Manas National Park

LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN 
Manas National Park (Eastern Zone) and Deepor Beel, Assam, India
November 2005

Manas National Park Checklist of birds

Incorporates 46 images from the trip

1. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
   Heard and seen everyday in small numbers

2. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus
   One male observed in the forest at the edge of the Kaklabari Seed Farm on 21/11

3. Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica
   Small flocks around Guwahati Airport. None observed in Manas.

4. Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla
   Single observation near a dry river bed in Manas on 21/11

5. Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus
   Fairly common as woodpeckers go. Pairs and singles observed on 22/11 and 23/11

6. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus
   Two birds observed in secondary forest on 21/11

7. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
   Scope view of two birds seen across a dry river bed on 22/11

8. Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
   Two or three birds seen well near Thangwnmara camp on 22/11

9. Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii
   Male in the Dongo Gwlao area on 21/11

10. Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense
    Single female near the Kakalabari checkpost on 23/11

11. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus
    Observed on 21/11 and 23/11

12. Great Barbet Megalaima virens
    Single observation at the edge of Narsing grassland on 21/11

13. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
    Common and vocal. Seen on all days.

14. Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica
    Recorded on all days. 

15. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
    Small numbers observed on all days at the edges of dry river beds. Feeding flock of five at Alabari on 23/11. Although the Great Hornbill is commonly observed in the area, we dipped.

16. Wreathed Hornbill Aceros undulatus
    Two males and a female in flight over climax forest on the drive to Naganglam on 23/11.

17. Common Hoopoe Upupa epops
    Single observation on NH 152 on 22/11.

18. Red-headed Trogon Harpactes erythrocephalus
    A pair of these lovely birds seen well near Dongo Gwlao on 21/11.

19. Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
    Regularly seen near grassland and dry river beds in small numbers. Ssp. affinis. 

20. Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
    Single observation on the Bhutan side on 23/11.

21. White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
    Common.

22. Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris
    Single observation on the Bhutan side on 23/11.

23. Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
    Only recorded at Deepor Beel on 24/11, none observed at Manas.

24. Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni
    Stunning view of a single bird near Samajhora on 22/11. Call recorded elsewhere.

25. Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
    Only at Deepor Beel on 24/11.

26. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti
    Pair seen well in the Dongo Gwlao area on 21/11.

27. Plaintive Cuckoo Cacomantis merulinus
    Single immature (?) feeding on caterpillars on NH 152, 22/11

28. Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea
    None at Manas. Roadside observation on NH 31, 20/11.

29. Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis
    Singles recorded everyday at Manas.

30. Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis
    Birds in non-breeding plumage near Samajhora and Alabari on 22/11 and 23/11

31. Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
    Two overflying birds at the Seed Farm on 21/11

32. Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula alexandri
    Common and in large numbers. 100 strong roost on NH 152 past Kaklabari checkpost.

33. Himalayan Swiftlet Collocalia brevirostris
    In mixed flock of predominantly Fork-tailed Swifts at Alabari on 23/11.

34. Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
    Flock of six at Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa on 24/11.

35. Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus
    Large feeding flock near dry river bed at Alabari on 23/11. Possible passage migrants and a good record for the area.

36. Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides
    Heard each night at Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa

37. Spotted Owlet Athene brama
    Heard each night at Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa

38. Rock Pigeon Columba livia

39. Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
    Common near dry river beds. Seen all days. 

40. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
    Common

41. Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
    Only at the Kakalbari Central seed Farm area on 21/11 and 24/11.

42. Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
    A Deepor Beel and on the roadside on 20/11. None at Manas.

43. Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora
    Common near the Thangwanmara camp, 22/11. Also seen in flight near the Seed Farm.  Ssp. phayrei. 

44. Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
    Abundant. Feeding flocks of up to 50 birds observed.

45. Pin-tailed Green Pigeon Treron apicauda
    Feeding pair in mixed flock of green pigeons seen on the Dongo Gwlao trail on 21/11.

46. Black-tailed Crake Porzana bicolor
    Bird of the trip. Single observation on 22/11.

47. Snipe Gallinago sp.
    Snipe flushed from small wetland near the edge of the Seed Farm on 21/11. Species could not be determined.

48. Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
    Singles near dry river beds. 

49. Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus cinereus
    One seen well in flight at the Seed Farm on 24/11

50. Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus
    Small numbers on river beds

51. Osprey Pandion haliaetus
    Two birds seen in flight. One near the Seed Farm on 21/11, the other on 23/11.

52. Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus
    Single scope observation on the road to Thangwnmara camp on 22/11

53. Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
    Two birds at the edge of the Seed Farm on 24/11.

54. Black Kite Milvus migrans
    None at Manas. Common near habitation on the road to Manas.

55. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
    One at Deepor Beel on 20/11

56. Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis
    Two soaring juveniles near the Seed Farm area on 21/11. 

57. Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
    Observed twice in densely forested area.

58. Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
    Single female at Deepor Beel on 20/11

59. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos
    Two juveniles at the marshland adjacent to the Seed Farm on 21/11

60. Shikra Accipiter badius
    Pair in ariel display on NH 152 which connects Manas with NH 31

61. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
    Single observation at Alabari on 23/11

62. White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa
    Single bird at the edge of Seed Farm on 21/11

63. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
    Seen on 22/11, 23/11 and 24/11 on open habitat.

64. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
    Soaring over river bed at Alabari on 23/11

65. Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii
    Scope views of an adult at the edge of Central Seed Farm on 21/11

66. Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus
    With prey on NH 152 on the way back from Alabari area on 23/11

67. Mountain Hawk Eagle Spizaetus nipalensis
    Soaring over the hillside in Bhutan on 23/11

68. Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens
    Seen at Seed Farm, Thangwnmara Camp and Alabari river bed. Some birds with rich rufous extending from throat downwards.

69. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
    Common. seen on all days.

70. Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger
    Common on the drive to Manas. Singles in Manas.

71. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
    One in Manas near seed Farm on 21/11. Close views on the river in Bhutan on 23/11.

72. Little Egret Egretta garzetta
    Common on the road to Manas. Singles just outside the National Park area. Also at Deepor Beel.

73. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
    Deepor Beel

74. Great Egret Casmerodius albus
    Roadside and at Deepor Beel. None inside Manas.

75. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
    Loose flocks near cultivation in Manas.

76. Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
    Regular in small numbers.

77. Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans
    None observed inside Manas. Common on the road to Manas.

78. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus
    Two at the edge of Central seed farm on 21/11. Common on the road to Manas.

79. Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella
    Feeding flock on the drive to Dongo Gwlao on 21/11. Also observed on 23/11.

80. Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons
    Seen all days.

81. Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
    Seen in small numbers on all days

82. Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach
    Ssp. Tricolor birds. A few observed near grassland on 21/11.

83. Grey-backed Shrike Lanius tephronotus
    Observed in all habitats on all days in Manas.

84. Common Green Magpie Cissa chinensis
    Observed near the Thangwnmara Camp and also at Alabari.

85. Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda
    Common

86. House Crow Corvus splendens
    Not inside Manas. Elsewhere near habitation on NH 31.

87. Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
    Pair at Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa and also at Nganglam, Bhutan on 23/11.

88. Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus
    Roosting flock of over 50 birds on the road to Dongo Gwlao on 21/11. Hawking birds near the same area on 22/11.

89. Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus
    Heard each day and observed on 22/11 and 23/11. Thangwnmara camp and Alabari area.

90. Maroon Oriole Oriolus traillii
    Observed at Alabari and Dongo Gwlao area on 21/11 and 23/11.

91. Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
    Mid-day pair at Samajora area on 22/11. Also observed on 23/11. Ssp. nipalensis.

92. Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos
    Pair at Thangwnmara camp on 22/11.

93. Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus
    A few in a mixed Minivet hunting party at Samajora on 22/11.

94. Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus
    A few in a mixed Minivet hunting party at Samajora on 22/11.

95. Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus
    Infrequently met with on all days at Manas.

96. White-throated Fantail Rhipidura albicollis
    Two birds only at seed Farm forest edge on 21/11. Part of mixed hunting party.

97. Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
    Common

98. Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
    Strangely, a single bird near Kalapani on 22/11. One would have expected this species to be far more abundant at this time of the year.

99. Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus
    Regular in the forest.

100. Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer
     Single scoped bird sharing an early morning roost with Gold-fronted Leafbirds on the way to Thangwnmara Camp on 22/11.

101. Spangled Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
     Common in the forest and forest edge.

102. Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus
     Singles seen on all days in Manas.

103. Common Iora Aegithina tiphia
     Seed farm and Thangwnmara Camp area on 21/11, 22/11 and 24/11.

104. Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis
     Daolabita area on 22/11

105. Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
     Only on the road to Bhutan on 23/11

106. Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus
     Seen around the Dongo Gwlao and Samajora area on 21/11 and 22/11.

107. Scaly Thrush Zoothera dauma
     Seen at dawn near camp on the drive to Thangwnmara Camp on the 22nd.

108. Tickell’s Thrush Turdus unicolor
     Single bird at Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa 24/11. Considered a rare record for the area. Possibly a passage migrant.

109. Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus
     Stunning scope views of a pair at Alabari on 23/11. Few records from the area.

110. Slaty-backed Flycatcher Ficedula hodgsonii
     Thangwnmara Camp on 22/11.

111. Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
     Single bird at Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa 24/11

112. Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni
     Female at Thangwnmara Camp on 22/1. Two males at Alabari on 23/11. Considered a summer resident in the area, this is a good winter record.

113. Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ficedula tricolor
     Bird observed in thick bush at Alabari on 23/11, possibly this species.

114. Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina
     Edge of Seed Farm and at Thangwnmara Camp

115. Small Niltava Niltava macgrigoriae
     Thangwnmara Camp on 22/11

116. Pale-chinned Flycatcher Cyornis poliogenys
     Single male in forest at edge of Seed Farm on 21/11. Part of mixed hunting party.

117. Pale Blue Flycatcher Cyornis unicolor
     Male on the drive to Nganglam, Bhutan on 23/11. A good area record.

118. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
     Two in forest at edge of Seed Farm on 21/11. Part of mixed hunting party.

119. Bluethroat Luscinia svecica
     At dusk on the road to camp from Kalapani on 22/11

120. Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
     Common

121. White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus
     Seen or heard on 22/11 and 23/11

122. Hodgson’s Redstart Phoenicurus hodgsoni
     Single female on river bed at Alabari on 23/11

123. Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus
     Single female on river bed at Alabari on 23/11. Good western limit record.

124. White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
     On river bed at Alabari on 23/11. Also in Bhutan.

125. Plumbeous Water Redstart Rhyacornis fuliginosus
     On river bed at Alabari on 23/11. Also in Bhutan.

126. Black-backed Forktail Enicurus immaculatus
     One near Thangwnmara Camp on 22/11. Also at the river running through Nganglam, Bhutan.

127. Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus
     On the drive to Bhutan and also at the river running through Nganglam, Bhutan

128. Spotted Forktail Enicurus maculatus
     At least two at Nganglam, Bhutan

129. Common Stonechat Saxicola torquata
     Common in the grasslands. Possibly ssp. przewalskii.

130. Grey Bushchat Saxicola ferrea
     A few at Thangwnmara Camp area on 22/11 and also on the road to Nganglam

131. Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus
     Common

132. Asian Pied Starling Sturnus contra
     Common in suitable habitat

133. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
     Seen inside deep forest on 22/11. Common in suitable habitat.

134. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus
     Large numbers at the Seed Farm area.

135. Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
     Pair near Kalapani on 22/11. 

136. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
     Common in small numbers.

137. Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis
     Only near the river at Alabari on 23/11

138. Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
     Observed in Manas on all days in small numbers.

139. Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
     Abundant, with the Red-vented perhaps the commonest birds at Manas at this time.

140. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
     Vocal in their hundreds

141. Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
     Grassland at Seed Farm on 21/11 and 24/11. We dipped on the Bright-headed which is known to occur in the area.

142. Plain Prinia Prinia inornata
     Grassland at Seed Farm on 21/11 and 24/11.

143. Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
     Met frequently.

144. Blunt-winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens ?
     Single observation on waterside reeds at the edge of Seed Farm on 21/11

145. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum
     Seed farm area and also at Thangwnmara Camp area on 22/11.

146. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus
     Met a few times around water in the Seed Farm and Thangwnmara area.

147. Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon
     Good views in reed bed surrounding the Seed Farm area on 24/11

148. Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
     Thangwnmara area on 22/11

149. Hume’s Warbler Phylloscopus humei
     Only positively identified phylloscopus warbler in the trip. At Seed Farm and Samajora area on 22/11 and 23/11

150. Grey-hooded Warbler Seicercus xanthoschistos
     Single observer views at Alabari on 23/11.

151. Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris
     Pair at Alabari on 23/11

152. Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris
     Fairly common around marshy areas

153. White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus
     Calls from a large unseen flock on the road to Bhutan

154. Abbott’s Babbler Malacocincla abbotti
     Heard only at Dongo Gwlao on 21/11

155. Striped Tit Babbler Macronous gularis
     Seen with mixed hunting party on 21/11 in forest along Seed Farm. Heard in other parts.

156. Chestnut-capped Babbler Timalia pileata
     In waterside reed bed along the canal at the edge of the Seed Farm. Single bird.

157. Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei
     Flock of 5 in Samajhora grassland on 22/11

158. Red-tailed Minla Minla ignotincta
     Two observed in a mixed hunting flock near Daolabilw on 22/11

159. Black-chinned Yuhina Yuhina nigrimenta ?
     Possibly this species in same hunting flock as above (160). 

160. Bengal Bushlark Mirafra assamica
     A couple at the Seed Farm on 24/11

161. Yellow-vented Flowerpecker Dicaeum chrysorrheum
     Two birds at Alabari on 23/11

162. Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos
     Single observation at Alabari on 23/11

163. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum
     Commonest flowerpecker. Good numbers at Thangwnmara Camp and also in the Alabari area. 22-23/11.

164. Crimson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja
     At Thangwnmara Camp, Kalapani and Alabari area. 22-23/11. Perhaps at camp as well.

165. Streaked Spiderhunter Arachnothera magna
     Abundant. At least 20 seen every day in suitable habitat.
     

166. House Sparrow Passer domesticus
     Manas Jungle Camp, Khamardwisa 

167. Russet Sparrow Passer rutilans
     A small flock seen at 110m in the Seed Farm area on 24/11. This is considered a  significant range and altitude observation.

168. Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
     In Bhutan and also at the Seed Farm. 23-24/11. Plains level sighting and possibly at the southernmost point of the range in the area. 

169. White Wagtail Motacilla alba
     Ssp. alboides birds. Regularly met on all days.

170. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola
     Seed Farm area. Single observation.

171. Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
     Only in marshy area near the Seed farm on 22/11. Single bird.

172. Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
     On the river at Nganglam, Bhutan. Also at Alabari on 23/11.

173. Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus
     Seed Farm area and at Narsing Grassland on 21/11

174. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
     Met every day while driving through forest roads. Small numbers.

175. Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus
     Single bird in a muddy ditch in the Seed Farm area. 21/11

176. Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus
     Common in Seed farm area. 21/11 and 24/11. Ssp. burmanicus

177. Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica
     Up to 10 birds on thickets adjoining crop land in Seed farm area on 21/11. Birds were way out of range and this is possibly the north-eastern most observation of this species in India.

178. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
     Thickets adjoining crop land in Seed farm area on 21/11

179. Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata
     Good scope views of two birds on hedge adjoining cropped land in Seed farm area. 21/11. 
     

 (Note : Identification of birds in maroon could not be positively confirmed in the field)

Sumit K Sen
Kolkata, India
16 May, 2007

© Sumit K. Sen 2005