INDIA: TIGERS, TAJ, & BIRDS GALORE

JANUARY 30–FEBRUARY 17, 2018

Tiger crossing the road with VENT group in background by M. Valkenburg

LEADER: MACHIEL VALKENBURG LIST COMPILED BY: MACHIEL VALKENBURG

VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM INDIA: TIGERS, TAJ, & BIRDS GALORE January 30–February 17, 2018 By Machiel Valkenburg

This tour, one of my favorites, starts in probably the busiest city in Asia, Delhi! In the afternoon we flew south towards the city of Raipur. In the morning we visited the Humayan’s Tomb and the Quitab Minar in Delhi; both of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites were outstanding, and we all enjoyed them immensely. Also, we picked up our first birds, a pair of Alexandrine Parakeets, a gorgeous White-throated Kingfisher, and lots of taxonomically interesting Black Kites, plus a few Yellow-footed Green Pigeons, with a Brown- headed Barbet showing wonderfully as well.

Rufous Treepie by Machiel Valkenburg

From Raipur we drove about four hours to our fantastic lodge, “the Baagh,” located close to the entrance of Kanha National Park. The park is just plain awesome when it comes to the density of available tigers and birds. It has a typical central Indian landscape of open plains and old Sal forests dotted with freshwater lakes. In the early mornings when the dew would hang over the plains and hinder our vision, we heard the typical sounds of Kanha, with an Indian Peafowl displaying closely, and in the far distance the song of Common Hawk-Cuckoo and Southern Coucal. On and around the many lakes we found Cotton Pygmy- Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Red-naped Ibis, Gray-headed Fish-Eagle, and a large selection of shorebirds including Wood Sandpiper and Common Greenshank. In the dense forests we found several Black-rumped Flamebacks and Coppersmith Barbets. One tree in particular proved very interesting; we had good looks at Plum-headed Parakeets that were in perfect morning light and showed very well. Moreover, we found Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Black-hooded Oriole, Long-tailed Minivet, and Indian Scimitar-Babbler. The best sighting of the park belonged to the emperor of the forest. On almost every drive we had a sighting of a tiger. A young cub playing on the road for several minutes was a splendid experience, and the last one belonged to a female tiger lying around 20 yards from our jeep, giving prolonged views. It remains the best mammal of Asia for me!

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 At the lodge we discovered a nest of Barn Owls with two almost fully grown chicks that were ready to fly off to discover the world for themselves. In the garden of the lodge we heard and saw Lesser Whitethroat, Taiga Flycatcher, Jungle Owlet, and Chestnut-shouldered Petronia. We also scoped a nice Verditer Flycatcher. The stay in the Baagh was, as always, a pleasure. The meals were fantastic, with fresh vegetables from their own garden, perfectly seasoned. Their excellent cooking in combination with a garden full of butterflies and all sorts of little mammals makes our stay a pleasure every time. I am already looking forward to my next visit.

Yellow-throated Marten crossing the road in Corbett, by Machiel Valkenburg

We left Kanha and transferred back to Delhi. From Delhi we moved north towards Corbett National Park. We stayed a few nights outside the park to focus on the birdlife. Along the Kosi River it took us a while to find an Ibisbill, but our hard work paid off, and we were rewarded with scope views of this fantastic wader. More common birds of the region also received their portion of attention: Plumbeous Water Redstart, White-capped Water Redstart, River Lapwing, Greater Cormorant, and Ruddy Shelduck. A close Blue Rock-Thrush proved very obliging and was savored by all.

Golden Jackal in Kanha NP by Machiel Valkenburg

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 When we reached the Ganges River we witnessed the ceremonies of the local Hindus. The river is regarded as the most important river in their religion, a string of hair from the god Shiva herself. Many people were interested in watching us and even making some selfies with our group. All in, a good atmosphere, which meant it was a lot of fun for all.

Around our lodge, located on an idyllic spot, we birded the forests in the vicinity and focused mainly on the moving mixed feeding groups. Most of the groups were a mixture of Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher, Oriental White-eye, Indian Nuthatch, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, and Himalayan Bulbul. The gems we found were Orange-breasted Leafbird, Greater Flameback, and a Tawny Fish-Owl. During breakfast we had fun with a particular group of curious White-crested Laughingthrushes. During the meal we heard their typical noises, and when approaching we saw one of them fighting off an intruder—himself! His reflection in the window made him want to scare off this gorgeous competitor! We had excellent looks and made some sweet pictures with an iphone.

Up close and personal with a Mugger Crocodile by Machiel Valkenburg

Soon after entering Corbett Park we photographed extensively the gorgeous Kalij Pheasants. In the mixed feeding flocks, the best birds discovered were Red-billed Leiothrix, Blue-winged Minla, and Whistler’s Warbler. Several loud-calling Great Hornbills crossed the valley and gave some superb views. Here we were lucky as well, with three Great Slaty Woodpeckers that performed exquisitely in the morning sun. We enjoyed prolonged scope views of this superior woodpecker.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018

River Tern on the bank of the Chambal River by Machiel Valkenburg

In the famous grasslands of Corbett National Park we focused particularly on birds while the forests received as much attention in search of the tigers. We had fun with groups of chattering Whiskered Bulbuls, a rare Aberrant Bush-Warbler, skulky Slaty-blue Flycatcher, and some obliging Rusty-cheeked Scimitar- Babblers. Two species of bunting showed surprisingly well; both Crested Bunting and Chestnut-eared Bunting were seen near the car and out in the open. Also in Corbett we were fortunate with several sightings of tigers. Two times we saw a nine-month-old cub pass the road. The finale came from a female that crossed the road leisurely in front of us. These elegant animals will never get boring! Another memorable spectacle in Corbett is provided by the many species of woodpeckers. We enjoyed walkaway views of almost all of them, but the Himalayan Flameback will stay forever in our minds. It was foraging very near us, and we studied its facial pattern and admired its gorgeous dark-red back and bright red crest!

After the wonderful time in Corbett, it took a long drive to get to the magical city of Agra. The long-awaited visit to the Taj Mahal was another highlight on this already very good trip. We witnessed local craftsmen work the marbles, and then visited the Agra Red Fort. This large defense structure was more proof of the greatness of the rulers of those times.

The wetlands of Keoladeo National Park near the city of Bharatpur were the final part of our tour. The long road into the park was a birder’s heaven. Many, many species of birds presented to us within hand’s-reach. We welcomed with joy the views of the many Painted Storks, Black-headed Ibis, Purple Herons, Indian Spot-billed Ducks, and Eurasian Spoonbills. Along the road, we found many White-eared Bulbuls having a conflict with several Common Babblers, while the Gray Francolins passed by unworried. Due to the many waterfowl, the sky was full with many species of raptors; Greater Spotted Eagle, Indian Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, a single Eastern Imperial Eagle, and rare for the region White-tailed Eagle were seen. We recorded over 100 species of birds while birding the first day in the park. The second day we headed for an arid zone between some rural villages. The women were bringing water from the well to clean and cook. We admired their beautifully colored clothing while across the road we found a group of four Indian Coursers. Also, Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark with many Greater Short-toed Larks and a single Bimaculated Lark were found. All-in-all, some good birds that were new for the list. After Bharatpur, we drove back to Delhi and ended our tour with a lovely dinner in the Radisson Blu.

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018

Purple Heron foraging in Bharatpur NP by Machiel Valkenburg

Kalij Pheasant posing wonderfully in Corbett, by Machiel Valkenburg

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018

I want to thank all the participants for their positive efforts and their warm company—you all were a pleasure to travel with. This tour would not have been the same without the endless support from our local Indian guide, Harrish. You are wonderful my friend, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

BIRDS: This Checklist order, and common and scientific names are those given by James F. Clements in The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition, Cornell University Press, with all current updates. Possible or debated species splits and alternative Common and Scientific names (particularly those of the Oriental Bird Club) are given in ( ) or included in heavily bordered boxes. (I) = introduced species. (E) = Endemic.

Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl Anatidae Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Graylag Goose Anser anser Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus Gadwall Anas strepera Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Northern Pintail Anas acuta Garganey Anas querquedula Green-winged (Common) Teal Anas crecca Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Common Merganser Mergus merganser

Pheasants, Grouse & Allies Phasianidae Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Leader only Gray Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos

Grebes Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Storks Ciconiidae Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Black Stork Ciconia nigra Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala

Cormorants & Shags Phalacrocoracidae Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger

Anhingas Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster

Herons, Egrets & Bitterns Ardeidae Black Bittern Ixobrychus (Dupetor) flavicollis Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret Ardea (Egretta) alba Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Eastern Cattle Egret) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Ibises & Spoonbills Threskiornithidae Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Red-naped Ibis Pseudibis papillosa Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

Osprey Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, Eagles & Kites Accipitridae Black-shouldered(-winged) Kite Elanus caeruleus Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Cinereous (Black) Vulture Aegypius monachus White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela Short-toed Snake-Eagle Circaetus gallicus Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus limnaeetus Crested Hawl-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Mountain Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga hastata Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus Northern (Hen) Harrier Circus cyaneus Shikra Accipiter badius Besra Accipiter virgatus

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Black Kite Milvus migrans Pallas's Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis Gray-headed Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus

Rails, Gallinules & Coots Rallidae Brown Crake Amaurornis akool White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Gray-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus Eurasian (Common) Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

Cranes Gruidae Sarus Crane Grus antigone

Thick-knees Burhinidae Eurasian Thick-knee (Stone Curlew) Burhinus oedicnemus Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris

Stilts & Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Ibisbill Ibidorhynchidae Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii

Plovers & Lapwings Charadriidae River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus Gray-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius

Painted-Snipes Rostratulidae Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis

Jacanas Jacanidae Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus

Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Redshank Tringa totanus Ruff Calidris pugnax Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Little Stint Calidris minuta Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Pratincoles & Coursers Glareolidae Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Pallas´s (Great Black-headed) Gull Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda River Tern Sterna aurantia Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis

Pigeons & Doves Columbidae Rock (Feral) Pigeon (I) Columba livia Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto Red-collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Yellow-footed (Green-) Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus

Cuckoos Cuculidae Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius Asian (Common) Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Southern Coucal) (Centropus sinensis parroti) Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis

Barn-Owls Tytonidae Barn Owl Tyto alba

Owls Strigidae Indian Scops-Owl Otus bakkamoena Oriental Scops-Owl Otus sunia Dusky Eagle-Owl Bubo coromandus Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis Tawny Fish-Owl Ketupa flavipes Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Spotted Owlet Athene brama Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata

Swifts Apodidae Alpine Swift Apus melba Little Swift Apus affinis

Treeswifts Hemiprocnidae Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Hoopoes Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

Hornbills Bucerotidae Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Indian Gray Hornbill Ocyceros birostris

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensi White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle (Ceryl) lugubris Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

Bee-eaters Meropidae Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis

Rollers Coraciidae Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis

Asian Barbets Megalaimidae Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephala Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineata Brown-headed Barbet Psilopogon zeylanica Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiatica

Woodpeckers Picidae Gray-capped Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus (Gray-capped Pygmy Woodpecker) (Picoides canicapillus) Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos (Picoides) macei Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis heard only Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus Greater Yellowname Picus flavinucha Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus Gray-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus

Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens Eurasian (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

Old World Parrots Psittaculidae Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri

Vangas, Helmetshrikes & Allies Vangidae Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus

Ioras Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia

Cuckooshrikes Campephagidae Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciousus Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei

Shrikes Laniidae Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Southern Gray Shrike Lanius meridionalis

Old World Orioles Oriolidae Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii

Drongos Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus

Fantails Rhipiduridae White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis

Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea heard only Indian Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi

Crows, Jays & Magpies Corvidae Red-billed Blue-Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda House Crow Corvus splendens Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos (Indian Jungle Crow) (C. macrorhynchus culminatus)

Larks Alaudidae

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix griseus Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Sand Lark Calandrella raytal Crested Lark Galerida cristata

Swallows Hirundinidae Plain (Brown-throated) Martin Riparia paludicola Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis (Hirundo) daurica Pale Sand Martin Riparia diluta Common House-Martin Delichon urbicum

Fairy Flycatchers Stenostiridae Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxantha Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis

Tits, Chickadees & Titmice Paridae Cinereous (Gray) Tit Parus cinereus

Nuthatches Sittidae Indian Nuthatch Sitta castanea Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis

Dippers Cinclidae Brown Dipper Cinclus pallasii

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys Ashy Bulbul Hemixos flavala

Bush-Warblers & Allies Cettiidae Chestnut-headed Tesia Cettia castaneocoronata heard only Aberrant Bush-Warbler Horornis flavolivacea

Leaf Warblers Phylloscopidae Pale- (Lemon-)rumped Warbler Phylloscopus chloronotus Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus Gray-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos White-spectacled Warbler Seicercus affinis Whistler's Warbler Seicercus whistleri Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps

Reed-Warblers & Allies Acrocephalidae Blyth's Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018

Fairy-bluebirds Irenidae Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella

Cisticolas & Allies Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Gray-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Plain Prinia Prinia inornata

Sylviids Sylviidae Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca

Parrotbills, Wrentit and Allies Paradoxornithidae Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense

White-eyes, Yuhinas & Allies Zosteropidae Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus

Tree-, Scimitar-Babblers & Allies Timaliidae Black-chinned Babbler Cyanoderma pyrrhops Indian Scimitar-Babbler (E) Pomatorhinus horsfieldii White-browed Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps heard only Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler Megapomatorhinus erythrogenys

Ground Babblers & Allies Pellorneidae Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps

Laughingthrushes & Allies Leiothrichidae Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala Common Babbler Turdoides caudata Large Gray Babbler Turdoides malcolmi Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera

Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Tickell's Blue-Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae leader only Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Blue Whistling-Thrush Myophonus caeruleus Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Plumbeous (Water) Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 White-capped (Water) Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus Indian Chat (Brown Rock-Chat) Cercomela fusca Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina

Thrushes & Allies Turdidae Orange-headed Thrush Geokickla citrina Long-billed Thrush Zoothera monticola Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma

Starlings Sturnidae Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra Brahminy Starling Sturnia pagodarum Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus

Leafbirds Chloropseidae Jerdon´s Leafbird Chloropsis jerdoni Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons Orange-bellied Leafbird Chloropsis hardwickii

Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos

Sunbirds & Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Purple Sunbird Cinnyris (Nectarinia) asiaticus Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja

Wagtails & Pipits Motacillidae Western Yellow Wagtail (bema) Motacilla flava beema Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea White Wagtail (White-faced) Motacilla alba dukhunensis White Wagtail (Masked) Motacilla alba personata White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

Buntings & New World Sparrows Emberizidae Crested Bunting Melophus lathami

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018 Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis

Waxbills & Allies Estrildidae Red Avadavat Amandava amandava Indian Silverbill (White-throated Munia) Euodice malabárica Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

MAMMALS SCIENTIFIC NAME

Squirrels Sciuridae Five-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennantii Three-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum

Cats Felidae Jungle Cat Felis chaus Tiger Panthera tigris

Dogs Canidae Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis Common (Golden) Jackal Canis aureus

Weasels Mustelidae Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula

Fruit-bats Pteropidae Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus

Old World Monkeys Cercopithecidae Northern Plains Grey Langur Semnopithecus entellus Tarai Grey Langur Semnopithecus hector Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta

Pigs Suidae Wild Boar Sus scrofa

Deer Cervidae Common Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak Sambar Cervus unicolor Swamp Deer Cervus duvaucellii Spotted Deer Axis axis Hog Deer Axis porcinus

Sheep, Goats & Cattle Bovidae Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus Gaur Bos gaurus

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018

Elephants Elephantidae Asian Elephant Elaphus maximus

REPTILES SCIENTIFIC NAME

Crocodiles & relatives Crocodylidae Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris Indian Gharial Gavialis gangeticus

Asian River Turtles, Leaf and Roofed Turtles, Asian Box Turtles Geoemydidae Yellow-bellied Tent Turtle Pangshura tentoria

Softshell Turtles Trionychidae Indian Flapshell Turtle Lissemys punctate Indian Softshell Turtle Nilssonia gangetica

River Dolphins Platanistidae South Asian River Dolphin Platanista gangetica

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore, 2018