a species of penduline tit. Verdins are insectivorous, continuously foraging among the desert trees and scrubs. These restless birds comb the foliage of trees for insects and spiders, sometimes hanging upside down to investigate hard-to-reach places. They supplement their insect diet with fruits and even nectar, which they may sip from hummingbird feeders. Verdin rivals the American bushtit as one of the smallest passerines in North America. It is gray overall, and adults have a bright yellow head and rufous shoulder patch (the lesser coverts). Unlike the tits, it has a sharply pointed bill.

Juveniles have a light gray body without the rufous shoulder patch and yellow head. The base of the short bill is thick by the head, and draws to a sharp point at the tip. Their nests are best described as spherical masses of bulky twigs and branches that are then lined with grasses, feathers, and hair. Verdins nest in shrubs and thorny thickets with few trees. Both males and females build nests for roosting and nesting, and both incubate the eggs and tend to young. Clutch sizes vary from 3-6 eggs, which are light green with irregular dark red-brown spots, concentrated at the bottom end of the egg.

9.GoldenHeaded Cisticola(Cisticola Exiles)

Average length of GoldenHeaded Cisticola(Cisticola Exiles) is 10 centimeters and weight 8 grams. It is tiny, sandy-colored bird with short tail and dark-streaked back. Breeding adult males have orange-gold crown. Inhabits grasslands of northern and eastern Australia, where perches prominently. Very similar Zitting Cisticola always has a streaked crown and a very different “tick-tick-tick” song but otherwise almost identical. The Golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis), also known as the bright-capped cisticola. It is a species of warbler in the family Cisticolidae. It is also known as the “finest tailor of all birds”. It constructs nests out of plants and spider threads.

This species has been known by several English names in addition to the golden-headed cisticola, including bright-capped cisticola, bright-headed cisticola, bright-crowned cisticola, gold-capped cisticola, yellow-headed cisticola, exile warbler and fan-tail warbler. Males slightly heavier than females. The Golden-headed cisticola is omnivorous, primarily eating invertebrates such as insects and small slugs, but also eating grass seeds. It usually inhabits a single place throughout its life, but habitat changes sometimes cause it to move to a different location. It produces a variety of sounds distinct from other birds, which, according to the Sunshine Coast Council, range from a “teewip” to a “wheezz, whit-whit”. It mates in the rainy season. Three to four eggs are laid at a time, which are incubated by the female, taking 11 days. After hatching, the female feeds the chicks and the male defends the nest, chasing away animals that come near it. Young remain in the nest for 11–13 days.

10.Lesser GoldFinch(Spinus Psaltria)

Average length of Lesser GoldFinch(Spinus Psaltria) is 10 centimeters and weight is 10 grams. The Lesser Goldfinch is known by its scientific name Spinus psaltria, is a small perching bird that’s common to the Southwestern United States. It is native to North America, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Though similar in looks to the common sparrow, these birds, unlike the sparrow, hail from the finch family. Lesser Goldfinches are beautiful songbirds whose scientific name is derived from the ancient Greek word for female harpists, psalteria. Lesser Goldfinch birds were first formally described by the American zoologist, Thomas Say. While American Goldfinches lose all the yellow color from their plumage in winter, the Lesser Goldfinch retains a yellow tone. Though, both Lesser Goldfinches and American Goldfinches have a grayish-toned bill in winter plumage.

It feeds in small groups moving through low weeds, shrubs and trees to take mainly small seeds, as well as buds, flowers, or fruits, often visits feeders. It’s a very common bird that’s found in multiple habitats at different elevations and has been observed to be a predominantly monogamous bird. It is particularly sexually dimorphic, with significant coloration differences between males and females. Nests generally were placed toward tips of long branches in the middle of ponderosa pines. Most nests were well concealed in needle clusters in trees near forest edges and openings. This petite species is not only the smallest North American SpinusFinch, it may be the smallest true Finch in the world. Males are easily recognized by their bright yellow under parts and big white patches in the tail (outer rectrices) and on the wings. Female is similar to American Goldfinch. Like other goldfinches, it has an undulating flight in which it frequently gives a call: in this case, a harsh chig chig chig.

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