West India

Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra

9th – 24th January 2016

Leader: James Eaton and Mike Nelson

Participants: Nigel Adlam, Anita Eriksson, Andrew Herbert, Duncan Himes, Russell Graham, Erling Krabbe, Dave Sargeant and Lars Petersson

Indian Spotted Creeper, Tal Chhapar © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia A region long neglected has now become a popular destination due to the large number of very rare and, in many cases declining, subcontinent endemics reliant on the natural grasslands of Central and West India. We managed a clean-sweep of all but one of the specialities of the region, with pride of place going to the regal Great Indian Bustard which showed so well after much searching. Among the 320 species recorded, the list of megas was impressive; Rufous-vented Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Mountain Chiffchaff, Yellow-eyed Dove, Green Avadavat, Macqueen’s Bustard, Hypocolius, Sociable Lapwing, Sykes’s Nightjar, White-naped Tit, Crab Plover, Stoliczka’s Bushchat, Mottled Wood Owl, Vigor’s Sunbird and to finish off, the critically endangered Forest Owlet. Add in some impressive mammals and some of the finest food in Asia, and this was a wonderful visit to one of India’s most exciting areas. The tour started in Amritsar, deep in the heart of the Punjab. Our reason for visiting the Punjab was the wetlands of Harike, an avian oasis surrounded by miles and miles of agriculture. The main star of Harike is Rufous-vented Babbler, a bird otherwise known only from the Indus valley in Pakistan and a relict population clinging on in Nepal. Even as the sun rose on our first morning, a thick layer of mist hung over the wetlands, adding to the sense of anticipation as we could hear the manic song of a Rufous-vented Babbler that stubbornly refused to move and several White-crowned Penduline Tits out there, somewhere. Hume’s Leaf Warblers were abundant in the trackside trees and a pair of Indian Grey Hornbills were a surprise. Eventually the fog lifted and almost

instantly a party of penduline tits appeared in a large bush in front of us, quietly feeding on small fruits. Once we had our fill with these we moved on to a nearby calling Rufous-vented Babbler, which this time performed much better; after initially poking its head out very close to us, Anita picked it out, singing away on the edge of a thick patch of Phragmites. We needn’t have struggled so much with this and the previous bird as the next pair performed outrageously, coming as close as the vegetation allowed, frequently perching on open stems, this huge, broad-tailed ‘prinia’ has predictably been shown to actually be a babbler, and not a prinia at all. With two of the main three under the belt we scanned a vast area of water and reedbed, picking up several mainstays of the remainder of the tour, with some unique additions, notably Eurasian Bittern in flight (a mega India tick!) and our first White-tailed Stonechat of the day. Moving to a patch of woodland that held innumerable hoards of Siberian Chiffchaff, after much careful scrutiny a co-operative, agitated Mountain Chiffchaff was found, a scarce winter visitor to the area. By this time, it was still the morning so a quick walk along the canal led us to our only sighting of Sind Sparrow, a pair quietly feeding on seed heads in the reedbed before perching directly above for the next half hour, sheltering away from the sun beating down – on our last visit here it was icy cold conditions, this time it was in the mid-20s! After lunch and a short siesta, we headed to another corner that looked worthy of investigation on Google Earth, and so it proved, as we located a pair of Jerdon’s Babbler, only discovered in the Punjab in 2013 and otherwise restricted to pockets of north-east India, Pakistan and Myanmar. The pair were elusive but eventually showed to us all. A male White-tailed Stonechat was very tame nearby, feeding just feet from us, while we picked up large numbers of water-birds here including 500 Bar-headed Geese and 3 White-tailed Plover. In the remnant stands of reeds, Graceful, Plain and Yellow-bellied Prinias were numerous, Striated Babblers everywhere, and even a few Black-breasted Weavers appeared. Once it had cooled slightly we returned to the Jerdon’s Babbler, obtaining much better, prolonged views, a fine ending to a wonderful day.

Sind Sparrow and Rufous-vented Babbler, Harike The next morning we returned for a short visit, with two Moustached Warblers giving prolonged views, tails cocked as they picked at the waters surface from the base of the reeds. Large numbers of Baya Weaver sat by the roadside, and migrant Long-tailed Minivets also appeared before we departed south for a 450km drive alongside the Pakistani border and into Rajasthan, arriving after dark at our guesthouse at the entrance of Tal Chhapar Reserve, with nothing of note through the constant throng of mustard and castor fields. Tal Chhapar is a tiny wildlife sanctuary tucked away in the vastness of arable farmland and acacia dominated landscape for Blackbuck, one of the world’s most beautiful antelopes. Blackbuck are everywhere due to the lack of predators but it was outside the park we began our birding for one of India’s most seldom encountered endemics – Indian Spotted Creeper – in the heavily degraded acacia ‘forest’. After an hour we finally found a very cooperative individual that gave stunning views as long as we wanted, as it actively fed before taking a 10-minute breather, sitting motionless except the occasional bout of song. Inside the park a large flock of Demoiselle Cranes greatly outnumbered the handful of Common Crane. Indian Bushlark, Long-billed Pipit and huge flocks of Greater Short-toed Larks were new for the trip though otherwise it was quiet. In the afternoon we ventured outside the park once more, to a small well containing a large Indian Eagle Owl chick trying its best to conceal itself. Unfortunately, two dead chicks were floating in the pool beneath, having either unsuccessfully attempted their maiden flights or just slipped down the perilously steep sides. We found an adult, giving an impressive, close flyby having unfortunately been flushed earlier by some invasive local photographers. Following this we enjoyed the sunset over the grasslands, enjoying countless Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers quartering to our right as Blackbuck’s battled it out to our left. A Laggar Falcon flew in, perching close by only for several harriers to chase the falcon away, and thousands of Greater Short-toed Larks flew over to roost.

An early start in the misty morning allowed us to arrive at the rather less than scenic ‘carcass dumping ground’ on the outskirts of Bikaner, out in the scrubby desert. This is where all the cattle carcasses from the area are dumped and as a result full of rather vocal dogs and hundreds of raptors, predominately Steppe Eagles and Egyptian Vultures with a single Imperial Eagle – quite a scene, along with the smell in the thick fog as we could just make out the outlines at first at what all the noise and smell were about. The ONLY reason for our visit here was to view the flocks of Yellow-eyed Doves that winter here from central Asia and not only did we get cracking views but we found well over 1000 birds which thanks to the fog allowed unprecedented views as they fed unconcerned just in front of us. Once this foul scene was over, we headed west to the outskirts of Jaisalmer and with an hour’s daylight remaining we hit all three of our targets – Striolated Bunting, Desert Lark and wintering Red-tailed Wheatear. The golden city of Jaisalmer, with its spectacular fort dominating the horizon wasn’t seen in daylight for the next 3 days as our reason for being here was to see India’s, and indeed one of the worlds, most endangered birds, the Great Indian Bustard. We have always feared that it’s only a matter of time before we dip the bustard, as this critically endangered species is disappearing fast at this its last remaining refuge. Despite being found at numerous ‘bustard sanctuaries’ just 10 years ago it is now only realistically found here with the current population probably well below 100, maybe even 50. This trip was looking like just that trip as on our one full day here no bustard was in sight though we did find our first Stolicka’s Bushchat, ironically just as difficult to find as the bustard, and possibly almost as rare. We picked up all the usual, expected species of the area – Desert Whitethroat, Asian Desert Warbler, Cream-coloured Courser, Black-crowned Finch Lark, ‘Punjab Raven’, Monk, Eurasian Griffon and Red-headed Vulture and umpteen Tawny Eagle Eagles. We lingered on for the whole of the second day, covering every blade of grass we, and the locals could think that the bustards could be hiding behind, but try as we might we drew a blank, once again. This time finding 6 Stolicka’s Bushchats. Spending so much time driving around either in bus or camel cart was tough going as the tension mounted we opted to stay on an extra morning with some of us more optimistic (or pessimistic!) than others. It felt like everyone to do with Desert National Park was either trying to help us, or at least root for us. Covering massive areas, areas James never even knew existed in the park we were still struggling, at least we finally picked up White-rumped Vulture and a magnificent adult Imperial Eagle. Then, literally at the eleventh hour (1040 to be exact) while scanning once again, we finally found a magnificent male Great Indian Bustard striding across the grassland, majestically in clear view, dwarfing the surrounding goats. Pandemonium swiftly ensued as we all clambered to peer through the telescope, though we needn’t had worried as we could relax and watch it for the next hour, at a respectable distance, eventually being joined by his mate.

Yellow-eyed Dove, Bikaner and White-bellied Minivet, Siyana Then we were off! A long drive south-east to Siyana, lying deep in the middle of nowhere, arriving in time for our very late, not-so-romantic, candle-lit dinner. With a full day around Siyana, a day later than originally intended, we had an unsuccessful search for Rock Bush Quail before turning our attentions to White-bellied Minivet, via some sleepy Indian Thick-knee. Indian Vultures started to appear once the air warmed up, the only Peregrine of the tour also circled around, and though we had a fine selection of passerines in the grove, we were yet to find the minivet, until we returned in the afternoon, finding a flock of at least 10 White-bellied Minivets right at 1700, giving us 5 precious minutes with the birds before navigating our way across the countryside as, arriving at a secluded pool just as darkness approached in the hope that Painted Sandgrouse might come down to drink, which they did in the gathering gloom, at least 3 pairs flying in, gingerly making their way to the shoreline for a few sips before bursting back into the darkness. A night drive failed to produce any noteworthy mammals but a fine Pallid Scops Owl was spotlit as it peered down, intent on finding an evening meal before we called it quits.

With just a single morning at Mount Abu we had no time to waste. The whole reason for visiting this hill station, a haven of cool rising above the heat of the surrounding plains, was for another of India’s very special, rare and localised endemics – Green Avadavat. Over breakfast we enjoyed the first of several Crested Bunting, Brahminy Starling, Indian Yellow Tit and a Brown-headed Barbet before venturing into the crofts and village edge. A small party of mainly immature Green Avadavats soon appeared, preening quietly in the lantana scrub, and the first Sulphur-bellied Warbler also appeared. As we wanted better views of adult avadavats it took another hour or so of wandering around before we finally hit upon a flock of 10 or so birds feeding in perfect sunlight offering the views we craved of this increasingly localised bird. Following another naan-filled lunch we reached the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch for the afternoons birding along the edge of a couple of mud and reed-fringed pools. ‘Big things’ were the most prominent birds of the afternoon, including 9 Sarus Crane, Dalmatian Pelican, flocks of Common Crane and numbers of Eurasian Spoonbill. Among the throng of waders, several Collared Pratincole were noteworthy ‘Indian ticks’, while Montagu’s, Pallid and Western Marsh Harriers quartered everywhere we looked before settling into our wonderful, characterful accommodation on the edge of the kutch. Just hearing the name of ‘The Little Rann of Kutch’ conjures up images of an oasis in a desert, birds and animals around every corner and some wild, remote and beautiful scenery. However, during much of the dry season it is little more than a saline wasteland; the cracked, parched earth carries on, and on, and on, with a grassy margin, the only thing that breaks the horizon is the exotic, thorny acacia, introduced long ago from the neotropics, that has now spread throughout the region. In the early morning we drove straight through the dried up lake, with a full 360 panorama of absolutely nothing, a real moonscape feel. Eventually, we reached a tiny hillock, home to Greater Hoopoe-Lark, presumably here as their usual barren ground wasn’t dry enough for them yet. After watching a few Asian Wild Ass wandering about, we headed along the margins of the kutch in search of Macqueen’s Bustard that winters here in ever decreasing numbers. It took a long time and much searching, but right at 1200, our turn around time, Erling spotted one in flight, before we found a couple more birds at closer range flying, then on the ground. Back at the lodge, a Pallid Scops Owl was roosting by chalet 11, and 3 Sykes’s Warblers were also on show, before another excellent lunch, and another long drive, this time west, arriving at our hotel on the edge of the Greater Rann of Kutch in the mid-evening.

Green Avadavat, Mount Abu and Pallid Scops Owl, Little Rann of Kutch We had two full days around the Greater Rann, exploring a range of different habitats in search of the regions specialities. Our main reason for visiting this area was for the increasingly small numbers of Hypocolius that winter here. Though 50+ were quite easy to find just a few years ago, we felt ourselves fortunate to find 13 sat together, the most we have observed here in several years, feeding and resting in their favourite fruiting bushes (its behaviour so reminiscent of its closest relatives, the waxwings). After this highlight we drove, and walked very randomly around until we hit jackpot – two immature Sociable Lapwing, our fifth critically endangered species of the tour. In the afternoon, the usual field held several Sykes’s Lark feeding on their favoured sparse, rocky ground. While in the native thorn forest, the first birds we found were a pair of White-naped Tit, yet another highly threatened species, almost instantly, perhaps the most striking and beautiful of all Paridae, were singing and feeding in front of us. A few minutes later, so were 3 Marshall’s Iora – in the last 15 years this species range has contracted hundreds of kilometres as it’s favoured habitats become increasingly marginalised. To complete our afternoon, we located a fine Indian Eagle Owl being mobbed fanatically by several passerines, including White-naped Tits.

Surprisingly, our predawn drive failed to produce a single nightjar, but later the beachside was a real success. The sight of flock of gulls barely rises a smile or a pulse except for a very limited number of birders, the latter of which were largely absent among us! However, we still located several Steppe Gulls among the Heuglin’s, and later on, Pallas’s and Slender-billed Gulls. Shorebirds (or waders, depending on your side of the ‘discussion’) were out in force – 11 Crab Plover being the obvious highlight, at the end of the spot, surrounded by 20 Great Knot (a write-in for this tour), Terek Sandpiper, Lesser Sandplover, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Oystercatcher, both Lesser Crested and Caspian Terns and several Dalmatian Pelican also loafing on the beach. On the way back, we found the wrong courser, Cream-coloured, most unexpected here, but after lunch we finally located 6 Indian Courser feeding in a ploughed field. Chhari Lake was spilling over with birds – along the reed-fringed and bushy edges, several Indian Reed Warblers were conspicuous, followed by a number of Paddyfield, and a single Moustached Warbler. The actual lake held thousands of Eurasian Coot (we guessed a minimum 10,000), and a collection of ducks, grebes and cormorants, including Indian. 35 Dalmatian and 53 Great White Pelican were appreciated but otherwise it was the pre-roost gathering of Common Crane that blew us all away, as huge flocks, totalling over 8,000 appeared in the distance, edging closer until flying overhead, to roost on the lake. Post-dusk, a night drive was useless for mammals, and though one vehicle picked up to hawking Sykes’s Nightjars, it took a long time before we finally found a single bird sat on the ground just feet from us. On the return for dinner, our only ‘Desert’ Wildcat appeared in a roadside clearing.

Sykes’s Nightjar, Greater Rann of Kutch A flight across to Maharashtra was solely for the quest to find the critically endangered Forest Owlet. Having gone missing for 113 years, it was rediscovered in 1997 but is still known from just four sites. Arriving ahead of schedule meant by the mid-afternoon we were already enjoying scope views of a calling male. Having had it peering down at us inquisitively at length we randomly started looking for other owls, quickly finding a pair of Mottled Wood Owl being mobbed ferocious by several drongo and a Jungle Owlet looking rather more relaxed about the whole situation, besides several White-eyed Buzzard and low-flying Alpine Swifts that were not to sniffed at. At dusk an Indian Scops Owl was easily persuaded into view before we called it a day. Next morning, activity was good. Several flocks contained new birds for the tour – Brown-cheeked Fulvetta, Pale-billed Flowerpecker, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, White-spotted Fantail, Indian Paradise Flycatcher, Large Cuckooshrike, Black-rumped Flameback, Black-hooded Oriole, Indian Pygmy Woodpecker and, our next target, Vigor’s Sunbird. The sunbird is endemic to the northern Western Ghats, not found in a traditional Western Ghats trip, we made a special effort to include this highly localised species, and we would go on to see several others, a split from Crimson Sunbird. In an area of denser forest, Bright-green and Western Crowned Warblers, Rufous Woodpecker, Gold-fronted and Jerdon’s Leafbirds were all found, though only Erling saw a brief, calling White-naped Woodpecker. We returned in the afternoon to the Forest Owlets, this time finding both male and female, peering down from the leafless canopy. After our final fill of these, a walk down the road finally produced the only Jungle Prinia of the trip, a surprise Indian Golden Oriole and Blue-capped Rock-thrush while several more White-faced Buzzards put in an appearance. At dusk, we were treated to 3 Jungle Nightjars hawking the very mosquito’s that had been bothering us while we waited for dusk to descend. After this show, both Indian Scops Owl and a splendidly marked Mottled Wood Owl also shone in the spotlight. Our final morning birding was spent along the roadside forest once again. It was terribly quiet, with very few birds of note seen, bar ‘Agile Flowerpecker’ (a Thick-billed split), Booted Warbler, Ultramarine Flycatcher, Olive-backed Pipit and, overhead a displaced Indian Swiftlet, so rarely recorded north of the Western Ghats. On our

return to Mumbai, we made a very random, but planned stop in a large area of wasteland, with ‘chawls’ and construction work all around us. A couple of tiny, filthy pools still persuaded Pied and Common Kingfishers to fish there, a small covey of Jungle Bush Quail was a bonus and finally, a Streak-throated Swallow, a subcontinent endemic, joined the flock of Barn and Red-rumped Swallow on the overhead wires, ending the tour in successful fashion. Our final dinner was a typically tasty affair, once we relocated to a restaurant allowing us an alcoholic toast to the great birds we had seen so well, and to the fun times that we had throughout the tour.

Forest Owlet and Vigor’s Sunbird, Tansa

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1 Great Indian Bustard 2= Forest Owlet 2= Indian Spotted Creeper

4 Green Avadavat 5= White-naped Tit 5= Sykes's Nightjar

More photos from the tour:

White-tailed Stonechat and Striated Babbler, Harike

Indian Eagle Owl and Grey Francolin, Tal Chhapar

Monk Vulture and Imperial Eagle, Desert National Park

Striolated Bunting and Red-tailed Wheatear, Jaisalmer

Indian Thick-knee, Siyana and Blackbuck, Tal Chhapar

Bimaculated Lark and Stolicka’s Bushchat, Desert National Park

Indian Courser and Indian Eagle Owl, Greater Rann of Kutch

Hypocolius, Fulay and Greater Hoopoe Lark, Little Rann of Kutch

Rufous-tailed Lark and Sykes’s Lark, Greater Rann of Kutch

Marshall’s Iora and Sociable Plover, Greater Rann of Kutch

White-naped Tit, Greater Rann of Kutch and Indian Swiftlet

Jungle Nightjar and Collared Scops Owl, Tansa

Pied Kingfisher and Mottled Wood Owl, Maharashtra

Common Cranes coming to roost, Greater Rann of Kutch

Systematic List

ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Greylag Goose Anser anser Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Gadwall Anas strepera Eurasian Teal Anas crecca Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Indian Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha Northern Pintail Anas acuta Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina Common Pochard Aythya ferina Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Common Quail Coturnix coturnix Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica punjaubi Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus PTEROCLIFORMES: Pteroclidae Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia intermedia Yellow-eyed Dove Columba eversmanni Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis erythrocephala Streptopelia orientalis meena Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus chlorigaster CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis parroti Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata APODIFORMES: Apodidae Asian Palm-Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolor Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba Little Swift Apus affinis CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Jungle Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus Sykes's Nightjar Caprimulgus mahrattensis Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus GRUIFORMES: Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Brown Crake Amaurornis akool European Water Rail Rallus aquaticus heard only Grey-headed Swamphen Porphyrio [porphyrio] poliocephalus Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Eurasian Coot Fulica atra GRUIFORMES: Gruidae Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo Sarus Crane Grus antigone Common Crane Grus grus GRUIFORMES: Otididae Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps Macqueen's Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii CHARADRIIFORMES: Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta CHARADRIIFORMES: Dromadidae Crab-plover Dromas ardeola CHARADRIIFORMES: Haematopodidae Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus CHARADRIIFORMES: Burhinidae Indian Thick-knee Burhinus bengalensis CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malabaricus Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius curonicus Kentish Plover Charadrius a. alexandrinus Lesser Sandplover Anarhynchus mongolus CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Common Redshank Tringa totanus Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris Little Stint Calidris minuta Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii Dunlin Calidris alpina Sanderling Calidris alba Ruff Calidris pugnax CHARADRIIFORMES: Turnicidae Barred Buttonquail Turnix suscitator CHARADRIIFORMES: Glareolidae Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola CHARADRIIFORMES: Laridae Steppe Gull Larus [cachinnans] barabensis Heuglin's Gull Larus [fuscus] heuglini Pallas's Gull Larus ichtyaetus Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Slender-billed Gull Larus genei Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida Little Tern Sternula albifrons albifrons River Tern Sterna aurantia PELECANIFORMES: Phalacrocoracidae Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster CICONIIFORMES: Threskiornithidae Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Red-naped Ibis Pseudibis papillosa Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia CICONIIFORMES: Ciconiidae Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus

CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Eastern Great Egret Ardea [alba] modestus Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia intermedia Little Egret Egretta garzetta Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii Eastern Cattle Egret Ardea coromandus Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris PELECANIFORMES: Pelecanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Pandionidae Osprey Pandion haliaetus ACCIPITRIFORMES: Accipitridae Oriental Honeybuzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus ruficollis Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus Black Kite Milvus migrans govinda 'Black-eared' Kite Milvus [migrans] lineatus Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Indian Vulture Gyps indicus Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus Monk Vulture Aegypius monachus Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus Shikra Tachyspiza badius dussumieri Tachyspiza badius cenchroides Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus nisosimilis White-eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata Booted Eagle Aquila pennata Crested Hawk Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus heard only STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Indian Scops Owl Otus [lettia] bakkamoena Pallid Scops Owl Otus brucei Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis Mottled Wood Owl Strix ocellata Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Spotted Owlet Athene brama indica CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris PICIFORMES: Capitonidae Brown-headed Barbet Megalaima zeylanica Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala PICIFORMES: Picidae Indian Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus

Yellow-fronted Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus Black-rumped Flameback Dinopium benghalense White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis orientalis Merops orientalis beludschicus CORACIIFORMES: Coraciidae Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis CORACIIFORMES: Upupidae Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Laggar Falcon Falco jugger 'Shaheen' Falcon Falco [peregrinus] peregrinator PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae Indian Golden Oriole Oriolus kundoo Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus maderaspatanus PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei macei Small Minivet Pericrocotus c. cinnamomeus White-bellied Minivet Pericrocotus erythropygius Long-tailed Minivet Pericrocotus ethologus favillaceus PASSERIFORMES: Aegithinidae Common Iora Aegithina tiphia Marshall's Iora Aegithina nigrolutea PASSERIFORMES: Vangidae Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae White-spotted Fantail Rhipidura albogularis White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus longicaudatus White-bellied Drongo Dicrurus caerulescens Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus rangoonensis PASSERIFORMES: Monarchidae Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea Indian Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi paradisi PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Xinjiang Shrike Lanius [isabellinus] arenarius Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus cristatus Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus

Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach erythronotus Lanius schach caniceps Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis lahtora PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda House Crow Corvus splendens Indian Jungle Crow Corvus culminatus 'Punjab' Raven Corvus [corax] subcorax PASSERIFORMES: Stenostiridae Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis PASSERIFORMES: Remizidae White-crowned Penduline Tit Remiz coronatus PASSERIFORMES: Paridae White-naped Tit Machlolophus nuchalis

Cinereous Tit Parus cinereus Indian Yellow Tit Machlolophus aplonotus PASSERIFORMES: Alaudidae Indian Bushlark Mirafra erythroptera Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes Black-crowned Finch-Lark Eremopterix nigriceps Ashy-crowned Finch-Lark Eremopterix griseus Rufous-tailed Lark Ammomanes phoenicura Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla longipennis Crested Lark Galerida cristata chendoola Sykes's Lark Galerida deva PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia Grey-throated Sand Martin Riparia chinensis Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris Dusky Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor Northern House Martin Delichon urbicum Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica gutturalis Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica Streak-throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer PASSERIFORMES: Pellorneidae Rufous-vented Babbler (Prinia) Laticilla burnesii PASSERIFORMES: Leiothrichidae Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala brucei Common Babbler Turdoides caudata caudata Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi Jungle Babbler Turdoides striata sindia Turdoides striata orientalis Turdoides striata summervillei Striated Babbler Turdoides earlei PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense Jerdon's Babbler Chrysomma altirostre scindicum Eastern Orphean Warbler Sylvia crassirostris

Asian Desert Warbler Sylvia nana Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca halimodendri Desert Whitethroat Sylvia [curruca] minula PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus PASSERIFORMES: Phylloscopidae Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus [collybita] tristis "Sind' Mountain Chiffchaff Phylloscopus sindianus Hume's Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus humei humei Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides viridanus Bright-green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus PASSERIFORMES: Acrocephalidae Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Blyth's Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Indian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus [stentoreus] brunnescens Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon Booted Warbler Iduna caligata Sykes's Warbler Iduna rama PASSERIFORMES: Locustellidae Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis cursitans Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Rufous-fronted Prinia Prinia buchanani Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii hodgsonii Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis lepida Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica sylvatica Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis socialis Plain Prinia Prinia inornata inornata Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris sindiana PASSERIFORMES: Certhiidae Indian Spotted Creeper Salpornis spilonotus PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra Brahminy Starling Temenuchus pagodarum Rosy Starling Pastor roseus Eurasian Starling Sturnus vulgaris PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae Orange-headed Thrush Geokichla citrina cyanota heard only PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva Ultramarine Flycatcher Ficedula superciliaris Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis [tickelliae] tickelliae Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis Indian Black Robin Saxicoloides fulicatus Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros rufiventris Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides Stoliczka's Bushchat Saxicola macrorhynchus Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus indicus

White-tailed Stonechat Saxicola leucura Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata picata Oenanthe picata capistrata Oenanthe picata opistholeuca Red-tailed Wheatear Oenanthe chrysopygia Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti deserti Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina Brown Rock-chat Cercomela fusca PASSERIFORMES: Chloropseidae Jerdon's Leafbird Chloropsis jerdoni Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons frontalis PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Agile [Thick-billed] Flowerpecker Pachyglossa agile Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus Vigor's Sunbird Aethopyga vigorsii PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus Sind Sparrow Passer pyrrhonotus Yellow-throated Petronia Petronia xanthocollis PASSERIFORMES: Ploceidae Baya Weaver Ploceus philippinus philippinus Black-breasted Weaver Ploceus benghalensis PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae Red Avadavat Amandava amandava Green Avadavat Amandava formosa Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica PASSERIFORMES: Fringillidae Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus rufulus Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis jerdoni Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris griseus Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni yunnanensis Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis trivialis White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba White-browed Wagtail Motacilla madaraspatensis Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg Motacilla flava thunbergi Motacilla flava beema Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola citreola Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea PASSERIFORMES: Hypocoliidae Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus PASSERIFORMES: Emberizidae Crested Bunting Melophus lathami Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza buchanani Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata MAMMALS South Indian Tree Shrew Anathana ellioti Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta

Northern Plains Grey Langur Semnopithecus entellus Northern Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennanti Southern Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum Indian Desert Jird Meriones hurrianae Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus Jungle Cat Felis chaus 'Desert' Wild Cat Felis silvestris Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsi "Desert' Red Fox Vulpes vulpus pusilla Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis Golden Jackal Canis aureus Asian Wild Ass Equus hemionus Eurasian Wild Pig Sus scrofa Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra Indian Gazelle Gazella bennettii Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus

Indian Bustard, Desert National Park © James Eaton/Birdtour Asia