Watercock

Muthanallur Lake, Karnataka

The watercock, a remarkably shy and beautiful bird, is not easy to photograph. First of all, it rarely comes out of the reeds or hyacinth plants, and even when it does, it loves to stay hidden, often popping its head out to check if anyone is observing it. The male has a glossy black body with distinctive patterns, and the most striking feature is its red beak, which has a pointed upper part resembling a crown. When it hides in the grass with only its head exposed, you need to zoom your lens carefully to spot the bird by its unmistakable red beak.

In June 2024, at Muthanallur Lake, this bird has become a star these days. People visit the lake specifically to spot it, even though it is difficult to find due to its distance and its playful hide-and-seek behavior. After waiting for almost an hour, it suddenly appeared for about a minute, and I managed to capture this picture. It was such a joy to see this bird, and through my camera, I was able to capture it to view on my website anytime. I will definitely visit again to take a closer shot because this bird is a gem and not easy to find in India.