INDIA TIGERS, TAJ & BIRDS GALORE FEBRUARY 4–22, 2020
One of the Bengal Tigers crossing the road in the grassland near Dikhala (Photo 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
BY MACHIEL VALKENBURG
Another tour full of highlights in magical India! This trip had everything, from many gorgeous sightings of colorful tropical birds to being eye-to-eye with an adult male tiger. This was finished off with delicious Indian (not spicy ) food and ancient history, including the biggest symbol of love in the world, The Taj Mahal.
We started our tour in the political capital of the country, the busy metropolis of Delhi. A domestic flight and a five-hour drive brought us to the wonderful Kanha National Park, the birthplace of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. During the three full days we enjoyed in the park, we made two safaris every day to find the most wanted mammal of the country, the powerful tiger. We found two tigers, with the first sighting being so close that we could have almost touched this ferocious cat. It is a feeling to be felt before it can be believed. I have seen tigers many times on many tours in India, but every time I get a tiger in my bins or viewfinder I get a big rush of enjoyment and pleasure. The second tiger we found was a female that was strolling through the fields and some wooded areas. Several times we witnessed how she marked her territory by raising her tail and spraying some urine on the bark of the trees.
Bengal Tiger, resting in Kanha NP (Photo M. Valkenburg)
We birded around the excellent lodge where we found many Taiga Flycatchers, Hume’s Warbler, and Lesser Whitethroats that were wintering in the garden; soon they will move north again to their breeding areas in Russia. Some typical Indian birds like the splendid Indian Golden Oriole and the bright green Jerdon’s Leafbird were around and scoped several times. In the field in front of the lodge we encountered many birds including Indian Nuthatch, Brown-headed Barbet, Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Ashy- crowned Sparrow-lark, Oriental Skylark, and Large Cuckooshrike. Yellow-wattled Lapwing was very common with over 25 birds seen in a short period of birding. Finally, we drove back to Raipur to board our domestic flight that brought us back to Delhi. The road to Raipur is good birding with many Indian Rollers, White-eyed Buzzards, and Green Bee-eaters.
We left the urban areas of Delhi behind us and departed for the north and the foothills of the lush green Himalayas. We spent the first nights around the entrance of the park with some very special birds. The numbers of woodpecker species and individuals seen here were high with an amazing record of 17 Great Slaty Woodpeckers but also the Greater Flameback and Greater Yellownape, which were simply great! At
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 the Kosi River we sought and sought, but without success, for an Ibisbill. The Rosy Pipits, Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantails, and Chestnut-breasted Buntings, however, were cool too.
Close views of a Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail (Photo M. Valkenburg)
Our stay of three nights in the Dikhala Forest Reserve was the major highlight. This basic lodge is centrally located in Corbett National Park; sleeping here gives us the freedom to be close to the wildlife every morning from the break of dawn. We took great advantage of this, and after arrival we took a jeep drive into the grasslands. We came across a small group of female Asian Elephants led by an adult matriarch. Again, many birds were seen, with Yellow-eyed Babbler, River Tern, and Pallas’s Fish-Eagle being the top scores, the latter having a nest near the road and allowing top views in good light. The star of this particular afternoon was, again, a big adult male tiger that strolled down along a dusty road, close to our accommodations. He turned around several times and looked at us, giving a soft growl now and then. Seeing the tiger in its natural habitat in a respectful and calm approach is for sure one of the best wildlife experiences out there. The best thing about both Kanha and Corbett parks is the strict control on the numbers of people allowed to enter the park. As we experienced on this trip several times, we were all alone with a tiger instead of having to fight for a spot to get a glimpse of the biggest feline in the world.
During the morning drives the birding is the best, and we had a splendid time with the many Himalayan species occurring around the park. We found many foraging flocks; these flocks mostly move around with Graceful Prinia, Red-whiskered Bulbul, White-throated Fantail, Himalayan Bulbul, and Common Woodshrike making up the biggest bunch of the group. The better birds that we found were the amazing Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, White-tailed Rubythroat, and Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler. We found many raptors perched in the tops of the trees, with Collared Falconet, Lesser Fish-Eagle, Mountain Hawk- Eagle, and Changeable Hawk-Eagle being the best birds. Other perched birds included Plum-headed Parakeet, Slaty-headed Parakeet, and Black-throated Thrush.
The best experiences came during the final moments of our time in the park. We started with a hooting Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl; after playing the tape for only a few seconds, it soared in and perched right above us, a new bird for yours truly. The quantities of the gorgeous Kalij Pheasants are usually higher, but this year we definitely came a lot closer than usual with several groups feeding right next to the jeeps; we could have almost touched them! The final awesome bird was a pair of Great Hornbills that were
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 3 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 foraging on a fruiting tree; we were, again, up-close-and-personal with such a magical bird. For over thirty minutes we enjoyed and studied every move the birds made. What a great way to end our time in this great park.
One of the top birds of this trip was this excellent Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl (Photo M. Valkenburg)
After leaving this wonderful park, we headed south again by way of the most magical monument in the name of love: Taj Mahal. We enjoyed and watched this World Heritage Site during sundown and sunrise before moving to the Chambal River Estuary. The boat ride is always a top attraction on our tour, and this time it was again a spectacle. Up close we enjoyed the Gharial and Mugger Crocodiles as they enjoyed the afternoon sun. The best birds included the endangered Black-bellied Tern, Blue Rock-Thrush, and Indian Skimmer. We had great views of the Ganges River Dolphin, which was a pleasure to connect with again after not having seen it for several years.
The last days of the tour were spent in the lush marshes of the Bharatpur National Park. By rickshaw we moved through the park enjoying the many birds at close range. The best birds in the park were, for many of us, the plentiful Painted Storks, the gorgeous Indian Spot-billed Ducks, lots of foraging Purple Herons, interesting Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, or wonderful Brahminy Starlings. In the air an array of raptors preyed on the many wildfowl with Tawny Eagle, Steppe Eagle, and Indian Greater Spotted and Bonelli’s eagles being the best ones. It is always a trick to find a master skulker like Black Bittern; we found several
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 4 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 during the days in Bharatpur, while both Cinnamon and Yellow were found earlier. Our three nights were in the famous Bagh Lodge, which offers some great birding in the early mornings, always good for a nice surprise. Our very last excursion and our very last bird in the garden was a very rare bird for the region: a tiny Fire-capped Tit, which inhabits the mountain regions of the Himalayas. Another goodie was the lovely male Orange-headed Thrush that enjoyed a bath in one of the small canals. Several species of owls used the garden to rest, with the Brown Boobook (Hawk-Owl) being very obliging!
Our very obliging Great Hornbill from Corbett National Park (Photo M. Valkenburg)
On our last day we drove back to Delhi, where the tour concluded in the Radisson Blue Hotel near the international airport. During our final dinner we remembered the great experiences of the tour, and we came up with a group top three:
1. Painted Stork; in large numbers in Bharatpur National Park. 2. Great Hornbill; a 30-minute experience of a pair feeding when driving out of Corbett NP. 3. Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl; extended close views of a daylight owl are always amazing!
I’d like to thank all the participants for joining our Tigers, Taj and Birds Galore tour. We had a lot of good laughs and shared some magical moments out in the field. India, as always, was everything you’d expect from one of the top destinations on the planet for wildlife. The number of tigers we encountered on this trip was phenomenal, and many times we were all alone to savor the moment and make it very personal. Thanks, and I look forward to traveling with you all again in the future somewhere else in Africa or Asia!
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 5 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020
Brown Boobook in the Bagh Hotel garden (Photo M. Valkenburg)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 6 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020
Very close views this year of Kalij Pheasants in Corbett National Park (Photo M. Valkenburg)
Tawny Fish-Owl was seen near our hotel at the Kosi River (Photo M. Valkenburg)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 7 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020
Greater Flameback was very common in the foothills of the Himalayas (Photo M. Valkenburg)
The Taj! (Photo M. Valkenburg)
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 8 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 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
Ducks, Geese & Waterfowl Anatidae Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Graylag Goose Anser anser Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Cotton Pygmy-Goose Nettapus coromandelianus Garganey Spatula querquedula Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Gadwall Mareca Strepera Falcated Duck Mareca falcata Eurasian Wigeon Mareca Penelope Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Northern Pintail Anas acuta Green-winged Teal (Eurasian) Anas crecca crecca Common Pochard Aythya ferina Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca
Pheasants, Grouse & Allies Phasianidae Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Gray Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos
Grebes Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
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 Asian Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon Treron Phoenicopterus
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 9 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Cuckoos Cuculidae Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis (Southern Coucal) C. sinensis parroti Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis Sirkeer Malkoha Taccocua leschenaultii Common Hawk-Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius
Swifts Apodidae White-rumped Needletail Zoonavena sylvatica Little Swift Apus affinis Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
Treeswifts Hemiprocnidae Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata
Rails, Gallinules & Coots Rallidae Eurasian Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Gray-headed Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus
Cranes Gruidae Sarus Crane Antigone antigone
Thick-knees Burhinidae Eurasian Thick-knee (Stone Curlew) Burhinus oedicnemus Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris
Stilts & Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
Plovers & Lapwings Charadriidae River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 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
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 10 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Ruff Calidris pugnax Little Stint Calidris minuta Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Pin-tailed Snipe Gallinago stenura Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Buttonquail Turnicidae Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator
Pratincoles & Coursers Glareolidae Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus Small Pratincole Glareola lactea
Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda River Tern Sterna aurantia Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis
Storks Ciconiidae Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Black Stork Ciconia nigra Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala
Anhingas Anhingidae Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster
Cormorants & Shags Phalacrocoracidae Little Cormorant Microcarbo niger Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Pelicans Pelecanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus
Herons, Egrets & Bitterns Ardeidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 11 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Black Bittern Ixobrychus (Dupetor) flavicollis Gray Heron Ardea cinerea Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Great Egret Ardea alba Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Eastern Cattle Egret) B. ibis coromandus Indian Pond-Heron Ardeola grayii Striated (Little) Heron Butorides striata 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-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Crested Serpent-Eagle Spilornis cheela Changeable Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Mountain Hawk-Eagle Nisaetus nipalensis Rufous-bellied Eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii Indian Spotted Eagle Clanga hastata Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa Eurasian Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus Shikra Accipiter badius Black Kite Milvus migrans Pallas's Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Lesser Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus humilis
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 12 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Gray-headed Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus ichthyaetus Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus
Owls Strigidae Indian Scops-Owl Otus bakkamoena Oriental Scops-Owl Otus sunia Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl Bubo nipalensis Dusky Eagle-Owl Bubo coromandus Brown Fish-Owl Ketupa zeylonensis Tawny Fish-Owl Ketupa flavipes Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Heard only Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Spotted Owlet Athene brama Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata
Hoopoes Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Hornbills Bucerotidae Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis Indian Gray Hornbill Ocyceros birostris Oriental Pied-Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
Kingfishers Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis Stork-billed Kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle (Ceryl) lugubris Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Bee-eaters Meropidae Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
Rollers Coraciidae Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
Asian Barbets Megalaimidae Coppersmith Barbet Psilopogon haemacephala Great Barbet Psilopogon virens Lineated Barbet Psilopogon lineata Brown-headed Barbet Psilopogon zeylanica Blue-throated Barbet Psilopogon asiatica
Woodpeckers Picidae Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 13 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Brown-capped Woodpecker Yungipicus nanus Gray-capped Woodpecker Yungipicus canicapillus Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus Scaly-bellied Woodpecker Picus squamatus Gray-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens Eurasian (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Shaheen Peregrine Falcon F. peregrinus peregrinator
Old World Parrots Psittaculidae Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Slaty-headed Parakeet Psittacula himalayana Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri
Cuckooshrikes Campephagidae Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciousus Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
Old World Orioles Oriolidae Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
Vangas, Helmetshrikes & Allies Vangidae Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus
Ioras Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia
Fantails Rhipiduridae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 14 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola
Drongos Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus
Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
Shrikes Laniidae Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach Gray-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus Great Gray Shrike Lanius excubitor
Crows, Jays & Magpies Corvidae Red-billed Blue-Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha Common Green-Magpie Cissa chinensis Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda House Crow Corvus splendens Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos (Indian Jungle Crow) C. macrorhynchus culminatus
Fairy Flycatchers Stenostiridae Yellow-bellied Fairy-Fantail Chelidorhynx hypoxanthus Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Tits, Chickadees & Titmice Paridae Fire-capped Tit Cephalopyrus flammiceps Cinereous (Gray) Tit Parus cinereus Himalayan Black-lored Tit Machlolophus xanthogenys
Larks Alaudidae Rufous-tailed Lark Ammomanes phoenicura Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix griseus Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla Sykes's Short-toed Lark Lark Calandrella dukhunensis Sand Lark Alaudala raytal Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula Crested Lark Galerida cristata
Cisticolas & Allies Cisticolidae
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 15 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Gray-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica Leader only Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis Plain Prinia Prinia inornata Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
Reed Warblers & Allies Acrocephalidae Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus (Indian Reed Warbler) A. stentoreus brunnescens
Martins & Swallows Hirundinidae Plain (Brown-throated) Martin Riparia paludicola Gray-throated Martin Riparia chinensis Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Leaf Warblers Phylloscopidae Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei Tickell's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (Siberian Chiffchaff) P. collybita tristis Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Blyth's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides Leader only Gray-hooded Warbler Phylloscopus xanthoschistos
Bush Warblers & Allies Scotocercidae Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler Horornis fortipes
Sylviid Warblers, Parrotbills & Allies Sylviidae Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense
White-eyes, Yuhinas & Allies Zosteropidae Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 16 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta Indian White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
Tree-, & Scimitar-Babblers & Allies Timaliidae Black-chinned Babbler Cyanoderma pyrrhops Indian Scimitar-Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii 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 White-throated Laughingthrush Ianthocincla albogularis
Wallcreeper Tichodromidae Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria Leader only
Nuthatches Sittidae Indian Nuthatch Sitta castanea Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
Treecreepers Certhiidae Bar-tailed Treecreeper Certhia himalayana
Starlings Sturnidae Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa Heard only European Starling Sturnus vulgaris 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
Thrushes & Allies Turdidae Orange-headed Thrush Geokickla citrina Tickell's Thrush Turdus unicolor Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis
Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Indian Robin Copsychus fulicatus
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 17 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Oriental Magpie-Robin Copsychus saularis White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Blue Whistling-Thrush Myophonus caeruleus Himalayan Rubythroat Calliope pectoralis Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Plumbeous (Water) Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus 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 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti Brown Rock Chat Oenanthe fusca
Flowerpeckers Dicaeidae Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus
Sunbirds & Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis
Leafbirds Chloropseidae Jerdon's Leafbird Chloropsis jerdoni Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons
Weavers & Allies Ploceidae Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus
Waxbills & Allies Estrildidae Red Avadavat Amandava amandava Indian Silverbill (White-throated Munia) Euodice malabarica Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Yellow-throated Sparrow Gymnornis xanthocollis
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 18 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 Wagtails & Pipits Motacillidae Gray Wagtail Motacilla cinerea Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Heard only Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Old World Buntings Emberizidae Crested Bunting Emberiza lathami Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata Rock Bunting Emberiza cia White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti
MAMMALS Rabbits & Hares Leporidae Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis
Squirrels Sciuridae Five-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennantii Three-striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum
Cats Felidae Tiger Panthera tigris
Dogs Canidae Common (Golden) Jackal Canis aureus
Weasels Mustelidae Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata
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
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 19 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020 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
Elephants Elephantidae Asian Elephant Elaphus maximus
Miscalaneous Snakes Indian Cobra Naja naja Checkered Keelback Fowlea piscator
Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 20 India: Tigers, Taj & Birds Galore, 2020