10-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - GREY HEADED SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio poliocephalus)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/474332-Porphyrio-poliocephalus

9-3-2020 PERIYAR RIVER LODGE, INDIA - CRIMSON MARSH GLIDER DRAGONFLY (FEMALE) (Trithemis aurora)

Trithemis aurora, the crimson marsh glider, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is a common and widely distributed species found throughout the year across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

The male of this small species is distinctly different from the female. The male has a reddish-brown face, with eyes that are crimson above and brown on the sides. The thorax is red with a fine, purple pruinescence. The abdomen, the base of which is swollen, is crimson with a violet tinge. The wings are transparent with crimson venation and the base has a broad amber patch. The wing spots are a dark reddish-brown and the legs are black.

The female has an olivaceous or bright reddish-brown face with eyes that are purplish-brown above and grey below. The thorax is olivaceous with brown median and black lateral stripes. The abdomen is reddish-brown with median and lateral black markings. The black markings are confluent at the end of each segment and enclose a reddish-brown spot. The wings are transparent with brown tips. The venation is bright yellow to brown and basal amber markings are pale. The wing spots are a dark brown and the lags are dark grey with narrow yellow stripes.

9-3-2020 PERIYAR RIVER LODGE, INDIA - KEELED INDIAN MABUYA (Eutropis carinata)

8-3-2020 PERIYAR RIVER LODGE, INDIA - BLUE TIGER MOTH (Dysphania percota)

Dysphania percota, the blue tiger moth, is a moth of the family Geometridae that can be found in India. It was first described by Charles Swinhoe in 1891.

It is similar to Dysphania palmyra, but differs in the whole apical area of the forewings being deep purple from the discocellular spot and postmedial line to outer margin, with two small blue spots below the sub-costals and one on inner margin near outer angle. Hindwings never with any trace of yellow.

The larvae feed on Carallia species.

8-3-2020 PERIYAR RIVER LODGE, INDIA - ORIENTAL MAGPIE ROBIN (Copsychus saularis)

This magpie-robin is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka and eastern Pakistan, eastern Indonesia, Thailand, south China, Malaysia, and Singapore.

The Oriental magpie-robin is found in open woodland and cultivated areas often close to human habitations.

Magpie-robins breed mainly from March to July in India and January to June in south-east Asia. Males sing from high perches during courtship. The display of the male involves puffing up the feathers, raising the bill, fanning the tail and strutting. They nest in tree hollows or niches in walls or building, often adopting nest boxes. They line the cavity with grass. The female is involved in most of the nest building, which happens about a week before the eggs are laid. Four or five eggs are laid at intervals of 24 hours and these are oval and usually pale blue green with brownish speckles that match the color of hay. The eggs are incubated by the female alone for 8 to 14 days. The nests are said to have a characteristic odour.

Females spend more effort on feeding the young than males. Males are quite aggressive in the breeding season and will defend their territory. They respond to the singing of intruders and even their reflections. Males spend more time on nest defense. Studies of the bird song show dialects with neighbours varying in their songs. The calls of many other species may be imitated as part of their song. This may indicate that birds disperse and are not philopatric. Females may sing briefly in the presence of a male. Apart from their song, they use a range of calls including territorial calls, emergence and roosting calls, threat calls, submissive calls, begging calls and distress calls. The typical mobbing calls is a harsh hissing krshhh.

10-3-2020 THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY, INDIA - CRESTED HONEY BUZZARD (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

10-3-2020 THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY, INDIA - INDIAN POND HERON

11-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata)

11-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

11-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - LITTLE CORMORANT (Microcarbo niger)

11-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens)

The House Crow, Corvus splendens, is a bird of moderate size, measuring about 40 cm in length, and presents a slimmer profile than its relatives, the jackdaw and the carrion crow. Exhibiting a striking contrast in its plumage, the bird's head, throat, and upper breast are adorned with a rich, glossy black, while the neck and lower breast are cloaked in a lighter grey-brown. Its wings, tail, and legs are of a deep black, completing its distinctive appearance.

To identify the House Crow, look for the combination of its black and grey plumage, with the grey extending around the neck forming a collar. This collar's shade varies among subspecies, ranging from pale to dark grey. The bird's bill and plumage coloration also show regional variations.

The House Crow is closely associated with human settlements, thriving in environments ranging from small villages to bustling cities. It has adapted remarkably well to urban life, often seen foraging in marketplaces and garbage dumps. 

Native to southern Asia, the House Crow's range includes Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Laccadive Islands, southern Myanmar, south Thailand, and coastal southern Iran. It has been introduced to East Africa, Australia, and Europe, with a notable breeding population in the Dutch town of Hook of Holland.

The House Crow is a highly opportunistic and flexible species, thriving in close proximity to humans. It has shown a remarkable ability to utilize a variety of resources, which has contributed to its success as an invasive species in tropical regions.

The House Crow's call is a distinctive and harsh "kaaw-kaaw," which is a familiar sound in its urban habitats.

Breeding requires the presence of trees, although the House Crow may also nest on structures like telephone towers. It lays 3-5 eggs in a stick nest, and in South Asia, it is often parasitized by the Asian koel. The breeding season peaks from April to July.

An omnivorous scavenger, the House Crow's diet includes refuse, small reptiles and mammals, insects, other invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, grain, and fruits. It is known to forage on the ground and in trees, taking advantage of a wide range of food sources.

11-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - INDIAN POND HERON (Ardeola grayii)

The Indian Pond Heron, known colloquially as the paddybird, is a modestly sized heron with a penchant for concealment. Its plumage is a mélange of streaked olive and brown, which serves as excellent camouflage against the marshy landscapes it frequents. However, when this bird takes flight, it reveals a striking contrast with its bright white wings, a feature that is otherwise hidden when at rest.

This stocky bird possesses a short neck and a robust, thick bill. The back is buff-brown, and during the summer, adults boast elongated neck feathers. When in flight, the Indian Pond Heron is unmistakable due to the white of its wings. It bears a resemblance to the squacco herons but is distinguished by its darker back. Observers should note that individuals may occasionally exhibit red legs during the breeding season, though this is not a common trait.

The Indian Pond Heron is often found stalking prey at the edges of small water bodies or roosting near human habitations. It is adept at utilizing floating vegetation to access deeper waters and is known to frequent marshy wetlands.

This heron has its origins in the Old World, with a breeding range that extends from southern Iran across the Indian subcontinent to Burma and Sri Lanka. It is a widespread and common species, yet its cryptic coloration often renders it invisible until it is nearly underfoot.

Typically solitary in its foraging habits, the Indian Pond Heron may gather in numbers during the dry season when prey is concentrated in shrinking wetlands. It is a semi-colonial breeder and has been observed foraging in diverse environments, including garbage heaps and well-watered lawns. The bird's tendency to allow close approaches by humans is notable, and it may form communal roosts in urban areas.

The Indian Pond Heron is generally a silent bird, but it may emit a harsh croak when alarmed or near its nesting sites.

The onset of the monsoons marks the beginning of the breeding season for these herons. They nest in small colonies, often alongside other wading birds, constructing platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The nests are typically built at heights of 9 to 10 meters. The male collects materials while the female assembles the nest. Clutches usually consist of three to five eggs, which hatch asynchronously after 18 to 24 days. Bothparents are involved in feeding the young, primarily with fish.

11-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava)

The Western Yellow Wagtail, Motacilla flava, is a small, graceful passerine bird belonging to the wagtail family, Motacillidae. This species is noted for its slender build and the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail, a hallmark of its genus. Among its European relatives, it boasts the shortest tail. The adult male in breeding plumage is predominantly olive above with a vibrant yellow underbelly. Females and non-breeding males may exhibit a paler yellow, often intermixed with white.

To identify the Western Yellow Wagtail, look for a bird measuring about 15–16 cm in length. Breeding males display a variety of head colors and patterns, which can be quite distinctive, depending on the subspecies. In general, males have a more vivid plumage compared to the females, which are more subdued and often have a greenish wash.

This insectivorous bird favors open country near water sources, such as wet meadows, where it can be seen foraging for food.

The Western Yellow Wagtail breeds across much of temperate Europe and Asia. It is a resident bird in the milder parts of its range, like western Europe. However, populations from the north and east undertake migrations to Africa and south Asia to escape the winter chill.

The Western Yellow Wagtail is known for its dynamic tail movement, which it exhibits while walking on the ground. It is a sociable bird, often seen in small flocks during migration or in its wintering grounds.

The call of the Western Yellow Wagtail is a distinctive high-pitched 'jeet', which can be heard during its active periods.

Breeding takes place in tussocks, where the female lays a clutch of 4–8 speckled eggs. The nest is often situated close to the ground, concealed within dense vegetation.

The Western Yellow Wagtail can be confused with other wagtail species, but its shorter tail and the color variations in the breeding male's head plumage are helpful distinguishing features.

As an insectivore, the Western Yellow Wagtail feeds primarily on insects, which it catches with quick, darting movements on the ground or in flight.

The IUCN Red List categorizes the Western Yellow Wagtail as Least Concern, indicating that, currently, there are no significant threats to its global population.

10-3-2020 THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY, INDIA - FLAME THROATED BULBUL (Rubigula gularis)

11-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - ORIENTAL DARTER (Anhinga melanogaster)

10-3-2020 THATTEKAD BIRD SANCTUARY, INDIA - ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa dauurica)

The Queen of Spain fritillary (Issoria lathonia) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

This migratory species is widespread in most of Europe, in North Africa, Canary Islands, and in the eastern Palearctic realm (Central Asia, Himalayas, Baluchistan, and Western China). These butterflies live in open areas, in dry lawns, agricultural wastelands and in extensive crops at altitudes between sea level and 2700 m.

The Asian brown flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica) is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The word Muscicapa comes from the Latin musca, a fly and capere, to catch. The specific dauurica refers to Dauria, an area of south-eastern Siberia named after a local nomadic tribe.

This is an insectivorous species which breeds in Japan, eastern Siberia and the Himalayas. It is migratory and winters in tropical southern Asia from southern India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia.

The correct specific epithet for this species is disputed.

10-3-2020 PERIYAR RIVER LODGE, INDIA - MALIBAR GIANT SQUIRREL (Ratufa indica)

The Indian giant squirrel or Malabar giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) is a large multi-coloured tree squirrel species endemic to forests and woodlands in India. It is a diurnal, arboreal, and mainly herbivorous squirrel.

This species is endemic to India, with sections of its distribution in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Satpura Range as far north as Madhya Pradesh (approximately 22° N). It is found at altitudes of 180–2,300 m (590–7,550 ft) in tropical deciduous, semi-deciduous (where often utilizing denser riparian growth), and moist evergreen forests and woodlands. In general, its distribution is fragmented because it is intolerant of habitat degradation. The Indian giant squirrel generally nests in taller trees with a mean height of 11 m (36 ft) (±3 m (10 ft) SD) in order to avoid predators.

The Indian giant squirrel is one of the largest squirrels, with a head–and–body length of 25–50 cm (10–20 in), a tail that is about the same or somewhat longer, and a weight of 1.5–2 kg (3–4 lb), although rarely up to 3 kg (7 lb).[7][8] Average for both sexes is about 36 cm (1 ft 2 in) in head–and–body length, 45 cm (1 ft 6 in) in tail length and 1.7–1.8 kg (3.7–4.0 lb) in weight.

It has a conspicuous one-, two-, or three-toned colour scheme. The colours involved can be whitish, creamy-beige, buff, tan, rust, reddish-maroon, brown, dark seal brown, or black. The underparts and the front legs are usually cream coloured, and the head can be brown or beige, and there is a distinctive white spot between the ears. Otherwise the colours depend on the subspecies.

11-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea)

The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), a statuesque avian, stands with a height ranging from 70 to 94 cm and boasts a wingspan of 120 to 152 cm. Despite its grand stature, it is a slender creature, tipping the scales at a mere 0.5 to 1.35 kg. This bird is slightly smaller and more svelte than its cousin, the Grey Heron, and is adorned with darker, reddish-brown plumage.

Adult Purple Herons are distinguished by their black foreheads and crowns, with a dark stripe cascading down the back of the neck, culminating in a modest, dangling crest. Their heads and necks are a buffish chestnut, streaked with dark lines, while the mantle dons an oily brown hue. The upper parts and tail are a brownish grey, and the underparts are a mix of chestnut and black. During the breeding season, the beak of the adult brightens, and the eyes gleam with a yellow iris.

The Purple Heron is a denizen of marshes, lagoons, and lakes, often shrouded by dense vegetation. It has a penchant for freshwater habitats, particularly those with expansive reed beds of Phragmites. Coastal mangrove swamps are also within its realm, though less frequently visited.

11-3-2020 KERULA, INDIA - WESTERN LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta ssp. garzetta)

The Little Egret, Egretta garzetta, is a dainty heron adorned in pure white plumage. It is characterized by a slender black beak, long black legs, and, notably in the western race, yellow feet. This elegant bird is a sight to behold with its graceful neck and poised stance.

Adult Little Egrets measure between 55–65 cm in length with a wingspan of 88–106 cm, and weigh 350–550 g. Their plumage is predominantly white, though some may exhibit bluish-grey coloration. Breeding adults boast ornate nape plumes reaching about 150 mm, along with distinctive feathers on the breast and elongated scapulars. The bill and lores are black, with greenish-grey skin at the base of the lower mandible and around the eye, which houses a yellow iris. Legs are black with contrasting yellow feet, though juveniles may have greenish-black legs and duller feet. The subspecies E. g. nigripes is distinguished by yellow skin between the bill and eye, and blackish feet.

The Little Egret frequents a variety of wetland habitats, from the shores of lakes and rivers to marshes and coastal regions. It is often found in open environments, such as mangroves, swamps, mudflats, and sandy beaches, as well as human-altered landscapes like rice fields.

The species has a broad breeding distribution across warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Northern populations are migratory, wintering in Africa and southern Asia, while others remain as permanent residents in warmer areas.

11-3-2020 KERULA, INDIA - INDIAN POND HERON (Ardeola grayii)

The Indian pond heron or paddybird (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Iran and east to the Indian subcontinent, Burma, and Sri Lanka. They are widespread and common but can be easily missed when they stalk prey at the edge of small water-bodies or even when they roost close to human habitations.

They are distinctive when they take off, with bright white wings flashing in contrast to the cryptic streaked olive and brown colours of the body. Their camouflage is so excellent that they can be approached closely before they take to flight, a behaviour which has resulted in folk names and beliefs that the birds are short-sighted or blind.

Indian pond herons are stocky with short necks, short thick bills and buff-brown backs. In summer, adults have long neck feathers. Their appearance is transformed from dull colours when they take to flight and the white of the wings makes them very prominent. They are very similar to the squacco herons, Ardeola ralloides, but darker backed. To the east of their range, they are replaced by the Chinese pond herons, Ardeola bacchus.

During the breeding season, there are records of individuals with red legs. The numbers do not suggest that this is a normal change for adults during the breeding season and some have suggested the possibility of it being genetic variants.

Erythristic plumage has been noted. The race phillipsi has been suggested for the populations found in the Maldives, without much acceptance. It forms a superspecies with the closely related Chinese pond heron, Javan pond heron and the Madagascar pond heron.[citation needed]

They are usually silent but may make a harsh croak in alarm when flushed or near their nests.

This bird was first described by Colonel W. H. Sykes in 1832 and given its scientific name in honour of John Edward Gray. Karyology studies indicate that pond herons have 68 chromosomes (2N).

They are very common in India, and are usually solitary foragers but numbers of them may sometimes feed in close proximity during the dry seasons when small wetlands have a high concentration of prey. They are semi-colonial breeders. They may also forage at garbage heaps. During dry seasons, they sometimes take to foraging on well watered lawns or even dry grassland. When foraging, they allow close approach and flush only at close range. They sometimes form communal roosts, often in avenue trees over busy urban areas.

The Indian pond heron's feeding habitat is marshy wetlands. They usually feed at the edge of ponds but make extensive use of floating vegetation such as water hyacinth to access deeper water. They may also on occasion swim on water or fish from the air and land in deeper waters. They have also been observed to fly and capture fishes leaping out of water. Sometimes, they fly low over water to drive frogs and fishes towards the shore before settling along the shoreline. They have been noted to pick up crumbs of bread and drop them on the water surface to bait fishes.

The primary food of these birds includes crustaceans, aquatic insects, fishes, tadpoles and sometimes leeches (Herpobdelloides sp.). Outside wetlands, these herons feed on insects (including crickets, dragonflies and bees, fish (Barilius noted as important in a study in Chandigarh) and amphibians.

11-3-2020 KERULA, INDIA - BRAHMINY KITE EAGLE (Haliastur indus)

The brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), also known as the red-backed sea-eagle in Australia, is a medium-sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae, which also includes many other diurnal raptors, such as eagles, buzzards, and harriers. They are found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. They are found mainly on the coast and in inland wetlands, where they feed on dead fish and other prey. Adults have a reddish-brown body plumage contrasting with their white head and breast which make them easy to distinguish from other birds of prey.

11-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - MEDIUM EGRET (Ardea intermedia)

The intermediate egret, also known as the median egret, smaller egret, or medium egret, is a medium-sized heron with a graceful stature. It is adorned with all-white plumage, and during the breeding season, it may exhibit a reddish or black bill, greenish-yellow gape skin, and loose filamentous plumes on its breast and back. The legs are generally dark, and the bill is thickish and yellow, with regional variations in coloration. Both sexes are similar in appearance.

This egret stands between 56–72 cm (22–28 in) in length, with a wingspan of 105–115 cm (41–45 in), and weighs approximately 400 g (14 oz). It can be distinguished from other egrets by its size, which is intermediate between the great egret and smaller white egrets such as the little egret and cattle egret. The intermediate egret has a slightly domed head and a shorter, thicker bill compared to the great egret. Its gape line ends below the eye, and it has a neck length slightly less than its body length.

The intermediate egret is a resident breeder in southern and eastern Asia, favoring shallow coastal or freshwater environments, including flooded fields.

This species is found across Asia, from the Russian Far East to Japan, India, and the Greater Sundas. It is also present in sub-Saharan Africa, eastern Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia.

The intermediate egret is known for its methodical stalking of prey in shallow waters. It often nests in colonies with other herons, constructing platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The bird is a successful breeder, particularly in wet years, and exhibits protective behavior over its nest and young.

The intermediate egret can be confused with the great egret, which has a longer neck with a kink and a longer bill that aligns with the flat top of its head. The little egret, another similar species, has yellow-soled feet and a black bill, and it often runs after fish in shallow water.

Its diet consists of fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects, which it hunts by stalking methodically in shallow waters.

The intermediate egret is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is not currently at significant risk of extinction in the wild.

The medium egret stalks its prey methodically in shallow coastal or fresh water, including flooded fields. It eats fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects. It often nests in colonies with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The typical clutch size is 2 or 3 eggs but there can be as many as 6 eggs in a clutch, the colour of the eggs is pale green, with a smooth, slightly pitted shell. Both parents incubate the eggs and they hatch after between 24 and 27 days. The eggs hatch asynchronously, after hatching the adults brood the semialtricial young for 12 days, defending the nests from aerial predators during both incubation and brooding, they crouch over the nest and raise their plumes and point their bill towards the threat. 

The parents regurgitate food to feed the young, initially onto the floor of the nest but later the chick takes the food from the parent's mouth. There may be competition for food within the brood. Pinfeathers may appear on the chicks as early as 4 days old and the young are able to leave the nest at 24 days old, although they return to be fed. Fledging occurs at around 40 days old and they leave the colony after 70 days. In Africa and Australia they are reported to be quite successful breeders with 96% and 88% of nests fledging at least a single chick. Intermediate egret populations are more successful in wet years than in dry years.

11-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - BLACK HEADED IBIS (Threskiornis melanocephalus)

The black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), also known as the Oriental white ibis, Indian white ibis, and black-necked ibis, is a species of wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae which breeds in the South and Southeast Asia from India to the west and as far east as Japan. It is the only native ibis species in its range that has an overall white plumage with a black neck and head. The down-curved beak and legs are also black. Though often referred to as a wetland species, the black-headed ibis forages in a range of natural and man-made habitats. This species of ibis nests only during the rainy season.

The black-headed ibis is one of several large waterbird species in south and south-east Asia, with adults measuring 65–76 cm in length. The white plumage is starkly contrasted against a conspicuous naked black neck and head, and black down-curved beak. Tails of adults bear light grey ornamental feathers that turn jet black during the breeding season. During the breeding season, bare patches under the wing turn blood-red. The head of some breeding adults gain a blueish tinge, or very rarely have a pink or bright red patch behind the neck] Some breeding adults also develop tufts of white feathers behind the neck, and rarely also get a yellowish colouration on the breast and back. Sexes are identical but juveniles are identifiable from adults in having greyish feathering on the neck and speckled brown-grey feathering on the wings and back. Like storks and spoonbills, it lacks a true voice-producing mechanism and is silent except for ventriloquistic grunts uttered by pairs at the nest.

11-3-2020 KERALA, INDIA - ORIENTAL DARTER (Anhinga melanogaster)

The Oriental darter (Anhinga melanogaster) is a water bird of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It has a long and slender neck with a straight, pointed bill and, like the cormorant, it hunts for fish while its body is submerged in water. It spears a fish underwater, bringing it above the surface, tossing and juggling it before swallowing the fish head first. The body remains submerged as it swims, and the slender neck alone is visible above the water, which accounts for the colloquial name of snakebird. Like the cormorants, it has wettable feathers and it is often found perched on a rock or branch with its wings held open to dry.

Fish are first speared and the snake-like neck emerges above the water to toss and swallow the fish head-first

The Oriental darter is like all other anhingas, a cormorant-like species that has a very long neck. The structure of the neck is as in other species of darter with strongly developed muscles about a kink in the neck at the 8th and 9th vertebrae that allows it to be flexed and darted forward with rapid force to stab fish underwater. The edges of the commissures of the mandible tips have minute inward pointing serrations that hold impaled fish.

The adult plumage above is black and the wing coverts and tertials having silvery streaks along the shaft. The crown and neck are brown shading to black towards the back of the neck. The underparts are blackish brown. A pale line over the eye and throat and a line running along the sides of the neck gives it a striped appearance. The iris is white with a yellow ring (brighter yellow in breeding birds) around it. The tip of the upper mandible is dark while the base is pale brown bill while the lower mandible is yellowish. The legs and webbing on the foot are yellow in immatures and non-breeding birds while breeding birds have darker grey tarsi and toes with yellow webbing. The sexes are not easily distinguishable but males tend to have black speckles that coalesce on the white throat. Adult females have a shorter bill and tend to have the black at the base of neck and chest separated from the hind neck by a wide buff band that ends at the shoulder. This pattern however is also found in immatures whose neck is lighter and lack the long pointed scapulars. In flight the long and slender neck, wide wing and wedge shaped tail make it distinctive. Young birds have a pale brown neck and appear whitish on the underside and lack the white streak along the side of the neck. The inner secondaries or tertials and the central tail feathers appear wavy or corrugated. The tail is long and made up of twelve stiff feathers which are dragged along the ground when the bird attempts to walk or hop on land.

11-3-2020 KERULA, INDIA - HOUSE CROW (Corvus splendens)

The House Crow, Corvus splendens, is a bird of moderate size, measuring about 40 cm in length, and presents a slimmer profile than its relatives, the jackdaw and the carrion crow. Exhibiting a striking contrast in its plumage, the bird's head, throat, and upper breast are adorned with a rich, glossy black, while the neck and lower breast are cloaked in a lighter grey-brown. Its wings, tail, and legs are of a deep black, completing its distinctive appearance.

To identify the House Crow, look for the combination of its black and grey plumage, with the grey extending around the neck forming a collar. This collar's shade varies among subspecies, ranging from pale to dark grey. The bird's bill and plumage coloration also show regional variations.

The House Crow is closely associated with human settlements, thriving in environments ranging from small villages to bustling cities. It has adapted remarkably well to urban life, often seen foraging in marketplaces and garbage dumps. 

Native to southern Asia, the House Crow's range includes Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Laccadive Islands, southern Myanmar, south Thailand, and coastal southern Iran. It has been introduced to East Africa, Australia, and Europe, with a notable breeding population in the Dutch town of Hook of Holland.

The House Crow is a highly opportunistic and flexible species, thriving in close proximity to humans. It has shown a remarkable ability to utilize a variety of resources, which has contributed to its success as an invasive species in tropical regions.

The House Crow's call is a distinctive and harsh "kaaw-kaaw," which is a familiar sound in its urban habitats.

Breeding requires the presence of trees, although the House Crow may also nest on structures like telephone towers. It lays 3-5 eggs in a stick nest, and in South Asia, it is often parasitized by the Asian koel. The breeding season peaks from April to July.

An omnivorous scavenger, the House Crow's diet includes refuse, small reptiles and mammals, insects, other invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, grain, and fruits. It is known to forage on the ground and in trees, taking advantage of a wide range of food sources.