The noisy visitors

The Common iora above and the Marshall's iora below added to the variety of birds visiting our garden. They are not regular visitors.

 

The Marshall's iora stayed only for a short while. I was not able to get pictures of its movements. 

Both of them look colourful and admirably groomed. They move about too quickly between branches that I found photographing them in poor light conditions, as it was this morning, rather difficult. 

I understand that hey come close to human habitations as they like garden spaces. I suppose they find food in such places. These small birds not more than 15-20 cm in length surprise me about the way they hide between foliage, when larger birds like Bulbuls or Barbets arrive in the same tree. They are also brisk in flying and make an air dash between trees by flying high. 

Small they are, but they adapt well to the environment.  Their instinct to sense danger and act instantly is what is special about them. Their short musical bird calls, two or three types, in a hushed voice is another feature. They sometimes are noisy.It is the movement of the leaves, which alert me about the presence of small birds. They come visiting before the larger birds come in the golden hour. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)