Nature corner

The most easily recognizable bird in our urban landscape is the Black Kite, which thrives, thanks to Bengaluru’s inefficient waste disposal.

These dragonflies can help you keep chikungunya and dengue at bay.

Urbanisation hasn’t left Bengaluru completely bereft of wildlife. Snakes are one of the few who’ve made this city their home. But not all of them are poisonous and not all of them come back to take revenge.

The Common Jezebel loves the Rain trees and Gulmohurs. But comes to feed on bushes down below. Its unhurried and confident flight is the result of the strong defence mechanism it possesses.

A symbol of immortality, the Temple tree or the Champa tree, continues to bloom even after it is uprooted. Vikram Nanjappa tells you more.

Unlike what owls are believed to be. Vikram Nanjappa unravels myths surrounding the spotted owlet, commonly found in Bengaluru.

Confused? We aren’t talking about mice or rats. The ‘cute’ rodent in question is what we commonly refer to as the squirrel, with its unmistakable three stripes. Vikram Nanjappa tells you more.

Their voice marks the arrival of life-giving rain. The Indian Bull Frog, the largest of the species, is facing an unprecedented danger to its survival. Vikram Nanjappa tells you more about this amphibian.

The next time you see a colour-changing reptile in your garden, don’t mistake it to always be a chameleon. Lurking in your gardens are also the Common Garden Lizards, termed as ‘bloodsuckers’.

One of the strongest and swiftest of butterflies, the Common Banded Awl belonging to the Skipper family, is a common sight in Bangalore, thanks to the honge tree.

It’s commonly seen dotting the Bangalore sky. Vikram Nanjappa tells you more about the magnificent Brahminy Kite, a bird that’s constantly under threat in the city.

Surprised? Don’t be, because our city is home to a number of species of ‘wild’ animals, birds, insects and reptiles. What’s important is for us to document these creatures and live with them harmoniously.