Birder Profile is a monthly series from Bird Count India, where we connect with bird enthusiasts from across the country.
- Please tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and where do you live?
My name is Vivek Goyal and I am working as an Associate Professor in Zoology at the Department of Higher Education, Haryana. Currently, I am posted at Govt College Sirsa. Environmental biology, evolution, and taxonomy are among the subjects I enjoy teaching the most. Aside from teaching, I enjoy photography, trekking, and sports like cycling and long-distance running.
- When and how did you get interested in birding?
Long-distance cycling was a part of my training for the 2007 Manali-Leh cycling excursion with my partner. Every time my wife saw a common bird, she would tell me about it. With her encouragement, I got interested in ornithology, leading to a UGC-sponsored biodiversity study on Sirsa’s bird life. Today, we both share a passion for birdwatching.
- Do you have a favourite bird or birds? Why is it/are they your favourite?
I’m not sure, but I adore all birds—whether they are common, like sparrows, doves, babblers, and bulbuls, or less common, like bluethroats, common kingfishers, and various migratory ducks such as the common teal or pintail. Going into the small morphological variations among the birds bothers me. I feel somewhat satisfied when I see birds in their natural habitat because I know that either their habitat is fine or that the birds are adjusting to the new, changing environment effectively.
A pair of bluethroats photographed by Dr. Vivek Goyal
- Do you have a birding partner or a group you enjoy birding with? How is birding alone different from birding with others?
I always go birdwatching with my wife and/or son. I prefer birding with my family. Group birding offers the advantage of collective knowledge and shared experiences. We can also talk about other topics while we wait for the birds.
- What is your most memorable birding experience?
My most memorable birding experience was working on the UGC-funded project on Sirsa’s avian biodiversity. It was a period of significant learning and growth, both in terms of bird knowledge and photography skills.
- Anything on the birding bucket list? (Doesn’t have to be a bird, could be a place, witnessing a phenomena, etc)
I’m passionate about local natural history and would love to create a community-driven website to document it. I also enjoy exploring diverse habitats for photography and research.
A Grey Heron flying against a sunset sky. Photographed by Dr. Vivek Goyal
- Which of the two do you enjoy more and why: a) regular birding around your house/local patch/district, or b) widespread birding in different landscapes across different districts and states?
I appreciate both local birding and broader explorations. Local birding provides a sense of tranquillity and connection to nature, while larger trips offer exciting discoveries.
- How has your approach to birding changed over the years?
My birding focus has shifted from mere documentation to a deeper appreciation for bird behaviour. I’ve also found joy in sharing my knowledge and inspiring the next generation of naturalists.
- Have you set any birding goals for the coming months?
I aim to engage more with youth through outreach programs, fostering a love for birding and nature conservation, where I can tell young minds about birding and natural habitats and prepare them to grow as naturalists.
Header Image: Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla © Sahil / Macaulay Library
How do you select birder for feature?
Excellent.
Truly, Dr Vivek inspires many of his friends and students. He has put Sirsa on the country’s aviation map by reporting on some very rare vagrant species.