Birds of Pune and India Malabar Trogon

It is found in the forests of peninsular India and Sri Lanka. In India it is mainly found in the Western Ghats, hill forests of central India and in parts of the Eastern Ghats. They are insectivorous and although they are not migratory, they may make seasonal movements in the hill regions. Like most other trogons, these birds are brightly colored and sexually dimorphic. It has an IUCN status of Least Concern
Male: The male has a slaty black head and breast with a white border to the black bib separating it from the crimson on the underside. The back is olive-brown to chestnut. The wing coverts are black with fine white vermiculations.
Female: The female lacks the contrasting black and crimson and has only a slightly darker head and breast that shades into the olive brown on the back while the crimson of the underside of the male is replaced by ochre.
In both sexes, the beak is bluish as is the skin around the eye. This bird is rarely seen in Pune
In Marathi the Malabar Trogon is called as Karna
In Hindi the Malabar Trogon is called as Kufni chiri

Malbar Trogon Female
Malabar Trogon - FemaleMalabar Trogon Male Malabar Trogon Male
Malabar Trogon Calls

Malabar Trogon are found in the Malabar Region. The entire Indian coast from Konkan to the tip of the subcontinent at Kanyakumari. And also on
Photographed in Goa or Dandeli with Nikon D810  Nikon 600mm F4 Malabar Trogon Male See also Website
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Gujarat India with Canon 550 D  Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L
Malabar Trogon Photographed Near Pune Maharashtra with Canon D7100 EF 400 mm f/5.6L   300mm
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Thattekad, Kerala with  Tag:Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Ganeshgudi, Karnataka with Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Someshwara Wild Life Sanctuary, Karnataka with Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Coimbatore With Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L
Malbar Trogon Photographed in  Seethanadi Kudremukh Wildlife Division, Seethanadi, Hebri Village, Karkala, Udupi with Fujifilm HS 50
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Kotagiri Tamil Nadu
Malabar Trogon Photographed in Bondla WLS Goa
Malabar Trogon is also found in Odisha, Kuldiha WLS, near Balasore, Odisha, India
See Also:
Books The Birds of India,
Top 100 Birding Sites Of The World

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Birds of Pune and India The Indian Pitta

The Indian Pitta is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a bird that breeds in the forests of the Himalayas, hills of central and western India. It is considered Least Concern by IUCN. This bird is mostly seen on the floor of the forests where they hop and pick insects on the forest floor. It is a very colorful bird and has nine colors hence called Naurang in many Indian languages. Nau is nine and rang is color. Also the name Pitta comes from an Indian Language Telugu where Pitta means small bird. The Indian Pitta usually sings in the morning hence in Tamil Nadu it is also called as Six-O Clock Bird. Differentiating the male and females is difficult. Ref The Sex of the Bengal Pitta. It has been suggested that the width of the coronal stripe may differ in the sexes. Important Avian Head Topography. The Indian Pitta is a solitary bird.
Indian Pitta Photographed in Pune India Link
In Marathi the Indian Pitta is called as नवरंग Navrang or Naurang
Indian Pitta Series藍翅八色鶇 Indian Pitta
Indian Pitta - One of the Many
Call of the Indian Pitta

Images of Indian Pitta on Indian Nature Watch
1, 2, 3
Indian Photography
See Also
Observations on the breeding of Indian Pitta in a human-dominated environment, Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Birds of Pune and India Rock Bush Quail

The Rock Bush Quail is native to India mainly on the western side. Usually you will see them in groups walking along or crossing small pathways in the bushes. It is very similar to the jungle bush quail. It can be distinguished from the Jungle Bush Quail as it does not have the white mustache stripe and the ear coverts are dull as compared to the Jungle Bush Quail. For bird topography watch this video. The Rock Bush Quail is found in Haryana, New Delhi, Rajasthan, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, parts of Andhra Pradesh, parts of Telangana, In the recent survey Rock Bush Quail was not recorded in Kerala. Southern India is rich in Galliformes but not much information is available and more surveys are required.
In Marathi Rock Bush Quail is called as  पाषाण लावा, दागडो झाडपो लावा, खडक लावा
In Gujarati Rock Bush Quail is called as લાવરી, ભડકીયું, વગડાઉ ભડકીયું
Map for Rock Bush Quail

Rock Bush Quail
Visual Comparison between Jungle Bush Quail and Rock Bush Quail. Ref: Birds of the Indian Subcontinent:

See also
Guidelines for the Re-introduction of Galliformes for Conservation Purposes

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Birds of India and Pune Jungle Bush Quail

The jungle bush quail, or Perdicula asiatica is a species of quail found in Indian Subcontinent, ranging across India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In India it has been photographed in Jamwaramgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaipur District, Rajasthan, Masinagudi, The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, Chitadurga, Karnataka, Amravati, Nagpur,  Kolkata and many other cities of India.  As per Conservation status is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). The males and females are quite different, the male has white mustache, heavily barred white underparts, and variegated wings. The female has a uniform, rich chestnut breast and belly. The jungle bush quail is largely sedentary, although the birds in Nepal are thought to migrate in winter.  Usually they can be spotted while the group is crossing from one bush to the other.
Jungle Bush Quail in Marathi is called as जंगल झडपो लावा, लावरी, जंगली दुर्लाव, रानलावा, लाव हुलहुरी
In Hindi it is called as  लोव्वा
In Gujarati it is called as વન લાવરી, વન ભડકીયું
Jungle Bush Quail Male

Jungle bush quail - Male - In Explore Sep 1, 2015 #182Jungle Bush Quail Female Jungle Bush Quail - female
Jungle Bush Quail complete family Here
Jungle Bush Quail Male and Female Together Udaipur, Udaipur District, Rajasthan, India
Kanakpura Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Anaikutty, The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India
Masinagudi, The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India
See the Map for Jungle Bush Quail

Link to Flickr Gallery of Painted Francolin, Grey Francolin, Red Spurfowl, Painted Spurfowl, Common Quail, Rain Quail, Blue Breasted Quail, Jungle Bush Quail Male, Jungle Bush Quail FeMale, Rock Bush Quail, Painted Bush Quail, Button Quail, Yellow Legged Button Quail, Barred Buttonquail (Female) Here

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bird of Nagpur City Oriental Honey Buzzard or Crested Honey Buzzard

The City bird of Nagpur is Oriental Honey Buzzard or Crested Honey Buzzard. The crested honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus) is a bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, eagles and harriers. This species is also known as the Oriental honey buzzard. Despite its name, this species is not related to Buteo buzzards, and is taxonomically closer to the kites. It appears long-necked with a small head (resembling that of a pigeon), and soars on flat wings. The head lacks a strong supraciliary ridge giving it a very un-raptor-like facial appearance.  It has a long tail and a short head crest. It is brown above, but not as dark as honey buzzard, and paler below. There is a dark throat stripe. Unusually for a large bird of prey, the sexes can be distinguished. The male has a blue-grey head, while the female’s head is brown. She is slightly larger and darker than the male. The male has a black tail with a white band, whilst the female resembles female honey buzzard.
See also Bird watching spots near Nagpur
oriental honey buzzard - bird of nagpur cityOriental Honey Buzzard Oriental Honey Buzzard

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tiger Cubs in the Pench Tiger Reserve A Film by David Attenborough

Pench National Park (about 100 KM from Nagpur check on google maps) is in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh in India. It derives its name from the Pench River that flows through the park from north to south dividing the park into almost equal western and eastern halves, the well forested areas of Seoni and Chhindwara districts respectively.
The Bengal tiger is the main cat species of the park. It is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh. Commonly seen wildlife is chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, and jackal. Also Indian leopard, sloth bear, wild dog, porcupine, monkey, jungle cat, fox, striped hyena, gaur, four-horned antelope and barking deer live in the park. The park is rich in bird life too. According to an estimate of the wildlife authorities, the park harbours more than 210 species including several migratory ones. Some of them are peafowl, junglefowl, crow pheasant, crimson-breasted barbet, red-vented bulbul, racket-tailed drongo, Indian roller, magpie robin, lesser whistling teal, pintail, shoveller, egret and herons, minivet, oriole, wagtail, munia, myna, waterfowl and blue kingfisher.
Rudyard Kipling, the first British Nobel laureate for literature was inspired by the story told by Sir William Henry Sleeman in 1831. The story (The Jungle Book) was about a little wild boy raised by wolves in the Jungles of Madhya Pradesh now known as Pench National Park.
Tiger Cubs in Pench National Park Filmed by David Attenborough

Tiger Spy in the Jungle – BBC Hunting Lesson for the Tiger Cubs – David Attenborough

Tiger Cub’s first Kill-Pench National Park-Filmed by David Attenborough

Growing Up in the Tiger Family-Pench National Park-Filmed by David Attenborough

Cubs Come of AgePench National Park-Filmed by David Attenborough

Directions to Pench Tiger Reserve From Nagpur

Tiger Cub’s First PreyPench National Park-Filmed by David Attenborough

Related News
BBC’s elephant camera catches tiger cubs


What did you learn from the above post?

  1. Rudyard Kipling (1864-1936) was the first winner of the Nobel Prize (for Literature in 1907) from the British Isles.

  2. The story (The Jungle Book) was about a little wild boy raised by wolves in the Jungles of Madhya Pradesh now known as Pench National Park.

  3. The Bengal tiger is the main cat species of the park.The Bengal tiger is the national animal of both India and Bangladesh.

  4. Pench National Park is in Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh in India about 100 KM from Nagpur on the banks of the river Pench.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bird Watching Spots Near Nagpur

Paradgaon Lake Nagpur 
This is about 36 KM from Nagpur and is a good site for birdwatchers. The Mongolian Bar-headed Goose spend the winter at Paradgaon and Saiki lakes on Umred road every year. Some other birds that can be seen at Paradgaon Lake Nagpur are as follows Asian Openbill,  Asian Palm Swift,  Bar-headed Goose, Black Stork, Black Ibis, Black-Winged Kite, for more please see the here. To reach Paradgaon lake you can take the following route  via Armori – Nagpur Hwy/Chandrapur – Mul – Nagbhir – Nagpur Hwy/Kurkheda – Wadsa – Bramhapuri – Nagpur Hwy/Umred Rd See the link for Google Maps. Paradgaon Lake is close to Butibori Industrial Area. The Bar headed Goose flies from Mangolia and is among the highest flying birds flying at a height of 34,000 feet. Short-eared owl, a rare European bird, was also sighted in Paradgaon Lake near Nagpur.
Bird of Nagpur City – Oriental Honey Buzzard
Bird of the State of Maharashtra – Yellow Footed green Pigeon
The Bar headed goose
bar-headed goose

Saiki Lake Nagpur
This Lake is about 32 Km from Nagpur and is very close to the Paradgaon Lake. Some photographs of birds taken near Nagpur, Umrer road, Saiki Lake.

Ambazari Lake Nagpur
This lake is about 5 to 6 Km from Nagpur See directions here. Nag river of Nagpur originates from this lake. Some birds photographed near Ambezari Lake Nagpur Some of the birds sighted near Ambazari Lake Nagpur are as follows Indian Nightjar, Paradise flycatcher, Leafbird, Green pigeon, Oriental Honey Buzzard.
See Also:
Ambazari Lake – A Potential Stopover Point Of WinterMigrants In Central India Indian spotted eagle hovering over Wardha Road-Mansar bypass near Mahalgaon Kapsi. vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Gorewada Lake Nagpur
This Lake is about 8 to 9 Km from NagpurFor directions see here. The Gorewada lake is a home for many birds like the Little Grebe, Purple Heron, Asian Openbill, Grey Heron, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Spotbill Buck, Eurasion Wigeon, Red Headed Duck, Northern Pintail Duck, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Little Ringed Plover, Plum Headed Parakeet, Golden Oriole, Tickel’s Blue Flycatcher Some of the rare birds sighted near the Gorewada lake are as follows Ferruginous Pochards or White Eyed Pochards. The status of White-Eyed Pochards in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status is ‘Near Threatened’.”  These were also sighted in Amravati in 2003 at Chhatri Talao and in Hatnoor in Jalgaon.

See Also
Nagpur’s Gorewada Lake to host India’s first night safari

Telankhedi Garden and Lake Nagpur and Satpuda Botanical Gardens
This is about 4 to 6 Km from Nagpur. See the directions here. A number of birdwatching activities are arranged here. In one of the bird watching activities as many as 68 bird species were spotted in the daylong exercise.

See also
Studies on diversity and abundance of avifauna in and around Laxminar ayan Institute of Technology campus, Nagpur, Central India

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Insects of Pune and India Dragonfly

A dragonfly is an insect. Adult dragonflies are characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, sometimes with colored patches, and an elongated body. Dragonflies are predators. Fossils of very large dragonfly ancestors in the Protodonata are found from 325 million years ago in Upper Carboniferous rocks; these had wingspans of up to about 750 mm (30 in). They are used in traditional medicine in Japan and China, and caught for food in Indonesia. They are symbols of courage, strength and happiness in Japan, but seen as sinister in European folklore. Their bright colors and agile flight are admired in the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson and the prose of H. E. Bates.
Dragonfly
fun fact heart 120

Fun Fact: About 300 million years a ago dragonflies known as Meganeura were about 1 foot long and there wing spans were two and a half feet wide.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Butterflies of India and Pune Common Tiger or Striped Tiger

Common Tiger (Danaus genutia) Striped tiger. This is one of the most common butterflies of India. It looks similar to the monarch butterfly of south America. It is orange Tawny in color with black stripes and white spots hence called as the common tiger or striped tiger. It is found in  India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar up-to South East Asia and Australia but does not occur in  New Guinea.
Fun Fact: Butterflies have taste sensors on their feet. Most adult butterflies can’t bite or chew. Common Tiger butterflies fake death as a tactic to escape from predators.
When attacked it oozes  liquid which makes it smell and taste terrible. It has the ability to recover soon after an attack. A single egg is laid under the leaves of the host plant.
common tiger (Danaus genutia) striped tiger
See Also
Rare Sighting
The Naming of Indian Butterflies
The Butterfly Trail
Learning about Butterflies
Butterflies
Create a wildlife heaven
Butterfly gardening
Life Cycle Butterflies and Moths

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Plants and Flowers of Pune and India Golden Candle plants or Lemon Lollipop Flowers and golden shrimp plant

Pachystachys lutea, is a perennial (lasting or existing for a long time) herb. It is massed in beds or maintained as a background plant.   It is also known by the common names Golden Candle plants or Lemon Lollipop Flowers and golden shrimp plant. It can reach a height of 36 to 48 inches.  It needs full Sun,  but during hot summer afternoons keep it in shade. Morning sun of 3 hours is essential for the flowers to bloom. It needs a well drained and moist soil. But let the soild dry for a day in between watering. Pinch the tips regularly this encourages bushy growth. They are ususly insect free but might sometimes get infected by spider mites and scale. To remove the infwctions use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, which are safer than toxic pesticides. Golden Shrimp Plant can be easily propagated with 4″-6″ softwood or semi-ripe cuttings taken from non-blooming shoots.
Pachystachys lutea, golden shrimp plant

Its scientific name is pronounced as puh-KISS-tuh-kiss LOO-tee-uh

See also
Medicinal value please read the disclaimer
Use of Indigenous Plants in Traditional Health Care Systems by Mishing Tribe of Dikhowmukh, Sivasagar District, Assam warren buffet
Ethnobotany of Acanthaceae in the Mount Cameroon region

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment