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Home , Aizawl, Black baza, Champhai, Champhai district, Kalij pheasant, Kolasib

152 SHORT NOTES Forktail 22 (2006)

Notable records from in north-east

ANWARUDDIN CHOUDHURY

The state of Mizoram (21°58′–24°30′N 92°16′–93°25′E) northern Mizoram, in March 1986 (five days), February is located in the southern part of north-east India (Fig. 1). 1987 (seven days) and April 1988 (5 days) while based in Formerly referred to as the of southern , southern Assam. During 2–17 April 2000, I visited parts it covers an area of 21,081 km2. Mizoram falls in the Indo- of , , , , , Saiha, Burma global biodiversity hotspot (Myers et al. 2000) and districts and surveyed Dampa Sanctuary and the Eastern Himalaya Endemic Bird Area and Reserve, Ngengpui Willdlife Sanctuary, (Stattersfield et al. 1998). The entire state is hilly and National Park and the fringe of Khawnglung mountainous. The highest ranges are towards east with Wildlife Sanctuary. This included 61 km of foot transect the peaks of Phawngpui (2,157 m; the highest point in along paths and streams, 2.5 km of boat transects along Mizoram) and Lengteng (2,141 m). The lowest elevation, the Ngengpui River and , and 1,847 km of road <100 m, is in the riverbeds near the borders with Assam transects. During 15–22 February 2001, I visited parts of and border. The climate is tropical - type with a hot wet summer and a cool dry winter. Table 1. Details of sites mentioned in the text. Temperatures range from 7° to 34°C; annual rainfall ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 mm. The original vegetation type is tropical evergreen forest, Site (district) Coordinates Altitude (m) typically including Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Palaquium Artlang () 23°27′N 93°12′E 1,500–1,950 polyanthum and Artocarpus chaplasha trees. Owing to Bhairabi (Mamit) 24°11′N 92°33′E 100 logging and jhum (slash-and-burn shifting cultivation), Blue Mountains 22°37′N 93°01′E 1,000–2,100 large areas have been replaced with , especially in (Phawngpui NP) older abandoned jhums. The least-disturbed forests are Chamdur (Lawngtlai) 22°15′N 92°42′E 200–300 found in the southern part of the state in Lawngtlai and Dampa WS (Mamit) 23°35′N 92°23′E 300–1,100 Saiha districts. In the higher areas of the east, subtropical Jamalpur (Cachar, Assam) 24°26′N 92°53′E60 broadleaf forest occurs, including Tetrameles nudiflora, Khawnglung WS (Serchhip) 23°10′N 93°0′E 600–1,000 Gmelina arborea and Bombax ceiba, with Quercus spp. and Kolodyne bridge 22°26′N 92°57′E 200 sp. at higher altitudes. (Lawngtlai and Saiha) The existing network covers c.4.5% of Lailapur (Cachar, Assam) 24°30′N 92°48′E80 Mizoram. The main protected areas are Dampa Wildlife (Champhai) 23°50′N 93°09′E 1,000–1,200 2 Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve (500 km ), National Lawngtlai (Lawngtlai) 22°30′N 92°55′E 1,100–1,200 2 2 Park (150 km ), Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary (110 km ), Lengteng WS (Champhai) 23°50′N 93°13′E 1,000–2,100 Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary (80 km2) and Phawngpui Lunglei (Lunglei) 22°54′N 92°46′E 1,200–1,300 National Park (50 km2). Lurh Tlang (Champhai) 23°03′N 93°15′E 1,000–2,100 Owing to insurgency from the 1960s to 1987, Mizoram ′ ′ has been relatively little studied in recent decades. The Mampui (Lawngtlai) 22°30 N 92°50 E 1,000 few published works include Koelz (1954), Rao and Mawmatlang (Saiha) 22°18′N 93°06′E 1,200–2,100 (1976), Choudhury (1996), Katju (1996), Murlen NP (Champhai) 23°37′N 93°18′E 1,000–1,600 and Ghose and Thanga (1998), with unpublished field 22°20–27′N Ngengpui WS (Lawngtlai) ′ 400–1,100 reports by Kaul et al. (1996), Robertson (1996) and 92°46–49 E Shankar Raman (1995), and more general information (Champhai) 23°42′N 93°13′E 1,100–1,150 available in Ali and Ripley (1987) and and Rahmani (Champhai) 23°32′N 93°22′E 1,300–2,070 (2004). North Diltlang (Champhai) 23°37′N 93°22′E 1,300–1,960 Pakuwa () Nullah 24°05′N 92°28′E 100 (Mamit) METHODS (Saiha) 22°15′N 92°54′E 350 South-west of 23°38′N 93°07′E >1,000 During fieldwork, I surveyed using direct (Champhai) observations (with 10×40 binoculars and a 10×46 Rawlbuk (Saiha) 23°40′N 92°59′E 1,200 telescope), noting calls (for some species only) and by Saiha (Saiha) 22°27′N 92°59′E 1,300 interviewing local forest staff, villagers and hunters. Direct (Mamit) 23°49′N 92°39′E 500 observations were made on foot along existing and newly (Saiha) 22°43′N 92°02′E 1,400 cut paths, and from vehicles along roads and tracks Surh Tlang (Champhai) 23°57′N 93°13′E 1,100–2,200 (particularly to spot birds kept as pets, and preserved Tantlang (Champhai) 23°09′N 93°15′E 1,000–2,100 specimens such as casques and feathers which Thingfal (Lunglei) 22°37′N 92°55′E 900–1,000 are often displayed outside huts). I carried out a total of (Aizawl) 24°12′N 93°0′E 150 41 days fieldwork in Mizoram during 1986–2001. This West Phaileng (Mamit) 23°42′N 92°30′E 500 included fieldwork in Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit districts, Forktail 22 (2006) SHORT NOTES 153

Aizawl, Kolasib and Champhai districts and surveyed reported by local people at twelve additional sites Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary and . (Choudhury 2005). This includied 30 km of foot transects and 943 km of road transects. Localities are detailed in Table 1. GREY PEACOCK Polyplectron bicalcaratum I recorded this species in: the Inner Line reserve forests, Aizawl and Kolasib districts (heard 1987–1988); Ngengpui SIGNIFICANT RECORDS Wildlife Sanctuaries (April 2000); Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary (February 2001); Murlen National Park (heard Details are provided for the more interesting and significant in February 2001); Dampa sanctuary (heard in April 2000); records, including five threatened and seven Near at five sites between Rawlbuk and Ngopa, Champhai . Records of and large district (heard in February 2001); and Lamzawl, Champhai raptors are included, given the high hunting pressures on district (snared bird seen in February 2001). these species in the region. IUCN Red List status follows BirdLife International (2004) and restricted-range status GREAT HORNBILL Buceros bicornis follows Stattersfield et al. (1998). Near Threatened. This species was presumably once commoner, given the number of preserved casques I saw WHITE-CHEEKED atrogularis in villages (e.g. >20 seen between Lunglei and Lawngtlai), Near Threatened. This common species was frequently but it has now become extremely rare and locally extirpated encountered in forest in Mamit, Kolasib and Aizawl owing to hunting and habitat loss. I only recorded two districts, near the Assam border, especially in Inner Line birds in the field: between Ngopa and Rabung, Champhai reserve forest during 1986–1988. district, in February 2001.

MOUNTAIN Bambusicola fytchii BROWN HORNBILL Anorrhinus tickelli I observed a covey of at least six birds at Farpak, Phawngpui Near Threatened. This species was not seen in the field. National Park, on 13 April 2000, heard calls from four Only a single casque was seen in village, Champhai sites around Farpak on the mornings of 13 and 14 April district; it was probably more than a decade old and was 2000, and also recorded the species at three sites in reportedly shot near Murlen National Park. In 1987, I Champai district in February 2001: near the south-western saw one in flight south-west of Jamalpur, Assam, very boundary of Lengteng Sanctuary, c.4 km south-west of close to the Mizoram border (Choudhury 2000). Lengteng sanctuary towards Lamzawl, and 5 km west of Champhai. Large populations probably occur in Mizoram WREATHED HORNBILL Rhyticeros undulatus given the abundance of bamboo brakes throughout the Like other , this species was previously commoner state. in the state, but is now extremely rare and locally extirpated. I did not record any in the field, but saw a BLYTH’S Tragopan blythii casque of a fairly recently killed bird from near or inside Vulnerable. Restricted-range. This species is known in Dampa Wildlife Sanctuary at Teirei. Old casques dating Mizoram only from , where I from the 1980s or early 1990s were seen in Vapar near recorded five males calling within a 3 km² area at Farpak Murlen National Park, and Sangau and Thaltlang near on 12 April 2000. I estimate that there is c.20 km² of Phawngpui National Park in February 2001. potential habitat for the species in the park. Local villagers in Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary and Murlen National Park ORIENTAL PIED HORNBILL Anthracoceros albirostris did not recognise images of the species. Preserved casques and feathers of this species were seen in most of the villages surveyed in or near: Dampa, KALIJ PHEASANT Lophura leucomelanos Ngengpui, Khawnglung and Lengteng Wildlife I recorded many sightings of this species in northern areas Sanctuaries; Murlen and Phawngpui National Parks; Inner of Mizoram, especially near the Assam-Mizoram border Line and Ngengpui reserve forests; and the forests of in Mamit, Kolasib and Aizawl districts during 1986–1988. Lawngtlai and Saiha districts. In April 2000, birds were It was seen as low as c.70 m near Bhairabi, , seen in Ngengpui Sanctuary (three), Palak Dil (one), and in March 1987. Elsewhere, a male and a female were seen between Laty and Phura (at least ten), and were heard crossing a road c.15 km north-west of Sairang, Mamit calling in Phawngpui National Park. district, on 4 April 2000, and the species was reported by villagers to be snared and shot fairly frequently in DARK-RUMPED SWIFT Apus acuticauda abandoned jhums around Bhairabi, , Sangau, Vulnerable; restricted range. This species was recorded Lawngtlai and Phura. in Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary on 20 February 2001 and in Phawngpui National Park on 13 April 2000. On both MRS HUME’S PHEASANT humiae occasions, at least three and one individual respectively Vulnerable. A recent survey showed that this species were identified and watched for 20–25 minutes in mixed appears to be widely distributed in the higher hills of flocks of Fork-tailed Swift A. pacificus and Brown-backed eastern Mizoram, especially in Champhai and Saiha Needletail Chaetura gigantea flying around cliff-faces. districts, and possibly occurs in Lunglei and Serchhip They were dark brownish below, with a greyish-white districts (Choudhury 2002a, 2005). In addition to the throat, darker fine scaly marks on the underparts below previously known localities of Murlen and Phawngpui the upper breast, darker lower belly, and brownish National Parks, hunters’ specimens were recorded at underwing, with glossy black upperparts, with a slaty- Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, North Diltlang, Surtlang, bluish hue on the back seen on at least one bird. They Arhtlang and Ngur, all in , and it was differed from Fork-tailed Swift by their lack of white rump 154 SHORT NOTES Forktail 22 (2006)

and lack of contrasting white throat, but it was difficult to PURPLE COCHOA Cochoa purpurea discern any differences in the shape of the tail-fork, wing- Near Threatened. A male was seen at c.2,050 m between length or overall size. Common Swift A. apus (which has Farpak and Blue Mountain peak, Phawngpui National not yet been recorded in Mizoram) lacks strong markings Park, on 13 April 2000. The species was also recorded in on the underparts. the same area in March 1998 by Sangha (2001).

BLACK BAZA leuphotes STRIPED LAUGHINGTHRUSH Garrulax virgatus One was seen in flight in Ngengpui Sanctuary on 9 April Near Threatened. I saw a group of at least three individuals 2000 giving a loud cheew cheew call. near Farpak, Phawngpui National Park, on 14 April 2000. Kaul et al. (1996) recorded this species in Murlen National WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE Gyps bengalensis and Park. SLENDER-BILLED VULTURE G. tenuirostris Critically Endangered. Both species were recorded in GREY SIBIA Heterophasia gracilis Bhairabi in March 1996, February 1997 and April 1998, Near Threatened. Groups of 2–3 birds were seen in Murlen in mixed flocks of 7–10 soaring birds, but were not recorded and Phawngpui National Parks in February 2001 and April subsequently. 2000, and at least one individual was identified in a mixed- species flock in Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary in February BLACK EAGLE Ictinaetus malayensis 2001. Kaul et al. (1996) found it to be common in Murlen Singles were observed in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary on National Park and frequent in Phawngpui National Park. 8 April 2000, at Sangau on 12 April 2000 and in Phawngpui National Park on 12 and 13 April 2000; two were seen FOREST WAGTAIL Dendronanthus indicus between Kolodyne bridge and Saiha on 11 April 2000 I observed at least ten singles on a dirt road between and between Rawlbuk and Sangau on 12 April 2000. Kolodyne bridge and Phura village (at 200–300 m) on 10 and 11 April 2000, and near the road between Rawlbuk SHORT-TOED SNAKE EAGLE Circaetus gallicus and Sangau on 12 April 2000. These were the first records A single bird was observed soaring near Thingfal, Lunglei of the species for Mizoram. district, at 1,050 m on 8 April 2000. This was the first record of the species for Mizoram (it was not listed by Ali HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus and Ripley 1987 or Grimmett et al. 1998). Its white This species is very rare in Mizoram, where Eurasian Tree underparts and underwings, which were narrowly barred Sparrow Passer montanus is the common sparrow in most pale brown, grey-brown upper breast, and almost square- places. Small numbers were observed in and around cut tail were conspicuous when seen overhead. Bhairabi in February 1987 and north of Vairengti (near Lailapur) in April 2000. RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE Hieraaetus kienerii One immature was seen in flight in Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary on 8 April 2000. An adult was observed perched CONSERVATION in a tree near Ngopa, north-west of Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, in February 2001. Habitat destruction through jhum agriculture, logging, clearance for settlements and cultivation in valleys, and PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus poisoning and blasting in the rivers for fishing are major One seen perched in a shrub on a cliff near Farpak, threats to Mizoram’s fauna. Closed-canopy forest (canopy Phawngpui National Park, on 13 April 2000. It was cover =40%) covered 62.6% of Mizoram in 1972–1975, identified as F. p. peregrinator by its dark-grey upperparts, but deforestation decreased this to 52.9% in 1980–1982 black hood and moustache, rufous breast and whitish and 20.6% in 1995 (NRSA 1983, FSI 1997). It increased cheeks, throat and sides of neck. to 42% in 2001 owing to development of plantations (FSI 2003). The ultimate cause of habitat destruction is the DARTER Anhinga melanogaster very rapid growth of human population which increased Near Threatened. One was seen at Palak Dil on 11 April from 0.33 million in 1971 to 0.89 million in 2001 2000. Habitat for this species in Mizoram is very restricted (Government of India 2001). While some species (e.g. because of the scarcity of wetlands (Choudhury 2002b). Kalij Pheasant, Red Gallus gallus and Mountain Bamboo Partridge) can survive in degraded forest and BURMESE SHRIKE Lanius collurioides abandoned jhums, others cannot and have consequently Singles were seen along roadsides throughout the state in declined. April 2000 and February 2001. The seasonal status of this Owing to intensive hunting, some species (e.g. Mrs species is not clear in north-east India (Ali and Ripley Hume’s Pheasant and several hornbill species) have 1987, Choudhury 2000). It may be resident with local disappeared from large parts of Mizoram. Species such as movements as well as a passage migrant. It is considered the Grey Peacock Pheasant, Blyth’s Tragopan, Mrs a passage migrant elsewhere in the region (Grimmett et al. Hume’s Pheasant, hornbills, and Peregrine Falcon are 1998). accorded the highest protection under the Schedule I of Wild Life (Protection) Act of India. Most villagers are, LARGE-BILLED CROW Corvus macrorhynchos however, not aware of this legal status, and the legislation This species was recorded on three occasions: single birds is poorly enforced. seen at Ngengpui, Phura and near Phawngpui, in April New protected areas should be designated in part of 2000. It is rare owing to persecution, particularly in the Inner Line reserve forest (250 km²), Palak Dil (40 km²) vicinity of human habitations. and Parva (50 km²). Smaller community-run sanctuaries Forktail 22 (2006) SHORT NOTES 155

should be established near Ngur, North Diltlang and FSI (1997) The state of the forest report 1997. Dehra Dun, India: Forest Artlang. Existing protected areas should be extended at Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest. Murlen, Ngengpui, Lengteng and Phawngpui. Within FSI (2003) The state of the forest report 2001. Dehra Dun, India: Forest protected areas there needs to be better control of poaching, Survey of India, Ministry of Environment and Forest. jhumcultivation and human-induced fires. Environmental Ghose, D. and Thanga, L. (1998) Nesting of Blyth’s Tragopan. awareness programmes are needed in villages surrounding Tragopan 8: 9. protected areas. In view of the high rate of (90%), Government of India (2001) Census of India 2001. New : conservation awareness has better chances of succeeding Government of India. in Mizoram than in many other parts of India. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. (1998) Birds of the Indian subcontinent. London: Christopher Helm. Islam, Z. and Rahmani, A. R., eds. (2004) Important Bird Areas in ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS India. , India and Cambridge, U.K.: Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International. I would like to thank forest officials for their assistance during the study, Katju, D. (1996) in Mizoram, India: an impression. Tragopan including N. Pradhan (ACF, HQ), L. Pachuan, P. Lianzuala, Mr and 5: 9–10. Mrs K. Hramzama, C. Buanga, C. Hranghimea, T. Zakiau, K. Kheilai, Kaul, R., Ahmed, A. and Katju, D. (1996) Wildlife studies in north- Khudu Ray, Lalkung, Zarlansanga, Khaikhu, Lalnunzira, Sonadhar east India – IV [Mizoram]. Unpublished report. : World Saikia, Muankima, Rinsanga and Vanlalpeka. I thank Ms Bawitei, P. Pheasant Association (India). Rahlo, Mrs Nango, K.Vabeisia, Waukry, M. Goswami, John Paul, Jalal Koelz, W. (1954) Ornithological studies. I. New birds from Iran, Mazumdar, Amaruddin, Anil Goswami, Hakim, and the late Alauddin , and India. Contrib. Inst. Regional Exploration 1: 1–32. Choudhury. I also thank Sirai Laskar, Sirai, Monai, Tomu and Mukut Myers, N., Mittermeier, R., Mittermeier, C., da Fonseca, G and Kent, for assistance during surveys along Assam-Mizoram border. J. (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403: 853–858. NRSA (1983) Mapping of forest cover in India from satellite imagery, 1972– REFERENCES 75 and 1980–82. Summary Report: North Eastern States / Union Territories. , India: National Remote Sensing Agency, Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact handbook of the birds of India Government of India. and . Bombay, India: Oxford University Press. Rao, K. R. and Zoramthanga, R. (1976) Phenomenon of nocturnal BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world. CD-ROM. flights of some resident birds at Lunglei, Mizoram, NE India. J. Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 75: 927–928. Choudhury, A. U. (1996) On the trail of Blyth’s Tragopan. World Robertson, A. (1996) Mizoram: list of bird species observed. Pheasant Assoc. News 51: 14–16. Unpublished report. Choudhury, A. U. (2000) The birds of Assam. , India: Gibbon Sangha, H. (2001) Notes on Longeared owl, Hume’s short-toed lark Books and WWF-India. and on Purple and Green cochoas in Mizoram. Newsletter for Choudhury, A. U. (2002a) Survey of Mrs Hume’s Pheasant in NE India. Birdwatchers 41(2): 27–28. Report No. 5. Guwahati, India: The Rhino Foundation for Nature Shankar Raman, T. R. (1995) Shifting cultivation and conservation of in NE India. tropical forest bird communities in north-east India. Unpublished Choudhury, A. U. (2002b) Major inland wetlands of north-eastern India. report to Oriental Bird Club. Coimbatore, India: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) History. Endemic Bird Areas of the world: priorities for biodiversity conservation. Choudhury, A. U. (2005) New sites for Mrs Hume’s Pheasant Cambridge, U.K.: BirdLife International. Syrmaticus humiae in north-east India based on hunters’ specimens and local reports. Forktail 21: 183–186.

Anwaruddin Choudhury, Deputy Commissioner (), Baksa. Correspondence: 7 Islampur Road, Guwahati 781 007, Assam, India. Email: [email protected]

Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima: first record for Bangladesh

M. MONIRUL H. KHAN

On 29 January 2006, at 16h00–16h30, Enam Talukder, drain, at a distance of 15 m. We observed it using 10× Zahangir Alom, Samiul Mohsanin and Dilip Das and I Nikon binoculars and photographed it. It then flew and observed a Plain-backed Thrush Zoothera mollissima at perched in a Ziziphus tree (6 m high), and then moved to Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh a rain tree Albizia sp. (8 m high) before finally flying away. (23°52.58′N 90°16.19′E, 14 m). The drain kept this area relatively wet and hence it was For most of the duration of our observation, the thrush covered by herbs (dominated by Tridax procumbens) and was seen pecking on the ground around a narrow water shrubs. The weather conditions were sunny and calm.