1 The Pinnintis’ Jyoti, Bhavana, Bhargav & Uday Kiran
2
3 The Birds in our neighbourhood ……and, beyond The Passion of an Amateur Birding Family The Pinnintis’ Jyoti, Bhavana, Bhargav & Uday
4
The photographs in this book have been clicked by our family. However, we have used Wikipedia to source the text and details of the birds that we captured. Where source other than Wikipedia has been used, it has been indicated. There are some photos, which are more of record shots...we hope to replace them with better shots we click the next time around. Disclaimer 5
DEDICATED TO Our Children…...Bhavana and Bhargav who introduced us into this wonderful world of Birding and are our constant source of motivation. 6
It was late 2011 when we moved to the Nilgiris. Being in the midst of nature, we had regular visitors, of the feathered kind ☺ Our children were 5 and 1 1/2. Their curious nature would make them pose questions everyday....."Dada, which bird is that?" Well, I did not have the faintest clue! The easiest answer...it's a sparrow. However, every bird CANNOT be a sparrow! Then, as God send, my brother visited us with his family. They have two lovely girls. The elder one was working on her pet project of finding, clicking, drawing and cataloguing all the birds in her neighbourhood. She along with her little sister and my brother started rattling out names of all the birds around us. My children looked at me ..... the look said it all! I asked my brother for guidance and he advised us to get a book on birding by Grimmet and Inskipp. And thus started our birding saga..... We started with a simple Canon Powershot A3100 IS. This camera meant that we had to be really lucky and close to get clear pictures. However, our children's enthusiasm warmed another brother's heart...and he gifted our kids a Panasonic LUMIX DMC FZ35. We have upgraded our photographic equipment and we currently use a Nikon D 5200 with a Tamaron 150-600 mm telephoto lens. Some pictures are sharp, others are fuzzy and are mere record shots. We hope to capture them overtime and replace them in subsequent editions. The photos in this book have been primarily captured in India, but some in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Hawaii & CA in the US too. The place shown below the bird name is the place where we framed the bird. There are many who have helped us along the way to frame these birds…there are too many of them. They know who they are. A Big Thank You to all of them! Author’s Note 7
Image Source © http://tx.audubon.org/birds/birdin Accessed 10 Dec 18 8 PARTS OF A BIRD Image Source © https://kids.britannica.com/kids/assembly/view/87184 Accessed 10 Dec 18 HOW A BIRD FEEDS
9
RED WHISKERED 10 BULBUL @Wellington, Nilgiris The red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus), or crested bulbul, 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. Redwhiskered bulbuls perch conspicuously on trees and have a loud three or four note call. They are very common in hill forests and urban gardens within its range. RED VENTED BULBUL @Wellington, Nilgiris The red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) 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. 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.
HIMALAYAN BULBUL @Srinagar The Himalayan bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), or white-cheeked bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family. The Himalayan bulbul is considered to belong to a superspecies along with the whiteeared bulbul, white-spectacled bulbul, African red-eyed bulbul, Cape bulbul, and common bulbul. The alternate name, white-cheeked bulbul, is also used by the white-eared bulbul. The Himalayan bulbul is about 18 cm in length, with a wingspan of 25.5–28 cm and an average weight of 30 g. Its head, throat, and crest are black and white. The back, side, and lengthy tail are brown, the underside is pale yellow. Sexes have similar plumage. The song is a beautiful 4-piece whistle, which resembles an accelerated oriole whistle. FLAME-THROATED BULBUL @Thatekkad, Near Kochi The flame-throated bulbul (Pycnonotus gularis) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found only in the forests of the Western Ghats in southern India. Formerly included as a subspecies of Pycnonotus flaviventris it has since been elevated to the status of a full species. They are olive backed with yellow undersides, a triangular orange-red throat and a white iris that stands out against the contrasting black head. They are usually seen foraging in groups in the forest canopy for berries and small insects. They have a call often with two or three tinkling notes that can sound similar to those produced by the red-whiskered bulbul. The species has been referred to by names in the past such as ruby-throated bulbul and black-headed bulbul, but these are ambiguous and could apply to other species such as Pycnonotus flaviventris and P. dispar. 11
YELLOW-BROWED BULBUL @Thatekkad, Near Kochi The yellow-browed bulbul (Acritillas indica), or golden-browed bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found in the forests of southern India and Sri Lanka. The yellow-browed bulbul is mainly yellow on the underside and olive above with a distinct yellow brow. They are easily located by their loud calls but tend to skulk within foliage below the forest canopy. While its taxonomic classification has changed over time, it is currently recognized as the sole species within the monotypic genus Acritillas. This bulbul is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long, lacks a crest and has the upperparts olive green with a prominent yellow brow and goggle with the underparts being all yellow. The sexes do not differ in plumage. The bill is black and the iris is reddish brown. WHITE-EARED BULBUL @New Delhi The white-eared bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis), or white-cheeked bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family. This species is very similar in appearance to the Himalayan white-cheeked bulbul but smaller and uncrested, and with a larger white cheek patch. It has a pale bare eye-ring. The vent is orange yellow. Sexes are alike. It is found in scrub forest and gardenland. Also found in flocks or pairs in the mangroves, gorging on the fruits of the Meswak bush. Usually seen in pairs or small groups. It feeds on fruits and insects, and breeds in March–June. 12
WHITE-BROWED BULBUL @Goa The white-browed bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in Sri Lanka and peninsular India. Largely olive coloured above with whitish underparts, it has a pale supercilium and a yellow vent. They are found in dense scrub habitats, where they skulk within vegetation and can be difficult to see although their loud and distinct burst of calls is distinctive. The white-browed bulbul is about 20 cm (7.9 in) long, with a moderately long (8 centimetres or 3 inches) tail. It has olive-grey upperparts and whitish underparts. This species is identifiable by the white supercilium, white crescent below the eye, and dark eyestripe and moustachial stripe. The vent is yellowish and there is some yellow on the chin and moustache. The throat is however largely whitish unlike in the similar looking and sounding yellow-throated bulbul which is found in rockier habitats. Three or four hair-like filoplumes are present on the nape. Sexes are similar in plumage. BLACK BULBUL @Gangtok The black bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), also known as the Himalayan black bulbul or Asian black bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in southern Asia from India east to southern China. The black bulbul is 24–25 cm in length, with a long tail. The body plumage ranges from slate grey to shimmering black, depending on the race. The beak, legs, and feet are all orange and the head has a black fluffy crest. Sexes are similar in plumage, but young birds lack the crest, have whitish underparts with a grey breast band, and have a brown tint to the upperparts. They have a black streak behind the eye and on the ear coverts. 13
HOUSE CROW @Mumbai The house crow (Corvus splendens), also known as the Indian, greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo crow. It is 40 cm (16 in) in length. The forehead, crown, throat and upper breast are a richly glossed black, whilst the neck and breast are a lighter greybrown in colour. The wings, tail and legs are black. There are regional variations in the thickness of the bill and the depth of colour in areas of the plumage. They are highly opportunistic birds and given their omnivorous diet, they can survive on nearly anything that is edible. EURASIAN JACKDAW @Ladakh The western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula), also known as the Eurasian jackdaw, European jackdaw, or simply jackdaw, is a passerine bird in the crow family. Found across Europe, western Asia and North Africa, it is mostly resident, although northern and eastern populations migrate south in winter. Measuring 34–39 centimetres (13–15 in) in length, the western jackdaw is the second smallest member of the genus Corvus. Most of the plumage is a shiny black, with a purple (in subspecies monedula and spermologus) or blue (in subspecies cirtensis and soemmerringii) sheen on the crown,[33] forehead, and secondaries, and a green-blue sheen on the throat, primaries, and tail. The cheeks, nape and neck are light grey to greyish-silver, and the underparts are slategrey. The legs are black, as is the short stout bill,[32] the length of which is about 75% of the length of the rest of the head. There are rictal bristles covering around 40% of the maxilla and 25% of the lower mandible. The irises of adults are greyish or silvery white while those of juveniles are light blue, becoming brownish before whitening at around one year of age. The sexes look alike, 14
RED-BILLED CHOUGH @Leh The red-billed chough, Cornish chough or simply chough (/ˈtʃʌf/ CHUF; Pyrrhoco rax pyrrhocorax), is a bird in the crow family, one of only two species in the genus Pyrrhocorax. This bird has glossy black plumage, a long curved red bill, red legs, and a loud, ringing call. It has a buoyant acrobatic flight with widely spread primaries. The red-billed chough pairs for life and displays fidelity to its breeding site, which is usually a cave or crevice in a cliff face. It builds a wool-lined stick nest and lays three eggs. It feeds, often in flocks, on short grazed grassland, taking mainly invertebrate prey. ALPINE CHOUGH @Leh The Alpine chough (/ˈtʃʌf/), or yellow-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), is a bird in the crow family. This bird has glossy black plumage, a yellow beak, red legs, and distinctive calls. It has a buoyant acrobatic flight with widely spread flight feathers. The Alpine chough pairs for life and displays fidelity to its breeding site, which is usually a cave or crevice in a cliff face. It builds a lined stick nest and lays three to five brownblotched whitish eggs. It feeds, usually in flocks, on short grazed grassland, taking mainly invertebrate prey in summer and fruit in winter; it will readily approach tourist sites to find supplementary food. 15
SOUTHERN COUCAL @Wellington, Nilgiris Southern Coucal- Centropus sinensis parroti, until now considered alongwith Greater Coucal, now it has been split to a seperate race with Featural differences. The Greater Coucal- Centropussinensis has been split in ( Rasmussen & Anderton 20005) and alongwith 16 other species are not elevated to Species status, because they are Provisionally split. They are only referred as Sub-species. Centropussinenis sinensis, is the Nominate race.( Greater Coucal) Centropussinensis parroti is the subspecies split.( Southern Coucal). 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. RUFOUS TREEPIE @Gandhinagar The rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) is a treepie, native to the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining parts of Southeast Asia. It is a member of the crow family, Corvidae. It is long tailed and has loud musical calls making it very conspicuous. It is found commonly in open scrub, agricultural areas, forests as well as urban gardens. Like other corvids it is very adaptable, omnivorous and opportunistic in feeding. The sexes are alike and the main colour of the body is cinnamon with a black head and the long graduated tail is bluish grey and is tipped in black. The wing has a white patch. The only confusable species is the grey treepie which however lacks the bright rufous mantle. The bill is stout with a hooked tip. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orangebrown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The bill, legs and feet are black. 16
EURASIAN MAGPIE @Ladakh The Eurasian magpie or common magpie (Pica pica) is a resident breeding bird throughout northern part of Eurasian continent. It is one of several birds in the crow family designated magpies. The head, neck and breast are glossy black with a metallic green and violet sheen; the belly and scapulars (shoulder feathers) are pure white; the wings are black glossed with green or purple, and the primaries have white inner webs, conspicuous when the wing is open. The graduated tail is black, glossed with green and reddish purple. The legs and bill are black; the iris is dark brown. The plumage of the sexes is similar but females are slightly smaller. The tail feathers of both sexes are quite long, about 12–28 cm long. 17
ASHY DRONGO @Gangtok The ashy drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus) is mainly dark grey, and the tail is long and deeply forked, There are a number of subspecies varying in the shade of the grey plumage. Some subspecies have white markings on the head. Young birds are dull brownish grey. The ashy drongo has short legs and sits very upright while perched prominently, often high on a tree. It is insectivorous and forages by making aerial sallies but sometimes gleans from tree trunks. 18
GREATER RACKET -TAILED DRONGO @Ezhimala, Kerala The greater racket-tailed drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus) is a medium-sized Asian bird which is distinctive in having elongated outer tail feathers with webbing restricted to the tips. They are conspicuous in the forest habitats often perching in the open and by attracting attention with a wide range of loud calls that include perfect imitations of many other birds. This is the largest of the drongo species and is readily identifiable by the distinctive tail rackets and the crest of curled feather that begin in front of the face above the beak and along the crown to varying extents according to the subspecies. The tail with twirled rackets is distinctive and in flight it can appear as if two large bees were chasing a black bird. BLACK DRONGO @Kochi The black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail and measures 28 cm (11 in) in length. 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
BRONZED DRONGO @Goa The bronzed drongo (Dicrurus aeneus) is somewhat smaller than the black drongo and has more metallic gloss with a spangled appearance on the head, neck and breast. The lores are velvety and the ear coverts are duller. The tail is slender and well forked with the outer tail feathers flaring outward slightly. Immatures have their axillaries tipped in white. The young bird is duller and brownish with less spangling. WHITE-BELLIED DRONGO @Goa The white-bellied drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens) is mainly black in colour but with a white belly and vent. Young birds are, however, all black and can be confused with the black drongo, although smaller and more compact in appearance. This drongo is black without any glossy feathers on the upperside and greyish on the throat and breast, while the belly and vent are entirely white in the Indian form which is the nominate subspecies. The fork of the tail is less deep than in the black drongo which is often seen in the same habitats. Young black drongo's can have a lot of white on the underside but it is usually scaly in appearance. Males have a very slightly shorter tail on average than females. 20
BLACK-HEADED CUCKOOSHRIKE @Goa The black-headed cuckooshrike (Lalage melanoptera) is a species of cuckooshrike found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Male: grey plumage; black head, wings, tail, the latter white-tipped, except on middle feathers; pale grey below breast, whiter on abdomen, vent. Female: brown plumage; whitish-buff below barred dark-brown till abdomen; lacks black head. ASIAN KOEL @Mumbai The Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a large, longtailed, cuckoo measuring 39– 46 cm (15–18 in) and weighing 190–327 g (6.7–11.5 oz). The male of the nominate race is glossy bluish-black, with a pale greenish grey bill, the iris is crimson, and it has grey legs and feet. The female of the nominate race is brownish on the crown and has rufous streaks on the head. The back, rump and wing coverts are dark brown with white and buff spots. The underparts are whitish, but is heavily striped. The upper plumage of young birds is more like that of the male and they have a black beak. 21
COMMON HAWK CUCKOO @Gangtok The common hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius), popularly known as the brainfever bird, is a mediumsized cuckoo resident in the Indian subcontinent. It bears a close resemblance to the Shikra, even in its style of flying and landing on a perch. The resemblance to hawks gives this group the generic name of hawk-cuckoo and like many other cuckoos these are brood parasites, laying their eggs in nests of babblers. The common hawkcuckoo is a medium- to large-sized cuckoo, about the size of a pigeon (ca. 34 cm). The plumage is ashy grey above; whitish below, cross-barred with brown. The tail is broadly barred. The sexes are alike. They have a distinctive yellow eye ring. Subadults have the breast streaked, similar to the immature shikra, and there are large brown chevron marks on the belly. DRONGO CUCKOO @Goa The fork-tailed drongocuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides) is a species of cuckoo that resembles a black drongo. It can be easily distinguished by its straight beak and the white barred vent. It has a deeply forked tail often having a white spot on the back of the head. Some recent work suggested that the species was conspecific with the squaretailed drongo-cuckoo and together known as the Asian drongo-cuckoo, but should be split based on call and morphological differences. 22
JACOBIN/ PIED CUCKOO @Porbandar The Jacobin cuckoo, pied cuckoo, or pied crested cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) is a medium-sized, slim black and white cuckoo with a crest, which is distinctive. The white wing patch on the black wing and the pattern make it unmistakable even in flight. It is partially migratory and in India, it has been considered a harbinger of the monsoon rains due to the timing of its arrival. SIRKEER MALKOHA @New Delhi The sirkeer malkoha or sirkeer cuckoo (Taccocua leschenaultii), is a non-parasitic cuckoo found in dry scrub forest and open woodland habitats in the Indian subcontinent. The sirkeer cuckoo is about 42–44 centimetres(16 1 ⁄2–17 1 ⁄4 in) long with dark olive brown on the back, wings and the central tail feathers. The underside is rufous. A greenish gloss is visible on the wing and dark parts of the tail feathers. The feathers have dark shafts which are especially prominent on the breast as streaks. The tail is graduated (with outer feathers being sequentially shorter) and tipped broadly in white. The upper tail coverts are long. The chin, throat and breast are pale. The most distinctive feature is the curved red bill with a yellow tip. The eyes have curved and long bristles around the eye but not behind it that resemble eyelashes (an adaptation to protect their eyes when creeping through grass and vegetation) and the iris is reddish brown. They have a short and pale whitish streak over and below the eye and a thin line of black feathers in line with the commisure of the bill that reaches under the eye. A dark bare patch of skin around the eye that tapers behind it exaggerates the size of the eye. The legs are grey. The sexes are identical in plumage. 23
ORIENTAL MAGPIE - ROBIN @Wellington, Nilgiris The oriental magpie - robin (Copsychus saularis) is a small passerine bird. They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch conspicuously. This species is 19 centimetres (7.5 in) long, including the long tail, which is usually held cocked upright. The male has black upperparts, head and throat apart from a white shoulder patch. The underparts and the sides of the long tail are white. Females are greyish black above and greyish white. Young birds have scaly brown upperparts and head. INDIAN ROBIN @New Delhi The Indian robin (Copsychus fulicatus) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. The males of northern populations have a brown back whose extent gradually reduces southwards with populations in the southern peninsula having an all black back. They are commonly found in open scrub areas and often seen running along the ground or perching on low thorny shrubs and rocks. The long tail is usually held up and the chestnut undertail coverts and dark body make them easily distinguishable from pied bushchats and oriental magpie robins. 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. 24
WHITE -BELLIED SHORTWING/ NILGIRI BLUE ROBIN @Wellington, Nilgiris The Nilgiri blue robin (Sholicola major), also known as Nilgiri shortwing , white -bellied shortwing , Nilgiri sholakili or rufous -bellied shortwing is a species of passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae endemic to the Shola forests of the higher hills of southern India. This chat - like bird is long -legged and appears chunky with its short tail and wing. 25
TICKELL’S BLUE FLYCATCHER @Wellington, Nilgiris Tickell's blue flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae) is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family. They are blue on the upperparts and the throat and breast are rufous. They are found in dense scrub to forest habitats. Tickell's blue flycatcher is about 11– 12 cm long. It sits upright and forages mainly in the overgrowth. The male's upper parts are bright blue, its throat and breast are red, and the rest of the underparts are white. The female is duller blue with a brighter blue brow, shoulder, rump, and tail. 26
NILGIRI FLYCATCHER @Wellington, Nilgiris The Nilgiri flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus) is an Old World flycatcher with a very restricted range in the hills of southern India. It was formerly referred to as the Nilgiri verditer flycatcher because of its similarity to the verditer flycatcher, a winter migrant to the Nilgiris, which, however, has distinct dark lores and a lighter shade of blue. There are two small white patches at the base of the tail. It is found mainly in the higher altitude shola forests of the Western Ghats and the Nilgiris. This small and somewhat long-tailed flycatcher is about 13 centimetres (5.1 in). It is dark steely indigo blue with some violet-blue on the forehead and darker lores. The female is duller with dark brown on the upperparts and dark grey below. The juvenile is dark brown with creamy spots and a scaly appearance on the throat and breast. The bill and legs are black and the iris is dark brown. BLACK AND ORANGE FLYCATCHER @Wellington, Nilgiris The black-and-orange flycatcher or black-and-rufous flycatcher (Ficedula nigrorufa) is a species of flycatcher endemic to the central and southern Western Ghats, the Nilgiris and Palni hill ranges in southern India. The male is distinctly black headed with black wings. The female has the black replaced by dark brown and has a light eye-ring. The young bird at around two weeks of age is brownish orange with a whitish vent and abdomen. The head has dark streaks and the wings appear bluish with a trace of brown. There is a pale ring around the eye and the orange tail appears stumpy. Eight weeks after fledging they appear almost like adults except for patches of brown feathers in the crown. 27
GREY -HEADED CANARY FLYCATCHER @Pykara Lake, Ooty The grey -headed canary - flycatcher sometimes known as the grey -headed flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) is a species of small flycatcher -like bird found in tropical Asia. It has a square crest, a grey hood and yellow underparts. They are found mainly in forested habitats. The grey -headed canary -flycatcher is about 12 –13 cm long with a squarish grey head, a canary yellow belly and yellowish -green upperparts. They have a very flat bill (which gave it the earlier genus name of Platyrhynchus) which when seen from above look like an equilateral triangle and is fringed with long rictal bristles. INDIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER @Mumbai & Jamnagar The Indian paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi) is a medium - sized passerine bird native to Asia that is widely distributed. Males have elongated central tail feathers, and a black and rufous plumage in some populations, while others have white plumage. Females are short -tailed with rufous wings and a black head. Indian paradise flycatchers feed on insects, which they capture in the air often below a densely canopied tree. Adult Indian paradise flycatchers are 19 –22 cm (7.5 –8.7 in) long. Their heads are glossy black with a black crown and crest, their black bill round and sturdy, their eyes black. Female are rufous on the back with a greyish throat and underparts. Their wings are 86 – 92 mm (3.4 –3.6 in) long. Young males look very much like females but have a black throat and blue - ringed eyes. As adults they develop up to 24 cm (9.4 in) long tail feathers with two central tail feathers growing up to 30 cm (12 in) long drooping streamers. 28
LITTLE-PIED FLYCATCHER @Guwahati The little pied flycatcher (Ficedula westermanni) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. Its natural habitats are subtro pical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. PIED BUSHCHAT @Wellington, Nilgiris The pied bush chat (Saxicola caprata) is a small passerine bird. 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 nest in cavities in stone walls or in holes in an embankment, lining the nest with grass and animal hair. The 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 29
ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE @Wellington, Nilgiris The Oriental whiteeye (Zosterops palpebrosus) is a small passerine bird in the white-eye family. They forage in small groups, feeding on nectar and small insects. They are easily identified by the distinctive white eye-ring and overall yellowish upperparts. This bird is small (about 8–9 cm long) with yellowish olive upper parts, a white eye ring, yellow throat and vent. The belly is whitish grey but may have yellow in some subspecies. The sexes look similar. TICKELL’S LEAF WARBLER @Guwahati Tickell's leaf warbler (Phylloscopus affinis) is a leaf warbler found in Asia. The species has a yellowish underside and super-cilium. Like other leaf warblers it feeds mostly on insects by gleaning and short sallies. An active bird, it prefers the canopy and low shrubbery and can be difficult to track as it moves actively from branch to branch, acrobatically exploring the underside of leaves and twigs. The clear yellowish undersides and lack of a wing bar can be used to tell it apart from similar species. It has slim dark legs with largely pale lower mandible and grayish wing panel. 30
ZITTING CISTICOLA @Guwahati The zitting cisticola or streaked fantail warbler (Cisticola juncidis) is a small bird found mainly in grasslands, it is best identified by its rufous rump; as well, it lacks any gold on the collar and the brownish tail is tipped with white. During the breeding season, males have a zigzagging flight display accompanied by regular "zitting" calls that have been likened to repeated snips of a scissor. They build their pouch nest suspended within a clump of grass. The zitting cisticola is 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) in length. It is brown above, heavily streaked with black markings. The underparts are whitish, and the tail is broad, whitetipped and flicked frequently, giving rise to the alternative name for the species. The adult males have less crown streaking and more back marking than the females, but there are no great difference between the sexes or the eighteen geographical races. The absence of a nuchal collar separate it from the golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis). In the nonbreeding season, they tend to skulk within the grass and can be hard to spot. COMMON STONECHAT @Wellington, Nilgiris Common stonechat is the name used for the Saxicola species Saxicola torquatus when this is treated in its broad sense. It is, however, now more widely considered to be a superspecies consisting of several related but distinct species. The stonechat is 11.5–13 cm long and weighs 13–17 gm. 31
BROWN ROCK CHAT @Mhow The brown rock chat or Indian chat (Oenanthe fusca) is a bird in the chat (Saxicolinae)subfamily and is found mainly in northern and central India. It is often found on old buildings and rocky areas. It resembles a female Indian robin but lacks the reddish vent and differs in posture and behaviour apart from being larger. In flight it bears some resemblance to thrushes and redstarts. It feeds on insects, captured mainly on the ground. The beak is slender and is slightly curved at the tip. The second primary is the longest and the 12 feathered tail is rounded. The brown rock chat is larger than the somewhat similar looking Indian robin and is about 17 cm long. It is uniformly rufous brown with the wings and tail of a slightly darker shade. The brown on the undersides grades into a dark grey-brown vent. In flight it resembles a female blue rock thrush and is usually found singly or in pairs on old buildings or rocky areas. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field. When feeding on the ground it sometimes flicks open its wings and tail. It also has a habit of slowly raising its tail slightly, fanning it and bobbing its head. They feed mainly on insects, picked off the ground. SIBERIAN STONECHAT @Porbandar The Siberian stonechat or Asian stonechat (Saxicola maurus) is a recently validated species of the Old-World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). It resembles its closest living relative the European stonechat (S. rubicola), but is typically darker above and paler below, with a white rump and whiter underparts with less orange on the breast. The male in breeding plumage has black upperparts and head (lacking the brownish tones of the European stonechat), a conspicuous white collar, scapular patch and rump, and a restricted area of orange on the throat. The female has pale brown upperparts and head, white neck patches (not a full collar), and a pale, unstreaked pinkishyellow rump. Males in winter plumage are intermediate between summer males and females, with a supercilium resembling the whinchat (S. rubetra); from this species and the female it can be distinguished by the full white collar. 32
NILGIRI FLOWERPECKER @Goa The Nilgiri flowerpecker (Dicaeum concolor) is a tiny bird in the flowerpecker family. It feeds predominantly on nectar and fruits. They forage within the canopy of forests and are found in India. These birds are tiny (9 cm long) and there is no marked difference between the males and females. It is pale brown on the upperside and the underside is whitish. The whitish brow in front of the eye is wider than in Dicaeum erythrorhynchos. WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL @Wellington, Nilgiris The white-throated fantail (Rhipidura albicollis) is a small passerine bird. It is found in forest, scrub and cultivation across tropical southern Asia from the Himalayas, India and Bangladesh e ast to Indonesia. The white-spotted fantail, (R. albogularis) until recently was considered a subspecies. The adult white-throated fantail is about 19 cm long. It has a dark fan-shaped tail, edged in white, and white supercilium and throat. There is otherwise much variation in plumage between races. Most resemble the Himalayan R. a. canescans which is mainly slate grey above and below, with a black eye mask, and a white throat and eyebrow. 33
CINEREOUS TIT @Wellington, Nilgiris The cinereous tit (Parus cinereus) is a species of bird in the tit family Paridae. These birds are grey backed with white undersides. It has a broad black ventral line and has no crest. This tit is part of a confusing group of species but is distinct in having a grey -back, black hood, white cheek patch and a white wing -bar. The underparts are white with the black central stripe running along the length. The female has a narrower ventral line and is slightly duller. The upper tail coverts are ashy while the tail is black with the central 4 pairs of feathers ashy on the outer webs and all but the central pair are tipped white. The fifth pair is white with a black rachis and a band of black on the inner web. The outermost pair of tail feathers are all white with a black shaft. The undertail coverts are black towards the centre but white on the sides. INDIAN YELLOW TIT/ INDIAN BLACK - LORED TIT @Goa The Indian black -lored tit , Indian tit , or Indian yellow tit (Grimmett et al . , 2011 ) (Machlolophus aplonotus ) is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae . It is an easy tit to recognise in most of India, large in size at 13 cm, with a broad black line (broader in the male) down its otherwise yellow front . The large crest, neck, throat and head are black with yellow cheeks and supercilia . Upperparts are olive -green . It has two white or yellowish wingbars and white outer tail feathers . Females and young birds are duller than males . The underpart colour becomes increasingly dull from north to south through this tit's range . 34
COMMON ROSEFINCH @Wellington, Nilgiris The common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) or scarlet rosefinch is the most widespread and common rosefinch of Asia and Europe. The common rosefinch is 13 –15 cm (5.1 –5.9 in) in length. It has a stout and conical bill. The mature male has brilliant rosy - carmine head, breast and rump; heavy bill; dark brown wings with two indistinct bars, and a white belly. Females and young males are dull -colored with yellowish -brown above, brighter on the rump and greyer on head; buff below. Adults moult in their winter quarters, between September and November. After moulting the red of male is subdued, and becomes brighter during the winter due to wear of the feathers. GREAT ROSEFINCH @Leh 35
YELLOWBREASTED GREENFINCH @Gangtok The yellow-breasted greenfinch (Chloris spinoides) is a small passerine bird in the family Fringillidae that is native to the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. The yellowbreasted greenfinch is 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) in length and weighs between 15 and 21 g (0.53 and 0.74 oz). It has a brown conical bill and bright yellow wing bars. The underparts are bright yellow. The sexes have similar plumage but the female is less brightly coloured. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and temperate shrubland. TRUMPETER FINCH @Jaisalmer The trumpeter finch (Bucanetes githagineus) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. The trumpeter finch is a small, long-winged bird. It has a large head and short, very thick bill. The summer male has a red bill, grey head and neck, and pale brown upper parts. The breast, rump and tail are pink, the last having dark terminal feathers. Winter males, females and young birds are a very washedout version of the breeding male. The song of this bird is a buzzing nasal trill, like a tin trumpet. This gregarious terrestrial finch's food is mainly seeds, and, particularly in the breeding season, insects. 36
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW @Mirik, Darjeeling The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape, and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes are similarly plumaged, and young birds are a duller version of the adult. This sparrow breeds over most of temperate Eurasia and Southeast Asia, where it is known as the tree sparrow. The Eurasian tree sparrow is 12.5– 14 cm (5–5 1 ⁄2 in) long, with a wingspan of about 21 cm (8.3 in) and a weight of 24 g (0.85 oz), making it roughly 10% smaller than the house sparrow. The adult's crown and nape are rich chestnut, and there is a kidneyshaped black ear patch on each pure white cheek; the chin, throat, and the area between the bill and throat are black. The upperparts are light brown, streaked with black, and the brown wings have two distinct narrow white bars. The legs are pale brown, and the bill is lead-blue in summer, becoming almost black in winter. INDIAN HOUSE SPARROW @Mhow/ Porbandar The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. The plumage of the house sparrow is mostly different shades of grey and brown. The sexes exhibit strong dimorphism: the female is mostly buffish above and below, while the male has boldly coloured head markings, a reddish back, and grey underparts. The male has a dark grey crown from the top of its bill to its back, and chestnut brown flanking its crown on the sides of its head. It has black around its bill, on its throat, and on the spaces between its bill and eyes (lores). It has a small white stripe between the lores and crown and small white spots immediately behind the eyes (postoculars), with black patches below and above them. The underparts are pale grey or white, as are the cheeks, ear coverts, and stripes at the base of the head. The upper back and mantle are a warm brown, with broad black streaks, while the lower back, rump and upper tail coverts are greyish brown. 37
YELLOW-THROATED SPARROW OR CHESTNUT SHOULDERED PETRONIA @Mhow The yellow-throated sparrow or chestnutshouldered petronia (Gymnoris xanthocollis) is a species of sparrow found in southern Asia. It has a finer bill than typical sparrows of the genus Passer and unlike them has no streaks on the plumage. The white double wing bar on the shoulder is diagnostic on the otherwise dull greybrown sparrow. Males have a chestnut shoulder patch which can sometimes be hard to see. They also have a pale-yellow spot on the throat in fresh plumage. Females are duller and lack the chestnut shoulder patch. The yellow spot is much reduced or lacking in females. This species is tree-loving although sometimes seen on wires and on the ground, where it has a hopping gait. The usual call is a chirrup, but the song is distinctive and repetitive chilp chalp cholp. It has a bounding flight and dips deeply before rising up. WHITE-BELLIED ERPORNIS @Gangtok The white-bellied erpornis (Erpornis zantholeuca) or simply erpornis is a species of bird. It is the only member of the genus Erpornis. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. In its coloration, morphology and acrobatic habits, this bird resembles a vireo quite a lot. However, it has a prominent crest like many yuhinas, which together with the unusual biogeography has served to obscure its true relationships for a long time. The crested head, back, wings and tail of this bird are olivaceous or golden brown while the underparts are white. Erpornis possesses well-developed musculature for gaping or opening the bill forcefully and may use this to pry bark from trees to seek insects. 38
BLACK-HEADED BUNTING @Porbandar The black-headed bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It breeds in south-east Europe east to Iran and migrates in winter mainly to India. This bird is 15 cm long, larger than reed bunting, and long-tailed. The breeding male has bright yellow underparts, chestnut upperparts and a black hood. The female is a washedout version of the male, with paler underparts, a grey-brown back and a greyish head. The juvenile is similar but the vent is yellow, and both can be difficult to separate from the corresponding plumages of the closely related red-headed bunting although the black-headed tends to have the cheeks darker than the throat. First year males have a grey crown and the back has patches of chestnut and grey. First year females can be difficult to separate from female red-headed buntings although having more streaking on the crown than on the lower back. The vent is yellow. COMMON CHIFFCHAFF @Ladakh The common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), or simply the chiffchaff, is a common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds in open woodlands throughout northern and temperate Europe and the Palearctic. It is a migratory passerine which winters in southern and western Europe, southern Asia and north Africa. The common chiffchaff is a small, dumpy, 10–12 centimetres (4 in) long leaf warbler. brown-washed dull green upperparts, off-white underparts becoming yellowish on the flanks, and a short whitish supercilium. It has dark legs, a fine dark bill, and short primary projection (extension of the flight feathers beyond the folded wing). As the plumage wears, it gets duller and browner, and the yellow on the flanks tends to be lost, but after the breeding season there is a prolonged complete moult before migration. The newly fledged juvenile is browner above than the adult, with yellow-white underparts, but moults about 10 weeks after acquiring its first plumage. After moulting, both the adult and the juvenile have brighter and greener upperparts and a paler supercilium. 39
GREY-NECKED BUNTING @Goa The grey-necked bunting (Emberiza buchanani), sometimes referred to as grey-hooded bunting (a name also in use for chestnut-eared bunting) is a species of bird in the family Emberizidae. It breeds along a wide distribution range from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains in Central Asia and winters in parts of Southern Asia. This bunting has a long pink bill and is greyish above. The male has a distinctive white eye-ring that stands out in contrast to the grey hood. The chin and throat are whitish pink and are bordered by grey malar stripes. The underparts are pinkish brown. The female is duller but the moustachial stripe can appear more noticeable. The outer tail feathers are whitish. INDIAN SILVERBILL @New Delhi/ Porbandar The Indian silverbill or whitethroated munia (Euodice malabarica) is a small passerine bird found in the Indian Subcontinent and adjoining regions that was formerly considered to include the closely related African silverbill. he adult Indian silverbill is 11–11.5 cm long and has a conical silver-grey bill, buff-brown upperparts, white underparts, buffy flanks and dark wings. The tail is black and the wings are dark contrasting with a white rump. The sexes are similar, but immatures have buff underparts and a shorter tail. The tail appears pointed as the length of the feathers reduces from the centre outwards. It feeds mainly on seeds, but also takes insects and has been known to visit nectar bearing flowers. 40
SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA @Ooty The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a sparrow-sized estrildid finch. The scalybreasted munia is about 11–12 centimetres (4.3–4.7 in) long and weighs 12–16 grams (0.026–0.035 lb). The adult has a stubby dark bill typical of grain eating birds, brown upperparts and a dark brown head. The underparts are white with dark scale markings. The sexes are similar, although males have darker markings on the underside and a darker throat than females. Immature birds have pale brown upperparts, lack the dark head found in adults, and have uniform buff underparts that can be confused with juveniles of other munia species. WHITE-RUMPED MUNIA @Goa The white-rumped munia or white-rumped mannikin (Lonchura striata), sometimes called striated finch in aviculture, is a small passerine bird from the family of waxbill "finches" (Estrildidae). The white-rumped munia is approximately 10 to 11 cm in length, with a stubby grey bill and a long black pointed tail. The adults are brown above and on the breast, and lighter below; the rump is white. There is some variation between the subspecies, but the sexes are almost impossible to distinguish in all subspecies; males have a more bulky head and bill. 41
STRIATED GRASSBIRD @Guwahati The striated grassbird (Megalurus palustris) is noisy and conspicuous, often sitting and calling exposed on tops of grasses, bushes and telephone wires. Note streaked crown and streaked upper breast. TAWNY PIPIT @Porbandar The tawny pipit (Anthus campestris) is a mediumlarge passerine bird. This is a large pipit, 16 centimetres (6.3 in) long with wing-span 25–28 centimetres (9.8– 11.0 in), but is an undistinguished looking species on the ground, mainly sandy brown above and pale below. It is very similar to Richard's pipit, but is slightly smaller, has shorter wings, tail and legs and a narrower dark bill. It is also less streaked. Its flight is strong and direct, and it gives a characteristic "schip" call, higher pitched than Richard's. 42
BLYTH’S PIPIT @Goa The Blyth's pipit (Anthus godlewskii) is a mediumsized passerine bird which breeds in Mongolia and neighbouring areas. It is a long distance migrant moving to open lowlands in Southern Asia. This is a large pipit, but is an undistinguished looking species on the ground, mainly brown above and pale below. It is very similar to Richard's pipit, but is slightly smaller, shorter legs and a shorter dark bill. Its flight is strong and direct, and it gives a characteristic "pshee" call, higher pitched than Richard's. LONG-BILLED PIPIT @Goa The long-billed pipit or brown rock pipit (Anthus similis) is a passerine bird. This is a mediumlarge pipit, 16-17.5 cm long, but is an undistinguished looking species on the ground, mainly sandy grey above and whitish or pale buff below. It is very similar to the tawny pipit, but is slightly larger, has a longer tail and a longer dark bill. The long-billed pipit's flight is strong and direct, and it gives a characteristic chupp call, similar to desert lark. Its song is like that of the tawny pipit, but slower and more varied, sri...churr...sri...churr…sri..chur r. Like its relatives, long-billed pipit eats seeds and insects. 43
PADDYFIELD PIPIT @Goa The paddyfield pipit or Oriental pipit (Anthus rufulus) is a small passerine bird in the pipit and wagtail family. 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 feathers of the upper parts more conspicuous with more prominent spotting on the breast. 44
VIGORS SUNBIRD @Goa The Vigors's sunbird, Sahyadri sunbird, or western crimson sunbird (Aethopyga vigorsii) is a species of sunbird which is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Bill is medium in length, thin and downcurved, while tongue is brushtipped and tubular; both adapted for nectar feeding. The male has a crimson breast with yellow streaks and a maroon back. The rump is yellow and the belly is olive and tail is bottle green. The female has a dark olive-green back with yellowish breast and white tips to the outer tail feathers. 45
CRIMSONBACKED SUNBIRD @Wellington, Nilgiris The crimson-backed sunbird or small sunbird (Leptocoma minima) is a sunbird endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Crimson-backed sunbirds are tiny, even by sunbird standards, and are only 8 cm long. The adult male is velvety red on the mantle and wing coverts and there is a broad red breast band. The crown is shiny green and there are pink-violet patches on the throat and rump. The underside from the breast below is yellowish. There is a black edge to the bib that separates the yellow of the underside. The larger purplerumped sunbird can appear very similar but this sunbird has a darker maroon on the upper side while the flanks and vent are whitish. The eclipse plumage (non-breeding) of the male has more olive on the head and velvet red is restricted to the lower mantle and wing coverts. The female is olive-brown but the rump is distinctly red. They are attracted to flower-rich gardens at the edges of forests or plantations. PURPLERUMPED SUNBIRD @Mumbai The purple-rumped sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) is a sunbird endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. Purple-rumped sunbirds are tiny at less than 10 cm long. They have medium-length thin downcurved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations for nectar feeding. Purple-rumped sunbirds are sexually dimorphic. The males have a dark maroon upperside with a bluegreen crown that glistens at some angles, bright green shoulder patch and violet/purple rump patch which is generally hidden under the wings. The underparts 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. The female has a white throat followed by yellowish breast. The upperside is olive or brownish. The uppertail coverts are black and a weak supercilium may be visible. 46
PURPLE SUNBIRD @Jodhpur/ Mhow The purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small sunbird. This small sunbird has a relatively short bill, a dark and short square ended tail with distinctive sexual dimorphism. Less than 10 cm long they have a down-curved bill with brush-tipped tubular tongues that aid in nectar feeding. The male is glossy metallic bluish to purplish black on the upper parts with the wings appearing dark brown. The breeding male also has underparts of the same purplish black, but non-breeding males may show a central streak of black on yellow underparts. Females are olive brown above with a yellowish underside. There is a pale supercilium beyond the eye. There is a darkish eye stripe. The throat and breast are yellow, becoming pale towards the vent. The outer tail feathers are tipped in white both in the male and female. LOTEN’S SUNBIRD @Goa The Loten's sunbird, long-billed sunbird or maroon-breasted sunbird, (Cinnyris lotenius) is a sunbird endemic to peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Its long bill distinguishes it from the similar purple sunbird that is found in the same areas and also tends to hover at flowers. Loten's sunbirds are small, only 12–13 cm long. The wings are browner and the maroon breast band is visible on the male under good lighting conditions. The males have pectoral tufts of yellow mixed with crimson that are used in displays. The adult male is mainly glossy purple with a greybrown belly. The female has yellow-grey upperparts and yellowish underparts, but lacks Purple's faint supercilium. 47
COMMON TAILORBIRD @Wellington, Nilgiris The common tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is a songbird found across tropical Asia, popular for its nest made of leaves "sewn" together. They are distinctive in having a long upright tail, greenish upper body plumage and rust coloured forehead and crown. The common tailorbird is a brightly coloured bird, with bright green upperparts and creamy underparts. They range in size from 10 to 14 centimetres (3.9 to 5.5 in) and weigh 6 to 10 grams (0.21 to 0.35 oz). They have short rounded wings, a long tail, strong legs and a sharp bill with curved tip to the upper mandible. They are wren-like with a long upright tail that is often moved around. The crown is rufous and the upperparts are predominantly olive green. The underside is creamy white. The sexes are identical, except that the male has long central tail feathers in the breeding season. 48
INDIAN PEAFOWL & PEAHEN @Porbandar The Indian peafowl or blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus), a large and brightly coloured bird. The male, or 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 feathers are raised into a fan and quivered in a display during courtship. 49
GREY JUNGLE FOWL @Wellington, Nilgiris The grey junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii), also known as Sonnerat's junglefowl, is one of the wild ancestors of domestic fowl together with the red junglefowl and other junglefowls. The male has a black cape with ochre spots and the body plumage on a grey ground colour is finely patterned. The elongated neck feathers are dark and end in a small, hard, yellowish plate. The male has red wattles and combs but not as strongly developed as in the red junglefowl. Legs of males are red and have spurs while the yellow legs of females usually lack spurs. The central tail feathers are long and sickle shaped. Males have an eclipse plumage in which they moult their colourful neck feathers in summer during or after the breeding season. The female is duller and has black and white streaking on the underparts and yellow legs. EURASIAN HOOPOE @Wellington, Nilgiris The Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops) is the most widespread species of the genus Upupa, native to Europe, Asia and the northern half of Africa. The Eurasian hoopoe is a medium-sized bird, 25– 32 cm (9.8–12.6 in) long, with a 44–48 cm (17–19 in) wingspan. It weighs 46–89 g (1.6–3.1 oz). The species is highly distinctive, with a long, thin tapering bill that is black with a fawn base. 50