24. Emu ( इम्यू )

Common Name:  EMu

Scientific Name:

Local Name:- इम्यू

Date Of Sighting:- 

Place of Sighting:- Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- 

The Emu is the largest bird native to Australia. It is also the second-largest extant bird in the world by height, after its relative, the Ostrich. The Emu is common over most of mainland Australia, although it avoids heavily populated areas, dense forest, and arid areas.

The soft-feathered, brown, flightless birds reach up to 7 ft in height. They have long thin necks and legs. Emus can travel great distances at a fast, economical trot and, if necessary, can sprint at 50 km/h for some distance at a time. Their long legs allow them to take strides of up to 9 ft. They are opportunistically nomadic and may travel long distances to find food; they feed on a variety of plants and insects, but have been known to go weeks without food. They also ingest stones, glass shards and bits of metal that help squash food in the digestive system. They drink infrequently, often once every day or two, and ingest copious fluids when the opportunity arises. Emus will sit in water and are also able to swim. They are curious and nosy animals who are known to follow and watch other animals and humans. Emus do not sleep continuously at night but in several short stints sitting down.

Emus have a nail on their toes, akin to a knife, which is used in kicking away predators and opponent Emus. Their legs are among the strongest of any animals, allowing them to rip metal wire fences. They are endowed with good eyesight and hearing, which allows them to detect predators in the vicinity. The plumage on an eye varies regionally, matching the surrounding environment and improving its camouflage. The feathers allow the Emu to prevent heat from flowing into the skin, permitting it to be active during the midday heat.

23. Black Kite ( घार)- Bird of Prey

Common Name:  Black Kite 

Scientific Name:Milvus Migrans

Local Name:- घार
English Synonyms:- Common kite, Pariah Kite,Black-eared Kite,European Black Kite
Place of Sighting:- 

Type:-

Status:- Least Concerned ( LC ) on IUCN Red List.

Birds of Prey are Birds that Haunt food primarily via flight,using Keen senses,especially vision.They are defined as birds that primarily haunt vertebrates,including other birds.their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large,powerful and adaptable for tearing flesh.In most cases,the females are considerably larger than the males.

The  term "Raptors"is derived from the Latin word rapere ( Meaning to seize or take by force) and may refer informally to all birds of prey,or specifically to the diurnal group.beacuse of their predatory lifestyle,often at the top of the food chain,they face distinct conservation Concerns. 

The term " Bird of Prey " has wide meaning that includes many birds that haunt and feed on animals and also birds that eat very small insects.In Ornithology,and the defination used here,the term has a narrower meaning for birds that have very Good Eyesight for Finding food,Strong feet for holding food , and a strong curved beak for tearing flesh.Most birds of prey also have Strong curved talons ( Claws) for catching or killing Prey.

Description

Black kite is Medium size Bird of prey in the family accipitridae, which also include many other diurnal Raptors.Unlike others of the Group,Black kites are opportunistic hunter and are more likely to scavenger.They spend a lot of time soaring and gliding in Thermals in search of food.their angled wing and Distinctive forked tail make them easily to identify.
With a distribution that spread over four continents,the black kite is probably the worlds abundant bird of Prey.Not surprisingly for species with such a colossal rang,up to 12 subspecies have been described,with between six and eight commonly recognized.Despite of their shared name,noe of these subspecies are actually black,but rather have pulmage that varies from moderate to dark brown,with irregular light-brown and rufous marking.The brown to greyish-white head often appears paler than the rest of the body while the cere( bare patch of the skin at the base of the Bill) is yellow.Although bill is typically black through most of its range the african subspeciestend to have yellow bills,hence the species alternative name.In flight ,the long, shallow-forked tail is conspicuous and the feathers on the outer edge of the wings appear open fingered

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

Black Kites inhabit a broad range of habitats.Most are found in open areas where there is close access to water bodies such as river,ponds or lakes.Black kites are commonly found along river edges which provides necessary resources such as fresh water and fish.Wetland are another habitat that attracts black kites.
It has been suggested that they reside in African and Asian Cities because there is high prey abundance such as Roadkill or Rats.
Black kites are rarely seen in natural desert habitats or high elevation mountainous areas.
Black kite nests tend to be located 8 to 15 m above ground ,in forest with close proximity to water or in areas with little tree cover.Black kite prefer mid-canopy parts of tree ,but have seen as high as 30m.
Occasionally ,black kites nests will be located near nests of the closely related red Kites.
Black kite rarely inhabit dense forest.

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Preys on Lizards,Small mammals and Insects especially grasshoppers.It also is a Scavenger and frequent tips in Outback towns.

2.Black Kite also gathers in flocks around bush fires and eagerly pounce on small animals as these flee the flame.

3.Both Live and dead ( carrion ) prey is eaten .

Threats:-

Although still likely to be the worlds most common raptors,the black kite is dwindling in parts of its range,particularly Europe and Asia, as result of Agricultral pesticides,water polloution,carcass poisoning and hunting 

Range:-
The black kite is found through most of Africa,Europe and Asia ( except for the sahara,Central China and extreme North ) and in Parts of Indonesia and new Guinea and Australia

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.Head to Tail Length =47to 60 cms.
2.Weight:-650 to 940 grams.Average:- 560 gms
3.Average Wing span 140 to 150 cm
4.The female is marginally larger than the Male but Otherwise the sexes are very similar,while the juveniles are only slightly paler and less uniform in colouration.

Life Span and Longevity:-

1.Average Life span is of 22 year  but recorded to live upto 24 year.

650 

Range eggs per season :-

1 to 5 eggs

Range time for Hatching :- 28 to 32 Days

Importance of birds on Eco System:-

1.Black Kites plays essential role as efficient scavengers within their ecosystem. Helps in Biodegradation ( break Down and Decompose dead plants and/or Animals).

2.Although there are no known benefits of black kites to Human ,Red kites,their closest Known relative ,consume many crop-destroying Pests.In addition They scavenge road kill,which potentially may help to reduce the spread of disease.

22. " Lesser Flemingo

Common Name:  Painted Strok 

Scientific Name:Mycteria leucocephala

Local Name:- चित्रबालक,रंगीत करकोचा,चामढोक

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:-  Airoli-Mumbai/Thane, Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- Painted Stork:- Near Threatened.

The Oriental white Stork,Storm's Stork, and Greater adjutant are  endangered species.

Lesser adjutant and milky stork are listed as Vulnerable.

Description

The painted Stork is large wading bird in the stork family.It is found in the Wetlands of the plains of tropical asia south of the Himalays in south Asia and extended in to southeast asia.

Their Distinctive Pink tertial feathers give then their name.

They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch.As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish.They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.

They Only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at nest.They are not migratory and only manke short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to food and for breeding.Like other storks,They are often seen on thermals

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

1.They found near fresh water body.
2.They are resident in most of the area.
3.Found in South reason

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Fish, Frogs and Crabs and Snake

2.The Wood Storks, which almost entirely by touching using open, sensitive bill, has been recorded as reacting in 25 milliseconds, the fastest recorded response of any vertebrate.

3.daily requirement of chicks has been estimated to be around 500 grams made upp of 9 fish fed in two sessions

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and female appears alike but male of pair are larger than female.

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.This large stork has a heavy yellow bill with Down -curved tip that gives it resemblance to an Ibis.

2.The head of adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour

3.The long tertials are tipped in bright and pink and at rest they extended over the black and rump.

4.There is distinctive black breast band with white scaly marking

5.The band continues in to underwing coverts and the white tips of black coverts give it the apperance of white strips running across the Under wing lining.

6.The rest of the body is whitish is adult and the primaries and secondaries are black with greenish gloss.The legs are yellowish to res but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest

7.The Short tail is black with a green gloss.For a stork, it is medium -sized, standing about 93-102 cm (37-40 in ) tall,150-160 cm 9 59-63 in ) in wing span and weighing 2-3.5 kg ( 4.4-7.7 lbs )

Egg :-Giving 2 to 5 eggs 

Importance of birds:-

Storks also provide important ecological values,playing Key role in food chains.Their consuption of invertebrates,amphibians,fish and even small mammals and young crocodiles helps to maintain balance in these population

21. " Greater Flemingo

Common Name:  Painted Strok 

Scientific Name:Mycteria leucocephala

Local Name:- चित्रबालक,रंगीत करकोचा,चामढोक

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:-  Airoli-Mumbai/Thane, Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- Painted Stork:- Near Threatened.

The Oriental white Stork,Storm's Stork, and Greater adjutant are  endangered species.

Lesser adjutant and milky stork are listed as Vulnerable.

Description

The painted Stork is large wading bird in the stork family.It is found in the Wetlands of the plains of tropical asia south of the Himalays in south Asia and extended in to southeast asia.

Their Distinctive Pink tertial feathers give then their name.

They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch.As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish.They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.

They Only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at nest.They are not migratory and only manke short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to food and for breeding.Like other storks,They are often seen on thermals

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

1.They found near fresh water body.
2.They are resident in most of the area.
3.Found in South reason

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Fish, Frogs and Crabs and Snake

2.The Wood Storks, which almost entirely by touching using open, sensitive bill, has been recorded as reacting in 25 milliseconds, the fastest recorded response of any vertebrate.

3.daily requirement of chicks has been estimated to be around 500 grams made upp of 9 fish fed in two sessions

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and female appears alike but male of pair are larger than female.

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.This large stork has a heavy yellow bill with Down -curved tip that gives it resemblance to an Ibis.

2.The head of adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour

3.The long tertials are tipped in bright and pink and at rest they extended over the black and rump.

4.There is distinctive black breast band with white scaly marking

5.The band continues in to underwing coverts and the white tips of black coverts give it the apperance of white strips running across the Under wing lining.

6.The rest of the body is whitish is adult and the primaries and secondaries are black with greenish gloss.The legs are yellowish to res but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest

7.The Short tail is black with a green gloss.For a stork, it is medium -sized, standing about 93-102 cm (37-40 in ) tall,150-160 cm 9 59-63 in ) in wing span and weighing 2-3.5 kg ( 4.4-7.7 lbs )

Egg :-Giving 2 to 5 eggs 

Importance of birds:-

Storks also provide important ecological values,playing Key role in food chains.Their consuption of invertebrates,amphibians,fish and even small mammals and young crocodiles helps to maintain balance in these population

20. Malabar Whistling Thrush

Common Name:  Painted Strok 

Scientific Name:Mycteria leucocephala

Local Name:- चित्रबालक,रंगीत करकोचा,चामढोक

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:-  Airoli-Mumbai/Thane, Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- Painted Stork:- Near Threatened.

The Oriental white Stork,Storm's Stork, and Greater adjutant are  endangered species.

Lesser adjutant and milky stork are listed as Vulnerable.

Description

The painted Stork is large wading bird in the stork family.It is found in the Wetlands of the plains of tropical asia south of the Himalays in south Asia and extended in to southeast asia.

Their Distinctive Pink tertial feathers give then their name.

They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch.As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish.They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.

They Only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at nest.They are not migratory and only manke short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to food and for breeding.Like other storks,They are often seen on thermals

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

1.They found near fresh water body.
2.They are resident in most of the area.
3.Found in South reason

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Fish, Frogs and Crabs and Snake

2.The Wood Storks, which almost entirely by touching using open, sensitive bill, has been recorded as reacting in 25 milliseconds, the fastest recorded response of any vertebrate.

3.daily requirement of chicks has been estimated to be around 500 grams made upp of 9 fish fed in two sessions

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and female appears alike but male of pair are larger than female.

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.This large stork has a heavy yellow bill with Down -curved tip that gives it resemblance to an Ibis.

2.The head of adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour

3.The long tertials are tipped in bright and pink and at rest they extended over the black and rump.

4.There is distinctive black breast band with white scaly marking

5.The band continues in to underwing coverts and the white tips of black coverts give it the apperance of white strips running across the Under wing lining.

6.The rest of the body is whitish is adult and the primaries and secondaries are black with greenish gloss.The legs are yellowish to res but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest

7.The Short tail is black with a green gloss.For a stork, it is medium -sized, standing about 93-102 cm (37-40 in ) tall,150-160 cm 9 59-63 in ) in wing span and weighing 2-3.5 kg ( 4.4-7.7 lbs )

Egg :-Giving 2 to 5 eggs 

Importance of birds:-

Storks also provide important ecological values,playing Key role in food chains.Their consuption of invertebrates,amphibians,fish and even small mammals and young crocodiles helps to maintain balance in these population

19. Plane Martin.

Common Name:  Painted Strok 

Scientific Name:Mycteria leucocephala

Local Name:- चित्रबालक,रंगीत करकोचा,चामढोक

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:-  Airoli-Mumbai/Thane, Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- Painted Stork:- Near Threatened.

The Oriental white Stork,Storm's Stork, and Greater adjutant are  endangered species.

Lesser adjutant and milky stork are listed as Vulnerable.

Description

The painted Stork is large wading bird in the stork family.It is found in the Wetlands of the plains of tropical asia south of the Himalays in south Asia and extended in to southeast asia.

Their Distinctive Pink tertial feathers give then their name.

They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch.As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish.They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.

They Only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at nest.They are not migratory and only manke short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to food and for breeding.Like other storks,They are often seen on thermals

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

1.They found near fresh water body.
2.They are resident in most of the area.
3.Found in South reason

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Fish, Frogs and Crabs and Snake

2.The Wood Storks, which almost entirely by touching using open, sensitive bill, has been recorded as reacting in 25 milliseconds, the fastest recorded response of any vertebrate.

3.daily requirement of chicks has been estimated to be around 500 grams made upp of 9 fish fed in two sessions

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and female appears alike but male of pair are larger than female.

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.This large stork has a heavy yellow bill with Down -curved tip that gives it resemblance to an Ibis.

2.The head of adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour

3.The long tertials are tipped in bright and pink and at rest they extended over the black and rump.

4.There is distinctive black breast band with white scaly marking

5.The band continues in to underwing coverts and the white tips of black coverts give it the apperance of white strips running across the Under wing lining.

6.The rest of the body is whitish is adult and the primaries and secondaries are black with greenish gloss.The legs are yellowish to res but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest

7.The Short tail is black with a green gloss.For a stork, it is medium -sized, standing about 93-102 cm (37-40 in ) tall,150-160 cm 9 59-63 in ) in wing span and weighing 2-3.5 kg ( 4.4-7.7 lbs )

Egg :-Giving 2 to 5 eggs 

Importance of birds:-

Storks also provide important ecological values,playing Key role in food chains.Their consuption of invertebrates,amphibians,fish and even small mammals and young crocodiles helps to maintain balance in these population

18. Jungle Babbler.( रानभाई, जंगलभाई )

Common Name:  Painted Strok 

Scientific Name:Mycteria leucocephala

Local Name:- चित्रबालक,रंगीत करकोचा,चामढोक

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:-  Airoli-Mumbai/Thane, Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- Painted Stork:- Near Threatened.

The Oriental white Stork,Storm's Stork, and Greater adjutant are  endangered species.

Lesser adjutant and milky stork are listed as Vulnerable.

Description

The painted Stork is large wading bird in the stork family.It is found in the Wetlands of the plains of tropical asia south of the Himalays in south Asia and extended in to southeast asia.

Their Distinctive Pink tertial feathers give then their name.

They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch.As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish.They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.

They Only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at nest.They are not migratory and only manke short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to food and for breeding.Like other storks,They are often seen on thermals

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

1.They found near fresh water body.
2.They are resident in most of the area.
3.Found in South reason

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Fish, Frogs and Crabs and Snake

2.The Wood Storks, which almost entirely by touching using open, sensitive bill, has been recorded as reacting in 25 milliseconds, the fastest recorded response of any vertebrate.

3.daily requirement of chicks has been estimated to be around 500 grams made upp of 9 fish fed in two sessions

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and female appears alike but male of pair are larger than female.

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.This large stork has a heavy yellow bill with Down -curved tip that gives it resemblance to an Ibis.

2.The head of adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour

3.The long tertials are tipped in bright and pink and at rest they extended over the black and rump.

4.There is distinctive black breast band with white scaly marking

5.The band continues in to underwing coverts and the white tips of black coverts give it the apperance of white strips running across the Under wing lining.

6.The rest of the body is whitish is adult and the primaries and secondaries are black with greenish gloss.The legs are yellowish to res but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest

7.The Short tail is black with a green gloss.For a stork, it is medium -sized, standing about 93-102 cm (37-40 in ) tall,150-160 cm 9 59-63 in ) in wing span and weighing 2-3.5 kg ( 4.4-7.7 lbs )

Egg :-Giving 2 to 5 eggs 

Importance of birds:-

Storks also provide important ecological values,playing Key role in food chains.Their consuption of invertebrates,amphibians,fish and even small mammals and young crocodiles helps to maintain balance in these population

17. Orange Headed Thrush. ( रानकस्तूर)

Common Name:  Painted Strok 

Scientific Name:Mycteria leucocephala

Local Name:- चित्रबालक,रंगीत करकोचा,चामढोक

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:-  Airoli-Mumbai/Thane, Maharashtra   

Type:-

Status:- Painted Stork:- Near Threatened.

The Oriental white Stork,Storm's Stork, and Greater adjutant are  endangered species.

Lesser adjutant and milky stork are listed as Vulnerable.

Description

The painted Stork is large wading bird in the stork family.It is found in the Wetlands of the plains of tropical asia south of the Himalays in south Asia and extended in to southeast asia.

Their Distinctive Pink tertial feathers give then their name.

They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.They immerse their half open beaks in water and sweep them from side to side and snap up their prey of small fish that are sensed by touch.As they wade along they also stir the water with their feet to flush hiding fish.They nest colonially in trees, often along with other waterbirds.

They Only sounds they produce are weak moans or bill clattering at nest.They are not migratory and only manke short distance movements in some parts of their range in response to food and for breeding.Like other storks,They are often seen on thermals

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

1.They found near fresh water body.
2.They are resident in most of the area.
3.Found in South reason

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 

1.Fish, Frogs and Crabs and Snake

2.The Wood Storks, which almost entirely by touching using open, sensitive bill, has been recorded as reacting in 25 milliseconds, the fastest recorded response of any vertebrate.

3.daily requirement of chicks has been estimated to be around 500 grams made upp of 9 fish fed in two sessions

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and female appears alike but male of pair are larger than female.

Bird House and Nesting

1.They nest colonially in tress and often along with other Water birds.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.This large stork has a heavy yellow bill with Down -curved tip that gives it resemblance to an Ibis.

2.The head of adult is bare and orange or reddish in colour

3.The long tertials are tipped in bright and pink and at rest they extended over the black and rump.

4.There is distinctive black breast band with white scaly marking

5.The band continues in to underwing coverts and the white tips of black coverts give it the apperance of white strips running across the Under wing lining.

6.The rest of the body is whitish is adult and the primaries and secondaries are black with greenish gloss.The legs are yellowish to res but often appear white due their habit of urohidrosis or defecating on their legs especially when at nest

7.The Short tail is black with a green gloss.For a stork, it is medium -sized, standing about 93-102 cm (37-40 in ) tall,150-160 cm 9 59-63 in ) in wing span and weighing 2-3.5 kg ( 4.4-7.7 lbs )

Egg :-Giving 2 to 5 eggs 

Importance of birds:-

Storks also provide important ecological values,playing Key role in food chains.Their consuption of invertebrates,amphibians,fish and even small mammals and young crocodiles helps to maintain balance in these population