Sriram Reddy is a passionate birdwatcher and photographer from Hyderabad who left his corporate career to pursue his love for birds. His journey into birding began in July 2015 when he witnessed hundreds of Greater Flamingos at Osman Sagar Lake, a moment that transformed his casual interest into a deep passion.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and where do you live?
I’m Sriram Reddy from Hyderabad, a birdwatcher and photographer who swapped the corporate world for the wild. While others follow deadlines, I follow birds, sometimes literally! I explore birding hotspots across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, document species and capture their beauty through my camera.
2. When and how did you get interested in birding?
I’ve always been an outdoor person, drawn to hiking and trekking. On one of my trips, I met a friend who was into birdwatching, which gave me my first glimpse into the world of birds. The real turning point came in July 2015 when another friend invited me to Osman Sagar Lake in Hyderabad to see Greater Flamingos. Watching hundreds of them move in sync, interacting as a group, was mesmerizing and that’s when I truly got hooked on birdwatching.
Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) © Sriram Reddy
3. Do you have a favourite bird or birds? Why is it/are they your favourite?
Even though I love all the owl species, I have a soft spot for drongos and White-throated Kingfisher. Drongos fascinate me with their incredible mimicry skills, intelligence, and boldness. They’re not just survivors but also master tricksters, even outsmarting larger birds.
The White-throated Kingfisher, on the other hand, impresses me with its adaptability. Unlike other kingfishers that primarily rely on water bodies, this bird thrives in almost any habitat from wetlands to urban parks and has an incredibly diverse diet. It’s not a picky eater, happily feasting on fish, insects, reptiles, and even small birds.
4. Do you have a birding partner or a group you enjoy birding with? How is birding alone different from birding with others?
I’ve done birding extensively with some fantastic companions over the past 10 years, including Gopalakrishna R, Ashis Kumar Pradhan, Phani Krishna Ravi, and Manjula Desai. Together, we’ve explored birding hotspots across many states in India, sharing incredible sightings. I’m also an active member of Hyderabad Birding Pals (HBP), an ngo which conducts free Sunday birdwalks in the Telangana state, where I enjoy engaging with fellow birders, especially those new to the world of birdwatching.
At the same time, I also love birding alone. Solo birdwatching or photography allows for a more personal connection with birds, with minimal disturbances. It’s in those quiet moments that I truly get to observe bird behavior up close and capture their behavior through my lens.
5. What is your most memorable birding experience?
It’s hard to pick just one, but a few experiences stand out as truly unforgettable.
One unforgettable moment was watching the Lesser Florican’s dramatic display at Rollapadu WLS, leaping into the air in near-darkness. Another was finally spotting the Great Indian Bustard at the same place after multiple trips without success.
Another thrilling experience was identifying Dusky Eagle-Owl for the first time in Telangana at Pakhal. It was an early morning, still dark, and we initially thought we were looking at a Brown Fish-Owl, until it called. That deep, resonant call changed everything, and we realized we had just recorded a rare sighting for the state!
Then there was the discovery of Gubbalamangamma, a hidden gem in Telangana. Exploring this place led to documenting several northeast Indian bird species, an unexpected and exciting find for the state’s birding records.
Each of these moments reminds me why birdwatching is more than just a hobby.
Dusky Eagle-Owl (Bubo coromandus) © Sriram Reddy
6. Anything on the birding bucket list? (Doesn’t have to be a bird, could be a place, witnessing a phenomena, etc)
I hope to see the Green Avadavat and Blue-breasted Quail in Telangana. Both species were documented by Dr. Salim Ali during the Hyderabad State Ornithological Survey in 1931-32, but sightings have been scarce since then. Also I need to plan a visit to the Nicobar Islands for birds.
7. 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’m more drawn to widespread birding across different districts and states. So far, I’ve explored 25 states of India and all 33 districts of Telangana. Next, I’m eager to cover every district of Andhra Pradesh as well.
8. How has your approach to birding changed over the years? (optional)
When I first started birdwatching, my focus was mainly on finding as many bird species as possible, ticking off birds from my list, and visiting different places to add new sightings. I was particularly mesmerized by the vibrant colors and striking features of male birds. Over time, however, my approach has evolved. I began to find myself more captivated by the behaviour of birds, the way they interact with each other, their surroundings, and their environment. I’ve come to appreciate the birdlife, from their unique calls to their intricate social dynamics. Now, I admire the beauty in all birds, and find joy in their natural behaviours, colours, and the stories they tell.
Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) © Sriram Reddy
9. Have you set any birding goals for the coming months?
I plan to visit the Nicobar Islands and Kashmir to explore for birds, cover all districts of Andhra Pradesh, and discover new birding hotspots within Telangana. Write more articles and hopefully write a book on “Birds of Telangana” with my friend Gopalakrishna R.
Header Image: Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus © Sriram Reddy
