Apr 27
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, green-tailed sunbird, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, sunbird

Iridescence of green tailed sunbird male

The green-tailed sunbird or Nepal yellow-backed sunbird is a species of bird found in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, stretching eastwards into parts of Southeast Asia. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. In southeast Szechwan and Yunnan, it lives in open mountain woods with moss-covered trees, from 1825 to 3350 meters elevation. Food thought to be small arthropods and nectar. Forages singly and in small, loose groups; often in canopy, but also at lower levels. Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Uncommon in NW & NC India but common in NE; widespread and common in Nepal; common in Bhutan; locally common in Myanmar above 1800 m. Widely distributed within suitable habitats throughout its large range, green-tailed sunbird is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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Apr 27
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, capped langur, Digitalfrescos, fauna, Langur, Mammal, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500

Capped Langur-Bhutan, Bhutan

The capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) is a species of primate in the family Cercopithecidae. It is also called as Bonneted Langur, Capped Leaf Monkey, Capped Monkey. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Myanmar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. They are arboreal and gregarious by nature. A herd of capped langur consists of 2 to 14 langurs led by a brawny male langur. They are herbivorous, ingesting leaves, twigs, buds and fruits. The capped langur is a large monkey, with males bigger than females. The face is black, with sharply contrasting paler, buff to reddish cheeks. The head is blackish with long, erect coarse hairs directed backwards in what looks like a cap, and hence the name. The dorsal colour varies from light ashy-grey to blackish. The outer side of the thigh and shoulder as well as the distal half of the tail is deep grey or blackish. The ears, palms, and soles are black. The colour of the ventral parts varies in the subspecies, ranging from cream to reddish. Infants are a uniform creamy-white, with a golden hue. The face, ears, palms, and soles are pinkish. The head […]
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Mar 16
by Admin in Bhutan 0 comments tags: Alwan, art, Avian, Bangalore, Bhutan, Bird, birds, Digitalfrescos, Nikkor, Nikkor 500, Nikon, Nikon D500, Satyr Tragopan, Tragopan

Satyr Tragopan male with lichen in background, Bhutan

The satyr tragopan (Tragopan satyra) also known as the crimson horned pheasant, is a pheasant found in the Himalayan reaches of India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. They reside in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps. They range from 8,000 to 14,000 feet in summer and 6,000 feet in winter. When it is mating season, male satyr tragopans grow blue horns and a gular wattle. When ready to display, they will inflate their horns and hide behind a rock, waiting for females to pass by. When one does, they will perform an elaborate and attractive display in front of the females. At the end of the display, the male will stretch to his full height and show off all of his ornaments. Females are brown. Males are usually red with blue, black, and white spots and freckles. Although the least threatened of the tragopans, satyr tragopans still face many threats. Diet comprises seeds, fresh leaves, moss, bamboo shoots, berries and insects. The species is thought to have a moderately small population that is subject to hunting and habitat loss throughout most of its range. It is classified as Near Threatened by IUCN.
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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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