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.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - CHOCOLATE PANSY BUTTERFLY

Junonia iphita, the chocolate pansy or chocolate soldier, is a butterfly found in Asia.

The wingspan is about 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) and the female can be told apart from the male by white markings on the oblique line on the underside of the hindwing. The wavy lines on the underside of the wings vary from wet- to dry-season forms.

Individuals maintain a territory and are usually found close to the ground level and often bask in the sun.

Upperside of both sexes brown, of varying depths of colour. Forewing: cell with one pair of subbasal and one pair of apical transverse sinuous fasciae, the outermost defining the discocellulars; a short, broad, dark, oblique fascia beyond to vein 4, its inner margin diffuse, its outer sinuous but sharply defined; below vein 4 a sinuous, transverse, fainter fascia, followed by a discal blackish fascia, very broad and diffuse below costa, bordered by a row of faint ocelli, and a postdiscal and a subterminal similar fascia following the outline of the termen. Hindwing with a slender blackish loop near apex of cellular area; a broad inwardly diffuse, outwardly well-defined short discal fascia in continuation of the one on the forewing; a series of postdiscal somewhat ochraceous ocelli with black pupils minutely centred with white; postdiscal and subterminal broad lines as on the forewing.

Underside brown, with very broad darker brown transverse fasciae; the interspaces between the markings irrorated (sprinkled) with purplish silvery scales. Forewing with two sinuous fasciae on the basal half, succeeded by a discal fascia, very broad at the costal margin and decreasing in width to the dorsum, bearing on its outer border a row of obscure ocelli. This is succeeded by a zigzag dark line, and sinuous subterminal and terminal lines; apex and tornal area suffused with purplish silvery. Hindwing: two irregular, very broad, dark brown, curved short fasciae near base; a straight, transverse, prominent, narrow ochreous-brown discal band defined outwardly by a black line; a transverse postdiscal dark brown fascia, widest in the middle and bearing outwardly a curved row of ochreous-brown white-centred ocelli, followed by a zigzag dark line in continuation of the one on the forewing; a subterminal somewhat diffuse dark fascia and a terminal dark line. Antennae, head, thorax, and abdomen dark brown.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SKIPPER BUTTERFLY (Tribe Baorini)

Baorini is a widely distributed tribe of skipper butterflies (family Hesperiidae), primarily found in the Old World tropics, extending to the Afrotropical and Oriental regions. Often referred to as "swifts," these diurnal insects are known for their robust bodies, pointed forewings, and rapid darting flight.

Physical Characteristics

Appearance: Typically small to medium-sized (8–35 mm) with dark brown wings, often marked with translucent white (hyaline) spots.

Anatomy: They possess stout bodies supported by strong thoracic musculature, clubbed antennae tipped with a narrow, hooked apiculus, and a well-developed proboscis for nectar feeding.

Sexual Dimorphism: Males frequently feature unique sexual markings, such as a discal stigma on the upperside of the forewings or paintbrush-like structures.

4-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (Neurothemis intermedia ssp. atalanta)

The Skimmer Dragonfly (Neurothemis intermedia ssp. atalanta)—commonly known as the Paddyfield Parasol—is a widespread Asian dragonfly species. Highly adaptable, these striking insects prefer open lowland habitats, like paddy fields and wastelands, and are well known for their distinct coloration and sexual dimorphism.

Physical Characteristics

Wings: Characterized by a broad, amber-yellow patch at the base of all wings. In N. i. atalanta, this basal marking is notably sharply defined. The wing tips remain largely transparent.

Eyes: Cherry-red on top, shifting to yellowish-white at the base.Abdomen: Generally orange/yellow in sub-adults and females, with two broken black lines running down the top. Females often feature clearer lateral lines on the abdomen compared to males. Mature adult males turn a bold, rich orange.

Size: Relatively small to medium-sized, with an abdomen of 21 mm to 24 mm and a total wingspan around 50 mm to 55 mm.

Habitat & BehaviorRange: This subspecies occurs widely across South and Southeast Asia. Track its global observations on iNaturalist.

Behavior: Females of this subspecies are spotted more frequently than mature adult males, as the species enjoys open wastelands, marshes, and the edges of upland forests.

Flight Period: They are highly active and can be seen flying consistently throughout most of the year (typically February through December).

25-3-2020 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.

The great tit can be confused with other members of the Parus genus, but its distinctive coloration and song usually make it easy to identify.

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.

The great tit is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable and widespread population estimated to be between 300 and 1,100 million birds. It has adapted well to human changes in the environment and is not currently at risk.

3-3-2020 KANHA NAT PARK, INDIA - INDIAN SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis ssp. suratensis)

The Spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small pigeon that is a common across its native range on the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia. These birds are also called the Mountain dove, Pearl-necked dove, Lace-necked dove, and Spotted turtle-dove.

The ground color of this long and slim dove is rosy buff below shading into grey on the head and belly. There is a half collar on the back and sides of the neck made of black feathers that bifurcate and have white spots at the two tips. The median coverts have brown feathers tipped with rufous spots in the Indian and Sri Lankan subspecies which are divided at the tip by a widening grey shaft streak. The wing feathers are dark brown with grey edges. The center of the abdomen and vent are white. The outer tail feathers are tipped in white and become visible when the bird takes off. The male and the female are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults and do not acquire the neck spots until they are mature.

2-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - YELLOW FOOTED GREEN PIGEON (Treron phoenicopterus)

The yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus), also known as yellow-legged green pigeon, is a common species of green pigeon found in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It is the state bird of Maharashtra. In Marathi, it is called Haroli or Hariyal. It is known as Haitha in Upper Assam and Haitol in Lower Assam. The species feeds on fruit, including many species of Ficus. They forage in flocks. They are habitat generalists: in the early morning, they are often seen sunning on the tops of emergent trees in dense forest areas, especially Banyan trees, but they have also been spotted in natural remnants in urban areas. Their population is currently increasing.

2-3-2020 KANHA, INDIA - DRIVER ANT (Genus Dorylus)

Driver ants (genus Dorylus), native primarily to central and east Africa, are nomadic army ants famous for their massive, blind raiding swarms and highly aggressive behavior. Colonies can exceed 20 million individuals, making them some of the largest single-family societies on Earth.

Anatomy & Hierarchy

The Queen: Up to 3-5 cm long, they are the largest ants on Earth. They can lay over 1,000,000 eggs per month.

Soldiers: Feature enormous, hooked jaws used to pierce prey and defend columns. Their bite is so strong, indigenous tribes in Africa historically used them as natural, biodegradable medical stitches by letting them clamp shut over a wound.

Workers: Vary in size (polymorphic). They are entirely blind and navigate using chemical trails.

Males: Nicknamed "sausage flies," they are giant, winged ants with bloated abdomens. They leave the nest to mate but are guided back to queens by following the workers' scent trails. 

Behavior & Migration

Nomadic Lifestyle: They do not build permanent nests. Instead, the colony moves continuously, creating temporary living structures (bivouacs) out of their own interlaced bodies.

Swarm Raids: Millions of workers march in sweeping, highly organized columns, stripping the terrain of insects, spiders, and even larger vertebrates that cannot escape.Bridge & Raft Building: To overcome obstacles, rivers, or uneven terrain, they form living bridges and rafts using their own bodies.

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.