.. Birds of Kerala slides/indian_treepie_005.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Watercolor painting of an indian treepie, <i>dendrocitta vagabunda</i>, by Juby Sarah Roxy. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. Watercolor painting of an indian treepie, <i>dendrocitta vagabunda</i>, by Juby Sarah Roxy. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. slides/indian_treepie_005.jpg slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Silhouette of the Great Cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i> against a murky sky. Each bird in its own mood. @ Periyar National Park, Thekkady. Silhouette of the Great Cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i> against a murky sky. Each bird in its own mood. @ Periyar National Park, Thekkady. slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_001.jpg slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Great Cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i>. @ Periyar National Park, Thekkady. Great Cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i>. @ Periyar National Park, Thekkady. slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_002.jpg slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_003.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Orchestrated nest building. Great cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i> parents in a coordinated effort to build their nest. Orchestrated nest building. Great cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i> parents in a coordinated effort to build their nest. slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_003.jpg slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_004.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Great cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i> nest building Great cormorant <i>Phalacrocorax carbo</i> nest building slides/great_cormorant_thekkady_004.jpg slides/ceylon_frogmouth_thattekkad_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Ceylon Frogmouth, <i>Batrachostomus moniliger</i>, also known as Sri Lanka Frogmouth at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad. They are nocturnal in nature, and are found in the Western Ghats of India and in Sri Lanka. Their elusive nature kept their existence under the veil of the dense tropical forests for a long time until Dr. Salim Ali found it at the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (which has since been named after him) in circa 1930. Later it was rediscovered in circa 1990 by ornithologist K. V. Eldhose, at the same sanctuary. Its occurrence, ethology, nesting, etc. have been documented since. The bird is still elusive, due to its adherence to roosting on surroundings with dried leaves which resembles its color tone and camouflages it well. <br><br> My first sighting of the Frogmouth was in December 1999, when the nature group Warblers & Waders organized a bird survey at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad and the near by regions including Bhoothathankettu. The first night we listened to the exchange of the distinctive calls between the male and the female (which could be easily recorded and mimicked) and we saw one of them at a different location later. <br><br> The pictured one here is my second sighting, along with Sarah, in September 2007. The location is adjacent to the watch tower inside the sanctuary. Ceylon Frogmouth, <i>Batrachostomus moniliger</i>, also known as Sri Lanka Frogmouth at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad. They are nocturnal in nature, and are found in the Western Ghats of India and in Sri Lanka. Their elusive nature kept their existence under the veil of the dense tropical forests for a long time until Dr. Salim Ali found it at the Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (which has since been named after him) in circa 1930. Later it was rediscovered in circa 1990 by ornithologist K. V. Eldhose, at the same sanctuary. Its occurrence, ethology, nesting, etc. have been documented since. The bird is still elusive, due to its adherence to roosting on surroundings with dried leaves which resembles its color tone and camouflages it well. <br><br> My first sighting of the Frogmouth was in December 1999, when the nature group Warblers & Waders organized a bird survey at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Thattekkad and the near by regions including Bhoothathankettu. The first night we listened to the exchange of the distinctive calls between the male and the female (which could be easily recorded and mimicked) and we saw one of them at a different location later. <br><br> The pictured one here is my second sighting, along with Sarah, in September 2007. The location is adjacent to the watch tower inside the sanctuary. slides/ceylon_frogmouth_thattekkad_001.jpg slides/ceylon_frogmouth_thattekkad_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Ceylon Frogmouth, <i>Batrachostomus moniliger</i> in its camouflaging environment. Ceylon Frogmouth, <i>Batrachostomus moniliger</i> in its camouflaging environment. slides/ceylon_frogmouth_thattekkad_002.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_egg_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Nest of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. Nesting is known to take place from August to March, probably the period of the year excluding the wettest months (June and July) southwest monsoon and the hottest months of April and May. There are 2 nests taken at different periods in this album and this one was taken around mid January while the other was taken around end of September. A typical clutch consists of two to four (I've seen mostly three) pale pink eggs, streaked and spotted with shades of red. Two or three broods may be reared in a season. Both birds incubate the eggs and care for the nsetlings. Red whiskered Bulbuls build an open cup nest of rootlets, twigs, bark and leaves, lined with soft fibre. The nest is usually placed in a low tree fork, which is usually covered by overlying bush or leaves. Making of a nest is an interesting period to watch. I have once put a few colorful cotton threads near the nesting area and later found that the bulbuls have incorporated the threads with the nest. Though they guard and defend their nest aggressively, many of the nests I have watched have been ransacked by predating indian koels and sometimes the crow pheasants. Some bulbuls have a wonderful tactic of misleading the predators or humans. If it senses a predator near the nest, the bulbul flies up and then all of a sudden it falls down, almost as if it was shot by a gun! It then crawls on the ground and makes a cry as if it is hurt. The unsuspecting predator moves on to the parent bulbul and as soon as it gets nearby, the bulbul flies off, having its purpose accomplished succesfully! @ home, kerala. Nest of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. Nesting is known to take place from August to March, probably the period of the year excluding the wettest months (June and July) southwest monsoon and the hottest months of April and May. There are 2 nests taken at different periods in this album and this one was taken around mid January while the other was taken around end of September. A typical clutch consists of two to four (I've seen mostly three) pale pink eggs, streaked and spotted with shades of red. Two or three broods may be reared in a season. Both birds incubate the eggs and care for the nsetlings. Red whiskered Bulbuls build an open cup nest of rootlets, twigs, bark and leaves, lined with soft fibre. The nest is usually placed in a low tree fork, which is usually covered by overlying bush or leaves. Making of a nest is an interesting period to watch. I have once put a few colorful cotton threads near the nesting area and later found that the bulbuls have incorporated the threads with the nest. Though they guard and defend their nest aggressively, many of the nests I have watched have been ransacked by predating indian koels and sometimes the crow pheasants. Some bulbuls have a wonderful tactic of misleading the predators or humans. If it senses a predator near the nest, the bulbul flies up and then all of a sudden it falls down, almost as if it was shot by a gun! It then crawls on the ground and makes a cry as if it is hurt. The unsuspecting predator moves on to the parent bulbul and as soon as it gets nearby, the bulbul flies off, having its purpose accomplished succesfully! @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_egg_001.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_egg_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Nest of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. @ home, kerala. Nest of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_egg_002.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_egg_003.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 A close-up view of the eggs of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. Pale pink eggs, streaked and spotted with shades of red. @ home, kerala. A close-up view of the eggs of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. Pale pink eggs, streaked and spotted with shades of red. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_egg_003.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nestling_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Nestling of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. The nestlings are fed with highly nutritious food comprising of insects and worms and they grow up very fast, and within a few days one can see them flying off! This photograph was taken in September 2007 @ home, kerala. Nestling of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>. The nestlings are fed with highly nutritious food comprising of insects and worms and they grow up very fast, and within a few days one can see them flying off! This photograph was taken in September 2007 @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nestling_001.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nesting_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> nesting. See the beauty of the red whiskers! Adult bulbuls are around 20-22cm long. A few studies show that males have slightly longer wing length and whiskers with respect to their female counterparts. @ home, kerala. Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> nesting. See the beauty of the red whiskers! Adult bulbuls are around 20-22cm long. A few studies show that males have slightly longer wing length and whiskers with respect to their female counterparts. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nesting_001.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nesting_003.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> nesting. @ home, kerala. Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> nesting. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nesting_003.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nestling_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Nestling of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>, with its hungry beak up. @ home, kerala. Nestling of a Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i>, with its hungry beak up. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nestling_002.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nesting_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> nesting. @ home, kerala. Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> nesting. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_nesting_002.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> on our mulberry tree. Fruits, berries, nectar, insects and worms makes the lion's share of their diet. @ home, kerala. Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> on our mulberry tree. Fruits, berries, nectar, insects and worms makes the lion's share of their diet. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_002.jpg slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> on our mulberry tree. Native to southern Asia, they have been introduced to many other regions. Adult bulbuls are around 20-22cm long. A few of the characteristics are its pointed crest, red whiskers (leading to its name) and the red vent. Red whiskered bulbuls are active around human habitats and less timid around humans. Their flight is a characteristic bouncing up-and-down woodpecker-like. The call, a characteristic descending musical whistle, is often an indication the bird's presence long before it is seen. Red vented bulbul, its cousin, is bit duller, lacks the pointed crest and red whiskers, has a different call and is more confined to the wooded areas. @ home, kerala. Red whiskered Bulbul <i>Pycnonotus jocosus</i> on our mulberry tree. Native to southern Asia, they have been introduced to many other regions. Adult bulbuls are around 20-22cm long. A few of the characteristics are its pointed crest, red whiskers (leading to its name) and the red vent. Red whiskered bulbuls are active around human habitats and less timid around humans. Their flight is a characteristic bouncing up-and-down woodpecker-like. The call, a characteristic descending musical whistle, is often an indication the bird's presence long before it is seen. Red vented bulbul, its cousin, is bit duller, lacks the pointed crest and red whiskers, has a different call and is more confined to the wooded areas. @ home, kerala. slides/red_whiskered_bulbul_001.jpg slides/goldenbacked_woodpecker_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 crown display. male Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker). This flameback is a species associated with open forest and cultivation. It nests in a tree hole, laying three white eggs. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects. The adult male Black-rumped Flameback has a red crown. Females have a dark forecrown, with red only on the rear half. Young birds are like the female, but duller. @ home, kerala crown display. male Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker). This flameback is a species associated with open forest and cultivation. It nests in a tree hole, laying three white eggs. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects. The adult male Black-rumped Flameback has a red crown. Females have a dark forecrown, with red only on the rear half. Young birds are like the female, but duller. @ home, kerala slides/goldenbacked_woodpecker_002.jpg slides/indian_treepie_goldenbacked_woodpecker_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker) and an Indian Treepie sharing papaya. @ home, kerala Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker) and an Indian Treepie sharing papaya. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_goldenbacked_woodpecker_002.jpg slides/indian_treepie_goldenbacked_woodpecker_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker) and an Indian Treepie sharing papaya. @ home, kerala Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker) and an Indian Treepie sharing papaya. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_goldenbacked_woodpecker_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_004.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 randu pachilakudukkakal. small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala randu pachilakudukkakal. small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_004.jpg slides/indian_treepie_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 olenjali. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala olenjali. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_treepie_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 this is my papaya! no, this is mine! treepie n barbet competing. @ home, kerala this is my papaya! no, this is mine! treepie n barbet competing. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_treepie_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_mynah_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 papaya dreams. indian mynah watching & drooling on the papaya. small green barbet watching cautiously. @ home, kerala papaya dreams. indian mynah watching & drooling on the papaya. small green barbet watching cautiously. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_mynah_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_treepie_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 small green barbet: is there somebody? indian treepie: dont disturb me, this is my papaya. @ home, kerala small green barbet: is there somebody? indian treepie: dont disturb me, this is my papaya. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_treepie_002.jpg slides/mynah_indian_treepie_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 indian treepie looking at the barbet on the papaya tree. indian mynah watching side by. @ home, kerala indian treepie looking at the barbet on the papaya tree. indian mynah watching side by. @ home, kerala slides/mynah_indian_treepie_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 am one of the papayas,, small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala am one of the papayas,, small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_002.jpg slides/indian_koel_male_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 elegant. i like this picture though it is blurred as the bird is on flight. male indian koel. <i>eudynamys scolopacea. </i> member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. The male is greenish-black, with a pale green bill and red eyes. The female is brownish above and whitish below, but is heavily striped and spotted brown on the underparts and white on the upperparts. She has an olive or green beak and red eyes. This is a noisy species, with a persistent and loud ko-el ko-el call as well as other gurgles and screams. </i> @ home, kerala elegant. i like this picture though it is blurred as the bird is on flight. male indian koel. <i>eudynamys scolopacea. </i> member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. The male is greenish-black, with a pale green bill and red eyes. The female is brownish above and whitish below, but is heavily striped and spotted brown on the underparts and white on the upperparts. She has an olive or green beak and red eyes. This is a noisy species, with a persistent and loud ko-el ko-el call as well as other gurgles and screams. </i> @ home, kerala slides/indian_koel_male_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 cautious always. small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala cautious always. small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_001.jpg slides/indian_mynah_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 indian mynah (common myna). <i>acridotheres tristis.</i> a member of the starling family. sexes are similar. Mynas mate for life. They strut in walking, hopping usually only to jump up or down. Their songs include croaks, squawks, chirps, clicks and whistles and they often fluff their feathers and bob their heads in singing. They screech warnings to their mates or other birds in cases of predators in proximity. Like most starlings, the Common Myna is omnivorous. @ home, kerala indian mynah (common myna). <i>acridotheres tristis.</i> a member of the starling family. sexes are similar. Mynas mate for life. They strut in walking, hopping usually only to jump up or down. Their songs include croaks, squawks, chirps, clicks and whistles and they often fluff their feathers and bob their heads in singing. They screech warnings to their mates or other birds in cases of predators in proximity. Like most starlings, the Common Myna is omnivorous. @ home, kerala slides/indian_mynah_001.jpg slides/goldenbacked_woodpecker_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 male Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker). This flameback is a species associated with open forest and cultivation. It nests in a tree hole, laying three white eggs. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects. The adult male Black-rumped Flameback has a red crown. Females have a dark forecrown, with red only on the rear half. Young birds are like the female, but duller. @ home, kerala male Black-rumped Flameback <i>dinopium benghalense</i> (Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker). This flameback is a species associated with open forest and cultivation. It nests in a tree hole, laying three white eggs. Like other woodpeckers, this species has a straight pointed bill, a stiff tail to provide support against tree trunks, and zygodactyl or “yoked" feet, with two toes pointing forward, and two backward. The long tongue can be darted forward to capture insects. The adult male Black-rumped Flameback has a red crown. Females have a dark forecrown, with red only on the rear half. Young birds are like the female, but duller. @ home, kerala slides/goldenbacked_woodpecker_001.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_treepie_003.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 indian treepie gives a warning call. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. a small green barbet is in the background. @ home, kerala indian treepie gives a warning call. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. a small green barbet is in the background. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_indian_treepie_003.jpg slides/smallgreen_barbet_003.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala small green barbet (white cheeked) <i>megalaima viridis</i>. Once I've examined the nest of this species. They bore a hole on worn-out trees (in this case a rubber tree). Inside is funnel shaped. This helps the excreta of the chicks to be collected below without spoiling the chicks. Male and female parents fly to and fro constantly to fetch food for the chicks. They rarely come on ground. Their kutturu-kutturu sounds gave them their name kutturuvan. Also known as pachilakudukka in our place due to its color. @ home, kerala slides/smallgreen_barbet_003.jpg slides/indian_treepie_flight_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 indian treepie on flight. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala indian treepie on flight. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_flight_001.jpg slides/indian_treepie_004.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 randu olenjalikal. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala randu olenjalikal. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_004.jpg slides/indian_treepie_003.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 randu olenjalikal. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala randu olenjalikal. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_003.jpg slides/indian_treepie_002.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 olenjali. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala olenjali. the indian treepie. <i>dendrocitta vagabunda.</i> Member of the Corvidae (crow) family. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. The underparts and lower back are a warm tawny-brown to orange-brown in colour with white wing coverts and black primaries. The tail is a light bluish-grey with a thick black band on the tip. The bill, legs and feet are black. This is a typically arboreal species feeding almost completely in trees for fruits, invertebrates, small reptiles and the eggs and young of birds. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches. Its acrobatic dances on the coconut palm leaf (ola) gave it the name <i>olenjali</i> in Kerala. It has been known to take flesh from a recently killed carcass and will sometimes travel in small feeding parties with other unrelated species such as drongos and babblers. @ home, kerala slides/indian_treepie_002.jpg slides/indian_koel_female_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 female indian koel waiting for its turn for papaya. <i>eudynamys scolopacea. </i> member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. The male is greenish-black, with a pale green bill and red eyes. The female is brownish above and whitish below, but is heavily striped and spotted brown on the underparts and white on the upperparts. She has an olive or green beak and red eyes. This is a noisy species, with a persistent and loud ko-el ko-el call as well as other gurgles and screams. </i> @ home, kerala female indian koel waiting for its turn for papaya. <i>eudynamys scolopacea. </i> member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. The male is greenish-black, with a pale green bill and red eyes. The female is brownish above and whitish below, but is heavily striped and spotted brown on the underparts and white on the upperparts. She has an olive or green beak and red eyes. This is a noisy species, with a persistent and loud ko-el ko-el call as well as other gurgles and screams. </i> @ home, kerala slides/indian_koel_female_001.jpg slides/prappidiyan_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 waiting for the prey? @ home, kerala waiting for the prey? @ home, kerala slides/prappidiyan_001.jpg slides/purple_rumped_sunbird_001.php Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:17:43 +0200 Jalbum 8.0 purple rumped sunbird in its nest. taken from our hostel in 2002. sanathana hostel, cusat, kerala. purple rumped sunbird in its nest. taken from our hostel in 2002. sanathana hostel, cusat, kerala. slides/purple_rumped_sunbird_001.jpg