Avian Archives • Page 45 of 129 • DigitalFrescos

Nov 04

by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Bustard, Digitalfrescos, GIB, Great Indian bustard, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Great Indian bustard male running for takeoff, DNP

The Great Indian Bustard or Indian bustard is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent. A large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs, giving it an ostrich like appearance, this bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds. Once common on the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent, as few as 150 individuals were estimated to survive in 2018 (reduced from an estimated 250 individuals in 2011) and the species is critically endangered by hunting and loss of its habitat, which consists of large expanses of dry grassland and scrub. These birds are often found associated in the same habitat as blackbuck. The dry semi-desert regions where it was found in parts of Rajasthan has been altered by irrigation canals that have transformed the region into an intensively farmed area. It is protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 of India. It is classified as Critically endangered by IUCN. The state of Rajasthan initiated “Project Great Indian Bustard”, on World Environment Day 2013, identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as provide secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas. When the “national bird” of India was under consideration, the great […]

Nov 04

by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, bulbul, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, white-cheeked bulbul, white-eared bulbul

White cheeked bulbul vertical compo, DNP

The white-eared bulbul , or white-cheeked bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family. It is found in south-western Asia from India to the Arabian peninsula. This species is very similar in appearance to the Himalayan white-cheeked bulbul but smaller and uncrested, and with a larger white cheek patch. It has a pale bare eye-ring. The vent is orange yellow. Sexes are alike. It is found in scrub forest and gardenland. Also found in flocks or pairs in the mangroves, gorging on the fruits of the Meswak bush. Usually seen in pairs or small groups. It feeds on fruits and insects, and breeds in March–June. It is classified as least concern by IUCN.

Nov 04

by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Bushchat, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Stoliczkas bushchat, white-browed bush chat

Stoliczkas bushchat, DNP

The white-browed bush chat also known as Stoliczka’s bushchat, is an Old World flycatcher in the genus Saxicola. The alternative name is after the discoverer, geologist and explorer Ferdinand Stoliczka. This desert specialist has a small, declining population because of agricultural intensification and encroachment, which qualifies it as vulnerable. The white-browed bush chat is found in an area of semi-arid country in north-western India and eastern Pakistan. It has apparently strayed as far east as the Bharatpur area of Rajasthan and as far south as Goa and Pune. It is classified as Vulnerable by IUCN.

Black crowned finch lark, DNP

The black-crowned sparrow-lark is also known as the black-crowned finch lark, white-crested finch-lark, white-crested sparrow-lark, white-fronted finch-lark and white-fronted sparrow-lark.The black-crowned sparrow-lark is a species of lark in the family Alaudidae. It is found across northern Africa from Mauritania through the Middle East to north-western India. Its natural habitat is dry savanna. It is classified as Least Concern by IUCN. The adult males has a bold pied head pattern with a mainly blackhead with contrasting white forehead and white cheek patches. The upperparts are pale greyish brown with black underparts and underwings which contrast with a white patch at the sides of the breast.The tail is blackish with buff edges and grey central feathers, The bill is horn coloured. The females are very different being pale sandy brown on the upperparts with faint streaking on the crown and whitish patches around the eye and on the sides of the neck. The female’s underparts are whitish with a pale cinnamon breast band and black underwing coverts, The juveniles are similar to the fameals but the feathers on the head are tipped with buff. The bird is 11.5–12.5 cm in length from bill to tail.

Nov 04

by Admin in Rajasthan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, fly catcher, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, spotted flycatcher

Blue cheeked beeeaters, DNP

This is a bird which breeds in sub-tropical semi-desert with a few trees, such as acacia. It winters in open woodland or grassland. As the name suggests, bee-eaters predominantly eat insects, especially bees, wasps and hornets, which are caught in the air by sorties from an open perch. However, this species probably takes more dragonflies than any other food item. Its preferred hunting perch is telephone wires if available. It is classified as Least Concern by IUCN. The blue-cheeked bee-eater is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. The genus name Merops is Ancient Greek for “bee-eater”, and persicus is Latin for “Persian”. It breeds in Northern Africa, and the Middle East from eastern Turkey to Kazakhstan and India. It is generally strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa.