sign in sign up
<<
Home , Abroscopus, Alcippe (bird), Asian house martin, Barwing, Beautiful nuthatch, Bulbul

MARCH 26–APRIL 14, 2019

The Satyr is one of the best on our planet! Photo 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

BHUTAN March 26–April 14, 2019 By Machiel Valkenburg

Our annual adventure to Bhutan started in , where we all came together for the flight to Paro in Bhutan. The birding here started immediately outside of the airport parking lot, finding the wonderful , which we quickly located in the wide stream along the airport road. It seemed to be a cold spring, with quite an amount of snow still on the surrounding peaks. Our visit to the Cheli La (La means pass) was good for some new surprises like Snow Pigeon and Alpine . We found Himalayan White- browed Rosefinch feeding in an alpine meadow, and then suddenly two Himalayan appeared and showed very well. Here we were happy with extra sightings of Blood , Black , Blue-fronted , and Yellow-billed Blue-.

After Paro, we started our journey east with a drive to Thimphu and Punakha, visiting Dochu La and Tashitang along the way. The birding in these places is nothing but spectacular with great sightings constantly. These lush green valleys are very photogenic, and many stops were made to take in all the landscapes. The birding was good here with excellent sightings of a crossing Hill , some exquisite Ultramarine Flycatchers, a close overhead Rufous-bellied Eagle, a surprise sighting of a day- roosting Tawny Fish-, and some wonderful scope views of a party of Gray . The leaf- also produced in these spots with Greenish, Large-billed, Blyth’s, Yellow-vented, Gray-hooded, and Chestnut-crowned all present, some more numerous than others. The endangered Yellow- rumped was another highlight showing very well—triumph!

Alpine allowed close-up views in Chele La. Photo by M. Valkenburg

We continued our adventure further east to Bumthang Valley with a night camping at Pele La at 10,800 feet. Our main target here was the that, unfortunately, was not seen very well, except for one flying over in the pitch-dark during the start of our excursion. It seems that the attractive silence of this place is gone forever, with many trucks driving to the nearby quarry supplemented with many locals collecting leaves for their cattle. The smaller did show very well, and we were happy with the delightful Rufous-bellied in the same patch with a Crimson-breasted Woodpecker. The Gray-sided Bush Warbler was studied up-close, and the subtle colors of this tiny fella were enjoyed by all. More colorful birds with great names included White-browed , Whiskered and Stripe-throated

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 Bhutan, 2019 , Green-tailed , Spot-winged , Dark-rumped Rosefinch, and Red-headed Bullfinch!

Our next adventure was birding the exciting area of Sengor and Limithang Road, probably the best birding highway of the world. In Sengor, the main spectacle was a gorgeous Satyr Tragopan that performed perfectly in front of us, giving us extended close views in the telescope. We had the bird all to ourselves for almost half an hour. Here as well were many little groups of Blood Pheasants foraging alongside the road. Perched in the top of a broad-leaved tree, a Golden-throated Barbet was showing off his tropical song. The road is very good for many creatures of the dark like Slaty-bellied , Rufous- throated -Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, and Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler. In the tree tops, the White-browed -Babbler, Green Shrike-Babbler, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, and a fleeting were highlights.

These Coral-billed Scimitar-Babblers are just amazing. Photo by A. Khan

Our final typical Bhutan birding was in the lower areas of Tingtibi and Zhemgang Road; as usual, we encountered some stunning birds. Along the river we searched for the biggest and rarest target in this region, and we were successful on our second attempt. We found a gorgeous White-bellied on the nest; this very endangered was a grand highlight. Here we also came across a scoped male Red , and an epic sighting of Sultan followed. The tit came in close and showed his crest and yellow wonderfully—another memorable moment. On the road, we birded quite a lot, walking the asphalt road which had thick jungle on both sides. On the powerline we found a close Blue-bearded -eater and, not long after, a Long-tailed Broadbill, Greater Yellownape, and were found in the same tree. We did our best to find some attractive birds of the region, and we succeeded as well with excellent views of Pin-tailed and Wedge-tailed green-pigeons, a stunning Red-headed , eye level views of Rufous-necked , and a -by Wreathed Hornbill. The final highlights here were ridiculously good views of Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler and Lesser Rufous-headed .

Before heading for the airport in Guwahati () and flying back to Delhi, we birded the region of Gelephu. This town, located directly on the border, is the perfect spot to enter back into India. Many

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 Bhutan, 2019 common Indian birds were found like , Black , Red-wattled and, finally, a very good bird for Bhutan was added to our list: Greater Painted !

I’d like to thank my fellow travelers for the fun time spent in this magical country that has so much more to offer than just birds. The combination of mountain landscapes, an ancient and vibrant Buddhist culture, and a very approachable friendly population made this an unforgettable trip.

A typical Bhutanese picture, lush green valleys with a traditional Dzhong. Photo by M. Valkenburg

We came across a few beautiful Blue-bearded Bee-eaters. Photo by M. Valkenburg

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 Bhutan, 2019 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.

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME , Geese & Waterfowl Lesser Whistling- Dendrocygna javanica Tadorna ferruginea Spatula clypeata Mareca strepera Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope Eastern Spot-billed Duck Anas zonorhyncha Green-winged (Common) Teal Anas crecca Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Common Merganser (Goosander) Mergus merganser

Pheasants, Grouse & Allies Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola Rufous-throated Partridge Arborophila rufogularis Indian Pavo cristatus Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus Himalayan Lophophorus impejanus Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra Lophura leucomelanos

Grebes Podicipedidae Great Crested Podiceps cristatus

Storks Ciconiidae Anastomus oscitans Leptoptilos javanicus & Shags Phalacrocoracidae Great Phalacrocorax carbo Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis

Herons, & Ardeidae Gray Heron Ardea cinerea White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis Great Ardea alba Ardea intermedia Egretta garzetta Bubulcus (Eastern Cattle Egret) (Bubulcus ibis coromandus) Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Striated (Little) Heron Butorides striata

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 Bhutan, 2019

Hawks, & Kites Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela Mountain (Hodgson's) -Eagle Nisaetus (Spizaetus) nipalensis Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus limnaeetus Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii Ictinaetus malaiensis Hieraaetus pennatus Aquila chrysaetos Accipiter badius Accipiter virgatus Accipiter gentilis Himalayan Buzzard Buteo refectus

Rails, Gallinules & Coots Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis Ruddy-breasted Crake Zapornia fusca Black-tailed Crake Zapornia bicolor Eurasian (Common) Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Ibisbill Ibidorhynchidae Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha struthersii

Plovers & Vanellus duvaucelii Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

Jacanas Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus

Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura Greater Painted-Snipe Rostratula benghalensis Common Actitis hypoleucos Marsh Sandpiper stagnatilis Tringa ochropus

Gulls, & Skimmers Laridae Pallas's (Great Black-headed) Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Pigeons & Doves Rock (Feral) Pigeon (I) livia Snow Pigeon Columba leuconota Oriental Turtle-Dove Streptopelia orientalis Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Ashy-headed Green-Pigeon Treron phayrei

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 Bhutan, 2019 Pin-tailed (Green-)Pigeon Treron apicauda Wedge-tailed (Green-)Pigeon Treron sphenurus Green Imperial-Pigeon Ducula aenea Mountain Imperial-Pigeon Ducula badia

Cuckoos Cuculidae Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis Asian (Common) Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus Gray-bellied Cacomantis passerinus Large Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides Cuculus micropterus Common (Eurasian) Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

Owls Strigidae Mountain Scops-Owl Otus spilocephalus Heard only Tawny Fish-Owl Ketupa flavipes Glaucidium brodiei Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides

Nightjars & Allies Caprimulgidae Gray Nightjar Caprimulgus jotaka Leader only Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus

Swifts Apodidae Aerodramus brevirostris (Collocalia brevirostris) Pacific (Fork-tailed) Apus pacificus House Swift Apus nipalensis Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis

Trogons Trogonidae Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus Ward's Trogon Harpactes wardi Heard only

Hoopoes Upupidae Eurasian Upupa epops

Hornbills Bucerotidae Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis Wreathed Hornbill Rhyticeros undulatus

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Common Alcedo atthis Leader only White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle (Ceryl) lugubris

Bee -eaters Meropidae Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 Bhutan, 2019

Rollers Coracias benghalensis

Asian Barbets Megalaimidae Great Barbet Psilopogon virens Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineata Golden-throated Barbet Psilopogon franklinii Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiatica

Honeyguides Indicatoridae Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus

Woodpeckers Picidae Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos (Picoides) macei Rufous-bellied Woodpecker Dendrocopos hyperythrus (Picoides hyperythrus) Crimson-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos cathpharius (Picoides cathpharius) Woodpecker Dendrocopos darjellensis (Picoides darjellensis) Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Gray-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Rufous Woodpecker Micropterus brachyurus Leader only Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis

Falcons & Caracaras Eurasian (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Psittacula eupatria Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri

Asian & Grauer's Broadbills Eurylaimidae Long-tailed Broadbill Psarisomus dalhousiae

Vangas, Helmetshrikes & Allies Vangidae Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus

Woodswallows Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus

Cuckooshrikes Campephagidae Gray-chinned Minivet Pericrocotus solaris Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciousus Large Coracina macei Black-winged Cuckooshrike Lalage melaschistos

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 Bhutan, 2019

Shrikes Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Gray-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus

Vireos, Shrike -Babblers & Erpornis Vireonidae Pied (White-browed) Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis Green Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius xanthochlorus Black-eared Shrike-Babbler Pteruthius melanotis

Old World Orioles Oriolidae Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii

Drongos Dicruridae Black Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus

Fantails Rhipiduridae White-throated Rhipidura albicollis

Crows, Jays & Eurasian glandarius Yellow-billed Blue-Magpie flavirostris Common Green-Magpie chinensis Rufous vagabunda Gray Treepie Dendrocitta formosae pica Eurasian (Spotted) Nucifraga caryocatactes Red-billed Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax splendens Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos Corvus corax

Swallows Hirundinidae Eurasian Crag-Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Red-rumped () daurica Asian House-Martin dasypus House-Martin Delichon nipalense

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

Tits, Chickadees & Titmice Paridae Yellow-browed Tit Sylviparus modestus

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 Bhutan, 2019 Melanochlora sultanea ater Gray-crested Tit dichrous Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus Cinereous (Gray) Tit Parus cinereus Yellow-cheeked (Black-spotted) Tit spilonotus

Long -tailed Tits Aegithalidae Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus (Gray-crowned Tit) Black-browed Tit Aegithalos iouschistos (Rufous-fronted Tit)

Nuthatches Sittidae Chestnut-bellied Sitta cinnamoventris White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis Sitta formosa Heard only

Treecreepers Certhiidae Hodgson's Certhia hodgsoni Rusty-flanked Treecreeper Certhia nipalensis

Dippers Cinclidae Brown Cinclus pallasii

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Striated striatus Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus White-throated Bulbul flaveolus leucocephalus flavala

Cupwings (Wren -Babblers) Pnoepygidae Scaly-breasted Cupwing albiventer Heard only Pygmy Cupwing (Wren-Babbler) Pnoepyga pusilla

Bush Warblers & Allies Scotoceridae Gray-bellied Tesia Tesia cyaniventer Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler major Gray-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons Chestnut-headed Tesia Cettia castaneocoronata Black-faced Warbler schisticeps Mountain cucullatus Heard only Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler fortipes

Leaf Warblers Phylloscopidae Tickell's Phylloscopus affinis

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 Bhutan, 2019 Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei Phylloscopus trochiloides Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Gray-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos Whistler's Warbler whistleri Gray-cheeked Warbler Seicercus poliogenys Chestnut-crowned Warbler Seicercus castaniceps

Cisticolas & Allies Orthotomus sutorius Striated Prinia crinigera

Parrotbills, and Allies Paradoxornithidae Fire-tailed Myzornis Myzornis pyrrhoura Leader only White-browed Fulvetta Fulvetta vinipectus unicolor Pale-billed Parrotbill Chleuasicus atrosuperciliaris (Lesser Rufous-headed Parrotbill)

White -eyes, Yuhinas & Allies Zosteropidae White-naped Yuhina bakeri Yuhina flavicollis Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus

Tree -, & Scimitar -Babblers & Allies Timaliidae Rufous-capped Babbler Cyanoderma ruficeps Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler caudatus Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus ferruginosus Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus superciliaris Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus ruficollis White-browed Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus schisticeps Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler Megapomatorhinus erythrogenys

Ground Babblers & Allies Yellow-throated Fulvetta cinereus Rufous-winged Fulvetta Schoeniparus castaneceps Long-billed Wren-Babbler malacoptila

Laughingthrushes & Allies Leiothrichidae nipalensis Striated Laughingthrush Grammatoptila striata

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 Bhutan, 2019 Himalayan Cutia nipalensis Leader only Turdoides striata White-crested Laughingthrush leucolophus Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush Garrulax monileger Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush Ianthocincla rufogularis Ianthocincla ocellata White-throated Laughingthrush Ianthocincla albogularis Rufous-necked Laughingthrush Ianthocincla ruficollis Bhutan Laughingthrush Trochalopteran imbricatus Heard only Scaly Laughingthrush Trochalopteran subunicolor Blue-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteran squamatus Black-faced Laughingthrush Trochalopteran affinis Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Trochalopteran erythrocephalus Rufous Sibia capistrata Silver-eared Mesia argentauris Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta Red-faced Liocichla phoenicea Hoary-throated Actinodura nipalensis Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula

Fairy -bluebirds Irenidae Asian Fairy-bluebird Irena puella

Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica -Robin Copsychus saularis unicolor Blue-throated Flycatcher Cyornis rubeculoides Large Niltava grandis Niltava macgrigoriae Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara thalassinus Lesser Shortwing leucophris Heard only Blue Whistling- Myophonus caeruleus Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus White-browed Bush-Robin Tarsiger indicus Pygmy Flycatcher hodgsoni Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis Plumbeous (Water) Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus White-capped (Water) Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus Blue-capped Redstart Phoenicurus coeruleocephala

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 Bhutan, 2019 Hodgson's Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni White-throated Redstart Phoenicurus schisticeps Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush Monticola rufiventris Blue-capped Rock-Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus Blue Rock-Thrush Monticola solitarius Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maura Gray Bushchat Saxicola ferreus

Thrushes & Allies Turdidae White-collared Blackbird Turdus albocinctus Gray-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul Red-throated (Dark-throated) Thrush Turdus ruficollis

Starlings Sturnidae Gracula religiosa Asian Pied Gracupica contra Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica Acridotheres tristis Acridotheres fuscus

Leafbirds Chloropseidae Orange-bellied Chloropsis hardwickii

Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Fire-breasted Dicaeum ignipectus

Sunbirds & Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda Black-throated Sunbird Aethopyga saturata Gould's Sunbird Aethopyga gouldiae Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja Arachnothera magna

Accentors Prunellidae Prunella collaris Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella strophiata

Wagtails & Pipits Motacilla citreola Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Motacilla alba White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Anthus spinoletta Spotted Elachura Elachura formosa Heard only

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 Bhutan, 2019 Old World Buntings Emberizidae Crested Melophus lathami Emberiza pusilla

Finches, Euphonias & Allies Fringillidae Mycerobas affinis Heard only Spot-winged Grosbeak Mycerobas melanozanthos Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Scarlet Carpodacus sipahi Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura Brown Bullfinch Pyrrhula nipalensis Leader only Red-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythrocephala Gold-naped Finch Pyrrhoplectes epauletta Plain Mountain-Finch Leucosticte nemoricola Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Chloris spinoides Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Passer rutilans Passer montanus

Waxbills & Allies Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata

MAMMALS Old World Monkeys Cercopithecidae Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis Capped Langur Presbytis pileatus Golden Langur Presbytis geei

Civets Viverridae Large Indian Civet Viverra zibetha

Weasels Mustelidae Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula Himalayan Weasel Mustela sibirica

Squirrels Sciuridae Giant Pied Squirrel Ratufa bicolor Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus Himalayan Striped Squirrel Calloscirius macclellandi

Deer Cervidae Common Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 Bhutan, 2019 Pika Ochotonidae Moupin Pika Ochotona thibetana

Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 Bhutan, 2019