Hill Partridge
Arborophila torqueola - Heard regularly in the Mayodia area.
Sclater's Monal
Lophophorus sclateri – Two stunning males were observed by the roadside about two kilometers beyond Mayodia Pass on the way to Hunli. The extent of chestnut banding on the tail
(see image) is suggestive of an intermediate between the nominate, and the all white-tailed
arunachalensis ssp.
Kalij Pheasant
Lophura leucomelanos – One male seen briefly about 5 kms. North of Hunli. Likely to be
of the lathami race based on range.
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea – seen in great numbers on and around the Lohit River. Also at roost on the mudbanks at Dibru-Saikhowa.
Gadwall
Anas strepera – A few on the Lohit
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos – Pair seen during the ferry –crossing on the Lohit
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta – Flock in flight across the Lohit.
Common Teal
Anas crecca – Flock at Dibru-Saikhowa.
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina - Flock at Dibru-Saikhowa
Ferruginous Pochard
Aythya nyroca – Few in mixed flock at Dibru-Saikhowa
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula - In a mixed flock at Dibru-Saikhowa. The flock may have contained a few Baer’s Pochards also but positive identification was not possible in the conditions prevailing.
Speckled Piculet
Picumnus innominatus – A single bird seen feeding high in the canopy at about the 9km marker on the Roing-Hunli road.
White-browed Piculet
Sasia ochracea – A noisy bird feeding on bamboo was observed for some length of time close to the Dibang Valley Jungle Camp (12th Mile)
Rufous Woodpecker
Celeus brachyurus – One record from the Roing area.
Greater Yellownape
Picus flavinucha – A couple observed in a mixed flock of Barbets and other species about 5 kms before the Ithun River crossing in the Hunli area.
Greater Flameback
Chrysocolaptes lucidus - Jokai Forest
Great Barbet
Megalaima virens – Regularly heard at all elevations in the Mishmis and seen a few times.
Lineated Barbet
Megalaima lineata – A few on the Hunli – Ryalli stretch
Golden-throated Barbet
Megalaima franklinii – About half dozen seen from close on a fruiting tree close to the Ithun river at about 2000 feet. Also observed elsewhere in the Hunli area.
Blue-throated Barbet
Megalaima asiatica – Observed in the Roing area
Blue-eared Barbet
Megalaima australis – single bird seen by two observers from a distance on the road between Hunli and Ryalli at about 2500 feet.
Wreathed Hornbill
Aceros undulatus – A flock of 11 birds seen in roosting flight over the Ithun river.
Red-headed Trogon
Harpactes erythrocephalus – Pair on riverside trees – Ithun river.
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis – Common in the lowlands of Assam. All birds of the race
affinis as is expected.
White-throated Kingfisher
Halcyon smyrnensis – Lowlands
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis - Roadside views in Assam valley
Pied Kingfisher
Ceryle rudis – seen in flight over the Lohit River.
Green Bee-eater
Merops orientalis – Roadside in Assam
Asian Koel
Eudynamys scolopacea – Heard in the Dibrugarh area
Himalayan Swiftlet
Collocalia brevirostris – small flock over the Ithun River, Hunli area.
Asian Palm Swift
Cypsiurus balasiensis – Jokai forest area, Dibrugarh
Spotted Owlet
Athene brama – Seen in the Mancotta Bungalow, Dibrugarh.
Rock Pigeon
Columba livia – Feral birds observed in most areas
Spotted Dove
Streptopelia chinensis – not common in the hills
Barred Cuckoo Dove
Macropygia unchall – 5 birds seen well on the Hunli – Ryalli road.
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica – Jokai Forest, Dibrugarh
Pompadour Green Pigeon
Treron pompadora – Large feeding flock of ssp.
Phayrei seen well in the Jokai Forest area.
Pin-tailed Green Pigeon
Treron apicauda – lone bird seen near the Dibang Valley Camp in Roing.
White-breasted Waterhen
Amaurornis phoenicurus – Jokia forest
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus - Jokia forest
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola – Roadside views in Assam valley
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos - Roadside views in Assam valley
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckii – Dibru-Saikhowa
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius – Dibru-Saikhowa
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus - Flock in flight near the Lohit River.
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus – Pair by the waterside at Jokai
Pallas's Gull
Larus ichthyaetus – A few seen from the ferry on the Lohit
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus – Lohit River crossing
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Pernis ptilorhyncus – A couple in the lowlands
Black-shouldered Kite
Elanus caeruleus – A few on roadside power lines in Assam valley
Black Kite
Milvus migrans – Lowlands, Assam
White-rumped Vulture
Gyps bengalensis - Lone bird on the road to Dibrugrah.
Himalayan Griffon
Gyps himalayensis – Pair riding the thermals observed at Mayodia.
Crested Goshawk
Accipiter trivirgatus – Bird in display flight over the Dibang River basin, Roing area.
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus – Displaying pair in flight over Mayodia Pass. Pair on the cliffs also at Mayodia.
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo – A few seen. Good views near the Itapani River, Roing.
Black Eagle
Ictinaetus malayensis – Observed flying over the canopy from Dibang Valley Jungle Camp, Roing. Also elsewhere in the Roing – Mayodia area.
Rufous-bellied Eagle
Hieraaetus kienerii – A pale Hawk Eagle seen at about 6000 feet on the Roing – Mayodia road could have been a juvenile bird of this species. Confirmation, however, has not been possible.
Mountain Hawk Eagle
Spizaetus nipalensis – observed on 4/7 days.
Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus – One seen at the Jungle Camp, Roing. Others on the road in Assam.
Red-necked Falcon
Falco chicquera – Bird in overhead flight over Banshree Lodge, Dibru-Saikhowa.
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus - A couple on the Lohit River, Assam.
Darter Anhinga melanogaster – a few at Dibru-Saikhowa
Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger - At Dibru-Saikhowa and elsewhere in Assam.
Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis – Roosting flight at Dibru-Saikhowa
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo – one swimming in the Ithun River rapids. Roosting birds at Dibru-Saikhowa
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta - Dibru-Saikhowa
Great Egret
Casmerodius albus - Dibru-Saikhowa
Intermediate Egret
Mesophoyx intermedia - Dibru-Saikhowa
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis – common in the lowlands
Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii - A few encountered in the lowlands
Black Stork
Ciconia nigra – Three birds on the Lohit River.
Lesser Adjutant
Leptoptilos javanicus - A single bird seen by one observer from far during the Lohit ferry crossing.
Long-tailed Broadbill
Psarisomus dalhousiae – Ithun River area, Hunli.
Asian Fairy Bluebird
Irena puella – Single male near the Cuckoo Dove location.
Orange-bellied Leafbird
Chloropsis hardwickii – Fairly common in the Mishmi Hills. Observed on most days.
Brown Shrike
Lanius cristatus – Roadside views in Assam on the drive from Dibrugarh to Sadiya Ghat.
Long-tailed Shrike
Lanius schach - Roadside views in Assam and also in the Arunachal plains.
Grey-backed Shrike
Lanius tephronotus – A few in the lower hills near Roing.
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandarius – A rather compact bird seen well at 8,500 meters near Mayodia Pass.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie
Urocissa flavirostris – Regular in the Mayodia Pass area.
Common Green Magpie
Cissa chinensis – Encountered thrice in the Mishmi Hills. A flock at the Hunli Inspection Bungalow was a bonus.
Rufous Treepie
Dendrocitta vagabunda – Assam plains
Grey Treepie
Dendrocitta formosae – Common in the Hunli – Ryalli area. Scarce elsewhere. Some birds seen in flight and recorded as this species could have been Collared, but again confirmation has not been possible.
House Crow
Corvus splendens – Assam
Large-billed Crow
Corvus macrorhynchos – not common
Black-hooded Oriole
Oriolus xanthornus – Dibrugarh area, Assam
Maroon Oriole
Oriolus traillii – Observed in the Roing and Hunli areas.
Large Cuckooshrike
Coracina macei – Seen in the Jokai Forest area, Assam
Black-winged Cuckooshrike
Coracina melaschistos – Feeding birds at Jokai Forest.
Short-billed Minivet
Pericrocotus brevirostris – A couple in the Hunli area.
Scarlet Minivet
Pericrocotus flammeus – Minivets were scarce on this trip. These were seen on the last day in the Jokai area.
Yellow-bellied Fantail
Rhipidura hypoxantha – Regular in the hills
White-throated Fantail
Rhipidura albicollis – Individuals were heard or seen on most days.
Black Drongo
Dicrurus macrocercus – Lowlands
Ashy Drongo
Dicrurus leucophaeus – Met in the lower elevations
Bronzed Drongo
Dicrurus aeneus – Fairly common in the Hunli area.
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus remifer – Seen twice. Once in the Hunli area and near the camp at Roing.
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus paradiseus – Observed in mixed hunting flocks in both the Roing and Hunli areas.
Common Iora
Aegithina tiphia – The Jokai forest held a few of these.
Brown Dipper
Cinclus pallasii – Lone bird on the Ithun River near the bridge.
Blue Whistling Thrush Myophonus caeruleus – Commoner on the Hunli-Ryalli road then elsewhere.
White-collared Blackbird
Turdus albocinctus – A couple in the Mayodia Pass area.
Grey-winged Blackbird
Turdus boulboul – A flock of six at Mayodia Pass. Individuals also observed in the higher elevations.
Chestnut Thrush
Turdus rubrocanus – Seen by two observers in flight with the Grey-winged Blackbirds in the Mayodia area.
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher
Ficedula strophiata – Good views of a pair in the Hunli area.
Red-throated Flycatcher
Ficedula parva albicilla – Only observed in the plains. One at the Mancotta Bungalow, Dibrugarh.
Little Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula westermanni – A pair in the Jokai Forest
Slaty-blue Flycatcher
Ficedula tricolor – Fairly regular in roadside shrubbery though very hard to observe well.
Verditer Flycatcher
Eumyias thalassina - A lone bird in the plains of Assam.
Small Niltava
Niltava macgrigoriae - A few in the Jokai Forest.
Vivid Niltava
Niltava vivida ? - A perched brown flycatcher seen from a distance with an obvious pale throat could have been a female of this species. The bird was observed in the Mayodia Pass area and was using the middle level of a significantly large tree. The dark male gave very brief views.
Hill Blue Flycatcher
Cyornis banyumas – A couple of the
whitei race in dense roadside vegetation about 3 kms downhill from the Dibang valley Camp, Roing. This species is rarely reported from India.
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis – Single sighting from the Roing area. Several in Jokai
Oriental Magpie Robin
Copsychus saularis – Roing area and Assam plains
Hodgson's Redstart
Phoenicurus hodgsoni – A stunning male on the Ithun River, Hunli and a female on the banks of the Itapani River, Roing were the only records.
Blue-fronted Redstart
Phoenicurus frontalis – The most regular redstart on the trip.
White-capped Water Redstart Chaimarrornis leucocephalus – A few near fast-flowing streams/rivers.
Plumbeous Water Redstart
Rhyacornis fuliginosus – Found in the same habitat as the previous species.
Black-backed Forktail
Enicurus immaculatus – Few birds on the road near the Ithun River, Hunli
Slaty-backed Forktail Enicurus schistaceus – Abundant on the drive from Hunli to the Ithun River bridge.
Siberian Stonechat
Saxicola maura – Dark birds with rich rufous-buff underparts were indicative of the
przewalskii ssp. At Roing and at Dibru-Saikhowa.
Grey Bushchat
Saxicola ferrea – Uncommon in the hills. Two birds at Roing Camp.
Chestnut-tailed Starling
Sturnus malabaricus - Plains
Asian Pied Starling
Sturnus contra – Assam plains
Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis
Jungle Myna
Acridotheres fuscus - Assam plains and Roing.
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
Sitta castanea – Observed at Roing near the Jungle Camp.
White-tailed Nuthatch
Sitta himalayensis – Between Hunli and Mayodia.
Green-backed Tit Parus monticolus – Regular but few.
Yellow-cheeked Tit
Parus spilonotus – A few in a big hunting flock about 5 kms from Hunli on the road to Ryalli.
Sultan Tit
Melanochlora sultanea – Seen twice in hunting flocks near Hunli and Mayodia.
Plain Martin
Riparia paludicola – A few over the Lohit River
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica - Lohit River area
Red-rumped Swallow
Hirundo daurica - Lohit River
Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalensis – Big feeding flock between Mayodia and Roing. Not met elsewhere.
Striated Bulbul
Pycnonotus striatus. Seen between Roing and Mayodia
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Pycnonotus jocosus – Common at lower elevations and especially at the Jungle Camp. Birds were darker than the nominate and belonged to the
monticola ssp.
Red-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer – Common at lower elevations
White-throated Bulbul
Alophoixus flaveolus – Large feeding flock near the Ithun River, Hunli. Also seen near Dibang Valley Jungle Camp, Roing.
Ashy Bulbul
Hemixos flavala – Regular in the Roing area.
Black Bulbul
Hypsipetes leucocephalus – Abundant in the hills. Some flying flocks numbered over 500 birds.
Nigrescens race of NE India.
Hill Prinia
Prinia atrogularis – Two pairs in the scrub on the road between Hunli and the Ithun bridge.
Oriental White-eye
Zosterops palpebrosus – Uncommon
Grey-bellied Tesia
Tesia cyaniventer – Single observation in the Hunli area.
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler
Cettia fortipes – A lone sighting in the scrub next to the Hunli IB.
Common Tailorbird
Orthotomus sutorius – Strangely uncommon. Roing area.
Buff-barred Warbler
Phylloscopus pulcher – Single observer record. Mayodia Pass area.
Ashy-throated Warbler
Phylloscopus maculipennis – Uncommon. A few met on the trip.
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatus – The commonest phylloscopus – usually in association with Rufous-vented Yuhinas.
Blyth's Leaf Warbler
Phylloscopus reguloides – Single record. Near Mayodia Pass.
Grey-cheeked Warbler
Seicercus poliogenys – A few in the mixed hunting flock with tits and fulvettas near Hunli.
Black-faced Warbler
Abroscopus schisticeps – Lovely flock of six birds at the 40th Mile between Roing & Mayodia.
White-crested Laughingthrush
Garrulax leucolophus – Observed twice in the Ithun River area, Hunli.
Striated Laughingthrush
Garrulax striatus – Small flocks seen in the Hunli area. The birds were of the
cranbrooki ssp. marked by indistinct crown streaking, displayed a broad dark supercilium and were very likely streaked on the body.
Grey-sided Laughingthrush
Garrulax caerulatus – Surprisingly bold flocks in and around Mayodia Pass. The birds in the area had very large white cheek patches as would be expected in the more southern
subcaerulatus ssp. However, the outertail-tips did not have any white in them and were more like one would expect in the nominate. The bone white tarsus were a feature.
Black-faced Laughingthrush
Garrulax affinis – Regular in the Mayodia Pass area. These were dark birds and belonged to the
bethelae race.
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush
Garrulax erythrocephalus – Regular. Commonest laughingthrush species on the trip. One expects the more olive-brown
imprudens ssp. in the area visited but field views were not good enough to determine racial variation.
Red-faced Liocichla
Liocichla phoenicea – Single observer sighting of a lone bird between Hunli and the Ithun River bridge.
White-browed Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus schisticeps - Single observer sighting of a roadside pair near Hunli.
Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler
Pomatorhinus ferruginosus – Great views on more than one occasion. Fairly large feeding flock at the 40th Mile and individuals in the Hunli area. The rich chestnut throat and and black crown mark the birds out as the nominate species.
Pygmy Wren Babbler
Pnoepyga pusilla – One bird seen well and flushed near the Camp at Roing.
Rusty-throated Wren Babbler
Spelaeornis badeigularis – Brief single observer sighting of a lone bird at the 40th Mile between Roing and Mayodia. Like this bird, at least three more responded to the call of the Rufous-throated but did not show themselves.
Rufous-capped Babbler
Stachyris ruficeps – Small flock at Mayodia. Some authorities place these birds under a separate
rufipectus race based on the marginally darker and warmer-tinged plumage (than the nominate).
Golden Babbler
Stachyris chrysaea – Seen twice in the Hunli area.
Grey-throated Babbler
Stachyris nigriceps - Single observer sighting in the Roing area.
Red-billed Leiothrix
Leiothrix lutea – Uncommon. Hunli area.
Black-headed Shrike Babbler
Pteruthius rufiventer Single observer sighting in the Roing area.
Black-eared Shrike Babbler
Pteruthius melanotis – Regular in small numbers with other species.
Rusty-fronted Barwing
Actinodura egertoni – With Coral-billed Scimitar Babbler and Beautiful Sibias between Mayodia and Roing. Race lewisi of the Mishmi Hills with dark chestnut foreparts and greyer hindcrown and nape.
Streak-throated Barwing
Actinodura waldeni – Roing and Hunli area. Not common.
Chestnut-tailed Minla
Minla strigula – One large feeding flock between Mayodia and Roing. Also met elsewhere in the Hunli area. The Mishmi area birds have an olive-washed crown and upperparts and belong to the
yunnanensis race.
Red-tailed Minla
Minla ignotincta – Near the Ithun River, Hunli.
Yellow-throated Fulvetta
Alcippe cinerea – Common and abundant but difficult to observe well.
Rufous-winged Fulvetta
Alcippe castaneceps – Only a few near the Ithun River, Hunli.
Streak-throated Fulvetta
Alcippe cinereiceps – A few seen well near Mayodia Pass. Not seen in large flocks – usually in pairs. Described as a full species (Manipur Fulvetta - Alcippe manipurensis) by Rasmussen in the BSA, the range as described does not extend to the Mishmi Hills area. Birds met (see image) are as described for a.manipurensis.
Nepal Fulvetta
Alcippe nipalensis – Roing area and elsewhere. Not uncommon.
Beautiful Sibia
Heterophasia pulchella – Widespread and common at elevations over 3,000 feet.
Long-tailed Sibia
Heterophasia picaoides – A flock of six seen early in the morning near the 12th Mile, Roing was the only sighting of this species.
White-naped Yuhina
Yuhina bakeri – A few observed in the Hunli area.
Whiskered Yuhina
Yuhina flavicollis – Regular. Darker birds of the
rouxi race were observed.
Stripe-throated Yuhina
Yuhina gularis – Small flock Mayodia Pass. Seen elsewhere in the Mayodia-Hunli area.
Rufous-vented Yuhina
Yuhina occipitalis – One of the commonest species seen on this trip. This and the following species were seen in large hunting flocks in most areas of the Mishmi Hills.
White-bellied Yuhina
Yuhina zantholeuca – Regular. Most often seen with the previous species.
Sand Lark
Calandrella raytal – A few at Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
Mrs Gould's Sunbird
Aethopyga gouldiae – Single observation in the Mayodia area.
Green-tailed Sunbird
Aethopyga nipalensis – Hunli area
Black-throated Sunbird
Aethopyga saturata – Commonest sunbird species. Particularly evident in the Roing area.
Crimson Sunbird
Aethopyga siparaja - Male seen well in the Jokai Forest.
Streaked Spiderhunter
Arachnothera magna – Pair feeding at 10th Mile, Roing.
Rufous-breasted Accentor
Prunella strophiata – Single bird near the 70th Mile between Hunli and Mayodia.
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus - Assam plains
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanus – Uncommon
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba – A few on the Itapani River, Roing
Citrine Wagtail
Motacilla citreola – Dibru-Saikhowa area
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava - Dibru-Saikhowa area
Paddyfield Pipit
Anthus rufulus – One at Sadiya Ghat, Assam
Olive-backed Pipit
Anthus hodgsoni – Regular on the road and many at the 75th Mile.
Scaly-breasted Munia
Lonchura punctulata - Plains
Dark-breasted Rosefinch
Carpodacus nipalensis – Many males on the road between Roing and Mayodia.
Gold-naped Finch
Pyrrhoplectes epauletta – Single female at the 50th Mile on the road between Roing and Mayodia.
Chestnut-eared Bunting
Emberiza fucata – Many on roadside open grass near the 75th Mile mark.
References
- Birds of the Indian Subcontinent - Richard Grimmett & Tim Inskipp. Helm Field Guide
- A Field Guide to the Birds of India - Krys Kazmierczak. Pica Press
- Birds of South-east Asia - Craig Robson. New Holland
- Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (Vol. I-X) - S. Ali & S. D. Ripley. OUP
- Birds of South Asia (BSA) ~ The Ripley Guide
- Pamela Rasmussen et al. Lynx Edicions 2005
Complied by: Sumit Sen
