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3rd ~ 11th December 2004 by Sumit K Sen North Bengal Trip Reports
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| Crimson-browed Finch (f) | Spot-winged Rosefinch (f) | ||
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(Images by Ramki) |
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Eastern HimalayaLIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN
1. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
On the road to Kalimpong
2. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
Sukna and Gorumara national Park
3. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Many at Phulbari Barrage and a pair on the river Teesta
4. Gadwall Anas strepera
Small flock at Phulbari Barrage.
5. Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca
Approximately 40 at Phulbari Barrage.
6. Common Merganser Mergus merganser
Lone female on the Teesta near Coronation Bridge on the return journey.
7. Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus
One seen at Chapramari WLS, duars.
8. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus
Fairly common in the mixed hunting flocks of smallies.
9. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei
At Gorumara Jungle Camp
10. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
At Biksthang.
11. Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha
Common on this trip with sightings at Sukna, Pelling, Rishyap and Gorumara.
12. Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus
One seen early morning at the Range Office, Gorumara.
13. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus
Observed at Sukna and Gorumara
14. Great Barbet Megalaima virens
Common at higher elevations down to 4000 feet (Biksthang).
15. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
Large flock on fruiting tree at Sukna and small numbers at Gorumara.
16. Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii
Observed at Lava and Rishyap
17. Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica
Singles in Pelling, Biksthang and Gorumara.
18. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
Common at Gorumara and a pair on the road from Biksthang to Kalimpong.
19. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis affinis
A few seen on the road from Siliguri to Gorumara. Also at Gorumara Jungle Camp.
20. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
At Sukna and Gorumara
21. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Gorumara area and on the river Teesta. One individual also noted at Biksthang.
22.Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris
On a tributary of river Rangit near Biksthang
23. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
Pair at Phulbari Barrage.
24. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti
Seen by a single observer in the Gorumara area.
25. Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis
Gorumara
26. Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria
Common in the Gorumara area
27. Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri
Gorumara
28. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Sukna, Mahananda WLS.
29. Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
Gorumara area
30. Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides
Sukna, Pelling, Biksthang and Gorumara. Seemed almost common.
31. Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata
One bird at the Gorumara Jungle Camp.
32. Long-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus
Mahakal trail, Gorumara.
33. Rock Pigeon Columba livia
Common. Most presumed feral.
34. Speckled Wood Pigeon Columba hodgsonii
Pair in flight over Algarah Road, Lava.
35. Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea
Rhino Point Watchtower, Gorumara.
36. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Sukna, Pelling and Gorumara. Also on the road at various points.
37. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Lowlands.
38. Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
Common at Gorumara near the elephant holding area
39. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
On the road from Siliguri
40. Barred Cuckoo Dove Macropygia unchall
Flock of eight at 7th mile on Algarah Road, Lava
41. Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
Pair at Gorumara National Park.
42. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
Many at Rhino Point, Gorumara.
43. Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda
Six birds feeding at Sukna.
44. Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon Treron sphenura
Lava.
45. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
A few on the pond at Chapramari WLS.
46. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
One bird on the river Murti, Gorumara National Park
47. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
At the same place as the Greenshank. Also at Phulbari Barrage.
48. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
At Phulbari and on the road to Gorumara.
49. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Good flock at Phulbari Barrage.
50. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
Chapramari WLS.
51. Black Kite Milvus migrans
Common in the Siliguri area.
52. Black Kite Milvus migrans lineatus
Sukna, Mahananda WLS
53. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis
Single bird in a flock of Himalayan Griffons in the lowlands.
54. Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis
Large flock on the road from Bagdogra to Sevok road. Lowlands.
55. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
individuals at Sukna, Biksthang and Gorumara.
56. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Aerial views from Biksthang.
57. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Lava area.
58. Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus orientalis
One on the road to Lava.
59. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
One seen at Biksthang.
60. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis
Three over-flying Biksthang.
61. Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis
Pairs observed over Pelling and Lava area.
62. Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens
Adults at Gorumara National Park and Chapramari WLS.
63. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
On the road from Lava to Gorumara.
64. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger
Phulbari Barrage and Gorumara National Park
65. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
Phulbari Barrage
66. Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Gorumara National Park
67. Great Egret Casmerodius albus
Chapramari WLS
68. Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia
Gorumara National Park
69. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Common lowlands.
70. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
Gorumara National Park and on the road in the plains.
71. Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa
Single observer sighting on the Murti River, Gorumara
72. Black Stork Ciconia nigra
Immature over Murti river, Gorumara
73. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
Singles at Gorumara and Chapramari.
74. Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons
Pair at Sukna. Also at Gorumara.
75. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Many on the road from Siliguri to river Teesta
76. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach tricolor
At Pelling, Biksthang and Rishyap. A high altitude sighting at Rishyap (2700m)
77. Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus
Pelling, Biksthang and Gorumara area.
78. Yellow-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa flavirostris
Five birds seen near 7th mile on Algarah Road, Lava.
79. Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda
Gorumara area
80. Grey Treepie Dendrocitta formosae
Common. Seen daily.
81. House Crow Corvus splendens
Siliguri and Pelling.
82. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Seen on all days of the trip
83. Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus
Gorumara National park
84.Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus
Gorumara area.
85. Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
At Pelling, Rishyap and Gorumara.
86. Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
Sukna and Gorumara area.
87. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus
Large flock at Sukna and on the road in Sikkim and at Gorumara.
88. Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha
On the road twice in mixed hunting flocks.
89. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
On the road in Sikkim and also at Gorumara.
90. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
Common in the lowlands.
91. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
Sukna, Biksthang and Gorumara.
92. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
On the road in Sikkim, Sukna and at Gorumara.
93. Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer
Gorumara area.
94. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia
At Rhino Point, Gorumara.
95. Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
A pair on the Mahakal trail.
96. Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorynchus
Pair on the way to Sanga Chelling, Pelling.
97. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
On the road to Biksthang. Intermediate between pandoo and philippensis.
98. Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus
Common at all elevations.
99. Plain-backed thrush Zoothera mollissima
One on the way to Lava on Algarah Road.
100. Grey-winged Blackbird Turdus boulboul
Only in the Pemayangtse area.
101. Dark-throated Thrush Turdus ruficollis ruficollis
At Rishyap, Lava.
102. Dark-sided Flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica
At the usual haunt near the village on Algarah Road where the road to Rishyap originates.
103. Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Ficedula strophiata
Strangely, only at Pelling.
104. Red-throated (Taiga) Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
Sukna and Gorumara Jungle Camp.
105. Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina
On the road in Sikkim and at Gorumara.
106. Rufous-bellied Niltava Niltava sundara
Pair on the road from Biksthang to Kalimpong.
107. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Gorumara area.
108. Orange-flanked Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus
Lava area.
109. Golden Bush Robin Tarsiger cyanurus
Striking male on the road to Sanga Chelling, Pelling.
110. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
Only seen in the Gorumara area.
111. White-rumped Shama
Single female at Gorumara National Park
112. Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris
A few at Rishyap, Lava.
113. Blue-fronted Redstart Phoenicurus frontalis
Common at higher elevations.
114.. White-capped Water Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus
At Sukna and near most streams.
115. Plumbeous Water Redstart Phoenicurus fuliginosus
At most streams and waterfalls.
116. Little Forktail Enicurus scouleri
At the same place as the Crested Kingfisher near Biksthang.
117. Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus
On a couple of streams while in Sikkim.
118. Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus
A brief glimpse at Gorumara. Same species seen well at the same site on earlier visits.
119. Siberian Stonechat Saxicola torquata
On the road near Biksthang, Sikkim.
120. Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea
In Sikkim and Rishyap.
121. Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus
Gorumara area.
122. Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra
Lowland areas.
123. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Lowlands and Biksthang.
124. Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
Sukna, Lava and Gorumara area.
125. Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sitta castanea
Sukna and Gorumara.
126. White-tailed Nuthatch Sitta himalayensis
Pemayangtse and Rishyap.
127. Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
Gorumara area.
128. Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus
129. Yellow-cheeked Tit Parus spilonotus
At Pemayangtse and Lava.
130. Black-throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus
On Algarah Road.
131. Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Small flock at Phulbari Barrage.
132.Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis
At Biksthang and at various places over the river Teesta.
133. Striated Bulbul Pycnonotus striatus
Rishyap and Lava.
134. Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
Sukna and Gorumara area.
135. Himlayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys
Pelling and on the road.
136. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
Only at Gorumara, where common.
137. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
At Pelling, Biksthang,
Gorumara National Park and a surprising 2700m sighting at Rishyap.
138. Mountain Bulbul Hypsipetes mcclellandii
Large flocks seen at Rishyap and Lava area.
139. Black Bulbul Hypsipetes leucocephalus
Very common in the hills. Unusual sight of a flock of 400-500 wheeling over Algarah Road at dawn.
140. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
Roadside view, Sikkim.
141. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
Sukna, Biksthang and Gorumara.
142. Buff-barred Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher
Single at Biksthang
143. Ashy-throated Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis
At Biksthang
144. Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei
Relatively common in the hills.
145. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides
At Sukna and Pemayangtse area.
146. Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos
Common at Pelling and Lava.
147. Grey-cheeked warbler Seicercus poliogenys
Lava area.
148. Black-faced warbler Abroscopus schisticeps
Lava area.
149. Blue-winged Laughingthrush Garrulax squamatus
Algarah Road
150. Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush Garrulax erythrocephalus
At Rishyap and Algarah Road, Lava.
151. Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps
Pair at Rishyap.
152. Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus erythrogenys
A pair seen well at Rishyap.
153. Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis
On the road in Sikkim.
154. Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus
Gorumara Jungle Camp.
155. Silver-eared Mesia Leiothrix argentauris
Pair seen well at Chapramari. Very few records from the area.
156. Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea
Pelling, Rishyap and Lava area.
157. White-browed Shrike Babbler Pteruthius flaviscapis
One male on the road from Biksthang to Kalimpong.
158. Rusty-fronted Barwing Actinodura egertoni
At Pelling, Rishyap and Lava. Seen in flocks numbering 7-10.
159. Hoary-throated Barwing Actinodura nipalensis
Only at Lava.
160. Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula
Common in the hills. Seen everyday.
161. Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
On the road and at Biksthang.
162. Blue-winged Minla Minla cyanouroptera
Only one confirmed sighting in a mixed flock on the road in Sikkim.
163. Rufous-winged Fulvetta Alcippe castaneceps
Common at Pelling where a flock of 60-70 seen. Also noted on Algarah road.
164. Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis
Only at Pelling.
165. Whiskered Yuhina Yuhina flavicollis
Common
166.Stripe-throated Yuhina Yuhina gularis
Surprisingly common at Pelling , Rishyap and Lava.
167. Rufous-vented Yuhina Yuhina occipitalis
In good numbers at Rishyap and the Lava area.
168. Rufous Sibia Heterophasia capistrata
All over the place in the hills. Most commonly seen bird on the trip.
169. Fire-breasted Flowerpecker Dicaeum ignipectus
Pelling and Lava area.
170. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum
Stunning male at Gorumara National park and a female at the Jungle Camp.
171.Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis
Common in the hills.
172. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja
One on the road in Sikkim and a few on Mahakal trail, Gorumara.
173. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
On the road and at Bliss Resort, Biksthang.
174. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Fairly common near habitation
175. White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Sukna and Phulbari Barrage.
176. White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis
Singles on the Mahanada River, Sukna.
177. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
A few individuals near streams while driving through Sikkim.
178. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
Common. Pelling and Lava area.
179. Rufous-breasted Accentor Prunella rubeculoides
Seen at Pelling. Very common at Rishyap where more than 20 seen.
180. Maroon-backed Accentor Prunella immaculata (?)
Possibly this species in a small flock flushed on Algarah Road.
181. Yellow-breasted Greenfinch Carduelis spinoides
Large flocks at Pelling.
182. Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis
Striking male at Rishyap.
183. Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii
Pemayangtse area.
184. Crimson-browed Finch Propyrrhula subhimachala
One female behind the Pemayangtse monastery.
185. Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla
Pemayangtse
Additions from subsequent image identification:
186. Short-billed Minivet Pericrocotus brevirostris
Gorumara. Flock originally ID'd as Scarlet Minivet.
187. Black-faced Warbler Abroscopus schisticeps
Rishyap, Lava
188. Black-eared Shrike Babbler Pteruthius melanotis
Lava area
189. Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda
Single eclipse male at Biksthang
190. Spot-winged Rosefinch Carpodacus rodopeplus
Female photographed at Rishyap.
List of Mammals
1. Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta
Gorumara National park.
2. Assamese Macaque Macaca assamenis
On the Sevok Road, Teesta River.
3. Gaur Bos gaurus
Gorumara National Park.
4. Wild Pig Sus scorfa
Gorumara National Park.
5. Asian Elephant Elephas maximus
Eight near Gorumara Jungle Camp.
6. Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis
A total of seven seen well at Gorumara National Park
7. Jungle Cat Felis chaus
Road kill, Gorumara area
8. Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula (?)
Possibly this species at Lava.
9. Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor
Gorumara National Park.
10. Hoary-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Callosciurus pygerythrus
Lava and Pelling area.
11. Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel Dremomys lokriah
Sikkim
Kolkata, India December 2004.
REFERENCES
[1] Birds of the Indian Subcontinent; Richard Grimmett, Carol Inskipp & Tim
Inskipp; Christopher Helm; 1998.
[2] A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent; Krys Kazmierczak & Ber
van Perlo; Pica Press; 2000;
[3] A Birdwatchers' Guide to India; Krys Kazmierczak & Raj Singh; Birdwatchers'
Guides, Oxford University Press
[4] Birds of South-east Asia ~ Craig Robson; New Holland
[5] Handbook of the Birds of the India and Pakistan; Ali & Ripley; OUP
[6] Birds of the Eastern Himalayas; Salim Ali
[7] Oriental Bird Images Gallery - OBC
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