Photos / Sounds
What
Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)Observer
geetvishDescription
This large lizard is terrestrial. they have long necks, well developed limbs with claws.They have forked tongues.They are mud coloured, hence difficult to spot unless they move.
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Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus)Observer
geetvishDescription
Sprightly black bird with white patch on the wing and rusty red under root of cocked tail. The female is ashy brown without the white patch. Mostly seen in pairs in dry open lightly wooded areas.
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White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis)Observer
geetvishDescription
The main characteristic is the broad white eyebrow that extends from the base of the bill to the back of its head. It has a black head, back, upper tail and white under parts.The female is a duller black.Found mostly in pairs near wet areas.
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Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)Observer
geetvishDescription
These birds have a long and narrow black tail, a black mask and forehead. A small white patch on the shoulder. They are found perched prominently on top of bushes or on a wire...as many as twenty or more in a line.
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Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)Observer
geetvishDescription
The Cormorant is an aquatic bird with dark feathers. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked. Their feet have webbing between all four toes. All are fish eaters, catching the prey by diving from the surface. They are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun to dry.
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Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus)Observer
geetvishDescription
The Brahminy Kite is a medium sized bird of prey. The head and breast are white in colour, the rest of the body is largely bright chestnut. The outer flight feathers are black and tip of the tail is white.these birds sit on trees or fly low above the ground or over water and snatch live prey.
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Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)Observer
geetvishDescription
The Grey Heron is a long legged wading bird. It feeds mainly on fish. It stands completely still at the side of water bodies. When it sights a fish, it strikes rapidly with its strong pointy beak.
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Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)Observer
geetvishDescription
The Magpie robin is a small passerine bird. The females are greyish black above and greyish white below.These birds are seen close to the ground searching for food among the leaves or hopping along branches of trees. The tail is held upright.
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Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)Observer
geetvishDescription
The Purple Sunbird is a small bird feeding mainly on nectar. They have a fast and direct flight moving from one flower to another hovering like a humming bird.The male is glossy metallic, bluish to purple.Breeding males will show yellow pectoral tuft on display like the one in the picture.
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Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)Observer
geetvishDescription
Bulbuls are smallish song birds. They are crested and live in gardens and shrubs.They feed on fruit, petals of flowers and also eat insects.Their bills are short and slightly hooked and surrounded by bristles. Their vent is red and so are their cheeks. They are active and noisy.
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Typical Owls (Family Strigidae)Observer
geetvishDescription
The Spotted Owlet is a small owl. They roost in small groups in hollows of trees or in cavities in rocks.It is a small stocky bird. The upper part is grey brown with white spots. The under part is white streaked with brown. They are nocturnal but can be seen in the hollow tree trunks during the day.
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Black Kite (Milvus migrans)Observer
geetvishDescription
Amedium sized bird of prey. Light brown head, neck and underparts... dark brown plumage. the eye is dark brown and bill is black.
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Jungle Babbler (Argya striata)Observer
geetvishDescription
A bird that is found in small groups of 6 to 10 and so more popularly called "Seven Sisters". It is seen in gardens as well as forest areas. It is a noisy bird with a harsh nasal call. It is brownish grey in colour with a yellow bill.It has short rounded wings and a weak flight. The younger ones have a dark iris and the older ones a pale creamy colour.
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Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)Observer
geetvishDescription
These birds are found in wooded areas. The head, neck and breast of the bird are a deep slate grey. The upper parts are brown turning orange on upper tail. The wings are black with silvery grey terminal band. The eyes are red and legs and feet are dark grey.They feed on insects, fruits and small birds.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)Observer
geetvishDescription
The body of this swan is mostly black, bill a deep orange red... paler at the tip with a white band towards the end. It mainly feeds on algae and weeds by plunging its long neck into water up to one meter deep. They are clumsy walkers.
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White-cheeked Barbet (Psilopogon viridis)Observer
geetvishDescription
The white cheeked barbet or small green barbet... the head is brownish streaked with white.The bill is pinkish. The rest of the body is green which makes them difficult to spot. They feed on fruits mostly and on insects occasionally. They nest in cavities of trees which they chisel out with their strong beaks.
Photos / Sounds
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Millipedes (Class Diplopoda)Observer
geetvishDescription
Brown in colour with rounded elongated body. They are found in moist places.
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Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius)Observer
geetvishDescription
These birds are brightly coloured with green upper part and yellow or white underpart with a chestnut on the head.the tail is held upright. They hop around and the only time they sit in one place is when they are grooming. They are found in urban gardens,normally hidden among the leaves but their loud calls give away their presence.They feed on insects.
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What
Ants (Family Formicidae)Observer
geetvishDescription
These ants are found close to homes where food is readily available.All through Summer they are busy foraging for food and storing them away getting ready for the monsoon which follow.They work in small groups.
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What
Ants (Family Formicidae)Observer
geetvishDescription
These ants are mostly seen in summer...busy carrying food , stocking for the rains... here they are carrying the shell of mussels. As they work in a group they can carry things many times their weight.
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Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)Observer
geetvishDescription
Flying and feeding in and around trees, lays eggs on leaves. Birds eat the cocoons and those that survive transform into beautifully coloured butterflies.
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Thunder LilyObserver
geetvishDescription
These lilies grow in the wild. They appear just after the pre monsoon showers. There is a lot f thunder and lightning during this period and hence it gets its name Thunder lily.
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Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)Observer
geetvishDescription
Has a short crest giving the head a squarish appearance...body is dark brown with a scaly pattern... the head is darker. Rump is white while vent is red. It has a melodious cry. Feeds on fruits, petals of flowers and insects.
Photos / Sounds
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True Koels (Genus Eudynamys)Observer
geetvishDescription
Black in colour with orangish red eyes...very vocal...often heard before seen...feeds in the canopy of trees.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)Observer
geetvishDescription
Body is dark brown while head is black. Rump is white while vent is red.it has a short crest giving the head a squarish appearance. It has very prominent red cheeks. Very melodious cry, They were guarding their nest on this tree.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Great Egret (Ardea alba ssp. modesta)Observer
geetvishDescription
Egrets have long legs and long sharp beaks.It is found flying near the coast. Long beaks help the bird catch fish or prise out molluscks found on the rocks.
