66 Indian Birds Vol. 6 No. 3 (Publ. 7th August 2010)
Recent ornithological records from Tripura, north-eastern India, with an annotated
checklist Anwaruddin Choudhury
Anwaruddin Choudhury Fig. 1. Lesser Whistling Teals and a Ferruginous Pochard at Rudrasagar Lake, a Ramsar site.
Choudhury, A. 2010. Recent ornithological records from Tripura, north-eastern India, with an annotated checklist. Indian Birds 6 (3): 66–74. Anwaruddin Choudhury, 7 Islampur Road, Guwahati 781 007, Assam, India. Email: [email protected] Manuscript received on 27 July 2009.
The state of Tripura in north-eastern India is a poorly-known bird area. Findings of a recent study are documented here. Noteworthy records include some globally threatened, and near-threatened, species such as Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri, and Ferruginous Pochard A. nyroca. As many as 20 species were reported for the first time in Tripura, which include, among others, Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, Tufted Pochard A. fuligula, Grey-headed lapwing Vanellus cinereus, Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus, White-hooded Babbler Gampsorhynchus rufulus, Dusky Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus, Black-naped Blue Monarch Hypothymis azurea, and Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis. An annotated checklist of all the birds (277 species) recorded so far is also presented. Some important observations are presented in greater detail. Conservation issues are discussed briefly, and recommendations are made for protection of habitat and birds.
he state of Tripura (22°56’–24°32’N 91°10’–92°21’E; hot wet summer, and a cool dry winter. Winter rains are not 10,490 km²) (Fig. 2), in north-eastern India, is very poorly uncommon (annual rainfall varies from c. 2,000 mm in the Tcovered by ornithological works. Tripura lies at the border north-west to more than 2,400 mm in the east, and extreme of both, the Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot (Myers et south). The annual temperature generally ranges from 7°C in al. 2000; Mittermeier et al. 2004), and the Eastern Himalaya winter (minimum) to 37°C in summer (maximum). Endemic Bird Area (Stattersfieldet al. 1998). The state was Tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests occur formerly referred to as the hill Tipperah. The plain Tipperah is in patches in the east and south. Owing to logging and ‘jhum’ now in Bangladesh, forming Comilla, and other districts. The (slash-and-burn shifting cultivation), large areas have been state is surrounded by Bangladesh on all but one side. It is replaced with bamboo, especially in older abandoned jhums. divided into four districts—Tripura North, Dhalai, Tripura West, Elsewhere in the hill ranges, there are deciduous woodlands. and Tripura South. Lying at the edge of the Himalaya–Arakan The existing protected area network in Tripura covers only mountain chain almost the entire physiographic bulk of Tripura 540.8 km² or c. 5.15% of the state. The protected areas are comprises low hills with small valley plains between the ranges. Sepahijala NP (NP=National Park) (18 km²), Trishna NP & WS The highest ranges are on its eastern side, covering Jampui or (WS=Wildlife Sanctuary) (173 km²), Gumti WS (349 km²), and Jampai Tlang (the highest point is 958 m a.s.l., at Betling Sib Rowa WS (0.83 km²). / Be-tlang-sib). The lowest elevations are in the riverbeds near Owing to its relative remoteness, and the existence of the Tripura–Bangladesh border (> 10 m a.s.l.). Gumti (Dumbur insurgency, which is still a major problem, very few ornithological Lake; c.40 km²), the largest reservoir in north-eastern India, lies works have been done in Tripura. The earliest references are in the south-eastern part of the state. found in Blyth (1845, 1846), and Godwin-Austen (1874). The climate of Tripura is tropical ‘monsoon’ type with a Ross Mangles of the Bengal Civil Service, Capt. Badgley, and Mr Choudhury: Birds of Tripura 67
Fig. 2. India’s north-eastern state of Tripura. Critically Endangered, one each of Endangered and Vulnerable, and six Near-Threatened taxa). During the present work, at least 171 species were sighted.
Methods During fieldwork, I made direct observations with 10x40 binoculars and a 10x46 scope, noted calls (of some species only), and interviewed local forest staff, villagers, and hunters. Direct observations were made on foot along existing and newly cut paths, and from vehicles along roads and tracks (particularly to spot pet birds, and specimens of preserved bird parts, such as hornbill casques and feathers, which are often displayed outside huts). I made three field trips in October 1997, April 2000, and January 2008 respectively, during which several birds were recorded for the first time for Tripura. This included fieldwork in parts of all the districts (For a list of localities see Table 1).
Table 1. Details of sites mentioned in the text. Site (district) Coordinates Altitude (m) Agartala (West) 23°50’N 91°17’E 12-13 Amarpur (South) 23°30’N 91°39’E 50–60 Belonia (South) 23°12’N 91°30’E 10 Churaibari (North) 24°24’N 92°16’E 20 Dharmanagar (North) 24°22’N 92°09’E 15 Gondachara (Dholai) 23°34’N 91°52’E 50 Gumti /Dumbur Lake 23°30’N 91°50’E 50 (Dholai and South) Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary 23°25-48’N 50–400 (Dholai, West and South) 91°43’-53’E Chennel of Topographical Survey, made the earliest collections, Jampui (Jampai) Tlang 23°42-24°07’N 150–958/975 in around 1870–1873. The Zoological Survey of India collected (North) 92°14’E in 1969-1973 (Majumdar et al. 2002). A few references to Khairpur (West) 23°50’N 91°20’E 12-13 Tripura are found in synoptic works such as Ali & Ripley (1987). Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary (North) 24°14’N 91°11’E 30–40 Rudrasagar (West) 23°30’N, 91°20’E 10 Islam & Rahmani (2004) provided information on the Important Sepahijala National Park (West) 23°40’N 91°18’E 10-50 Bird Areas of the state. Choudhury (2008a) provided useful Sonamura (West) 23°27’N 91°18’E 10 information on the wintering birds at Rudrasagar, and Choudhury Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary (South) 23°25’N 91°24’E 10-50 et al. (2008) on the galliformes. Udaipur (South) 23°32’N 91°30’E 15 The state has a rich diversity of birdlife as is evident from the checklist provided in the Appendix (277 spp., including two Fig. 3. A view of Trishna National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. Tripura’s vital Significant records habitat for forest birds. Details are provided for the more interesting and significant records, including rare birds, regional rarities, new records, including four Threatened, and five Near-threatened species. Records of galliformes and large raptors are included, given the high hunting pressures on these species in the region. The Red List status follows BirdLife International (2009), which is also followed by IUCN (2009); the Restricted-range status follows Stattersfield et al. (1998). An annotated checklist is presented as an Appendix. Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus Three lone birds were observed in Gumti Lake on 17 January 2008—the first record for Tripura. Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans 5–6 birds were spotted on the way to tower no. 2 in a paddyfield inside Trishna NP & WS on 14 January 2008; 92 in Rudrasagar Lake on 15 Anwaruddin Choudhury 68 Indian Birds Vol. 6 No. 3 (Publ. 7th August 2010)
January 2008, and small numbers near Gumti Lake; three on 16 Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos A female of the January 2009; and eight on 17 January 2009. black-breasted subspecies lathami was seen in Trishna NP & WS Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca Near-threatened It is on 14 January 2008. Feathers of snared or shot birds were seen a new record for the state. During a mid-winter waterfowl census in all the districts. This species, along with the Red Junglefowl I counted seven in Rudrasagar Lake on 15 January 2008 (Fig. 1). Gallus gallus, is the most widely snared galliformes in the state. Baer’s Pochard A. baeri Endangered Also a new record for Common Coot Fulica atra A lone bird in Trishna NP & WS on the state; I counted four in Rudrasagar Lake during a mid-winter 14 January 2008, and 17 at Gumti on 17 January 2008. waterfowl census on 15 January 2008. 13 more were identified Grey-headed lapwing Vanellus cinereus Two birds each in a mixed flock of ducks in Gumti Lake on 17 January 2008 enroute to tower no. 2 in a paddyfield inside Trishna NP & WS (Fig. 4). on 14 January 2008, and between Kathalia and Sonamura in Tufted Pochard A. fuligula At least 340 were counted in Tripura West district on 15 January 2008; at least four in Gumti several mixed flocks in Gumti Lake on 17 January 2008. This Lake on 17 January 2008, and two near Sepahijala NP on 18 might be a first report for Tripura. January 2008. These are apparently the first records for Tripura. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus One seen Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago At least two loose perched in a shrub near Gumti Lake on 17 January 2008. wisps were seen comprising six, and nine, birds feeding on Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus One immature seen in watered fields between Belonia and Abhoya (Tripura South Rudrasagar Lake on 15 January 2008; then an adult was seen in district), and near Katholia (Tripura West district) on 15 January flight near the Agartala airport on 19 January 2008. It was circling 2008. Such sightings in open fields, tolerant of human presence and soaring for some time. up to about 15 m, are rare even in Assam. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Two were seen near Agartala Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus At least 15 were airport on 19 January 2008. They were circling and soaring for identified in a mixed flock of 119 gulls, including one Brown- some time, and then one perched on a post while the other headed L. brunnicephalus, observed in Gumti Lake on 17 January went out of sight. 2008. The remaining birds also belonged to either of these two Osprey Pandion haliaetus During mid-winter waterfowl species, but their identification could not be confirmed. There census I noted one in Rudrasagar Lake on 15 January 2008, and is no published information on the occurrence of this species two birds at Gumti on 16, and 17 January 2008. in Tripura. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus A winter visitor with Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon Treron bicinctus Small several sightings of lone birds, in Trishna NP and WS, near coveys of 6–8 birds were seen at several places of North Tripura Amarpur (both in Tripura South district), near Sepahijala NP, and district in October 1997. This is the first report of the species in Jirania-Khumlung (both in Tripura West district) in January from Tripura. 2008. Naoroji (2006) doubted its occurrence in Tripura. Hence, Yellow-legged Green-Pigeon T. phoenicopterus A covey it is the first confirmed record of the species from the state. of 10+ was observed in a Ficus sp. tree near Churaibari in Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus calidus An adult was North Tripura district in October 1997. There is no published observed in a tree on the banks of Sorma River en route to Gumti information on this species in Tripura. Lake on 17 January 2008. It had slaty-grey upperparts; underparts Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris were whitish with narrow barring. Its black moustachial stripe was Preserved casques and feathers were seen at a few huts near conspicuous with white on three sides. Naoroji (2006) included Gondachara in Dhalai district. Call heard near Tripura–Mizoram entire Tripura within its range; however, he did not quote any border (Jampui Tlang) in April 2000. The habitat near Gumti specific record or mentioned any site. Earlier works on Tripura Lake is largely degraded and is unlikely to hold any hornbills at (Ali & Ripley 1987; Majumdar et al. 2002) did not mention of present. its occurrence. Grey-throated Sand Martin Riparia chinensis Three birds
Fig. 4. A mixed flock of ducks with Tufted Ducks and a few Baer’s Pochard at Gumti (Dumbur) Lake, the largest reservoir in north-eastern India. Anwaruddin Choudhury Choudhury: Birds of Tripura 69
were seen at Rudrasagar Lake on 15 January 2008, providing vulnerable to endangered (IUCN 2009), has been recorded first record for Tripura. from two sites, which is certainly important for Tripura. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Many were seen en route Although 277 species have been listed for Tripura, which to Dharmanagar and Rowa WS in North Tripura district in October is relatively poor, compared to other north-eastern states such 1997. A few were also seen between Belonia and Sonamura in as Assam (820 species; Choudhury 2000), Arunachal Pradesh Tripura South, and West districts on 15 January 2008. Apparently (738 species; Choudhury 2006), Manipur (607 species; it may have been overlooked elsewhere. Interestingly there is Choudhury 2009), Nagaland (492 species; Choudhury 2003), no published information on the occurrence of this common and Mizoram (479 species; Choudhury 2008b), further surveys species from Tripura. will definitely add more species to the list. There is the possibility Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus of the presence of many more species of waders and ducks Parties of 8–10 birds were seen near Gumti Lake on 16 and 17 during passage. The records of the Asian Waterfowl Census (Scott January 2008, providing first record for Tripura. & Rose 1989) had to be treated with some caution, especially for Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis One uncommon and difficult to identify species. The census reported bird was seen in Trishna NP & WS on 14 January 2008. There several species without details (hence excluded from checklist is no published information on the occurrence of this species in here) such as Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, White Stork Tripura. Ciconia ciconia, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, and Indian White-hooded Babbler Gampsorhynchus rufulus Water Rail Rallus aquaticus, which are very rare or ‘stray’ in north- One was seen in a mixed flock of several other species in Trishna eastern India. Majumdar et al. (2002) also quoted these without NP & WS on 14 January 2008. It is also a first time report for verification. Majumdaret al. (2002) also listed several species Tripura. erroneously such as Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis, Black-naped Blue Monarch Hypothymis azurea Also an Blyth’s KingfisherAlcedo hercules, Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus addition to the birds of Tripura; lone birds seen 2–3 times in kundoo, White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens, Crow-billed Trishna NP & WS on 14 January 2008. Drongo D. annectans, Brahminy Myna Sturnus pagodarum, and White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis Lone birds Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis. were seen twice seen in Trishna NP & WS on 14 January 2008 These are treated as erroneous because they are either rare (e.g., making the first report from Tripura. Blyth’s Kingfisher) or the north-east has a handful of records (e.g., Plain Prinia Prinia inornata At least two were seen on Brahminy Myna, Golden Oriole), or species are yet to be recorded Narkel Bagan Island, Gumti Lake on 17 January 2008, providing (Little Brown Dove, White-bellied Drongo)—while the authors the first record for Tripura. have mentioned of sighting them ‘all over Tripura’! There is also Dusky Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus One identified no specific record of the following species although shown on the in Trishna NP & WS on 14 January 2008. Perhaps there were a map by Naoroji (2006): Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris, few more of this species. This happened to be the first record Besra Accipiter virgatus, Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis, for Tripura. Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii, Changeable Eagle Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis The first sighting Spizaetus cirrhatus, Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, Oriental Hobby for the state was a bird observed in Trishna NP & WS on 14 Falco severus, and Shaheen Falcon F. peregrinus peregrinator. January 2008. In the recent field-guides (Grimmettet al. 1998; Kazmierczak Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna It is also a 2000; Rasmussen & Anderton 2005), the maps are too small to first timer for Tripura; one was sighted in Trishna NP & WS on 14 work out details for small areas such as Tripura; except for very January 2008. few species in Grimmett et al. (1998), and Kazmierczak (2000). Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis One was observed Rasmussen & Anderton (2005) could not be used as, for at repeatedly in a small ravine in Trishna NP & WS on 14 January least 90 species, the range shown for the entire region of north- 2008. There is no published information on the occurrence of eastern India seems to be erroneous (Choudhury in press). this species in Tripura. Rudrasagar, the largest natural lake of Tripura and a Ramsar site, and Gumti (Dumbur) Lake, the largest artificial lake in Discussion north-eastern India (Choudhury 2002), are under threat from The paucity of fieldwork in Tripura in the past as well as in recent siltation, pollution, over fishing, and poaching of birds. In the hilly decades, and the non-reporting of common species such as areas, logging, jhum cultivation, and poaching for meat are the Paddyfield Pipit, and Orange-breasted Green-Pigeon means main conservation issues. Forest clearance for settlements, and that trends in the avifauna are hard to discern. However, some cultivation in the valleys are also major threats. The very rapid discussion on the records above, and in the context of the list growth of human population, which increased five-fold in five in the Appendix is called for. The White-winged Duck Cairina decades, from c. 650,000 (0.65 million) in 1951, to 3,200,000 (Asarcornis) scutulata, which has been recorded in similar terrain (3.2 million) in 2001, is the ultimate cause of habitat loss. This in the adjoining Chittagong Hill Tracts (Husain & Haque 1982) jump in population was due to the influx of refugees from the probably, also occurred here. Ali & Ripley (1987) suspected erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) (GOI 2001). the occurrence of Green Peafowl Pavo muticus but there is no The area of closed-canopy forest (canopy cover >40%) chance of any survivor now. Baer’s Pochard, upgraded from declined from 43.4% in 1972–1975 to 17.3% by 1995 (NRSA 70 Indian Birds Vol. 6 No. 3 (Publ. 7th August 2010)
1983; FSI 1997). In a recent assessment (FSI 2005), a new Choudhury, A. U., 2009. Significant recent ornithological records from category, ‘very dense forest’, was included, and showed coverage Manipur, north-east India with an annotated checklist. Forktail 25 of only 0.58% of land area —an alarming situation. Although, (2009): 71–90. the overall dense forest coverage is 48%, it comprises mostly Choudhury, A. U., Goswami, A. K., & Lahkar, K., 2008. Status, distribution plantations, including cash crops such as rubber, hence, not of and management of galliformes in Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. ENVIS Bull: Galliformes of India 10 (1): 137–141. much significance to wildlife. Choudhury, A. U., (In press). Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide by Formation of new protected areas with the active Rasmussen, P., & Anderton, J., (2005)—special review. Newsletter & involvement of the Tribal Autonomous Council, plus improved Journal of the Rhino Foundation for Nature in NE India 8. protection for existing sanctuaries are recommended. In view F.S.I. 1997. The state of the forest report 2001. Dehra Dun, India: Forest of protests from various tribal groups, smaller community-run Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forest. sanctuaries such as Khonoma, and Ghosu in Nagaland should F.S.I. 2005. The state of the forest report 2005. Dehra Dun, India: Forest be established near the tops of all the ranges Jampui, Sakham, Survey of India, Ministry of Environment & Forest. Longtorai, Atharamura, Baramura, and Deotamura. Rudrasagar Godwin-Austen, H. H., 1874. Fourth list of birds, principally from the Lake should be accorded sanctuary status. Most members of the Naga Hills and Munipur, including others from the Khasi, Garo, and Tribal Autonomous Council are not aware of the legal status of Tipperah Hills. J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal XLIII (Part II No III): 151–180. various species; hence, environmental awareness programmes GoI. 2001. Census of India 2001. New Delhi: Government of India. Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 1998. Birds of the Indian subcon- are needed in villages including those surrounding the protected tinent. London: Christopher Helm. areas. An annual waterfowl census of the wetlands should be Husain, K., & Haque, M., 1982. The White-winged Wood Duck Project. done. Within protected areas there needs to be better control of Dhaka: Unpublished report to the University Grants Commission. poaching and encroachment. Islam, Z.-u. & Rahmani, A. R. 2004. Important Bird Areas in India. Priority sites for conservation. 1st ed. Mumbai: Indian Bird Conservation Acknowledgements Network: Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International I would like to thank the following people for their support during my (UK). visits to Tripura: Kamal Banik, Angshuman Dey (DFO), Subrata Deb IUCN. 2009. IUCN redlist of threatened birds downloaded on 20 July (Chairman, Udaipur Nagar Panchayat), Sankar Saha, Goursadan Jama- 2009.
APPENDIX. Annotated checklist of birds recorded in Tripura
Species Status Previous Species Status Previous Abundance Records Abundance Records
Grebes [PODICIPEDIDAE] White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis CE O MR, N Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis RL C AWC, K Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus CE O MR Red-necked Grebe Podiceps griseigena W U CH Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela R C ZSI, K, N Great Crested Grebe P. cristatus W U NR Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus W U MR Pallid Harrier C. macrourus NT W U MR Cormorants [PHALACROCORACIDAE] Common Buzzard Buteo buteo W U MR, N Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger R C AWC, K Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus R U MR, N Indian Shag P. fuscicollis R U AWC Shikra A. badius R C ZSI, K, N Great Cormorant P. carbo W C AWC Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus R U MR, N
Darter [ANHINGIDAE] Osprey [PANDIONIDAE] Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster NT R U AWC Osprey Pandion haliaetus W U MR
Herons, Egrets, & Bitterns [ARDEIDAE] Falcons [FALCONIDAE] Little Egret Egretta garzetta R C AWC, MR, K Pied Falconet Microhierax melanoleucos W U AR Grey Heron Ardea cinerea R U AWC, K Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo W U MR Purple Heron A. purpurea R U MR Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus [ssp. calidus] W U NR Great Egret Casmerodius albus R U AWC, K Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia R C AWC, MR, K Pheasants, Partridges and Quails Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis R C AWC, MR, K [PHASIANIDAE] Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii R C MR, K Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica R U MR Little Green Heron Butorides striatus R C MR White-cheeked Hill Partridge Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax R U AWC, MR Arborophila atrogularis NT R U ZSI Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis R U MR Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus R C ZSI, K, GR Cinnamon Bittern I. cinnamomeus R C MR, K Kaleej Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos lathami R C ZSI Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis R C MR Buttonquails/Bustardquails [TURNICIDAE] Storks [CICONIIDAE] Common Bustard-quail Turnix suscitator R C ZSI Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans R U AWC, MR White-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus O MR Rails and Coots [RALLIDAE] White-breasted Waterhen Ducks and Geese [ANATIDAE] Amaurornis phoenicurus R C AWC, K, GR Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica R C AWC, K Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla V MR Greylag Goose Anser anser W U MR Kora, Watercock Gallicrex cinerea R C AWC, GR Cotton Pigmy Goose Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio R U AWC, GR Nettapus coromandelianus R C MR Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus R C AWC Gadwall Anas strepera W U AWC Common Coot Fulica atra W U AWC, GR Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope W U AWC Mallard A. platyrhynchos W U AWC Jacanas [JACANIDAE] Northern Shoveller A. clypeata W U AWC Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus R C AWC Northern Pintail A. acuta W U AWC Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus R C ZSI Green-winged Teal A. crecca W U MR Common Pochard Aythya ferina W U AWC Painted Snipe [ROSTRATULIDAE] Ferruginous Duck A. nyroca NT W U NR Greater Painted Snipe Rostratula benghalensis R U MR Baer’s Pochard A. baeri E W U NR Tufted Pochard A. fuligula W U NR Plovers, Lapwings [CHARADRIIDAE] Pacific Golden PloverPluvialis fulva W C MR Hawks, Eagles, Buzzards, Vultures, & Harriers Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius RW U MR [ACCIPITRIDAE] Grey-headed lapwing Vanellus cinereus W U NR Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni (pers. comm.) R U N. Sapna Red-wattled Lapwing V. indicus R C AWC, K Black Baza A. leuphotes R U N Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus R U N Curlews, Sandpipers, & Snipes Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus R U MR, N [SCOLOPACIDAE] Pariah Kite, Black Kite Milvus migrans govinda R C MR, N Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola W U MR Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus R U MR, N Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago W C MR, K 72 Indian Birds Vol. 6 No. 3 (Publ. 7th August 2010)
Species Status Previous Species Status Previous Abundance Records Abundance Records
Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus W U MR Owls [STRIGIDAE] Common Redshank Tringa totanus W U MR Spotted Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus R U AR Marsh Sandpiper T. stagnatilis W U MR Oriental Scops Owl O. sunia R U ZSI Common Greenshank T. nebularia W C MR Collared Scops Owl O. bakkamoena R U ZSI, K Green Sandpiper T. ochropus W U ZSI Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo O MR Wood Sandpiper T. glareola W U ZSI Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis R U ZSI Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos W C MR Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides R C ZSI Little Stint Calidris minuta WP U MR Spotted Owlet Athene brama R C ZSI, K Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii W U MR Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata R C ZSI Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus W U MR Ibisbill, Avocets, & Stilts [RECURVIROSTRIDAE] Nightjars [CAPRIMULGIDAE] Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus L U MR Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis RL U RY Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus RL C ZSI, K Stone-Curlew, Thick-knees [BURHINIDAE] Savanna Nightjar C. affinis R U MR Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus R U MR Swifts [APODIDAE] Coursers and Pratincoles [GLAREOLIDAE] Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis R U MR, K Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum O MR House Swift Apus affinis RL C ZSI, K
Gulls and Terns [LARIDAE] Treeswifts [HEMIPROCNIDAE] Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus W U MR Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne longipennis R U MR Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus W U NR River Tern Sterna aurantia R U MR Trogons [TROGONIDAE] Common Tern S. hirundo W U MR Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus R C ZSI Black-bellied Tern S. acuticauda NT R U MR Kingfishers [ALCEDINIDAE] Pigeons and Doves [COLUMBIDAE] Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis R C ZSI, K Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia R C MR, K Blue-eared KingfisherA. meninting R U RY Oriental Turtle Dove Sreptopelia orientalis R U GR Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis R C MR, K Spotted Dove S. chinensis R C MR, K, GR White-throated Kingfisher H. smyrnensis R C ZSI, K Red Collared Dove S. tranquebarica R C ZSI, K, GR Black-capped Kingfisher H. pileata O MR, K Eurasian Collared Dove S. decaocto R C MR, K, GR Lesser Pied KingfisherCeryle rudis R C MR, K Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica R C MR Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta R C NR Bee-eaters [MEROPIDAE] Grey-fronted Green Pigeon T. pompadora R C ZSI Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni R C ZSI Thick-billed Green Pigeon T. curvirostra R C ZSI Small Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis R C ZSI, K Yellow-legged Green Pigeon T. phoenicoptera R C NR Blue-tailed Bee-eater M. philippinus M U K Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea R C ZSI Chestnut-headed Bee-eater M. leschenaulti R C ZSI
Parakeets [PSITTACIDAE] Rollers [CORACIIDAE] Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis RL U ZSI Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis R C ZSI, K Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria R U MR Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis R U GR Rose-ringed Parakeet P. krameri R C MR, K Blossom-headed Parakeet P. roseata R U AR Hoopoe [UPUPIDAE] Red-breasted Parakeet P. alexandri R C ZSI Common Hoopoe Upupa epops LW C ZSI, K, GR
Cuckoos, Malkohas, & Coucals [CUCULIDAE] Hornbills [BUCEROTIDAE] Pied Crested Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus BM U MR Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus O RY Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius R C GA, ZSI, K Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris R U ZSI Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus RL C ZSI, K Great Pied Hornbill Buceros bicornis NT O GA Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus R BM U ZSI, K Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea RL C MR, K Barbets [CAPITONIDAE] Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis R C MR Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata R C ZSI, GR Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis R C MR, K Blue-throated Barbet M. asiatica R C ZSI, GR Lesser Coucal C. bengalensis (=toulou) R C MR, K Blue-eared Barbet M. australis R U ZSI Coppersmith Barbet M. haemacephala R C MR, K, GR Choudhury: Birds of Tripura 73
Species Status Previous Species Status Previous Abundance Records Abundance Records
Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis R U NR Woodpeckers [PICIDAE] Golden-fronted Leafbird C. aurifrons R C ZSI Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla W U ZSI Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella W C ZSI Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Shrikes [LANIIDAE] Dendrocopos canicapillus R C ZSI, AR Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus W C ZSI Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker D. macei R C ZSI Black-headed Shrike L. schach tricolor W C ZSI Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus R C ZSI, K Grey-backed Shrike L. tephronotus W C ZSI Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus R C ZSI Greater Yellownape P. flavinucha R U ZSI Thrushes, etc [TURDIDAE] Grey-headed Woodpecker P. canus R C ZSI Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius W U ZSI Lesser Flameback Dinopium benghalense R C K Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus W U ZSI Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus R C ZSI Orange-headed Ground Thrush Zoothera citrina R,L U MR Golden Thrush Z. dauma W U ZSI Pittas [PITTIDAE] Black-breasted Thrush Turdus dissimilis W U AR Blue-naped Pitta Pitta nipalensis RL U ZSI Siberian Rubythroat Luscinia calliope W U ZSI Blue Pitta P. cyanea M U GA Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis R C ZSI Hooded Pitta P. sordida M U GA White-rumped Shama C. malabaricus R C ZSI Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus R C GA Larks [ALAUDIDAE] Slaty-backed Forktail E. schistaceus R C ZSI Bengal Bush Lark Mirafra assamica R C ZSI Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata W C ZSI Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula RWL U K Pied Bushchat S. caprata M U ZSI Jerdon’s Bushchat S. jerdoni R U MR Swallows and Martins [HIRUNDINIDAE] Grey Bushchat S. ferrea W C MR Grey-throated Sand Martin Riparia chinensis RL C NR Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica RW C ZSI Babblers [TIMALIINAE] Striated Swallow H. daurica W U MR Lesser Necklaced Laughing-thrush Garrulax monileger R C ZSI Pipits and Wagtails [MOTACILLIDAE] Black-gorgeted Laughing-thrush G. pectoralis R C ZSI Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus W U AR Rufous-necked Laughing-thrush G. ruficollis R C ZSI Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba W C AR, K Abbott’s Babbler Trichastoma abbotti R C ZSI Citrine Wagtail M. citreola W C ZSI Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps R C ZSI Yellow Wagtail M. flava W C AR, K Large Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus hypoleucos R U ZSI Grey Wagtail M. cinerea W C MR, K White-browed Scimitar Babbler P. schisticeps R C ZSI Paddyfield PipitAnthus rufulus R C NR Yellow-breasted Babbler Macronous gularis R C ZSI Tree Pipit A. hodgsoni W C ZSI Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata R C ZSI Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris V R U MR Cuckoo-shrikes and Minivets Indian White-hooded Babbler [CAMPEPHAGIDAE] Gampsorhynchus rufulus R U NR Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei R C ZSI Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala R U ZSI Smaller Grey Cuckooshrike C. melaschistos W U ZSI Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus R U ZSI Warblers [SYLVIINAE] Scarlet Minivet P. flammeus R C ZSI Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis R C MR Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike Hemipus picatus R C ZSI Hill Prinia Prinia atrogularis RL C NR Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis (=virgatus) R C ZSI Grey-breasted Prinia P. hodgsonii R C GR Common Woodshrike T. pondicerianus R C ZSI Ashy Prinia P. socialis R C ZSI Plain Prinia P. inornata R C NR BuIbuls [PYCNONOTIDAE] Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon W U ZSI Striated Green Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus R C ZSI Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius R C ZSI Black-headed Bulbul P. atriceps R C ZSI Dusky Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus W C NR Black-crested Bulbul P. melanicterus R C ZSI Yellow-browed Leaf Warbler P. inornatus W U ZSI Red-whiskered Bulbul P. jocosus R C ZSI Greenish Leaf Warbler P. trochiloides W C MR Red-vented Bulbul P. cafer R C ZSI Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris R C ZSI White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus RL C ZSI Himalayan Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus W C NR Flycatchers [MUSCICAPINAE] Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva W C ZSI Ioras, Leafbirds, Fairy Bluebird [IRENIDAE] Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina R C MR Common Iora Aegithina tiphia R C ZSI 74 Indian Birds Vol. 6 No. 3 (Publ. 7th August 2010)
Species Status Previous Species Status Previous Abundance Records Abundance Records
Brook’s Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys R U ZSI Sparrows [PASSERINAE] Grey-headed Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis W C ZSI House Sparrow Passer domesticus R C ZSI
Monarch Flycatchers [MONARCHINAE] Weavers [PLOCEIDAE] Black-naped Blue Monarch Hypothymis azurea RL C NR Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus R C ZSI
Fantail Flycatchers [RHIPIDURINAE] Starlings and Mynas [STURNIDAE] White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis R C NR Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus R C ZSI Asian Pied Starling S. contra R C ZSI Tits or Titmice [PARIDAE] Common Myna Acridotheres tristis R C ZSI Grey Tit, Great Tit Parus major R C ZSI Jungle Myna A. fuscus R C ZSI White-vented Myna A. grandis R U ZSI Nuthatches and Creepers [SITTIDAE] Hill Myna Gracula religiosa R C MR Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis R C NR Orioles [ORIOLIDAE] Flowerpeckers [DICAEIDAE] Black-headed Oriole Oriolus xanthornus R C ZSI Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile RW U MR Yellow-vented Flowerpecker D. chrysorrheum R C ZSI Drongos [DICRURIDAE] Pale-billed Flowerpecker D. erythrorhynchos R C ZSI Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus R C ZSI Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker D. cruentatum R C ZSI Ashy Drongo D. leucophaeus RW U NR Bronzed Drongo D. aeneus R C ZSI Sunbirds and Spiderhunters [NECTARINIIDAE] Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo D. remifer RW U ZSI Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Anthreptes singalensis R C ZSI Spangled Drongo D. hottentottus R C ZSI Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica R C ZSI Greater Racket-tailed Drongo D. paradiseus R C ZSI Purple-throated Sunbird N. sperata R U AR Purple Sunbird N. asiatica R C GA, ZSI Swallow-shrikes or Woodswallows Yellow-backed Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja RL C ZSI [ARTAMIDAE] Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra R C ZSI Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus R C ZSI Streaked Spiderhunter A. magna RW C NR Crows, Magpies, Jays, etc. [CORVIDAE] White-eyes [ZOSTEROPIDAE] Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis R C NR Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus R C ZSI Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda R C ZSI Himalayan Treepie D. formosae RL U ZSI Buntings [EMBERIZIDAE] House Crow Corvus splendens R C ZSI Crested Bunting Melophus lathami W U MR Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos R C ZSI
Finches [FRINGILLIDAE] Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinus W U MR
Munias [ESTRILDIDAE] Red Munia Amandava amandava U MR White-backed Munia Lonchura striata R C ZSI Scaly-breasted Munia L. punctulata R C ZSI
Abbreviations Status: R=resident; W=winter visitor; L=local movement; M=migrant including summer visitor; BM=breeding migrant; P=passage migrant. Abundance: C=common; U=uncommon; O=occasional; S=stray. AR=Ali & Ripley 1987; AWC=Scott & Rose 1989; CH=Choudhury 2000; GA=Godwin-Austen; GR=Grimmett et al. 1998; K=Kazmierczak 2000; MR=Majumdar et al. 2002; N=Naoroji 2006; NR=New record; RY=Ripley 1982; ZSI=Specimen at Zoological Survey of India.