16. Great Coucal.

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

15. Black-shouldered Kite.( कापशी घार )

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

14. Scaly-breasted Munia ( ठिपकेदार मुनिया, खवलेवाला मुनिया, मनोली)

Common Name:  Scaly Breasted Muia 

Scientific Name: Lonchura Punctulate 

Local Name:- खवलेवाला मुनिया

Date Of Sighting:- Common Sighting

Place of Sighting:-  Any Where   

Type:-

Status:- Least Concern

Description

Scaly Breasted Muia or Spotted Munia known is a Spaeeow Sized estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. It was formally described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.Its name based on scale like feather marking on breast and belly.The Adult is brown above and has dark conical bill.

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.Scaly Breasted Munia feeds mainly on Seeds but also eats berries

2.Although the bill is suited for crushing small grains

3.Like other Munias,they may also feeds on algae,a rich protein source,prior to the breeding season

Distinctive features:-

1.Male and Female are similar,although males have darker throat than females.

Bird House and Nesting

1.The nest is a large domes structure loosely woven from blades of grass,bamboo or other leaves with side entrance and is places in a tree or under eaves of house.

Breeding :-
1.Breeding season is in between June to August in india.
2.Both Sexes can build the nest and can incubate the eggs which hatch in 10 to 16 days.
3.Bothe Sexes reach sexual maturity as early as 7 month after the birth
4.In the wild ,however ,since maturation may be impacted by vairable daylight and humidity both sexes can reach sexual maturity  depending on time of the year

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.The Scaly Breasted Munia is about 11-12 Centimetres (4.3 to 4.7 inch ) Long and Weight 12-16 gram (0.026 to 0.035 lb).

2.The adult has a stubby dark bill typical of grain eating birds,brown upper parts and dark brown head

3.The underparts are white with dark scale markings.
4.Male and Female are similar,although males have darker throat than females.
5.Immature birds have pale brown upperparts,lack th dark head found in adults and  have uniform
buff underparts

Egg :-4 to 6 Enggs but can go up to 10 eggs.

Life Span:- 6 to  8 year

Importance of birds:-

13. " Black Drongo.( कोतवाल, काळा गोविंद)

ID:- Black Drongo 

Date Of Sighting:- 29-June-2012

Place of Sighting:- Dombivali- Padele Village  

Type:-

Status:-R:- Wide Spread Resident

Description :-

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

Body Length:-23 cms

Average Weight ( gms ) :-Male:- 109.8 gms Female:- 120-138 gms.

Wing Chords ( mm ):- Male 138-153 Female:- 138-147

Bill ( mm ):- 25-30 Female- 25-28

Tarsus ( mm ) :- Male:- 34-42 Female:- 35-41

Tail ( mm ):- Male:- 81-95 Female:- 79-96

Breeding :-

Habitat:-

Common Myna is closely associated with human habitation.In the evening common mynas gather in large flocks to roost ,usually on banyan tree.Theri Noisy call continuous until dark.

They begin their  calling in the morning before dawn and stay in roosting tree for a time before they leave to begin feeding.

Feeding HAbits:-

Importance of the Birds:-

12. "Common Myna ( मैना, साळुंकी, शाळू)

ID:- Common or Indian Myna 

Date Of Sighting:-Any Time

Place of Sighting:- Thane- Maharashtra  

Type:-

Status:-R:- Wide Spread Resident

Description :-

The Common Myna is readily identified by the brown body,Black hooded head and bare yellow patch behind eye.The Bill and legs are bright yellow.

There is white patch on outer primaries and the wings lining on the underside is white.The sexes are similar and birds are usually seen in pairs

In India,where the common Indian Myna originated ,it is called "Farmers Friend "Because it eats insects that destroy crop Plants.

The Name Myna comes from Hindi word" Maina"meaning a bird of starling family, sturnidae to which mynas comes from Hindi word .Myna in india regarded as symbol of undying Love,because they often pair for life 

Common Indian Myna were brought to Melbourne in 1862 to control pests in Market Garden

Common or Indian Myna ,identified by its yellow beak and eye patch and brown body is introduced as pest bird and their population is spreading rapidly.They are territorial and highly aggressive birds who compete with and displace native wildlife for habitat areas.They take over tree hollows and plugs up nest sites they are not using forcing possums and birds  out and ejecting nestlings and eggs from their nests.

They also compete with native fauna and habitat

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

Body Length:-23 cms

Average Weight ( gms ) :-Male:- 109.8 gms Female:- 120-138 gms.

Wing Chords ( mm ):- Male 138-153 Female:- 138-147

Bill ( mm ):- 25-30 Female- 25-28

Tarsus ( mm ) :- Male:- 34-42 Female:- 35-41

Tail ( mm ):- Male:- 81-95 Female:- 79-96

Breeding :-

Common Myna Begin nest building in late February and March.The nests in urban areas are often in houses or building,drain pipes on top of Windows.Twigs ,grass and leaves are used to build the nest,as well as string,paper and even snake skin. Snake Skin in draped around the nest to scare off enemies.Nests are sometimes build in tree,especially coconut tree and date palms.Both Male and Female Myna help  build the nest.When courting ,the male brings nesting material and places it in front of the female,who adds it to nest.Nest may be used more than one and new nest may be build on top of old ones.

Mynas are aggressive the defending their nest territory from other birds or predators.Egg lying takes place between march and July.Each nest has two to five egss,which are blue to blue green color.Both adults  take turns to incubate ot sit over eggs.The chicks hatch after 13 to 18 days.Theyare fed and brooded ( protected in the nest ) by both parents .They are fed insects and earth worms for the first ten to twelve days  and each chicks must be fed as often as 15 times every hour.At about one month of age the young bird ,called fledglings ,are able to fly and are ready to leave the nest.They spend another month with parents ,being fed occasionally and learning to feed themselves.

Habitat:-

Common Myna is closely associated with human habitation.In the evening common mynas gather in large flocks to roost ,usually on banyan tree.Theri Noisy call continuous until dark.

They begin their  calling in the morning before dawn and stay in roosting tree for a time before they leave to begin feeding.

Feeding HAbits:-

Mynas feed in pairs or in small flocks.They are omnivorous feeders-They eat both plant and animal material.Besides eating insects and worms,they also eat fruits,grain,and food  scraps.

In India they eats insects that destroy crop plant.

Common mynas are accomplished scavengers,feeding on almost anything,including insects,fruits and vegetables,scraps,pets food and even fledgling sparrows.

Importance of the Birds:-

Myna can be used as Pest Control

Why Mynas are problem.:-

Common Indian Mynas can be an economic problem because they damage fruit and grain crops and their noise and smell can be annoying where they are large in Number.Mynas can also spread mites and they have the potential to spread disease to people and domestic animals.Mynas become quite fearless of people if they are not hassles and can be a problem in outdoor eating areas by stealing food of peoples plate.

Myna reduces biodiversity by fighting for hollows with native birds.destroying their eggs and chicks and stopping them breeding.Indian Mynas capable of evicting even large birds  such as kookaburras and Dollar Birds from their nests.They also evicts small mammals like sugar glider from hollows which commonly means death sentence for glider because they have no where else to go.

While common mynas is are very helpful in controlling insects,they do cause some problem.They damage crops,spread weeds and often spread mites ( tiny parasites ) to other birds and to homes where mynas nest.

11. " Small MiniVet..( निखार)

ID:- Small MiniVet (Scientific name)

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:- Near Chiplun- Konkan- Maharashtra  

Type:-

Status:-

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

Feeding Habits ( food ):-

Distinctive features

Bird House and Nesting

Discription

Genaral Size and Shape:- Size of The Birds,Size of Head,Size of Bill,

Upper Parts,Under Parts, Wings, Tale,legs,Neck

Facial Markings and Bill Characteristics

Wing Bars and Tail Shape

Observe Leg Color and Length

Study Movement and Flight Patterns

Charachteristic

Egg Color

Listen for Calls and Song

Observations

Usefulness of birds:-

10. "Malabar Pied HornBill ( मलबारचा कवड्या धनेश )- Done

Malbar Pied HornBill-MaleapMalbon

Add capMMalBar Pied HornBill-Maletion

Common Name: Malabar Pied Horn Bill or Lesser Pied Horn Bill

Scientific Name:-Anthracoceros Coronatus.
Local Name:-मलबारचा कवड्या धनेश

Date Of Sighting:- 12-May-2012

Place of Sighting:- Near Chiplun- Konkan- Maharashtra  
State Bird:- Great HornBill is State Bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerla
Found in:- In 1783 in Malbar

Type:-

Status:-

Habitat, Region, and Climate:-

Found in Heavy Jungle and Restricted to Central and South India ( Kokan )

Feeding Habits ( food ):- 
1.This species is OmniVorous( eating both animal and Plant any thing ),taking fruit,fish,Small Mammals,Birds,small reptiles,Insects etc. 
2.Prey is Killed and Swallowed whole.
3.Figs form( Plant having Fruit ) an important part of their Diet and Contribute to 60 % in Non breeding season form March to April and up to During Breeding season 75 % fruits delivered at the nest are Figs.
4.They also feeds on the fruit including those that are known to be toxic to many vertebrates.
5.Fruits and Berrys and very fond of food Kuchla

Distinctive features:-

1.Black;beneath from the breast ,tips of primaries and secondaries , and the three outer tail-feather on each side ,with more or less of next pair ,pure white

2.Bill and part of casque are yellowish white.
3..Male and Female are same but female have white orbital Skin around eyes which is not their for Male.

4.Female is smaller than Male

Bird House and Nesting

During Incubation, the female lays two or three eggs in a tree hole,which is blocked off with a cement made of Mud ,dropping and fruit pulp.There is only one narrow aperture,just big enough for the Male to transfer food to the mother and the chicks.
When the chicks have grown too large for the Mother to fit in the nest with them, the mother breaks out and rebuilds the wall,after both parents feeds the chicks.

Genaral Size and Shape:- 

1.Lengh 3 feet:- Wing 13 Inches; ext.39 Inches;Tail 14 Inch; Bill from gape 7 Inches;bill with the casque    4 inch high.Casque it self 8

Egg :-From March to June Lays 2 to 4 Eggs

Importance of birds:- Hornbill are both fruit and fresh eater.They are far -ranging in their searh of food and drop the seeds of fruit they eat as they go,dispersing them over wide area.They are thus important seed dispersers for forest, acting as agent of forest regeneration,at the same tine as controlling insects and other small animal populations As such ,they can be regarded as indicator of high moist forest,ensuring the continuance of forest health and species richness.

Seed Disperdal Consist of the removal and deposition of seeds away from parent plant because of seeds are not mobile, their movements must be facilated by dispersal agents such as gavity, wind,,water or animal or forest bird which called Mobile Link species.Hornbill are capable of soaring over cleared forest areas or plantations,travelling from one forest patch to another to spread seeds

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