Tuesday, 31 March 2020
7-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - COMMON KINGFISHER (MALE) (Alcedo atthis)
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The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also known as the Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher, is a vibrant, pocket-sized gem among birds. With its unmistakable silhouette characterized by a stout body, large head, and a long, sharp bill, it is a sight to behold. The male boasts a striking palette with blue upperparts, an orange belly, and a conspicuous white throat and collar. The female mirrors the male's vivid colors but can be discerned by her orange-red lower mandible with a black tip.
To identify the Common Kingfisher, look for its bright blue and orange plumage and its rapid, low flight over water. The male's bill is predominantly black with some red at the base, while the female's bill features an orange-red lower mandible. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, greener upperparts and paler underparts. Their black bill and legs gradually acquire the adult coloration.
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The Common Kingfisher is found along clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, as well as lakes with well-vegetated banks. It prefers areas with overhanging branches that provide vantage points for hunting. In winter, it may move to coastal regions, frequenting estuaries, harbors, and rocky shores.
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As with all kingfishers, the Common kingfisher is very territorial, mainly because each day it has to eat about 60% of its body weight. They even defend their territory against their mates and offspring. Individuals are solitary for most of the year, roosting in heavy cover beside their favorite hunting spot. When another kingfisher comes into its territory, the birds will both sit on a perch at some distance from one another and perform territorial displays, usually the display of beaks and plumage. Fights occasionally occur, one bird grabbing the other one’s beak and trying to hold their opponent under the water.
Their flight is very fast, causing their wings to seem like a blue haze. These birds communicate vocally and are well known for a long, trilling call like a repetition of the sound “chee”. During mating, the male whistles loudly to a female and will chase her through and above the trees. When diving for prey, their eyes are covered by a membrane and they rely on touch alone to know when they should snap their jaws shut.
5-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - COMMON KINGFISHER (FEMALE) (Alcedo atthis)
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The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a small, brilliantly colored bird (16–17 cm) with electric blue upperparts and orange underparts, known for hunting fish along slow-flowing, clear rivers, streams, and canals. They are highly territorial, dive at high speed to catch fish, and require roughly 60% of their body weight in food daily.
Key Facts About Common Kingfishers
Hunting & Diet: They hunt by diving into water to catch small fish (minnows, sticklebacks) and invertebrates, using their long, sharp, black, and orange bills. They often beat their prey against a perch to consume it headfirst.
Physical Features: They have a short tail, large head, and long, dagger-like bill. Males have completely black bills, while females possess an orange-red underbill.
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Habitat & Range: Common in Europe, Asia, and North Africa, these birds prefer water sources, but in winter, they may move to the coast to avoid freezing inland waters.
Nesting: They dig tunnels in vertical riverbanks to create nests, producing 2–3 broods per year, each consisting of 6–7 eggs.
Flight: They are frequently seen in direct, low, and fast flight, appearing as a bright blue streak over the water.
Behavior: They are highly territorial, and they may fall victim to predators like cats, foxes, and mink.
Lifespan: They live on average seven years, though they can reach up to 15 years.
Engineering Inspiration: The design of the Japanese bullet train was inspired by the kingfisher's beak, which allows for efficient, low-impact, high-speed movement.
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The Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), also known as the Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher, is a vibrant, pocket-sized gem among birds. With its unmistakable silhouette characterized by a stout body, large head, and a long, sharp bill, it is a sight to behold. The male boasts a striking palette with blue upperparts, an orange belly, and a conspicuous white throat and collar. The female mirrors the male's vivid colors but can be discerned by her orange-red lower mandible with a black tip.
To identify the Common Kingfisher, look for its bright blue and orange plumage and its rapid, low flight over water. The male's bill is predominantly black with some red at the base, while the female's bill features an orange-red lower mandible. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, greener upperparts and paler underparts. Their black bill and legs gradually acquire the adult coloration.
The Common Kingfisher is found along clear, slow-flowing streams and rivers, as well as lakes with well-vegetated banks. It prefers areas with overhanging branches that provide vantage points for hunting. In winter, it may move to coastal regions, frequenting estuaries, harbors, and rocky shores.
4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - KAMALA (Mallotus philippensis)
Mallotus philippensis is a plant in the spurge family. It is known as the kamala tree or red kamala or kumkum tree, due to the fruit covering, which produces a red dye. However, it must be distinguished from kamala meaning "lotus" in many Indian languages, an unrelated plant, flower, and sometimes metonymic spiritual or artistic concept. Mallotus philippensis has many other local names. This kamala often appears in rainforest margins. Or in disturbed areas free from fire, in moderate to high rainfall areas.
It occurs in South Asia, Southeast Asia, as well as Afghanistan and Australia. The southernmost limit of natural distribution is Mount Keira, south of Sydney. The species name refers to the type specimen being collected in the Philippines, where it is known as banato.
A bush to small or medium-sized tree, up to 25 metres tall and a trunk diameter of 40 cm. The trunk is fluted and irregular at the base. The grey bark is smooth, or with occasional wrinkles or corky bumps. Small branches are greyish brown in colour, with rusty covered small hairs towards the end. Leaf scars evident.
Leaves are opposite on the stem, ovate to oblong in shape. 4 to 12 cm long, 2 to 7 cm wide with a long pointed tip. The upper surface is green without hairs, the underside pale grey in colour. With a magnifying glass, small red glands may be visible. Leaf stems 2 to 5 cm long, somewhat thickened at both ends. The first leaf vein on either side of the mid rib extends from the leaf base, to over half the length of the leaf. Veins raised and evident under the leaf.
4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SHOWY RATTLEBOX (Crotalaria spectabilis)
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Showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis) is a fast-growing, toxic annual legume originating from Asia, recognized by its bright yellow, pea-like flowers and inflated, rattling seed pods. Often found in the Southeastern U.S. as a weed in disturbed areas, it grows 0.6–1.5 meters tall, blooms in late summer, and contains dangerous alkaloids that cause fatal liver damage in livestock.
Key Facts About Showy Rattlebox:
Appearance: The plant features large, simple, alternate leaves, green-to-purple ribbed stems, and yellow flowers, often resembling a "pea" flower.
The "Rattle": The common name comes from the inflated 5 cm long, Vienna sausage-shaped, seed pods, which rattle loudly when dry due to loose seeds inside.
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Toxicity: It is highly poisonous to all livestock, including horses, cattle, chickens, and quails. The seeds have the highest concentration of toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which cause irreversible liver damage and are dangerous even when dried in hay.
Invasive Status: Introduced as a cover crop for soil nitrogen fixation, it has become a serious agricultural weed, particularly in the Southeast U.S., where it is listed as a noxious weed.
Life Cycle: A summer annual, it germinates in spring, blooms late summer, and sets seed in the fall.
Ecological Role: While toxic to mammals, it is a host plant for the Ornate Bella moth (Utetheisa ornatrix), which feeds on the plant and incorporates the toxins for protection against predators.
Management:
Showy rattlebox can be controlled with herbicides like 2,4-D or glyphosate, with the best control occurring during the seedling stage. Due to its danger to livestock, it should be removed from grazing areas.
4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SOUTHERN SWAMP DEER (MALE) (Rucervus duvaucelii ssp. branderi) COURTESY OF MRS VALERIE FISHER
The Southern Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), or hard-ground barasingha, is an endangered deer subspecies found only in Kanha National Park and the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, India. Unlike other swamp deer, they have hard hooves adapted for dry, hard ground, inhabiting open sal forests.
Here are key facts about the Southern Swamp Deer:
Habitat and Adaptation: Adapted to hard ground and open sal forests, unlike their wetland-loving counterparts, these deer thrive in central India's grassland and forest mix.
Distinct Physical Features: They have hard hooves, a maned neck, and a vibrant, bright rufous-brown summer coat. Males possess impressive antlers, usually with 10 to 14 tines.
Population Recovery: Nearly extinct in the early 1970s with only about 60 individuals, successful conservation efforts in Kanha National Park boosted their population to around 750 by 2016.
Diet and Behavior: They are herbivores, primarily eating grasses and leaves, and are generally active throughout the day, with peaks in the morning and evening.
Social Structure: They live in single-sex or mixed herds of 10 to 20 individuals, often led by a female (hind), while males (stags) are less loyal to specific groups.
Conservation Status: Listed as part of the Vulnerable Rucervus duvaucelii species, they face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding.
State Animal: The hard-ground barasingha is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
Reproduction: They have a polygynous mating system, with a 240–250 day gestation period, typically resulting in a single fawn.
They are currently being reintroduced into the Satpura Tiger Reserve to create a second, sustainable population.
Monday, 30 March 2020
4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SOUTHERN SWAMP DEER (Rucervus duvaucelii ssp. branderi)
The Southern Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), or hard-ground barasingha, is an endangered deer subspecies found only in Kanha National Park and the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, India. Unlike other swamp deer, they have hard hooves adapted for dry, hard ground, inhabiting open sal forests.
Here are key facts about the Southern Swamp Deer:
Habitat and Adaptation: Adapted to hard ground and open sal forests, unlike their wetland-loving counterparts, these deer thrive in central India's grassland and forest mix.
Distinct Physical Features: They have hard hooves, a maned neck, and a vibrant, bright rufous-brown summer coat. Males possess impressive antlers, usually with 10 to 14 tines.
Population Recovery: Nearly extinct in the early 1970s with only about 60 individuals, successful conservation efforts in Kanha National Park boosted their population to around 750 by 2016.
Diet and Behavior: They are herbivores, primarily eating grasses and leaves, and are generally active throughout the day, with peaks in the morning and evening.
Social Structure: They live in single-sex or mixed herds of 10 to 20 individuals, often led by a female (hind), while males (stags) are less loyal to specific groups.
Conservation Status: Listed as part of the Vulnerable Rucervus duvaucelii species, they face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and inbreeding.
State Animal: The hard-ground barasingha is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
Reproduction: They have a polygynous mating system, with a 240–250 day gestation period, typically resulting in a single fawn.
They are currently being reintroduced into the Satpura Tiger Reserve to create a second, sustainable population.
Sunday, 29 March 2020
4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - GREATER COUCAL (Centropus sinensis)
The Greater Coucal, also known as the Crow Pheasant (Centropus sinensis), presents itself as a large, non-parasitic member of the cuckoo order. This bird, stretching to a length of 48 cm, boasts a striking black head, a glossy purple-black mantle and underside, and chestnut brown wings. The eyes of this species are a captivating ruby red, while juveniles exhibit a duller black with spots on the crown and white bars on the underside and tail.
To identify the Greater Coucal, look for its long tail and the characteristic long and straight hind claw. The absence of pale shaft streaks on the coverts is notable. Leucistic specimens, displaying partial albinism, have been observed, though they are rare.
This bird is quite adaptable, found in a variety of habitats ranging from dense jungle to cultivated areas and even urban gardens.
29-3-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - EGYPTIAN BIRD GRASSHOPPER (Anacridium aegyptium)
Anacridium aegyptium, the Egyptian grasshopper or Egyptian locust, is a species of insect belonging to the subfamily Cyrtacanthacridinae.
A fairly common species, the Egyptian grasshopper is present in most of Europe, the Afrotropical realm, eastern Palearctic realm, the Near East, and North Africa, and has recently been observed in Cape Town, South Africa.
These grasshoppers inhabit trees and shrubs, scrub land, maquis, and orchards in warm and bright environments, at an elevation from sea level to 1,500 m.
Anacridium aegyptium is one of the largest European grasshoppers. Adult males grow up to 30–56 mm (1.2–2.2 in) long, while females reach 46–70 mm (1.8–2.8 in) in length. Their bodies are usually gray, brown, or olive-coloured, and their antennae are relatively short and robust. The tibiae of the hind legs are blue, while the femora are orange. The hind femora have characteristic dark marks. They are also easily identified by their characteristic eyes, which have vertical black and white stripes. Their pronota show a dorsal orange stripe and several small white spots. The wings are clear with dark marks.
This species is a folivore, essentially feeding on leaves of various plants. It is a solitary species, harmless to crops. Adults are mainly seen in August and September, but they are active throughout the year. After mating, these grasshoppers overwinter as adults. Spawning occurs in spring just under the soil surface and the nymphs appear in April. These grasshoppers undergo several molts. Nymphs differ from adults in appearance; their color varies from yellow to bright green and ocher and the wings are absent or small, as they are gradually developed after each molt.
3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SWAMPWATCHER DRAGONFLY (Potamarcha congener)
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Potamarcha congener is also known as the yellow-tailed ashy skimmer, common chaser, or swampwatcher. It is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae, and was first described by Jules Pierre Rambur in 1842, almost fifty years before Ferdinand Karsch described its genus. Potamarcha congener is one of two species making up the genus Potamarcha, together with Potamarcha puella.
Potamarcha congener is common through much of its range, which stretches through parts of South Asia, South-East Asia, and Oceania, including in countries such as India, Indonesia, China, Australia, and Vietnam. Owing to its wide distribution, the species has been classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Potamarcha congener is a medium-sized dragonfly with a bluish black thorax and yellow tail with black markings. Face is olivaceous yellow to steel black or brown. Eyes are reddish brown above and bluish grey below. In male adults, the thorax and first four segments of the abdomen are covered with bluish pruinescence. In young adults, yellow markings are visible through the pruinescence. The rest of the abdomen is black with orange markings, with the last two segments entirely black. The female thorax has yellow and black stripes on the sides. The abdomen is black with dull orange markings, and has prominent flaps on each side of segment eight. The flaps may serve to hold the eggs in place during oviposition.
This dragonfly is found in terrestrial areas with standing water. This can include near small ponds, rice fields or marshes where it breeds.
Saturday, 28 March 2020
29-2-2020 SAN CARLOS PARQUE, MADRID - 29-2-2020 SAN CARLOS PARQUE, MADRID - INTERMEDIATE PERIWINKLE (Vinca difformis)
Vinca difformis, commonly called the intermediate periwinkle, is an evergreen, flowering subshrub.
It grows to about 0.5 metres (1+1⁄2 ft) tall, and forms mats over 1 m (3+1⁄2 ft) across. Its whitish-blue flowers have a blooming season from late winter to early spring.
It is native to Western Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula, France, the Italian Peninsula and Sardinia.
2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - WHITE THROATED KINGFISHER (Halcyon smyrnensis)
The White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis, also known as the White-breasted Kingfisher, is a vibrant tree kingfisher. It boasts a striking blue back, wings, and tail, while its head, shoulders, flanks, and lower belly are a rich chestnut. The throat and breast are a contrasting white, and the large bill and legs are a vivid red. This robust bird measures 27–28 cm in length and exhibits a rapid and direct flight, revealing large white patches on its blue and black wings during flight. Both sexes appear similar, though juveniles present a more subdued version of the adult's plumage.
When identifying the White-throated Kingfisher, look for its bright blue upperparts and chestnut head and body. The white throat and breast are distinctive, as is the red bill and legs. In flight, the white wing patches are a key identification feature. Juveniles may be less colorful but retain the same general pattern.
This kingfisher is adaptable and can be found in a variety of open habitats, from plains with trees and wires to urban areas. It is also seen at elevations up to 7500 feet in the Himalayas.
The White-throated Kingfisher has a wide distribution across Asia, from the Sinai in the west, through the Indian subcontinent, to China and Indonesia. It is a resident species over much of its range, with some populations making short-distance movements.
This kingfisher is known for its conspicuous perching on wires or other exposed perches within its territory. It is a common sight in South Asia and is known to be attracted to lights at night during the monsoon season, suggesting partial migratory behavior.
During the breeding season, the White-throated Kingfisher is vocal, with loud calls in the mornings from prominent perches. The male's courtship display includes stiffly flicking open wings to expose the white wing mirrors, while the female invites with a rapid kit-kit-kit call.
Breeding coincides with the onset of the Monsoons. The nest is a tunnel in an earth bank, and a clutch typically consists of 4-7 round white eggs. Incubation takes 20-22 days, and fledging occurs in 19 days.
The diet is varied, including large crustaceans, insects, earthworms, rodents, lizards, snakes, fish, frogs, and occasionally small birds. It is noted for rarely drinking water but regularly bathing.
The White-throated Kingfisher is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an expanding range and no immediate threats to its population. It is also the state bird of West Bengal.
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