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| Photo: Neeraj Vegad Jabalpur | A critically endangered bird this vulture now inhabits few ecosystems that support its breeding biology. The bird makes nest on steep cliff out of the reach of humans. |
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Long Billed Vulture Photo
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Magpie Robin
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| Magpie Robin by Neeraj Vegad Common in most part of India this bird is an amazing songster. It is heard throughout the day during the breeding season in summers. |
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Birding on Narmada Banks
We visited the Gaur River Railway Bridge on Sunday 25/12/2011 in search of Green Munia. I had seen the species about few years back and wanted a cap on its status in Jabalpur. We were not fortunate enough to see the Green Avadavat but could come across some interesting avian. The banks once dense forest now comprise of srubs, grass and few bushes with lot of scrub and deserted fields.
Long Billed Pipit (Anthus similis decaptus). We had earlier seen Anthus similis jerdoni in Jabalpur
Paddyfield pipit
Rufous Tailed Lark
Singing Bush Lark
Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark
Common Rosefinch
Jungle Bush Quail
Common Iora
Plain Prinia
Ashy Primia
Common Tailorbird
Black Redstart
Tickell's Leaf Warbler
Hume's Warbler
Greenish Wabler
Indian Robin
Magpie Robin
Lesser Whitethroat
Red Rumped Swallow
Streak Throated Swallow
I wish to share information on Green Munia which is said to be loosing ground in India very fast.
Long Billed Pipit (Anthus similis decaptus). We had earlier seen Anthus similis jerdoni in Jabalpur
Paddyfield pipit
Rufous Tailed Lark
Singing Bush Lark
Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark
Common Rosefinch
Jungle Bush Quail
Common Iora
Plain Prinia
Ashy Primia
Common Tailorbird
Black Redstart
Tickell's Leaf Warbler
Hume's Warbler
Greenish Wabler
Indian Robin
Magpie Robin
Lesser Whitethroat
Red Rumped Swallow
Streak Throated Swallow
I wish to share information on Green Munia which is said to be loosing ground in India very fast.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Birding at Marble Rocks
The magical mystical falls Dhuandhar on River Narmada are the beginning of the gorge that Capt Forsyth so vividly described - Marble Rocks. Much remains of the magnificent splendor the he described excpet the surroundings have become devoid of greenery in recent times.
A concrete pathway and driveway with an overhead rope way has opened new vista of tourism. The river were once surrounded with dense forests on the cliffs - all gone now. Wherever man steps in destruction is bound to occur.
Anyway while my guests were busy visiting the falls I was busy bird watching on the cliff bang opposite. I could see some house martins flying all around the Egyptian Vultures most of them were juvenile. It was quite late but I did manage to see a blue rock thrush female. These birds visit the rocky surroundings near the hills of Bargi which are nearby. Another good sightings was rufous tailed larks sitting pensively on of the rocks. White wagtail and large pied wagtails were in plentyful.
I could not sight the Brown Fish Owl which frequent the boating area and surroundings. But they are certainly visible during the evening time whence they come out of the fissures amidst the marble rocks in the over hanging cliffs.
Near by there is an old bridge that leads to Marble Rock underneath you can discover a colony of streak throated swallows. This is where you can see Brahminy Ducks and an occasional rare visitor the avocet.
Red wattled lapwing, house sparrows, are ubiquitous in Jabalpur. Humes warbler, brown rock chat and a purple sunbirds male in eclipse was what I could see before we moved on.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Spanish Nature Birding Tour to India - Peter Jones
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| Peter & Gajinder Singh |
Peter strikes rapport with astounding ease and his birding skills are as astounding. He is the tour leader for Spanish Nature Birding Company. And most widely traveled on ornithological quest.
I had the pleasure of birding along with him as tour leader from DMC side (Indiafootprints). We had an exhaustive bird watching tour from November 15th to 4th December. tour Highlights - Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, Nainital - Sat Tal, Chambal River Sanctuary, Kanha National Park and Pench Tiger Reserve.
As TL/birding guide, accompanying Peter was a learning experience. His professional skills go beyond spotting and identifying the avian species, being more analytical he could enlighten us a lot on morphology and flight patterns of raptors and birds with uniform characteristics like warblers, pipits and larks.
He loves his beer and jokes around a lot. The best evenings on tour I spent with him by the fireside....beer, bites and his ever accompanying wit. He is generous and helps the locals wherever he goes. Part of this blog entry and photographs have been published on my blog from his blog which is a professional work and highly informative. With his permission!
He is an excellent bird photographer with professional skills, his work can also be seen on Facebook.
As TL/birding guide, accompanying Peter was a learning experience. His professional skills go beyond spotting and identifying the avian species, being more analytical he could enlighten us a lot on morphology and flight patterns of raptors and birds with uniform characteristics like warblers, pipits and larks.
He loves his beer and jokes around a lot. The best evenings on tour I spent with him by the fireside....beer, bites and his ever accompanying wit. He is generous and helps the locals wherever he goes. Part of this blog entry and photographs have been published on my blog from his blog which is a professional work and highly informative. With his permission!
He is an excellent bird photographer with professional skills, his work can also be seen on Facebook.
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| Desert Warbler - Peter Jones/Spanish Nature |
The most exciting moment was discovery of Desert Warbler at Dhikala Complex in Corbett Tiger Reserve. Our accompanying local guide Gajendra Singh spotted it in the complex towards Dhikala Chaud. Peter sighted European Roller at Kanha a rarity in these parts.
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| Bonelli's Eagle - Peter Jones/Spanish Nature. |
Throughout the tour our checklist raced along with supersonic speed and we could sight most of the targeted species. We managed to spot Ibisbill, Greater Painted Snipe, Jack Snipe, Indian Skimmer, Great Hornbill, Eurasian Wryneck, Southern Grey Shrike, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Altai Accentor, Mountain Hawk Eagle and many many more.
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| Painted Snipe- Peter Jones/Spanish Nature. |
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| Red Headed Bunting - Peter Jones/Spanish Nature. |
The tour was in two parts and the last leg was in Central India - Kanha National Park and Pench Tiger Reserve. We managed to trek a big male tiger and the rest of the time of tour was spent on extensive bird watching. The reserves are best for forest birds and become more exciting in winters whence migrant arrive.
Visit Spanish Nature Birding Blog for the checklist compiled by Peter Jones.
Visit Spanish Nature Birding Blog for the checklist compiled by Peter Jones.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Western Crowned Warbler in Jabalpur
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| Red Jungle Fowl |
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| Plain Prinia |
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| Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark |
Sunday 23/10/2011 Barha R.F Jabalpur MP India
I had seen this bird earlier about seven years back but could not confirm the features due to bad light. Today's birding yielded much better sighting and a new bird added to my list.
Western Crowned Warbler
Tickell's Leaf Warbler
Hume's Warbler
Greenish Warbler
Brown Cheeked Fulvetta
Black Naped Monarch
Paradise Flycatcher
Red Throated Flycatcher (Female)
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher
Black Headed Oriole
Golden Oriole Juvenile
Black Drongo
Racket Tailed Drongo
Pond Heron
Black Redstart
Common Sandpiper
Red Wattled Lapwing
Grey Wagtail
Streat Throated Swallow
Large Cuckoo Shrike
Large Babbler
Jungle Babbler
Common Tailor Bird (Calls)
Gray Breasted Prinia (Calls)
Plain Prinia (Calls)
White Eye
Common Iora (Calls)
Rufous Treepie
Common Myna
Little Grebe
Little Cormorant
Cattle Egret
Indian Robin (Calls)
Rose Ringed Parakeet
Plum Headed Parakeet (Calls)
Common Grey Hornbill (Calls)
Grey Francolin
Red Vented Bulbul
Pariah Kite
Black Shouldered Kite
Spotted Dove (Calls)
Black Rumped Flameback
Red Jungle Fowl (Calls)
Purple Heron (Flight)
Wooly Necked Stork
Black Ibis
As the winter sets in more migrants are to arrive this will make birding more interesting. This November I will be leading a group to Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in MP. This is a combined tiger safari/birding and wildlife photography tour of 10 days. I am very Happy!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Best Birding spots in Kanha National Park
It can be a bit difficult birding at Kanha Tiger Reserve without prior information on best spots. Albeit the birds are spread all over the park some places are more fruitful for targeted birds. In winters dense canopy makes bird watching an arduous task. Nevertheless it is ideal time for forest birding due to arrival of migrants. Birds can be seen anywhere I am just highlighting my favorite spots below.
Some of the areas I prefer are the mixed forest zones within the park confines those at Indri Road. One can come across many species here. Scaly Munia, Red Avadavat, White Throated Kingfisher, Red Rumped Swallows, Indian Silver Bill, Green Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, Wooly Necked Stork, Common Snipe, Painted Snipe, Black Stork and other water birds can be seen at the pond near the beat guard's hut. Further ahead one can come across Indian Scimitar Babbler, Sirkeer Malkoha, Brown Cheek Fulvetta, Long Tailed Minivet, Tickell's Flowerpecker, Purple Sunbird, Little Minivet, Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher, White Eye, Crimson Breasted Barbet, Asian Koel, Barred Jungle Owlet, White Backed Vulture, Long Billed Vulture and many warblers.
The canopy differs much at Bamni Dadar Road it is more mixed forest with high altitude species and mreo fruiting trees. This area is inhabited by Indian Scimitar Babbler, Honey Buzzard, White Eyed Buzzard, Shama (bamboo) Bronze Winged Dove, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, Quails, Painted Francolin, Shikra, Common Kestrel, Common Kestrel and more.
Grassland species best seen at Parsa Tola include Common Stone Chat, Pied Bush Chat, Pipits, other birds seen are Ashy Prinia, Plain Prinia, Long Tailed, Little and Scarlet Minivet, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Brown Capped Pigmy Woodpecker, Grey Bush Chat and more.
White Rumped Shama, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, and Tawny Babbler has definite affinity for Bamboo Clumps and perhaps. Puff Throated Babbler, Tickell's and Orange Headed Thrush prefer sandy stony areas with moisture.
Link No 7 and 8 are also good birding grounds one should visit. The White Rumped Vulture and Palas's Fish Eagle can be seen near the bridge over the pond on approach to Kanha Rest House from grasslands. One can see Red and Yellow Wattled Lapwings, Red Rumped Swallows, Pipits and Larks at the grasslands of Kisli near the Rest house.
The reservoir at Nakti Ghati near the Kopedabri Camp is excellent birding spot where on can see birds such as White Backed Munia, Crested Hawk Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Verditor Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Peacock, Koel, Tickells Blue Flycatcher, White Throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Blue Kingfisher, Black Naped Flycatcher, Lesser Whistling Teal, Cormorant, Red Wattled Lapwing, Purple Heron, Grey Heron etc can be seen often.
Malabar Pied Hornbill are less seen at Kanha as compared to Bandhavgarh National Park in Umaria District in MP. Grey Hornbill like many places in Madhya Pradesh are a common sight.
The reservoir at Nakti Ghati near the Kopedabri Camp is excellent birding spot where on can see birds such as White Backed Munia, Crested Hawk Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Verditor Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Peacock, Koel, Tickells Blue Flycatcher, White Throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Common Blue Kingfisher, Black Naped Flycatcher, Lesser Whistling Teal, Cormorant, Red Wattled Lapwing, Purple Heron, Grey Heron etc can be seen often.
Malabar Pied Hornbill are less seen at Kanha as compared to Bandhavgarh National Park in Umaria District in MP. Grey Hornbill like many places in Madhya Pradesh are a common sight.
The water bodies at Kanha, Sarvan Taal, Sondhar and Bishanpura harbor many wetland birds of which most common are Egrets, sandpipers, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Lesser Whistling Teal, Nakta, Wooly Necked Stork, Open Billed Stork, etc. Kanha is a poor representative of wetland species.
On the outskirts I have had good birding at Lake near Boda Chhapri and Kahtia Mukki Road and some other nearby places. It is a must to go bird watching on the outskirts as you are allowed a leisurely trek with ample of time to seek out the magnificent species that inhabit this wonderland.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Birds Seen at Barha Range Jabalpur
It was lazy birding but we could not sight new migrants on this Sunday. We saw some black winged stints and streak throated swallows which breed under the Gaur Bridge on the way. the other birds we saw where:
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Calls)
Chestnut Headed Myna or Chestnut Tailed Starling
Common Myna
Hoopoe
Red Jungle Fowl
Black Hooded Oriole (Calls)
Juvenile Golden Oriole
Black Drongo
Honey Buzzard
Short Toed Snake Eagle
Pariah Kite
Rose Ringed Parakeet
Plum Headed Parakeet
Barred Jungle Owlet (Calls)
Common Iora
Common Wood Shrike (Calls)
Brown Cheeked Fulvetta
Little Grebe
Tailor Bird
Grey Breasted Prinia
Plain Prinia
Ashy Prinia
Bronze Winged Dove
Greenish Warbler
Little Cormorant
Jungle Babbler
Large Grey Babbler
The vegetation is still very dense and visibility is not very deep hence less avian species is noted. The arrival of migrants is yet to peak. We are keen to meet with our feathered friends from abroad.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Old Acquaintances Return - Winter Migrants
The rains have stopped, well nearly and we have been to our first birding trip post monsoon. As usual we visited Barha as part of study to find out which migrants arrive first in Jabalpur. One of the few arrivals we met with were black redstart, barn swallows on the way to the Barha Forest Range.
At Barha we sighted the Greenish Warbler which along with the Hume's Warbler is most abundant in Jabalpur Region. Oriental turtle dove seems to have swift movement forth and back. We also saw Grey Wagtail alight on the banks of a small puddle in between the forests. Green sandpiper also returns early we should see it soon. Some bird seem to spen less time in winter quarters and more time in India. The monsoon break is big by all mean and lasts from June to Septmber mid and I get somewhat disoriented with birding.
Nevertheless the monsoon has come to an end and birdwatching has started. Hurray! Other resident birds we saw today were honey buzzard, Indian roller, spotted dove, laughing dove, rose ringed parakeet, black hooded oriole, streak throated swallow, puff throated babbler, common iora, tickle's blue flycatcher, gray vented bulbul, white eye, pied starling, common myna, red wattled lapwing, red breasted, ashy and plain prinia.
Our favorite birding spot is around forests at the bank of Narrai Nala, This is a small perennial stream which emerges from nearby mountains. This where the martyred Maharani Gurgawati was killed by her enemies. Some years back the place was inhabited by lot of chinkaras, barking deer, wild boar and spotted deer they have all been hunted down though barking deer can still be seen but rarely. The gang of poachers still enter the forests in quest of wild boar and red jungle fowl. Logging continues day to day and the density is going down with no hope for future. An occasional tiger or leopard migrates from near by forests but returns due to paucity of prey base.
We will keep an eye on for more arrivals and make a note here. Earlier at my house three nesting took place on the same vine. First to nest was purple sun bird followed by spotted munia and Indian silver bill on the latter's nest.
Nevertheless the monsoon has come to an end and birdwatching has started. Hurray! Other resident birds we saw today were honey buzzard, Indian roller, spotted dove, laughing dove, rose ringed parakeet, black hooded oriole, streak throated swallow, puff throated babbler, common iora, tickle's blue flycatcher, gray vented bulbul, white eye, pied starling, common myna, red wattled lapwing, red breasted, ashy and plain prinia.
Our favorite birding spot is around forests at the bank of Narrai Nala, This is a small perennial stream which emerges from nearby mountains. This where the martyred Maharani Gurgawati was killed by her enemies. Some years back the place was inhabited by lot of chinkaras, barking deer, wild boar and spotted deer they have all been hunted down though barking deer can still be seen but rarely. The gang of poachers still enter the forests in quest of wild boar and red jungle fowl. Logging continues day to day and the density is going down with no hope for future. An occasional tiger or leopard migrates from near by forests but returns due to paucity of prey base.
We will keep an eye on for more arrivals and make a note here. Earlier at my house three nesting took place on the same vine. First to nest was purple sun bird followed by spotted munia and Indian silver bill on the latter's nest.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sarus Crane - Breeding
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| Sarus Crane By Jayesh Shah - Ahmedabad |
This photograph is taken by Mr. Jayesh Shah from Ahmadabad who is an avid bird photographer and birder. He has compiled lot of material on birds especially those from Gujarat.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Smokey Warbler in Jabalpur
It was a chance sighting that my friend Mr. Flora could sight the bird in his garden. The bird was limping and not her usual self.With warblers confusion always prevails. He mistook it for a sulfur bellied warbler and began to film it.
When we saw the bird in the video there were some differences that made us to dig deep. Eventually we could confirm its identification as smokey warbler a winter migrants seen up North. the white below the eye circle helped us confirm the new findings. The bird was located for the first time in Jabalpur and we were happy with the discovery.
Warblers most popularly seen in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh in Central India are winter migrants. Our regular study is going to offer a better idea of their location. These plain colored marvels along with pipts are very difficult to identify whence sighting is very slight.
Warblers most popularly seen in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh in Central India are winter migrants. Our regular study is going to offer a better idea of their location. These plain colored marvels along with pipts are very difficult to identify whence sighting is very slight.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Bird Watching at Kanha National Park
I recently visited Kanha on three day tour with my English clients. They were birders of repute and main focus was on birds. The timing was good since it was still cold and the migrants were very much present.
We started from Jabalpur on 20/2/2011 for Kanha. On the way we made a brief stop at Gaur River Bridge. We could sight:
Green Sand Piper
Wood Sand Piper
Common Kingfisher
Common Red Shank
Black Winged Stilt
Temminck Stint
Streak Throated Swallows
Egrets
Black Ibis
We moved on straight for Kanha Tiger Reserve since we did not wish to miss the evening birding and safari there. We arrived in time for lunch and left for the park after consuming it. It did not seem to be the right day as clouds set in and it began to drizzle in the park. But anyway we saw many birds and tiger of course. We spent three days in Kanha Bird Watching in the park as well as outside. Lot of time was spent chasing the tiger as well.
We saw:
Common Myna
Gold mantled chloropsis
Spangled Drongo
White Bellied Drongo
Black Drongo
Racket Tailed Drongo
Pied Starling
Rosy Starling
White Rumped Shama
Yellow Fronted Woodpecker
White Naped Woodpecker
Black Rumped Flameback
White Browed Flycatcher
Verditor Flycatcher
Black Naped Monarch
Black Hooded Oriole
Golden Oriole
Common Iora
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Blyth's Reed Warbler
Hume's Warbler
Greenish Warbler
Common Chiff Chaff
Ultramarine Flycatcher
White Eye
Brown Headed Barbet
Crimson Breasted Barbet
Painted Snipe
Common Snipe
Red Avadavat
Zitting Cisticola
Red Rumped Swallows
Wire Tailed Swallows
Crested Tree Swift
Plain Martin
Grey Francolin
Painted Francolin
Tickell's Flycatcher
Red Breasted Flycatcher
Magpie Robin
Brown Cheeked Fulvetta
Red Spurfowl
Red Jungle Fowl
Oriental Honey Buzzard
Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Hawk Eagle
White Rumped Vulture
King Vulture
Shikra
Common Kestrel
White Eyed Buzzard (Calls)
Spotted Dove
Laughing Dove
Barred Jungle Owlet
Spotted Owlet
Indian Scops Owl
Yellow Fronted Green Pigeon
Indian Scimitar Babbler
Jungle Babbler
Purple Sunbird
Long Tailed Minivet
Small Minivet
Rufous Treepie
Large Cuckoo Shrike
Common Hawk Cuckoo
Shirkeer Malkoha
Lesser Whistling Teals
Northern Pintail
Wooly Necked Stork
Chestnut Shouldered Petronia
Rose Ringed Parakeet
Plum Headed Parakeet
Alexandrine Parakeet
Pied Kingfisher
White Throated Kingfisher
Common Stonechat
Pied Stonechat
Brown Rock Chat
White Ibis
Plain prinia
Jungle Prinia
Ashy Prinia
Common Tailor Bird
Yellow Eyed Babbler
Little Cormorant
Indian Cormorant
Brahminy Starling
Yellow Wattled Lapwing
Red Wattled Lapwing
Eurasian Thicknee
Rufous Tailed Lark
Tree Pipit
Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch
Common Grey Hornbill
Barn Swallows
Chestnut Tailed Starling
Brown Shrike
Long Tailed Shrike
Indian Robin
Oriental Turtle Dove
Little Ring Dove
Asian Koel
The trip was successful, courtesy IndiaFootprints. Contrary to the belief that Sal Forests are not good for birding. Pure Sal Belts and Bamboo offer little birding.But mixed forests, scrubs, wetlands, grasslands in Kanha provide amazing bird species to watch. It is very important that one should be familiar with the habitats before organizing a birding expedition. I was desperate to see White Browed Bulbul, Blackbird, Orange breasted green pigeon, Twany babbler, Red headed and black headed bunting which I have seen in Jabalpur. I missed identifying Ashy Minivet due to bad light. Our guest wished to see the Blue breasted button quail, but i knew these are rare bird often seen near village fields. I have sen it once near my residence at village outskirts.
Bird expeditions are never complete since the avian species always maintain their own timings and places. We could not see much of Munias as white bellied and the lot. I have realized you should feel happy in what you come across after all they are free wings.
The best time for birding in Kanha is of course winters the migrant stay till Feb/March some as long as April. The summer birding is as interesting since thin canopy allows some grand sightings of birds like Indian Pitta and Orange Headed Ground Thrush etc. On earlier trip we had come across Pallas fish eagle and grey bush chat. The latter female posed some problems for me in the North he..he.
Besides tiger reserves Jabalpur has lot to offer for bird watching expeditions in Madhya Pradesh. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pachmarhi, Amarkantak are some of the places which are top rated for birding in Central India. These destination are yet unexplored.
Besides birds we saw Tiger, Indian Bison or Gaur, Spotted Deer, Swamp Deer, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, Jackal and Barking Deer. Hanuman Langur, Spotted Deer are common wild animals in Kanha. We also came across Rhesus Macaque on the way.
Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch
Common Grey Hornbill
Barn Swallows
Chestnut Tailed Starling
Brown Shrike
Long Tailed Shrike
Indian Robin
Oriental Turtle Dove
Little Ring Dove
Asian Koel
The trip was successful, courtesy IndiaFootprints. Contrary to the belief that Sal Forests are not good for birding. Pure Sal Belts and Bamboo offer little birding.But mixed forests, scrubs, wetlands, grasslands in Kanha provide amazing bird species to watch. It is very important that one should be familiar with the habitats before organizing a birding expedition. I was desperate to see White Browed Bulbul, Blackbird, Orange breasted green pigeon, Twany babbler, Red headed and black headed bunting which I have seen in Jabalpur. I missed identifying Ashy Minivet due to bad light. Our guest wished to see the Blue breasted button quail, but i knew these are rare bird often seen near village fields. I have sen it once near my residence at village outskirts.
Bird expeditions are never complete since the avian species always maintain their own timings and places. We could not see much of Munias as white bellied and the lot. I have realized you should feel happy in what you come across after all they are free wings.
The best time for birding in Kanha is of course winters the migrant stay till Feb/March some as long as April. The summer birding is as interesting since thin canopy allows some grand sightings of birds like Indian Pitta and Orange Headed Ground Thrush etc. On earlier trip we had come across Pallas fish eagle and grey bush chat. The latter female posed some problems for me in the North he..he.
Besides tiger reserves Jabalpur has lot to offer for bird watching expeditions in Madhya Pradesh. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pachmarhi, Amarkantak are some of the places which are top rated for birding in Central India. These destination are yet unexplored.
Besides birds we saw Tiger, Indian Bison or Gaur, Spotted Deer, Swamp Deer, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, Jackal and Barking Deer. Hanuman Langur, Spotted Deer are common wild animals in Kanha. We also came across Rhesus Macaque on the way.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Birds of Amarkantak
On a short birding trip we came across some interesting birds.
Chestnut bellied nutchatch
Black drongo
Black throated thrush
Plum Headed Parakeet
Booted Warbler
Brown headed pygmy woodpecker
White naped wood pecker
Black rumped flameback
Sulphur bellied warbler
Tickel leaf warbler
Small minivet
Rufous treepie
Greater Whitethroat
Tree pipit
Black lored tit
Great Tit
Tailor bird
Large billed crow
Chestnut winged Petronia
Chestnut bellied nutchatch
Black drongo
Black throated thrush
Plum Headed Parakeet
Booted Warbler
Brown headed pygmy woodpecker
White naped wood pecker
Black rumped flameback
Sulphur bellied warbler
Tickel leaf warbler
Small minivet
Rufous treepie
Greater Whitethroat
Tree pipit
Black lored tit
Great Tit
Tailor bird
Large billed crow
Chestnut winged Petronia
We had camped at Helipad hill but for a short time hence a small checklist. Amarkantak is a holy place for Hindus as River Narmada originates here along with Son River. The hill resort has an average elevation of 1048 meters. It is situated in Madhya Pradesh about 250 Km from Jabalpur and 100? km from Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh State of India. The place is a meeting point of Vindhya and Satpura Hills at fulcrum called Maikal Hills.
Very little is known of bird species found in Amarkantak but more exploration will yield exciting findings.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Jabalpur - Birding - 5-2-2011
Our birding trip began in the afternoon and we left for Dumna Nature Reserve near the airport. We visited the periphery of the reserve and then moved on to Gandheri Village and surroundings. We had often seen the India coursers here in large number and hoped to see them again.
The bird we saw:
Common Kestral
Temmink's stint
Jungle Myna
Ruddy Shelduck
Lesser whisting teal
Twany Pipit
Indian BushLark
Indian BushLark
Oriental Skylark
Rufous Tailed Lark
Ashy Crowned Finch Lark
Red Rumped Swallow
Wire Tailed Swallow
House Swift
Common Redshank
Blank winged stilt
Long Tailed Shrike
Pied Bushchat
Pied Starling
Common Chiff Chaff
Brown Shrike
Black Drongo
Green Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Plum Headed Parakeet ( Mating)
Black Kite
And some more commonly seen birds...
Wood Sandpiper
Plum Headed Parakeet ( Mating)
Black Kite
And some more commonly seen birds...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Checklist of Birds of Jabalpur Region
Checklist Birds of Jabalpur, MP
Author…...Uday Patel……
Jabalpur-Location 23.15N° N 79.97E° E, Madhya Pradesh, Altitude 393 meters, Area 10,160 km² Population (2001) 2000000 Density (approx.)197/km², Time zone IST (UTC +5:30). Temp: 2 deg C
- 42 deg. C. Annual Rainfall = approx. 60-70 inches.
Topography & Biodiversity Profile: Jabalpur, virtually situated in the center of India is surrounded by the offshoots of Vindhyan Range to the north – (Banhrer ; Kaimore Hills)-and Satpura Range in the south – (Bargi Hills: Seoni Hills.). The major tiger reserves are within a radius of 200 km from Jabalpur-Bandhavgarh, Kanha & Pench.
Jabalpur supports substantial forest cover on surrounding hills along with small grasslands, open woods & scrub. Wetlands large & small are spread over all. Narmada River and smaller river systems are the lifeline of this ecosystem. The forests are Tropical Moist Dry Deciduous type (Mixed) and at places contain small belts of Sarai (Shorea robusta) Teak (Tectona grandis) & Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus). The diverse habitat supports rich variety of flora and fauna, and avi-fauna-as described here. ____________________________Checklist______________________________
Families=53
Genra: =166 ………
1
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Family: Phasianidae
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S.No.
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Common Name
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Scientific Name
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Status
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Location
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Notes
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1
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Painted Francolin
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Francolinus pictus
|
R, UnC
|
Kundam Range
| ||||||
2
|
Grey francolin
|
Francolinus pondicerianus
|
R, C
|
Wide spread
|
Breeding
| |||||
3
|
Rain Quail
|
Coturnix coromandelica
|
R, C
|
Grasslands
|
Calls heard in rains & up to January
| |||||
4
|
Blue Breasted Quail
|
Coturnix chinensis
|
Status?
|
Jamtara
Village
|
One Pair recorded
| |||||
5
|
Jungle Bush Quail
|
Pendicula asiatica
|
R, C
|
Common
| ||||||
6
|
Barred Button Quail
|
Turnix Suscitator
|
R, C
|
Farms near SFRI
| ||||||
7
|
Red Spur fowl
|
Gallopurdix spadicea
|
R, UnC
|
Pariyat. R.F
|
Habitat Threatened
| |||||
8
|
Painted Spur fowl
|
Galloperdix lanulata
|
R, UnC
|
Pariyat R.F
|
Habitat Threatened
| |||||
9
|
Red Jungle Fowl
|
Gallus gallus
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F
|
Habitat Threatened
| |||||
10
|
Indian Peafowl
|
Pavo cristatus
|
R, C
|
Dumna Hills
| ||||||
2
|
Famliy: Anatidae
| |||||||||
11
|
Greylag Goose
|
Anser anser
|
WV
|
Dumna Nature Reserve
|
Flock of up to 500+
Departs mid-March
| |||||
12
|
Lesser Whistling Teal
|
Dendrocygna Javanica
|
WV
|
Khandari Tank
|
Small flocks seen. Departs April 1st Week
| |||||
13
|
Ruddy Shelduck
|
Tadorna ferruginea
|
WV, C
|
Khandari Tank
|
Flocks seen in major water bodies
| |||||
14
|
Comb Duck
|
Sarkidiornis melanotos
|
R, UnC
|
Sangram Sagar
|
Frequents large water bodies
| |||||
15
|
Cotton Pygmy Goose
|
Nettapus coromandelianus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
| |||||
16
|
Gadwall
|
Anas strepera
|
WV
|
Sangram Sagar
| ||||||
17
|
Eurasian Wigeon
|
Anas penelope
|
WV, F
|
Khandari Tank
|
Departs mid-April
| |||||
18
|
Spot Billed Duck
|
Anas poecilorhyncha
|
R, F
|
Gokulpur Tank
|
Flock of 400+
| |||||
19
|
Common Teal
|
Anas crecca
|
WV, F
|
Pariyat Tank
| ||||||
20
|
Garganey Teal
|
Anas querquedula
|
WV, F
|
Jalpari
Tank
| ||||||
21
|
Northern Pintail
|
Anas acuta
|
WV, F
|
Khandari Tank
| ||||||
22
|
Northern Shoveler
|
Anas clypeata
|
WV
|
Khandari Tank
| ||||||
23
|
Red Crested Pochard
|
Rhodonessa rufina
|
WV
|
Many water bodies
| ||||||
24
|
Common Pochard
|
Aythya ferina
|
WV
|
Khandari Tank
| ||||||
25
|
Ferruginous Pochard
|
Aythya nyroca
|
WV
|
Bharda Tank
|
Only one flock seen 2008
| |||||
26
|
Tufted Duck
|
Aythya fuligula
|
WV
|
Khamaria Tank
| ||||||
27
| ||||||||||
3
|
Family: Picidae
| ||||
28
|
Eurasian Wryneck
|
Jynx torqulla
|
R, UnC
|
SFRI
|
Seen rarely
|
29
|
Brown-Capped Pygmy Woodpecker
|
Dendrocopos nanus
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F
| |
30
|
Yellow Crowned Woodpecker
|
Dendrocopos
Mahrattensis
|
R, F
|
Widespread
|
Breeding. More common than 29
|
31
|
Black rumped Flameback
|
Dinopium benghalense
|
R, F
|
Wide spread in woods
| |
32
|
White-Naped Woodpecker
|
Chrysocolaptes
|
R
|
Dumna Hills/Barha R.F
|
Less common than 31
|
4
|
Megalaimidae
|
33
|
Brown-Headed Barbet
|
Megalaima
Zeylanica
|
R
|
Widespread in Woods
|
Less common than 34
|
34
|
Coppersmith Barbet
|
Megalaima haemacephala
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
5
|
Bucerotidae
|
35
|
Indian Grey Hornbill
|
Ocyceros birostris
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
6
|
Upupidae
|
36
|
Common Hoopoe
|
Upupa epops
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
7
|
Coraciidae
|
37
|
Indian Roller
|
Coracias benghalensis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
8
|
Alcedinidae
|
38
|
Common Kingfisher
|
Alcedo atthis
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
9
|
Halycyonidae
| ||||
39
|
Stork-Billed Kingfisher
|
Halcyon capensis
|
R, F
|
Widespread
| |
40
|
White-Throated Kingfisher
|
Halcyon smyrnensis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
Uday Patel
10
|
Cerylidae
|
41
|
Pied Kingfisher
|
Ceryle rudis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
11
|
Meropidae
|
42
|
Blue-Bearded Bee-eater
|
Nyctyornis athertoni
|
R?
|
SFRI
|
Rec. April/May- 05 & 06
|
43
|
Green-Beater
|
Merops orientalis
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
44
|
Blue-Tailed Beater
|
Merops philippinus
|
WV, F
|
SFRI & Barha R.F.
|
Rec. in April
Breeding |
12
|
Cuculidae
|
45
|
Pied Cuckoo
|
Clamator jacobinus
|
Monsoon
Visitor
|
Common
|
Breeding
|
46
|
Common Hawk Cuckoo
|
Hierococcyx
Varius
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
47
|
Indian Cuckoo
|
Cuculus micropterus
|
R? UnC
|
Gaur
|
Rec. May
|
48
|
Eurasian Cuckoo
|
Cuculus canorus
|
R? UnC
|
SFRI
|
Rec. May
|
49
|
Grey-Bellied Cuckoo
|
Cacomantis passerinus
|
Summer Visitor? UnC
|
SFRI
|
Rec. May
|
50
|
Asian Koel
|
Eudynamys scolopacea
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Brood parasite-Common Crow.
|
13
|
Centropodidae
|
51
|
Greater Coucal
|
Centropus sinensis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
14
|
Psittacidae
|
52
|
Rose-Ringed Parakeet
|
Psitticula krameri
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
53
|
Plum-Headed Parakeet
|
Psitticula cyanocephala
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
15
|
Apopididae
| ||||
54
|
House Swift
| Apus affinis |
R,C
|
Widespread
| |
16
|
Tytonidae
|
55
|
Barn Owl
| Tyto alba |
R,C
|
Widespread
|
17
|
Strigidae
|
56
|
Eurasian Eagle Owl
|
Bubo bubo bengalensis
|
R, UnC
|
Shahpura Road
| |
57
|
Brown Fish Owl
|
Ketupa Zeylonensis
|
R, C
|
Marble Rocks/Barha R.F.
| |
58
|
Mottled Wood Owl
|
Stryx ocellata
|
R, UnC
|
Kundam Range
| |
59
|
Jungle Owlet
|
Glaucidium radiatum
|
R, F
|
Barha R.F.
|
Prefers Woods
|
60
|
Spotted Owlet
|
Athene brama
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
18
|
Caprimulgidae
|
61
|
Grey Nightjar
|
Caprimulgus indicus
|
R, C?
|
Kundam R.F.
| |
62
|
Indian Nightjar
|
Caprimulgus asiaticus
|
R, C
|
Barha R.F
| |
63
|
Savanna Nightjar
|
Caprimulgus affinis
|
R, C
|
Pat Baba Hills
|
Breeding
|
19
|
Columbidae
| ||||
64
|
Rock Pigeon
| Columba livia |
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
65
|
Oriental Turtle Dove
|
Streptopelia
Orientalis erythrocephala
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F
|
One Pair Rec. April/06
|
66
|
Laughing Dove
|
Streptopelia senegalensis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
67
|
Spotted Dove
|
Streptopelia chinensis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
68
|
Red Collared Dove
|
Streptopelia tranquebarica
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Near Water
|
69
|
Eurasian Collared Dove
|
Streptopelia decaocto
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
70
|
Emerald Dove
|
Chalcophaps indica
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F.
|
Woods
|
71
|
Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon
|
Treron phoenicoptera
|
R, C
|
Barha R.F
| |
20
|
Gruidae
| ||||
72
|
Sarus Crane
| Grus antigone |
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Habitat under stress
|
21
|
Rallidae
|
73
|
Slaty-Breasted Crake
|
Gallirallus striatus
|
R, Status?
|
SFRI
| |
74
|
Brown Crake
|
Amaurornis akool
|
R, Status?
|
Lamheti Village
| |
75
|
White-Breasted Waterhen
|
Amaurornis phoenicurus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
76
|
Purple Swamphen
|
Porphyrio porphyrio
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
77
|
Common Moorhen
|
Gallinula chloropus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
78
|
Common Coot
|
Fulica Utra
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
|
22
|
Pteroclidae
|
79
|
Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse
|
Pterocles exustus
|
R
| ||
80
|
Painted Sandgrouse
|
Pterocles indicus
|
R
| ||
23
|
Scolopacidae
| ||||
81
|
Common Snipe
|
Gallinago gallinago
|
WV
|
Widespread
|
Seen singly
|
82
|
Spotted Redshank
|
Tringa erythropus
|
WV, UnC
|
SFRI, Bargi Dam
| |
83
|
Common Redshank
|
Tringa tetanus
|
WV, UnC
|
Gadehri Tank
| |
84
|
Marsh Sandpiper
|
Tringa stagnatilis
|
WV, UnC
|
SFRI
| |
85
|
Green Sandpiper
|
Tringa ochropus
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
| |
86
|
Wood Sandpiper
|
Tringa glareola
|
WV, C
|
Khandari Tank
| |
87
|
Common Sandpiper
|
Actitis hypoleucos
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
| |
88
|
Little Stint
|
Calidris minuta
|
WV, F
|
Mohrari Tank
| |
89
|
Temminck’s Stint
|
Calidris temminckii
|
WV, C
|
SFRI
| |
24
|
Rostratulidae
|
90
|
Greater Painted Snipe
|
Rostratula benghalensis
|
R, C
|
Barha R.F. / Jalpari tank
|
Seen Singly
|
25
|
Burhinidae
| ||||
91
|
Eurasian Thick-Knee
|
Burhinus oedicnemus
|
R
|
Baghrajee Forests
|
Scarce
|
92
|
Great Thick-Knee
|
Esacus recurvirostris
|
R
|
Bargi Dam
| |
26
|
Glareolidae
|
93
|
Indian Courser
|
Cursorius coromandelicus
|
R
|
Dumna Hills
|
Several birds seen in open lands.
|
27
|
Charadriidae
| ||||
94
|
Black-Winged Stint
|
Himantopus himantopus
|
WV, A
|
Widespread
|
Arrives in large numbers-departs early May
|
95
|
Pied Avocet
|
Ricurvirostra avosetta
|
WV, UnC
|
Narmada River
|
One sighting
|
96
|
Little Ringed Plover
|
Charadrius dubius
|
R, C
|
Bargi Dam
|
Breeding
|
97
|
Yellow-Wattled Lapwing
|
Vanellus malabaricus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
98
|
River Lapwing
|
Vanellus daucelii
|
R, Status?
|
Narmada River
| |
99
|
Red-Wattled Lapwing
|
Vanellus indicus
|
R, C,
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
28
|
Jacanidae
|
100
|
Pheasant-Tailed Jacana
|
Hydrophasianus chirurgus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
101
|
Bronze Winged Jacana
|
Metopidius indicus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
29
|
Laridae
|
102
|
Black-Headed Gull
|
Larus ridibundus
|
WV
|
Bargi Dam
| |
103
|
River Tern
|
Sterna aurantia
|
R, C
|
Bargi Dam
|
30
| Accipitridae |
104
|
Black-Shouldered Kite
|
Elanus caeruleus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
105
|
Black Kite
|
Milvus migrans govinda
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
106
|
Black Kite
|
Milvus migrans lineatus
|
WV
|
Widespread
| |
107
|
Japanese Sparrowhawk
|
Accipitar gularis
|
WV
|
SFRI &
Napier Town
|
Sightings at SFRI Open Woods & Garden.
|
108
|
Egyptian Vulture
|
Neophron percnopterus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
109
|
White-Rumped Vulture
|
Gyps bengalensis
|
R,UnC
|
Narainpur Forests
|
Breeding Last Rec. in town May/2003/
|
110
|
Red-Headed Vulture
|
Sarcogyps calvus
|
R, UnC
|
Widespread
| |
111
|
Crested Serpent Eagle
|
Spilornis cheela
|
LM
|
Barha R.F
| |
112
|
Pallid Harrier
|
Circus macrourus
|
WV
|
Dumna Hills
|
One Pair sighted
Dt/1-1-06
|
113
|
Shikra
|
Accipiter badius
|
R,C
|
Widespread
| |
114
|
Oriental Honey Buzzard
|
Pernis ptilorhyncus
|
R,C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
115
|
White-Eyed Buzzard
|
Butastur teesa
|
R, C
|
SFRI/Barha R.F
|
Nesting-SFRI/05
|
116
|
Changeable-Hawk Eagle
|
Spizaetus cirrhatus
|
R
|
Kundam Range
|
31
|
Falconidae
|
117
|
Common Kestral
|
Falco tinnunculus
|
WV
|
Dumna Rd/Pariyat
|
Single bird sighted at both places.
|
32
|
Podicipedidae
|
118
|
Little Grebe
|
Tachybaptus ruficollis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
33
|
Anhingidae
|
119
|
Darter
|
Anhinga melanogaster
|
R, UnC
|
Jalpari Tank
|
34
|
Phalacrocoracidae
|
120
|
Little Cormorant
|
Phalacrocorax niger
|
R, A
|
Widespread
| |
121
|
Indian Cormorant
|
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
|
R, C
|
Khandari Tank
|
Fewer than 120
|
122
|
Great Cormorant
|
Phalacrocorax carbo
|
R, UnC
|
Khandari Tank
|
35
|
Ardeidae
|
123
|
Little Egret
|
Egretta garzetta
|
R, Abundant
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
124
|
Great Egret
|
Casmerodius albus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
125
|
Intermediate Egret
|
Mesophoyx intermedia
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
Uday Patel
| |||||
126
|
Indian Pond Heron
|
Ardeola grayii
|
R, A
|
Widespread
| |
127
|
Grey Heron
|
Ardea cinerea
|
WV, UnC
|
Widespread
| |
128
|
Purple Heron
|
Ardea purpurea
|
R, UnC
|
Widespread
| |
129
|
Little Heron
|
Butorides striatus
|
R, Rare
|
Katangi
|
One Rec.
|
130
|
Black-Crowned Night Heron
|
Nycticorax nycticorax
|
R, UnC
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
131
|
Black Bittern
|
Dupetor flavicollis
|
R, UnC
|
Bargi Dam
| |
132
|
Yellow Bittern
|
Ixobrychus sinensis
|
R, Rare
|
Narai Nala
|
One Rec.
|
36
|
Threskiornithidae
|
133
|
Glossy Ibis
|
Plegadis falcinellus
|
R, Rare
|
Patan
| |
134
|
Black-Headed Ibis
|
Threskiornis melanocephalus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Less Common than 136
|
135
|
Eurasian Spoonbill
|
Platalea leucorodia
|
R, UnC
|
Mohrari Tank
| |
136
|
Black Ibis
|
Pseudibis papillosa
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
37
|
Ciconiidae
|
137
|
Painted Stork
|
Mycteria leucocephala
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
138
|
Asian Openbill
|
Anastomus oscitans
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
139
|
Woolly-Necked Stork
|
Ciconia episcopus
|
R, F
|
Widespread
| |
140
|
Black-Necked Stork
|
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
|
Rare
|
Mohrari Tank
|
38
|
Pittidae
|
141
|
Indian Pitta
|
Pitta brachyura
|
LM? UnC
|
SFRI
|
Rec. May/05
|
39
|
Irenidae
|
142
|
Blue-Winged Leaf Bird
|
Chloropsis cochinchinensis
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F
| |
143
|
Gold-Fronted Leaf Bird
|
Chloropsis aurifrons
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
More Common than 137
|
40
|
Laniidae
|
144
|
Brown Shrike
|
Lanius cristatus
|
WV, Rare
|
SFRI/Dumna Hills
|
Single Bird seen on both times
|
145
|
Bay-Backed Shrike
|
Lanius vittatus
|
R, UnC
|
SFRI
| |
146
|
Long-Tailed Shrike
|
Lanius schach
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
147
|
Grey-Backed Shrike
|
Lanius tephronotus
|
WV, UnC
|
Gadheri Tank
|
Rec. January 06
|
41
|
Corvidae
| ||||
148
|
Rufous Treepie
|
Dendrocitta vagabunda
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
149
|
House Crow
|
Corvus splendens
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
150
|
Large-Billed Crow
|
Corvus macrorhynchos
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
151
|
Eurasian Golden Oriole
|
Oriolus oriolus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
152
|
Black-Hooded Oriole
|
Oriolus xanthornus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
153
|
Large Cuckooshrike
|
Coracina macei
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
154
|
Black Headed Cuckooshrike
|
Coracina melanoptera
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Less Common than 153
|
155
|
Small Minivet
|
Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
|
R,C
|
Widespread
| |
156
|
White-Bellied Minivet
|
Pericrocotus erythropygius
|
R, UnC
|
SFRI
| |
157
|
Long-Tailed Minivet
|
Pericrocotus ethologus
|
WV,
|
SFRI
| |
158
|
White-Throated Fantail
|
Rhipidura albicollis albogularis
|
R, UnC
|
SFRI
|
Breeding
|
159
|
White-Browed Fantail
|
Rhipidura aureola
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
160
|
Black Drongo
|
Dicrurus macrocercus
|
R, A
|
Widespread
| |
161
|
Ashy Drongo
|
Dicrurus leucophaeus
|
WV, F
|
Barha R.F./SFRI
| |
162
|
White-Bellied Drongo
|
Dicrurus caerulescens
|
R, F
|
Dumna Hills/SFRI
|
Keeps to dense forests
|
163
|
Greater Racket Tailed Drongo
|
Dicrurus paradiseus
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F
|
Keeps to dense forests
|
164
|
Black Naped Monarch
|
Hypothymis azurea
|
R, F
|
Barha R.F
|
Keeps to dense forest
|
165
|
Common Iora
|
Aegithina tephia
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
166
|
Common Woodshrike
|
Tephrodornis pondicerianus
|
R, F
|
Widespread
| |
167
|
Asian Paradise- Flycatcher
|
Terosipphone paradisi
|
R, F
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
42
|
Muscicapidae
|
168
|
Blue-Capped Rock Thrush
|
Monticola cinclorhynchus
|
PM
Sighted for a Week
|
Gaur Village
Rec. 18/4/01
|
WV Western Ghats. Summers in Himalaya
|
169
|
Blue Rock Thrush
|
Monticola solitarius pandoo
|
WV
|
Thakurtal
| |
170
|
Blue Rock Thrush
|
M. solitarius philippensis
|
WV
|
Sangram Sagar
| |
171
|
Orange-Headed Thrush
|
Zoothera citrina cyanotus
|
R, F
|
SFRI
| |
172
|
Tickell’s Thrush
|
Turdus unicolor
|
WV, Rare
|
SFRI
|
Rec. Nov-Dec/06
|
173
|
Asian Brown Flycatcher
|
Muscicapa dauurica
|
WV, UnC
|
SFRI/
|
Rec.Feb/03 & Jan 06
|
174
|
Red-Throated Flycatcher
|
Ficedula parva
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
|
Departs mid-April
|
175
|
Verditer Flycatcher
|
Eumyias thalassina
|
Status? UnC
|
SFRI/Gaur
| |
176
|
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher
|
Cyornis tickelliae tickelliae
|
R, C
|
SFRI, Barha R.F.
|
Partial to Bamboo
|
177
|
Grey-Headed Canary Flycatcher
|
Culicicapa ceylonensis
|
WV, F
|
SFRI
|
Very Vocal
|
178
|
Bluethroat
|
Luscinia svecica
|
WV? PM?
|
SFRI
|
Rec. 16/12/ 05 for a week/N.Br.
|
179
|
Oriental Magpie Robin
|
Copsychus saularis
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
180
|
Indian Robin
|
Saxicoloides fulicata
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
181
|
Black Redstart
|
Phoenicurus ochruros
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
|
Arrives October departs mid-April
|
182
|
Common Stonechat
|
Saxicola torquata
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
183
|
Pied Buschat
|
Saxicola caprata
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
184
|
Brown Rockchat
|
Cercomela fusca
|
WV, F
|
Widespread
|
43
|
Sturnidae
|
185
|
Chestnut-Tailed Starling
|
Sturnus malabaricus
|
WV, UnC
|
Barha R.F
| |
186
|
Brahminy Starling
|
Sturnus pagodarum
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
187
|
Rosy Starling
|
Sturnus roseus
|
WV
|
Barha R.F
| |
188
|
Common Myna
|
Acridotheres tristis
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
189
|
Bank Myna
|
Acridotheres ginginianus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Less Common than 185 & 187
|
190
|
Jungle Myna
|
Acridotheres fuscus
|
R, C
|
Less Seen
| |
191
|
Pied Myna
|
Sturnus contra
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
44
|
Paridae
|
192
|
Great Tit
|
Parus major
|
R, F
|
Widespread
|
Partial to Wood
|
193
|
Black-Lored Tit
|
Parus xanthogenys
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
45
|
Hirundinidae
|
194
|
Plain Martin
|
Riparia paludicola
|
R,C
|
Widespread
| |
195
|
Barn Swallow
|
Hirundo rustica rustica
|
WV, F
|
Widespread
| |
196
|
Wire-Tailed Swallow
|
Hirundo smithii
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
197
|
Red-Rumped Swallow
|
Hirundo daurica
|
R,
|
SFRI
|
198
|
Streak-Throated Swallow
|
Hirunda fluvicola
|
R, F
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
46
|
Pycnonotidae
|
199
|
Red-Whiskered Bulbul
|
Pycnonotus jocosus
|
R, UnC
|
Napier Town
|
Partial to urban gardens in Jbp
|
200
|
Red-Vented Bulbul
|
Pycnonotus cafer
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
47
|
Cisticolidae
|
201
|
Grey Breasted Prinia
|
Prinia hodgsonii
|
R, F
|
SFRI/Barha R.F
| |
202
|
Jungle Prinia
|
Prinia sylvatica
|
R, F
|
SFRI
| |
203
|
Graceful Prinia
|
Prinia gracilis
|
R, Rare
|
SFRI
| |
204
|
Plain Prinia
|
Prinia inornata
|
R, F
|
Thakurtal
| |
205
|
Ashy Prinia
|
Prinia socialis
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
48
|
Zosteropidae
|
206
|
Oriental White-Eye
|
Zosterops palpebrosus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Partial to woods
|
49
|
Sylviidae
|
207
|
Paddyfield Warbler
|
Acrocephalus agricola
|
WV, UnC
|
Lamheta Rd
| |
208
|
Blyth’s Reed Warbler
|
Acrocephalus dumetorum
|
WV? PM?
|
SFRI
|
Rec. Nov/05 for 10 days.
|
209
|
Clamorous Reed Warbler
|
Acrocephalus stentoreus
|
WV, UnC
|
Khandari Nala
| |
210
|
Booted Warbler
|
Hippolais caligata
|
WV, F
|
SFRI-Hills
| |
211
|
Lesser Whitethroat
|
Sylvia curruca
|
WV, F
|
Gadheri Village
| |
212
|
Hume’s Lesser Whitethroat
|
S. curruca althaea
|
WV, UnC
|
Napier Town
|
Recorded in a garden
|
213
|
Common Tailorbird
|
Orthotomus sutorius
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
214
|
Common Chiff
|
Phylloscopus collybita
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
|
Nos. decrease after March
|
215
|
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler
|
Phylloscopus affinis
|
WV, UnC
|
SFRI
| |
216
|
Sulphur-Bellied Warbler
|
Phylloscopus griseolus
|
WV, UnC
|
Khandari Tank R.F
| |
217
|
Hume’s Warbler
|
Phylloscopus humei
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
|
Seen & heard all over
|
218
|
Greenish Warbler
|
Phylloscopus trochiloides
|
WV, F
|
SFRI
| |
219
|
Yellow-Browed Warbler
|
Phylloscopus inornatus
|
WV
|
SFRI
| |
220
|
Puff-Throated Babbler
|
Pellorneum ruficeps
|
R, C
|
Barha R.F
| |
221
|
Indian Scimitar Babbler
|
Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
|
R, UnC
|
Barha R.F
| |
222
|
Twany-Bellied Babbler
|
Dumetia hyperythra
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
223
|
Yellow-Eyed Babbler
|
Chrysomma sinense
|
R,C
|
Widespread
| |
224
|
Common Babbler
|
Turdoides caudatus
|
R, F
|
Widespread
| |
225
|
Large Grey Babbler
|
Turdoides malcolmi
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
226
|
Jungle Babbler
|
Turdoides striatus
|
R, A
|
Widespread
| |
227
|
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta
|
Alcippe poioicephala
|
R
|
Barha R.F.
|
Rec. 14/5/06
|
50
|
Alaudidae
|
228
|
Indian Bushlark
|
Mirafra erythroptera
|
R, F
|
Dumna Hills
| |
229
|
Ashy-Crowned Sparrow Lark
|
Eremopterix grisea
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
230
|
Rufous-Tailed Lark
|
Ammomanes phoenicurus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
231
|
Greater Short-Toed Lark
|
Calandrella brachydactyla
|
WV
|
SFRI
| |
232
|
Sykes’s Lark
|
Galerida deva
|
R, F
|
Dumna Hills
| |
233
|
Oriental Skylark
|
Alauda gulgula
|
Status?
|
SFRI
|
51
|
Nectariniidae
|
234
|
Thick-Billed Flowerpecker
|
Dicaeum agile
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
235
|
Pale-Billed Flowerpecker
|
Dicaeum erythrorynchos
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
236
|
Purple-Rumped Sunbird
|
Nectarinia Zeylonica
|
Status?
|
House
|
Single bird seen
|
237
|
Purple Sunbird
|
Nectarinia asiatica
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
238
|
Loten’s Sunbird
|
Nectarinia lotenia
|
R, UnC
|
SFRI
|
52
|
Passeridae
|
239
|
House Sparrow
|
Passer domesticus
|
R, A
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
240
|
Chestnut-Shouldered Petronia
|
Petronia xanthocollis
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
241
|
White Wagtail
|
Motacilla alba personata
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
| |
242
|
White Wagtail
|
M. alba dukhunensis
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
| |
243
|
White-Browed Wagtail
|
Motacilla maderaspatensis
|
R, C
| ||
244
|
Citrine Wagtail
|
Motacilla citreola
|
WV, F
|
Widespread
| |
245
|
Yellow Wagtail
|
Motacilla flava
|
WV, F
| ||
246
|
Grey Wagtail
|
Motacilla cinerea
|
WV, C
|
Widespread
|
Seen in Breeding Plumage in April
|
247
|
Paddyfield Pipit
|
Anthus rufulus
|
R, F
|
Widespread
| |
248
|
Tawny Pipit
|
Anthus campestris
|
WV, F
|
SFRI
| |
249
|
Long-Billed Pipit
|
Anthus similis
|
WV, F
|
Dumna Hills
| |
250
|
Tree Pipit
|
Anthus trivialis
|
WV, C
|
SFRI
| |
251
|
Olive-Backed Pipit
|
Anthus hodgsonii
|
WV, F
|
Khandari Forest
| |
252
|
Black-Breasted Weaver
|
Ploceus benghalensis
|
R, UnC
|
Lulpur, Narmada Bank,
|
Rec.18/12/05
|
253
|
Baya Weaver
|
Ploceus philippinus
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
254
|
Red Avadavat
|
Amandava amandava
|
R, C
|
Widespread
| |
255
|
Green Avadavat
|
Amandava Formosa
|
R, F
|
Narmada Banks
| |
256
|
Indian SilverBill
|
Lonchura malabarica
|
R, C
|
Widespread
|
Breeding
|
257
|
Scaly-Breasted Munia
|
Lonchura punctulata
|
R, F
|
Widespread
| |
258
|
White-Rumped Munia
|
Lonchura striata
|
Status?
|
Narai nala
|
Rec. 5/1/2003
|
259
|
Black-Headed Munia
|
Lonchura Malacca
|
R, F
|
Widespread
|
53
|
Fringillidae
|
260
|
Common Rosefinch
|
Carpodacus erythrinus
|
WV, F
|
Dumna Hills
| |
261
|
Crested Bunting
|
Melophus lathami
|
R, Status?
|
Thakurtal
|
One Rec. Feb 96
|
Uday Patel
Birds that could be present, but have not been conclusively identified, due to lack of proper sightings.
1
|
Bucerotidae
|
1
|
Malabar Pied Hornbill
|
Anthracoceros coronatus
|
R?
|
Unconfirmed Reporting.
|
2
|
Gruidae
|
2
|
Demoiselle Crane
|
Grus virgo
|
PM? / V?
|
Patan/As described by locals but no sighting by author
|
3
|
Laridae
|
3
|
Indian Skimmer
|
Rynchops albicollis
|
R?
|
One improper sightings at Gaur River
|
4
|
Accipitridae
|
4
|
Besra
|
Accipiter virgatus
|
Status?
|
Sighting described to author-unconfirmed
|
5
|
Ciconiidae
|
5
|
White Stork
| Ciconia Ciconia |
VM?
|
Pair sighted early 92 at Kailvas but no record kept.
|
6
|
Passeridae
|
6
|
Singing Bushlark
| Mirafra cantillans |
Status?
|
Improper sighting-SFRI
|
7
|
Corvidae
|
7
|
Marshall’s Iora
|
Aegithina nigrolutea
|
R?
|
Improper sighting –Barha R.F.
|
8
|
Muscicapidae
| |||
8
|
Scaly Thrush
|
Zoothera dauma
|
Status?
|
One old sighting in 70’s Marble Rocks
|
Abb: A=Abundant. C=Common. UnC=Uncommon. F=Frequent. R=Resident. WV=Winter Visitor LM=Local Migrant. PM=Passage Migrant .V=Vagrant. SFRI= State Forest Research Institute.
Later Finds:Osprey, Eurasian Curlew, Crested Tree Swift, White browed Bulbul, White Capped Bunting, Red Headed Bunting, Black Headed Bunting, Drongo Cuckoo.
Hill blue flycatcher, Zitting Cisticola: 13/2/2011, Smokey Warbler March 2011, Isabelline Shrike, White Rumped Shama, Bonelli's Eagle, Black Eagle, Rock Bush Quail, Chestnut Bittern,
Conclusion: This checklist has been completed in a period of 10 years, where the last few years have been intense. It is a grueling task were hundreds of hours spent and great amount of physical endurance is required. Sincere efforts have been put into the identification so that no misinformation be generated. Breeding is mentioned only where nesting or evidence is observed The purpose of this checklist is to further help in understanding movements of the birds and their survival in urban localities. My sincere thanks to Dr. Dilip Katiyar, Bittu Flora-both keen bird watchers themselves, Sh. P.K.Chowdhary (IFS), Sh. Chitranjan Tyagi (IFS), & Sh. Shailesh Pathak (IAS) for their encouragemnt and kind assistance.
Uday Patel
Author: I live in Jabalpur, and am a keen naturalist. I have been bird watching since more than a decade. I have published two articles in Sanctuary Asia. Nesting Sunbirds (Nectrinia asiatica) and Nesting Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi.). I work as a freelance naturalist to resorts in Kanha, Pench & Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Uday Patel
Reference:
Birds of Indian Subcontinent-Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp. (Pocket Guide)
Birds of Indian Subcontinent-Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp, Tim Inskipp. (Comprehensive Guide)
A Field Guide to Birds of India-Krys Kazmierczak.
A Photographic Guide to the Birds of India-Bikram Grewal, Bill Harvey, Otto Pfister.
Birds of India- Salim Ali.
Birds of India-Bikram Grewal. (Photo Guide)
Address: Uday Patel, 31 Rajul Township
Mandla Road, Tilheri, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Mandla Road, Tilheri, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: pateluday90@hotmail.com
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