Brainfever bird

A few words: If you've ever been walking through a forest when suddenly, a creepy three-note call carries through the trees again and again until it abruptly stops.  Congratulations! You've just had your first unnerving encounter with the brain-fever bird. Known for its disturbing call, the brain fever bird even looks like a complete wacko, and can be easily identified. All one has to do is look for yellow markings around crazed eyes.

Common name: Common hawk-cuckoo; brain-fever bird

Scientific name: Hierococcyx varius

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                               Phylum: Chordata
                                               Class: Aves
                                               Order: Cuculiformes
                                               Family: Cuculidae
                                               Genus: Hierococcyx
                                               Species: H. varius

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: It is found in most parts of the Indian sub-continent. Some birds go as far as Sri Lanka in the winter months.

Habitat: Arable land, tree groves, deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/369255


Distribution map:

Source: hbw.com

Common Myna

A few words: Dera doesn't seem to have a very large myna population. However, they can be easily found. They often aggregate in groups on the paths and roads that wind through the forest and farm alike. Perhaps their most noticeable feature is the yellow markings around both eyes. They make for good photography subjects; not shying away from the camera and moving relatively slow.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission has declared mynas to be one of the world's most invasive species. In-fact, it is one of only three birds in the top 100 species that poses a threat to biodiversity, agriculture and human interests.

A perfect specimen

Common name: Common myna

Scientific name: Acridotheres tristis

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                               Phylum: Chordata
                                               Class: Aves
                                               Order: Passeriformes
                                               Family: Sturnidae
                                               Genus: Acridotheres
                                               Species: A. tristis

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: Though it is native to Asia, it has been introduced in a large number of countries, from Canada to Australia. This has made the myna a global presence.

Habitat: Open woodland, agricultural regions and areas around human habitation.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/364334


Distribution map:

                       

Source: scielo.org.za

           

White rumped munia

Common name: White-rumped munia; white-rumped mannikin.

Scientific name: Lonchura striata

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Passeriformes
                                             Family: Estrildidae
                                             Genus: Lonchura
                                             Species: L. striata

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Open woodlands, grasslands and scrub forests. It can also adapt to agricultural areas.
 
Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/24614
 
Distribution: The white-rumped munia seems to have originated in India and then spread towards Africa and Pacific Ocean habitats.

Source: hbw

Loten's sunbird

Male preening himself

In a tree

Keeping a lookout

An awkward moment.

Common name: Loten's sunbird; long-billed sun-bird; maroon-breasted sunbird.

Scientific name: Cinnyris lotenius

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Passeriformes
                                             Family: Nectariniidae
                                             Genus: Cinnyris
                                             Species: C. lotenius

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Commonly found in forests and cultivated areas.
 
Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/311201
 
Distribution: Found only in peninsular India and Sri Lanka.

Source: hbw

Note: Difference between male and female birds is shown below.

Source: jlrexplore

Asian Koel

Male

Common name: Asian Koel

Scientific name: Eudynamys scolopaceus

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Cuculiformes
                                             Family: Cuculidae
                                             Genus: Eudynamys
                                             Species: E. scolopaceus

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Found in light woodlands and cultivated areas.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/319736
 
Distribution: This bird is found mostly in tropical southern Asia.

Source: wikimedia, (area in black)

Note: Females look different as shown below:

Source: wikimedia

Indian pond heron

Common name: Indian pond heron; paddybird

Scientific name: Ardeola grayii

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Pelecaniformes
                                             Family: Ardeidae
                                             Genus: Ardeola
                                             Species: A. grayii

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: The feeding habitat is marshy wetlands.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/116748

Distribution: Widely distributed across India.

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher

Male bird

In a tree

Common name: Tickell's blue flycatcher

Scientific name: Cyornis tickelliae

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Passeriformes
                                             Family: Muscicapidae
                                             Genus: Cyornis
                                             Species: tickelliae

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Dry forest, scrub, bamboo and gardens.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/311227

Distribution: Found in India, Nepal and Myanmar.

Source: hbw.com

 Note: Difference between the male and female birds shown below.

Source: tsuru-bird.net

Indian Paradise Flycatcher

Got to be a nominee : 'Best hairdo of the year'

Common name: Indian paradise flycatcher; Asian paradise flycatcher

Scientific name:  Terpsiphone paradisi

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Passeriformes
                                             Family: Monarchidae
                                             Genus: Terpsiphone
                                             Species: T.paradisi

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: They inhabit thick forests and well-wooded habitats.

Conservation status: Least Concern
 
Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/342232

Distribution: Resident populations in south India and Sri Lanka. These birds are migratory and spend the cold season in tropical Asia.

Source: hbw.com

Note: Pictures sourced from wikipedia.

Male dressed festively for the mating season

Male

Female

Red Vented Bulbul

What d'yu think you're doing?

I spy...

Common name: Red-vented bulbul

Scientific name: Pycnonotus cafer

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Passeriformes
                                             Family: Pycnonotidae
                                             Genus: Pycnonotus
                                             Species: Cafer

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: Dry scrub, open forest, plains, cultivated areas.

Conservation status: Least Concern
 
 Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/319790

Distribution: Widely distributed in India, this bird is a common sight. It has been introduced in other countries and areas (Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand).

Source: hbw.com

Note: Difference between male and female shown below.

Source: indiannaturewatch

Olive Keelback

Me: Look what my cat dragged in! Very beautiful, badly injured... I really wanted a few photographs and so I rescued it. Capturing it was a bit tricky. I used a broomstick and a biriyani dabba (container for awesome food). It isn't worth mentioning that I was scared and squeal-ish. I mean, a bad tempered snake is something you should let alone. But I needed the post! 

I thought the snake was a goner for sure. So ( don't judge) I planned  to take it to my biology lab the next day and pickle it in a jar using formaldehyde. However, it pulled through, which was great! So a few hours later, we released it and watched it disappear.

Beautiful, no?

A close up

Belly up

Common name: Olive keelback; split keelback

Scientific name: Atretium schistosum

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Reptilia
                                             Order: Squamata
                                             Sub-order: Serpentes
                                             Family: Colubridae
                                             Genus: Atretium
                                             Species: A.schistosum

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: The olive keelback is a water snake. Hence, it is found near water bodies in forested areas or in those regions that have a good amount of vegetation.
 
Conservation status: Least Concern
 
Distribution: Found in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Indian Golden Oriole

Common name: Indian golden oriole

Scientific name: Oriolus kundoo

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Passeriformes
                                             Family: Oriolidae
                                             Genus: Oriolus
                                             Species: O. kundoo

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: The Indian golden oriole inhabits a wide range of habitats. These include open deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, woodland, forest edge, mangroves, open country with scattered trees, parks, gardens orchards and plantations.

Conservation status: Least concern


Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/180042
 
Distribution: Found in the Indian sub-continent and Central Asia.

Source: wikipedia

 Note: Not to be confused with the Eurasian Golden Oriole (pictured below).

Source: wikipedia

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon

Courtesy: Shiva.T

Common name: Orange-breasted green pigeon

Scientific name: Treron bicinctus

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Aves
                                             Order: Columbiformes
                                             Family: Columbidae
                                             Genus: Treron
                                             Species: T. bicinctus

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: They live in forests.

Conservation status: Least concern

Sound recording: http://www.xeno-canto.org/311508

Note: Difference between male and female.

Source: orientalbirdimages

Distribution: This species is found only in forested areas south of the lower Himalayas. Seasonally, they can be seen in places like Sind.They are found in Burma, Thailand the Malay Peninsula, Vietnam, Java and Hainan.

source: www.oiseaux.net

Dog

Common name: Domesticated dog

Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Mammalia
                                             Order: Carnivora
                                             Family: Canidae
                                             Genus: Canis
                                             Species: C. lupus
                                             Sub-species: C. lupus familiaris

Type of species: Exotic

Distribution: There are over 100 million dogs the world over. They are found almost everywhere.

Conservation status: Domesticated

Indian Palm Squirrel

Courtesy: Shiva.T

Common name: Indian palm squirrel; three-striped palm squirrel.
Scientific name: Funambulus palmarum
Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Mammalia
                                             Order: Rodentia
                                             Family: Sciuridae
                                             Genus: Funambulus
                                             Species: F.palmarum

Type of species: Indigenous
Distribution: Found naturally in India and Sri Lanka, However, it has been introduced into many other areas such as Madagascar, Comoro Islands, Mayotte, etc.
Habitat: These animals prefer to live in trees, hence are called arboreal animals.
Conservation status: Least concern
On the farm: These squirrels are omnipresent throughout the farm.

Indian Five-fingered Frog

Front view

Common name: Indian five-fingered frog; green pond frog; Indian green frog.

Scientific name: Euphlyctis hexadactylus

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Class: Amphibia
                                             Order: Anura
                                             Family: Dicroglossidae
                                             Genus: Euphlyctis
                                             Species: E. hexadactylus

Type of species: Indigenous

Distribution: The green pond frog is a common species of aquatic frog found in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Habitat: This species is aquatic and is found in both freshwater and brackish-water environments.

Conservation status: Least concern

Pictures: 

The frog is half a foot long

Top-view

Common Indian Tree Frog

At Dera, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Common name: Common Indian tree frog; Chunam tree frog; Himalayan tree frog.

Scientific name: Polypedates maculatus

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Animalia
                                             Phylum: Chordata
                                             Sub-phylum: Vertebrata
                                             Class: Amphibia
                                             Sub-class: Lissamphibia
                                             Order: Anura
                                             Suborder: Neobatrachia
                                             Family: Rhacophoridae
                                             Subfamily: Rhacophorinae
                                             Genus: Polypedates
                                             Species: P. maculatus

Type of species: Indigenous

Habitat: This common and adaptable frog prefers moist and sheltered areas.

Conservation status: Least concern


Distribution: This frog species is widespread throughout South Asia : Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It may also be found in China and Myanmar due to their proximity.

Pictures: