Mar 16
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, babbler, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Striated babbler

Striated babbler calling, Bhutan

The striated babbler (Argya earlei) is a species of bird in the family Leiothrichidae. It is found in southern Asia from Pakistan to Myanmar. 24–25 cm; 46–48 g. Long-tailed, fairly large Turdoides babbler, nondescript in shades of pale brown and buff with heavy streaking above, lighter below. The Striated Babbler is a rather handsome looking turdoides with its yellow iris, proportional built (stronger, bulkier and shorter-tailed than Common Babbler), consistent and heavy streaking on upperparts as well as visible streaking on underparts, darker plumage than its congeners and a distinctive, long pale bill. Although occurring in flocks of upto 15 birds, its can remain quite inconspicuous in its habitat when its not calling. It is found in Extensive areas of tall grass, rushes and reedbeds in marshes and swampy areas. The striated babbler Feeds on insects, snails and vegetable matter. Forages mainly above the ground in grass and reeds. Not globally threatened. Generally fairly common to very common. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.
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Mar 16
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, himalayan black bulbul, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Himalayan black bulbul on dried flowers, Bhutan

The black bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), also known as the Himalayan black bulbul or Asian black bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is found in southern Asia from India east to southern China. It is the type species of the genus Hypsipetes, established by Nicholas Aylward Vigors in the early 1830s. There are a number of subspecies, mostly varying in the shade of the body plumage which ranges from grey to black, and some also occur in white-headed morphs, as also suggested by its specific epithet leucocephalus, literally “white head”. The legs and bill are always rich orange-red. This bulbul is found in broad-leaved forests, cultivation and gardens mainly in hilly areas, but Himalayan populations are known to sometimes descend into the adjoining plains in winter. Black bulbuls feed mainly on seeds and insects, and they are often seen in small groups, either roosting or flying about in search of food. They are particularly fond of berries. They are known to feed on a wide range of berries including Celtis, Rosa, Melia and Ehretia in the Himalayas. They feed on the nectar of Salmalia, Erythrina, Rhododendron and other species. They make aerial sallies for insects. […]
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Mar 16
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, Laughingthrush, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush

Rufous-necked Laughingthrush, Bhutan

The rufous-necked laughingthrush (Pterorhinus ruficollis) is a bird species in the laughingthrush family, Leiothrichidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar and Nepal, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest. Rufous-necked laughingthrush generally feed on insects but have generalist bills and can feed on seeds molluscs and berries as well. Due to this generalist feeding behavior food sources are not as difficult to come by for these laughingthrushes as they are for specialists. The rufous-necked laughingthrush as its name implies has a rustic color around its neck. overall the bird is grey with a black face and its rufous neck. Due to the fact that they are non migratory birds this means that they molt very slowly which means that they look the same as young birds than as older birds. The rufous-necked laughingthrush looks very similar to a rufous-cheeked laughinthrush yet the regions where both species are found are completely different The rufous-necked laughingthrush is found in the subtropical or tropical moist forests from Nepal to China extending down into Myanmar. It is a non migratory songbird which means it spends its entire life in the […]
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Mar 16
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Barbet, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, great barbet, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Great Barbet – front pose, Bhutan

The Great Barbet (Megalaima virens) are the largest of all barbet species. The name “Barbet” is derived from the French word “barbe”, which means “beard,” and in this context refers to the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. This is the largest barbet at 31–33 cm in length and a weight of 192–295g. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail. The adult has a blue head, large yellow bill, brown back and breast, green-streaked yellow belly and red vent. The rest of the plumage is green. Both sexes and immature birds are similar. The great barbet is a resident breeder in the lower-to-middle altitudes of the Himalayas, ranging across northern India, Nepal and Bhutan, Bangladesh and some parts of Southeast Asia, as far away as Laos. They are typically found in broadleaf evergreen forests between about 2,000 – 8,500 feet (600 – 2,565 meters). Great Barbets mostly feed on fruits, flowers, buds and seeds, but will also eat a wide range of insects, including moths, mantis, ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts and beetles. They usually forage in the higher branches of tall trees. They are resident (non-migratory) within their range. Not globally threatened. […]
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Mar 16
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Barbet, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, great barbet, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Great Barbet – back pose, Bhutan

The Great Barbet (Megalaima virens) are the largest of all barbet species. The name “Barbet” is derived from the French word “barbe”, which means “beard,” and in this context refers to the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. This is the largest barbet at 31–33 cm in length and a weight of 192–295g. It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail. The adult has a blue head, large yellow bill, brown back and breast, green-streaked yellow belly and red vent. The rest of the plumage is green. Both sexes and immature birds are similar. The great barbet is a resident breeder in the lower-to-middle altitudes of the Himalayas, ranging across northern India, Nepal and Bhutan, Bangladesh and some parts of Southeast Asia, as far away as Laos. They are typically found in broadleaf evergreen forests between about 2,000 – 8,500 feet (600 – 2,565 meters). Great Barbets mostly feed on fruits, flowers, buds and seeds, but will also eat a wide range of insects, including moths, mantis, ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts and beetles. They usually forage in the higher branches of tall trees. They are resident (non-migratory) within their range. Not globally threatened. […]
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