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Birding Program
Dr. Abhay Hule and Dr. Mugdha Hule, The PAVO, Mumbai.
And
Dr Shilpa Kamat,MPCOE
Date and Place: 20th and 21st July, 2013 at Maharshi Parshuram College Of
Engineering, Velneshwar.
A nature trail was carried out during 20th and 21st July 2013 around Velneshwar and our college
campus for bird watching and surrounding habitats. List of birds seen during the two days visits were
stipulated as below in a small power-point presentation.
Timing: Most of the birds were seen during the early morning and late evening period of the day but
some of them were seen in regular day time period.
Weather –Raining and wet
List of the bird spotted
1. Oriental pied Hornbill ( local name Kakaner) – I pair male and
female along with Juvenile (without eye strip) were seen on
both days. This Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros
albirostris) is a species of hornbill in the Bucerotidae family
which is found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia,
Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The Oriental Pied Hornbill's diet includes wild fruit (esp. figs,
genus Ficus) and other fruit such as rambutans, along with small
reptiles such as lizards and frogs, and larger insects.
2. White bellied fish Eagle- (1 Adult)( Haliaeetus Leucogastor): The White-bellied Sea
Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as
the White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a large diurnal bird
of prey in the family Accipitridae. A distinctive bird,
the adult White-bellied Sea Eagle has a white head,
breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts
are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers
contrast with the white coverts. The tail is short and
wedge-shaped.. The call is a loud goose-like
honking. Resident from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to Australia on coasts
and major waterways, the White-bellied Sea Eagle breeds and hunts near water, and fish
form around half of its diet.
3. Brahminy Kite The Brahminy Kite is one of the medium-sized raptors (birds of prey), with a
white head and breast. The rest of its
body is a striking chestnut brown.
The very tip of its tail is white. The
wings are broad, with dark 'fingered'
wing tips and the tail is short. The
legs are short and not feathered, the
eye is dark and the lemon yellow
coloured bill is strongly hooked. It
sails on level wings along shorelines
and mudflats. The Brahminy Kite is a
bird of the coast, particularly mangrove swamps and estuaries. It is sometimes seen over
forests and along rivers. The Brahminy Kite feeds on carrion (dead animals), insects and fish.
It swoops low over water, the ground or tree tops and snatches live prey or carrion from the
surface. It also steals from fish-hunting birds, snatching prey in flight.
4. Paddy-field pipit, Paddy-field Pipit, or Oriental Pipit, (Anthus rufulus) is a
small passerine bird in the pipits and wagtail family. It is a resident breeder in open scrub,
grassland and cultivation in southern Asia east to the Philippines. This is a large pipit at
15 cm, but is otherwise an undistinguished looking
bird, mainly streaked grey-brown above and pale
below with breast streaking. It is long legged with a
long tail and a long dark bill. Sexes are similar.
Summer and winter plumages are similar. Young
birds are more richly coloured below than adults and
have the pale edges to the feather's of the upper
parts more conspicuous with more prominent
spotting on the breast.
5. The Pied Myna or Asian Pied Starling (Gracupica contra) is a species of starling found in the
Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. They are usually found in small groups mainly on the
plains and low foothills. They are often seen
within cities and villages. This myna is
strikingly marked in black and white and has a
yellowish bill with a reddish bill base. The bare
skin around the eye is reddish. The upper
body, throat and breast are black while the
cheek, lores, wing coverts and rump are
contrastingly white. The sexes are similar in
plumage but young birds have dark brown in
place of black. The habitat is lowland open areas with scattered trees near water, often near
human habitation. This species is often seen at sewage farms and refuse tips.
6. Jungle myna the Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) is a myna, a member of the starling
family. This bird is a common resident
breeder in tropical southern Asia from
Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Burma east
to Indonesia. This common passerine is
typically found in forest and cultivation.
The Jungle Myna builds a nest in hole. The
normal clutch is 3–6 eggs. These 23 cm
(9.1 in) long birds have grey plumage,
darker on the head and wings. There are
large white wing patches obvious in flight,
and a white tail tip. The head has a forehead tuft. The bill and strong legs are bright yellow,
and there is no bare skin around eye. The southern Indian race has a blue iris. The sexes are
similar, but juveniles are browner. They are usually found close to water or rice fields. Like
most starlings, the Jungle Myna is fairly omnivorous, eating fruit, grain and insects.
7. Call Heard of Indian peafowl ( local name More) The Indian Peafowl or Blue
Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a large and brightly coloured bird of the pheasant family native to
South Asia, but introduced and semi-feral in many other parts of the world. The male peacock
is predominantly blue with a fan-
like crest of spatula-tipped wire-like
feathers and is best known for the
long train made up of elongated
upper-tail covert feathers which
bear colourful eyespots. These stiff
and elongated feathers are raised
into a fan and quivered in a display
during courtship. The female lacks
the train, has a greenish lower
neck and a duller brown plumage.
The Indian Peafowl is found mainly
on the ground in open forest or on land under cultivation where they forage for berries, grains
but will also prey on snakes, lizards, and small rodents. Their loud calls make them easy to
detect, and in forest areas often indicate the presence of a predator such as a tiger. They
forage on the ground in small groups and will usually try to escape on foot through
undergrowth and avoid flying, though they will fly into tall trees to roost. The bird is celebrated
in Indian and Greek mythology and is the national bird of India.
8. Common Iora (Subhag) (male’s call heard and female was seen) almost 2-3 pairs of this
around area. And these birds had responded
so well to our imitated call. The Common
Iora (Aegithina tiphia) is a
small passerine bird found a cross the
tropical Indian Subcontinent with populations
showing plumage variations, some of which
are designated as subspecies. A species
found in scrub and forest, it is easily detected
from its loud whistles and the bright colours.
During the breeding season, males display by
fluffing up their feathers and spiral in the air
appearing like a green, black, yellow and white ball.
9. Little brown dove (local name as Kavada) seen in pairs here. The Laughing
Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a small pigeon that is a resident breeder in Sub-
Saharan Africa, the Middle East east
to the Indian Subcontinent. This
small long-tailed dove is found in dry
scrub and semi-desert habitats
where pairs can often be seen
feeding on the ground. A Rufus and
black chequered necklace gives it a
distinctive pattern and is also easily
distinguished from other doves by its
call. In India the name of the Little
Brown Dove is often used. The
Laughing Dove is a long-tailed, slim
pigeon, typically 25 cm (9.8 in) in length. It is pinkish brown on the underside with a lilac
tinged head and neck. The head and under parts are pinkish, shading to buff on the
lower abdomen. A chequered rufous and grey patch is found on both the side of the neck
which is made up of split feathers. The upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey band
along the wing. The back is uniform and dull brown.
10. Ashy Prinia was seen and heard as well. The Ashy Prinia or Ashy Wren-Warbler (Prinia
socialis) is a small warbler. This prinia is a
resident breeder in the Indian
Subcontinent, ranging across most
of India, Nepal, Bangladesh,Bhutan, Sri
Lanka and western Myanmar. It is a
common bird in urban gardens and
farmland in many parts of India and its
small size, distinctive colours and upright
tail make it easy to identify. These 13–
14 cm long warblers have short rounded
wings and longish graduated cream tail
tipped with black sub-terminal spots. The tail is usually held upright and the strong legs are
used for clambering about and hopping on the ground. They have a short black bill. The
crown is grey and the under-parts are rufus in most plumages. In breeding plumage, adults of
the northern population are ash grey above, with a black crown and cheek with
no supercilium and rufescent wings. In non-breeding season, this population has a short and
narrow white supercilium and the tail is longer. They are found singly or in pairs in shrubbery
and will often visit the ground.
11. Spotted dove (Kavada) seen in pair. The Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small and somewhat long-tailed pigeon which is a common resident breeding bird across its native range on the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The species has been introduced into many parts of the world and feral populations have become established. This dove is long tailed buff brown with a white-spotted black collar
patch on the back and sides of the neck. The tail tips are white and the wing coverts have light buff spots. There are considerable plumage variations across populations within its wide range. The species is found in light forests and gardens as well as in urban areas. They fly off from the ground with an explosive flutter and will sometimes glide down to a perch.
12. Juvenile small bee-eater (Veda Raghu in Marathi, Kir popat) seen with catch. The Green
Bee-eater (Merops orientalis) (sometimes Little Green
Bee-eater) is a near passerine bird in the bee-
eater family. It is resident but prone to seasonal
movements and is found widely distributed across sub-
Saharan Africa from Senegal and The
Gambia to Ethiopia, the Nile valley, western Arabia
and Asia through India to Vietnam. They are mainly
insect eaters and they are found in grassland, thin scrub
and forest often quite far from water. Like other bee-
eaters, this species is a richly coloured, slender bird. It is
about 9 inches (16–18 cm) long with about 2 inches
made up by the elongated central tail-feathers. The
sexes are not visually distinguishable. The entire plumage is bright green and tinged with
blue especially on the chin and throat. The crown and upper back are tinged with golden
rufous. The flight feathers are rufous washed with green and tipped with blackish. A fine black
line runs in front of and behind the eye. The iris is crimson and the bill is black while the legs
are dark grey. The feet are weak with the three toes joined at the base.
13. Purple Rumped Sunbirds (Suryapacshi in Marathi). The Purple-rumped
Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) is
a sunbird endemic to the Indian
Subcontinent. Like other sunbirds, they
are small in size, feeding mainly
on nectar but sometimes take insects,
particularly when feeding young. They
can hover for short durations but usually
perch to feed. They build a hanging
pouch nest made up of
cobwebs, lichens and plant material.
Males are brightly coloured but females
are olive above and yellow to buff
below. Purple-rumped Sunbirds are tiny
at less than 10 cm long. They have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped
tubular tongues, both adaptations to their nectar feeding. Purple-rumped Sunbirds
are sexually dimorphic. The males have a dark maroon upper side with a blue-green crown
that glistens in some angles, bright green shoulder patch and violet/purple rump patch which
is generally hidden. The under parts are whitish with dark throat, maroon breast band and
purple/violet patch in the throat which is visible in some angles. The iris is generally reddish in
color. In the Western Ghats, it can overlap in some areas with the Crimson-backed
Sunbird but male of that species has reddish upperparts, a broader breast band and
generally darker eyes. The female has a white throat followed by yellowish breast. The upper
side is olive or brownish. The upper-tail coverts are black and a weak supercilium is visible.
14. Baya weaver (Sugaran in Marathi) male yellow and with black cap and females seen in
party (10-12 individuals). The Baya
Weaver (Ploceus philippinus) is a weaver
bird found across South and Southeast Asia.
Flocks of these birds are found in
grasslands, cultivated areas, scrub and
secondary growth and they are best known
for their hanging retort shaped nests woven
from leaves. These nest colonies are usually
found on thorny trees or palm fronds and the
nests are often built near water or hanging
over water where predators cannot reach
easily. They are widespread and common
within their range but are prone to local, seasonal movements mainly in response to rain and
food availability. These are sparrow-sized (15 cm) and in their non-breeding plumage, both
males and females resemble female house sparrows. They have a stout conical bill and a
short square tail. Non-breeding males and females look alike, dark brown streaked fulvous
buff above, plain (unstreaked) whitish fulvous below, eyebrow long and buff coloured, bill is
horn coloured and no mask. Breeding males have a bright yellow crown, dark brown mask,
blackish brown bill, upper parts are dark brown streaked with yellow, with a yellow breast and
cream buff below.
15. Singing Bush-lark (flight pattern seen).(Chandol in Marathi) The Indian Bush Lark, Indian
Bushlark or Red-winged Bushlark
(Mirafra erythroptera) is a species of
bushlark found in South Asia mainly in
India. Pale and found mostly in arid areas.
Has cheek patch completely bounded by
white supercilium and post-auricular
border. Crown and upperparts heavily
streaked. Pale underparts have large spots
on the breast. Differentiable from
Jerdon's Bush Lark by longer tail, shorter
bill and legs. Most wing coverts, tertials
and central tail feathers have pale centres. Primary coverts look all brown. Sings from bush
tops but does not usually perch on trees or wires. Calls similar to that of Jerdon's but is
lower and has longer rattling tremolos. Often falling in pitch. The song-flight during the
mating season is an amazing spectacle. The bird flutters high over the ground, then holds its
wings in an open V and "parachutes" down to its perch uttering its song consisting of short
tweets and cheeps in three syllables followed by a longer fourth syllable. This combination is
oft repeated till the bird perches again. The rufous wing bars are diagnostic but care must be
taken not to confuse the bird with M. affinis in the central Western Ghats and country
around where their ranges overlap. Mirafra affinis is darker with more rufous on the wings.
16. White breasted kingfisher (Bandya/Khandya) The White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon
smyrnensis) also known as
the White-breasted
Kingfisher or Smyrna
Kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher,
widely distributed in Eurasia from
Bulgaria, Turkey, West Asia east
through the Indian
Subcontinent to the Philippines.
This kingfisher is a resident over
much of its range, although some
populations may make short
distance movements. It can often
be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small
reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they
call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban
areas or on wires. This is a large kingfisher, 28 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue
back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat
and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the White-throated
Kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches
are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of
the adult.
17. Wire tailed swallow (Pair seen) The Wire-tailed Swallow (Hirundo smithii) is
small passerine bird in the swallow family.
Swallows are somewhat similar in habits and
appearance to other aerial insectivores, Wire-
tailed Swallow breeds in Africa south of
the Sahara and in tropical southern Asia from
the Indian subcontinent east to southeast Asia.
It is mainly resident, but populations
in Pakistan and northern India migrate further
south in winter. This bird is found in open
country near water and human habitation. Wire-
tailed Swallows are fast flyers and they
generally feed on insects, especially flies, while
airborne. They are typically seen low over water, with which they are more closely associated
than most swallows.
18. Black Drongo (Kotwal) call heard. The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a
small Asian passerine bird of the drongo family Dicruridae. It is a common resident breeder in
much of tropical southern Asia from southwest
Iran through India and Sri Lanka east to
southern China and Indonesia. It is a wholly black bird
with a distinctive forked tail and measures 28 cm
(11 in) in length. Feeding on insects, it is common in
open agricultural areas and light forest throughout its
range, perching conspicuously on a bare perch or
along power or telephone lines. The species is known
for its aggressive behaviour towards much larger birds,
such as crows, never hesitating to dive-bomb any birds
of prey that invade its territory. This behavior earns it
the informal name of King Crow. Smaller birds often nest in the well-guarded vicinity of a
nesting Black Drongo This bird is glossy black with a wide fork to the tail. Adults usually have
a small white spot at the base of the gape. The iris is dark brown (not crimson as in the
similar Ashy Drongo). The sexes cannot be told apart in the field. Juveniles are brownish and
may have some white barring or speckling towards the belly and vent, and can be mistaken
for the White-bellied Drongo. First-year birds have white tips to the feathers of the belly, while
second-years have these white-tipped feathers restricted to the vent.
19. Red wattled lapwing (Titavi) The Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) is a lapwing or
large plover, a wader in the family Charadriidae. It has
characteristic loud alarm calls which are variously
rendered as did he do it or pity to do it leading to
colloquial names like the did-he-do-it bird. Usually
seen in pairs or small groups not far from water but
may form large flocks in the non-breeding season
(winter) Red-wattled Lapwings are large waders,
about 35 cm long. The wings and back are light brown
with a purple sheen, but head and chest and front part
of neck are black. Prominently white patch runs
between these two colours, from belly and tail, flanking the neck to the sides of crown. Short
tail is tipped black. A red fleshy wattle in front of each eye, black-tipped red bill, and the long
legs are yellow. In flight, prominent white wing bars formed by the white on the secondary
coverts.
20. Greater Coucal (Bharatdyaj) heard its call and seen it. The Greater Coucal or Crow
Pheasant (Centropus sinensis) is a large non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order of birds,
the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident
in Asia, from India, east to
south China and Indonesia, it is divided into
several subspecies, some being treated as
fullspecies. They are large, crow-like with a
long tail and coppery brown wings and found
in wide range of habitats from jungle to
cultivation and urban gardens. They are weak
fliers, and are often seen clambering about in
vegetation or walking on the ground as they forage for insects, eggs and nestlings of other
birds. They have a familiar deep resonant call which is associated with omens in many parts
of its range. This is a large species of cuckoo at 48 cm. The head is black, upper mantle and
underside are black glossed with purple. The back and wings are chestnut brown. There are
no pale shaft streaks on the coverts. The eyes are ruby red. Juveniles are duller black with
spots on the crown and there are whitish bars on the underside and tail. There are several
geographic races and some of these populations are sometimes treated as full species.
21. Brown headed barbet (Kurtuk) (call heard) The Brown-headed Barbet or Large Green
Barbet[2]
(Megalaima
zeylanica) is an Asian
barbet. Barbets
and toucans are a group
of near passerine birds with
a worldwide tropical
distribution. The barbets
get their name from the
bristles which fringe their
heavy bills. The Brown-
headed Barbet is a resident
breeder in the Indian
Subcontinent, widespread
in India and also seen
in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It is anarboreal species of gardens and wooded country which
eats fruit and insects. Nonetheless, it is fairly tolerant of humans and is often seen in cities, in
greenery. It nests in a tree hole, laying 2-4 eggs. The bird is largely frugivorous on mangos,
ripe jack, papaya, banana, figs and similar cultivated fruit trees. Its habitat includes urban and
country gardens though it tends to eschew heavy forest. It nests in a suitable hole in a tree
that it will often excavate out. The adult has a streaked brown head, neck and breast, with a
yellow eye patch. The rest of the plumage is green. The bill is thick and red. Sexes are
similar.
22. Indian Robin The Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus[note 1]
) is a species of bird in
the Muscicapidaefamily. It is widespread in the Indian Subcontinent, and ranges
cross Bangladesh, Bhutan,India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri L.anka. They are commonly found
in open scrub areas and often
seen running along the ground
or perching on low thorny
shrubs and rocks. Their long
tails are held erect and their
chestnut undertail covert and
dark body makes them easily
distinguishable from the Pied
Bushchat and the Oriental
Magpie Robin. The Indian
Robin is sexually dimorphic in
plumage with the main being
mainly black with a white
shoulder patch or stripe whose
visible extent can vary with posture. The males have chestnut undertail coverts and these are
visible as the bird usually holds the 6–8 cm long tail raised upright. The females are brownish
above, have no white shoulder stripe and are greyish below with the vent a paler shade of
chestnut than the males. Juvenile birds are much like females but the throat is mottled.
23. Oriental Magpie Robin (OMR) These birds are found in southern Asia, from eastern
Pakistan, throughout India and Bangladesh and through Indochina into Indonesia, the
Philippines and southern and
south-eastern China. The
oriental magpie-robin is 19-23
cm long and weighs 29-42 g.
These birds are mostly found in
tropical forests, both in dry and
moist areas, but also in
mangroves, scrublands, along
rivers and streams, in rural
gardens, plantations and in
gardens and parks within urban
areas. They are found from sea
level up to an altitude of 2.000 m. They forage on the ground and in the foliage, mainly taking
insects, but also nectar, earthworms, snails, small lizards and some plant matter.
24. Indian Bushchat (?) on ground seen The Pied Bush Chat (Saxicola caprata) is a
small passerine bird found ranging from West
and Central Asia to South and Southeast Asia.
About sixteen subspecies are recognized through
its wide range with many island forms. It is a
familiar bird of countryside and open scrub or
grassland where it is found perched at the top of
short thorn trees or other shrubs, looking out for
insect prey. They pick up insects mainly from the
ground, and were, like other chats, placed in the thrush family Turdidae, but are now
considered as Old World flycatchers. hey nest in cavities in stone walls or in holes in an
embankment, lining the nest with grass and animal hair. The males are black with white
shoulder and vent patches whose extent varies among populations. Females are
predominantly brownish while juveniles are speckled. he male is black except for a white
rump, wing patch and lower belly. The iris is dark brown, the bill and legs black. The female is
drab brown and slightly streaked. Juveniles have a scaly appearance on the underside but
dark above like the females.
25. Baby of grey francolin (?) seen while coming from Guhaghar to Velneshwar The Grey
Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus is a species of francolin found in the plains and drier
parts of South Asia. They are found in
open cultivated lands as well as scrub
forest and their local name of teetar is
based on their calls, a loud and
repeated Ka-tee-tar...tee-tarwhich is
produced by one or more birds. The
term teetar can also refer to other
partridges and quails. During the breeding
season calling males attract challengers
and decoys were used to trap these birds
especially for fighting. It is a medium sized francolin with males averaging 11.6–13.4 in (29–
34 cm) and females averaging 10.2–11.9 in (26–30 cm). The males weigh 9–12 oz (260–
340 g) whereas the weight of the females is 7–11 oz (200–310 g).[2]
The francolin is barred
throughout and the face is pale with a thin black border to the pale throat. The only similar
species is the Painted Francolin, which has a rufous vent. The male can have up to two spurs
on the legs while females usually lack them. Subspecies mecranensisis palest and found in
arid north-western India, Eastern Pakistan and Southern Iran.
26. Red Vented Bulbul The Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) (balkunda is a member of
the bulbul family of passerines. It is
resident breeder across the Indian
Subcontinent, including Sri
Lanka extending east to Burma and
parts of Tibet. It has been introduced in
many other parts of the world and has
established itself in the wild on several
Pacific islands including Fiji, Samoa,
Tonga, and Hawaii. The Red-vented
Bulbul is easily identified by its short crest giving the head a squarish appearance. The body
is dark brown with a scaly pattern while the head is darker or black. The rump is white while
the vent is red. The black tail is tipped in white.
27. Red Whiskered Bulbul The Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) is a passerine bird
found in Asia. It is a member of
the bulbul family. It is a
resident frugivore found mainly in
tropical Asia. It has been introduced in
many tropical areas of the world where
populations have established themselves. It
feeds on fruits and small insects and they
conspicuously perch on trees and their calls
are a loud three or four note call. The
distinctive crest and the red-vent and
whiskers makes them easy to identify. They
are very common in hill forests and urban
gardens within its range.
28. Common crow Crows (/kroʊ/) are members of a widely distributed genus of birds, Corvus,
in the family Corvidae
Corvus species are all black or
black with little white or gray
plumage. They are stout with
strong bills and legs. The sexes
are not very different in
appearance.
29. Jungle Crow (Juvenile) The Jungle Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), is a
widespread Asian species of crow. It is very
adaptable and is able to survive on a wide range
of food sources, making it capable of colonizing
new areas, due to which it is often considered a
nuisance, especially on islands. It has a large bill
which is the source of its scientific
name macrorhynchos (Ancient Greek for "large
beak"), and it is sometimes known by the
common names Large-billed Crow or Thick-
billed Crow. The overall size (length: 46–59 cm;
18–23 in.) and body proportions vary regionally.
30. Pond Heron ( Vanchak) The Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird (Ardeola grayii) is a
small heron. It is of Old Worldorigins, breeding in southern Iran and east
to India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. They are widespread and common but can be
easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies or even when they roost
close to human habitations. They
are however distinctive when they
take off with bright white wings
flashing in contrast to the cryptic
streaked olive and brown colours
of the body. Their camouflage is so
excellent that they will close
approach before taking to flight, a
behaviour which has resulted in
folk names and beliefs that the
birds are short-sighted or blind.
They appear stocky with a short
neck, short thick bill and buff-brown
back. In summer, adults have long
neck feathers. Its appearance is
transformed from their dull colours
when they take to flight, when the
white of the wings makes them
very prominent.
31. Orange headed thrush was seen feeding on the ground. The Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla
citrina) is a bird in the thrush family. It is common in well-wooded areas of the Indian
Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Most populations are resident. The
species shows a preference for
shady damp areas, and like many
Zoothera thrushes, can be quite
secretive. The Orange-headed
Thrush is omnivorous, eating a
wide range of insects, earthworms
and fruit. It nests in trees but does
not form flocks. The male of this
small thrush has uniform grey
upperparts, and an orange head and underparts. The females and young birds have browner
upper parts.
32. Vernal hanging parrot The Vernal Hanging Parrot (Loriculus vernalis) is a mall parrot which
is a resident breeder from India, Nepal and
some other areas of Southeast Asia. It
undergoes local movements, driven mainly
by the availability of the fruit, seeds, buds
and blossoms that make up its diet. They
frequent the Banyan tree for the fruit
and Plantain trees for the nectar from the
flowers. Vernal Hanging Parrot is a bird of
dry jungle and cultivation. It nests in holes in
trees, laying 2-4 white eggs. This is a small,
mainly green hanging parrot, only 14 cm long
with a short tail. The adult male has a red
rump and bill, and blue throat patch. The female has a green patch.
33. Jungle Babbler (Ranbhai) The Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striata) is a member of
the Leiothrichidae family found in the Indian Subcontinent. They are gregarious birds that
forage in small groups of six to
ten birds, a habit that has given
them the popular name of Seven
Sisters or Saath
bhai in Hindi with cognates in
other regional languages which
means "seven brothers" The
Jungle Babbler's habitat
is forest and cultivation.
This species, like most babblers,
is non-migratory, and has short
rounded wings and a weak flight.
The sexes are identical, drably coloured in brownish grey with a yellow-bill.
Other Observations
Pagoda nest
Black faced Languor
Area visited or covered
1. College campus
2. Paddy field area
3. Grassland
4. Scrub jungle
5. MTDC resort and beach.