3-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - COMMON HAWK CUCKOO (Hierococcyx varius)

The common hawk-cuckoo, known colloquially as the brainfever bird, is a medium-sized cuckoo roughly the size of a pigeon, measuring approximately 34 cm in length. Its plumage is a muted ashy grey on top, with a paler underside marked by brown cross-bars. The tail is conspicuously barred. Both sexes exhibit a distinctive yellow eye ring, and while they appear similar, males are generally larger.

Upon first glance, one might easily mistake the common hawk-cuckoo for a hawk due to its striking resemblance to the Shikra, particularly in flight behavior and landing. Subadults display streaked breasts akin to immature Shikras and bear large brown chevron marks on their bellies. The large hawk-cuckoo could be confused with this species, but it can be distinguished by dark streaks on its throat and breast, and young large hawk-cuckoos have a black chin, as opposed to the pale chin of the common hawk-cuckoo's young.

The common hawk-cuckoo favors arboreal habitats, seldom descending to the ground. It thrives in gardens, tree groves, and both deciduous and semi-evergreen forests.

This species is widespread across the Indian subcontinent, from Pakistan to the Himalayan foothills, and extends eastward to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Northeast India, reaching south into Sri Lanka. Some Indian populations migrate to Sri Lanka in the winter, while the subspecies in central Sri Lanka's hills is resident.

The common hawk-cuckoo is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of babblers, particularly those in the genus Turdoides. The breeding season aligns with that of its host species, from March to June. The hatchling often evicts the host's eggs and is raised by the foster parents, following them for nearly a month.

The male's call is a loud, repetitive three-note sound, reminiscent of the phrase "brain-fever," with the second note being longer and higher pitched. These calls, which can continue throughout the day and into moonlit nights, rise to a crescendo before ending abruptly. The female's call consists of a series of grating notes.

During the breeding season, the common hawk-cuckoo lays a single blue egg, mimicking the appearance of the host's eggs. The chick may evict the host's eggs and is reared to maturity by the foster parents.

The common hawk-cuckoo primarily feeds on insects, specializing in hairy caterpillars. It has developed a method to remove the caterpillar's guts, which often contain toxins, by pressing and rubbing the caterpillar on a branch before consumption. The ingested hairs are later regurgitated as a pellet.

The IUCN Red List has classified the common hawk-cuckoo as Least Concern, indicating that it currently faces no significant threat of extinction.

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

The Chital (Axis axis), or spotted deer, is a medium-sized deer native to the Indian subcontinent, distinguished by its reddish-brown coat, permanent white spots, and three-pronged antlers. Males, or stags, are larger than females, typically weighing 70–90 kg, and are known for their loud, coarse barking calls.

Key Facts

Appearance: They have a distinctive white throat, belly, and inner legs, with a dark dorsal stripe.Antlers: Males have three-pronged antlers that can reach nearly 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length.

Habitat & Diet: They prefer grassy woodlands and, while primarily grazers, will consume fruits and shrubs during the dry season.

Social Behavior: They are highly gregarious and often found in large, mixed-sex herds (10-50+ individuals).

Symbiosis: Chital maintain a mutualistic relationship with gray langurs, which drop fruit for them to eat and provide warning calls against predators.

Breeding: Chital can breed throughout the year, with a gestation period of 225-235 days.

Lifespan: Their life expectancy is around 15–20 years.Distribution: Native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, they have been introduced to Texas, Argentina, and Australia.Chital are not considered threatened, with a conservation status of "Least Concern" (LC).

2-3-2020 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.

Most of the Axis deer population is concentrated in the forests of India. The major area of their distribution is Sri Lanka and India, though they are introduced to USA and Australia as well. They live in dense forests, forested valleys and also prefer open grasslands, savannas, and plantations.

The Chital (Axis axis), or spotted deer, is a medium-sized deer native to the Indian subcontinent, distinguished by its reddish-brown coat, permanent white spots, and three-pronged antlers. Males, or stags, are larger than females, typically weighing 70–90 kg, and are known for their loud, coarse barking calls.

Appearance: They have a distinctive white throat, belly, and inner legs, with a dark dorsal stripe.Antlers: Males have three-pronged antlers that can reach nearly 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length.

Habitat & Diet: They prefer grassy woodlands and, while primarily grazers, will consume fruits and shrubs during the dry season.

Social Behavior: They are highly gregarious and often found in large, mixed-sex herds (10-50+ individuals).

Symbiosis: Chital maintain a mutualistic relationship with gray langurs, which drop fruit for them to eat and provide warning calls against predators.

Breeding: Chital can breed throughout the year, with a gestation period of 225-235 days.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - PUFF THROATED BABBLER (Pellorneum ruficeps)

The puff-throated babbler or spotted babbler (Pellorneum ruficeps ) is a species of passerine bird found in Asia. They are found in scrub and moist forest mainly in hilly regions. They forage in small groups on the forest floor, turning around leaf litter to find their prey and usually staying low in the undergrowth where they can be hard to spot. However, they have loud and distinct calls, including a morning song, contact and alarm calls. It is the type species of the genus Pellorneum which may, however, currently include multiple lineages.

Puff-throated babblers are brown above, and white below with heavily brown streaks towards the breast and belly. They have a chestnut crown, long buff supercilium and dusky cheeks. The throat is white, and is sometimes puffed out giving it the English name. Puff-throated babblers have strong legs, and spend a lot of time on the forest floor. They can often be seen creeping through undergrowth in search of their insect food, looking at first glance like a song thrush. Some subspecies have streaks on the mantle while others, especially in Peninsular India, are unstreaked.

The widespread distribution with population variations has led to nearly thirty subspecies being described. The nominate population is found in peninsular India (excluding the Western Ghats). The population in the northern Eastern Ghats is paler and has been called pallidum while a well-marked dark form occurs in the southern Western Ghats, which has been named granti (includes olivaceum ). The western Himalayas population is punctatum (includes jonesi ) and in the east is mandellii, which has streaking on the back and nape as well as having call differences.

In the east of India, south of the Brahmaputra River occurs chamelum while ripley is found in a small region in eastern Assam (Margherita). Further east in Manipur is vocale and pectorale in Arunachal Pradesh and northern Burma with stageri further south, followed by hilarum, victoriae and minus. Further east are found shanense, subochraceum, insularum, indistinctum, chtonium, elbeli, acrum, oreum, dusiti, vividum, ubonense, euroum, deignani, dilloni and smithi. Several others have been described and many populations are difficult to assign to subspecies. This is the type species for the genus Pellorneum and its generic placement is assured, although other species currently included in the genus may be reassigned.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - LARGE CUCKOOSHRIKE (Coracina macei)

The Large Cuckooshrike (Coracina macei), also known as the Indian Cuckooshrike, is a large, stocky, slate-grey passerine bird of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Favoring open woodlands and hill forests, it is easily recognized by its heavy hooked bill, black face mask, white-tipped tail, and habit of flicking its wings upon landing.

Quick biological and behavioral facts:

Size & Identification: Measuring 23 to 30 cm in length, males feature a darker grey plumage with an extensive black facial mask. Females are paler, lack the solid face mask, and possess fine grey barring on their underparts.Diet: Largely insectivorous, they hunt by perching high atop the forest canopy and scanning for insects. They also supplement their diet with figs and forest fruits.

Behavior: Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, they travel with a distinct, undulating (bounding) flight just above the canopy. A hallmark behavioral trait is the "wing-shrug"—a quick flicking of their closed wings shortly after landing.

Vocalizations: They are highly vocal, with a characteristic loud, nasal, two-noted "klu-eep" or "gii-yaak" call.

Breeding: They nest during the drier winter months, constructing a shallow saucer of twigs and grass in a horizontal tree fork, heavily decorated on the outside with cobwebs.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN PEAFOWL (Pavo cristatus)

The Indian peafowl, also known as the common peafowl or blue peafowl, is a species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a bird of resplendent beauty, with the male, or peacock, showcasing a spectacular array of iridescent colors. The peacock's most striking feature is its fan-like crest of spatula-tipped wire-like feathers and the long train made up of elongated upper-tail covert feathers adorned with colorful eyespots. These feathers can be raised into a fan and quivered during courtship displays. Despite their size, peacocks are capable of flight. The female, or peahen, is more subdued in coloration, with a white face, iridescent green lower neck, and overall dull brown plumage.

The Indian peafowl is unmistakable within its range. The male has a metallic blue crown, a fan-shaped crest, and a spectacular train with eye-spot markings. The peahen is smaller, with a rufous-brown head, mottled upper body, and dark brown lower parts. The loud "pia-ow" or "may-awe" calls are distinctive and often indicate the presence of predators.

Indian peafowl are ground-dwelling birds that prefer open forest or land under cultivation. They are adaptable and can be found near water sources in both moist and dry-deciduous forests.

Indian peafowl display a marked form of sexual dimorphism. The peacock is brightly coloured, with a predominantly blue fan-like crest of spatula-tipped wire-like feathers and is best known for the long train made up of elongated upper-tail covert feathers which bear colourful eyespots. These stiff feathers are raised into a fan and quivered in a display during courtship. Despite the length and size of these covert feathers, peacocks are still capable of flight. Peahens lack the train, have a white face and iridescent green lower neck, and dull brown plumage. 

The Indian peafowl lives mainly on the ground in open forest or on land under cultivation where they forage for berries, grains but also prey on snakes, lizards, and small rodents. Their loud calls make them easy to detect, and in forest areas often indicate the presence of a predator such as a tiger. They forage on the ground in small groups and usually try to escape on foot through undergrowth and avoid flying, though they fly into tall trees to roost.

The function of the peacock's elaborate train has been debated for over a century. In the 19th century, Charles Darwin found it a puzzle, hard to explain through ordinary natural selection. His later explanation, sexual selection, is widely but not universally accepted. In the 20th century, Amotz Zahavi argued that the train was a handicap, and that males were honestly signalling their fitness in proportion to the splendour of their trains. Despite extensive study, opinions remain divided on the mechanisms involved.

The bird is celebrated in Hindu and Greek mythology, and is the national bird of India. The Indian peafowl is listed as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - GREEN BEE-EATER (Merops orientalis)

The Asian green bee-eater (Merops orientalis) is a brightly-colored bird in the bee-eater family. It performs some seasonal movements and is found widely distributed across Asia. Populations in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula that were formerly assigned to this species (under the name green bee-eater) are now considered distinct species: the African green bee-eater and the Arabian green bee-eater. Asian green bee-eaters are mainly insect eaters and prefer to live quite far from water.

Like other bee-eaters, this species is a richly colored, slender bird. The males and the females are not visually distinguishable. The entire plumage is bright green and tinged with blue, especially on the chin and throat. The crown and upper back are tinged with golden rufous. The flight feathers are rufous washed with green and tipped with blackish. A fine black line runs in front of and behind the eye. The iris is crimson and the bill is black while the legs are dark grey. The feet are weak with the three toes joined at the base. Southeast Asian birds have rufous crown and face, and green underparts. The wings are green and the beak is black. The elongated tail feathers are absent in juveniles. 

The Asian green bee-eater, known scientifically as Merops orientalis, is a captivating near passerine bird belonging to the bee-eater family. This slender and brightly colored avian species measures approximately 9 inches in length, with the elongated central tail-feathers contributing about 2 inches to its overall size. The plumage is predominantly bright green, with a blue tinge on the chin and throat, and a golden rufous touch on the crown and upper back. The flight feathers exhibit a rufous hue mixed with green and tipped with blackish. A distinctive black line runs in front of and behind the eye, while the iris is a striking crimson. The bill is black, and the legs are a dark grey, with feet that are weak and toes that are joined at the base.

To identify the Asian green bee-eater, look for the bright green plumage with blue and golden rufous accents. The sexes appear similar and cannot be visually distinguished. Juveniles lack the elongated tail feathers seen in adults. The bird's bill is black, and the legs are dark grey. The crimson iris is a notable feature that can aid in identification.

The Asian green bee-eater is found in a variety of habitats including grasslands, thin scrub, and forests, often at a considerable distance from water bodies. It prefers open country with bushes and can adapt to different environments from arid areas in Africa and Arabia to more diverse habitats in Asia.

The call of the Asian green bee-eater is a nasal trill, sounding like "tree-tree-tree-tree," typically emitted during flight.

Breeding season spans from March to June. The Asian green bee-eater often nests solitarily, constructing tunnels in sandy banks. The nest tunnel can extend up to 5 feet in length, with 3-5 glossy white, spherical eggs laid at the end of the tunnel. Both sexes participate in incubation, and the eggs hatch asynchronously after about 14 days. Chicks fledge in 3 to 4 weeks, showing a reduction in body weight during the fledging stage.

The Asian green bee-eater feeds on flying insects, with a preference for beetles and hymenopterans, while orthopterans seem to be avoided. Occasionally, they may consume crabs. They regurgitate indigestible parts of their prey as pellets.

The IUCN Red List classifies the Asian green bee-eater as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.

2-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - ARBOREAL BI-COLOURED SLENDER ANT (Tetraponera rufonigra)

Tetraponera rufonigra, is a species of ant belonging to the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae. It is distributed across Southeast Asia Commonly called the bi-coloured arboreal ant, they are arboreal and build small nests which are excavated holes usually in dried parts of trees. They are active hunters and hunt small insects. They have a well developed sting and when stung can cause allergic reactions in human beings.

The ant is known as "Hath polayaa" in Sinhala.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN BOAR (Sus scrofa ssp. cristatus)

The Indian boar (Sus scrofa cristatus), also known as the Moupin pig, is a subspecies of wild boar native to India, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, western Thailand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The Indian boar differs from the Central European Boar by its large mane which runs in a crest along its back from its head to lower body, larger, more sharply featured and straighter skull, its smaller, sharper ears and overall lighter build. It is slightly taller and more sparsely haired than the European form, though its back bristles are much more developed. The tail is also more tufted, and the cheeks hairier. Adults measure from 84 to 91 cm (33 to 36 in) in shoulder height (with one specimen in West Bengal having reached 97 cm (38 in)) and 152 cm (5 ft) in body length. Weight ranges from 91 to 136 kg (200 to 300 lb).

4-3-2020 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.

4-3-2020 KANHA 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.

3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - JUNGLE BABBLER (Turdoides striata)

The Jungle Babbler (Argya striata) is a bird of the Leiothrichidae family, native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a robust, non-migratory species with a general drab brownish-grey plumage and a distinctive yellow bill. Both sexes appear similar, and the bird is often seen in groups, which has led to its colloquial name "Seven Sisters" or "Seven Brothers" in various regional languages.

To identify the Jungle Babbler, look for its brownish-grey coloration, with the upper parts being slightly darker. The throat and breast may show some mottling. The yellow bill is a key distinguishing feature. The subspecies T. s. somervillei has a rufous tail and dark primary flight feathers. The Jungle Babbler can be differentiated from the White-headed Babbler by its dark loreal zone and the absence of a contrasting light crown. Its nasal calls are also distinct from the high-pitched calls of the White-headed Babbler.

The Jungle Babbler is commonly found in forests and areas of cultivation. It adapts well to urban environments and can be frequently observed in gardens within large cities.

This species is widespread across the Indian subcontinent, with several subspecies occupying geographically isolated regions. It ranges from the northern parts of India, extending to Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bhutan, Assam, Odisha, and northeastern Andhra Pradesh.

Jungle Babblers are highly social and gregarious, often found in flocks of seven to ten birds or more. They are known for their noisy demeanor, characterized by harsh mewing calls, chattering, squeaking, and chirping. They exhibit territorial behavior, defending their area against neighboring groups. These birds also display sentinel behavior while foraging and are known to mob predators such as snakes.

The Jungle Babbler's calls are harsh and nasal, a cacophony that often betrays the presence of a flock.

Breeding occurs throughout the year, with peaks observed between March–April and July–September in northern India. The nest is built within dense foliage, and the clutch typically consists of three to four deep greenish-blue eggs. The species is known to be parasitized by the Pied Crested Cuckoo and sometimes by the Common Hawk-Cuckoo.

The diet of the Jungle Babbler includes insects, grains, nectar, and berries. They play a significant role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN SCOPS OWL (Otus bakkamoena)

The Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) is a small, nocturnal bird of prey native to South Asia. Measuring 19–25 cm and weighing 125–150 g, it is known for its distinct small ear tufts, pale collar, and ability to blend perfectly into tree bark.

Key Fast Facts

Physical Traits: It has a mottled grey or sandy-brown plumage, a whitish facial disc, and orange to brown eyes.

Habitat: Found across India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. They thrive in woodlands, mango orchards, and suburban gardens.

Diet: Strictly nocturnal hunters. They feed on beetles, grasshoppers, moth larvae, and occasionally small vertebrates like lizards or mice.

Call: Known for a soft, frog-like, single-note "whuk?" or "wuatt?".

Nesting: They do not build their own nests. Instead, females lay 3–5 white eggs in natural tree cavities or abandoned buildings, incubating them for about 25–28 days.

Behavioral Highlights

Camouflage: Thanks to their mottled, bark-like feathers, they are practically invisible during the day. They can sometimes be located when small birds "mob" them while roosting.

Lifespan: They live around 3–5 years in the wild, but can live up to 10–15 years in captivity.

Etymology: The name scops comes from Greek, translating to "a type of small owl," while bakkamoena is derived from bakamuna, the Sinhalese name for these birds.

4-3-2020 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.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - RHESUS MACAQUE (Macaca mulatta)

The Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) is a species of Old World monkey. It lives both in trees and on the ground. It mainly eats fruit, but will also include 100 different plant species in its diet. It spends most of its day feeding and resting, the rest is occupied with traveling, grooming, and playing.

Rhesus macaques are either pale brown or gray, usually with pink faces. Their tails are quite long, they have a rib cage that is wider than average, with dorsal scapulae, and they have thirty-two teeth. They are charismatic monkeys and like to have fun and can be cheeky. Their coats have faded undertones on the underside. Their faces are furless and in adults - bright red, and adults also have bright red rumps. They have large cheek pouches for storing food while out foraging.

Rhesus macaques are native to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Afghanistan, Vietnam, southern China, and some neighboring areas. They have the widest geographic ranges of any non-human primate, occupying a great diversity of altitudes throughout Central, South, and Southeast Asia. Rhesus macaques may be found in forests, mangroves, scrub, grasslands, and mountainous regions. They also adapt well to human presence and form larger troops in human-dominated landscapes than in forests.

Rhesus macaques are social, diurnal, and both terrestrial and arboreal animals. They walk using four limbs, walking on the ground on both their toes and on the soles of their feet. They are very active and loud. They like being in the water and can swim well. They form groups of as many as 200 individuals, and when the size of a group reaches 80 to 100, a subgroup of females can split off to create a new group. Generally, groups are made up of several unrelated males, with many closely related females. Males and females within a group demonstrate a preference for high-ranking individuals of the opposite sex. Rhesus monkeys are not territorial. Every group of individuals generally has its own sleeping area. Confrontations between different groups are rare. When groups meet, usually the weaker group avoids the stronger one.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, 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.

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.

Little Egrets are social yet territorial when feeding. They exhibit a range of foraging behaviors, from active chasing to patient ambush. Their movements are often in response to the presence of other animals, which may stir up prey.

The Little Egret's vocalizations include croaking and bubbling sounds at breeding colonies and a harsh alarm call when disturbed. These calls are similar to those of the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Cattle Egret.

Breeding colonies are often mixed with other water birds. Nests are platforms of sticks located in trees, shrubs, or reed beds. Clutches typically consist of three to five bluish-green eggs, incubated by both parents for about three weeks. The young fledge at approximately six weeks old.

The diet is diverse, including fish, amphibians, small reptiles, mammals, birds, crustaceans, molluscs, insects, spiders, and worms. The Little Egret employs various hunting techniques, both in water and on land, to capture its prey.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - LITTLE CORMORANT (Microcarbo niger)

The little cormorant (Microcarbo niger) is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. Slightly smaller than the Indian cormorant it lacks a peaked head and has a shorter beak. It is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent and extends east to Java, where it is sometimes called the Javanese cormorant. It forages singly or sometimes in loose groups in lowland freshwater bodies, including small ponds, large lakes, streams and sometimes coastal estuaries. Like other cormorants, it is often found perched on a waterside rock with its wings spread out after coming out of the water. The entire body is black in the breeding season but the plumage is brownish, and the throat has a small whitish patch in the non-breeding season. These birds breed gregariously in trees, often joining other waterbirds at heronries.

The little cormorant is about 50 centimetres (20 in) long and only slightly smaller than the Indian cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis). The Indian cormorant has a narrower and longer bill which ends in a prominent hook tip, blue iris and a more pointed head profile. The breeding adult bird has a glistening all black plumage with some white spots and filoplumes on the face. There is also a short crest on the back of the head. The eyes, gular skin and face are dark. In the non-breeding bird or juvenile, the plumage is brownish and the bill and gular skin can appear more fleshy. The crest becomes inconspicuous and a small and well-marked white patch on the throat is sometimes visible. Towards the west of the Indus River valley, its range can overlap with vagrant pygmy cormorants (Microcarbo pygmaeus), which can be difficult to differentiate in the field and are sometimes even considered conspecific. The sexes are indistinguishable in the field, but males tend to be larger. Some abnormal silvery-grey plumages have been described.

The species was described by Vieillot in 1817 as Hydrocorax niger. The genus Hydrocorax literally means water crow. It was later included with the other cormorants in the genus Phalacrocorax but some studies place the smaller "microcormorants" under the genus Microcarbo.

The little cormorant is found across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and lowland Nepal. It is also found in parts of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia. It is not found in the Himalayas, but vagrants have been seen in Ladakh. It inhabits wetlands, ranging from small village ponds to large lakes, and sometimes tidal estuaries.

Little cormorants tend to forage mainly in small loose groups and are often seen foraging alone. They swim underwater to capture their prey, mainly fish. A study in northern India found that the little cormorant fished in water which was less than a metre deep and captured fishes of about 2–8 centimetres (0.79–3.15 in) length. They propel themselves underwater using their webbed feet.[7] Captured fishes are often brought up to the surface to swallow them and during this time other birds including other little cormorants, painted storks, gulls and egrets may attempt to steal them. Indian cormorants tend to fish communally in larger groups.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN PEAFOWL (MALE) (Pavo cristatus)

The Indian peafowl, also known as the common peafowl or blue peafowl, is a species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a bird of resplendent beauty, with the male, or peacock, showcasing a spectacular array of iridescent colors. The peacock's most striking feature is its fan-like crest of spatula-tipped wire-like feathers and the long train made up of elongated upper-tail covert feathers adorned with colorful eyespots. These feathers can be raised into a fan and quivered during courtship displays. Despite their size, peacocks are capable of flight. The female, or peahen, is more subdued in coloration, with a white face, iridescent green lower neck, and overall dull brown plumage.

The Indian peafowl is unmistakable within its range. The male has a metallic blue crown, a fan-shaped crest, and a spectacular train with eye-spot markings. The peahen is smaller, with a rufous-brown head, mottled upper body, and dark brown lower parts. The loud "pia-ow" or "may-awe" calls are distinctive and often indicate the presence of predators.

Indian peafowl are ground-dwelling birds that prefer open forest or land under cultivation. They are adaptable and can be found near water sources in both moist and dry-deciduous forests.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

Great Egrets usually stay in habitats that have areas of either saltwater or freshwater nearby. They are seen near marshes, ditches, canals, ponds, tidal flats, rivers, streams, swamps, lakes, estuaries (or water passages where the ocean tide meets a river current), and flooded farm fields. Great Egrets are usually solitary birds when not nesting. But they also can gather together from surrounding areas to form a place where a large group can rest or sleep, called a communal roost. Frequently, several pairs build nests in the same tree and form a colony; but occasionally a pair may nest alone. Great Egrets often share colonial nesting sites, or rookeries, with other egret species, herons, and other wading birds as well.

They build their nests in trees, thickets, or shrubs 10-90 feet above water or ground. Nesting colonies are usually located in extremely tall trees. Great Egrets build large platform-style nests using sticks and line the nests with plant material. Both parents help to build the nest, incubate (to sit on and keep the eggs warm) the eggs, and feed their young. The young will be able to fly in 6-7 weeks after hatching.

Within the colony, Great Egrets are territorial and aggressive, defending their space with sharp bill jabs and harsh calls.

The great egret is generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, occurring worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. It is ubiquitous across the Sun Belt of the United States and in the Neotropics. In the Nordic countries, it was historically a rare visitor. 

They primarily feed on aquatic animals like fish, frogs, and crustaceans. Small mammals, birds, and insects are also part of their diet. Great Egrets hunt by wading in shallow water, using their sharp bills to catch prey. Their diet varies depending on the season and location, adapting to available food sources.

Nests are made of sticks and twigs; the nests are large — up to a yard across and a foot deep. They are often built in trees above water. A clutch has up to 6 eggs, which are incubated for 23–27 days; after hatching the young stay at the nest for 21–25 days. Great egrets can live to be at least 22 years old.

Great Egrets are usually solitary birds when not nesting. But they also can gather together from surrounding areas to form a place where a large group can rest or sleep, called a communal roost. Frequently, several pairs build nests in the same tree and form a colony; but occasionally a pair may nest alone.