sign in sign up
<<
Home , Crested kingfisher, Eurasian blue tit, European stonechat, Himalayan bulbul, Indian robin, Plumbeous water redstart

Birds of Junoon in the Hills

A compilation of the that have been spotted in the Darmani & Garampani areas

with much gratitude to Mohit Midha, who spotted these birds and compiled the list - check out his Facebook page

and to

eBird.org, where a lot of the photos and descriptions in this document came from.

1. Jungle Babbler

This familiar ash-brown colored babbler has a yellow bill and a dark brow in front of the eye that contrasts with its pale eye giving it a perpetual “angry” look. It has vague streaking on the upperparts, diffuse mottling on its throat, and barring on its tail. The multiple races vary slightly in color and strength of markings except the race somervillei of the NW peninsula which has dark brown outer wing feathers that contrast with the rest of the wing. They are often seen in noisy flocks hopping on the ground and flicking litter in search of food.

2. -vented

A dark, sleek, medium-sized with a crest and a rump. The red color under the tail is often difficult to see. Eats fruit, flower buds, and . Conspicuous and sometimes gregarious, often seen high in trees or perched on wires in urban and rural areas; generally prefers scrubby edge habitat instead of dense forest. Calls include a variety of chirps and whistles. Native to South and . Introduced to several Polynesian Islands, Kuwait, Qatar, , Oman, and Polynesian Islands, including Hawaii.

3. Himalayan Bulbul

Sharp-looking bulbul with a spiffy mohawk. Note black face and throat, bright white cheek spot, and yellow vent. A of foothill and montane forested areas; also found in brush, gardens, and towns. Tame and unafraid of people. Typically in pairs or small flocks during the breeding season; congregates in large flocks at other times. Song is a short and rather nasal- sounding burst of gurgling warbles. Calls include dry raspings, chups, and squeaks.

4. Black Eagle

Large and distinctive dark eagle of forested mountains and hills. Adults appear all dark from a distance, but closer inspection reveals pale barring on the primaries, secondaries, and undertail, as well as a bright yellow bill and feet. Readily separated from other large birds of prey in range by structure as well as coloration; Black Eagles have broad wings with distinct “fingers”(emarginated primaries) in the tip, as well as a long tail that is fan-shaped when open and slightly wedge-shaped when closed.

5. Peregrine Falcon

Burly, powerful, sharp-winged raptor that feeds mainly on birds captured in flight. Found across the globe; considerable variation across . Chases prey down at high speeds with continuous powerful wingbeats. Becoming increasingly common, especially in cities, where they can nest on tall buildings and feed on pigeons. Also frequents mudflats and open areas with shorebirds.

6. Red-throated Flycatcher

Distinctive, small flycatcher. Males have a rusty-orange throat that continues onto the breast. All have a distinctive tail pattern with black terminal bar and white sides. Wings relatively plain and white eyering noticeable. When perched, tail often held cocked with wingtips drooping. Breeds in mature deciduous mixed forest, winters in forest, woodland and parks. Often detected by a rattling "zrrrt" call which is slower than call of the similar looking Taiga Flycatcher.

7. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch

Beautiful and intricately-patterned finch. Male has yellow underparts, a black cap, and a dark patch behind the ear on a yellow face. Female is similar to the male, but paler and less contrastingly colored. Like other goldfinches, usually found in pairs to large flocks foraging in both trees and low grassy patches. Inhabits forests, edges, and grassy or brushy outskirts in montane and foothill areas. Song is a series of constant twittering interspersed by lower notes; calls include wheezy notes and high twitters.

8. Pied

Boldly marked black-and-white kingfisher with short, bushy crest and glossy all-dark bill. Superficially similar to Crested Kingfisher, but smaller, with much more distinctly patterned head and breast and less erect crest. Frequently seen perched in pairs or small groups. Often hovers over water when seeking prey. Inhabits a wide range of waterside habitats, from lakes to estuaries to mangroves.

9. Crested Kingfisher

Large thickset kingfisher of fast-flowing streams in forested inland regions. Dense, fine barring gives it a silvery appearance at a distance; this finer patterning, along with its large, shaggy crest, distinguishes it from the similarly black-and-white .

10. Common Kingfisher

Fairly common but small, often rather shy, and inconspicuous. Beautiful -and-orange plumage, in combination with habitat and habits, is basically unmistakable. Found along rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds—almost any fresh or brackish habitat with small fish.

11.

Medium-sized, rather nondescript raptor with overall dark plumage. Slightly forked tail, the fork disappearing when the tail is fully open. Head and neck are short. The juvenile is paler with a pale panel on upperwings and a dark mask around the eyes. Flight style buoyant, gliding and changing direction with ease. Commonly found in urban areas, rubbish dumps, aquatic habitats, , but usually avoids heavily forested areas. May be found solitarily but also in large flocks on migration and at good feeding areas.

12. Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)

Uncommon and threatened inhabitant of high and remote mountain ranges, where they build large nests on cliff ledges or in caves. Even as a distant speck this is a super distinctive raptor with an almost albatross-like wing shape and span, coupled with a long diamond-shaped tail. Adults are orange-rust below with a dark underwing, and above. The young are gray with a dark head. Cruises along ridgetops on flat wings, sometimes arched downwards.

13. Red-wattled Lapwing A distinctly marked lapwing with a black breast and throat and a red bill with a black tip. It also sports red wattles in front of the eyes and a white patch that runs down the cheeks to the underparts. In flight, note the black flight feathers that contrast with the white wing patch. Usually found in small groups around water bodies, agricultural fields, and dry land. They feed primarily on insects, catching them in a typical plover like manner, running a short distance and picking up food from ground. A bird known for its characteristics loud alarm call, often compared to the words “Did we do it?”

14. Streaked Laughing

Orangey-brown laughingthrush with fine streaking all over the body. Breeds at middle to upper elevations, sometimes descending in the winter. Often found around habitation; also in forest edge and scrubby or bushy areas. Forages on the ground in pairs or small flocks. Song highly variable, brief but often complex; first note often starts off with a distinct bubbling quality. Gives various high call notes.

15. Red-billed Leiothrix

A plump, brightly colored babbler of dense forest understory. The yellow-orange breast and red bill are distinctive. The tail feathers have a peculiar outward curve near the tip. The song is a somewhat disjointed series of melodious phrases; calls include harsh scolding, chattering, and a repeated “peter-peter”. Native to Asia, from the eastern west to the ; introduced to Hawaii, , Reunion Island, and parts of .

16. Common Magpie A neon-colored, noisy, highly social bird of lowland and mid-altitude subtropical forests. Surprisingly difficult to spot as it glides from tree to tree in the middle and upper levels of the forest. Memorable if seen well: bright green with chestnut-tipped wings, a black mask, and a coral-red bill. Similar Indochinese Green-Magpie is yellower-toned and paler-eyed, and lacks the black-and-white “lattice” of feathers on the rear tip of the wings. Gives a series of piercing shrieks followed by a hollow and decisive-sounding “chup” note.

17. Scarlet Minivet Brilliantly-colored forest bird, typically encountered in flocks. Coloration varies significantly throughout wide distribution, with males ranging from black-and-crimson (most of mainland Asia) to black-and-yellow (southern Philippines) and black-and-orange (Java and Bali). Females are predominantly gray-and-yellow, but southern Philippine and western Indonesian birds are black-and-yellow. In all subspecies, note colored “blotches” on the wings (other minivets have cleaner wing patterns) and female’s yellow forehead. Gives high whistled “wheeep” notes, often when flying over the treetops.

18. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch

Often seen clambering up or headfirst down trees, this small active bird is usually found in the middle levels of the forest, though it will descend down toward the ground on occasion. Gray above and warmly-colored below throughout its range; eastern birds are paler below than western birds, whose males have dark rusty bellies. Western birds also sport a bright contrasting white mustache. Lack of bright white patch on the tail distinguishes this species from White-tailed Nuthatch.

19. Rose-ringed Parakeet Vibrantly bright green parakeet, frequently found in woodland, parks, gardens, where feeds mainly in trees. Nests in cavities, including holes in buildings. Easily overlooked if quiet, as the bright green plumage blends easily with foliage. Note the very long slender tail, bright red bill; male has narrow black-and-rose neck ring. Closely resembles larger Alexandrine Parakeet, which has a wine-red patch on each shoulder. Like other parakeets, raucous and social, often appearing in noisy groups. Native to Africa and , introduced locally in Europe and Japan.

20. Rock pigeon

Essentially the same size and shape as the original wild rock dove, but often display far greater variation in colour and pattern compared to their wild ancestors. The blue-barred pattern which the original wild rock dove displays is generally less common in more urban areas. Urban pigeons tend to have darker plumage than those in more rural areas.

21. Plumbeous Water

Small, sturdy of fast-flowing streams and rivers. Regularly ventures into waterside human settlements, around dams, levees, and canals. Male is slaty gray-blue with a brilliant orange tail that is often fanned. Female and juvenile are gunmetal gray with scaly undersides and bright white on the upper half of the tail. The subspecies on (affinis) is endemic.

22. White-capped Water Redstart

Chunky, brightly-colored redstart found along rushing boulder-strewn mountain streams. Black with a wine-red belly and tail and a blazing white cap; in poor lighting, appears all dark save for the cap. Sexes are similar. Frequently flicks its tail up and down and flares it open while perched on a streamside rock or stump. Call is a long sharp whistle with an abrupt ending, with a far-carrying, ventriloquistic quality.

23.

A nondescript robin; males are primarily black with chestnut bottom feathers, although males in the northern population have brownish upperparts. Males also have a white shoulder patch and a relatively long tail. Females have completely brown upperparts, lack the male’s white shoulder patch, and have grayish-brown underparts. They are generally seen in pairs, foraging on the ground with the tail cocked up. Found in open country, at forest edges, around human habitation, and in scrub lands.

24. Great

Common and conspicuous in woods, forests, parks, gardens, and hedges in farmland. Often visits bird feeders and uses nest boxes. Plumage distinctive, with white cheeks surrounded by black cap and bib, yellow underparts. Appreciably larger and more boldly patterned than Eurasian Blue Tit, which often occurs alongside . Male has broader black stripe down belly than female, and juvenile (seen in summer–early autumn) has yellowish wash to face, drabber plumage overall.

25. Rufous Sibia Attractive orange arboreal bird with blue-tinged wingtips and a black, weakly crested head. Common in foothill and montane forests, where it forages in the crowns of trees. Social, as sibias tend to be, frequently foraging in groups both with its own species and with others. Listen for its song, a pleasant-sounding but unremarkable series or phrase of notes on nearly the same pitch.

26. Black-headed Jay Largely gray with a black head, a scruffy crest, white streaks on the throat, and a pale bill. The wings and tail are blue through the middle with black barring, leading to thick black and white bands. It is omnivorous and feeds on the ground and in the trees. It can be quite bold and often occurs around human habitation, where it may feed off garbage dumps and agricultural land. The calls include a few raspy and nasal variants of a harsh “kraaa.”

27. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler

A large brown babbler of scrubby edges, second growth, and open forest. Seen in groups of up to a dozen strong during the non-breeding season, but pairs off in the spring and summer. Colored like a faded, dirty version of the German flag: dark brown from the crown down to the tail, ochre-colored on the face and flanks, and white on the throat, breast, and belly. Lacks any strong streaking or spotting.

28. Steppe Eagle A large eagle with rich brown plumage, wide wings, and seven well-splayed “fingers” at the wingtip. Adults are entirely dark brown; juveniles and immatures at rest show a distinctive wide white band bordered with black on the wing. In flight, this transforms into a white traverse band on the underwing that forms the base of the primary and secondary feathers. Birds take about four years to attain adult plumage. Frequents open , deserts, scrub, wetlands, and mountains, and is a regular carcass feeder along with vultures.

29. Long-tailed Minivet Typical colorful minivet with red-and-black males and gray-and-yellow females. Male is very similar to Scarlet and Short-billed Minivets, but has a lumpy fork on the wing instead of a jagged ‘lightning bolt’ as in those two species. Female can be identified by a similarly simple wing patch and less extensive yellow on the head than Short-billed and Scarlet Minivets. Both sexes average longer-tailed than similar species. Usually found in pairs or small flocks in mid- to high-altitude forests.

30. Brown-fronted A common mid-sized woodpecker of the Himalayas. Note brownish forehead, dark cheek stripe, distinctive black barring on white back, and white spots on black shoulders and wings. The yellow head is bordered by red feathers in the male and by black feathers in the female. Often moves in mixed flocks with other species through open woodlands, gardens, and forest edges. Calls include a sharp “pic” and various nasal, mewing sounds.

31. Red-headed Vulture A dark, medium-sized vulture with a bare reddish head and loose flaps on the side of the neck. Juvenile is browner with scruffy, pale feathers on the head. In flight, the species has narrow wings and appears dark overall with contrasting white patches on the flanks and a white line running through the wing. Inhabits dry forests and adjacent areas. Shy and solitary compared to other vultures in the region.

32. -breasted

A small, relatively short-tailed prinia with a fine black bill. Usually found in scrub forests and undergrowth along forest edges and forest clearings. Breeding birds have a distinctive gray breast band, gray upperparts, and no eyebrow. Nonbreeding birds lack a complete breast band and have a short eyebrow. An active bird that often occurs in flocks. It makes a wide variety of sounds including buzzy songs which it sings from high, exposed perches. Nonbreeding birds are similar to Rufescent Prinia, but Gray-breasted have a shorter eyebrow, more contrast between the pale throat and darker chest, and a different call.

33. Common Stonechat Chunky little bird of open landscapes; often sits on exposed perches. Breeding male has a black head, broad white half-collar, and rusty-red chest. Non-breeding male is patchier, with a paler head and chest. Female is predominantly streaky brown above, with a weaker, less contrasting face and chest pattern. European Stonechat is very similar, and can pose identification problems where the species overlap; look for Siberian’s larger white wing patch, duller orange on the chest, and whiter rump.

34. Pied Bushchat A sedentary “” associated with open habitats in tropical and subtropical Asia. Males are black with a white vent and a white wing patch. Females are dark brown with a reddish-brown rump and underparts. Females can resemble the migratory , but can be separated by the absence of an eyebrow and of any white on the collar or wing. Rather conspicuous; it may use and sing from any open perch unlike more discerning stonechats. Calls include a “whee” and similar to a Booted Warbler’s “chruk.”

35. Lesser Kestrel

Shape very similar to Eurasian Kestrel but tail slightly shorter and central tail feathers project slightly. Wings more rounded and shorter than Eurasian Kestrel; claws are white rather than black. Males are unspotted above with blue-gray patches on the upperwings and largely pale underwings. Females have an indistinct mustache but otherwise are rather similar to Eurasian Kestrel. Hovers frequently and catches insects on the wing. Breeds colonially.

36.

Well-attired small songbird typically associated with mid- to high-elevation farms, fields, and open forests throughout its range. Found in less intensively developed areas than House and Eurasian Tree Sparrows, sticking to villages and pastures and staying away from large city centers. Male has bright chestnut cap and back, whitish cheek, narrow black throat, and pale gray belly. Female brownish with broad streaks above, pale below, with white wingbars and broad tan supercilium.

37. Black Drongo

An adaptable songbird of open areas such as farmland, forest edge, meadows, wetlands, and fields and a common sight as a familiar dark silhouette perched on wires, fences, or snags. Black plumage flashes blue and green iridescence in favorable light, though much less so than in Hair-crested or Bronzed Drongo. A pugnacious species, frequently chasing away larger birds with repeated dives and harsh chattering calls.

38. Wire-tailed Swallow A very distinctive swallow with two long, thin feathers on its outer tail from which it gets its name. It has brilliant glossy blue upperparts and a chestnut forehead and crown that contrasts with clean white underparts. Females and juveniles have shorter tails. Found in grasslands, wetlands, open scrublands, cultivated areas and in Africa often found near water. Typically seen in singles, pairs, or sometimes small flocks.

39. Grey Bushchat Small songbird of forest edges, open scrub, and farmland, usually seen in pairs or small flocks. Male is silvery gray overall with black face and white supercilium, throat, belly, and wing patches. Female dull brown overall, with a rufous tail and faded version of the male's head pattern. Bold but not very active, usually seen perching for long periods on posts and overhead wires.

40.

small, strikingly patterned sparrow which is extremely similar to the . The male has a bright chestnut eye-stripe, a gray crown and hindneck, a black patch restricted to the chin, a large white shoulder patch, and a black bill. The female is like the female House Sparrow, but note the less contrasting face with grayer head and cheeks. Found in scrub and reedy habitat along rivers, canals, and other wetlands. Colonial, and also mixes with other sparrows and finches.

41. White-capped Bunting

Male’s elegant black-and-white facial pattern is unique. Female is plain, streaky brown all over with faint white eye-ring, a weak hint of the male’s facial pattern, and a small white spot on the “ears”. Breeds in rocky gullies, valleys, and hillsides at middle to upper elevations; winters at lower altitudes, in fields, scrubland, and open dry forest. Song is a series of twanging buzzy pulses: “TZI-TZI-TZI-TZI-TZI.”

42. Common Wood Pigeon

Common and conspicuous in wooded and semiopen habitats, including towns and gardens. Forms flocks, especially in winter. Often rather unaware, and frequently crashes noisily and clumsily out of hedges and bushes. Display flight consists of flap-flap-flap climb followed by descending glide. Distinctive, large bulky gray pigeon with big white neck patch (lacking on juvenile in late summer–autumn). Bold white wing band striking in flight; tail broadly tipped black.

43. Upland Pipit This large pipit has an expansive range, but is uncommon and sparsely distributed throughout most of it. Breeds in foothills and mountains, but descends during the winter. Large-billed and rather thickset, with an upright stance, fine dark streaks throughout with paler underparts. Also note paler brow. May be confused with Richard’s and Blyth’s Pipits, but it is more densely streaked and with a stouter and shorter bill.

44. Common Raven

All black bird with wedge-shaped tail. Larger than a crow with thicker, longer bill. Bill longer than head. Tends to be solitary. Cruises along roads looking for carrion. Inhabits primarily rural areas in open country or forests. Uses variety of habitats including high desert, coast, sagebrush, tundra, and grasslands. To separate from crows, note wedge-shaped tail, more pointed wings, croaking voice, and longer bill. Also, smoother, steadier wingbeats, compared to choppy, faster wingbeats of smaller crows.

45. Rock Bunting Large, distinctive bunting. Males have a boldly black-striped gray head and breast, chestnut underparts, and streaked upperparts. Females and juveniles similar to males, just more subdued. Breeds on rocky slopes just above the treeline, preferring bushy areas with scattered trees. Feeds on and invertebrates. Unobtrusive, although not particularly shy. Clear, high- pitched song draws attention to its presence.

46. Long-billed Pipit Large slender pipit with considerable variation across its range. African and South Asian birds average browner, warmer-colored, and more heavily streaked on the breast than the grayer- toned Middle Eastern subspecies. All subspecies possess a pale eyebrow, a long tail, and a relatively long bill. As with many other pipits, can be frustratingly difficult to distinguish in the field. Prefers dry, open areas with clumps of vegetation and scattered rocks and boulders, typically on slopes. Calls include squeaky sparrowlike chirps and sweet, two-noted whistles. Song doesn’t quite sound like a song: a series of plaintive whistles, two-note chirps, and other call-like vocalizations strung up together with pauses in between.

47. Blue-capped Redstart An odd small redstart of open dry forests. Male doesn’t look like any other ; somewhat resembles magpie-robins, which do not share its range. Dark head and white wingbars are striking; slate-blue sheen on the cap is often not visible. Female has weak warm tones on the tail, unlike most other female redstarts, but her two white wingbars and white eye-ring are unique.

48. Grey-hooded Warbler Delicately beautiful small warbler with a greenish back, lemon-yellow underparts, a cinder- gray head, and bright white eyebrow stripes. Somewhat similar to Yellow-bellied Warbler, but note yellow instead of white throat. Forages actively in the upper levels of broadleaf and mixed montane forest, often in open patches. Sometimes descends to lower elevations in the non- breeding season, often turning up in foothill forest edges and gardens. Song is a high-pitched “tchi-tchi-cheeseewee-cheeseewee.” Calls are high, thin double notes.

49. Blue Whistling Thrush Large, dark inhabitant of streamside areas in forested hills and mountains. Dark purple with tiny silvery spots on head, back, and wings. Frequently fans tail while standing on an exposed perch such as a waterside rock or overhanging branch. True to its name, it does whistle: a long piercing note that carries well over the sound of rushing water.

50. Spotted Forktail

Stunning galaxy-like white spotting on the back separates this species from all other forktails. Picks its way through well-shaded forest streams and creeks, particularly in rocky areas; breeds in foothills and mountains, but sometimes descends in the winter. Frequently gives a loud buzzy “brzeeee!” as well as high thin whistles.

51. Vulture Huge, majestic, dark-brown vulture and a rare inhabitant of arid mountains and forests. In flight looks all dark, but with some contrast between the leading edge and trailing edge from below. Soars on flat wings, often slightly drooping with prominent wing fingers and a saw- toothed trailing edge. Juveniles lack the adult’s pale head patches. Imposing and dominant over other vultures at carcasses.

52. Himalayan Griffon

A regal raptor of steppes, valleys, and mountainous regions, this large scavenger is fairly common throughout most of its range. Adult is sandy brown with a pale, featherless head. When in flight, the bird has black primaries and a small-headed, squared-winged appearance. Usually seen singly or in small groups; gathers in large flocks at a carcass. The principal scavenger at Tibetan sky burials.