DOCSLIB.ORG

A Report of the Lesser Fish Eagle Icthyophaga Humilis from Maharashtra, India Gaurang G

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Report of the Lesser Fish Eagle Icthyophaga Humilis from Maharashtra, India Gaurang G GOWANDE ET AL.: Lesser Fish Eagle 83 A report of the Lesser Fish Eagle Icthyophaga humilis from Maharashtra, India Gaurang G. Gowande, Pratik S. Joshi, Monish Dave, Shireesh Dharap & Anirudh Chaoji Gowande, G. G., Joshi, P. S., Dave, M., Dharap, S., & Chaoji, A., 2016. A report of the Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis from Maharashtra, India. Indian BIRDS 12 (2&3): 83–84. Gaurang G. Gowande, Department of Biotechnology, Fergusson College, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India; Pugmarks Holidays, 33/15, Karve Road, Opposite Abasaheb Garware College, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India. E-mail: [email protected] [Corresponding author.] Pratik S Joshi, Department of Environmental Science, Fergusson College, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India; Pugmarks Holidays, 33/15, Karve Road, Opposite Abasaheb Garware College, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India. Monish Dave, Pugmarks Holidays, 33/15, Karve Road, Opposite Abasaheb Garware College, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India. Shireesh Dharap, 1286 Jangli Maharaj Road, Hotel Pearl Building, Pune 411005, Maharashtra, India. Anirudh Chaoji, Pugmarks Holidays, 33/15, Karve Road, Opposite Abasaheb Garware College, Pune 411004, Maharashtra, India. Manuscript received on 09 May 2016. he Lesser Fish Eagle Icthyophaga humilis is known to occur Melghat, and were deposited in the Nagpur Central Museum. in South and Southeast Asia, from India to South Moluccas Rasmussen & Anderton (2012) reported that the Lesser Fish Tthrough Myanmar and Sumatra (Clark et al. 2016). In India, Eagle has been cited in Maharashtra, however, no specimens the species was once thought to be restricted to the foothills of could be traced in museum collections. Besides, no record of the the Himalayas, and to north-eastern India (Naoroji 2007), until a species is available for the western parts of the state. Here, we small population was discovered recently on the banks of River report the species from western Maharashtra. Cauvery, in Karnataka (Lethaby 2005). This was supported by a On 14 January 2016, we observed and photographed an eagle scrutiny of photographs from Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, thought that was soaring over a private wetland in the north-western part to be those of Grey-headed Fish Eagle I. ichthyaetus, but were of of Pune city, Maharashtra, India [96]. It was tentatively identified the Lesser Fish Eagle (Praveen 2011). Further field surveys led as the Grey-headed Fish Eagle, but upon further investigations to the documentation of the species in the states of Kerala, and and interactions with the experts, the species was identified as Tamil Nadu (Praveen 2011). The northern Indian populations the Lesser Fish Eagle on the basis of the following morphological are recognised as the subspecies plumbea (Clark et al. 2016), pointers, following Lethaby (2005), and Naoroji (2007): however, the subspecific status of the peninsular populations 1. Absence of dark terminal black band on the underside of the is not known, and demands further study (Lethaby 2005). tail (vs. present in Grey-headed Fish Eagle) – a diagnostic D’Abreau (1935) mentioned that specimens of Lesser Fish Eagle feature of this species. [=Himalayan Fish Eagle I. humilis plumbeus] were collected from 2. Seven ‘fingers’ of the hand (vs. eight to nine in Grey-headed Fish Eagle). 3. White patch at the base of outer primaries (vs. mostly absent in Grey-headed Fish Eagle). Once the bird was correctly identified, we checked for its occurrence in published literature (Prasad 2004; Grimmett et al. 2011), and also combed through photographic records on public forums and online photographic portals like, India Nature Watch (www.indianaturewatch.net), Oriental Bird Images (www. orientalbirdimages.org), and India Biodiversity Portal (www. indiabiodiversity.org). Barring the aforementioned ones, there were no earlier records, making ours the first record for this species from Maharashtra, in recent times. Of the Icthyophaga species, the only earlier record of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle from western Maharashtra is from Mumbai (Prasad 2004). However, since this record antedates Lethaby (2005), it should be treated, as all other sight records of the Grey-headed Fish Eagle from the Western Ghats, with caution. Nonetheless, photographic records are available from the central Indian forests of Maharashtra, including Pench, and Tadoba (www.orientalbirdimages.org). The nearest northern locality for southern population of Lesser Fish Eagle is Ganeshgudi, Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve, Karnataka (Praveen 2011); the aerial distance between Ganeshgudi and 96. Lesser Fish Eagle Icthyophaga humilis, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Pune city being c. 370 km. 84 Indian BIRDS VOL. 12 NO. 2 & 3 (PUBL. 12 OCTOBER 2016) Birders and photographers regularly visit suitable habitats the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Editions, Barcelona. Retrieved from http:// around Pune city throughout the year. The lack of any other sighting www.hbw.com/node/52989 on 18/01/2016. from them probably indicates that the bird we photographed was D'Abreu, E., 1935. A list of the birds of the Central Provinces. Journal of the Bombay a straggler, as it is impossible to miss such a large raptor that often Natural History Society. 38 (1): 95–116. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 2011. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. 2nd ed. circles high in the sky. London: Oxford University Press & Christopher Helm. Pp. 1–528. Acknowledgements Lethaby, N., 2005. The occurrence of Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis on the Cauvery River, Karnataka, India and some notes on the identification of this We would like to thank Pankaj Koparde and Ushma Shukla for comments on an earlier species. BirdingASIA 4: 33–38 (with 11 photos). version of this note. The authors are indebted to the BNHS ENVIS team for their support. Naoroji, R., 2007. Birds of prey of the Indian Subcontinent.1st ed. New Delhi: Om We are also grateful to Praveen J., and Pushkar Phansalkar for help in the identification Books International. Pp. 1–692. of the species. We thank Praneti Khardekar, Shivani Jalan, and Sayali Sawant for Prasad, A., 2004.Annotated checklist of the birds of Western Maharashtra. Buceros 8 accompanying us on the visit. Lastly, we thank Pugmarks Holidays for providing logistic (2&3): i–ii, 1–174 (2003). help and for acquiring permissions for the visit to the private property. Praveen J., 2011. An update on the distribution of Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis in southern India. Indian BIRDS 7 (1): 14–16. References Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2012. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide: Clark, W., Kirwan, G.,& Christie, D., 2016. Lesser Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga humilis). In: attributes and status. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.,& de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of Institution and Lynx Edicions. Vol. 2 of 2 vols. Pp. 1–683. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia: An addition to the birds of Gujarat Rajni Trivedi Trivedi, R., 2016. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia: An addition to the birds of Gujarat. Indian BIRDS 12 (2&3): 84–85. RajniTrivedi, 20/C Mangaldeep App., Jodhpur Gam Road, Satellite, Ahmedabad 380015, Gujarat, India. E-mail: [email protected]. Manuscript received on 12 May 2016. he Rock Bunting Emberiza cia is a polytypic species, with Observations the race stracheyi resident in India. It breeds in the outer I have photographed the Rock Bunting at three different locations Tranges of the western Himalayas, from the Afghan border, in Gujarat, in the last few years (Fig. 1). and in the western Himalayan Indian states of Jammu & Kashmir, On 07 February 2007 I saw the species at Jarpara village Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, extending up to central (21.35ºN, 71.10ºE), near Dhari town (Amreli District), on the Nepal (Rasmussen & Anderton 2012). During winter, it visits Chalala–Dhari road. I was with Jitubhai Patel, a local farmer, who adjacent southern plains (Grimmett et al. 2011; Rasmussen & wanted to show an owl, in his farm, to me. There I photographed Anderton 2012). Despite this wintering range, actual records a male Rock Bunting, which was perched on a tree [97]. The of the speices from mainland India, away from the Himalayas, rufous under parts, and white head with three black stripes were are scanty (Grimmett et al. 2011). This species has not been prominent characteristics, which helped in its identification. reported from Gujarat earlier (Khacher 1996; Parasharya et al. A year later, on 27 January 2008, I photographed another 2004). Here I present photographic evidence of its presence, bird [98], which was on the ground, enabling good views, from three locations in Gujarat. and clear photographs. This was at ‘Kalodunger’, near Khavda (23.90ºN, 69.80ºE), in Kachchh District. Here, the bird was on the ground and I could observe it clearly and take photographs. I saw the bird a third time, on 01 September 2014, at Velavadar Blackbuck National Park (22.00ºN, 72.00ºE), Bhavnagar District. A male bird was on the ground, along with Grey-neck Buntings E. buchanani. My friend, Kasam Sama, was able to get close to the birds and take a picture [99]. The clear dorsal view of the tail, and back, along with the head profile, were sufficient to establish its identity. Discussion The Striolated Bunting Fringillaria striolata is a resident, and widespread, species in Gujarat. From a distance the Rock Bunting resembles the Striolated Bunting. So birdwatchers might tend to mistake a Rock Bunting for a Striolated Bunting. Especially since Fig. 1. Locations in Gujarat, where the Rock Bunting has been photographed. the Rock Bunting had not been recorded from Gujarat, though .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Melagiris (Tamil Nadu)
    MELAGIRIS (TAMIL NADU) PROPOSAL FOR IMPORTANT BIRD AREA (IBA) State : Tamil Nadu, India District : Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri Coordinates : 12°18©54"N 77°41©42"E Ownership : State Area : 98926.175 ha Altitude : 300-1395 m Rainfall : 620-1000 mm Temperature : 10°C - 35°C Biographic Zone : Deccan Peninsula Habitats : Tropical Dry Deciduous, Riverine Vegetation, Tropical Dry Evergreen Proposed Criteria A1 (Globally Threatened Species) A2 (Endemic Bird Area 123 - Western Ghats, Secondary Area s072 - Southern Deccan Plateau) A3 (Biome-10 - Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest, Biome-11 - Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone) GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Melagiris are a group of hills lying nestled between the Cauvery and Chinnar rivers, to the south-east of Hosur taluk in Tamil Nadu, India. The Melagiris form part of an almost unbroken stretch of forests connecting Bannerghatta National Park (which forms its north-western boundary) to the forests of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary - Karnataka (which forms its southern boundary, separated by the river Cauvery), and further to Biligirirangan hills and Sathyamangalam forests. The northern and western parts are comparatively plain and is part of the Mysore plateau. The average elevation in this region is 500-1000 m. Ground sinks to 300m in the valley of the Cauvery and the highest point is the peak of Guthereyan at 1395.11 m. Red sandy loam is the most common soil type found in this region. Small deposits of alluvium are found along Cauvery and Chinnar rivers and Kaoline is found in some areas near Jowlagiri. The temperature ranges from 10°C ± 35°C. South-west monsoon is fairly active mostly in the northern areas, but north-east monsoon is distinctly more effective in the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Patterns of Discovery of Birds in Kerala Breeding of Black-Winged
    Vol.14 (1-3) Jan-Dec. 2016 newsletter of malabar natural history society Akkulam Lake: Changes in the birdlife Breeding of in two decades Black-winged Patterns of Stilt Discovery of at Munderi Birds in Kerala Kadavu European Bee-eater Odonates from Thrissur of Kadavoor village District, Kerala Common Pochard Fulvous Whistling Duck A new duck species - An addition to the in Kerala Bird list of - Kerala for subscription scan this qr code Contents Vol.14 (1-3)Jan-Dec. 2016 Executive Committee Patterns of Discovery of Birds in Kerala ................................................... 6 President Mr. Sathyan Meppayur From the Field .......................................................................................................... 13 Secretary Akkulam Lake: Changes in the birdlife in two decades ..................... 14 Dr. Muhamed Jafer Palot A Checklist of Odonates of Kadavoor village, Vice President Mr. S. Arjun Ernakulam district, Kerala................................................................................ 21 Jt. Secretary Breeding of Black-winged Stilt At Munderi Kadavu, Mr. K.G. Bimalnath Kattampally Wetlands, Kannur ...................................................................... 23 Treasurer Common Pochard/ Aythya ferina Dr. Muhamed Rafeek A.P. M. A new duck species in Kerala .......................................................................... 25 Members Eurasian Coot / Fulica atra Dr.T.N. Vijayakumar affected by progressive greying ..................................................................... 27
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Distribution of the Grey-Headed Fish-Eagle (Ichthyophaga Ichthyaetus) in the Prek Toal Core Area of Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia
    J. Raptor Res. 40(4):277–283 E 2006 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE GREY-HEADED FISH-EAGLE (ICHTHYOPHAGA ICHTHYAETUS) IN THE PREK TOAL CORE AREA OF TONLE SAP LAKE, CAMBODIA RUTH E. TINGAY1 Natural Research Ltd., Banchory Business Centre, Burn O’Bennie Road, Banchory, Kincardineshire, Scotland, AB31 5ZU MALCOLM A.C. NICOLL Centre for Agri-Environment Research, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading, RG6 6AR, England SUN VISAL Wildlife Conservation Society, #21, St. 21, Tonle Bassac, P.O. Box 1620, Phnom Penh, Cambodia ABSTRACT.—The regional population of the Grey-headed Fish-Eagle (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus) in Southeast Asia is thought to be in recent decline and its conservation status under threat. We undertook a systematic survey in a flooded swamp forest at the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia and recorded 32 pairs of eagles in an area of approximately 80 km2. Three species of water snakes were identified as eagle prey items, previously unrecorded for this species. We suggest that this eagle population has significant regional importance and discuss potential anthropogenic threats to population stability, such as water snake harvesting and con- struction of upstream hydropower dams. KEY WORDS: Grey-headed Fish-Eagle; Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus; Cambodia; conservation; prey; water snake. ESTADO Y DISTRIBUCIO´ NDEICHTHYOPHAGA ICHTHYAETUS EN EL A´ REA NU´ CLEO DE PREK TOAL, LAGO TONLE SAP, CAMBOYA RESUMEN.—Se cree que la poblacio´n regional de Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus en el sureste de Asia ha disminuido recientemente, y que se encuentra bajo amenaza en te´rminos de conservacio´n.
    [Show full text]
  • India: Tigers, Taj, & Birds Galore
    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.
    [Show full text]
  • Nepal's Birds 2010
    Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) Established in 1982, Bird Conservation BCN is a membership-based organisation Nepal (BCN) is the leading organisation in with a founding President, patrons, life Nepal, focusing on the conservation of birds, members, friends of BCN and active supporters. their habitats and sites. It seeks to promote Our membership provides strength to the interest in birds among the general public, society and is drawn from people of all walks OF THE STATE encourage research on birds, and identify of life from students, professionals, and major threats to birds’ continued survival. As a conservationists. Our members act collectively result, BCN is the foremost scientific authority to set the organisation’s strategic agenda. providing accurate information on birds and their habitats throughout Nepal. We provide We are committed to showing the value of birds scientific data and expertise on birds for the and their special relationship with people. As Government of Nepal through the Department such, we strongly advocate the need for peoples’ of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation participation as future stewards to attain long- Birds Nepal’s (DNPWC) and work closely in birds and term conservation goals. biodiversity conservation throughout the country. As the Nepalese Partner of BirdLife International, a network of more than 110 organisations around the world, BCN also works on a worldwide agenda to conserve the world’s birds and their habitats. 2010 Indicators for our changing world Indicators THE STATE OF Nepal’s Birds
    [Show full text]
  • Birds and Tigers of Northern India
    Dusky Eagle Owl on a nest at Keoladeo Ghana N.P. (all photos by Dave Farrow unless otherwise indicated) BIRDS AND TIGERS OF NORTHERN INDIA 21 NOVEMBER – 8 DECEMBER 2016 LEADER: DAVE FARROW This year’s ‘Birds and Tigers of Northern India’ tour was once again a very successful visual feast of avian delights. This tour is full of regional specialities and Indian subcontinent endemics, and among the many highlights were a total of 53 individual Owls seen of 9 species, including Dusky Eagle Owl on a nest, four Tawny Fish Owls and four Brown Fish Owls. We had great fortune with gamebirds, with three Cheer Pheasants plus stunning views of a pair of Koklass Pheasant, plus many Kalij Pheasants, Painted Spurfowl 1 BirdQuest Tour Report: Birds and Tigers of Northern India www.birdquest-tours.com and Jungle Bush-Quail. We also saw Ibisbill, Red-naped Ibis, Black-necked Stork, Sarus Cranes, Indian, Himalayan and Red-headed Vulture, Pallas's and Lesser Fish Eagles, Brown Crake, Indian and Great Stone- curlew, Yellow-wattled and White-tailed Lapwing, Black-bellied and River Tern, Painted and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, and 15 species of Woodpecker including Great Slaty, Himalayan Pied, White-naped and Himalayan Flameback. We found plenty of Slaty-headed and Plum-headed Parakeet, Black-headed Jay, a Rufous-tailed Lark, Indian Bush Lark, the holy trinity of Nepal, Pygmy and Scaly-bellied Wren-Babblers, plus Brook’s Leaf Warbler, Black-faced and Booted Warbler, Black-chinned Babbler, six species of Laughingthrush including Rufous-chinned, Chestnut-bellied and White-tailed Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Chestnut and Black-throated Thrushes, White-tailed Rubythroat, Golden Bush Robin, dapper Spotted Forktails, Blue-capped Redstart, Variable Wheatear, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Black-breasted Weaver, Altai Accentor, Brown Bullfinch, Blyth’s Rosefinch (a write-in), Crested, White-capped and Red-headed Bunting.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern India: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas Trip Report October 2017
    NORTHERN INDIA: TIGERS, BIRDS AND THE HIMALAYAS TRIP REPORT OCTOBER 2017 By Andy Walker A gorgeous Indian endemic, the Painted Spurfowl, was seen well during the tour. www.birdingecotours.com [email protected] 2 | T R I P R E P O R T India: Tigers, Birds and the Himalayas 2017 This was a customized version of our usual northern India tour, scheduled for January. This tour for Charley and Paul commenced on the 16th of October 2017 at Ranthambhore and concluded in New Delhi on the 30th October 2017. Prior to the tour Charley and Paul took a pre-tour exploring New Delhi and Jaipur and had a one-day extension in New Delhi for some birding there. The tour visited the world-famous Ranthambhore, Keoladeo Ghana (formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), Corbett, and Sultanpur National Parks and spent time in the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayan foothills at Pangot and Sattal. A visit to this part of India would not be complete without taking in the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal, and so we visited these also. India is well known for its amazing food, and we sampled a great deal of interesting and tasty local dishes throughout the tour. The above combined makes for a perfect Indian birding tour. The tour connected with many exciting birds, such as Indian Skimmer, Indian Courser, Kalij, Koklass, and Cheer Pheasants, Painted Spurfowl, Indian Spotted Eagle, Bearded (Lammergeier), Red-headed, Indian, and Himalayan Vultures, Collared Falconet, Sarus Crane, Black-necked Stork, Small Pratincole, Painted Sandgrouse, Brown Fish Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Black-bellied and River Terns, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Great Hornbill, Spotted Forktail, Grey-winged Blackbird, Long-billed and Scaly Thrushes, Himalayan and Siberian Rubythroats, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Striated and Rufous- chinned Laughingthrushes, Grey-crowned Prinia, White-browed Bush Chat, and over 1,600 Red-headed Buntings.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded on 20 June 2018
    PLATINUM The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservation globally by publishing peer-reviewed articles online OPEN ACCESS every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All articles published in JoTT are registered under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License unless otherwise mentioned. JoTT allows allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of articles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication. Journal of Threatened Taxa Building evidence for conservation globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Communication Avitourism opportunities as a contribution to conservation and rural livelihoods in the Hindu Kush Himalaya - a field perspective Nishikant Gupta, Mark Everard, Ishaan Kochhar & Vinod Kumar Belwal 26 August 2019 | Vol. 11 | No. 10 | Pages: 14318–14327 DOI: 10.11609/jott.4911.11.10.14318-14327 For Focus, Scope, Aims, Policies, and Guidelines visit https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-0 For Article Submission Guidelines, visit https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions For Policies against Scientific Misconduct, visit https://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-2 For reprints, contact <[email protected]> The opinions expressed by the authors do not reflect the views of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society, Zoo
    [Show full text]
  • Use of an Exotic Tree Plantation by Bornean Lowland Forest Birds
    The Auk 110(3):529-540, 1993 USE OF AN EXOTIC TREE PLANTATION BY BORNEAN LOWLAND FOREST BIRDS SHAIBAL S. MITRA • AND FREDERICK H. SHELDON 2 1Committeeon EvolutionaryBiology, University of Chicago,Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA; and 2Departmentof Ornithology,Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 BenjaminFranklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, USA ABSTRACT.--DuringMay to July 1982,we surveyedbirds in primary forestand in different- aged grovesof the exotictree Albiziafalcataria at SabahSoftwoods, a lowland tree plantation in Sabah,East Malaysia (formerly British North Borneo).We found that the Albiziawas in general attractive to many native birds. About 60% of primary-forestspecies used the plan- tation, and the frequencyat which individuals were observedin the oldestgroves was almost twice that of nearby primary forest. The Albiziaattracted birds because,as an extremely fast- growing legume with thin leaves,it permitted the rapid development of a well-structured secondaryforest. It alsowas heavily infestedwith pestinsects, which providedan abundant food source. Despite its apparent richness,however, the Albizia lacked several important featuresof natural forest(e.g. canopyfruits and nestholes). As a result,some primary-forest bird groupswere poorly represented(e.g. large canopy frugivores and flycatchers)and others could make only limited use of the plantation(e.g. woodpeckers).In addition, the Albiziais expectedto loseits diversityas the plantationas a whole ages.Many of the plantationbirds were transientsfrom nearbyforest that visited daily to feed, and someprobably had been displacedby intense logging. The number of daily transientsshould decreaseas primary forestrecedes due to logging and development.Refugee species diversity should sufferfrom attrition as the plantation is cropped and predation and age take their toll.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Status of Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga Humilis in Southern Kerala Vishnudas K
    on the status of Lesser Fish-eagle Ichthyophaga humilis in southern Kerala C. K. Vishnudas C. Sashikumar, C. K. Vishnudas, S. Raju, Lesser Fish-Eagle I. humilis at Parambikulam. 23 November 2009. P. A. Vinayan & S. Kannan Sashikumar, C., Vishnudas, C. K., Raju, S., Vinayan, P. A., & Kannan, S., 2011. On the status of Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis in southern Kerala. Indian BIRDS 7 (1): 7–9. C. Sashikumar, Sree Nilayam, Pattanur P O, Kannur 670595, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] C. K. Vishnudas, Vishnu Nivas, Karimkutty P O, Kalpetta 673121, Wayanad, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] S. Raju, Kavil Variam, Kodakara, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] P. A. Vinayan, Pandancheri House, Vemom P O, Mananthavady, Wayanad 670645, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] S. Kannan, Farm Manager, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Peruvannamuzhi P O, Calicut 673528, Kerala, India. Email: [email protected] Introduction each field day and the birds observed in fixed distance bands were recorded; a total transect distance of 282.35 km was covered. Lesser Fish-Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis is classified as Near The overall distance covered during the survey was 1,100 km. Threatened by the IUCN (BirdLife International 2008). In India it is, Raptors were observed during the transect surveys as well as “Resident. The Himalayas from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, afterwards. Regular observations were made from vantage points and the hills south of the Brahmaputra… In winter wanders to the to observe soaring raptors. Birds were observed using 8 x 40 plains of Haryana, U.P. and Bihar.” (Ripley 1982).
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Watching in Southeast Asia by Matt Totsky
    http://www.southeastasia.org/index.php/articles/detail/going-cuckoo-bird-watching-in-southeast-asia/ A Rufous Hornbill at home in the Philippines Going Cuckoo: Bird Watching in Southeast Asia By Matt Totsky Southeast Asia is perfect those who enjoy watch- Considered the top birding site in Vietnam, the Cat ing birds. Not only is it one of the most biologically Tien National Park is home to 16 globally threat- diverse regions, and home to over 15% of the Earth’s ened and near-threatened bird species including the ornithological species, it is also an easy place to get Orange-Necked Partridge, Grey-Faced Tit Babbler around and for the most part generally inexpensive and Green Peafowl. Other sites throughout the coun- to do so. Whether it’s northern track countries like try offer similar encounters with many other species Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; whose existence is in jeopardy. or the southern countries, which include Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei; a Cambodia is home to the largest remaining contigu- bird watching expedition in the region can be ex- ous block of deciduous dipterocarp forests, a criti- tremely rewarding for those willing to put in the time cally important habitat for a wide variety of bird life and effort to take advantage of all the region has to (these areas have largely disappeared from places offer. like Thailand and Vietnam). Expect any bird watch- ing expedition in Cambodia to include encounters With over 950 species of birds, Thailand is not only with over 250 species including Red-Breasted Para- one of the hottest bird watching destinations in the keets, the Asian Barred Owlet and Black-Headed North, but one of the most popular in all of Asia as Bulbuls.
    [Show full text]
  • Nature Reserve Latitude: 18º05'n Longitude
    VN019 Ke Go Ke Go Criteria: A1, A2 & A3 Province(s): Ha Tinh PA Status: Nature Reserve Latitude: 18º05'N Longitude: 105º59'E Area: 24,801 ha Altitude Range: 50-497 m asl EBA / SA: Annamese Lowlands EBA Priority Landscape: NA5 - Ke Go and Khe Net Lowlands General Description The IBA comprises Ke Go Nature Reserve, which is situated within the Annamese lowlands. The topography of the IBA is dominated by a range of gently undulating hills, at elevations below 300 m asl, which support an extensive area of lowland evergreen forest. Almost all the forest has been logged at some stage, and undisturbed primary forest is virtually absent. The IBA includes Ke Go lake, a man-made reservoir. To the south, Ke Go IBA is contiguous with Khe Net IBA in Quang Binh province1. Bird Fauna: Key Features Ke Go IBA is situated in the Annamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and supports populations of five restricted-range bird species: Vietnamese Pheasant Lophura hatinhensis, Imperial Pheasant L. imperialis, Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia danjoui and Grey-faced Tit Babbler Macronous kelleyi. Of greatest significance, Ke Go IBA, together with the contiguous Khe Net IBA, supports the only known wild population of Vietnamese Pheasant in the world. Species IBA Global Other Notes Criteria Threat IBAs Status Vietnamese Pheasant A1, A2 EN 1 In early 1990, one male was trapped to the north-west of Lophura hatinhensis Cat Bin town, and 11 males and two females were trapped in forest up to 12 km west of the town.
    [Show full text]