birds @nitt

8/13/2019 Birds @Nitt

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Considering that the campus is home to several varieties of birds and the of the campus residents,

Feeds (The monthly magazine of NITT) decided to compile a list of some of these bird species andother relevant information on them. Have a look.

Species Picture Description On campus habitat

Black Drongo 30 cm. An aggressive and

active bird of open country or

forest often swoops down on

insects with great flying skill

Found everywhere but

prefers the lightly

wooded regions

Blue-tailed bee

eater

30 cm. These are fast and

agile birds which catch insects

such as dragonflies in flight. It

nests in holes in sandy banks

Marshes behind the

Garnet hostels.

Brahminy Kite 48 cm. Not a very

manoeuvrable flier like the

pariah kite but agile enough

to snatch fish from the water

Can be seen soaring

over all open areas but

hunt mainly in the

marshes behind garnet

Red whiskered

bulbul

20cm familiar and abundant

species frequenting

woodland and scrubs. Has an

abundant and pleasing

vocabulary and likes to sing in

full view

Found throughout but

more in the wooded

regions near SC, Opal,

Temple and Civil Dept


2/8

Cattle Egret 50 cm. Always attendant on

cows and buffaloes even

perching on them often.

Breeding v=colonies are often

large and in a single tree.

They are found away fromwater as well

Wherever cows go

these are sure to

follow.

Collared Dove 30cm Very common and

familiar with a sleepy cooing

sound.

It flies with strong noisy wing

beats.

Found on wires near

the CEESAT grounds

and behind Pearl.

Common

kingfisher

18cm. Often seen Perched on

a stick or branch overlooking

a ditch or a pool watching for

fish. Nests in holes by the

waterside

Sighted only in the

garnet marshes

Common

Mynah

21 cm. It is an adaptable,

intelligent opportunistic bird

with large white patches on

its wings which are visible

during flight. Its untidy nest

maybe placed in any hole or

masonry or hollow.

Found everywhere on

campus and is

especially noisy in the

mornings


3/8

Coucal 47 cm. Also known as the

crowpheasant this heavily

built ungraceful bird

frequents tangled

undergrowth or scrub. It has

a distinctive hollow boomingnote and feeds on small

animals, snakes and raids the

nests of other birds. Unlike its

relatives it builds its own

nest.

Found in the tall

grasses in the

compound and the

shrubbery near Power

Room near Central

Workshop.

Dabchick 23 cm. One of the smaller

water birds it often

disappears by diving neatly

into the water when alarmed

or feeding. It has a well

water-proofed and silkyplumage. It has the curious

habit of swallowing its own

feathers to aid in digestion.

The nest is a floating pad of

water weed.

Found in the marshes

behind Garnet.

Green Barbet 25 cm. This common bird has

a loud two note call that

echoes across the

countryside and like the other

barbets uses

Quite often heard but

hard to spot as it

merges with trees.

Found in all heavily

wooded areas

especially Old libraryand Lapis, Pearl, Topaz.

Hoopoe 30 cm. This tame familiar bird

has a long curved bill used for

probing the turf or dung-

heaps for insects. The crest is

erected only when alarmed

or alighting. Like its name it

has a distinctive hollow

hooting call.

Found throughout the

campus but frequents

open grassy places.

Large population fund

near Diamond


4/8

House crow 45 cm. Highly gregarious and

abundant this is the most

familiar bird in India

Since it depends on

human presence it is

less frequent in this

campus but can be

seen near garbage bins.

Indian roller 30 cm. Also known as the

Blue-jay because of its

magnificently coloured wings

which are visible in flight.

Feeds on insects on the

ground and is otherwise

perched on a tree or post

looking dull. This bird is not

easily frightened

Found throughout,

usually sitting on a wire

or post but avoids

wooded and crowded

areas like SC.

Indian tree-pie 45 cm. Often in parties in thetreetops. It is a noisy bird

with a wide range of calls

harsh as well as mellow. They

are inquisitive omnivorous

and vary

Found in all woodedregions of the campus

but a flock nests in the

patch of trees around B

mess near Gurunath

Jungle crow 50 cm. It is less of a townbird than the House crow and

is usually found singly or in

pairs.

Found throughout thecampus

Koel 42 cm. Usually heard rather

than seen it features dense

foliage and shrubberies. It hasa fluty double call and is

parasitic on jungle and house

crows

Found in all wooded

areas though maybe

hard to spot as it isactive only near dusk.


5/8

Little cormorant 50 cm. A very abundant and

sociable bird nests in

communal trees. Always

found near ponds or jheels it

flies with its neck

outstretched flapping andgliding alternately.


behind Garnet.

Night Heron 58 cm. Inactive during

daytime. Flaps slowly out of

their nests and feed in

marshes and ponds.


behind Garnet

Pariah kite 65 cm. One of the most

noticeable birds in the

campus this successful

scavenger swoops down

boldly to snatch food and

then flies gracefully away.

Can be seen soaring

throughout

Pied Kingfisher 30 cm. A specialist at fishing

from the air it can be seen

hovering over ponds tail

depressed and bill pointing

straight down

Found near the Lapis

Pearl, Ruby hostels


6/8

Pied wagtail 21 cm. It is partial to the pond

sides and continuously wags

its tail while walking. Nests in

crevices or holes in the

ground.

Found throughout the

campus but closer to

Diamond and Emerald

Pied crested

cuckoo

33 cm. It occurs in most types

of wooded country and is

very shy. It has a loud double

syllabic call and is parasitic

Seen in the Shrubs

between Agate and

Diamond

Red Rumped

Swallow

15cm. Rather stocky and slow

looking hawking deliberately

across the grass in search of

insects in large parties.

The flocks are present

in any open space but

frequent the Garnets

Red wattled

Lapwing

33 cm. Favours marshes and

has a loud 4-note call. Flaps

heavily on its rounded wings

and flies rather slowly. Nests

on the ground.

Marshes behind Garnet

Rock pigeon 32 cm. Commonly seenaround hostel roofs with a

rich coo and neck swelling

displays

Near all hostels


7/8

Rose ringed

Parakeet

40 cm. It flies around in noisy

flocks nesting in enlarged

holes in trees. It is adapted

for climbing with two toes

pointing forward and 2

backward

Found in all wooded

areas of the campus

can be seen early

morning or late

afternoon

Shikra 33 cm. A common small

hawk. It frequents wooded

regions. Flies with quick flaps

followed by a short glide.

Found in the wooded

areas near the

swimming pool.

Sparrow 15 cm. This endangered

species nests in crevices in

buildings and is fast

disappearing. Roosts in noisy

chattering flocks in thick

bushes or trees.

Can be spotted

randomly.

Spotted owlet 20 cm. often seen around

buildings or perched on wiresat dusk or night. it glares at

anyone who disturbs it

comically ducking and

bobbing its head before flying

away on rounded wings

Is seen frequently near

Nescafe and Barn

White breasted

King fisher

27 cm. This bird feeds on

frogs, lizards and insects. Its

loud cackling scream is often

heard from tree tops

Found throughout.


8/8

Golden Backed

Woodpecker

27 cm. It can easily be

spotted hitching up a tree

trunk tapping for grubs or

calling a loud cackle.

Found in all wooded

areas of the campus

especially Temple, B

mess and old library

We hope you enjoyed reading about the attractive birds on campus as we prepare to bring you

more.

For more information,

Contact: Ambarish Vaidyanathan

[email protected]

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