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.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - RED NAPED IBIS (Pseudibis papillosa)

The Red-naped Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa), also known as the Indian black ibis, is a large, distinctive bird found across the plains of the Indian Subcontinent. It is easily recognized by its glossy black plumage, a stark white shoulder patch, and a bright red, warty patch of skin on its crown and nape.

Physical Characteristics: Adults are 60–68 cm long with a wingspan of 90–115 cm and a long, downcurved bill used for probing the ground. Immatures are browner and initially lack the bare red head patch.

Habitat Preferences: Unlike many other ibis species, they are highly terrestrial and less dependent on water. They prefer dry agricultural fields, open country, and scrublands, often foraging far from waterbodies.Diet: Omnivorous and highly opportunistic. They feed on insects (especially crop-damaging crickets), frogs, reptiles, small vertebrates, and grains.

Behavior & Reproduction: Highly adaptable and often seen in small groups. They are known to mate for life and construct nests on large trees or even artificial structures.

Conservation Status: Listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, but populations face threats from agricultural conversion, habitat loss, and hunting.

28-3-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - COAL TIT (Periparus ater)

28-3-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPECKLED WOOD BUTTERFLY (Pararge aegeria)

The speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) is a butterfly found in and on the borders of woodland areas throughout much of the Palearctic realm. The species is subdivided into multiple subspecies, including Pararge aegeria aegeria, Pararge aegeria tircis, Pararge aegeria oblita, and Pararge aegeria insula. The color of this butterfly varies between subspecies. The existence of these subspecies is due to variation in morphology down a gradient corresponding to a geographic cline. 

The background of the wings ranges from brown to orange, and the spots are either pale yellow, white, cream, or a tawny orange. The speckled wood feeds on a variety of grass species. The males of this species exhibit two types of mate locating behaviors: territorial defense and patrolling. The proportion of males exhibiting these two strategies changes based on ecological conditions. The monandrous female must choose which type of male can help her reproduce successfully. Her decision is heavily influenced by environmental conditions.

3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - JUNGLE OWLET (Glaucidium radiatum)

This small owlet has a rounded head and is finely barred all over. There is no clear facial disk and the wings are brownish and the tail is narrowly barred in white. There are two subspecies, the nominate form is found in the plains of India and Sri Lanka, while G. r. malabaricum of the Western Ghats is shorter tailed and shows more brown on the head. It has been suggested that the latter may warrant full species status.

The plumage on the upper parts is dark black-brown barred with white. The wing coverts have white and rufous patches. The primaries and secondaries are dark brown and barred with pale chestnut. The lower side is whitish or pale rufous barred with black. There is a whitish patch on the chin, upper breast and centre of the abdomen. The iris is yellow, the bill and tarsi are greenish with black claws.

In Sri Lanka, the chestnut-backed owlet (Glaucidium castanonotum) was once included as a subspecies but this is elevated to full species. It is found in the wet zone ,whereas G. radiatum is found in drier forests.

They are found in habitats ranging from scrub forest to deciduous and moist deciduous forests. They are found south of the Himalayas and in some parts of the Himalayas up to an elevation of 2,000 m (6,600 ft), extending from Dalhousie in the west, east to Bhutan.

3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - RUSSET PERCHER DRAGONFLY (Neurothemis fulvia)

Neurothemis fulvia, the fulvous forest skimmer, is a species of dragonfly found in Asia.

It is a medium-sized rusty dragonfly with transparent wing tips. Male has a reddish-brown face with eyes which are dark reddish brown above, golden brown below. Thorax, abdomen and legs are reddish brown. Wings are dark reddish brown with an irregular triangular transparent area at the tip of the wing. The wing spots are dark reddish brown. Many forms of females are found. Color of head, thorax and abdomen paler than males or rusty brown. Wings are clear amber yellow with a dark ray extending to the tip in fore wing. Many of them have an irregular triangular transparent area at the tip of the wing. The wings vary in size, shape, width and coloration. The clear uncoloured apices of wings will help to distinguish it from other red Asian dragonflies.

The Russet Percher (Neurothemis fulvia), also known as the Fulvous Forest Skimmer, is a medium-sized Asian dragonfly famous for its vibrant, rusty-red coloration and transparent wingtips. Highly adaptable, these dragonflies are common to wet forests, canopy gaps, and human-modified environments like parks and gardens across India, China, and Southeast Asia.

Key Identification Features

Size: Total body length of 35–45 mm with a wingspan stretching up to 60 mm.

Males: Feature a vibrant, reddish-brown body, face, and legs. Their wings are a dark, rusty-red with a distinctive irregular, transparent triangular area at the very tips. Eyes are reddish-brown on top and golden-brown on the bottom.

Females: Paler and more yellowish-brown in color. Their wings are a clear amber-yellow with darker rays extending to the tips, which can have an irregular transparent apex. Females are polymorphic, meaning color variations exist between individuals.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SOUTHERN SWAMP DEER (Rucervus duvaucelii ssp. branderi)

The Hard-ground Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii branderi), or swamp deer, is an endangered subspecies endemic to Central India, notably Kanha National Park. Unlike other swamp deer, they have hard, non-splayed hooves for grazing on dry, hard ground rather than wet, marshy areas. They are large herbivores with 12–14 tined antlers and are currently threatened by habitat fragmentation.

Key Facts about Rucervus duvaucelii branderi:

Distinct Physical Features: This subspecies features unique hard, black hooves, unlike the soft, splayed hooves of Northern subspecies that live in wetlands.

Habitat: Unlike others of its species, this variant lives in dry, hard-ground habitats, primarily open woodlands and tall grasslands in Central India.

Diet: They are dedicated grazers, relying heavily on tall grass species such as Saccharum, Imperata, and Narenga.

Social Structure: They are social animals, often forming large herds, sometimes reaching up to 60 individuals in the central Indian plains.

Breeding: Breeding peaks between September and October in Kanha National Park, with a gestation period of approximately 240–250 days, usually resulting in a single calf.

Conservation Status: They are listed as vulnerable to extinction, with their population largely restricted to a few protected reserves.

Reintroduction: They have been successfully reintroduced into sites like Satpura Tiger Reserve to expand their habitat, where second and third-generation fawns have been born.

Appearance: They have dark, woolly, brownish coats in winter, shifting to a brighter, light brown-orange in the summer.Name: "Barasingha" translates to "twelve-tined," referring to their extensive antler branching.

Barasingha is the colloquial Indian term for The Swamp Deer. It means “the twelve tined one.” Their antlers are a spectacle to behold. An adult male can have somewhere between 12 to 15 tines in his antlers. The heavy branches make them look prettiest. 

If you notice a chital, aka spotted deer, you would see that they have only about three tines. But this one has twelve, and that is the whole beauty of it. Central India was once the ground for these hard ground swamp deer. However, somewhere in the 1970s, the number fell drastically to double digits, making Barasingha an endangered species. This drew a nation-wide concern.

Around the same time, a conservation project for tigers was initiated. It facilitated suitable grounds for the Barasingha to thrive as well. A win-win!The success story of the increasing number of swamp deers in Kanha National Park is India’s one of the best conservation projects.

The Barasingha, also called swamp deer, is a special kind of deer found in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh! 🦌They are known for their unique antlers, which can have up to 12 points, and their beautiful golden-brown fur. The name "Barasingha" comes from the Hindi words "bāra," meaning "twelve," and "singh," meaning "antler." This species is very social and lives in herds. They love marshy areas where they can find food and stay safe. You'll usually find them near lakes, rivers, and grasslands! 

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - SAMBAR (FEMALE) (Rusa unicolor)

The sambar (Rusa unicolor) is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The name "sambar" is also sometimes used to refer to the Philippine deer called the "Philippine sambar", and the Javan rusa called the "Sunda sambar".

Sambar deer are light brown or dark with a grayish or yellowish tinge. The underparts are paler. Old sambars turn very dark brown, almost the color black. Their coat of dark short hair is coarse, and their undersides have creamy white to light brown hair. The color of the coat is usually consistent around the body, but it can vary from almost dark gray to yellowish-brown.

 Males have unique stout, rugged antlers with three points, or tines. Their tail is quite long for deer, generally black on top and dirty white or whitish underneath. Sambars have long, strong legs, the upper color being dark brown, with the inner parts of the legs a paler or dirty white. Their brownish-gray ears are long. Adult males and pregnant or lactating females possess an unusual hairless, blood-red spot located about halfway down the underside of their throats. This sometimes oozes a white liquid and is apparently glandular in nature.

Sambar deer are native in India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Sri Lanka, Burma, the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java. They inhabit both the gentle slopes and the steeper parts of forested hillsides. Sambar prefer to live in tropical dry forests, open scrub, tropical seasonal forests, subtropical mixed forests with stands of conifers and montane grasslands, broadleaved deciduous and broadleaved evergreen trees, to tropical rainforests, and seldom move far from water sources. These deer can also be found near cultivated areas like gardens and plantations, where they can find food.

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - CHOCOLATE PANSY BUTTERFLY (Junonia hedonia ssp. ida)

The Chocolate Pansy (Junonia hedonia ssp. ida) is a small, highly territorial brush-footed butterfly recognized by its reddish-brown upperwings and distinct leaf-mimicking underwings. Native to Southeast Asia and Australasia, it frequently inhabits both urban gardens and forested edges, where it is often seen sunbathing near the ground.

Key facts about the Chocolate Pansy include:

Appearance: It has a wingspan of roughly \(50 \text{ mm}\) to \(60 \text{ mm}\). The upperside features dark orange-brown wings with faint darker bands and prominent, reddish-brown eyespots on the hindwings.

Camouflage: When the wings are folded at rest, the underside reveals duller brown shades and distinct striations that resemble a dead leaf, helping it hide among fallen leaf litter.

Behavior: They are skittish but notoriously territorial. Males establish specific perches and will aggressively "attack" and chase away any other intruding butterflies. They love sunny days and frequently sunbathe with their wings spread completely open.

Life Cycle: The complete life cycle is quite rapid. Eggs are typically laid near the ground or on dry twigs near host plants. The caterpillars primarily feed on plants from the Acanthaceae family, such as Ruellia repens and Hemigraphis reptans.

Subspecies: The subspecies J. h. ida is particularly common in regions like the Philippines and Singapore, and is easily confused with the Junonia iphita (Chocolate Soldier).

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - COMMON CROW BUTTERFLY (Euploea core)

Euploea core, also known as the common crow, is a common butterfly found in South Asia to Australia. In India it is also sometimes referred to as the common Indian crow, and in Australia as the Australian crow. It belongs to the crows and tigers subfamily Danainae (tribe Danaini).

E. core is a glossy-black, medium-sized 85–95 mm (3.3–3.7 in) butterfly with rows of white spots on the margins of its wings. E. core is a slow, steady flier. Due to its unpalatability it is usually observed gliding through the air with a minimum of effort. As caterpillars, this species sequesters toxins from its food plant which are passed on from larva to pupa to the adult. While feeding, it is a very bold butterfly, taking a long time at each bunch of flowers. It can also be found mud-puddling with others of its species and often in mixed groups. The males of this species visit plants like Crotalaria and Heliotropium to replenish pheromone stocks which are used to attract a female during courtship.

The common crow is the most common representative of its genus, Euploea. Like the tigers (genus Danaus), the crows are inedible and thus mimicked by other Indian butterflies (see Batesian mimicry). In addition, the Indian species of the genus Euploea show another kind of mimicry, Müllerian mimicry. Accordingly, this species has been studied in greater detail than other members of its genus in India.

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - WHITE RUMPED SHAMA (Copsychus malabaricus

26-3-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GREAT TIT (Parus major)

The great tit (Parus major) is a small passerine bird, easily recognized by its black head and neck, striking white cheeks, olive upperparts, and vibrant yellow underparts. This bird is the most widespread species in the genus Parus, found across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Males are characterized by their bright plumage, with a black bib that extends down the belly, bordered by a lemon-yellow breast. Females and juveniles are similar but have duller coloration. The black line down the belly is also narrower and sometimes broken in these birds.

Great tits favor a variety of woodland habitats, including deciduous and mixed forests, forest edges, and even urban parks and gardens. They are also found in riverine woodlands and, in some regions, boreal taiga.

This species is resident throughout its range, which extends from the Iberian Peninsula to the Amur Valley, and from Scandinavia to the Middle East. It is generally non-migratory, except in harsh winters when it may move to more temperate areas.

Great tits are known for their intelligence and adaptability. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors and can solve problems with insight learning. They are also cavity nesters and are monogamous, with both parents involved in raising the chicks.

The great tit has a repertoire of up to 40 calls and songs, with the male being particularly vocal. A common call resembles the phrase "teacher, teacher," which is used to proclaim territory.

Breeding occurs once a year, with the female laying up to 12 eggs in a cavity nest. The female incubates the eggs alone, but both parents feed the chicks. In most years, the pair will raise two broods.

In summer, the diet is predominantly insectivorous, while in winter, it expands to include seeds and berries. Great tits are adept at handling large food items and are known to visit bird feeders in urban areas.

26-3-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - HOUSE SPARROW (MALE) (Passer domesticus)

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a member of the sparrow family Passeridae. This small bird typically measures around 16 cm (6.3 in) in length and weighs between 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females and young birds displaying pale brown and grey plumage, while males are characterized by more vibrant black, white, and brown markings.

Males can be identified by their bright black, white, and brown markings, with a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, and a grey crown. Females lack the striking head patterns of males and are predominantly buffish with softer coloration. Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally paler with less defined markings.

The house sparrow is highly adaptable and can thrive in both urban and rural environments. It is commonly found in close association with human habitation and avoids dense forests, grasslands, polar regions, and deserts far from human development.

Native to Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and much of Asia, the house sparrow has been introduced to various regions worldwide, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, making it one of the most widely distributed wild birds.

26-3-2020 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CATALONIA WALL LIZARD (Podarcis liolepis)

Podarcis liolepis, the Columbretes wall lizard or Catalan wall lizard, is very similar to the other lizards in the genus Podarcis. This species was formerly described as a subspecies of the Iberian wall lizard, but has now been elevated to species status. These are slender lizards with long tails, narrow tapered heads and long thin toes, and stout legs. Colours are variable, although generally grey-brown. Often very subtle spots and stripes along the back and flanks can be seen and these can be more distinguished in the female. The underside is a much lighter cream or beige with sometimes a reddish tint. Adults grow 15–20 cm in length from the nose to tip of the tail. Body length can be a little as one third of the total body length, the tail making up the other two thirds.

Physical characteristics Size: Adults grow to about \(15-20\) cm long, with the tail making up two-thirds of the total length.Body shape: They are slender with a long tail, a narrow head, and long, thin toes.Color: Dorsal colors are typically grey-brown with varied patterns. Females tend to have more prominent longitudinal stripes, while males are often smaller. Some individuals also have ventral color variations, including yellow, orange/red, and white morphs. 

Habitat and behavior Habitat: The species is adaptable and can be found in various environments, including rocky areas, shrubby vegetation, and even human settlements.Distribution: Its range extends from the Rhône Valley in France to the Sierra Nevada in Spain.

Activity: They are diurnal and active, often seen basking, foraging, and hiding in vegetation.Diet: They feed on small invertebrates and sometimes fruit.Reproduction: As an oviparous (egg-laying) species, females lay an average of 2.80 eggs per clutch in continental populations. 

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - ORANGE HEADED THRUSH (Geokichla citrina)

The Orange-headed Thrush (Geokichla citrina) is a bird of striking plumage, with the male sporting a vivid orange head and underparts contrasted against uniform grey upperparts. Females and juveniles are more subdued, with browner upper parts and a less vibrant orange hue.

Adult males are distinguished by their entirely orange head and underparts, and grey upperparts. Females and juveniles are similar but have browner or more olive upperparts. The species is characterized by a distinctive underwing pattern with a strong white band, aiding in identification.

This species thrives in well-wooded areas, showing a preference for shady, damp environments. It can be found in moist broadleaved evergreen woodlands with medium-density undergrowth, as well as bamboo forests and secondary growth.

The Orange-headed Thrush is a common resident across the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, extending to southern China. Some subspecies are migratory, wintering at lower altitudes within the region.

Typically solitary or in pairs, the Orange-headed Thrush is a shy and secretive bird. It is more easily observed than other thrushes in its genus, especially when foraging for food on the forest floor at dawn and dusk.

The vocal repertoire includes a soft "chuk" or "tchuk," a screeching "teer-teer-teer," and a thin "tsee" or "dzef" in flight. Its song is a melodious series of sweet notes, often incorporating imitations of other bird species.

Nests are built by both sexes, comprising a shallow cup of twigs and leaves, situated in trees or bushes. The species lays cream or pale-tinted eggs with lilac blotches and reddish-brown spots, which are incubated for about two weeks.

An omnivorous bird, the Orange-headed Thrush consumes a variety of insects, earthworms, and fruit. It is particularly active at dawn and dusk, foraging in the leaf litter for food.

Classified as Least Concern, the Orange-headed Thrush has a large population size and extensive range. However, it faces threats from trapping for the cage-bird trade in some areas, and habitat loss in Southeast Asia.

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - BENGAL SACRED LANGUR MONKEY (Semnopithecus entellus)

The northern plains gray langur (Semnopithecus entellus), also known as the sacred langur, Bengal sacred langur and Hanuman langur, is a species of primate in the family Cercopithecidae.

The northern plains gray langur belongs to the genus Semnopithecus along with the other Indian langurs. The southern plains gray langur was once classified as a subspecies of S. entellus, i.e., S. entellus dussumieri and later regarded as a separate species, i.e., S. dussumieri, but is now regarded as an invalid taxon. Most of the specimens that had been regarded as Semnopithecus dussumieri fall within the revised range of Semnopithecus entellus.

The fur of adults is mostly light colored, with darker fur on the back and limbs, and the face, ears, hands and feet are all black. Infants are brown. Body size excluding tail ranges from 45.1 cm (17.8 in) to 78.4 cm (30.9 in) long, and the tail length is between 80.3 cm (31.6 in) and 111.8 cm (44.0 in). Adult males weigh between 16.9 kg (37 lb) and 19.5 kg (43 lb) while adult females weigh between 9.5 kg (21 lb) and 16.1 kg (35 lb).

The range of the northern plains gray langur covers a large portion of India south of the Himalayas south to the Tapti River and the Krishna River. They have also been reported from Tharparkar in Pakistan. It is thought to have been introduced to western Bangladesh by Hindu pilgrims on the bank of the Jalangi River.

The northern plains gray langur is diurnal, and is both terrestrial and arboreal. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. Females groom members of both sexes but males do not groom others.

The northern plains gray langur can live in several different types of groups. It can live in groups of multiple males and females, one male and multiple females or multiple males with no females, and males can also live alone without a group. Single male groups are most common. Group size can exceed 100 monkeys. Upon reaching maturity, males typically emigrate from their natal group while females typically remain. Young adult females are typically dominant over older females. When a new male takes over a group it may engage in infanticide of young fathered by the previous male or males, but this is less common when the takeover occurs slowly over several months.

The northern plains gray langur eats primarily fruits and leaves. It is able to survive on mature leaves, which is a key to its ability to survive throughout the dry season. It also eats seeds, flowers, buds, bark and insects, including caterpillars. It is also fed fruits and vegetables by humans, and some groups get a substantial portion of their diets from food provided by temples and from raiding crops.

Groups that have access to abundant food year-round, for example those that are provisioned by temples or are able to raid crops year-round, also breed throughout the year. Other groups, such as those living in forests, typically give birth between December and May. The gestation period is about 200 days. Females other than the mother alloparent the infant for the first month of its life. Weaning occurs at about 1 year and males reach maturity at about 6 to 7 year old.

The northern plains gray langur often associates with chital deer. Both species respond to each other's alarm calls. The chital seem to benefit from the vigilance of male langurs watching for predators in the trees, while the langurs seem to benefit from the chital's better senses of smell and hearing. It also has been observed engaging in grooming sessions with rhesus macaques.

2-3-2020 KANJA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN ROLLER (Coracias benghalensis)

The Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis) is a bird of the family Coraciidae. It is 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long with a wingspan of 65–74 cm (26–29 in) and weighs 166–176 g (5.9–6.2 oz). The face and throat are pinkish, the head and back are brown, with blue on the rump and contrasting light and dark blue on the wings and tail. The bright blue markings on the wing are prominent in flight. The sexes are similar in appearance. Two subspecies are recognised.

The Indian roller occurs widely from West Asia to the Indian subcontinent. Often found perched on roadside trees and wires, it is common in open grassland and scrub forest habitats, and has adapted well to human-modified landscapes. It mainly feeds on insects, especially beetles. The species is best known for the aerobatic displays of males during the breeding season. Adult males and females form pair bonds and raise the young together. The female lays 3–5 eggs in a cavity or crevice, which is lined with a thin mat of straw or feathers. The roller is the state bird of three Indian states. It is listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.

The Indian roller is a bulky and broad-winged bird with a large head and short neck and legs. It has a body length of 30–34 cm (12–13 in) with a wingspan of 65–74 cm (26–29 in) and weighs 166–176 g (5.9–6.2 oz). The bare skin around the eyes is dull orange, the legs and feet are yellow-brown. The bill is tinged with brown at the base. The iris is grey-brown.

The plumage on the forehead, chin and lores are pinkish buff, the ear coverts are darker red-brown with pale cream or pinkish streaks, while the throat is a dull wine-red with narrow cream streaks. The crown and nape are a darker dull turquoise. The back and rump are a bright turquoise, and the belly is pale blue. The tail coverts are dark purple-blue with turquoise tips. The middle two tail feathers are greyish blue-olive with black shafts, while the surrounding tail feathers are an intense purple-blue with a broad pale blue band and greenish tinge towards the tips. The flight feathers on the wings have the same purple-blue colour of those on the tail, with a similar pale blue band across the most distal five or six primaries. The underwing coverts and axillary feathers are pale blue, while the upperwing coverts are a dull green-blue. The primary coverts are pale blue with olive or purple-blue tips, and the lesser coverts are purple-blue along the leading edge of the wing. The colours look dull when the bird is perched but become vibrant in flight. Moulting commences anywhere from mid-June to mid-August and concludes between November and the beginning of March.

Scan of Indian roller feathers: a primary, two outer secondaries and two tail feathers

The blue colours of the flight feathers are structural and are formed by microstructures in the barbs that produce blue through scattering, which C.V. Raman noted in the 1930s as being more complex than can be explained by the Tyndall effect. Studies in 2010 found the feather barbs structured like a channel with β-keratin rods 100 nm (3.9×10−6 in) in diameter with airspaces between them.

Adult males and females are similar in appearance and there are no seasonal changes. Juvenile birds are duller, paler and browner in colour, with a dull green crown and dull green-blue belly tinged with buff. The bill is brown with a yellowish base rather than black.

The Indian roller is distributed from Iraq and United Arab Emirates through the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka. In Pakistan, it is resident in the wetlands around Chotiari Dam in Sindh, in Jiwani Coastal Wetland in Balochistan, and in Punjab along the Taunsa Barrage and Chenab River. It has been recorded as a summer visitor to Jalalabad in northeastern Afghanistan. It has been recorded as a vagrant in Syria,Saudi Arabia, Masirah Island, Qatar, Yemen, Socotra, Bahrain, where it was sighted in 1996 and in 2008, Lakshadweep islands, the Maldive Islands, and Turkey. In Kuwait, it is a common winter visitor at Green Island and farmlands near Al Jahra. In the 1970s, it was reported as a common winter visitor to the marshes and mudflats of Shadegan County in Iran. However, it is listed as resident in Iran.

The species is common, and often found in open woodland dominated by trees of the genera Acacia and Prosopis, and has adapted well to human-modified landscapes such as parks and gardens, fields, date and coconut palm plantations. It has been nicknamed "roundabout bird" in northern Oman, where pairs live in vegetation at roundabouts. In Oman, it is common in the Al Batinah Region and in cultivated areas east of the Sharqiya Sands below elevations of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). In India, it was sighted at elevations ranging from sea level in the Bhitarkanika Mangroves and the Gulf of Mannar to about 2,100 m (6,900 ft) in the Nilgiri Mountains.

The Indian roller is generally not very gregarious and is usually found alone or in pairs. It is often territorial, though migrants may forage in flocks with no aggression. They patrol their territory by flying at treetop height or three-stories high and when an intruder is spotted, they drive it away by a fast rolling flight. Its migration patterns are not well understood; in Oman they are present year-round but appear to be more common in winter than summer.

The Indian roller spends a few minutes preening followed by flying around its roosting site. It favours electric or telegraph wires as perches. It has been observed perching in trees and shrubs at a height of 3–9 m (10–30 ft) from where it flies down to forage for ground insects. It also uses higher perches in the upper canopy of trees. The display of the Indian roller is aerobatic with twists and turns. It is attracted by wildfires and darts into hot smoke in pursuit of insects. It has been observed following tractors for disturbed invertebrates. In agricultural habitats in southern India, it has been found at densities of about 50 birds per km2.

Nesting Indian rollers act aggressively towards potential predators. They drive away Indian jungle crows (Corvus culminatus) from nests and have even been recorded repeatedly divebombing an Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), and flying at humans.

Haemoproteus coraciae live inside the red-blood cells and Leucocytozoon blood parasites have been recorded in the lung tissues. Parasitic helminth worms Hadjelia srivastavai, Cyrnea graphophasiani, Habronema thapari and Synhimantus spiralis have been recorded from the gizzards of Indian rollers.

3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - CHITAL (SPOTTED DEER) (JUVENILE) (Axis axis)

The Axis deer (Axis axis) is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. It was first described and given a binomial name by German naturalist Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777.

The Axis deer is a beautiful mammal with a spotted body and short tail. Both males and females have markings on their bodies; the markings are white, running in rows along the length of their bodies. The body of Axis deer is bright golden brown in color while the head is a bit lighter shade of the same color. Around their eyes, they have stripes of fur that are paler in color. Males have black spots on their faces and three tines on each of their magnificent antlers. These deer have a dark stripe, running along the length of their back and bordered by a row of spots. The outer parts of their legs are light brown in color while the underparts can be both white and creamy. The Axis deer has a white spot on its throat, which is more noticeable in males. In addition, the tail of the Axis deer has a white underpart.

3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - CHITAL (SPOTTED DEER) (FEMALE) (Axis axis)

The chital (Axis axis; /tʃiːtəl/), also called spotted deer and axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. It was first described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. A moderate-sized deer, male chital reach 90 cm (35 in) and females 70 cm (28 in) at the shoulder. While males weigh 70–90 kg (150–200 lb), females weigh around 40–60 kg (88–132 lb). It is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and antlers are present only on males. The upper parts are golden to rufous, completely covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. The antlers, three-pronged, are nearly 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long.

The vernacular name "chital" (pronounced /tʃiːtəl/) comes from cītal (Hindi: चीतल), derived from the Sanskrit word citrala (चित्रल), meaning "variegated" or "spotted". The name of the cheetah has a similar origin. Variations of "chital" include "cheetal" and "cheetul". Other common names for the chital are Indian spotted deer (or simply the spotted deer) and axis deer.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - COMMON CROW BUTTERFLY (Euploea lewiniip)

Euploea core, the common crow is a common butterfly found in South Asia to Australia. In India it is also sometimes referred to as the common Indian crow, and in Australia as the Australian crow. It belongs to the crows and tigers subfamily Danainae (tribe Danaini).

E. core is a glossy-black, medium-sized 85–95 mm (3.3–3.7 in) butterfly with rows of white spots on the margins of its wings. E. core is a slow, steady flier. Due to its unpalatability it is usually observed gliding through the air with a minimum of effort. As caterpillars, this species sequesters toxins from its food plant which are passed on from larva to pupa to the adult. While feeding, it is a very bold butterfly, taking a long time at each bunch of flowers. It can also be found mud-puddling with others of its species and often in mixed groups. The males of this species visit plants like Crotalaria and Heliotropium to replenish pheromone stocks which are used to attract a female during courtship.

The common crow is the most common representative of its genus, Euploea. Like the tigers (genus Danaus), the crows are inedible and thus mimicked by other Indian butterflies (see Batesian mimicry). In addition, the Indian species of the genus Euploea show another kind of mimicry, Müllerian mimicry. Accordingly, this species has been studied in greater detail than other members of its genus in India.