BIRDS of NEPAL vy yes gee f fe é wh ; ’ ase 4, ei) pas wes Mirza . j i N. LG CAROL AND TIM INSKIPP SECOND EDITION AAPL \\N \ f \\ APA ; NEPAL HaSa powerful fascination for most birdwatchers. It is remarkably rich in birdlife, having a large number of species for its size. For this new edition, Carol and Tim Inskipp have included a wealth of new information on the distribution and status of Nepal’s 836 bird species. Valuable information is given on breeding, habitat, behaviour and range within the Indian subcontinent with emphasis on the Himalayas. The 703 distribution maps cover all but the rarer and more localised birds. In addition, data are presented on those species whose breeding behaviour is little known. The detailed section on identification of difficult species, which includes colour plates, is of particular value. The range and quality of the material covered will ensure that A Guide to the Birds of Nepal remains indispensable for anyone interested in the birds of the region. Front cover: Stoliczka’s Tit Warbler by Steve Rooke aan F G SS {\ Ale S. ) ; y i ~ H i S26 SS = 30°N X. 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Conservation Area apurna 5Okm Map 1 Nepal ; / gtang pee aktapur lavari Ichowki Vidlite Reserve \ 2 je AW ee: X Ting Sang Thodung/» iri a (ae rmatha nal Park Sayarmatha (Mt Everest) }@ Okhaldhunga yor Ay = Kar} kavitta Chandragarhi Je) Wildlife Reserve Birat J al Le i i een amt ‘\ My PEG TIDE (OEE, BIRDS of NEPAL Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from UNEP-WCMC, Cambridge http://www.archive.org/details/guidetobirdsofnes5insk BGO E TOU BIRDS of NEPAL Second Edition Carol and Tim Inskipp Colour illustrations by Clive Byers, Richard Grimmett, Craig Robson, and Steve Rooke Line drawings by Clive Byers, Steen Christensen, Dave Farrow, Richard Grimmett, Patrick Hamon, Dave Mills, Mike Parker, Craig Robson, Steve Rooke, Ray Turley, and James Wolstencroft IF CHRISTOPHER HELM A &C Black -: London ©1985 Carol and Tim Inskipp Second edition ©1991 Christopher Helm (Publishers) Ltd, a subsidiary of A & C Black (Publishers) Ltd, 35 Bedford Row, London WCIR 4JH , ISBN 0-7136-8109-8 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the publishers. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Laser-set by The Nature Conservation Bureau Ltd, 36 Kingfisher Court, Newbury, Berkshire, UK. Printed and bound in Great Britain by the Bath Press on 100 per cent re-cycled paper. CONTENTS List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Introduction Topography, Climate and Vegetation Bird Distribution Bird Conservation Protected Areas Migration History of Ornithology Bird-watching Areas Identification Section Key to the Maps Species Accounts Key to the Colour Plates Bibliography Index to the English Names Index to the Scientific Names 6 8-9 10-11 12-15 16-17 18-19 20 21-23 24 25-30 31-83 84 85-375 192 376-389 390-395 396-400 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Identification Drawings List of Illustrations Page Artist Page Artist Gyps vultures 33 Dave Mills Wagtails 61 Steve Rooke, Accipiters 35 Craig Robson TimInskipp Buzzards 37 Steve Rooke Pipits 63,65 Craig Robson Hawk-Eagles 38 Dave Mills Black Tits 74 Craig Robson Aquilas 41,43 Steen Christensen Buntings 79 Clive Byers Large falcons 45 Ray Turley Kingfishers/Barbets 81 Dave Farrow Calidris sandpipers 47 Ray Turley House-Martins 82 Mike Parker Snipe and Woodcock 49 Craig Robson Mountain-Finches 82 Steve Rooke Gulls 51,53 Ray Turley Needletails 83 Craig Robson Owls 55,57,58 Richard Grimmett Greater Short-toed Lark 83 Steve Rooke Wagtails 59 Tim Inskipp, Ray Turley Vignettes Dave Farrow Craig Robson 9, 94, 118, 164, 171, 178, 189, 200, 201, 203, 226, 242, 255, 272, 279, 292, 306, 321, 334, 338 28, 30, 95, 96, 98, 104, 121, 123, 133, 151, 156, 166, 172, 177, 191, 195, 199, 205, 207, 214, 222, 229, 234, 235, 238, 241, 248, 260, 261, 268, 276, 277, 283, 285, 286, 291, 297, 300, 305, 309, Richard Grimmett 314, 316, 317, 323, 325, 328, 329, 336, 350, 359, 364, 371 11, 18, 26, 29, 103, 113, 120, 125, 126, 129, 130, 133, 139, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 157, 158, 160, 161, 163, 167, 176, 183, 186, 187, 210, 211, 221, 223, 224, 237, 239, 240, 245, 246, 251, 259, 266, 278, 281, 284, 288, 290, 298, 299, 304, 307, 309, 312, 313, 331, 344, 361 Steve Rooke 15, 23, 25, 28, 86, 87, 88, 92, 96, 109, 110, 125, 154, 159, 215, 227, 234, 244, 248, 271, 279, 294, 314, 323, 324, 340, 350, 352, 355, 367, 369, 373 Patrick Hamon 109, 111, 206 Ray Turley 85, 104, 156, 162, 360, 362 Dave Mills 108, 132, 138, 246, 319, 320, 343, 372 James Wolstencroft 17, 341, 346, 348, 349, 351, 353 Mike Parker 21, 87, 89, 157, 168, 197, 212, 232, 250, 287, 289, 357 Colour Plates Plate1 Bush Warblers Craig Robson Plate2 _‘Prinias Richard Grimmett Plate3 _Acrocephalus and Locustella warblers Richard Grimmett Plate4 Phylloscopus warblers with wingbars Richard Grimmett PlateS Phylloscopus warblers without wingbars Richard Grimmett Plate6 Rosefinch males Craig Robson Plate7 Rosefinch females Craig Robson Plate8 Buntings Clive Byers DEDICATED TO ARUN = _ , i ell | ; m ‘ b é ‘ j yi ahs! } i : s a gals! . & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book is a result of the contributions of a great many people. We wish we could adequately thank each of them. We are most grateful to the artists, Clive Byers, Steen Christensen, Dave Farrow, Richard Grimmett, Patrick Hamon, Dave Mills, Mike Parker, Craig Rob- son, Steve Rooke, Ray Turley, and James Wolsten- croft who generously donated their work. This book would not have been possible without the assistance of many people who provided us with their bird records. Special thanks go to Jack Cox Junior, Hari Sharan Nepali and Arend van Riessen for their important contributions. We also warmly thank the many other observers who gave us their bird records: Alan Adams, Per Alind, Per Alstrom, Per Andell, Ulrik Andersen, Tim Andrews, Tony Baker, Hem Sag Baral, Ian Barber, Larry Barnes, Dave Barrett, Sattish Battachan, Carl-Axel Bauer, Mark Beaman, Staffan Bensch, Arnoud van den Berg, T. Bergstrom, Mark Bezuijen, Rob Bijlsma, Lawrence Binford, Biswamoy Biswas, Jan Bolding, Geoff Bond, Chris Bowden, Paul Bradbear, Dave Brearey, Seb Buckton, Clive Byers, Dick Byrne, John Calladine, Pete Carty, Srikumar Chattopadhyay, Steen Chris- tensen, Andy Clements, Dave Clugston, Mark Cocker, Andy Collins, Pete Colston, Peter Conder, Simon Cook, John Cooper, Gordon Corbett, Bernard Couronne, Simon Cox, Kai Curry-Lindahl, Jon Cur- son, Adam Davison, Ian Dawson, Ridge De Witt, Adrian del-Nevo, Paul Deluce, Tim Dodman, Phil- ippe Dubois, Paul Dukes, Alan Dunkley, Dinash Durrai, Nick Dymond, Jon Eames, Enno Ebels, Jens Eggers, R.E.T. Ellen, Vernon Eve, Pete Ewins, Richard Fairbank, Dave Farrow, Robert Fleming Jr., Elizabeth Forster, Steve Gantlett, Sharifin Gardiner, Simon Gawn, John Brodie Good, Andy Goodwin, Tony Gaston, Michael Green, Alan Greensmith, Richard Gregory-Smith, Richard Grimmett, Gunter Groh, Yvonne Guinan, K.K.Gurung, Kaj Halberg, Jim Hall, Phil Hall, John Halliday, Patrick Hamon, Per Hansen, Simon Harrap, Edward Harris, Kerry Harrison, Andrew Harrop, Bill Harvey, Phil Heath, Peter and Pauline Heathcote, Mortens Heegard, Joel Heinen, Mogens Henriksen, Darla Hillard, Peter Hines, Thor Hjarsen, Goran Holmstrom, Paul Holt, John Hopkins, Jon Hornbuckle, Michael Hornby, Jesper Hornskov, Stuart Housden, Sir Anthony Hur- rell, Keith Hyatt, Rob Innes, Richard Isherwood, Simon Jackson, Ole Jakobsen, Bob Jarman, Paul Jepson, Ron Johns, Bas Jongeling, Torben Jorgensen, Rafi Juliusberger, Stan Justice, Mikael Kall, Pete Kennerley, Ben King, Niels Kjellen, Jerry Klapste, Jean-Christophe Kovacs, Erling Krabbe, Niels Krabbe, Andy Kratter, Lalit Lalchan, Frank Lambert, Roy Lancaster, Jens Larsen, Christer Larsson, Steve Acknowledgements LeClerg, John Leece, Tony Lelliott, Paul Lewis, Svend Linderstrom, Vaughan Lister, Steve Madge, Jesper Madsen, Stig Toft Madsen, Soren Malling, Trevor Marshall, Jochen Martens, Rod Martins, Sjoerd Mayer, Barry McCarthy, Chris McCarty, Gil- lian McKnight, Hans Meilstrup, David Melville, David Millin, David Mills, Tino Mischler, Erik Mol- gaard, Masayuki Morita, Kathleen Munthe, David Murdoch, Chris Murphy, John Muston, Herbert Nickel, Serge Nicolle, Jan Tottrup Nielsen, Thomas Nilsson, Torgny Nordin, Gunnar Numme, Bill Oddie, William Oliver, Klaus Malling Olsen, Urban Olsson, Mike Parr, David Percival, Mikael Persson, Ib Pe- tersen, Richard Pickering, Ray Pierce, Oleg Polunin, Richard Porter, Peter Post, Mikael Koie Poulsen, Neil Powell, Anders Prieme, Dave Pritchard, Peter Pyle, Pol Rassel, Nigel Redman, Tim Reid, Cliff Rice, Gerry and Lucy Richards, James Roberts, Mike Roberts, Peter Roberts, Philip Robinson, Tim Robin- son, Craig Robson, Frank de Roder, Mike Rogers, Steve Rooke, Jonathon Ross, John Rossetti, Valen- tine Russell, Bjorn Sandgren, D. Sayers, Jelle Schar- ringa, Richard Schofield, Linda Schrijver, Mike Searle, Suresh Shakya, Mahendra Shrestha, Peter Sieurin, Neil Simpson, Russell Slack, Stewart Smith, Uffe Sorensen, Graham Speight, Simon Stirrup, Anthony Stones, Aidan Sudbury, Werner Suter, Ra- jendra Suwal, Ian Taylor, Barna Bahadur Thapa, Jean-Marc Thiollay, Dave Thorns, Rob Tolk, Tim Toohig, Mick Turton, Charles Tyler, Rae Vernon, Christer Wahlstrom, Goran Walinder, Johan Wallan- der, Steve Whitehouse, Wolfgang Winkel, Jorg Wit- tenberg, Martin Woodcock, Brian Woolly, James Wolstencroft, Mark Wotham and naturalists at the Karnali Tented Camp and Machan Wildlife Camp. Many spent a great deal of time extracting informa- tion from their notebooks and answering our queries or requests for more details on particular records. Mortens Heegard from DAFIF, the working group of the Dansk Ornitologisk Forening for international bird protection, kindly collected some useful reports for us. Gyamcho Wangdi provided records made by the naturalists of the Karnali Tented Camp. We are especially grateful to the British Museum (Natural History) and the Kathmandu Natural His- tory Museum for allowing access to their bird speci- mens and to the Chicago Field Museum for extracting useful data from their bird collection on our behalf. We also wish to thank the Bombay Natural History Society; Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton; Cambridge University, Museum of Zoology, Cliffe Castle Art Gallery and Museum; Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum; Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon- Tyne; Manchester University Museum; Merseyside County Museum; Oxford University Museum; Acknowledgements Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Histoire; Royal Albert Memorial Museum Exeter; Sheffield City Museums, and the Zoological Museum of Copenhagen for their assistance. Many useful data were extracted on our behalf by Erling Krabbe from the Zoological Mu- seum of Copenhagen and by Philip Round from the Thai National Reference Collection. Humayun Ab- dulali, the late Con Benson, Peter Colston, Clem Fisher, Ian Galbraith, J. Hull, Peter Morgan, Derek Read, Melvin Traylor Jr., Michael Walters, and David Williard were also particularly helpful with our mu- seum work. The section on species identification was written with the help of many people who provided valuable information and criticised the text. Steen Christensen wrote the text and illustrated the Aquila eagles. Per Alstrom, Jon Eames, Richard Grimmett and Craig Robson provided assistance with numerous species and the following assisted with particular groups: Clive Byers (buntings), Goran Holmstrom (Phyllo- Scopus warblers), Alan Kitson (buzzards), Steve Madge (buzzards and Phylloscopus warblers), Richard Porter (birds of prey), Goran Walinder (Phylloscopus warblers). Special thanks go to Richard Grimmett, Craig Robson and Jon Eames who exam- ined museum skins for information used in this sec- tion. Richard Fairbank, Peter Grant, Bill Oddie, Urban Olsson, Nick Preston, and Philip Round all made useful comments on the identification section. We are indebted to Steve Broad who generously gave much of his time providing computing assis- tance. Without his help the production of the book would have been much more difficult. We are particularly grateful to Dick Newell for his enormous efforts in writing and running a computer programme to plot the altitude and period of occur- rence bars on the species maps. Robary Ltd. gener- ously donated free computer time for production of these bars. We also thank Bob Tonks, Louise Cook and other staff at Robary for their invaluable help. We are grateful to Mark Beaman for making the publication of the first edition of this book possible, for his advice on its content and his constant encour- agement. We also thank Tim Sharrock for his encour- agement in the early stages. 9 Thanks go to the Nature Conservation Bureau for setting the text, Dick Filby for letrasetting the distri- bution maps and Hilary Welch for drawing some of the maps. Useful criticism and advice on the introductory section was received from Mark Cocker, Tim Dee, Jon Eames, Rod Martins, Craig Robson and Helen Taylor. Doris Noe kindly translated some German papers for us. We both appreciated the moral support of our par- ents, Tom and Joyce Robinson and John and Cesca Inskipp, while writing the book. The artists wish to thank Clive Denby, Alan Kitson, Steve Madge, Nigel Redman, Richard Porter, Charlie Williams and particularly Urban Olsson for lending photographic material. They are also grateful to John Dunscombe, John Goldsmith, Jeff Haynes, and F.W. and M.M. Grimmett, and to the Conserva- tion Monitoring Centre, Exmoor National Park, the Polytechnic of North London, the Norwich Castle Museum, for borrowing skins from the British Mu- seum (Natural History) on their behalf. We are grateful to the British Museum (Natural History), Royal Geographical Society and Zoological Society of London for use of their libraries, and to the Expedition Advisory Centre for providing informa- tion. We thank Adam Stainton for the use of informa- tion on vegetation types from his book Forests of Nepal and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique who kindly gave permission to reproduce maps from Le Nepal, ecologie et biogeographie by Jean-Francois Dobremez. Striated Bulbul 10 INTRODUCTION Nepal has a great wealth of birds. A total of 834 species have been definitely recorded, nearly one tenth of the world’s known birds. There are 14 species newly recorded since the first edition of this book was published. However, 15 species collected in the last century, which were previously included, have now been deleted from the Nepalese list. The main aim of this book was to map and summa- rise the distribution of birds within the country. The information was collected from published literature, museum specimens, and unpublished reports and other records received from numerous ornithologists, comprising a total of over 800 references referred to throughout by numbers. These references constitute a comprehensive bibliography of Nepalese ornithol- ogy. This second edition includes nearly 3000 addi- tional distributional records compared to the first edition of the book published in 1985. All records of rare species and those occurring outside their normal range have been carefully checked. Unpublished rec- ords lacking adequate supporting evidence have not been included. Erroneous and dubious published records, including those of 23 species additional to those on the Nepalese list, have been discussed in the species accounts. Scientific nomenclature follows Voous' for the se- quence of families and for the Palearctic species, and largely follows Morony, Bock and Farrand? or King et.al for Oriental species. The English names are, as far as possible, those likely to be adopted in a list of Oriental (Indomalayan) bird species currently being prepared by the Oriental Bird Club. The names of some species are different to those used in the first edition of the book, but in such cases the alternative names are listed as synonyms. Other names used by various authors*4°, also Ali and Ripley 1971-1983, Fleming et al. 1984 and Ripley 1982, are given as synonyms where appropriate. A detailed and fully illustrated identification sec- tion covering some of the more difficult groups of species is also included and has been updated. Since 1985 a substantial amount of new ornithological in- formation has been received, especially from the western half of the country and from the Arun valley eastwards. However, some areas of Nepal are still virtually unknown or under-recorded ornithologically (Map 6). In general all of the country west of the Kali Gandaki valley still falls into one of these categories. Those areaswhich would be rewarding tovisit include Api, Humla, Mugu, Dolpo, Mustang, Baitidi and Dandeldhura Districts, Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Royal Bardia, Khaptad and Shey Phoksundo National Parks, Dang, the Tamur valley, and the far south-east. However, access to a few of these areas is at present forbidden or restricted to foreigners, and Introduction obtaining access, accommodation and food in others presents problems. Much work on the breeding behaviour of Nepalese birds remains to be done, as the details for no less than 70 species are either little known or completely undescribed. We are still collecting information and hope that this will be of use in future decisions relating to the conservation of Nepalese birds and their habitats. Data on distribution, status, altitudinal limits, breed- ing and migration will be welcomed and acknowl- edged. Please send to Carol and Tim Inskipp, Orien- tal Bird Club, c/o The Lodge, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DL, U.K. Finally during a visit to Nepal there are many species to look out for, which could occur but have not been recorded so far. A total of 68 species have been recorded within 100km of the border, 42 fromthe east (E), 21 from the south (S), 6 from the north (N) and 6 from the west (W). Some of these are unlikely to be found now in Nepal: the Himalayan Quail has not been recorded for 100 years, and the habitat for many of the eastern species no longer exists. The migrant species (m) are perhaps the most likely ones to ap- pear, although some such as the Siberian Crane, have become much rarer in recent years:- Indian Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (S,E) Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (S-m) Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus (W,S) Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (S-m) Lesser White-fronted Goose A. erythropus (S-m) Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris (S-m) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (S-m) Jerdon’s Baza Aviceda jerdoni (E) Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis (E) Chestnut-breasted Partridge Arborophila mandellii (E) Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea (S) Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa (W) Grey Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum (E) Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus (S-m) Spotted Crake Porzana porzana (S-m) Black-tailed Crake P. bicolor (E) Sociable Lapwing Chettusia gregaria (S-m) Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus (N) Pale-backed Pigeon Columba eversmanni (S-m) Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea (S,E) Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata (E) Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus badius (E) Mottled Wood-Owl Strix ocellata (S) Hodgson’s Frogmouth Batrachostomus hodgsoni (E) Eurasian Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (S-m) Oriental Kingfisher Ceyx erithacus (E) Wreathed Hornbill RAyticeros undulatus (E) Introduction Oriental Bay Owl Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente (E) Singing Bushlark Mirafra cantillans (S) Indian Bushlark M. erythroptera (S) Long-billed Lark Melanocorypha maxima (E,N) Dusky Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor (S) Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis (S) Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra (E) Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos (S-m) Firethroat L. pectardens (N) Daurian Redstart Phoenicurus auroreus (E-m) Blue-fronted Robin Cinclidium frontale (E) Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush Monticola saxatilis (E-m) White-crowned Forktail Enicurus leschenaulti (E) Rufous Prinia Prinia rufescens (E) Dark-necked Tailorbird Orthotomus atrogularis (E) Mountain Tailorbird O. cuculatus (E) Moustached Warbler Acrocephalus melanopogon (W) White-spectacled Warbler Seicercus affinis (E) Eastern Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus coronatus (E-m) 11 Vivid Blue Flycatcher Cyomis vivida (E) Long-billed Wren-Babbler Rimator malacoptilus (E) Wedge-billed Wren-Babbler Sphenocichla humei (E) Buff-chested Babbler Stachyris ambigua (E) Jerdon’s Babbler Moupinia altirostris (E) Rufous-headed Parrotbill Paradoxornis ruficeps (E) Black-browed Parrotbill P. atrosuperciliaris (E) Grey-headed Parrotbill P. gularis (E) Giant Babax Babax waddelli (E,N) Brown-cheeked Laughing-thrush Garrulax hennci (N) Yellow-throated Fulvetta Alcippe cinerea (E) Rufous-throated Fulvetta A. rufogularis (E) Striated Yuhina Yuhina castaniceps (E) Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa (E) Spotted Creeper Salpomis spilonotus (S) Black-billed Magpie Pica pica (N) Collared Treepie Dendrocitta frontalis (E) Small Snowfinch Montifringilla davidiana (E-m) Finn’s Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus (W,E) Pink-backed Rosefinch Carpodacus grandis (W) Grey-headed Bullfinch Pyrrhula erythaca (E) Black-and-yellow Grosbeak Mycerobas ictenoides (W,E). 1 Voous, KH. (1977) List of recent Holarctic bird species. London: British Ornithologists’ Union. 2. Morony,J.J., Bock, W.J. and Farrand, J. (1975) Reference list of the birds of the world. New York: American Mu- seum of Natural History. 3. King, B.F. and Dickinson, E.C. (1975) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. London: Collins. 4. Heinzel, H., Fitter, RS.R., and Parslow, J.L.F. (1972) The birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. London: Collins. 5. American Ornithologists Union (1983) Check-list of North American birds. Sixth edition. A.O.U. 12 Map2 Annual Rainfall (by permission of CNRS) S 7, " Lt | f \ pa \ \ \ \ e \ pe \ 3 ee \ \ We AY a ve ; er 100 km = = 500mm [[[[[] 1000 - 1500 mm 2000 = 2500 mm ty 3000-4000 —=—_ se] 500 -1000mm 1500 = 2000 mm RRBRH 2500 - 3000 mm g . . . . ee ; Map 3. Bioclimate (by permission of CNRS) se Mi >) o (a B 3 oO = 3| Gs 2a ses 238 s§ By see BS oO § > sd sEze) 7EES Pn} g = Se ==) d= a = ee as 2 ZA BINNS "ZA SS [FS be 16 7 ee = oz) 53 Climate more variable and bixeric, winter rain, annual temperature range High altitude - too cold for any vegetation. Mediterranean - two dry periods each year (bixeric) with winter rain an important factor. Internal valleys - low rainfall with a good pro- portion in the winter. Steppe - characterised by droughts or dry- ness; in 5 wind is important, in 6 and 7 also rainfall very low. Temperate monsoonal - mean temperature of coldest month below 15°C. 8 slightly bixeric; 9 rainfall very high, 12-15 16-19 >3000mm/year; 10 rainfall 2000-2500mm; 11 high number of days of rain, > 150/year Subtropical - mean temperature of coldest month 15-20°C. 12 always bixeric; 13 some- times bixeric, rainfall 1000-1500mm; 14 rain- fall < 1000mm; 15 high number of days of rain Tropical - mean temperature of coldest month 20-25°C. The rainfall and number of days of rain in- creases eastwards, and the climate becomes less variable. Topography, Climate and Vegetation TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND VEGETATION Nepal is remarkable for its great beauty and visual variety. The country is land-locked between China to the north, and India to the south, east and west. It lies between the latitudes of 26° 20’N and 30°26’N, and between the longitudes of 80°15’E and 88°10’E. Most of Nepal lies in the Himalayas and forms the central part of the range, one third of its entire length. The country is small, only averaging about 870km from east to west and has a land area little more than England and Wales combined. The topography changes dramatically within a short lateral distance. There is a narrow strip of lowlands in the south. Further north lie the Hima- layan foothills and ranges, which run roughly east- west across the country and include eight of the highest peaks in the world, each over 8000m. Nepal is also notable for its great variety of climate and vege- tation. Climate The climate ranges from tropical in the lowlands to arctic in the high peaks. It is dominated by the mon- soon. About 90% of the rain falls during June to September. In addition there is a less well defined period of winter rain, falling between December and the end of March. The monsoon winds carry moist air from the Bay of Bengal north and west. On reaching the great barrier of the Himalayas the air rises, cools, and the moisture condenses as rain on the southern slopes. The air crossing the Himalayas is now dry resulting in rain shadow on the northern side of the mountains in regions such as Mustang and the Dolpo. The monsoon rains reach east Nepal first, resulting in the rainfall here being generally higher and the mon- soon lasting for a longer period than in the west. Rainfall also tends to increase with altitude until about 2500m by which time clouds have lost most of their moisture. Above this altitude rainfall tends to decrease. At elevations above 6100m precipitation falls as snow rather than rain. Aspect of slopes greatly affects the climate. Those facing south receive more rain and sunshine than north-facing slopes. In the tarai and dun, summer temperatures are hot, often greater than 38°C, and winters cold with temperatures down to about 10°C. The Kathmandu Valley has a pleasant and mild climate with a summer maximum of about 30°C and mean winter temperature of about 10°C. The variety of vegetation can be largely ex- plained by the variation in monsoon rainfall experi- enced in different regions of the country, both the total amount of rainfall and the length of the period over which it falls. Local conditions such as steepness of slopes, amount of sunshine and aspect are also very 13 important in determining vegetation. Steeper and shadier slopes tend to be damper and have a more interesting flora. Undergrowth burns less easily in shady areas and so the forests are much less affected by fire. Vegetation Stainton’ divided Nepal into nine climatic and vegeta- tional divisions; Dobremez? considered that there were four main phytogeographical domains: west, north-west, central and east; eleven altitudinal vege- tation zones; and nineteen distinct bioclimatic types. The following account is mainly a summary of their work. The natural vegetation has been much affected by deforestation. Tarai and bhabar (Tropical zone) The tarai is the flat narrow lowland strip 25 to 45km wide lying north of the Indian frontier. It is a continu- ation of the Gangetic plains of India and comprises the most fertile land in Nepal. Most of it is now highly cultivated and little forest remains except in the west. There is a steady rise from the tarai to the foothills. The dry bhabar zone, characterised by its highly po- rous gravelly soil, extends up to about 300m immedi- ately to the north of the tarai. Sal Shorea robusta, predominates over wide areas forming light, open forest. Dense evergreen forest occurs in damp shaded areas and mixed broadleaved forest often grows along rivers. Dun valleys and outer foothills Beyond the bhabar zone are the first outer Himalayan foothills known as the Churia or Siwalik hills, rising to 1220m. To the north lies the Mahabharat Lekh rising to 2740m, the most densely populated region in Ne- pal. Between the two ranges are a series of longitudi- nal valleys, often heavily forested and separated by narrow ridges called duns, from about 300m to 1370m. In the west sal and subtropical forest occur at the lowest altitudes, Chir Pine Pinus roxburghii from 610m to 1830m, and mainly oak forests, Quercus incana and Q. lanata, with rhododendron higher up. In the east sal and tropical forests are found at lower altitudes, then subtropical forest and temperate mixed broadleaved forest at higher altitudes. Midlands and the southern slopes of the main Hima- layan ranges (Subtropical, temperate and subalpine zones) A broad complex of hills and valleys including the Kathmandu Valley. It is densely populated in central and eastern areas, where most hillsides have been 14 cleared for grazing or terraced for agriculture. Rela- tively little forest remains except in the west. West Midlands The West Midlands lie west of the Kali Gandaki River. Chir Pine forests occur up to 1980m and the oaks Q. incana and Q. lanata up to 2440m. The Prickly-leaved Oak Q. semecarpifolia often predomi- nates above 2440m, although Himalayan Fir Abies spectabilis is widespread between 3050m and the treeline. East Midlands The East Midlands lie east of the Arun Kosi River system. Subtropical wet forest is found lower down, and temperate mixed broadleaved forest followed by evergreen forest higher up. Oaks are common, and rhododendron species are much more numerous than in the west, extending from middle elevations to the treeline. Central Midlands The Central Midlands lie between the east and west Midlands and comprise complex mixtures of both vegetation types. South of Annapurna and the Himal Chuli This area has much higher rainfall than other parts of the central midlands because the monsoon rain from India has relatively low hills to cross before reaching it. Chilaune Schima wallichii and Chestnut Castanop- sis forests and subtropical semi-evergreen forests occur at lower altitude. Lower temperate mixed broadleaved forests are found higher up, on north and west faces; oak Q. lamellosa higher up on north and south faces. At higher altitudes upper temperate mixed broadleaved forest or rhododendrons flourish, rather than coniferous forests, because of the high rainfall. Thickets of bamboo Arundinana are wide- spread. There is a marked contrast between this area and the dry temperate forest west of the Kali Gandaki with a consequent change in the avifauna. Alpine zone on slopes to the south of the main ranges This zone lies above the treeline and receives mon- soonrains. It is similar to alpine zones in other regions of the world. Shrubs grow up to 4500m and above 4900m there is a high altitude flora where cushion plants flourish. Species of Primula, Meconopsis, Ranunculus, Anemone, Geum and Potentilla are com- mon. Inner valleys and dry river valleys Nepal’s rivers cut deeply through the Himalayas pro- ducing impressive gorges, often in a north-south di- rection. The vegetation in their valleys is often differ- Topography, Climate and Vegetation ent from that of immediate surrounding areas, and frequently shows sharp contrasts in habitat within a short distance. Strong winds usually blow upstream, and as a result rainfall in the centres of these valleys and lower valleys is much reduced. In gorges, eastern slopes close to the river receive little sunshine and are damper as a result. The usual altitudinal vegetation succession is often replaced by damp forest close to the river, coniferous forest on the dry lower and middle slopes, and broadleaved forest on the wetter upper slopes. The Bhote Kosi in central Nepal is a typical example of this type of valley. Valleys lying deep within the main Himalayan ranges receive sig- nificantly less rainfall than those on southern sides of these ranges, and those in the west are drier than those in the east. In the east this reduction is not great at lower altitudes, but is much lower at and above the treeline. Junipers and other species more typical of the trans-Himalayas grow here. In west Nepal the re- duced rainfall is marked even at low elevations and affects the forest composition. Conifers predominate, especially Bhutan Pine Pinus wallichiana, except above the treeline where Himalayan Birch Betula utilis is common. Such valleys include Khumbu, Lang- tang and the upper Kali Gandaki. The upper Kali Gandaki is the deepest valley in the world where it cuts through the narrow gap between Dhaulagiri and Annapurna. This causes an exceptionally strong wind and results in an amazing change of climate and vegetation in a short distance. Subtropical monsoon flora grows below Ghasa. In a day’s walk up the valley from here one passes through coniferous forests and then into typical Tibetan flora, reflecting the effects of strong wind and associated low rainfall beyond Mar- pha. Scrub grows on the lower slopes and as the rainfall increases is replaced by a belt of steppe forest of Black Juniper Juniperus wallichiana and dry alpine scrub, and above this wetter alpine flora on the upper slopes at about 4100m. Mediterranean zone (Humla-Jumla area) This zone lies south of the main Himalayan chain but is much drier than expected because it is sheltered by a chain of mountains to the south where much of the tain falls. Forests are mixed coniferous, Pinus walli- chiana or Morinda Spruce Picea smithiana predomi- nating up to 3050m, Abies spectabilis higher up, and Betula utilis at the treeline. Steppe zone North of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna the country is almost treeless with a climate and flora of Tibetan character. This area lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. The predominant vegetation is of shrubs, grasses and alpine flora. Shrubs grow up to 4900m and cushion plants at 5500m. Topography, Climate and Vegetation High altitude zone The treeline is at about 4100m in the east but consid- erably lower in the west, generally at about 3050m. The snow-line and associated plant-line are greatly affected by local climatic conditions and vary between about 3655m and 5485m. Plants have been found as high as 5200m. 1. Stainton, J.D.A. 1972. Forests of Nepal. John Mur- tay, London. 2. Dobremez, J.-F. 1976. Le Nepal, ecologie et biogeographie. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris. Siberian Rubythroat 15 16 BIRD DISTRIBUTION The avifauna of Nepal is exceptionally diverse and includes 611 species which breed or probably breed. There are 124 species whose breeding distributions are restricted to an area encompassing the Himalaya, north-east India, northern south-east Asia and south- west China, for which Nepal may hold internationally significant populations. The country may be espe- cially important for 35 of these species. They either have particularly restricted ranges within the general area considered or have been described as uncom- mon orrare in the Indian subcontinent (437). There is only one endemic species, the Spiny Babbler, but the world ranges of 92 species extend no further west than Nepal, and 15 species reach the easternmost limit of their ranges in the country. Nepal’s species-richness can be partly attributed to the dramatic changes of altitude within the country, from the tarai at about 75m above sea level to the high peaks of Khumbu culminating in Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) only 145km distant. Species diversity de- creases with increase in altitude. The richest areas for Nepalese birdlife lie in the tropical lowlands below 300m where over 500 species have been recorded. In sharp contrast only about 80 species have been found above 4270m in the alpine zone. Also important is Nepal’s geographical position, a region of overlap between the Palearctic realm to the north and the Oriental (Indomalayan) realm to the south. The other major factor contributing to Nepal’s species-richness is the extremely varied climate in the country. Nepal can be conveniently divided into east- ern and western sections at the Kali Gandaki valley. The river runs north/south through almost the middle of Nepal and the centre of the Himalayan chain. In general forests to the east of the valley are wetter and richer in plant species than western for- ests. Conifers are much more widespread in the west and rhododendrons in the east. The valley is an important divide for forest birds as well as plant species as first pointed out by Robert Fleming (243). Approximately 440 breeding forest bird species have been found west of the valley and 340 species to the east. The west is however poorly recorded compared to the east. There are 36 breeding species which have been located east of the Kali Gandaki and also occur to the west of Nepal. Assuming there is suitable habitat they could all be found in west Nepal, but even if all of them do occur the east is still considerably richer. The apparent world ranges of 73 Nepalese breed- ing species lie east of the valley, including 32 Hima- layan species which reach the western limit of their ranges either in the valley or its watershed. These latter species are: Ashy Woodpigeon; Golden- throated Barbet; Darjeeling and Crimson-breasted Bird Distribution Woodpeckers; Grey-chinned Minivet; Striated Bul- bul; Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin; White-tailed Robin; Large Niltava; Pygmy Blue, Ferruginous, Slaty-backed and White-gorgetted Flycatchers; Slen- der-billed Scimitar-Babbler,; Golden and Grey- throated Babblers; Brown and Fulvous Parrotbills, Grey-sided, Lesser Necklaced, Blue-winged and Scaly Laughing-thrushes; Fire-tailed Myzornis; Black- headed and Black-eared Shrike-Babblers; Rusty- fronted Barwing; Red-tailed Minla; Golden-breasted and Rufous-winged Fulvettas; Rufous-vented Yuhina; Black-browed Tit and Crimson-browed Finch. There are 17 other species with apparent western limits of their world breeding ranges in central Nepal (between 84° and 85° 30’E) but these may yet be found west to the Kali Gandaki if suitable habitats still exist. They include skulking species such as Blue-naped Pitta and Smoky Warbler, and the Hill Blue Fly- catcher which is rare in the subcontinent and may be restricted to a few disjunct populations. Another very deep river valley, the Arun in east Nepal also marks a change in avifauna but is less important than that of the Kali Gandaki. Rainfall in the Arun valley and eastwards is higher than in most of the rest of the country. There are 17 species whose range in Nepal is confined to this area. A few species, including Blue-eared Barbet, Pale-headed Wood- pecker and Rufous-faced Warbler are restricted to the few remaining lowland forests in the south-east. Forests to the south of Annapurna and Himal Chuliin central Nepal area are the wettest in the country. Four species are restricted to these wet forests of both central and eastern Nepal: Golden Babbler, Brown Parrotbill, Rusty-fronted Barwing, and Golden- breasted Fulvetta. Nepal’s lowland evergreen forests become scarcer in the west, but occur in patches at least as far as Butwal. There are 20 lowland breeding species whose western Nepal limits lie in this zone. Of these 13 extend as far as the extensive remaining forests of Chitwan National Park or the recently depleted for- ests around Hetaura. These include White-vented Needletail with an apparently endemic race isolated from the main population to the south-east; also Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Asian Fairy Bluebird and Little Spiderhunter which all have disjunct populations in south-west India. Eight species extend a little further west to scattered forests at Tamaspur, Butwal and Pokhara and include Black Baza, Pompadour Green Pigeon and Large Woodshrike which also occur in south-west India. A further 16 breeding species reach the western limits of their world ranges between the Kali Gandaki and the western border. Bird Distribution Lanceolated Jay A few species which have not been recorded in Nepal since last century reach the western limits of their ranges in the country. Most of them have no locality details. The Kali Gandaki valley is a significant but less important eastern barrier to species occurring in the west. The species involved largely inhabit coniferous forests. The world ranges of three breeding species are found east to the river or its watershed: Cheer Pheasant, Mistle Thrush and Rufous-naped Tit. The Nepalese ranges of the Koklass Pheasant, Bar-tailed Treecreeper and Chestnut-eared Bunting cease at the Kali Gandaki watershed but other races of all of them occur much further east in China or Burma. A further four species: Himalayan Woodpecker, Spot-winged Tit, Kashmir Nuthatch and White-cheeked Nuthatch reach the limit of their ranges west of the Kali Gan- daki although the latter also occurs further east in China. There are 12 west Himalayan species whose breed- ing ranges apparently terminate in Nepal east of the Kali Gandaki watershed. although the Upland Pipit, Red-billed Blue Magpie and Eurasian Golden Oriole have populations further east. All three have been re- 17 corded virtually to the eastern border and probably also occur in the Darjeeling area. The limit of the range of Stolicza’s Tit-Warbler lies only a short dis- tance east of the Kali Gandaki. A total of 15 species characteristic of the Tibetan plateau occurs in Nepal: Himalayan Snowcock, Ti- betan Partridge, Hill Pigeon, Little Owl, Brown Ac- centor, Desert Wheatear, Stolicza’s Tit-Warbler, Hume’s Ground Jay, Plain-backed, Rufous-necked, White-rumped and Tibetan Snowfinches, Fire- fronted Serin, Twite and Streaked Rosefinch. Most of these species have so far only been recorded either in the upper Kali Gandaki or in the area to the north or north-west of the valley; the Tibetan facies extend into Nepal mainly in this region. However the Hima- layan Snowcock, Brown Accentor, Twite and Tibetan Snowfinch have been found in similar habitat in upper Langtang and the Rufous-necked and Tibetan Snow- finches and Streaked Rosefinch in Khumbu. All of these species occur further east in Tibet except Fire- fronted Serin; this species has been found recently east of the Kali Gandaki at Syabru in the Trisuli valley. The species accounts include available informa- tion on subspecies. Many Nepalese species exhibit clinal variation so their taxonomy is largely a matter of opinion. The nomenclature mainly follows Biswas (95-107). There are at least 55 species with more than one breeding subspecies in Nepal. The division be- tween subspecies is mainly east-west and often at either the Kali Gandaki or Arun rivers. At the former 10 species (e.g. Pallas’s Leaf Warbler) show a well- marked change, and it is a likely divide for a further eight. At the Arun valley 12 species (e.g. Indian Roller, Striated Laughing-thrush) show a change. Some species are poorly known e.g. Brown-flanked Bush Warbler with specimens only from the far west and east, and Barn Swallowwith only one record of H. r. gutturalis. Six species have subspecies replacing each other altitudinally (e.g. Hoopoe, House Spar- Tow). 18 BIRD CONSERVATION REG, HG MEDI AEP” Ps Borers Cea ii a Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin Nepal’s major habitat-types consist of forests, wet- lands and grasslands. The country has few wetlands other than fast-flowing rivers and streams. By far the most important is the Kosi Barrage area, a large expanse of open water, marshes, grassland and scrub situated in the far south-eastern lowlands. It is of international importance for migrating wildfowl, gulls, terns and waders. A total of 25 wildfowl species has been recorded. Those regularly found include the Black-necked Stork which is endangered in the Indian subcontinent (642), and the Lesser Adjutant Stork, Greater Adjutant Stork, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican and Hodgson’s Bushchat, all of which are listed in Birds to Watch, the Interna- tional Council for Bird Preservation world checklist of threatened birds. There are small lakes scattered throughout the country. Those in lowlands and the Pokhara lakes support the richest variety of birds, while the lakes in the Himalayas are very species- poor, although they are staging posts for small num- bers of awide range of wetland migrants which overfly the Himalayas. During a bird survey of the lowlands in western Nepal, Shrestha and Suwal found several interesting wetlands which were previously very poorly known ornithologically, notably an unpro- tected lake Ghodaghodi Tal in Kailili District (750). With the exception of the Kosi Barrage area and Royal Chitwan National Park, wetlands in the eastern half of Nepal have been almost entirely reclaimed for agriculture. The spread of cultivation has also reduced the country’s lowland grasslands in recent years and the small remaining areas are almost all within protected forests. Twelve breeding grassland bird species are nationally threatened, notably the Bengal and Lesser Floricans, two of the world’s most endangered bus- tard species. Intensive annual cutting and burning of the grasslands are likely to alter their species compo- sition, encouraging a lower variety of coarser grasses. The numbers of Bengal Floricans have declined in the Royal Chitwan National Park, possibly as a result of Bird Conservation this, and it seems likely that other grassland bird species are also being adversely affected. However, Nepal is of great value for birds, mainly because of its forests which cover much larger areas than the country’s wetlands or grasslands. There is a wide range of forests comprising tropical, subtropical, temperate, subalpine and alpine types, which together hold the high proportion of 77% of Nepal’s breeding birds (429). Subalpine and upper temperate forests are the most internationally important for breeding birds, as they support high numbers of species which may have significant world populations in Nepal. These total over half the subalpine species and 42% of those in the upper temperate zone (429). Forest losses and deterioration are by far the greatest threats to Nepal’s birds. Only 16% of all forest birds have adapted to breed in habitats heavily modified or created by people (429). A few species, such Grey Bushchat and White-cheeked Bulbul, which prefer open forests or scrub, must have in- creased as a result of forest depletion, but nearly all of them are common and widespread. Overall the popu- lations of most Nepalese forest birds are likely to have decreased. As much as 84% of the country’s nationally threat- ened birds are dependent on forests (429). Once the country was extensively forested, but by 1979 an aerial survey showed that only 43% of Nepal was forest land, i.e. partially covered in trees and shrubs!. Moreover, a large proportion of this forest land was covered in forests in poor condition, with only a scattering of trees and shrubs. Forests are declining chiefly because they can no longer meet the needs of the people. The population is rapidly rising and the vast majority of Nepalis depend on forests for their essential require- ments of fuel, animal fodder and other basic materi- als. A combination of deforestation and overgrazing has caused rapid run-off of rain during the monsoon, leading to massive soil erosion. The resulting wide- spread flooding in the lowlands has led to enormous loss of human life, crops and property. Conservation of the country’s forests is therefore vital, for the future of the people as well as its birds. There has recently been a great expansion in affores- tation, but the overall impact has been very small. As far as most birds are concerned, the new plantations are preferable to areas devoid of forest. However plantations, even of native broadleaves, can never replace the richness and variety of natural forests which may have taken hundreds of years to develop. Protection of some severely degraded natural forests has resulted in dramatic recoveries of forests well- stocked with native species’. Many people in Nepal now believe that the most important aspect of forestry in the country is the improved management of the Bird Conservation large existing areas of low-density forest. This has enormous potential and would be much more valu- able to forest birds than planting more trees. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) in Nepal is aiming to protect a representative sample of the country’s ecosystems. Nepal already has an extensive protected area system which covers 7.4% of the country, comprising six national parks, five wildlife reserves and one hunting reserve. When the Annapurna Conservation Area (not yet officially gazetted, but now in operation) and the Makalu-Barun National Park are fully estab- lished, this figure will increase to over 10%. While the majority of Nepal’s habitat-types are well represented inthe protected areas network, there are three impor- tant omissions. These are tropical evergreen forests, subtropical and lower temperate broadleaved forests in the far east (Nfai and Tamur valleys), and subtropi- cal broadleaved forests further west, all of which are in urgent need of protection (429). The most out- standing gap is the lack of representation of subtropi- cal broadleaved forests which once covered much of central and east Nepal. Phulchowki mountain in the Kathmandu Valley is the best remaining example of this habitat-type (429). A total of 95% of Nepal’s breeding bird species, 82% of nationally threatened species and 98% of those for which the country may hold internationally significant breeding populations breed in the pro- tected or proposed protected areas (429). Strengthen- ing the existing protected area system can therefore be considered a higher priority than the designation of new protected areas. Protecting 10% of Nepal isa formidable task for the government of one of the world’s poorest countries. In addition to the lack of finances, other logistical problems faced by the DNPWC are enormous. Many of the protected areas are remote, accessible only by air or on foot, and lack roads within them. The rugged terrain of the moun- tain areas makes their coverage especially difficult. There are essential needs for additional staff, more staff training and the provision of resources, such as 19 equipment for maintaining trails and bridges, binocu- lars, reference books, and warm clothing. Conserva- tion education for local people who may either live in protected areas or in their surrounding land is ur- gently needed as there is widespread ignorance about the reasons for the establishment of reserves. It is particularly important to justify the relevance of re- serves to them as providers of vital resources and as part of their natural heritage. Nepal’s protected areas are attracting more and more tourists and mountaineers each year. It is there- fore becoming increasingly important both to manage visitor use and to educate visitors so as to bring economic benefits to Nepal without damaging cul- tural values or adversely affecting the environment of the reserves. Innovative management measures are being taken in some protected areas, such as the Annapurna Con- servation Area, which is run by the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, a non-profit-making, non-governmental organisation dedicated to conserv- ing natural resources in Nepal. Here the traditional subsistence activities of local people are being inte- grated into a framework of sound resource manage- ment and ecological development. The aim is to balance the needs of the local people, trekkers and the natural environment. A similar approach would be highly valuable in Nepal’s other protected areas. To achieve this and to establish and effectively protect new areas, financial assistance from outside Nepal will be essential. 1. Carson, B., Niel, R., Amatya and Hildreth, G. (1986) Land Resources Mapping Project. Kenting Earth Sciences Ltd. Kathmandu: HMG/Govt. of Canada 2. Jackson, J.K. (1987) Manual of afforestation in Nepal. Kathmandu: Nepal UK Forestry Project. Based on Inskipp, C. (1989) Bird Conservation in Nepal. World Birdwatch 11(1). 20 PROTECTED AREAS The location of Nepal’s protected areas is shown on the map on the book’s end papers. The Royal Chi- twan, Langtang and Sagarmatha National Parks, and the Annapurna Conservation Area are well studied, but the other protected areas are under-recorded. Royal Chitwan National Park 932km? This park, gazetted in 1973, was the first protected area in Nepal and is a World Heritage site. It lies in south-central Nepal in a dun valley and extends into the Churia hills. A larger number of bird species (489 in total) have been recorded than in any other pro- tected area in Nepal. Langtang National Park 1710km? Langtang is situated in the central Himalayas and is of international importance for birds, especially for upper temperate and subalpine forest species. Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park 1148km? A World Heritage site. The park contains some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery including the highest peak, Sagarmatha. It lies in the high Himalayas in Khumbu District in north-eastern Ne- pal and is important for some high altitude species. Royal Bardia National Park 968km? Bardia is situated in mid-western Nepal, mainly in the bhabar zone and extends into the Churia hills. The Karnali river valley forms its western boundary. It supports a variety of species typical of the western lowlands. Shey-Phoksundo National Park 3555km? This is Nepal’s largest protected area and is probably the least known ornithologically. It lies in Dolpo, Jumla and Mugu Districts in north-west Nepal. The park is important for species typical of the trans- Himalayan region. Khaptad National Park 225km? Khaptad is an isolated massif 3100m high which lies south of the main Himalayan range. The park is well- forested and is important for some forest species including a few western specialities. Rara National Park 106km? This small park is situated in the Himalayas in Mugu District in north-west Nepal. It includes the country’s largest lake, Rara, situated at 3050m, and its heavily forested catchment area. The park supports some specialities of western Nepal forests. Protected Areas Parsa Wildlife Reserve 499km? Parsa is situated in south central Nepal adjacent to the Royal Chitwan National Park. It holds arich variety of bird species similar to those found at Chitwan. Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve 175km? Kosi Tappu lies in the Sapta-Kosi river plain in the south-eastern tarai. The reserve includes a wetland which is of international importance and by far the most valuable in Nepal. Royal Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve 155km? This small reserve is situated in the far south-western tarai on the Indian border. It has the largest grassland area in Nepal aswell as forests and a small lake. Sukla Phanta is important for a a few grassland species. Sheopuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve 145km? Sheopuri lies on the northern side of the Kathmandu Valley in central Nepal. About half of the watershed is still forested and supports a good variety of forest birds. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 1325km? The hunting reserve lies in the Himalayas in Baglung District in west central Nepal. It holds some speciali- ties of Nepal’s western forests. Annapurna Conservation Area 2660km? The Conservation Area lies north of Pokhara in cen- tral Nepal, the Kali Gandaki River forming its west- ern boundary. The Area is of international impor- tance for birds and over 440 species have been re- corded. This large number can be attributed to the wide range of habitat types within the Area and to its location roughly in the centre of the Himalayas. Spe- cies typical of both the eastern and western Himalayas occur. Makalu Barun National Park This is a proposed protected area which lies to the east of Sagarmatha National Park and extends be- yond Nepal’s northern border into Tibet. Its extensive forests support a diverse avifauna including many eastern Himalayan species. Migration MIGRATION Dusky Thrush Many of Nepal’s resident species are seasonal altitu- dinal migrants. The level to which they descend in winter frequently depends on weather conditions. An example is the Red-billed Chough which has been found as high as 7950m, and usually remains above 2440m in winter, but has been noted as low as 1450m in cold weather (57,682). Approximately 62 species are summer visitors or partial migrants to the Nepal- ese Himalayas and include species of cuckoos, swifts, bee-eaters, Phylloscopus warblers, flycatchers and drongos. The migration routes of a number of these summer migrants are poorly understood or unknown, including those for the Asian Sooty Flycatcher, Fer- tuginous Flycatcher and Fork-tailed Swift. Many species winter further south in the subcontinent, in- cluding the Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Blue-tailed Bee- eater, Hoopoe, Barn Swallow, Greenish Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, and Ashy Drongo. Other species such as the White- throated Needletail, Asian Emerald Cuckoo, Tick- ell’s Warbler, and Crow-billed Drongo move south- east, perhaps as far as Malaysia and Indonesia. The origin of these wintering birds is unknown, and it is possible that Nepalese individuals do not travel so far. The Lesser Cuckoo and Common Swift winter in Africa and the Pied Cuckoo may also do so. About 149 species winter in Nepal, originating from a wide area to the north in the Palearctic. These include ducks, birds of prey, waders, gulls, terns, pipits, wagtails, __ thrushes, Acrocephalus, Locustella and Phylloscopus warblers, bush warblers, finches and buntings. A few species such as the Yellow-browed Warbler and Greenish Warbler are both summer and winter visi- tors. There is increasing evidence to suggest that some birds breeding in the Palearctic migrate across the Himalayas to winter in southern Asia. However, Moreau! points out that relatively few species take At | this route compared to the number which migrate to Africa, despite that continent being considerably fur- ther away: 137 species from the West Palearctic (west of 45°E) winter in Africa and 10 in India, and 82 from the mid-Palearctic (45 to 90°E) in Africa compared with only about 50 in India. He suggested that ‘the high elevated and ecologically inimical Tibetan pla- teau flanked by the gigantic Himalayas’ is an effective barrier for migrants. Much of the current evidence for the north-south movement across the Himalayas is based on casual observations made by visiting bird- watchers and mountaineering expeditions. There have been few systematic studies of migration in these ranges. Most trans-Himalayan migrants observed have been non-passerines: large numbers of cranes and birds of prey, small flocks of ducks, geese, waders, gulls, terns, and also Hoopoes and Eurasian Wry- necks. Birds have been noted flying over the highest regions of these ranges, enabling them to shorten their journeys considerably. Examples include a flock of Bar-headed Geese seen flying as high as 9375m over Sagarmatha (701), and a Steppe Eagle found dead at 7925m on the mountain’s South Col (728). There is an unconfirmed report of Siberian Cranes Grus leucogeranus migrating over the Himalayas in Nepal (544). A movement of small grey birds across the South Col has also been noted (415), and a Barn Swallow has been recorded in Khumbu as high as 6400m (580), indicating that even small birds can migrate at such heights. In spring and autumn, a variety of species, mainly ducks but also waders, gulls and terns, are regularly recorded stopping off at Himalayan lakes including Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal, Rara, and frequently as high as 4750m at Gokyo lakes in Khumbu. However, some trans-Himalayan migrants, whether they are the majority is not known, have been observed flying along the main valleys such as those of the Karnali, Kali Gandaki, Dudh Kosi, and Arun rivers. The first study of trans-Himalayan migration was carried out as long ago as 1831 by Hodgson in the Kathmandu Valley (341). Other migration observa- tions have subsequently been made in the Valley, notably those of Proud (629,635). Recent observations show that the Kali Gandaki valley is a significant route taken by trans-Himalayan migrants. There have been three important system- atic studies of autumn migration in the upper section of the valley: by Martens in 1969 (526), Beaman in 1973 (76) and by Thiollay in 1978 (761). The valley breaches the main Himalayan range, forming a natu- ral route for migrants leaving the Tibetan Plateau. 22 However to the north in Tibet the valley is bounded by an extensive tract of plateau, so that potential migrants are faced with one of the most arduous crossings in the region. All three investigations found large numbers of cranes flying south. A total of 31,351 Demoiselle Cranes were estimated between 1 and 11 October 1969 (526). Between 29 September and 14 October 1973, 3751 cranes, including 2220 Demoiselles were seen (76); and about 63,000 cranes, mainly Demoi- selles, between 24 September and 5 October 1978 (761). Thiollay counted a total of 151 birds of prey repre- senting 15 species, and Beaman noted roughly 18 species totalling 404 birds. The largest species totals were of 254 Black Kites flying south between 14 September and 1 October 1973, 45 Common Buz- zards between 31 August and 14 October 1973, and 39 Lesser Kestrels between 24 September and 5 October 1978. Some interesting observations of migrant birds of prey were made in the same area between 13 October and 4 November 1984 by Christensen et al. They recorded about 130 birds comprising 12 species, including 56 Aquila eagles (mainly Steppe Eagles) (145). There are several records of smaller numbers of raptors migrating south down Himalayan valleys in autumn including 276 Steppe Eagles down the Trisuli valley in two and a half hours on 24 October 1980 (516). Only seven passerine migrant species were found between 1 and 11 October 1969 in the upper Kali Gandaki valley by Martens including Tickell’s War- bler which was by far the most abundant species. He attributed this small variety of species to the advanced season. Beaman recorded only about 19 passerine migrant species in October 1973, with significant numbers of Greater Short-toed Larks, Hume’s Short- toed Larks, White Wagtails, Black Redstarts, and Tickell’s Warblers. Even after bad weather few mi- grants were seen, indicating that large numbers of passerines were probably not moving over at night. In another study in Khumbu in September and October 1970 Martens found that migration was sparse. A total of 23 species crossed passes over 5700m above sea level including ten passerine species with concen- trations of Greater Shorter-toed and Hume’s Short- toed Larks and Black Redstarts (526). Other observa- tions also indicate that only small numbers of passer- ines regularly cross the Tibetan plateau. Species re- corded include wagtails, Booted Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, and Chiffchaff. The majority of passerines wintering in the sub- continent presumably skirt the Himalayas. Popula- tions of the Dark-throated Thrush and Paddyfield, Blyth’s Reed and Greenish Warblers mainly originate in the west and probably fly round the ranges from this direction. Species such as Siberian Rubythroat, Migration Red-breasted Flycatcher, Brown Shrike, Black-faced Bunting and Yellow-breasted Bunting, which chiefly come from the east, probably skirt the eastern end of the Himalayas. Birds of prey, especially Aquila eagles, have also been found to use the Himalayas as an east-west pathway in autumn, and also in larger numbers than hitherto recorded in Nepal. The phenomenon was first described by Fleming (225) who made observa- tions in October and November 1975 in the Kath- mandu Valley, and also at Dhampus, south of An- napurna, where at least 490 birds of three Aquila species were seen from 3 to 5 November 1976. Chris- tensen et.al. counted 1047 birds of 15 species, includ- ing 992 Steppe Eagles, flying west-south-west or west between 26 and 28 October 1984, also south of An- napurna, mainly between Birethante and Naudanda. There are several reports of similar movements in- volving much smaller numbers of raptors across the breadth of Nepal. The maximum count received is from the Kathmandu Valley where 135 Steppe Eagles and two Greater Spotted Eagles moved west in half an hour on 19 November 1989 (597). Small numbers of Steppe Eagles have also been noted flying west along the Himalayan foothills in Ilam District in extreme east Nepal in October and November 1978 and at Bardia in the far west in November 1985 (162). A systematic study of this east/west migration was made at Khare, south of Annapurna between 20 October and 7 November 1985 by de Roder (683). Nearly 9,000 raptors of some 30 species were counted with Steppe Eagle being the most numerous, totalling 7,852 birds. In addition de Roder found several pas- serine species undergoing similar movements notably 13,902 Red-rumped Swallows and 109 Red-throated Pipits at Khare in October and November 1985 (684). There is also evidence that Spot-winged Starlings undertake east-west movements along the Himalayas (45). It is possible that other species undergo similar migrations. Flocks of Lesser Kestrels and Amur Falcons are regularly recorded on passage, particularly in autumn. It isnot clear whether they are moving north/south or east/west, although de Roder found 77 Lesser Kes- trels and 138 Amur Falcons moving west at Khare in October and November 1985. The largest count of Amur Falcons received is 328 birds near Godavari in the Kathmandu Valley between 8 and 11 November 1985 (201). A mixed flock of falcons, chiefly compris- ing Lesser Kestrels and Amur Falcons with much smaller numbers of Common Kestrels and Peregrine Falcons, regularly roosts near Phewa Tal in October and November. Over 60 falcons were still present at the roost as late as 11 December in 1977 (495). The maximum count received is of 340 birds, which were all Lesser Kestrels, on 13 October 1982 (244). Comparatively few reports of spring migration Migration Yellow-legged Gull have been received. These are mainly of raptors and include 25 Steppe Eagles in 15 minutes flying north over the Naudanda ridge, south of Annapurna on 10 March 1981 (476) and 150 Steppe Eagles moving north over Namche Bazaar in Khumbu on 10 March 1982 (77). Small flocks of Black Kites have also been recorded migrating in spring including 22 inthe upper Arun valley in May 1981 (483). 23 A valuable investigation of resident and migratory birds along the Rapti and Narayani Rivers in Chitwan National Park, was carried out by Halliday in Novem- berand December 1982 (304). He censused 57 species in detail, of which about 16 were migrants. His results showed the National Park provided secure feeding and resting areas for a high percentage of the local waders when the banks outside the park were dis- turbed. The marshes and large expanse of open water at Kosi Barrage provide the most important staging point for migratory wildfowl, gulls, terns and waders in Nepal. The area has been well studied by ornitholo- gists between January and May, when useful counts of bird numbers have been made. Fewer counts have been made in autumn, but these clearly show that the numbers of migrants are comparatively small. Peak numbers of wildfowl pass through between mid-Feb- Tuary and mid-March. The maximum of over 50,000 was estimated in February 1981 (559, 622). Wader passage has been noted from the end of February to early May, with most birds passing through in March and April. Large numbers have not been reported, with peaks of about 1000 to 1500 birds. They presuma- bly reflect the relatively low numbers of waders cross- ing the Himalayas. 1. Moreau, R.E. 1972. The Palaearctic-African bird migra- tion systems. London: Academic Press. 24 HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN NEPAL The following account summarises major contribu- tions to Nepalese ornithology. The first published observations of Nepalese birds were made by Col. W.J. Kirkpatrick who noted a few gamebird species in 1793 (818). However the first important work was done by Brian Hodgson, a remarkable man, who held governmental posts in the country for over 20 years between 1820 and 1843. This included over ten years as British Resident. He made two extensive collec- tions comprising 9500 bird skins and 1000 skins of mammals, reptiles and fish. These included about 665 Nepalese bird species, over 120 of which were new to science. Most of the skins were acquired through Nepalese collectors as he was not allowed to travel outside the Kathmandu Valley. After leaving Nepal in 1843 he lived in Darjeeling in India for the next 15 years where he made his second collection. Some birds are listed as coming from Nepal in Gray’s pub- lished catalogue of this collection (277), and are treated as such in the first edition of this book. However in a recently discovered annotated copy of the catalogue Hodgson had deleted Nepal as a source of these specimens (149). It is likely that they origi- nated from forests in India close to Nepal’s eastern border. Seven species from this collection have not been recorded in Nepal subsequently. He also trained a Nepalese artist, Raj Man Singh, who painted over 1800 watercolour illustrations of Nepalese wildlife, mainly birds, which rival the work of other artists of this period. John Scully, who was resident surgeon in 1876 to 1877, also made a large collection comprising nearly 2000 specimens of about 300 species of birds. He was the first person to describe the status of birds in the Kathmandu Valley. His movements within Nepal were restricted, like those of Hodgson. During his studies of birds of the Sikkim Hima- layas between 1911 and 1914 Herbert Stevens visited the upper Mai valley in far east Nepal. He recorded valuable altitudinal and breeding information, and collected skins, still in excellent condition, and held at the Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K. An important collection of 2146 skins comprising 381 species, including a number new to the country, was made by Lt.-Col. Frank Bailey between 1935 and 1938 when he was British Envoy Extraordinary in Nepal. Lt.-Col. James Roberts has kindly pointed out that Bailey cannot have travelled widely throughout the country as stated in the first edition of this book as travel by foreigners within Nepal was still restricted highly at that time. His specimens however came from History of Ornithology localities throughout Nepal. Between 1947 and 1949 Dr. Dillon Ripley made a major collection, originating in areas between the far west and far east of the country. He obtained 1600 specimens representing about 300 species. Desiree Proud published several papers between 1948 and 1961 summarising valuable and comprehen- sive observations on birds, mainly relating to the Gandak-Kosi watershed and Kathmandu Valley. In 1952 Oleg Polunin was able to trek extensively throughout the western Nepalese Himalayas while participating in a British Museum (Natural History) botanical expedition. He recorded a number of spe- cies for the first time in Nepal, and contributed much to the knowledge of bird distribution in the west. Dr. Biswamoy Biswas and Dr Walter Koelz col- lected 3500 bird skins representing about 350 species, around Kathmandu and between there and Raxaul, in 1947. These included a number of new species for the country. Between 1960 and 1968 he published a de- tailed account of this collection, and included a sum- mary of all Nepalese bird records up to that date. Dr. G. Diesselhorst provided important data on the distribution, altitude range and breeding of Nep- alese birds during his ornithological expedition of 1962. He collected 1700 specimens comprising about 315 species. An enormous contribution to Nepalese ornithol- ogy has been made by Drs. Robert Fleming Sr. and Jr. They have probably travelled more widely throughout the country than any other ornithologists. Between them they built up a large collection of bird skins, many of which are held in the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History, and have published about 35 papers and articles on Nepalese birds. They have also produced the only field guide to the birds of the country, first published in 1976. Hari Sharan Nepali, the leading Nepalese orni- thologist, has also collected a large number of bird skins, many of which are held at the Kathmandu Natural History Museum. He has trekked extensively within the country and has added several species to the Nepalese list. Since the early 1970s numerous visitors, ranging from serious ornithologists to birdwatchers on holi- day have recorded birds in Nepal. Although many have only covered the more easily accessible areas, the knowledge of Nepalese birds has increased enormously as a result of their observations; 67 spe- cies have been added to the Nepalese list since 1970 and new species are found each year. Bird-watching Areas BIRD-WATCHING AREAS Regularly recorded specialities are listed for each area. Red-vented Bulbul Kathmandu Valley The Valley and surrounding hills are still rich in birdlife despite being well-cultivated and highly popu- lated. It is well worth spending about five days bird- watching based in Kathmandu. Phulchowki and Godavari Botanical Gardens Some of the few subtropical broadleaved forests remaining in Nepal are found on Phulchowki moun- tain in the south-eastern corner of the Valley above the village of Godavari, about 18km south-east of Kathmandu. These are probably the best forests for birds in the Valley and also support a wide variety of plant and insect life. Unfortunately they are rapidly becoming depleted and degraded, but are still the most convenient place to see a number of species which are scarce or local elsewhere in the country. At least one full day is needed to cover the upper slopes. Taking a taxi from Kathmandu up the winding partly surfaced road to the top of the mountain (2760m) and walking down to Godavari (1525m) is recommended. However the road is very rough in places and can only be easily used by vehicles in good condition. The area can also be reached by bus, changing at Lagankhel for Godavari. Another day spent exploring the Botanical Gardens, which are situated at the foot of Phulchowki, andthe mountain’s lower slopes will produce some different species. The gardens tend to be crowded on public holidays and Saturdays and are best avoided then. Species:- Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Scops Owl, Golden-throated Barbet, Rufous-bellied Wood- pecker, Grey-chinned Minivet, Striated Bulbul, Or- ange-bellied Leafbird, White-tailed Robin, Long- billed Thrush, Black-faced Warbler, Large Niltava, Slaty-backed Flycatcher (Botanical Gardens), Grey- 25 throated Babbler, Black-throated Parrotbill, Spiny Babbler, Rufous-chinned and Grey-sided Laughing- thrushes, Cutia, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, Hoary Barwing, Nepal Fulvetta, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, Lanceolated Jay, Tibetan Serin (Bo- tanical Gardens), Gold-naped Finch, Brown Bull- finch, Spot-winged Grosbeak. Gokarna Safari Park A hill (14385m) covered in protected forest about 8.5km east of Kathmandu, easily reached by taxi. The park is open to the public from early in the morning on payment of a small fee and can be covered in half a day. The forest which is open and has some mature trees is favoured by owls, wintering thrushes and flycatchers. Species:- Brown Fish Owl, Small Niltava, Blue- throated and Asian Brown Flycatchers, Plain Flower- pecker. Nagarjung A mountain (2105m) with protected forest on the edge of the Valley above Balaju. It is open to the public from early in the morning on payment of a nominal fee. The entrance gates are about Skm from Kathmandu centre and can be reached by taxi, or by public transport to Balaju, from where it is a short walk along the road to the entrance. Only secondary forest lies within easy walking distance of the en- trance. Much richer habitat remains on the far side of the mountain but this can only be covered in a long day’s walk. Species:- Kalij Pheasant, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Chest- nut-crowned Warbler, Nepal Fulvetta, Red-billed Blue Magpie. Sheopuri Wildlife Reserve A forested mountain (2730m) on the north-eastern edge of the Valley. Although slopes facing the Valley are now degraded those on the north side and the summit area still have interesting forest. It would be necessary to camp on the mountain to explore the northern slopes. The base of Sheopuri can be reached by taxi or bus to Budhanilkantha, 11km from Kath- mandu. A strenuous full day is needed to reach and investigate the forest slopes facing the Valley. Species:- Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, Golden Bush- Robin, Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler, Black-faced Warbler, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Spiny Babbler (near Tokha Sanatorium), Hoary Barwing, Nepal 26 Fulvetta, Red-tailed Minla, Scarlet Finch, Brown Bullfinch. Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath There are protected groves around Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath temples which are only a few kilometres from Kathmandu centre. Each supports a good variety of common open woodland species in- cluding minivets, warblers and flycatchers. Fields by the Bagmati and Manora Rivers The fields by the rivers are rapidly being reclaimed for building but are still a regular wintering area for Grey-headed Lapwing. Larks, pipits and buntings can also be found as well as warblers in the bushes. Both rivers are interesting for migrating birds, particularly in autumn. Bagmati River (near Chobar Gorge) and Basantgaon At Basantgaon about 5km south of Kathmandu, there are some flooded pools close to the Bagmati River. The pools and the adjacent stretch of river south to Chobar Gorge attract small numbers of a good variety of migrant waders and wildfowl. Species:- Ibisbill (in autumn), Grey-headed Lapwing. Royal Chitwan National Park The park comprises a lowland valley of sal and riv- erain forests interspersed with grasslands and backed by the forested Churia hills to the north. Over 480 bird species have been recorded in the park. A number of large mammal species can also be seen such as Tiger, Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Sloth Bear and Gaur. The park is readily accessible by air or bus from Kathmandu. Tourist accommodation is available at several lodges and tented camps which provide excel- lent opportunities for observing wildlife, including taking elephant rides, or canoe trips on the rivers. There is also basic accommodation available in vil- Black Baza Bird-watching Areas lages just outside the park, mainly at Sauraha. Walk- ing alone in the park can be dangerous because of the wild mammals. An entry fee must be paid each time the park is entered. Species:- Oriental Darter, Yellow Bittern, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Lesser Whistling Duck, Black Baza, Lesser and Grey-headed Fishing Eagles, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Collared Falconet, Ruddy-breasted and Brown Crakes, Bengal Florican, Great Stone-plover, Great Black-headed Gull, Orange-breasted Green and Pompadour Green Pigeons, Moustached Para- keet, Chestnut-winged and Banded Bay Cuckoos, Lesser Coucal, Brown Fish and Brown Hawk Owls, Savanna Nightjar, White-rumped and White-vented Needletails, Red-headed Trogon, Blue-eared King- fisher, Oriental Pied and Great Hornbills, Himalayan Flameback, Hooded and Indian Pittas, Rosy Minivet, White-tailed Stonechat, Pale-footed and Chestnut- crowned Bush Warblers, Bright-capped Cisticola, Yellow-bellied and Grey-crowned Prinias, Large Grass, Yellow-bellied and Smoky Warblers, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Black-naped Monarch, Chest- nut-capped, Yellow-eyed and Slender-billed Bab- blers, Rufous-necked Laughing-thrush, Crow-billed Drongo, Black-breasted Weaver, Red Avadavat. Kosi Barrage and Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve The river near Kosi barrage and the adjoining marshes form by far the largest wetland in Nepal. The barrage crosses the Kosi River in the south-eastern tarai. North and south of it are huge expanses of water with mudflats and sandbanks appearing when the level is low. Great bunds to the east and west contain the river, with borrow pits alongside containing reedbeds and water for most of the year. Kosi Barrage is easily reached by daily buses from Kathmandu along the east - west highway to Karkavitta on the far eastern border. Kosi can also be reached by taking a flight from Kathmandu to Birtamod and a taxi from there to Kosi. Basic accommodation and food are available in Kosi village. It is well worth spending about three days in the area. Many recent additions to the Nepalese list have been recorded at Kosi. Wild- fowl passage occurs mainly in February and March and waders pass through between February and mid- May. Monsoon visitors can be seen between late May and September. Species:- Spot-billed Pelican, Yellow Bittern, Black- necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Lesser Whistling Duck, Pallas’s Fish and White-tailed Eagles, Red-necked Falcon, Swamp Francolin, Bail- lon’s and Ruddy-breasted Crakes, Watercock, Pheas- ant-tailed Jacana, Great Stone-plover, Great Black- headed and Brown-headed Gulls, Caspian, River, Black-bellied and Whiskered Terns, Indian Skimmer, Bird-watching Areas Map 4. Chitwan International boundary Park boundary Road Track Grassland or Phanta Lesser Coucal, White-tailed Stonechat, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Graceful and Yellow-bellied Prinias, Stri- ated Marsh and Smoky Warblers, Black-breasted Weaver, Red Avadavat, Black-faced Bunting. Hetaura The Rapti River near Hetaura is a regular wintering area for Ibisbills. Long-billed Plover has also been found. A visit can easily be made to Hetaura en route to Kosi Barrage as Kathmandu to Karkavitta buses all stop there. Spending a night in the town and travelling on the following day is recommended. Royal Bardia National Park Much of Bardia National Park consists of lowland sal and riverain forests and the sal-forested Churia hills cover the remainder. The Karnali River forms the western boundary of the park. Bardia is rich in west- ern lowland species. It can be reached by a two day bus journey from Kathmandu via Nepalganj or by flying to Nepalganj and taking a day’s bus ride from there. There is a tourist tented camp in the park. Species:- Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Grey Francolin, Bengal Florican, Great Stone-plover, Orange- 27 Narayangarh Bharatpur ‘ SER a, ‘ nas. Z Riv Es gnatg ar Neus rN RAR Kachuwani, breasted Green Pigeon, Brown Fish and Brown Hawk Owls, White-rumped Needletail, Oriental Pied Horn- bill, Indian Pitta, White-naped, Great Slaty and Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpeckers, Jungle Prinia, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Crow-billed and Greater Racket-tailed Drongos and Red Avadavat. Trekking There are few roads in the Nepalese Himalayas so access to much of the country is only possible by trekking on the numerous trails through the moun- tains. General advice on trekking, and details on all treks described below can be found in various readily available maps and books on the subject. North-west of Pokhara Pokhara (915m) is the starting point for several popu- lar treks and can easily be reached by bus or air from Kathmandu or by bus from the Indian border via Tansen. Although the Pokhara valley is heavily culti- vated with little remaining forest cover, it is still worth spending a couple of days birdwatching there. The lake Phewa Tal which lies very close to the town, is interesting for migrants, especially waders, gulls and terns in spring and autumn. 28 Cinnamon Sparrow Pokhara to Thakkhola - Jomosom trek This trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area is highly recommended as a larger number of species are likely to be seen than on any other trek in Nepal. About 200 species can easily be seen in about three weeks. This is mainly because a great variety of habi- tat is covered within a short distance. The trek starts amongst subtropical vegetation at Pokhara, climbs north-west through temperate oak-rhododendron forests followed by coniferous forests and finally dry semi-desert country typical of the Tibetan plateau. The region south of Annapurna has unusually high rainfall and supports lush forests which hold some eastern Himalayan species, The trek also provides opportunities to see species typical of both the west- ern Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau; regions which are difficult to reach in Nepal. Food and accommoda- tion are easily available along the entire route. Octo- ber is a good month for migrants, particularly birds of prey and cranes. December to March is also an inter- esting period as a number of unusual wintering spe- cies may be seen including some erratic visitors such as Spectacled Finch and Pine Bunting. Snow may lie at times during these months, especially in forests near Ghorepani (2775m) and Ghandrung (2010m), and birds then tend to descend below the snow-line. The route can be shortened by flying from Pokhara to Jomosom, but note that flights are frequently can- celled due to bad weather. The route from Birethante (1065m) to Ghorepani via Ghandrung is recom- mended in at least one direction as this passes through one of the richest forests on the trek. Other interest- ing areas for birds include the forested slopes be- tween Chandrakot and Birethante, Birethante to Tirkhedhunge (1575m) (Crested Kingfisher, fork- tails), Ghorepani forest (pheasants, bush-robins, Long-billed Thrush, Great Parrotbill, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, Black-browed Tit, rosefinches, Spec- Bird-watching Areas Olive-backed Pipit tacled and Crimson-browed Finches, Collared Gros- beak), forests above Ghasa (2040m) (Koklass and Cheer Pheasants), Tukche to Kagbeni (2805m) and Muktinath (3800m) (Tibetan plateau species and Solitary Snipe), above Muktinath on the Thorong La pass (Tibetan Snowcock). Other species:- Lammer- geier, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Mountain Hawk- Eagle, Hill Pigeon, Mountain Scops Owl, Fork-tailed Swift, Orange-rumped Honeyguide, Brown, Robin, and Altai Accentors, White-browed and Rufous- breasted Bush-Robins, White-throated and Gulden- stadt’s Redstarts, Desert Wheatear, Slaty-backed Forktail, Black-faced Warbler, Stoliczka’s Tit-War- bler, Black-throated Parrotbill, Variegated and Rufous-chinned Laughing-thrushes, Fire-capped Tit, Fire-fronted Serin, Spot-winged, White-browed, Streaked and Great Rosefinches, Brown Bullfinch, Pine Bunting. Modi Khola and Annapurna Sanctuary This is another trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area and takes about two weeks. It passes through moist oak/rhododendron and bamboo forests in the Modi Khola valley south of Annapurna. These forests are especially rich in birds and it is possible to see some eastern Himalayan species which are scarce and local in Nepal. The trek begins at Pokhara and goes north up the Modi Khola valley to the river’s source, a basin on the south-west side of Annapurna called the Annapurna Sanctuary. Accommodation and food are available throughout the trek Species:- Golden-throated Barbet, Golden, White- browed and Rufous-breasted Bush-Robins, Slender- billed Scimitar-Babbler, Golden Babbler, Fulvous Parrotbill, Scaly Laughing-thrush, Cutia, Black- headed Shrike-Babbler, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker, rosefinches. Bird-watching Areas Ashy Woodswallow Sunischare to the upper Mai valley This trek offers the opportunity to see species of Nepal’s south-eastern lowlands and of the eastern Himalayas. It can be conveniently combined with a visit to Kosi and takes about two weeks. The trek can be shortened by two to three days by taking a half day bus journey bus from Birtamod to Ilam. Carrying camping equipment and enough food for a few days is advised. To reach Sunischare take a bus to Birtamod (either the Kathmandu to Karkavitta bus, or one east from Kosi Barrage). The walk from Sunischare to Ilam takes two days but is worth spreading out over four and camping if necessary. Species between Sunischare and Ilam:- Crested Goshawk, Collared Falconet, Barred Cuckoo-Dove, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Long-tailed Broadbill, White-throated Bulbul, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Yellow-vented Warbler, Abbott’s Babbler, Lesser Necklaced and Greater Necklaced Laughing-thrushes, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Little Spiderhunter, Yellow-vented Flowerpecker, Crow- billed Drongo, and Hill Mynah. It takes about half a day to walk from the small busy town of Ilam to Jamuna (1830m). Buying food in Jamuna is advised as it may not be available further on. Another half day is needed to reach Hanga Tham (2135m), a good base to stay for two to three days while exploring the upper Mai valley. Lodging with local people may be possible here, but be prepared to camp. Species in the upper Mai valley:- White-browed Pic- ulet, Maroon-backed Accentor, Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin, Hill Prinia, Yellow-bellied Warbler, Large Niltava, Sapphire Flycatcher, Rufous-throated Wren-Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Rufous-capped, Golden and Grey-throated Babblers, Map 5 Sunischare to Hanga Tham Humid lower tropical forest Upper tropical forest Temperate hill forest Birtamod H Dhulabari 29 30 Fire-tailed Myzornis nest Black-throated Parrotbill, Scaly Laughing-thrush, Silver-eared Mesia, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Cutia, Black-eared Shrike-Babbler, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Red-tailed Minla, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Yellow- cheeked Tit, and Brown Bullfinch. Langtang trek Trekking in Langtang National Park is highly recom- mended in spring, especially late May, when a wide variety of breeding Himalayan birds can be seen. About three weeks are needed for the trek. Accom- modation and food are available along various trails. One popular route starts at Sundarijal (1265m) at the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, goes north via Pati Bhanjyang (1770m) and Kutumsang (2470m) to Thare Pati, and then along the Gosainkund trail to Gapte cave (3505m). It is worth spending two to three days here. Species:- Blood Pheasant, Satyr Tragopan, Gould’s Shortwing, White-browed and Rufous-breasted Bush-Robins, Long-billed Thrush, Smoky Warbler, Fire-tailed Myzornis, Black-browed Tit, Spot-winged and White-browed Rosefinches. From Gapte the trail crosses the Laurebina pass (4600m) to Gosainkund lakes (4300m) where Snow Partridge, Grandala and Bird-watching Areas Red-fronted Rosefinch can be seen. Care is needed here as it is easy to lose the way in bad weather. The trail then drops to Chandanbari (3255m) and Syabru (2120m), which is a good area for Satyr Tragopan. The trek then follows the Langtang gorge where Orange-rumped Honeyguide has been seen, to Kyangjin (3750m). The gravel river bed here is a regular breeding site for Ibisbill. Tibetan Snowcock, White-bellied Redstart and Grandala can be found in upper Langtang. The recommended return route goes back down the Langtang and Trisuli valleys to Dhunche, from where a local bus can be taken to Trisuli Bazaar, and then another bus or taxi back to Kathmandu. Sagarmatha National Park Although a relatively small number of species are likely to be seen compared with other treks, some high altitude species are more easily found in Sagarmatha National Park than elsewhere in Nepal. The moun- tain scenery is the most spectacular in the country. The park entrance at Jorsalle can be reached by taking a short flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2850m) followed by a day’s walk. Be prepared to wait a few days for a plane if necessary. All the specialities are found in the park, but a good variety of birds can be seen on the trail towards Kathmandu and it is well worth walking in one direction if time allows. It takes about a week to walk from Namche Bazaar (3445m) to Jiri (2100m) from where a bus can be taken back to Kathmandu. Accommodation and food are available along popular treks in the park. There are several routes available from Namiche Bazaar including those to Kala Pattar at the foot of Sagarmatha and to Gokyo lakes. The lakes attract small numbers of migrants especially ducks and waders in spring and autumn. Species:- Tibetan Snowcock, Snow Partridge, Blood Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Horned Lark, Robin, Altai and Alpine Accentors, White-throated, Gulden- stadt’s and White-bellied Redstarts, Grandala, Black- headed Mountain-Finch, White-browed and Great Rosefinches. IDENTIFICATION SECTION 32 GYPS VULTURES Large to medium-sized vultures which often soar for hours at a great height while looking out for carrion. Gregarious scavengers; they frequently gather in flocks to feed on carcasses. Wings are long and broad, with leading and trailing edges almost parallel. Tails are short and appear square-cut or rounded, depend- ing on abrasion. Head and neck are bare or partially down-covered. Oriental White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis Wing length 535-S78mm A medium-sized vulture. Adult can easily be identi- fied in flight from below by white under wing-coverts contrasting with black flight feathers and blackish body. Neck ruff is white. From above the conspicuous white patch on lower back and upper tail-coverts is diagnostic. Rest of upperparts are blackish with grey secondaries producing a pale patch on the upper wing. Immature lacks white in plumage and is confus- able with immature Eurasian Griffon and immature Long-billed, both of which are often associated with this species. Generally paler than adult, dark brownto dark buffy-brown or rufous-brown with blackish- brown primaries. Separated from Long-billed by darker, heavier appearance with relatively shorter wings and heavier bill; from adult and immature Eurasian Griffon by much smaller size and dark head. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus Wing length 590-630mm In flight from below adult can be distinguished by combination of pale brown body and creamy under wing-coverts contrasting with blackish-brown flight feathers and dark head. Note that the latter may be obscured by the white ruff. The back and upper wing- coverts are brown and contrast with darker flight feathers. Adult and immature Eurasian Griffon are much larger and darker with paler heads and shorter, heavier bills. Immature Long-billed is similar to immature White-backed, see that species. Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus Wing Length 675-747mm A large vulture. Usually found below 915m, at much lower altitudes than Himalayan Griffon, but the spe- cies do overlap. Noticeably smaller than that species. Adult has a whitish head, gingery-buff to rufous- brown body, and under wing-coverts contrasting with blackish-brown flight feathers and tail. Immature is similar to adult but is generally slightly darker overall and more rufous or cinnamon. Can be distinguished from adult Himalayan Griffon by darker underbody and under wing- coverts. Immature is similar to immature Himalayan but has more obvious pale Gyps Vulture Identification streaking on the underside of the body and usually some indication of the adult’s pale line on the under wing-coverts. See immature Long-billed and White- backed. Himalayan Griffon Vulture Gyps himalayensis Wing length 755-810mm A huge vulture; the largest of the Gyps vultures. Usually occurs above 900m. Adult is easily recognised by its very pale buff to sandy-buff (appearing white at a distance) head, body and under wing-coverts, con- trasting with blackish flight feathers and tail. Imma- ture has whitish head and neck, blackish-brown pri- maries and tail, and rest of plumage dark brown, boldly streaked with buffish-white on the upperparts. Similar to Eurasian Griffon, see that species. Oriental White-backed Vulture 1 ad., Long-billed Vulture 2 ad., Eurasian Griffon Vulture 3 ad., Himalayan Griffon Vulture 4 ad. Gyps Vulture Identification 33, 34 ACCIPITERS Accipiters are small to medium-sized raptors with long tails and short, rounded wings. All the Nepalese species are forest bird-hunters. Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Length 48-62cm The largest Nepalese Accipiter. Adult Slaty grey above; white below barred with dark brown. Imma- ture Brown above, buff below boldly streaked with brown. Some males approach the size of Northern Sparrowhawk or Crested Goshawk and may be con- fused in silhouette. However can usually be separated by larger size, deeper chest, proportionately shorter and more rounded tail, and longer wings often show- ing an S-shape curve on trailing edge. Adults (but not immatures) usually have more conspicuous white under tail-coverts and supercilium than Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Often shows a hooded appearance produced by dark ear-coverts. Females are almost size of Common Buzzard and Oriental Honey-Buz- zard. Separated by slightly shorter and broader wings, proportionately longer tail and different flight. Besra Accipiter virgatus Length 30-36cm A small Accipiter, size of Shikra, with plumage resem- bling that of Crested Goshawk. Adult Male is dark slate-grey above, female dark brown with dark grey crown and nape. Adult separated from all other Ac- cipiter species except Crested Goshawk by broad blackish mesial stripe and barring on belly. Also by bold orange streaks on breast in male, and orange- brown breast spotted with white in female. Adults and immatures from Crested Goshawk by smaller size and lack of crest, and from Shikra by more heavily barred underwing and more prominent and broader barred tail. Female Shikra has central tail feathers unbarred or only lightly barred. Immature Grey-brown above, buff-white boldly streaked with dark brown below. A broad dark line divides throat. Separated from imma- ture Shikra by darker, richer brown upperparts, some- times with rufous tinge and broader tail bars; and from immature Eurasian Sparrowhawk by completely streaked underparts. Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Length 28-38cm A small to medium-sized Accipiter. Adult Upperparts grey (male), or brown (female). Underparts narrowly barred with rufous (male), grey-brown (female). Adult male can be confused with Shikra but is usually larger and darker (although A. n. nisosimilis is only slightly darker). Lacks faint line down centre of throat Accipiter Identification and darker wing tips of adult Shikra. Underparts of Shikra are more extensively and finely barred. Imma- ture Dark brown above. Throat and usually upper breast are streaked. From other immature Accipiter species by barring rather than streaking on buff breast and belly. All ages separated from Shikra by more heavily barred underwing and broadly banded tail. Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Length 40-46cm Separated from all other Accipiter species by crest, usually visible when perched. Heavier and larger than the other species apart from Northern Goshawk. Adult Similar in plumage to much smaller Besra and they differ from other species by combination of white underparts with bold rufous-brown streaks on breast and bars on belly. Has a black mesial streak from chin to breast and lacks a white supercilium. Under tail- coverts sometimes spotted with brown. Immature Similar to immature Besra and Shikra. Separated by larger size, crest, and thinner streaks on underparts. When soaring shows long, broad, well-spread tail and very rounded wings which are pinched in at base. Shikra Accipiter badius Length 30-36cm A small, pale, stocky Accipiter, often with particularly rounded wingtips. Head rather cuckoo-like. Adults are dove-grey (male), or grey-brown (female) above. Underparts are orange with extensive fine white bar- ring. The underwing is pale, usually with contrasting dark tips. Central tail feathers unbarred, or only lightly barred. Immature Medium or pale brown above witha dark crown, and narrower, less conspicu- ous barring on tail than immature Besra or Eurasian Sparrowhawk. See Besra and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Northern Goshawk: 1 ad., 2 imm; Crested Goshawk 3 imm., 4 ad.; Besra: 5 ad. male, 6 ad. female, 7 imm.; Shikra: 8 ad., 9 imm.; Eurasian Sparrowhawk: 10 ad. male, 11 imm., 12 ad. female; Shikra: 13 ad., 14 imm., Besra: 15 ad. male, 16 ad. female, 17 imm., Eurasian Sparrowhawk 18 ad. male, 19 ad. female, 20 imm.; Northern Goshawk: 21 ad., 22 imm.; Crested Goshawk 23 ad., 24 imm. Accipiter Identification waere \ 35 36 BUZZARDS Medium-sized raptors. A particularly confusing group with similar structure and showing consider- able plumage variation. The following account is intended as a guide. Not all individuals can be identi- fied with certainty. All three species have light, nor- mal and dark colour phases. They have broad wings, a fairly short, broad tail and short thick neck. Generally soar on raised wings. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Two forms occur:- B. b. ‘refectus’ Wing length 39.2-41.6cm A dark, often strongly rufous form, much larger than the extralimital B. b. vulpinus, and more like Long- legged in some features; wings less rounded, and with extensive white subterminally on the underside; tail uniform or only faintly banded. Dark carpal patches on underwing often extensive. B. b. japonicus Wing length 36.2-40.8cm A smaller form, the typical phase paler than B. b. ‘refectus’, tail whitish and obviously barred, and un- derwing with much less white and obscure dark carpal patches. Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus Wing length 40.5-49cm Slightly larger and longer winged than Common. Head creamy-white, usually paler than Common and Upland. Some birds show a dark belly and vent con- trasting with rest of underparts which separates them from all Common and most Upland Buzzards. Adult normal phase has unbarred cinnamon tail but in immatures and dark phase adults the tail is barred and browner. Common and Upland may show a rufous tinge in tail. Upperwing is more contrasting than in Common, showing paler coverts and often a pale greyish patch at base of primaries, the latter not white or as extensive as is normal in Upland. Large dark carpal patches on underwing. See Upland and Com- mon Buzzard. Upland Buzzard Buteo hemilasius Wing length 42.9-S1cm Largest buzzard occurring in Nepal. Usually has a large white patch at the primary bases on the spread upperwing. If present this is diagnostic because the other two species never show more than a small greyish patch. In a close view Upland usually has tarsus three-quarters feathered and is often feathered to the feet, whereas in Long-legged and Common the Buzzard Identification tarsus and feet are normally half feathered or less. Tail pattern and colour is variable, but is never com- pletely plain nor cinnamon, thus precluding confusion with adult normal phase Long-legged. The tail is pale brown, basally whitish with a subterminal and other bars often so faint that it appears nearly uniform and very similar to the tails of some immature Long- legged and B. b. japonicus. Upland has darker head than a normal phase Long-legged, pale brown with streaky moustachial stripes. Underpart pattern of normal and light phase generally eliminates Common Buzzard, Upland having at least ‘thighs’ blackish- brown forming a dark V on lower underparts lacking in Common. Many Long-legged show a similar under- part pattern but birds with a dark area right across the belly are more likely to be Long- legged. Upland Buzzard: 1,2 Long-legged Buzzard: 3,4 Common Buzzard: B. b. Tefectus’: 5 B. b. japonicus: 6,7 Buzzard Identification 37 38 CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus cirrhatus Wing length 380-462mm MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus nipalensis Wing length 419-508mm Both have very broad wings and long rounded tails. Mountain Hawk-Eagle can be separated in all ages when perched by its long crest feathers usually held vertically over its head; absent in Changeable. Pale phase adults can be separated by colour pattern of underparts. Changeable is white to buffy-brown be- low often irregularly streaked with dark brown; some- times has heavy streaks on whole of underparts. Bar- ring is usually absent or indistinct and only present on thighs and flanks. Mountain has light cinnamon or whitish breast with darker streaking limited to upper breast; rest of underparts are cinnamon brown with broken white barring. Changeable has a melanistic phase. Entire plumage is dark chocolate-brown or almost black and could lead to confusion with Black Eagle or dark phase Oriental Honey-Buzzard. Inter- mediates occur. Most easily separated from Black Eagle by underside of primaries and secondaries (especially primaries) much paler than wing lining (outer primaries tipped black), underside of tail pale grey. Immature Changeable and Mountain are proba- bly indistinguishable except when crest can be seen. Feathers of upperparts are edged with white; head and neck are white with dark brown streaking. Under- parts are usually white and very faintly barred with cinnamon. Sometimes has streaking but limited to breast only in Mountain. Tail with narrow dark bars, more numerous than in adult. Mountain Hawk-Eagle: 1,2 Changeable Hawk-Eagle: 3 Hawk-Eagle Identification Aquila Eagle Identification AQUILA EAGLES Large raptors with long broad wings and medium- long tail. Most easily identifiable in juvenile plumages but all the species are very variable and field identifi- cation of some individuals is likely to be impossible. Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca Wing Length 57.5-63cm Wing Span 190-210mm Heavy and large, almost size of Golden. Neck and bill protrude more than in other Aquila species. Distin- guished from Golden by soaring on level more paral- lel-edged wings, fuller wing-tips, and often narrower- looking, more square-cut tail tip. From Tawny and Spotted Eagles also by greater size in direct compari- son. When soaring, wings sometimes held level, but usually slightly above level, tips of primaries often clearly upturned. Adult separated from similar-sized Steppe by yellowish-white rear-crown to hind-neck. White braces diagnostic but hard to see in the field. Generally has less pronounced dark barring on flight feathers below and is a blacker bird, with more con- trastingly bicoloured upper tail than adult Steppe. Juvenile yellower than Steppe, with dark-streaked wing-coverts, mantle and lower neck to breast, latter looking brownish in contrast to pale rear-body; blacker, weakly barred secondaries contrast strongly with pale three inner primaries, more so than in most young Steppe. Underwing lacks pure white greater covert band of juvenile Steppe but has usually larger creamy patch on lower back and rump merging with white upper tail-coverts. More streaky than young Tawny and lacks rufous or creamy white in plumage. Larger, with a longer tail and wings than the un- streaked fulvescens Greater Spotted; the latter is also unstreaked and usually lacks pale inner primaries. Subadult from Steppe by brownish-yellow rear- crown to hind-neck; greater contrast between black- ish-brown breast and yellowish belly below, some- times by more pronounced pale inner primaries; and, from above, by usually bicoloured tail and less pro- nounced whitish patch at base of primaries; the latter may be absent. Lower back and rump not uniform dark brown. Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Wing Length 51-65cm Wing Span 174-260cm Size as Imperial. Rather similar in shape to Tawny; larger size of Steppe readily apparent only when the two are together. The white band on greater under wing-coverts of young Steppe best feature to distin- guish the two. The first two plumages of Steppe have a broad white trailing edge to wings and tail, and tips of greater upper wing-coverts but these characters are 39 of no value in worn immatures. Darker brown juve- nile Steppe not rufous or creamy-white as Tawny. Most have dark brown lower back and rump (cf. Tawny). Sub-adult sometimes has remains of white band on underwing, lacking in Tawny. Generally, Steppe has darker primaries below, coloured more like secondaries, and all flight-feathers usually have bolder dark barring. Sub-adult Tawny often has paler primaries, sometimes confined to a pale wedge on inner three; dark barring on flight-feathers below may be diffuse and much thinner, denser and basally or absent. Sub-adult Steppe has under wing-coverts pale or dark brown with diffuse yellowish lines or bars, and the carpal patch and underbody are more or less uniform dark brown; sub-adult Tawny has pale rufous or creamy-white under wing coverts, which may have clear-cut dark brown lines or bars; there are no dark carpal patches and the underparts are either con- trastingly bi-coloured, or uniform pale rufous/ creamy-white. Adult Steppe is variably patterned dull medium grey-brown and dark brown on body and wing-coverts. Frequently, the underparts and carpal areas are darker brown than the under wing-coverts, or the latter are as dark as the body. Flight-feathers are usually uniform with, or paler than under wing- coverts; they are seldom darker. Many have boldly dark-barred flight and tail feathers, especially below, and a broader, blackish band along their trailing edges (cf. Imperial). Often have large rusty-yellow patch on rear-crown and nape. Upperwing-coverts either dull grey-brown as mantle, or paler grey-brown contrasting with mantle. There is usually a small whitish patch at base of lower back, and the upper tail- coverts are mostly brown. The grey or dark brown upper-tail is variably, often boldly dark-barred, with a broader blackish band at tip, but is sometimes in- distinctly patterned. Often has a largish pale patch at base of primaries above. Easily confused with dark form of adult Tawny, but has bolder dark barring on flight feathers below, and a bolder dark band along trailing edge of wings and tail; it often has a clearly defined pale nape-patch, and mainly dark brown rump to upper tail-coverts. Dark adult Tawny either has no pale nape patch (like some Steppe), or it has a pale rear-crown to hind-neck. Lower back and upper tail-coverts are often paler than in Steppe. Steppe has brown iris at all ages, while Tawny has yellowish iris from subadult onwards. The yellow gape is slightly brighter and usually extends to rear edge of eye in Steppe, while it normally only reaches the centre of the eye in Tawny. 40 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Wing Length (48) 50-S6cm Wing span 172-185cm Same size as Greater Spotted Eagle. Plumage of adult more variable than that of Steppe. Two forms occur: dark brown resembling adult Steppe, and pale rufous-buff bleaching to creamy-white, the latter probably retained from juvenile onwards. Dark adults have under wing-coverts and flight feathers of ap- proximately same shade, but pale adults show great contrast between pale body/coverts and dark flight feathers. Primaries often paler than secondaries be- low, especially in pale adults; some have a pale wedge on inner primaries. Dark barring on flight and tail feathers poorly developed, especially on secondaries; when present placed at their bases as thin dense bars (cf typical Steppe). In some fresh adults there are often thin pale lines on trailing edge of wings and on greater upper wing-coverts, unlike adult Steppe. Ju- venile usually pale rufous but wears gradually to creamy-white before moulting into next rufous or dark brown plumage (ending as pale and dark adult respectively). Flight-feathers below roughly of same pattern as in pale adult. Some juveniles remain pale throughout their following plumages, while others gradually become darker; latter develop dark or blackish-brown throat and breast in contrast with pale rear-body; in some top of head to hind-neck creamy, in others whole head dark brown; under wing-coverts creamy with some dark brown bars. Most Tawny, irrespective of age and colour, have lower back to upper tail-coverts creamy (rump darkest), bleaching to whitish. Some birds in transitional plumage show streaking on underparts like young Imperial. Sub- adult Tawny may sometimes resemble subadult Im- perial, but are paler, more creamy on belly and most under wing-coverts, have browner rump, and uniform uppertail; also shorter wings and tail, less protruding neck and bill, and bowed wings. Best distinguished from spotted eagles with similar plumage by larger bill, elongated nostrils and, in photographs, the usu- ally longer fourth primary, if not in moult. Lacks the whitish bars on wings and tail of well-marked juvenile Greater Spotted. When perched, Tawny has heavy baggy ‘trousers’ covering feathered tarsus, while in both Spotteds trousers are smaller, showing long thin- looking feathered tarsus below. Creamy-whitish Tawny distinguished from fulvescens Greater Spotted by bill, nostrils, fourth primary and, if present, a distinct pale wedge on inner primaries. Fresh juvenile fulvescens has broad white band on greater upper wing-coverts, always narrower in creamy Tawny. Adult Tawny has yellow iris; in all ages of Spotted it is brownish. Aquila Eagle Identification Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Wing Length 48.5-S6cm Wing Span 155-182cm Size as Tawny. Easily confused with some Steppe and Lesser Spotted, except for well-marked juveniles. Adult is normally dark brown all over with paler flight feathers below (and sometimes lacks whitish mark- ings on tail-coverts and at base of primaries, cf. Impe- rial and Steppe). Some birds have paler upper wing- coverts than mantle (cf. Lesser Spotted and some Steppe). Juvenile blacker, with more contrast be- tween under wing-coverts and paler, dark greyish flight feathers. White bars on trailing edge of wings and tail, and on upper wing-coverts, highly variable in width and size. A largish pale primary patch above, most obvious on inner primaries; gradually reduced with age. Barring on flight and tail feathers below highly variable without age differences. Flight-feath- ers often completely unbarred, or they are thinly and often densely dark-barred, the dark bars usually not so well-spaced and never as broad as in adult Steppe. Lacks dark band along trailing edge of wings and tail (cf. Steppe and some Imperial). Some have small whitish patch at base of outer primaries below (rare in Steppe, Imperial and Tawny), and some have paler underbody than under wing-coverts, a combination not seen in Steppe, Imperial and Tawny. Scarce ful- vescens type has very pale body and underwing. Inter- mediates, or forms with pale brown upper and under wing-coverts, difficult to distinguish from some Steppe, Tawny and Lesser Spotted except by study of pattern of flight-feathers, tail, bill, gape, nostrils and leg-feathering. a above, b below, s soaring, g slow gliding, f fast gliding Imperial Eagle: 1aad., 2b ad., 3b juv., 4b subad., 5a juv., 6b ad., 7s,g,f head-on profiles. Steppe Eagle: 8aad., 9b subad./ad., 10b juv., 11b subad., 12a juv., 13s,g,f head-on profiles, 14b ad., 15b ad. 16b dark ad., 17b fresh juv., 18a moulting imm./subad., 19s,g,f head-on-profiles, 20b moulting subad., 21b bleached moult- ing juv., 22a dark ad., 23a pale ad., 24b pale ad. Tawny Eagle: Aquila Eagle Identification 41 42 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina hastata Wing Length 47-50.8cm Wing Span 134-159cm Slightly smaller than Greater Spotted but size unim- portant in the field. Adult resembles adult of the nominate race; wing-coverts on both surfaces are grey-brown (bleaching paler), contrasting with dark brown flight feathers and darkish brown mantle; underparts as wing-coverts; a small brownish-yellow primary-patch above, and usually some buffish-white on upper tail-coverts. The contrast between under wing-coverts and darker flight feathers below best character to distinguish it from Greater Spotted (exceptions occur); above, some adult Greater Spot- ted resemble Lesser Spotted with similar contrast, but usually the former is darker brown, particularly along foremost lesser coverts. Juvenile lacks distinct white bands on wing-coverts above and on tips of secondar- ies, and has less contrast between under wing- coverts and flight feathers than adults. Bill size, length of yellow gape, shape of nostrils, leg-feathering, length of fourth (descendent) primary and barred pattern on flight and tail feathers are similar in Lesser and Greater Spotted, though bill is a little smaller and fourth primary averages shorter in the former. Dis- tinction on flight-silhouette and wing-position not recommended though Greater Spotted on average has broader wings, fuller and more ample wing-tip, and appears slightly more bulky than Lesser Spotted. Confusable with sub-adult Steppe and dark adult Tawny. Clear remains of white band on underwing of some sub-adult Steppe helps separation but some plumages are very alike at a distance. An eagle with pale brown upper and under wing-coverts, and under- body; with darker flight feathers and mantle; and with some whitish on upper tail-coverts and at base of primaries above, is matched by both Lesser Spotted and some Steppe (and by some Tawny and odd Greater Spotted). Compared with Steppe, the Lesser Spotted is relatively shorter-winged, with shorter arm and less ample, less deep-fingered wing-tip. Neck to bill does not protrude as much (bill usually clearly smaller). Smaller size and quicker wing-beats usually apparent only when the two are together. Although the lowered primaries of gliding Lesser Spotted are . slightly more arched than that of Steppe, wing posi- tion is very alike, as are length and shape of tail. Slightly more compact jizz of Lesser Spotted in flight hard to appreciate. Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Wing Length 60-72cm Wing Span 204-220cm Large eagle. Distinguished from other Aquila species by soaring with wings raised to form shallow V. Wings usually narrower at base and tail longer. Adult rather uniform dark brown with red-brown rear-crown to Aquila Eagle Identification hind-neck. Juvenile and immature identified by dis- tinctive plumage, blackish-brown with white tail base, and white patch on inner primaries below, lacking or rather smaller at base of inner primaries above. White markings gradually lost, little remaining after four to five years. a above, b below, s soaring, g slow gliding, f fast gliding Greater Spotted Eagle: 1a ad., 2b ad., 3a bleached ad., 4b juv., 5b variant juv., 6b well marked juv., 7a heavily spotted juv., 8a lightly spotted juv., 9s,¢,f head-on profiles, 10b ad. fulvescens, 11b variant ad. 12b ad., 13a ad., 14b juv., 15a juv. 16b imm., 17s,g,f, head- on-profiles. 18b ad., 19b juv., 20s,g,f head- on profiles. Lesser Spotted Eagle: Golden Eagle: Aquila Eagle Identification 43 19b 44 LARGE FALCONS Powerful raptors with long, narrow, broadly-based wings and medium length tapering tails, square- ended or slightly rounded at the tip. When hunting wing beats are fast and deep. May stoop rapidly on prey in the air. In normal flight wing beats are shal- lower and slower interrupted by short glides. Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Length 50-58cm Wing length 34.1-43.Scm The largest and heaviest falcon occurring in Nepal, with a long tail and particularly broad-based wings. The wing beats are slow in level flight. Plumage is mainly brown above, lacking blue or grey, and with darker flight feathers. The head is whitish with a dark, streaked, rufous crown and narrow black moustache. Adult is mainly whitish below with some black spots on belly and thighs. Wing lining is either dark brown, noticeably darker than flight feathers, or coverts are edged with brown forming diffuse band through centre of underwing. For differences from immature Peregrine see that species. From adult Laggar by its paler brown upperparts with feathers edged orange- buff; crown usually paler; entire tail barred with pale orange or whitish; underparts less heavily marked. Also lacks dark brown patch on thighs, flanks and axillaries of Laggar, the thighs being lightly barred or spotted. Immature has boldly streaked underparts. Laggar Falcon Falco jugger Length 43-46cm Wing length 30.5-37cm Usually smaller than Saker and within the same size range as Peregrine Falcon. Flight similar to that of Peregrine but heavier. Has a narrow black mous- tachial streak, and usually a dark, streaked, rufous crown. Adult separated from adult Saker by uniform grey-brown upperparts lacking orange-buff feather edgings. Tail has light barring on outer feathers only. Whitish underparts are more boldly marked and sometimes have heavy streaks on breast, belly and flanks. Flanks, thighs and axillaries are dark brown. Underwing pattern of both species is similar. Imma- ture is dark brown above, edged paler, especially on the crown. Chin and throat white, rest of underparts dark brown with pale mottling, sometimes giving the appearance of heavy dark streaking. For differences from Peregrine and Barbary see those species. Large Falcon Identification Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus F. p. calidus Length 40-48cm Wing length 30.5-37.8cm F. p. peregrinator Length 38-46cm Wing length 26.5-34.5cm Adults and immatures can be separated from Saker and Laggar by more contrasting facial pattern: a prominent, broad black moustachial streak and white cheeks. Head is darker than rest of upperparts, while in Saker and Laggar it is usually paler. Underwing of Peregrine shows little contrast while wing lining of other two species is often conspicuously darker than flight feathers. Differs from Laggar in tail barring: central feathers are barred in Peregrine while Laggar has light barring only on outer feathers. Distinguished from Saker by its smaller size, shorter tail, and more pointed wings. Plumage of adults differs from other two species: upperparts are slate-grey, underparts are pale rufous-white (F. p. calidus), or rusty-red (F. p. peregrinator), and heavily barred with black. Imma- ture is brown above with a barred tail and heavily streaked below. See Barbary. Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides Length 38-46cm Wing length 27.4-34.8cm Similar in structure and plumage to Peregrine but is often smaller, less bulky and has paler plumage. Both adult and immature can usually be separated from other falcons by a characteristic, bright rufous nuchal collar. However Peregrine also shows this feature occasionally. Other features distinguishing Barbary from Saker and Laggar are similar to those separating Peregrine. Adult has pale bluish-grey upperparts. Underparts are unbarred or have much less heavy barring than Peregrine, restricted to flanks and lower underparts. Forehead and crown have rufous wash in Barbary, darker and slate-grey in Peregrine. Mous- tachial streak is narrower and paler than in Peregrine. Immature is similar to immature Peregrine but has a narrow moustachial and finer streaks below. Laggar Falcon: 1 ad., 2 imm.; Saker Falcon: 3 ads Peregrine Falcon: F. p. peregrinator 4 ad., F. p. calidus 5 ad. 6 imm5 Barbary Falcon: 7 ad., 8 imm. Large Falcon Identification 45 46 CALIDRIS SANDPIPERS Small squat waders with relatively short legs, white wing bars and white sides to the rump. Dunlin Calidris alpina Length 19cm Separated from other small waders except Curlew Sandpiper by its longish down curved bill. Summer adult has a diagnostic black patch on the belly. Feath- ers of upperparts are blackish with pale rufous and whitish fringes. Breast is finely streaked with black. In winter brownish-grey above, greyish-white below with greyish streaks on breast. Juvenile has black upper- part feathers fringed with chestnut. Breast is streaked and flanks coarsely spotted with brown, belly white. Call is a rasping “treep’. See Curlew Sandpiper, San- derling. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Length 21cm Separated at all ages from other small waders by combination of white rump and downcurved bill. Summer adult is easily recognised by its rufous breast and upper belly. Adult in winter has similar plumage to Dunlin. Juvenile has scaly greyish-brown upper- parts with feathers fringed pale buff. Underparts are buff white almost unmarked and usually suffused with peach buff. Call is a gentle ‘chirrip’. Sanderling Calidris alba Length 20cm Plump and very active, runs rapidly while feeding. Differs from Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper by having a shorter, straight bill and a more conspicuous white wing bar. In winter distinguished by its almost whitish plumage and contrasting black shoulder patch. In summer it is scalloped with chestnut above and chest- nut on breast spotted with black forming a pectoral band. Belly is white. Stints are tiny sandpipers with straight and compara- tively short bills. Little Stint Calidris minuta Length 12-14cm Summer adult is scaly above, having blackish feathers with bright rufous fringes and whitish tips; a creamy V on the mantle; streaked rufous brown on sides of breast; a rufous patch on face and white belly. Winter adult is greyish above, white below. Juvenile is similar to summer adult but has more contrasting upperparts, usually showing two clear white Vs. Shows grey outer- tail feathers in flight. Legs are black. Call is a weak ‘tit’. Calidris Sandpiper Identification Temminck’s Stint Calidris temmincki Length 13-15cm From Little and Long-toed by its rather dull uniform plumage lacking pronounced scalloping and streak- ing; also by the white outer tail feathers. Juvenile lacks white Vs on upperparts of other two species. Has a more horizontal stance when feeding and is usually less active. From Little also by dusky patches on sides of breast forming a conspicuous pectoral band, and call. Upperparts are brownish marked with black and dull rufous in summer adult, greyish-brown in juvenile and winter adult. Legs are usually pale yellowish-green or greyish-green, but rarely may be dark. Call is a short purring trill. Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta Length 13-14cm Has a more upright stance than Little and Tem- minck’s, with neck and legs appearing proportion- ately longer. Richly coloured in all plumages. Can be separated at all ages from Temminck’s by its grey brown outer tail feathers and from Little by its pale legs. Summer adult and juvenile have patterned rufous-brown upperparts with dark centres to feath- ers. Has a dark crown producing a capped appearance absent in Little and Temminck’s and the supercilium is creamy and more pronounced than in those species. Ear-coverts are dark. Lacks rufous face of summer Little and pale face of Temminck’s. Juvenile may have two white Vs on upperparts as Little. Breast rufous and finely streaked with brown and buff forming a pronounced pectoral band absent in Little. Wing bar is less distinct than in the other two species. Can be separated from both species by its different call, a grating ‘priit’ or a soft, liquid ‘chree’. Dunlin: 1 wint. ad., 2 summ. ad; Curlew Sandpiper: 3 summ. ad., 4 juvs Sanderling: 5 wints Temminck’s Stint: 6 wint. ad., 7 summ. ad; Little Stint: 8 summ. ad., 9 wint. ad., 10 juv.; Long-toed Stint: 11 summ. ad., 12 juv. 47 Calidris Sandpiper Identification 48 SNIPE AND WOODCOCK Snipe are medium-sized waders with long bills. They have cryptically patterned, mainly brown plumage and longitudinal stripes on head. Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus Length 17-19cm Easily separated from other snipes by small size and relatively short bill (only a little longer than head). Unlike other snipes breast is streaked not scaly, and flanks are unbarred. Flushed only at close range and soon drops into cover. Escape flight is silent and slow without zigzagging. Plumage is similar to Common Snipe but back stripes are broader and contrast more with dark mantle than in other snipe. Lacks cream crown-stripe of Common and has a characteristic forked pale supercilium absent in Common. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago Length 26-27cm Medium-sized snipe with a very long bill. Upperparts are heavily patterned in brown, black and rufous, with cream stripes on crown and back. In flight it shows a broad, prominent white trailing edge to the secondar- ies, but the feet do not extend beyond the tail. Escape flight is a rapid zigzag and accompanied by a hoarse cry. May be confused with Pintail Snipe. See that species. Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura Length 25-26cm Very similar in size and plumage to Common Snipe. Most easily separated by completely barred under wing-coverts and axillaries which appear dark in flight whereas the underwing of Common usually has a whitish patch. Has a narrow, inconspicuous white trailing edge to the secondaries, and the feet extend beyond the the tail in flight. The upper wing coverts are more heavily mottled with buff than they are in Common, the bars on the flanks are more extensive, and the back stripes usually appear less contrasting. When flushed it flies off with little or no zig-zagging usually dropping into cover more quickly than Com- mon. Shows some similarity to Solitary. See that species. Swinhoe’s Snipe Gallinago megala Length 27-29cm Similar to Pintail Snipe in plumage but larger and generally longer-billed with a longer tail, beyond which the legs do not project in flight. Plumage is variable and the only consistent difference from Pin- tail is more white in the outer tail. Flight is slower and Snipe and Woodcock Identification heavier with little zigzagging and it frequently rises silently. Slightly larger than Common Snipe and lacks white trailing edge to secondaries. Solitary Snipe Gallinago solitaria Length 31cm Differs from Common and Pintail Snipe in larger size and the pattern of the underparts. Generally has a paler face than other snipes. The throat is white, and the breast is brown with white streaks at sides of neck and breast. Rest of underparts are white with fairly heavy blackish bars on sides of breast and flanks sometimes extending right across breast and belly. These individuals are likely to be confused with simi- lar-sized Wood Snipe. Separated from Common and Pintail by combination of pale median wing-coverts and dark lesser coverts, and by different escape flight. Flies off zig-zagging but more heavily and slowly than Common and giving a harsher, louder call. Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola Length 31 cm A large snipe with broad rounded wings and slow, heavy, wavering flight. From all snipe except some Solitary by underparts pattern. Has a mottled dusky brown breast, and the rest of the underparts are normally completely barred dull buff and brown; rarely the centre of the belly is unbarred. From Soli- tary by generally darker, more scaly appearance above with very little rufous, and broader, more con- trasting buffish back stripes. Crown is darker with a much narrower central stripe. Usually found in forest habitat. More similar to Woodcock than Snipe, see that species. Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola Length 33-35cm A snipe-like wader with similar, cryptically patterned plumage. From ali snipe by larger size, transverse bars on hindcrown, and blotched not banded scapulars. Most likely to be confused with Wood Snipe as both have broad, rounded wings, heavy slow flight and are likely to be found in same forest habitat. Its plumage is more brightly coloured with more rufous than Wood Snipe. Wood Snipe: 1,2,3; Eurasian Woodcock 4,5,6; Solitary Snipe: 7,8,9; Pintail Snipe: 10,11,12; Common Snipe: 13,14,15; Jack Snipe: 16,17,18. Snipe and Woodcock Identification “not to scale” 49 50 GULLS Gulls are medium-sized to large birds with long wings, webbed feet and strong bills. When adult they are mainly grey above and white below. Immatures have some brown in plumage. In Nepal found by lakes, rivers and, on migration, over the Himalayas. Yellow-legged Gull Length c. 55cm Large gull. Adult White with pale grey mantle and wings; primary tips are black with one or two large mirrors. Head is white in summer, very faintly streaked in winter. Legs normally pink in this race, confounding the English name. First winter Mottled grey-brown above with blackish-brown wing tips. Tail greyish-brown with black subterminal band. Bill blackish with paler base. Second winter Dark streaks on head, pale grey on mantle and scapulars. Outer primaries and bar on secondaries blackish, rest of wing greyish-brown. Shows some white on rump, and tail has black band. Third winter Like winter adult but has more black on outer wings, lacks white spots on wing tips, and has faint tail band. Usually has some brown on upperwing. For differences from Mew, Lesser Black-back and Great Black-headed Gulls see those species. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus fuscus and L. f. heuglini Length 53cm A large gull similar to Yellow-legged Gull. Mantle of adult is darker, varying from slate-grey (heuglini) to almost blackish (fuscus). Legs yellow. First winter can be separated from first winter Yellow-legged by its more contrasting and scaly pattern on upperparts. Birds of the race fuscus have a uniform dark band on greater coverts forming a second wing bar which is absent in Yellow-legged. Has both inner and outer primaries blackish. Underwing is dark blackish- brown, pale grey-brown in Yellow-legged. Second and third winter birds are most easily distinguished by the colour of the upperparts which resemble those of the adult. Bill is all dark. Great Black-headed Gull Larus ichthyaetus Length 57-61cm The largest Nepalese gull. Differs structurally from other large gulls. It has a characteristic long sloping forehead, deep chest, and relatively slimmer, longer wings. Can be confused with smaller adult winter Yellow-legged, and some plumages of immature Yellow-legged. Adult has black head in summer, and a dark patch behind eye in winter. Yellow bill has reddish tip and black subterminal band. Adult and Gull Identification third winter birds separated from other large gulls by wing pattern. Wing tips and outer wing are white, with broad black band across outer primaries. First winter has grey mantle. Differs from second winter Yellow- legged by dark mask through eye, brownish shawl on hindneck, white underparts, and more prominent black band across tail, contrasting with white rump. Much paler grey on mantle than second winter Lesser Black-back. Second winter is similar to adult but has black tail band (narrower than first winter), more extensive black on primaries, and hindneck marked blackish. Yellow-legged Gull: 1 1st wint., 2 2nd wint., 3 ad. summ.; Lesser Black-backed Gull: 4 1st wint., 5 ad. heuglini, 6 ad. fuscus; Great Black-headed Gull: 7 Ist wint., 8 2nd wint., 9 ad. Gull Identification 51 52 Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus Length 34-37cm Asmall gull. Adult Head chocolate-brown in summer, white with blackish mark behind eye in winter. Sepa- rated from all gulls except Slender-billed by extensive white outer primaries visible from above and below in flight. Bill and legs are red. First winter differs from adult winter in having a brown carpal bar, anda black tail band; also dark primary tips and a secondary bar, forming a black band along entire length of rear wing. Bill flesh with black tip, legs orange-flesh. Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus Length 46cm Medium-sized gull, rather similar to Common Black- headed when perched, but very distinctive in flight. Adult has brown head in summer, whitish head with dark brown patch eye in winter. Both adults and immatures distinguished from all other medium-sized and small gulls by large white patch at base of outer primaries. Has contrasting broad black wing-tips broken by white spots. Bill is red, and tipped black in winter. Legs are red. First winters have much darker wings than the winter adult, with some brown on upper wing-coverts, a small white area on primaries and dark bar on the secondaries. Bill orange-red, tipped black, and legs orange-red. Slender-billed Gull Larus genei Length 42-44cm A small gull, usually with an all white head (although may have a pale grey ear-spot in winter). Adult has pink flush on underparts. Legs and bill dark red in adult, pale orange-flesh in immature. Can be con- fused with Common Black-headed which has similar wing pattern. Distinguished by its very long elongated forehead, long bill and neck, and pale iris. Immature also differs from Common Black-headed by its paler legs and paler bill, which lacks a darker tip, and less brown mottling on upperwing. Mew Gull Larus canus Length 40-42cm Medium-sized gull, a little smaller than Brown- headed. Similar plumage to the larger Yellow-legged, but has a smaller bill, thinner wings, and more delicate appearance. Adult and second year separated from Yellow-legged by greenish-yellow bill and greyish legs. From Common Black-headed and Brown- headed by white on primaries confined to subterminal spots and different head pattern. Head is white in summer, streaked grey in winter. First years have a different wing pattern to other medium-sized and small gulls; they have blackish outer primaries, a dark bar on secondaries, and a brown carpal bar. Gull Identification Common Black-headed Gull: 1 1st wint., 2 ad. wint., 3 ad summ.; Brown-headed Gull: 4 1st wint., 5 ad. wint., 6 ad. summ.; Slender-billed Gull: 7 Ast wint., 8 ad. wint., 9 ad. summ.; Mew Gull 10 1st wint., 11 ad wint., 12 ad summ. Gull Identification 53 54 OWLS Scops Owls Small eared owls. Nocturnal and most easily sepa- rated by their distinctive calls. Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena Length 22.5cm From other scops owls by its buff nuchal collar edged with black, sparsely streaked underparts, lack of prominent white scapular spots, and larger size. Voice The upland race has a mellow double call, one note often running into the other and descending on the second note. Repeated for periods of 10-15 minutes at a time. The lowland race has a frog-like interrogative (rising) ‘wuk?’ repeated at irregular intervals, but most often 4-6 seconds apart. Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia Length 21cm Plumage is variable with both greyish-brown and tufous phases occurring. Has bold black streaks below and fine black streaks above. From Collared Scops by heavily streaked underparts. Voice A four note call (the third note very short), repeated monotonously and resembling that of a barbet. Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus Length 20cm Similar to Oriental Scops but is smaller, has buff spots on crown and nape and lacks streaking of that species. Upperparts lack streaking, usually rufous-brown, mottled with white and dark brown. Underparts barred white and black and either rufous or brownish. Voice A metallic double whistle with an interval of up to one second between each note. Other small owls Lack ear tufts, have a squat appearance and are often seen in daylight. Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei Length 17cm Avery small owl. Recognised by its fulvous half-collar and black patch on each side of the nape, which together resemble an owl’s face. Head is greyish- brown spotted with white. Voice A bell-like whistle ‘poop-poopoop-poop’repeated three or four times. Owl Identification Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum Length 20cm Similar to Asian Barred Owlet but is slightly smaller and more closely barred above and below. Separated by its bright rufous-brown barred wings contrasting with olive-brown upperparts. Underparts are clearly barred down to lower flanks and lack streaking. Voice A loud, slow ‘kao kao kao’ followed by a ‘kao kuk’ which is repeated at an increasingly faster rate for several seconds. Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides Length 22.5cm Upperparts and breast are uniform olive-brown, barred with buff. Barring on rest of underparts is obscure and sometimes broken, forming streaks on flanks and abdomen. Voice A drawn out bubbling whistle, harsh squawking. See Jungle Owlet. Brown Hawk Owl Ninax scutulata Length 30cm The only Nepalese owl which lacks a facial disc. Has a hawk-like appearance with broad rounded wings and a long tail. Brown above, white below with brown stripes on throat and upper breast, and spots on belly and flanks. Voice A mellow double whistle, the second note higher-pitched than first. Little Owl Athene noctua Length 22.5cm The only small owl recorded above 3000m. Also separated by its pale plumage. It is light sandy-brown above, barred and spotted with white, and white streaked with brown below. Voice A high pitched note repeated every few seconds. Spotted Owlet Athene brama Length 20cm From similar-sized Jungle and Asian Barred Owlets by its white spotting on greyish-brown upperparts and white half-collar on hindneck. Voice Varied screech- ing and cackling notes. Collared Scops Owl 1, Oriental Scops Owl: 2, Mountain Scops Owl: 3, Spotted Owlet: 4, Little Ow: 5, Brown Hawk OwkL 6, Asian Barred Owlet: 7, Jungle Owlet: 8, Collared Owlet: 9. Owl Identification © Riemann GRIMMETT , TAN 8S 55 56 Large owls Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica Length 53cm The only large owl lacking ear tufts. Has a very dark appearance. Upperparts chocolate brown with white- barred black scapulars.Its whitish eyebrows and broad black ring around eyes form a conspicuous facial pattern. Throat white. Rest of underparts buff- white and closely barred with dark brown. Voice A hollow double ‘tu-hoooo’, the second note prolonged. See Tawny Owl. Other large owls have ears, and are most easily iden- tified by their underpart pattern and distinctive calls. Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo Length S6cm Upperparts dark brown and mottled. White throat, rest of underparts pale brown with prominent dark brown streaks on breast and flanks, and narrow bars on belly and under tail-coverts. Voice A deep resonant ‘bu-boo’ with emphasis on the second note which is prolonged. Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis Length 63cm Similar to Northern Eagle Owl but underparts are whitish with black bars on breast, the bars breaking up into V-shaped markings on the belly. From all other large eared owls by lack of streaking below. Voice A low deep hoot repeated at intervals of a few seconds. Dusky Eagle Owl Bubo coromandus Length 52.5cm Underparts are light brownish-grey and finely streaked with dark brown. From other large eared owls by greyish plumage and lack of white on throat. Voice A resonant and accelerating ‘wo-wo-w000000’, gradually becomer fainter. Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis Length 56cm Upperparts brownish and heavily streaked with black. Hasa conspicuous white throat patch. Underparts are brownish, closely barred (difficult to see in field) with fine black streaks. Lacks the bold markings of Tawny Fish Owl, Forest Eagle Owl, and Northern Eagle Owl and the warm orange of Tawny Fish Owl. Voice A deep hollow ‘boom boom’ repeated at intervals. Tawny Fish Owl Ketupa flavipes Length 61cm From other large horned owls by its warmer coloured and boldly streaked plumage. Tawny above with broad black and rufous-buff streaks. Underparts are Owl Identification orange-rufous streaked with dark brown, and lack barring. Usually has a white throat. Voice A deep ‘whoo-hoo’ and a mewing cat-like call. Medium-sized owls Tawny Owl Stix aluco Length 45cm A plump, dark owl with no ear tufts. Its wings are short and lack contrasting dark carpal patches. Plum- age is mottled and streaked, varying from warm brown to greyish-brown. Eyes black. Nocturnal. Voice A series of hoots running together ‘hoo-hoo-hoo- hooooo’, anda deep low ‘hu-hoo’. Found in mountain forests above 2000m. Tawny Owk Brown Wood Owl Eurasian Eagle Ow: Tawny Fish Owl: Brown Fish Ow: Dusky Eagle Owk Spot-bellied Eagle Owl: PyPepe ~ Owl Identification ——. h fet) 4 = as. = se See Leet em oe =a hyn ; i ja Ren i i 4 want | ry, mn Rs es Di y iN Wh Wy 4 H oy i ey Y Wind By Mh Aver RICHARD GRimmerTT | Taw 9s 57 58 Owl Identification Long-eared Owl Asio otus Length 35cm The only medium-sized owl with long ear tufts. Simi- lar in size to Tawny, and also found in forests. Distin- guished by its longer wings and very deep wing beats, ear tufts, and orange-yellow eyes. From Short-eared by its shorter wings, longer ears, indistinct carpal patches on upper wing, and orange-buff patch on primaries. Also separated by different habitat and nocturnal behaviour. Voice A low sighing ‘ooo’ re- peated every few seconds and a variety of yelping, wailing and barking calls. Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Length 38cm Found in open country and often diurnal. Hunts by quartering the ground like a harrier. Has long narrow wings which show dark carpal patches on upper and under surfaces and pale buff on primaries. It has short ear tufts wich are not usually visible in flight. Voice Silent in winter. Barn, Grass and Bay Owls Medium-sized, slim, long-legged owls with heart- shaped faces. Nocturnal. Barn Owl Tyto alba Length 34cm A very pale owl lacking ear tufts. Upperparts are a uniform golden-buff finely speckled with black. From all except Grass Owl by its unmarked white under- parts and heart-shaped face. Roosts in old buildings usually in urban areas. Voice A drawn out screech, hissing and snoring noises. Grass Owl Tyto capensis Length 35cm Similar to Barn Owl. Separated by its darker and much more contrasting pattern of upperparts. Dark brown above spotted with white. Has rufous-buff patches at base of primaries. Tail is whitish barred with black and contrasts with dark brown upper tail- coverts. Inhabits tall grassland. Voice Like that of Barn Owl. Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus badius Length 29cm Has short ear tufts. Chestnut above, spotted with black and buff; flight feathers chestnut lightly barred with black. Facial disc and underparts are vinous- pink, the latter irregularly spotted with black. Head f\" 8 Ce Long-eared Owl: 1, Bn Short-eared Owl: 2, Pees has a striking shape: a wide forehead separates ob- 5 te yy Grass Owl: 3, long-shaped facial discs. Inhabits forests. Voice A soft ET Barn Owl 4 7 hoot. Oriental Bay Owl: 5. Wagtail Identification WAGTAILS Wagtails are small, dainty, long-tailed birds, often associated with water in Nepal. Although most spe- cies are relatively easy to distinguish, the variation in the Yellow Wagtail, both interracial and intraracial, produces a confusing variety of individuals that could easily be taken for different species by the unwary. This species, and the White Wagtail, are unusual in that a number of races from widely divergent breed- ing areas, mix together in winter. The Grey Wagtail M. cinerea is readily identifiable and is not treated in this section. White Wagtail Motacilla alba Length 17-18.5cm Breeding adults and some non-breeding birds distin- guished from most other wagtails by their black, grey and white plumage. Individuals of black-backed races are distinguished from White-browed Wagtail by their white foreheads. Many non-breeding birds are basically grey and white but always have at least an indication of a black gorget, a feature lacking in the rather similar first autumn Citrine. Six races are recorded from Nepal. Breeding plum- age males can be separated by the following features:- Grey-backed races: 1. M. a. dukhunensis White ear-coverts, black chin. 2. M. a. personata Black ear-coverts. 3. M. a. baicalensis White ear-coverts and chin. 4. M. a. ocularis Black streak through eye Black-backed races: 5. M. a. leucopsis White ear-coverts 6. M. a. alboides Black ear-coverts. White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Length 21cm A black and white wagtail with a black back and pronounced white supercilium extending from the lores to the nape. The black forehead distinguishes all plumages from black-backed White Wagtails. Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Length 17cm Differs from all other wagtails by having a broad black band across the upper breast anda broken black band below it. Rest of underparts creamy-white. Olive- brown above with a white supercilium and two broad yellowish-white wing bars. 59 60 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Length 16-17cm Adults have olive-green upperparts and yellow under- parts with the head variously coloured depending on race, sex and age. Most immatures are brownish-olive above with some yellow on the underparts; wing bars and tertial edgings are typically buff or off-white and fairly narrow. Immatures, of some races or aberrant individuals, are grey above and whitish below with fairly broad white wing bars and tertial edgings, thus looking very similar to first autumn Citrines. Nor- mally however there is no pale line separating the ear- coverts from the nape, and the forehead is uniform with the crown. The call is typically a loud, disyllabic ‘tswee-ip’ but in some races is a harsher ‘tsreep’. Four races are recorded from Nepal. Only breed- ing plumage males are readily identifiable. M. f. beema Head pale bluish-grey with a complete, distinct white supercilium and usually a white sub- moustachial stripe. Ear-coverts grey or brown, often with white feathers. Chin white. Mf. leucocephala Whole head to the nape white with a faint grey shadow on the ear-coverts and back of crown. Chin white. M. f. thunbergi Crown and nape slate-grey, occasion- ally blackish. Lores and ear coverts blackish. Supercil- ium usually lacking, but occasionally a white streak behind the eye. Chin usually yellow, but sometimes white. May have white sub-moustachial stripe. M. f. melanogrisea Whole head black. No supercil- ium. White chin and sub-moustachial stripe. Three other races have not been recorded but could be expected to occur:- M. f. lutea Head yellow-green; forehead and complete supercilium yellow. M. f. zaissanensis Crown and nape dark blue-grey. Narrow white supercilium. Lores and ear-coverts varying from dark grey to black. M. f. plexa Crown and nape dark grey. Lores and ear- coverts blackish. Narrow white supercilium. Chin white. M. f. taivana Differs from all other races by having the crown olive-green, the same colour as the mantle. A complete broad yellow supercilium. Lores and ear- coverts blackish. Chin yellow. Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola Length 16-17cm Breeding males are distinguished from other wagtails by the complete yellow head and underparts with either a grey or a black back, and usually a black collar. Adult non-breeding males and adult females have crown, nape and upperparts grey, often with an olive or brown tinge; the forehead, supercilium and Wagtail Identification underparts are dull yellow. Young birds in early au- tumn are greyer than the young of most races of Yellow Wagtail, lacking olive in the upperparts and yellow on the underparts. They can be separated from grey and white Yellow Wagtails by a combination of characters: the pale grey ear-coverts are dark-bor- dered, but the lores are contrastingly grey; a complete pale ear-covert surround divides this area from the grey of the nape; the forehead is buffy or whitish, contrasting with crown; the wingbars and tertial edg- ings are usually broad and white; the call is typically a harsh ‘trrzzeet’. By early November young Citrines acquire a yellow tinge to the supercilium, forehead and chin. Three races are recorded from Nepal. Breeding plum- age males can be separated by the following features:- M. c. citreola Mantle medium grey; flanks grey. M. c. werae Mantle pale grey; flanks whitish; black collar sometimes reduced or lacking. M. c. calcarata Mantle black; flanks olive-grey. Yellow Wagtail: 1 ad. male M. f. thunbergi, 2 ad. male M. f. beema, 3 ad. male M. f. taivana, 4 ad. male M. f. leucocephala, 5 ad. male M. f. melanogrisea, 6 ad. male M. f. zaissanensis, 7 imm. M. f. beema. Citrine Wagtail: 8 imm., 9 ad. male M. c. calcarata. Wagtail Identification 61 62 PIPITS Small slim terrestrial birds. Mainly brown and streaked. Most species have whitish outer tail feath- ers. Sexes are alike. They run or walk quickly, have an undulating flight and aerial song flight. Can often be distinguished by their calls. Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni Length 15cm Dark olive-green above with darker streaking which is indistinct in A. h. yunnanensis but can be prominent in A. h. hodgsoni. Buff-white below with bold black streaks on breast and flanks. From all except Rosy in autumn by olive-green in upperparts. Has a distinc- tive face pattern with a prominent black-bordered supercilium which is buffish in front and whitish behind eye; and usually has a white drop-shaped mark at rear end of ear coverts with a small black patch belowit. Voice A loud ‘tseep’ or ‘pseep’, similar to that of Red-throated but shorter and more abrupt. Found in wooded areas. Often perches in trees and vigor- ously wags its tail. Tree Pipit Anthus trvialis Length 15cm Resembles Olive-backed in plumage and call. Sepa- rated by paler, brown upperparts lacking olive-green. Supercilium is less prominent, and lacks small black and white patches at rear of ear coverts. Often found in more open areas. Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus Length 15cm A dark pipit with boldly streaked upperparts. Distin- guished by call; a distinctive thin ‘psss’ starting loud and trailing off. Rather like that of Tree but higher pitched, more drawn out and thinner. However, also has a less distinctive, sharp ‘chup’. Male in summer is separated from all pipits by brick-red or cinnamon on throat, often extending to supercilium and breast. Female in summer may have colour only on throat, and this is usually pinkish. In winter the underparts are heavily streaked and throat is usually whitish; the males may have pinkish-red on throat. Can be con- fused with Tree Pipit in autumn. Separated by call, generally darker appearance, and more heavily streaked flanks. See Buff-bellied Pipit. Rosy Pipit Anthus roseatus Length 15cm At all ages from other pipits except Red-throated by heavily streaked upperparts. In summer separated from all except Water by the pink colour of the supercilium and chin to the lower breast. In winter similar to Red-throated, and most easily separated by Pipit Identification call; also by the grey tinged upperparts and olive- green edges to wings and tinge to mantle. Has a thin ‘sip’ call reminiscent of Water Pipit but less strident. Legs brownish-flesh. Frequents streams and pools in winter and on migration. Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta Length 15cm Upperparts brown in autumn and grey in summer, with streaking sparse or absent. Much less heavily streaked above than other pipits except Long-billed and Tawny. Separated from these species by its smaller size, shorter tail, more prominent white su- percilium, and different call: a sharp ‘pit’, ‘chip it’, or ‘pi pi pit’and different habitat: usually in wet fields and marshy areas. In winter similar to Rosy Pipit but much less heavily streaked below and lacks olive- green edges to wings. In summer separated from all except Red-throated and Rosy by the pink tinge to the underparts which may be lightly streaked or un- streaked. At all ages has black legs. See Buff-bellied Pipit. Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens Length 15cm Slightly smaller and shorter-tailed than Water Pipit. Upperparts dark grey-brown in autumn and olive- grey in summer, unstreaked or only faintly so. The underparts are tinged orange-buff in summer with the breast lightly spottted and the flanks heavily streaked. In winter the breast is heavily spotted or streaked black and the flanks are streaked blackish-brown. Legs yellowish to reddish-brown. Call is a short ‘tsipp’ or ‘tsiit’, lacking the shrill quality of the call of Water Pipit. Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis Length 20cm The largest Nepalese pipit. Pale brown, tinged grey- brown, and lightly streaked above; whitish throat; rest of underparts are rich buff or pale orange, sometimes lightly streaked. Separated from other pipits by its particularly heavy build and long tail of rather uni- form coloration. The outer feathers are buff, but the colour is not easy to discern in the field. From all except Richard’s and Blyth’s by its much larger size. Differs from these two species by its lightly streaked upperparts and different call, a deep ‘chup’ rather like the call of Richard’s but lacking the harsh quality of the latter species. Olive-backed Pipit: A. h. hodgsoni 1, A. h. yunnanensis 2, Red-throated Pipit: 3 wint., 4 sum. Tree Pipit: 5. Rosy Pipit: 6 wint., 7 sum. Buff-bellied Pipit: 8 wint., 10 sum; Water Pipit: 9 wint., 11 sum. Pipit Identification 63 64 Upland Pipit Anthus sylvanus Length 17cm A large pipit, distinguished from other species by its short, heavy bill and pointed tail feathers. Light pink- ish-brown above, heavily streaked with dark brown. Supercilium white. Buff-white below, finely streaked on lower breast, flanks and belly. Callis a sparrow-like ‘chirp’. Its song is atypical for a pipit. Repeats two long drawn out notes with emphasis on the first syllable ‘wee-chee.....wee-chee’. Inhabits steep grassy slopes, often perching on boulders. May bob its tail when feeding. Richard’s Pipit Two distinct races occur differing in size, plumage and call. Both may be confused with Tawny. Head pattern is usually different. Lores, most of the ear coverts and a broad area around eye are pale. Tawny has rather dark ear coverts, a thin pale eyering, and a dark line across lores. Anthus novaeseelandiae richardi Length 17cm A large pipit. Has an erect posture, long legs, long (12- 19mm), comparatively weak, and usually straight, hind claw and long tail. Brown above, streaked darker, usually prominently. Median wing-coverts dark-centred but not greatly contrasting with upper- parts; edges usually buff but sometimes white. Buff below and usually boldly streaked on breast. The flanks of Richard’s are generally washed buff, pale rufous or orange-buff, whereas those of Tawny are pale creamy. Generally more heavily streaked below than Tawny. The tail length is 75-88% of the wing length. Wing/tarsus ratio is 2.9-3.3. Bill length 16- 19mm, quite broad and deep. White on inner web of penultimate tail feather usually in the form of a narrow streak up more than half the shaft, sometimes reduced to a short streak near, or at, the tip. Has a harsh ‘tchreep’ call. See Blyth’s and Long-billed. Paddyfield Pipit A. n. rufulus Length 15cm Smaller, shorter-legged and with a less erect carriage and paler more lightly streaked plumage than richardi. Similar in structure to richardi but the tail is relatively shorter (about 70% of the wing length); bill slightly shorter (15.5-17mm) and not as heavy; hind claw slightly shorter (10-18mm). Has a high pitched ‘tseep tseep’ or ‘chip chip’ call. Song is a weak trill. Can be confused with Tawny, particularly with juve- niles. Separated by smaller size, darker greyish-brown colour, different call, and shorter tail. From adult Tawny also by light streaking across breast and indis- tinct spots on median coverts. Does not wag tail like Tawny. Pipit Identification Blyth’s Pipit Anthus godlewski Length 16.5cm Very difficult to separate from Richard’s A. n. richardi and Tawny Pipits. Intermediate in size but most simi- lar to richardi in plumage. Often has orange on the underparts, particularly on the under tail-coverts, but this feature is also shown by some Richard’s Pipits, particularly the small, dark race A. n. sinensis, which may occur in Nepal. The most distinctive feature is the shape of the dark centres of the new adult or first- winter median wing-coverts. The centres are broader and more square, less triangular, at the tips, and more clear-cut on the sides than on Richard’s. Hind claw medium length (10.5-14mm) and comparatively weak. The tail length is 68-81% of the wing length. Wing/tarsus ratio is 3.2-3.8. Bill length 14.5-17mm, not as heavy as in A. n. richardi. White on inner web of penultimate tail feather usually in the form of a triangle, broad at the tip and tapering to a point close to the shaft and 15-30mm from the tip. Has two distinct flight calls: one similar to that of Richard’s but slightly shriller and higher pitched, but also less harsh, the other is a diagnostic short, hard ‘chap’, similar to one of the calls of Tawny Pipit. Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Length 16cm A pale long-tailed pipit resembling a wagtail. Hind claw short (7.5-1lmm), curved and moderately strong. The tail length is 75-83% of the wing length. Wing/tarsus ratio is 3.3-3.8. Bill length 14-17mm, not as heavy as in A. n. richardi. Tail pattern similar to Richard’s. Sandy brown and only lightly streaked above. A pronounced buff supercilium. Median wing- coverts dark-centred and contrasting prominently with upperparts; edges buff. Underparts pale sandy, and in adults virtually unstreaked. Juveniles have streaked breasts and distinct spots on upperparts. Call is either a drawn out ‘tseep’ resembling Yellow Wag- tail or a sparrow-like ‘chir-rup’. May be confused with Paddyfield and Blyth’s Pipits. Upland Pipit: 1. Paddyfield Pipit: 2. Tawny Pipit: 3. Blyth’s Pipit: 4, ad. Richard’s Pipit: 5. a Long-billed Pipit: 6. Pipit Identification WSs, 65 66 BUSH WARBLERS Medium-sized very skulking warblers inhabiting marshes, grassland and forest undergrowth. Most are altitudinal migrants. Several species winter in the lowlands and breed at high altitudes. Plumage is dull and brownish. Wings and tail are rounded. Some of the Cettia warblers can be identified by their distinc- tive loud, melodious songs. Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia pallidipes Plate 1 No. 2 Length 11cm Separated from other bush warblers by its relatively short, square tail and paler, whitish legs. Also by its cleaner, whitish underparts, especially throat, which contrast more sharply with buff-brown flanks and cold olive-brown upperparts. Supercilium is greyish- white. Song is a loud explosive ‘zip...zip-tschuk-o- tschuk’. Call is ‘chik chik’. Inhabits the lowlands. Brown-flanked Bush Warbler Cettia fortipes Plate 1 No. 4,5 Length 12cm Often holds its tail cocked. Two races occur, differing mainly in colour of upperparts and call. Eastern race C. f. fortipes is warm olive-brown above, western race C. f. pallidus is plain olive-brown. Throat and belly are off-white, cheeks and sides of breast greyish. Shows less contrast between upper and underparts than Pale-footed. Supercilium is buff. Lacks any yellow tinge in underparts and supercilium. Legs are dull brownish. Song is sustained rising whistle ‘weeee’ followed by an explosive ‘chiwiyou’. Eastern race has ‘chuk’ and loud ‘tyit tyu-tyu’ calls, western race makes a single harsh ‘tchuk’. Recorded between 1800m and 2500m. Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler Cettia major Plate 1 No. 3 Length 13cm From similar Grey-sided by its larger size, more ro- bust build, and longer stouter bill. Also separated by its rufous lores, broad yellowish-white supericilium from eye to nape, curving up slightly at rear, and whiter underparts, particularly on throat, contrasting more with upperparts. Usually has more extensive chestnut on crown, and extending onto nape, al- though individuals cannot be reliably separated using only this feature. Call is a sharp ‘tzip’. Recorded between 75m and 4100m. Bush Warbler Identification Aberrant Bush Warbler Cettia flavolivacea Plate 1 No. 6 Length 12cm Can be identified by its yellowish or yellowish-olive underparts and supercilium. Also by its uniform olive- green upperparts and olive flanks. Amount of yellow on under parts varies. Care is needed to separate dull birds from Brown-flanked. Song is a short, grating, high-pitched phrase. Call is a sharp ‘tsick’. Recorded between 75m and 2745m. Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler Cettia acanthizoides Plate 1 No. 1 Length 9.5cm A small bush warbler. Distinguished by its greyish- white throat and breast contrasting with yellowish belly. Also by its olive-brown upperparts and notice- able rufous patch in wing. Pale greyish on forehead, ear-coverts and sides of neck produces a hooded appearance which contrasts with rest of upperparts. Supercilium is off-white. Flanks are warm buff. Im- matures are yellower below. Has an extraordinary song; a series of 3 or 4 thin, drawn-out whistles each lasting about 2 seconds, and followed by several fast, repeated ‘chee chee’ notes. Calls are a short “brrr’ and ‘tik tik tik’. Recorded between 2600m and 3660m. Grey-sided Bush Warbler Cettia brunnifrons Plate 1 No. 7 Length 10cm A small bush warbler similar to Chestnut-crowned. Has chestnut on both forehead and crown, although less intensely coloured at rear. Upperparts are olive brown. Whitish below with grey sides to throat, breast and upper flanks merging into brown on lower flanks and undertail coverts. Has a prominent whitish- buff supercilium from lores to back of ear-coverts. Call is similar to Chestnut-crowned, a sharp ‘tzip’. Song is a loud ‘sip ti ti sip’ repeated continually. Recorded between 75m and 3660m. The following 3 species are similar in shape and plumage. All have barred undertail coverts. They winter in marshy habitats and breed at high altitudes. Spotted Bush Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus Plate 1 No. 11,12 Length 13cm Shorter tailed than the other Bradypterus. Resembles Lanceolated warbler in shape. Upperparts are dark olive-brown. Supercilium is greyish-white. Chin and upper throat are white, sides of throat and breast are grey. Usually has dark greyish-brown spots or blotches on lower throat and upper breast. Has a Bush Warbler Identification distinctive undertail covert pattern. Feathers are brown with prominent white tips, forming bold dark chevrons. Song is a persistent, repeated ‘see see’. Chinese Bush Warbler Bradypterus tacsanowskius Plate 1 No. 9,10 Length 14cm Plumage is similar to that of Brown Bush Warbler but lacks its rufous tones. Upperparts are dull olive- brown, flanks buffy-brown. Supercilium is whitish to yellowish-white. Lacks grey on underparts. Breast is brownish-buff, rest of underparts buff-white, some- times sullied with yellow. Undertail coverts lack the bold pattern of Spotted and are paler brown with broader whitish tips to feathers. Call is a ‘chirr chirr’ similar to Lanceolated Warbler. Has an insect-like song resembling that of Grasshopper Warbler. Brown Bush Warbler Bradypterus luteoventris Plate 1 No. 8 Length 13.5cm Generally warmer coloured than other two Bradypterus. Upperparts are olive-brown with a rufous tinge. Short supercilium is buffish. Underparts lack any grey and are either warm buff or pale rufous- brown on breast, and rich brown or warm buff on flanks. Less contrast between brown bases and off- white tips to feathers of undertail coverts than in Spotted. 67 LOCUSTELLA WARBLERS Very skulking medium-sized warblers with rounded tails. Frequent marsh vegetation. Often creep on the ground. Plumage is dull brownish. Nepalese species differ from Spotted, Chinese and Brown Bush War- blers, which behave similarly and may be found in similar habitat in winter, by noticeable streaking on upperparts. Pallas’s Warbler Locustella certhiola Plate 3 No. 13 Length 13cm Resembles Grasshopper Warbler but is larger and has a proportionately shorter tail. Darker and more rufous-brown above, particularly on crown. Most easily separated by contrast between dark tail and warm brown upper tail-coverts and rump. The rump is lightly streaked and often appears rufous in adults. Tail feathers have whitish tips, but these are usually only visible at close range. Supercilium is either dis- tinct and buff contrasting with dark crown, or indis- tinct, the variation probably associated with age. Dif- fers from other two species also by virtually un- streaked brownish-buff under tail-coverts. Call is a ‘pit pit’ like that of Zitting Cisticola. Song isa series of musical phrases. Lanceolated Warbler Locustella lanceolata Plate 3 No. 12 Length 11.3cm Slightly smaller than Grasshopper Warbler with a proportionately shorter tail. Usually has distinct, dark, parallel streaking forming a gorget across breast and down flanks, but some individuals are indistinctly streaked and, conversely some Grasshopper War- blers have extensive streaking. From Grasshopper Warbler by heavier streaking on mantle. Often shows prominent streaking on upper tail-coverts which is rarely present in Grasshopper. Under tail-coverts are usually lightly spotted. Call is a metallic repeated ‘pit’ and short Acrocephalus-like ‘teck’. Song resembles that of Grasshopper Warbler. Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Plate 3 Nos. 10,11 Length 12.5cm Upperparts are pale olive-brown with bold, dark streaks, tinged grey in breeding plumage. Has an indistinct yellowish-white supercilium. Underparts whitish or yellowish with light streaking on upper breast. Flanks are usually unstreaked. Under tail- coverts are pale brown and heavily spotted. Call is a short ‘tchick’. Has a distinctive song, a high pitched insect-like trill continuing for long periods. 68 ACROCEPHALUS WARBLERS Medium-sized to large warblers usually having rounded tails. Plumage of Nepalese species is gener- ally rather uniform brown. Most inhabit marshy habi- tats. Skulking. Song is harsh and often monotonous. Black-browed Reed Warbler Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Plate 3 No. 4 Length 13.5cm. A small Acrocephalus recognised by its distinct head pattern. Has a long buffish-white supercilium, with a broad black band above it, and a dark line below it through eye. Olive-brown above with dark mottling on head and hindcrown. Sides of breast and flanks buff, rest of underparts yellowish-white. Call is ‘chrrr’ or a clucking note. Blunt-winged Warbler Acrocephalus concinens Plate 3 No. 5 Length 13cm Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agricola Plate 3 No. 6 Length 13cm. Difficult to distinguish in field. Both species are tufous on rump and have fairly rounded heads. Pad- dyfield is bright rufous above, tawny below in fresh plumage; grey-brown above, whitish below when worn. Blunt-winged Warbler is less rufous than Pad- dyfield, and is dark olive-brown above, brownish-buff below. Paddyfield has a creamy-white and conspicu- ous supercilium, extending to well behind eye and bordered by a dark line above it. Blunt-winged has a less distinct and shorter supercilium, resembling that of Blyth’s Reed and is not bordered by a dark line. Blunt-winged has a longer, stouter bill, shorter wings and longer tail than Paddyfield. Call is a harsh re- peated ‘chr chuck’. See Blyth’s Reed. Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum Plate 3 Nos. 8,9 Length 14cm A small Acrocephalus. Adults are greyish-olive above in spring, greyish-brown in autumn. From similar Paddyfield Warbler and Blunt-winged Warbler by generally cold grey not warm rufous tinge to upper- parts including rump. This colour difference is how- ever not a reliable feature in autumn. Immature Blyth’s Reed often shows a rusty tinge above and worn adult Paddyfield and Blunt-winged can lose their rufous tones and appear cold grey-brown. Un- derparts are duller. Throat is whitish-buff, rest of underparts buff. Tip of lower mandible is on average paler and less well defined in Blyth’s Reed than in Acrocephalus Warbler Identification Paddyfield and Blunt-winged. Supercilium is usually indistinct, only ever reaching to just behind eye, and often only discernible in front of eye. Supercilium of Paddyfield is more prominent and usually has a dark line above it which is lacking in Blyth’s Reed and Blunt- winged. Paddyfield (but not Blunt-winged) has more sharply marked tertials and alula with dark centres and pale fringes to feathers, but this is not a useful character in autumn as some immature Blyth’s Reeds also show this. Bill is longer and stouter than that of Paddyfield. Head is slightly angular. Has a characteristic loud ‘chick chick’ call. Found in drier habitats than most other Acrocephalus, sometimes in trees. Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Plate 3 No. 7 Length 19cm Difficult to distinguish from Great Reed Warbler in field. In a close view can be separated by absence of streaking on underparts. Supercilium is less distinct and shorter behind eye, giving it a gentle facial expres- sion. Lower mandible is dark towards tip producing a dagger-like appearance. Calls are similar to those of Great Reed Warbler. Song is higher pitched, with more broken rhythm, a repeated ‘go go cheek’. Oriental Reed Warbler Acrocephalus orientalis Plate 3 Nos. 2,3 Length 19cm A large Acrocephalus with a rather angular head and heavy bill. Olive-brown above with a prominent buff supercilium and dusky lores. Buff-white below with characteristic faint narrow streaks on lower throat and upper breast. Flanks tawny. Some birds show buff-white tips to outer tail, particularly in fresh plum- age, a feature which is absent in Clamorous. Makes a harsh, loud ‘chak’ and deep churring croak. Song is a series of loud grating phrases, interrupted by shrill notes: ‘kawa kawa kawa gurk gurk eek gurk kawa’. See Clamorous Reed Warbler. Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon Plate 3 No. 1 Length 19cm A large Acrocephalus with a rounded head. Can be identified by its lack of supercilium and whitish lores. Also has more rounded wings anda longer graduated tail than other Acrocephalus. Has a shorter bill than the other two large Acrocephalus. Olive-brown above, buff white below. Generally tinged fulvous. Calls include a loud harsh repeated ‘tschok tschok’ and a sharp metallic ‘clik clik’. Found in scrub, grassland, and bushes in dry habitats. Prinia Identification PRINIAS Small wren-like warblers, with long graduated tails and rounded wings. A confusing genus. Difficulties in separating species are increased by differences in both plumages and tail lengths of summer and winter adults; the plumages of immatures are also different. Tail length is up to 3cm longer in winter. Undertail feathers of most species have pale tips and dark subterminal spots producing cross barring. Mainly frequent grasses and bushes in the open or on forest edges. Graceful Prinia Prinia gracilis Plate 2 No. 6 Tail length 5-6.25cm. Body length 6.25cm A small streaked prinia found in the lowlands. Plum- age similar in summer and winter: fulvous-brown streaked with dark brown above, buff-white below. From all prinias except Striated by streaked upper- parts. Much smaller than Striated, with a smaller bill and found at a different altitude. The call is a nasal, buzzing ‘bzreep’, and the song is a fast, wheezy warble: ‘ze(r) witze(r) wit’. Plain Prinia Prinia inomata Plate 2 Nos. 8,9 Tail length 5.8-8.8cm. Body length 7.5cm Nondescript and brownish. Adult Upperparts earthy brown in summer, fulvous-brown in winter with a rufous tinge to wings and tail. Pale buff below. Imma- ture Like adult winter but mor rufous above and richer buff below. From similar Jungle Prinia by noticeably smaller size. Has an obvious buffish-white supercilium, a feature which Jungle usually lacks. In summer has white on tail confined to the outermost pair of feathers. The calls include a plaintive ‘tee-tee- tee’ and a nasal ‘beep’. The song is a repeated, rapid wheezy trill reminiscent of a grasshopper: ‘tlick tlick tlick’. May also be confused with winter and immature Rufous and Grey-breasted Prinias. See those species. Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis Plate 2 No. 14 Tail length 5-7.5cm. Body length 7.5cm Adult Summer: Crown, nape and mantle dark grey, wings and tail rufous. Winter: Grey on head is tinged with rufous. Back and rump are rufous-brown. Has a short white supercilium over lores, which is some- times retained in summer. Adult may be confused with Grey-crowned and summer Rufous. From all other prinias by colour of underparts: cheeks and throat are buff-white, and the rest of the underparts are tinged pale rufous, especially on flanks and lower belly. In summer dark grey back of adult is diagnostic. Immature Similar to Yellow-bellied as both are olive- 69 green on mantle and yellowish on lower underparts. The call is a sharp, nasal ‘tee-tee-tee’, and the song is a wheezy ‘jimmy-jimmy-jimmy’ repeated five or six times. Rufous Prinia. Prinia rufescens Plate 2 Nos. 3,4 Tail length 3.75-Scm. Body length 7.5cm A small prinia. Adult In summer from most prinias by combination of grey-brown head, rufous-brown up- perparts and buff underparts. Grey-crowned is simi- lar, and most easily distinguished by the appearance of the supercilium: broad, whitish and curves round eye in Rufous; long, narrow buffish-orange in front of eye, and whitish behind eye in Grey-crowned. Crown is paler grey and mantle duller rufous than in Grey- crowned, forming less contrasting upperparts. The song is a repeated series of squeaky notes: ‘chewp chewp chewp’. Can also be confused with Ashy Prinia. See that species. Winter adults and immatures have a rufous-brown head almost the same colour as mantle. Immature is like winter adult but is tinged yellow below. Easily separated by lack of grey on head. May be confused with Plain but separated by much shorter tail. See also Grey-breasted Prinia. Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla Plate 2 No. 5 Tail length 5.5-6.0cm. Body length 5.8cm Similar to Rufous Prinia in summer plumage. Retains grey on head throughout the year. From all prinias except adult summer Rufous by combination of dark grey on head, rich rufous-brown upperparts and fulvous underparts. The song is a rising trill ending in long drawn out ‘swe-ee-e-chor’. May also be confused with winter Ashy Prinia. See those two species. Found in dense jungle and secondary growh, and is more arboreal than other prinias. Song is a squeezed out ‘cheeeeesum-zip-zip-zip’, and a repeated ‘tzit’. Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii Plate 2 Nos. 1,2 Tail length 5-6.25cm. Body length 6.25cm A small prinia, ashy-grey above in summer, rufous- brown in winter. In summer adult usually has a diag- nostic grey breastband contrasting with white under- parts. In winter white below, sometimes with grey patches on breast. Immature is like adult, but tinged yellow below. Winter adults and immatures are diffi- cult to distinguish from winter Rufous, and also show some similarities to Plain. Most easily separated from both species by smaller, and much finer bill, and different song. The call is a ‘chew-chew-chew’, and the song is a loud, squeaky ‘chiwee-chiwee-chiwi-chip- chip-chip’. Bill of Rufous is stouter and paler, particu- larly on lower mandible. Plain also has a stouter bill which is black in summer, brown in winter. Grey- 70 breasted has an all dark bill. Can also be separated from winter Rufous by less rufous upperparts, par- ticularly tail and wing edgings. From Plain also by slightly smaller size. Has different colour of under- parts: buff with rich buff flanks in Rufous, and pale buff in Plain. Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris Plate 2 No. 7 Tail length 8-8.8cm. Body length Scm Adult Dark grey head, rest of upperparts olive-green. Throat and breast creamy white contrasting with yel- low belly. Sometimes has a short whitish supercilium. Immature Yellowish-brown above, pale yellow be- low. Can be confused with immatures of other species that may be tinged yellow below, especially Ashy. However Yellow-bellied is richer yellow below than other prinias, and in adults the yellow contrasts more with the rest of the underparts. It is found in wetter habitats than other prinias: marshy areas or grassland near water. The call is an incessant ‘chink-chink’ or ‘tzetze-tze’ and the song is a sharp chirp followed by a trill of five notes. Striated Prinia Prinia criniger Plate 2 No. 10 Tail length 7.5-10cm. Body length 8.8cm A large prinia, with streaked upperparts, found in the hills. Similar to Graceful but much larger, and with underparts pale fulvous, flecked with black on throat and breast. Flanks olive-brown. Has a stout black bill and flesh-pink legs. The song is a repeated wheezy squeaking ‘tzirt-tzirt’. See Hill Prinia. Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica Plate 2 No. 11 Tail length 6.25-7.5cm. Body length 8.8cm Large, brownish prinia, usually lacking an obvious supercilium, and with three outer pairs of tail feathers whitish in summer. The song is a repeated loud ‘pit pretty’, the first note only heard at close range. See Plain Prinia. Hill Prinia Prinia atrogularis Plate 2 Nos. 12,13 Tail length 11.25cm. Body length 6.25cm A large prinia, with a very long tail, found in the hills. Adult In summer black throat and black and white spotted breast are diagnostic. Head and nape are grey and contrast with upperparts, black chin and throat are bordered by white moustachial stripe. No super- cilium. In winter upperparts are dark olive-brown, and the breast is indistinctly striped black. Has a long white supercilium. Immature Rich brown above with some black streaks on head, fulvous below. Most likely to be confused with similar-sized Striated which can be found in the same habitat. Separated from this Prinia Identification species by the above-mentioned features and un- streaked upperparts. Song is rather similar to that of Striated Prinia: a raspy repeated ‘tze-tze’. Phylloscopus Warbler Identification PHYLLOSCOPUS WARBLERS Small, fast moving, greenish or brownish warblers. Often referred to as leaf warblers. Useful identifica- tion features are voice; strength of supercilium; col- our of underparts, rump, bill, and legs; and presence of wingbars, coronal bands or white in the tail. Col- ouration of upper and underparts and presence of wingbars are affected by wear. Here the species are divided into two groups: those with wingbars and those without. Leaf warblers lacking wingbars Note that some individuals of these species, especially Chiffchaffs, may show one faint wingbar. Slender-billed Warbler Phylloscopus tytleri Plate 5 Nos. 1,2 Length 11 cm Can be recognised by its very long, thin bill, reminis- cent of that of a Tailorbird. Juveniles have shorter bills. Upperparts are greyish-olive, and the under- parts are whitish with faint yellow streaking in fresh plumage. Call is a single squeaky feeble note or double ‘y-it’. Has a distinctive song ‘pi-tsi-pi-tsu’, repeated at regular intervals. May be confused with worn Greenish apparently lacking a wingbar, and possibly with Tickell’s. Most easily separated by its more slender and all darkish bill, and different call. Tickell’s also has yellower underparts. Tickell’s Warbler Phylloscopus affinis Plate 5 Nos. 3,4 Length 11 cm Combination of uniform olive-brown upperparts and yellow underparts (bright yellow on throat and breast and pale yellow on belly and under-tail coverts) are diagnostic. Has along, prominent yellow supercilium. The race P. a. arcanus has yellowish-buff upperparts and supercilium. Usually feeds near the ground. In- habits alpine scrub in summer, cultivation or scrub in lowlands or foothills in winter. Song is a ‘tchip-tsi-tsi- tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi’. Call is a repeated ‘tret tret’. See Slender- billed, Chiffchaff, Sulphur-bellied. Sulphur-bellied Warbler Phylloscopus griseolus Plate 5 No. 8 Length 11cm Can be identified by combination of its grey-brown upperparts, oily yellow underparts washed brownish- buff on the flanks, and prominent yellow supercilium. Also has a characteristic habit of creeping over stones and up tree trunks. Frequently flicks wings and tail. Callis a soft ‘quip’. May be confused with Tickell’s but lacks green and olive in plumage and has a duller supercilium and underparts, and a different call. 71 Smoky Warbler Phylloscopus fuligiventer Plate 5 No. 5 Length 11cm Easily recognised by its very dark appearance and small size. Dark sooty-brown above, with a greenish tinge in fresh plumage. Very dusky below, grey with yellowish-olive tinge on throat. breast and belly. Sides washed with dark olive. Has an indistinct yellowish- olive supercilium. Call is a ‘tzik’ or ‘tsrr’ rather like Red-breasted Flycatcher, or a soft ‘stup’ like Radde’s. In winter often found in waterside vegetation in low- lands. Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Plate 5 No. 6 Length 11cm Brown or greyish-brown above. From all other leaf warblers by its short inconspicuous buff supercilium and black legs. From all leaf warblers without wing- bars, except Dusky, by its dull buff-white underparts lacking yellow or green. May be confused with Green- ish, especially birds showing a faint wingbar. Most easily separated by its call, the very thin, usually dark, bill and less obvious supercilium. Call is a ‘peep’ or sharp ‘chvit’. Song is either a repeated ‘chiff-chaff, or a rapid repetition of ‘chi-vit’ run together by the introduction of a few more musical notes. These differences may indicate that two separate popula- tions are involved, although all specimens have been referred to P. c. tristis. Often arboreal, feeding well above the ground. See Dusky. Dusky Warbler Phyllscopus fuscatus Plate 5 No. 7 Length 11cm A skulking warbler, found in scrub and low vegeta- tion. Dark brown above, greyish-white below, flanks fulvous. Lacks yellow and green in plumage. Sepa- rated from Chiffchaff by its distinctive hard ‘tack tack’ call, its conspicuous long buff supercilium, rich buff vent, yellowish-brown legs, and secretive behaviour. Often also found in different habitat. See Radde’s. Radde’s Warbler Phylloscopus schwarz Plate 5 Nos. 9,10 Length 12cm A large, skulking Phylloscopus. Upperparts and flanks are brownish-olive. Can be confused with Dusky, particularly with worn plumage. Bigger and heavier, with a thicker bill and longer tail. Undertail coverts are rufous. Supercilium is creamy, and usually longer and more conspicuous, reaching hindcrown. Dark line through the eyeis more prominent. Has yellowish tinge to underparts, and black line above supercilium, lacking in Dusky. Legs are reddish or yellowish-flesh. Call is a soft ‘stup’ similar to that of Smoky. 72 Leaf warblers with wingbars All species are very active and constantly on the move. Note The presence or absence of wingbars as a field character for separating species should be treated with caution. In worn plumage birds normally show- ing two bars may show only one, and birds normally showing one bar may appear to lack this altogether. Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator Plate 4 No. 6 Length 10cm A small leaf warbler, recognised by the distinctive colour of underparts. Throat, upper breast and under tail coverts are bright yellow, contrasting with white lower breast and belly. Flanks greyish. Has a striking head pattern: a well-defined yellow supercilium, sides of head yellow; black lateral stripes, and a median yellowish-green stripe on the crown. Has two yellow wing-bars, the upper indistinct. Call is loud continu- ous ‘pio pio’. Grey-faced Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Plate 4 No. 1 Length 10cm Small. The only leaf warbler with a grey head and throat. Rest of underparts yellowish. Olive-green above with a yellow rump, two yellowish-white wing- bars, and white on the inner webs of the outer three pairs of tail feathers. Has a whitish median crown stripe and long distinct whitish supercilium. Call is a short ‘zit’. See Orange-barred, Pallas’s. Orange-barred Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus pulcher Plate 4 No. 5 Length 10cm Similar to Grey-faced in fresh plumage, but throat off-white. Upperparts rather dark brownish-olive, darker on crown, and with a grey tinge. Has a faint yellowish-green crown stripe and yellowish supercil- ium. Underparts greyish-yellow. Has two orange-buff wingbars but the upper bar may not bevisible, and the colour is often difficult to determine. Call is a short repeated ‘tsip’. Song is a high-pitched thin twitter, preceded by, or ending with, a drawn out trill. See Pallas’s. Pallas’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus proregulus Plate 4 No. 2 Length 9cm A small leaf warbler, similar to Blyth’s Crowned but smaller, and has a yellow rump. Grey-green above and whitish below. The prominent median crown stripe, supercilium and two wingbars are all yellowish-white. From Orange-barred and Grey-faced by lack of white Phylloscopus Warbler Identification in tail and more conspicuous crown stripe. Call is a sharp ‘tsip’ or a quiet ‘chwee’. Song is a short twitter- ing ‘wai-a-wai-a-wai’ rapidly repeated. Blyth’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus reguloides Plate 4 No. 7 Length 11cm Has a well marked head pattern: a yellowish-white median crown stripe, particularly prominent in sum- mer; broad, dark olive lateral crown stripes; and a long, yellow supercilium. The mantle is greyish-green, and the lower back is brighter green. Has two yellow wingbars, and the greater coverts are usually darker than the rest of the wing, forming a contrasting band. Underparts yellowish-white. Call is a constantly re- peated ‘kee-kew-i’. Song is a trill of nine to ten notes ‘ch-ti-ch-ti-ch-ti-chi-chi-ti-chee’. See Pallas’s, West- ern Crowned. Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis Plate 4 No. 8 Length 13cm A large leaf warbler, very similar to Blyth’s Leaf. Can be separated by combination of the following fea- tures: larger size; noticeably longer bill; greyish-white supercilium; coronal bands generally paler grey, forming a less contrasting head pattern; lighter, duller green upperparts; whitish underparts sullied with grey; yellowish-white wingbars, and greater coverts are not contrastingly dark. Call is ‘stic’ or ‘stic-swick’. Song is ‘stic-swee-swee-swee-swe-swee-swa’, often omitting final ‘swa’. Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides Plate 4 Nos. 9,10,11 Length 10-11cm Extremely variable in size and colouration. Two races occur. Appearance in fresh plumage is quite different. P. t. trochiloides is dark olive to olive-green above, whitish below heavily marked with grey, sometimes yellowish-white on breast and belly. Has prominent yellowish-white supercilium, and usually one yel- lowish-white wingbar. Sometimes shows a faint sec- ond bar. P. t. viridanus differs in having brighter green upperparts with no olive tinge, whitish underparts, and a yellowish supercilium. Wears to a dull greyish above. Both races lack yellow on rump, dark coronal bands and white in tail. Bill colour is variable but base of lower mandible is always pale pinkish or orange. Calls ar similar, a loud piercing ‘che-wee’ or ‘chis- weet’. The song is based on the call: P. t. vindanus a loud, repeated vehement ‘chi-chi-chi-chiwee-chiwee’, and P. t. trochiloides a more regular tit-like ‘chis-weet chis-weet’. See Green, Large-billed, Yellow-browed, Chiffchaff. Phylloscopus Warbler Identification Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus Plate 4 Nos. 12,13 Length 11cm Similar to Greenish but upperparts are brighter leaf- green, and the supercilium, cheeks and wingbar are noticeably yellow. Underparts have a much stronger suffusion of yellow, sometimes reaching undertail coverts, but birds in worn plumage may have much less yellow. The bill is stouter, and often paler. Call is very similar to Greenish but may be more clearly disyllabic and louder. The song is more complex than that of the Greenish and often includes brief trilling notes. Large-billed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus magnirostris Plate 4 No. 14 Length 13cm A large leaf warbler with plumage similar to nominate Greenish, but usually appearing noticeably larger. In fresh plumage it is brighter olive green than Greenish, with a more prominent dark line through the eye, and a longer yellowish-white supercilium extending to rear of ear-coverts. The sides of the breast and flanks are olive-brown. Has one and a half yellowish-white wingbars, but the upper one is usually not visible. Most easily separated by its different voice. Call ‘dir- tee’, the second syllable half an octave higher than the first. The song is a sweet musical ‘see sisi sisi’ on three descending notes. Bill is heavier and dark with only a restricted pale orange or brown area at the base of the lower mandible. Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inomatus Plate 4 Nos. 3,4 Length 10cm Asmall leaf warbler. P. i. humei (the commonest race) is greyish-olive above, creamy below, with a long broad supercilium, and one and a half whitish wing- bars. P. i. inomatus has brighter greenish-olive upper- parts, and yellower supercilium and wingbars, and yellowish-white underparts. P. i. humei is confusable with Greenish because it often appears to have only one wingbar. It is most easily separated by its smaller, virtually all dark bill. The call is a very similar disyl- labic ’tiss-yip’. See Greenish. P. i. inomatus is sepa- tated from Greenish by the presence of two promi- nent wingbars, white tips to the tertials, and the call, a loud plaintive ‘weest’. Both races are generally ‘Smaller than Greenish. 73 74 BLACK TITS Small crested tits. All have crown, crest, sides of neck and throat black. Cheeks and nuchal patch white. Separated by colour of underparts and presence of wingbars. Inhabit broadleaved and coniferous forests between 2100m and 4000m. Rufous-naped Tit Parus rufonuchalis Length 13cm A large and dark black tit. Distinguished by extensive black on underparts covering breast and upper belly. Lower belly dark grey. Rufous only on undertail coverts and small patch on flanks. Has rich rufous tinge at back of white nuchal patch. Upperparts dark olive-grey. No wing spots. Rufous-vented Tit Length 10cm Western race Parus rubidiventris rubidiventris Separated by rufous breast and belly. Flanks pale grey with a small rufous patch. Has pale rufous tinge at back of white nuchal patch. Upperparts grey slightly tinged olive. Under tail-coverts rufous. No wing spots. Eastern race Parus rubidiventris beavani Like P. r. rubidiventris but breast and belly medium grey. Flanks medium grey with a small rufous patch. Lacks rufous tinge on white nuchal patch. Spot-winged Tit Parus melanolophus Length 11cm Dark grey upperparts. From other spe- cies except Coal by two rows of rusty-white spots forming wing bars. From Coal by dark grey breast and belly, small rufous patch on flanks and rufous under tail-coverts. Coal Tit Parus ater Length 10cm The smallest black tit. Grey above. Separated from other black tits by beige breast and belly and lack of both rufous patch on flanks and rufous under tail- coverts. From Rufous-naped and Rufous-vented by two rows of white spots forming wing bars. Hybrids between the last two species occur in a zone of introgression. The hybrids differ strikingly from both parents in having a cinnamon patch on the lower breast and belly, thus resembling P. r. rubidiventns.. Black Tit Identification Rosefinch Identification ROSEFINCHES Males have pinkish plumage and, in most species, a pink rump. Females and immatures are streaked brown and are often difficult to identify. All breed at high altitudes, and all except Common Rosefinch winter above 1000m. Blanford’s Rosefinch Carpodacus rubescens Plate 6 No. 2, Plate 7 No. 2 Length 15cm Male is similar to Common but has uniform pinkish- red underparts, a thinner and more pointed bill, orange-crimson rump and lacks a dark eyestripe. Female can be separated from Dark-breasted by its paler underparts, and much plainer upperparts with tufescent edges to feathers, especially on rump. Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis Plate 6 No. 1, Plate 7 No. 1 Length 15.5cm Has a dark appearance. From other rosefinches by longer and thinner bill. Male separated from all ex- cept Dark-rumped by lack of pink or red on rump. Male has a characteristic dusky crimson breast band, contrasting with rosy-pink throat and belly. Fore- crown and forehead are rosy-red; supercilium is broad rosy-pink, contrasting with dark rear crown and dark line through eye. Female is dark olive-brown above with heavy blackish streaks. Has two distinct orange-brown wingbars in fresh plumage. No eye- brow. Separated from all rosefinches except female Blanford’s by unstreaked olive-brown underparts. See that species. Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus Plate 6 No. 4, Plate 7 No. 4 Length 15cm Male of subspecies roseatus has head, rump and breast rosy-red. Lacks an eye-brow. Rest of upper- parts rosy-red tinged brown, and unstreaked. Rest of underparts pale rose. Subspecies erythrinus is paler red. Female of subspecies roseatus is olive-brown abovewith light streaking. Has two pale buff wingbars which wear to whitish. Lacks an eyebrow. Throat and breast are pale buff, lightly streaked with brown, and the belly is whitish. Female erythrinus is similar to roseatus but is paler, and has grey-brown upperparts. - Immatures of both races are similar to female rosea- tus, but have rich buff, boldly streaked upperparts, and are more heavily streaked on the breast. Lower belly and under tail-coverts whitish, lacking streaks. See Beautiful. 75 Beautiful Rosefinch Carpodacus pulcherrimus Plate 6 No. 6, Plate 7 No. 6 Length 15cm Identifiable by generally pale colouration, and by heavy dark brown streaks above and below. Supercil- ium is broad and pale pink in male, whitish and indistinct in female. Male is ashy brown above, heavily streaked darker, including crown, lower belly whitish, and rest of underparts pale pink, with streaks on sides of lower breast and flanks. Rump is pale pink and unstreaked. Female is nondescript, pale buffy brown above, heavily streaked dark brown, and greyer on crown. Has broad pale buffish fringes to coverts and tertials. Cheeks and underparts are whitish, heavily marked throughout with narrow dark streaks. Has more extensive streaking than Pink-browed, a pale crown and ear coverts, and is whitish below. From Great and Streaked by smaller size and smaller bill. See Common, Pink-browed. Pink-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus rhodochrous Plate 6 No. 3, Plate 7 No. 3 Length 14.5cm Male is distinguished by combination of prominent pink supercilium, and warm brown mantle with darker streaks. Rump and underparts are rosy pink and unstreaked. Crown and line through the eye are crimson-brown and unstreaked. Male and female can have pale tertial tips as in Vinaceous. Female is warm brown with darker streaks above, and with olive tinge to mantle. Underparts are warm buffy-brown, paler on throat, and with dark brown streaks on throat, breast, upper belly and flanks. Rather similar to fe- male Dark-rumped, but has a prominent broad buff supercilium, broad warm buffish fringes to wing coverts and tertials, and is smaller. Vinaceous Rosefinch Carpodacus vinaceus Plate 6 No. 8, Plate 7 No. 8 Length 13.5cm A small, dark rosefinch. Male is deep crimson with rosy-red rump, prominent pink supercilium, and dark brown wings and tail. Lacks streaking. Has two pink- ish-white spots on tertials. Female is olive-brown above, warmer brown below, with indistinct dark streaks above and below, and lacks a contrasting supercilium. Rather similar to female Dark-breasted and Blanford’s but separated by streaked underparts, more olive colouration, lack of wing bars, and smaller size. 76 Dark-rumped Rosefinch Carpodacus edwardsii Plate 6 No. 5, Plate 7 No. 5 Length 16cm A dark rosefinch. Male has pink forehead and super- cilium contrasting with dark crown and line through eye. Breast is dark pinkish-brown and remaining underparts paler. Upperparts are deep pinkish-brown streaked darker. Separated from all except Dark- breasted by lack of pink or red in rump. Female is olive-brown above with broad dark streaks and paler, slightly buffy-brown fringes to wing coverts and ter- tials. Has a narrow buffish supercilium. Buff below, whiter on throat and more olive on breast, and streaked darker on throat and breast. Both sexes resemble Spot-winged - see that species. Spot-winged Rosefinch Carpodacus rhodopeplus Plate 6 No. 7, Plate 7 No. 7 Length 17cm Male has a narrow pink rump and prominent pink supercilium. Rest of upperparts are crimson-brown, streaked pink on lower back, with pink edgings to scapulars and tertials. Deep pink below mottled with brown. Female is olive-brown, streaked darker above, with pale buff tips to greater coverts and tertials. Has a very broad, pale buff supercilium, contrasting with dark brown ear coverts. Buffy below, whiter on throat, and heavily streaked on breast and throat. Similar to Dark-rumped. Male and female can be separated by more pronounced supercilium; male also by pink rump, generally brighter and more contrasting plum- age, double wing bar, and dark breastband present in Dark-rumped. Female can also be separated by heav- ier streaks below. White-browed Rosefinch Carpodacus thura Plate 6 No. 9, Plate 7 No. 9 Length 17.5cm Male is distinguished by combination of glistening pink and white forehead, pinkish-white supercilium, and double wingbar. Upperparts, including crown, are brown and streaked darker. Flanks olive-brown; lower belly white; rest of underparts and rump are rosy-pink. Throat has white shaft streaks. Female has diagnostic orange-brown rump. Olive-brown, streaked blackish above, with a very broad whitish supercilium contrasting with blackish ear coverts, and a thin white wingbar. Orange-brown on throat and breast, rest of underparts buffy-white. Has blackish streaks below, heavier than in all other rosefinches. Streaked Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilloides Plate 6 No. 10, Plate 7 No. 10 Length 19cm Male is similar to Great, but is darker, and has heavy dark brown streaks on upperparts, and the whole of the head and breast are crimson with narrower white spots. Female has dull ashy-brown upperparts, and Rosefinch Identification whitish underparts tinged buff on breast and flanks. Streaked above and below much more heavily than Great. Resembles female Red-fronted but lacks greenish tinge to rump, has a more swollen bill, and is much paler, especially on underparts. Great Rosefinch Carpodacus rubicilla Plate 6 No. 12, Plate 7 No. 12 Length 19cm A large, high altitude rosefinch. Distinguished by its very pale appearance. Male is almost uniform sandy- grey, tinged pink above, and with a pale pink rump. Forehead, crown, cheeks, throat and upper breast are crimson spotted with white, ear coverts are pink and lack spots. Rest of underparts are pale pink mottled with white. Female is very pale ashy brown above with light streaking, more prominent on crown than on mantle, and whitish-buff below with light streaking more obvious on throat. Similar to female Streaked - see that species. Red-fronted Rosefinch Carpodacus puniceus Plate 6 No. 11, Plate 7 No. 11 Length 20cm A large rosefinch, found above 2745m, with a long, heavy bill and short-tailed appearance. Male can be separated from all other rosefinches by bright red forehead and supercilium, bright red throat and up- per breast mottled with white, and lower breast pink- ish-brown. Rump rosy red. Upperparts are dull grey- brown and broadly streaked darker. Female is nonde- script. Dark olive grey-brown above, broadly streaked with blackish, and a dull greenish tinge to rump. Throat whitish-buff; rest of underparts dull buff, all heavily streaked with dark brown. Vent olive-brown. See female Streaked. Bunting Identification BUNTINGS Mainly terrestrial. Frequent grassland or weedy and bushy areas in open country. Seed eaters with short conical bills. Most species have white outer tail feath- ers. Females and immatures are mainly brown, often streaked and sometimes difficult to identify. Winter males and immatures usually resemble females. Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala Plate 8 Nos. 13,14 Length 15cm A small bunting with a large bill. Male has diagnostic olive-grey head, neck, throat and upper breast con- trasting with black round base of bill, lores and eyes. Rest of upperparts brownish-olive with darker streaks. Female lacks black face and grey throat of male. Crown and upperparts olive grey-brown streaked blackish. Heavily streaked black on lower mantle. Submoustachial stripe, supercilium and underparts are very pale yellow or buffy white. Streaked on breast and flanks. Has a dark malar stripe. Females and immatures are most easily distin- guished from female Chestnut, Yellowhammer and Reed by olive rump; from female Reed also by lack of dark edges to ear-coverts, smaller size, generally more olive appearance. Reed lacks yellowish tinge in underparts sometimes present in Black-faced. Call is a ‘tsik’. Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos Plate 8 Nos. 1,2 Length 16-17cm A large greyish-brown bunting with a chestnut rump. Male can be distinguished by head pattern although this is obscured by buffish-brown and black tips in winter. Throat and supercilium are chestnut. In breeding plumage crown and cheeks are white edged with black. Male has chestnut upperparts streaked dark brown. Upper breast and belly white; lower breast and flanks chestnut with white tips to some feathers and black streaks on flanks. Female is much less chestnut than male. Has a brownish-grey streaked head; ear-coverts have obvious pale patch at rear edged with brown. Upperparts as male but paler. Underparts whitish with coarse brown streaks on throat becoming rufous on breast and flanks; belly white. The species is closely related to Yellowhammer but lacks yellow on head, edges to primaries and underparts. It also lacks streaks on belly present in Yellowhammer. Call is very similar to Yellowham- mer; a single sharp ‘twick’. Winters above 900m. See female Yellowhammer, Reed, White-capped, Black- faced. 77 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Length 16-17cm Has chestnut rump and call like Pine. Male can be separated from all other buntings by mainly yellow head. Underparts are yellow streaked with chestnut on breast and flanks. Upperparts are like Pine but have a yellowish-olive tinge lacking in that species. Female and immature are duller, less yellow and have more dark markings on head. Resemble female Pine but have yellow edges to the primaries, some streaks on the belly which is never white; also usually have yellowish wash on head and underparts. See female Reed, Black-faced, Chestnut, Pine. White-capped Bunting Emberiza stewarti Plate 8 Nos. 3,4 Length 15cm Has a chestnut rump which is darker and richer than that of Pine. Summer male has distinctive head pat- tern. Greyish-white crown and ear-coverts with broad black eyestripe from lores to nape. Chin and throat black. Underparts white with broad chestnut breast band. Winter male is generally duller and the chestnut is less extensive below. Wing-coverts and mantle are greyish-brown streaked dark brown and rufous. Female nondescript. Upperparts ashy-brown with dark streaks; two fulvous wing bars; underparts fulvous streaked with brown, often streaked rufous in a band across lower breast and on flanks. Immature is similar to female but usually lacks rufous below; more obviously streaked above and below and has paler creamy wingbars. From Pine and Yellowhammer by indistinct head pattern with a poorly marked malar stripe; more extensive streaking on underparts and noticeably smaller size. Lacks white belly of Pine and yellowish wash on head and underparts of Yellow- hammer. Call is a sharp ‘tit’. See Black-faced, Reed, Chestnut-eared, Little, Pine, Reed. Rock Bunting Emberiza cia Plate 8 Nos. 7,8 Length 15-16.5em Summer male has pale blue-grey head and throat with black lateral crown stripes and black malar stripe extending back round ear-coverts to join black eyestripe. Rest of underparts and rump chestnut. Winter male paler with less distinct head pattern. Female duller. Immature has brownish head with dark streaks on crown. Throat and upper breast buff- grey; breast and flanks streaked. Call is a thin re- peated squeak ‘swip’. See Chestnut-eared, White- capped. Recorded above 2135m. 78 Chestnut-eared Bunting Emberiza fucata Plate 8 Nos. 5,6 Length 16cm Slim and long-tailed with distinctive plumage. Identi- fied by combination of chestnut ear-coverts, lesser coverts and scapulars and gorget of black streaks or blotches on breast most prominent in male. Upper- parts are chestnut with heavy black streaks on mantle. Rumpis rufous brown. Crown and nape are olive-grey in male, grey brown in female with dark streaks. Lower breast, flanks fulvous, belly fulvous white. Summer male has a narrow chestnut breastband, indistinct in winter. Female and immature male are generally paler and duller than adult male. Call simi- lar to that of Rustic. See Little, Reed, Pine, Black- faced, White-capped. Rustic Bunting Emberiza rustica Plate 8 No. 10 Length 14-15cm A small bunting. Separated from other buntings by a combination of white stripe behind eye and white throat; chestnut blotches across breast and chestnut streaks on flanks; white belly. Upperparts including rump are chestnut streaked darker on mantle with pale edges to feathers (greyin male, brown in female). Summer male has black crown and cheeks. Female, immature and winter male are generally duller and less chestnut and have dark brown streaks replacing black on head. Often raises crown feathers. Call is a repeated high hard ‘tsip’. See Reed, Pine, Little. Little Bunting Emberiza pusilla Plate 8 No. 9 Length 12.5-14cm The smallest Nepalese bunting. Has a short tail and compact appearance. Identified by combination of chestnut ear-coverts with black lower edge not reach- ing bill; obvious pale eye-ring and wing-bars; brown lesser coverts and pinkish-brown legs. The adult in summer has a chestnut crown stripe; a band on side of crown, malar stripe and edge of ear-coverts black; supercilium is buffy-rufous in front of eye; upperparts brown streaked darker; lacks a chestnut rump. Whit- ish below finely streaked black on breast and flanks. Immatures and some adult females are much duller. Call is sharp ‘tzik’ or quieter ‘tip’. See Reed, Rustic, Black-faced. Chestnut Bunting Emberiza rutila Length 13.5-14.5cm Small and squat with a short tail. Summer male has distinctive chestnut head, throat, upper breast and upperparts contrasting with yellow belly and under tail-coverts. Streaked grey on flanks. Winter male sometimes has chestnut tinge to head, throat and upper breast. Female identified by combination of Bunting Identification chestnut rump; buff throat; dull yellow underparts indistinctly streaked grey-green on breast and flanks; and lack of noticeable white in tail. Often shows rich dark chestnut edges to tertials. Immature is similar to female but is more distinctly and finely streaked with blackish across breast and flanks; also more distinctly streaked with black on crown and mantle. Immature male usually shows chestnut tinge to crown and breast. Call is a thin high ‘teseep’. See female Black- faced, Yellowhammer. Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola Plate 8 Nos. 11,12 Length 13.5-15cm Male can be identified by narrow chestnut band on upper breast and large white patch on median wing coverts. Yellow underparts, streaked blackish on flanks. In summer has black face, dark chestnut up- perparts including rump and nape. Black and chestnut are obscured by buff scales in winter. Female and immature are brown streaked darker above, the latter usually showing sandy braces on mantle, rump may be tinged chestnut. Both are pale buff yellow below, streaked black on flanks. From other buntings by combination of two diffuse whitish wing bars; broad creamy or buff supercilium; pale crown stripe; only a little white in tail. Call is a ‘zip’ or soft ‘trssit’. See female Chestnut, Yellowhammer, Red-headed and Black-headed. Adult male buntings Yellowhammer: 1, Pine Bunting: 2 White-capped Bunting: 3, Rustic Bunting: 4, Reed Bunting: 5, Yellow-breasted Bunting: 6, Little Bunting: ah Rock Bunting: 8, Black-headed Bunting: 9, Black-faced Bunting: 10, Chestnut-eared Bunting: 11, Red-headed Bunting: 12, Chestnut Bunting: 13 79 Bunting Identification 80 Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus Length 14-16cm Summer male can be recognised by combination of black head and throat, white sub-moustachial stripe and collar. Pale rufous-buff above with heavy black steaks. Whitish below rather coarsely streaked darker on breast and flanks. Rump grey-brown. In winter head pattern is obscured by brown mottling. Female and immature lack black head and throat of adult male. Have well marked black malar and white sub- moustachial streaks and grey-brown rump. Similar to immature Little but larger; bill much larger; ear- coverts usually browner and with the black lower edge reaching bill; indistinct eye-ring and wing-bars; bright chestnut lesser coverts; and dark brown legs. Lacks chestnut rump of Pine and Rustic and also chestnut on underparts of latter. A variety of calls include a loud ‘tseek’, a plaintive ‘tsew’, a metallic ‘tsing’, and a quieter ‘tsip’. See Rustic, Little, Pine, Black-faced. Red-headed Bunting Emberiza bruniceps Length 17cm Lacks noticeable white in tail. Male can be recognised by chestnut head and throat and yellow nape contrast- ing with greenish streaked mantle. Underparts are yellow and unstreaked. Female is very similar to female Black-headed. Differs in smaller size; wing bars are usually buff (though may wear to whitish); rump is usually yellowish, often tinged olive; under tail-coverts less yellow. Lacks rufous on mantle or rump usually present in Black-headed. Call is thinner ‘twip’. Bunting Identification Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Length 16-18cm A large bunting. Lacks conspicuous white outer tail feathers. From all except Red-headed by usually un- streaked underparts which are yellow in male, yel- lowish-white in female. Summer plumage male has diagnostic combination of blackish-brown head with yellow collar and grey-chestnut back. Rump is or- ange-chestnut sometimes tinged yellow. Duller in winter with brown head. Female is dull brown finely streaked darker brown with sandy-beige or chestnut- beige rump and yellow tinge to under tail-coverts. Underparts sometimes finely streaked on breast. Has two whitish wing bars. Usually shows rufous tinge to upperparts. Very similar to female Red-headed. Call is a musical ‘tchup’. Crested Bunting Melophus lathami Length 15-16cm Long pointed crest is diagnostic. Summer male is black with chestnut wings and tail. Browner in winter. Female is olive brown, edges of wings and outer tail rufous. Dark buff brown below. Call is a repeated ‘tip’ or ‘pink’. Kingfishers/Barbets Identification BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER Alcedo meninting Length 16cm EURASIAN KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Length 18cm Small brilliantly coloured kingfishers, generally bright blue above and rufous below with bright red bill, legs and feet. Blue-eared is slightly smaller and generally richer coloured than Eurasian. It has deep purplish- blue upperparts with a darker purplish-blue line down the centre which is conspicuous in flight. It has blue ear-coverts and is a dark rich rufous below. Eurasian is bright bluish-green above with a bright turquoise- blue line down the centre. It has rufous ear-coverts andis rufous below. The species are found in different habitats: Blue-eared frequents streams in shady for- ests of the lowlands; Eurasian is found by streams, rivers and lakes, and ponds in open areas from the lowlands up to at least 1800m. BROWN-HEADED BARBET Megalaima zeylanica Length 27cm LINEATED BARBET Megalaima lineata Length 28cm Stocky, stout-billed green birds with short tails. Arbo- real and frugivorous. Both species have a conspicuous naked yellowish patch around the eye; it is large and invariably extends to the bill in Brown-headed, and often smaller and separated by a line of feathers from the bill in Lineated. Head and upper breast of Brown- headed are dull brown with narrow pale shaft streaks; streaks more obvious on nape; mantle to tail bright green with sparse pale shaft streaks on mantle; pale spots on wing coverts; lower breast and belly paler, unstreaked. Lineated has a whitish chin and un- streaked greyish crown; rest of the head, nape and most of the underparts brown with prominent whitish spots; no spots on wing-coverts. The repetitious calls are very similar but Lineated has a mellower, softer ‘kotur’ compared with Brown-headed’s ‘kutroo’. 81 82 ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon dasypus Length 12.5cm COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon urbica Length 13.5cm Small martins. Upperparts are blue-black with white rump. Immatures are tinged brown above. Whole of upper tail-coverts are white in Common. Longest upper tail-coverts are steel-blue in Asian forming a noticeably less extensive white area than in the for- mer. Underparts are pure white in Common; white tinged grey-brown, especially on breast, in Asian. Tail is distinctly forked in Common, but only slightly in Asian. BLACK-HEADED MOUNTAIN-FINCH Leucosticte brandti Length 18cm PLAIN MOUNTAIN-FINCH Leucosticte nemoricola Length 15cm Both species have a slim, sparrow-like appearance with forked tails. Gregarious. Often occur in large flocks of 200 or more in winter and smaller parties in summer. Feed on stony ground. Breed above treeline. Black-headed is generally found at higher elevations than Plain; usually above 4200m in summer but in winter especially in severe weather their altitudinal ranges overlap. Black-headed is grey-brown scalloped with sandy above; pale grey below with no streaking; slightly larger and with overall paler plumage than Plain. Can be separated by lack of supercilium, dark brown face, forehead and crown contrasting with paler underparts. Tail is black with white outer feath- ers. Has a large whitish patch on wing, pale shoulder and brownish-pink rump absent in Plain. Plain is brown streaked darker brown above, pale grey-brown below with sides of breast streaked. Lacks contrasting dark head pattern of Black-headed. Has a rufous tinge to face and an indistinct supercilium. Brown tail with pale outer feathers. Sometimes shows two ob- scure buff wing bars. Rump is grey. House-Martins/Mountain-Finches Identification ly iM hi ANH NAT | HM uy NA me HH ih é ‘| X mM Swifts/Larks Identification WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL Hirundapus caudacutus Length 20cm WHITE-VENTED NEEDLETAIL Hirundapus cochinchinensis Length 20cm Large swifts with long narrow pointed wings and square, short, unforked tails. Flight is very fast. Both species are blackish-brown with pale brown backs, and white under tail-coverts and patch on flanks. The species can be separated by the colour of chin and throat, dirty brownish-white merging with the pale brown underparts in White-vented Needletail, and clear-cut white sharply contrasting with dark brown underparts in White-throated. If the upperparts are seen well, White-throated has some white on the tertials, but this is lacking in White-vented. In Nepal White-vented Needletail occurs mainly in the low- lands whereas White-throated is more frequently seen at higher altitudes. However there is consider- able overlap in distribution. HUME’S SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella acutirostris Length 15cm GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella brachydactyla dukhunensis Length 16cm Both species can be separated from bush-larks by their long tails and lack of rufous in the wing; from Oriental Skylark by smaller size, no crest, paler plum- age and shorter stubby bills. Greater Short-toed has tawny upperparts lightly streaked blackish. Under- parts are buffish with rufous-buff flanks, unstreaked in adult, streaked on breast in immature. Hume’s Short-toed is slightly smaller and paler with less dis- tinct streaking. Has a greyish appearance and lacks fulvous of Greater Short-toed. Brownish-grey above with darker streaks and greyish-buff below. Often shows rufous-pink rump and pinkish-buff tertials, flight feathers and coverts. These latter features would help to distinguish Hume’s from a grey race of Greater Short-toed C. b. longipennis that may occur in Nepal. 8&4 Key to the Distribution Maps SPECIES ACCOUNTS KEY TO THE DISTRIBUTION MAPS The country has been divided up into squares (based on geographical coordinates for ease of reference, each one being half a degree square (i.e. about 56km?). Each square is designated by the coordinates of the left hand bottom corner. Symbols used specimen recorded recorded in breeding season possible breeding @®oeo~,« proved breeding A A breeding season Possible breeding records Birds copulating, nest-building, or trapped or col- lected in breeding condition. Proved breeding records Nest with eggs or young, adults feeding young, or carrying food, juveniles of sedentary species. Range of each species is given for the Indian subcon- tinent only. Localities which are mentioned infrequently in the text are given square coordinates. All other localities are shown on Map 1 (see end papers). Langtang refers to Langtang National Park and Kosi to both Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and the Kosi Barrage area. References are referred to by numbers (see the bibli- ography), and are included for the first record for each species in Nepal, breeding information and all unusual reports. Only the person who initially re- corded the species is included, other names are omit- ted due to lack of space. Period of occurrence bars. Shaded areas indicate when species have been recorded. The bar is divided into quarter months. Altitude bars. Each line or shaded area on the bars indicates an altitude at which the species has been recorded. First descriptions of a total of 116 species were made from specimens obtained in Nepal. These are given in the text. All records from B. Hodgson refer to speci- mens. Unfortunately nearly all of these lack locality data. Status of species is given as abundant, common, fairly common, occasional, uncommon, rare, scarce and vagrant. Map6 Number of species recorded per square Note that squares with low totals may either be under-recorded or species poor. Grebes/Cormorants 85 LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis (Podiceps ruficollis) Subspecies capensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent, winter visitor and passage migrant. : Occurs mainly between 75m and 1370m. Reported from 3050m at Rara Lake on 1 April 1976 (127). The unusually large number of 60 was seen on passage in April 1976 at Kosi Barrage (293). Frequents lakes and ponds. Range Throughout the subcontinent. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Subspecies cristatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally frequent winter visitor, possibly breeds. Often seen at Kosi Barrage, Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal and Rara Lake. One was reported on the Kali Gandaki River (H4) at 2660m on 9 March 1987 (594). Favours large areas of deep open water. Range Breeds Baluchistan, Ladakh, Gujarat. Winters n. India. 6 ye g BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Eared Grebe (Podiceps caspicus) Subspecies nigricollis. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Phewa Tal in Decem- ber 1949 (647). A scarce visitor mainly occurring in winter. Reported from Rara Lake, Phewa Tal and Begnas Tal. The exceptionally high number of about 40 was seen at Begnas Tal on 6 January 1982 (411). One summer record of two first year birds on Rara Lake on 25 June 1979 (626). Range Breeds Baluchistan. Win- ters Baluchistan to Nepal and south to Maharashtra. GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Large Cormorant, Cormorant ‘Subspecies sinensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident but no definite evidence of breeding. Frequents lakes and large rivers. Often moves up rivers to about 1000m. Three were seen flying over Phortse (P6) at 3960m (244). Congre- gations of several hundred have been regularly reported from Kosi Barrage and roosting at Chitwan. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 86 Cormorants /Pelicans GREAT CORMORANT, cont'd ... LITTLE CORMORANT Phalacrocorax niger First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a winter visitor and passage mi- grant. Common at Kosi but uncommon elsewhere. Found on lakes, ponds and forested streams. Usually solitary when on small ponds and streams but up to 100 have been recorded together at Kosi. Range Throughout the subcontinent. ORIENTAL DARTER Anhinga melanogaster Darter (Anhinga rufa) Subspecies melanogaster. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncom- mon resident and non-breeding visitor re- stricted to below 300m. Common at Chi- twan where it is a resident breeder (296) and occasionally seen at Kosi. One was seen soaring over the Kathmandu Valley after a severe dust storm in April (635). Found on slow-moving rivers, ponds and lakes. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. GREAT WHITE PELICAN + Pelecanus onocrotalus Eastern White Pelican, White Pelican Vagrant. The first record was of a pair season between May and January (293), but only two other flying over the Kathmandu Valley seen by records from there: in March 1988 (418) and a flock of 52 J.V. Coapman in 1971 (243). In 1976 de- birds on 14 and 15 February 1981 (65,559,622). Range scribed as an uncommon visitor to Kosi Winters Pakistan and n. India. Barrage in the species’s non-breeding Pelicans/Bitterns SPOT-BILLED PELICAN Pelecanus philippensis Grey Pelican A local and uncommon non-breeding visitor. First recorded by B. Hodgson who obtained one from the Kathmandu Valley in April (336,388). All other reports are from Kosi. Regularly seen there between early March and May in flocks of up to 12 birds; also recorded in June and July. Range Throughout the subcontinent. GREAT BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Bittern, Eurasian Bittern e Subspecies stellaris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (277). A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Mainly found in the tarai. Singles regularly seen at Kosi. Two autumn records from higher altitudes: in the Kathmandu Valley at 1370m (591) and at Rara Lake at 3050m (627). Inhab- / its dense reedbeds. Skulking and solitary; , 5 3 not often seen in the daytime. Range z Winters Sind east to Bangladesh; south to ae = Tamil Nadu. 900 JF MA A Oo ND [LITTLE BITTERN Ixobrychus minutus Although mentioned by some authors (51,664) as occurring in Nepal, no records have been traced.] YELLOW BITTERN Ixobrychus sinensis A local summer visitor, mainly reported from May to October with a few records i Y, between mid-February and April. Confu- if sion with Cinnamon Bittern resulted in it being wrongly listed as obtained by B. Hodgson (277). First recorded by R.C. Gregory-Smith on 11 May 1975 at Kosi Barrage. Occasionally seen there during the monsoon with a maximum of 10 birds in June 1975 (293). An uncommon breed- ing visitor to Chitwan (296). The only _ other record received is of three at Bela- tari (G6) on 21 June 1988 (750). Breeds June to September. Frequents reedbeds and marshes of the tarai. Mainly crepus- cular and nocturnal. Range Throughout the subcontinent south and east from the Indus valley. 8&8 CINNAMON BITTERN Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Chestnut Bittern First recorded by B. Hodgson although wrongly listed as Yellow Bittern (277,388). Occasional. Mainly a summer visitor to the lowlands. Part of the popula- tion is resident at Chitwan and Sukla Phanta. Breeds at Chitwan (296) and has bred in the Kathmandu Valley (639). In the Valley chiefly occurs during the mon- soon when it frequents paddy-fields. Else- where it is also found in reed beds. Range Throughout the subcontinent. BLACK BITTERN Dupetor flavicollis (Ixobrychus flavicollis) Subspecies flavicollis. Scarce; possibly resident. First recorded at Bilauri (A4) on 5 February 1938 by F.M. Bailey (62). Subsequently it has twice been reported from nearby Sukla Phanta and described as a rare resident there (432,700). The MALAY NIGHT HERON 1 Gorsachius melanolophus Tiger Bittern Subspecies melanolophus. Vagrant. One was flushed near Dharan on 2 and 28 May 1976 by R.C. Gregory-Smith (293). Fre- quents wet areas in dense forest. Mainly nocturnal and very secretive. Range S.w. India, n.e. India and n. Bangladesh. Bitterns/Herons = 9000m J'F'M A = J = o'N D only other reports are of singles at Chitwan on 30 April 1980 (440), and at Kosi Barrage on 19 May 1987 (792) and 29 February 1988 (328). Inhabits forest pools, marshes and reed-edged lakes of the tarai. Breeds June to September. Range Sind east to Bangladesh; south to Kerala and Sri Lanka. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON WNycticorax nycticorax Night Heron Subspecies nycticorax. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Locally common at Kosi, Chitwan and in the Kathmandu Valley. Proved breeding in the latter two areas (296,336,559). Mainly a summer visitor but resident in the Kathmandu Valley and some birds at Chitwan all year. Regularly feeds at Rani Pokhari, a pool by a busy street in Kathmandu. Crepuscu- lar and nocturnal. Occurs on ponds, lakes and reedy pools. Range Throughout the subcontinent. F Herons/Egrets STRIATED HERON Butorides striatus Little Heron, Green-backed Heron, (Ardeola striatus) Little Green Heron Subspecies chloriceps. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent and summer visitor. Breeding con- firmed at Chitwan (296). Found by lakes and ponds edged with dense foliage and well-wooded streams. Secretive and usu- ally crepuscular or nocturnal. Range Throughout the subcontinent. INDIAN POND HERON 9 Ardeola grayii Subspecies grayii. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident throughout the tarai and up to 1525m in central Nepal. A straggler was seen at the unusually high altitude of 2745m on 22 May 1975 north of Jomosom (302). Re- ported breeding at Gularia (B4) (432), Chitwan (296) and also in the Kathmandu Valley (629). Inhabits paddy-fields, marshes, streams, ponds and ditches. Range Throughout the subcontinent. CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis Subspecies coromandus. First recorded by B. Hodgson. He found it breeding in the same trees as Black-crowned Night Herons in the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). There is still a colony in Kath- mandu. Also proved breeding north-west 89 of Pokhara (499) and outside the national park at Chitwan (296). Common throughout up to 1525m. Mainly resident although most leave the Kathmandu Valley for lower levels in winter. Frequents wet fields, pools and marshes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 90 Egrets LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Subspecies garzetta. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common and widespread resident up to 1525m. Breed- ing colonies have been located near ‘ Godavari (629) and at Chitwan (296). Frequents wet fields, pools and marshes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. INTERMEDIATE EGRET Egretta intermedia Plumed Egret, Smaller Egret, Yellow-billed Egret + Subspecies intermedia. Although no i Hodgson specimens can be traced, the species was recorded from the Kath- mandu Valley in his illustrations (336). A z specimen of Great Egret collected by 4 Scully in 1876 (708) has been wrongly attributed to this species (95). Reported without details by Ripley (659). The first definite record was a specimen taken by R.L. Fleming on 24 August 1964 at Chi- LS] as twan (247). Mainly resident. Occasionally ee ae ee sali seen throughout up to 915m. Locally common at Kosi and also Chitwan where proved breeding (296). Two reports from the Kathmandu Valley, both in February 1979 (486,652,418). Frequents wet fields, pools and marshes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. GREAT EGRET Epretta alba Large Egret (Casmerodius albus, Ardea alba) F Great White Egret p Subspecies modesta. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, seen occa- sionally throughout the lowlands up to 300m. A fairly common breeding resident at Chitwan (296). Common at Kosi. Rare at higher altitudes. The only recent report fromthe Kathmandu Valley is of one seen in February and March 1981 at Rani Pokhari. Two were found at the particu- larly high altitude of 3050m at Rara Lake on 15 October 1982 (627). Frequents wet fields, pools and marshes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Herons/Storks GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Subspecies cinerea. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Chiefly a winter visitor, seen occasionally throughout the tarai and foothills up to 915m. Common at Chitwan and Kosi Barrage where some birds are resident. One was seen at the unusually high altitude of 3050m at Rara Lake from 28 February to 2 March 1983 (627). Inhabits large rivers and lakes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. IMPERIAL HERON Ardea imperialis Great White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) White-bellied Heron Recorded only by B. Hodgson who ob- tained at least two specimens on 5 April and 10 November from the lower hills, PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea Subspecies manilensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). Only one later report from there (733). Mainly a resident occurring in the lowlands up to 300m. Common at Kosi all year. There is also a large influx there at the start of the monsoon (293). Fairly common at Chitwan; occasionally seen at Sukla Phanta and Bardia but only single records from elsewhere. Inhabits dense reedbeds, lakes and marshes. Shy and crepuscular, easily overlooked. Range Throughout the plains in the sub- continent. PAINTED STORK Mycteria leucocephala (Ibis leucocephalus) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a scarce summer visitor; only afew winter reports. Chiefly occurs at Chitwan from May to October (296). Occasionally seen in summer at Kosi Barrage (293). Single records from elsewhere. The maxi- mum of 57 was found at Gaidhawa Tal on ~ 29 December 1979 (777). One to three birds found in wetlands in the west in June 1988: by Dunduwa stream and Kamdi Ghat, Banke District (D5), Badhaiya Tal (CS) and near Bhairawa (G6) (750). Found in large marshes. Range Throughout the plains of the sub- continent. 91 including one from Hetaura. He described the species as shy and rare (336, 388). Frequents rivers running through forest and marshes. Range Nepal east to Bangladesh. 92 Storks ASIAN OPENBILL STORK Anastomus oscitans Openbill Stork Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (276) but the specimen may have originated in India. Reported from the tarai without details by Ripley (659). First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming in November 1964/65 at Kuriya Mahan, Chitwan (J6) (247). Resident and passage migrant. Common at Chitwan, where proved breeding (296), and in the eastern tarai. Occasionally reported from else- where. Frequents lakes and marshes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A winter visitor from the ta- rai up to 1000m and a passage migrant. Sometimes seen in the hills on migration. Reported near Dhorpatan (G5) at the unusually high altitude of 2925m on 22 and 23 May 1981 (499). Found by rivers and in marshes. Range Winters Pakistan and n. India. WOOLLY-NECKED STORK Ciconia episcopus White-necked Stork Subspecies episcopus. First recorded by Occasionally observed up to 1800m especially in summer. B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- Inhabits flooded fields, marshes and lakes. Range Through- dent and summer visitor up to 915m. out the subcontinent. Storks WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Subspecies ciconia? First recorded by P. Alden near Chitwan in winter (243). Single birds were seen at Jagdishpur Reservoir (G6) on 5 March 1978 (155), east of Pokhara (J5) on 20 February 1986 (55) and at Chitwan on 15 February 1989 (506). The only other record is of 50 seen flying east near Dharan on 6 November 1989 (597). Occurs in wet grassland and . Nez \ gol amma cca Wau Sees ploughed fields. Range Winters in Paki- * stan and n.w. India east to west Bengal. ca ae) SSS BLACK-NECKED STORK Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus (Xenorhynchus asiaticus) Subspecies asiaticus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A scarce resident and passage migrant, restricted to the tarai. Regularly reported from Chitwan (J6,K6) and the Kosi marshes. Adults feeding flying young seen at Kosi Barrage in April 1982 (294), and with recently fledged young at Kosi Tappu in February 1988 (481). Over 16 noted at Kosi on 3 April 1986, but only three there the next day a (321). Found at Bardia (731). Single rec- ray ords from elsewhere. Frequents large riv- ers and marshes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. GREATER ADJUTANT STORK Leptoptilos dubius Adjutant Stork First recorded by B. Hodgson in Kath- mandu (336,379). No later reports from the Valley. A scarce visitor. Singles regu- larly recorded on the Kosi marshes be- tween February and November. Several recent reports of a lone bird at Chitwan (J6,K6) between November and January, and in April. Recorded from the south- eastern tarai (P9,Q9) in summer 1976 ' (293). A pair was noted circling near Chainpur (Q7) on 16 June 1954 at 1500m (109). Inhabits marshes and open fields. Range Sind east through n. India and Nepal to Bangladesh. 93 94 Storks /Ibises LESSER ADJUTANT STORK Leptoptilos javanicus First recorded by B. Hodgson (379) who found it a scarce visitor to the Kathmandu Valley (336). No further records from there. Occasional. Chiefly a resident in the tarai. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296,734,256) and in the south-east (P8) (481), (Q8) (748), (R8) (518), where it is seen most regularly. Found in flooded fields, marshes and pools. Range Kutch south to Tamil Nadu and east to Bangla- desh. GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus Subspecies falcinellus? Recorded by B. (336,388). The only other records are of one seen at Kosi Hodgson who obtained a specimen from Barrage on 14 April 1981 (559) and two at Kosi Tappu on 20 the Kathmandu Valley on 12 September. April 1987 (327), and three found at Chitwan on 3 March He described it as a migrant through the 1988 (262). Frequents lakes and marshes. Range Sind east Valley remaining in the hills for a few days to Bangladesh; south to the Deccan. Lae Me om =| ee aoe) eeerse 4 9000 = J°F M'A’M 3 '53 A S'O NOD RED-NAPED IBIS Pseudibis papillosa Black Ibis First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, found occasionally, chiefly up to 275m. Locally common at Chitwan where proved breeding (296) and in the south- east (293). Fairly common at 760m at Surkhet (D4) in June 1979 (626). Inhabits edges of river banks and open fields. Sometimes found in quite dry areas of cultivation. Range Sind east to Bangla- desh; south to Karnataka. A Les i nL OAND Ibis/Whistling Ducks 95 BLACK-HEADED IBIS Threskiomis melanocephalus Oriental White Ibis (T. aethiopica) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Chiefly a summer visitor, occasionally seen in the south-eastern tarai. Some birds may be resident as there are a number of winter reports. Tends to in- habit wetter areas than the Red-naped Ibis. Found in flooded fields, marshes, rivers and pools. Range Throughout the subcontinent. EURASIAN SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Spoonbill, White Spoonbill Subspecies /eucorodia. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A passage migrant and winter visitor. Occasionally seen on the Kosi marshes where flocks of up to 70 birds are regularly recorded. The excep- tionally high number of 288 was found there on 18 December 1979 (206). Single reports from elsewhere. Range Through- out the subcontinent. GREATER FLAMINGO Phoenicopterus ruber Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Subspecies roseus. Vagrant. Noted by B. Hodgson as a transient visitor to the Kathmandu Valley (341) although no specimen records can be traced. The only {Ly ae 2 Bee t ND JF M'A M J!s A S!O other recordis of a small group from Kosi Barrage in winter 1973 (243). Frequents lakes and areas of shallow water. Range Sind; throughout the rest of the subcontinent. FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna bicolor Large Whistling Teal, Fulvous Treeduck A specimen obtained by B. Hodgson was listed for Nepal in the British Museum (Natural History) collection (697), but the bird possibly originated in India. First recorded by F. Lambert et al. who saw one with a flock of about 1500 Lesser Whis- tling Duck at Kosi Barrage on 12 Febru- ary 1979 (486,651,652). The only other record is also from the Barrage, on 16 March 1987 (327). Range Pakistan, n. India south to the Deccan and east to Manipur. 96 Whistling Ducks/Geese LESSER WHISTLING DUCK Dendrocygna javanica Lesser Whistling Teal, Lesser Treeduck re First recorded by B. Hodgson (388) who found it in the Kathmandu Valley (336). Only two later records from there, both of single birds (436,256). Mainly recorded between 75m and 305m. A common win- ter visitor and passage migrant at Kosi Barrage; some birds remain all year.The largest numbers occur in mid-February. TUNDRA SWAN Cygnus columbianus Bewick’s Swan (C. bewickii) Vagrant. The only record is of one seen on 23 February 1978 on the Narayani River at Chitwan by J. Gooders (263). It occurred during an exceptionally severe winter. Range Vagrant to Pakistan and n. India. WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Subspecies cygnus. Vagrant. Only re- corded by B. Hodgson who obtained one specimen in January 1829 from the Kath- mandu Valley (336,341). Range Rare visi- tor to Pakistan and nw. India. a SST CT JE MA = TAGES = D A maximum of 7000 was estimated on 17 February 1981 (180). A common breeding resident at Chitwan (296). Oc- casionally seen on passage at Phewa Tal at 915m. Chiefly single records from elsewhere. Range Throughout the sub- continent. BEAN GOOSE Anser fabalis Subspecies rossicus? Vagrant. One was seen with Ruddy Shelduck by the Rapti River, Sauraha (J6) at about 250m. First recorded on 28 November 1985 by K. Halberg (298) and later seen on3 and 7 December (726) and 12 December 1985 (677). Range Vagrant to Assam. Geese/Ducks 97 GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Subspecies rubrirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon pas- sage migrant and winter visitor mainly seen in February and March at Kosi Bar- rage. Also reported from Rara Lake, Bardia, Kathmandu Valley, and Chitwan. Usually occurs in flocks of less than ten. The particularly high number of about 125 was observed at Kosi Barrage on 8 February 1974 (518). Range Winters from Pakistan to Manipur, and south to Orissa. BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common passage migrant. Also winters occasionally at Chitwan and Kosi Barrage. Migrant flocks fly over the main river valleys of the Karnali, Dudh Kosi, Kali Gandaki and Arun, and the Kath- mandu Valley chiefly in March, April, October and November. About 1500 flew north over the Karnali at Bardia between 29 March and 14 April 1987 (672) and 963 between 24 March and 5 April 1988 (673). One flock was seen at the exceptionally high altitude of 9375m over Mt. Everest (701). There is a late record of three birds on Begnas Tal from 27 May to 4 June 1979 (668). Range Breeds Ladakh. Winters from Pakistan and Kashmir east through n. India to Bangladesh. RUDDY SHELDUCK Tadoma ferruginea First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor throughout the lowlands up to 305m. Breeds in the Hima- layas; also a passage migrant. Maximum numbers of up to 4000 have been seen at Kosi Barrage in mid-February. Present at Chitwan from September to May (296). Some birds remain all year in the low- lands at Bardia (192) and Sukla Phanta (700). Ducklings were found in Mustang (J3) in June 1977 (587). A pair with newly c hatched young was seen on 27 May 1980 : at Gosainkund at 4300m (651,652). Regu- larly noted on Gokyo Lakes at 4800m (558), and also flying up the Kali Gandaki valley especially in March. Range Breeds Ladakh and Nepal. Winters through most of the subcontinent. * | zi 4 P : R a 4 A E A 4 9000m 98 COMMON SHELDUCK Tadoma tadoma Eurasian Shelduck, Northern Shelduck First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). A rare win- ter visitor and spring passage migrant. There a few recent reports from Kosi Barrage in March, April and November. COMB DUCK. Sarkidiomis melanotos Nakta Subspecies melanotos. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. near Dhangarhi in De- cember 1952 (647). Local and uncom- mon. Later reported again from Dhan- garhi (247). Other localities in the west- ern tarai are Sukla Phanta where it is resident (700), Bardia (418,750), Baidhaiya Tal (CS) (750), Nepalganj (432) and Gaidhawa Tal (G6) (777). In the east it is a winter visitor in small flocks to Kosi and has also been noted west of Kosi R. (P9) (301). Favours pools in wooded areas. Range Sind and Nepal east to Bangladesh, and south to Karnataka. Ducks A maximum of five was seen there on 12 April 1981 (559). Single birds have been recorded at Chitwan (J6) in Novem- ber and December 1982 (304), December 1986 (306), and January 1989 (707). Range Winters in Pakistan and India south to the Deccan and Orissa. COTTON PYGMY GOOSE Nettapus coromandelianus Cotton Teal Subspecies coromandelianus. First re- corded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a resident and summer visitor seen occa- sionally in the lowlands. A fairly common resident at Sukla Phanta (700). Chiefly occurs from April to August at Kosi and possibly breeds there (174,293). Has bred at Begnas Tal (674). Only an uncommon winter visitor to Chitwan, remaining from November to May (296). Rarely visits the Kathmandu Valley. Mainly single records from elsewhere. Reports from the exception- ally high altitudes of 3050m in May 1977 near Pisang (J4) and 2135m in November 1977 near Dunai (F3) (243,302) listed in the first edition of this book (435) are now consid- ered doubtful. Found on vegetation-covered pools. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. Ducks 99 MANDARIN DUCK Az galericulata Vagrant. A male was photographed by S. below Khatike Ghat bridge (Q7) on 21 January 1990 Gardiner on the lower Arun river 1km (256,257). Range Vagrant to Assam and Manipur. EURASIAN WIGEON Anas penelope First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A winter visitor and passage migrant. Com- mon at Kosi Barrage in winter where largest numbers occur in February and March. The maximum recorded is about 2000 seen in mid-March 1982 (770). An uncommon passage migrant to Chitwan in March and April. A few records from Khumbu in May with a peak of 35 at 4750m on Gokyo Lakes in 1977 (679). Occasionally seen elsewhere. Range _ Winters from Pakistan east to Bangla- eS ee ee LU desh and south to Orissa. FALCATED DUCK Anas falcata Falcated Teal First recorded by R.C. Lawrence in 1870 who obtained an immature male from an unknown locality (422). An uncommon, but regular winter visitor between No- vember and April to Kosi Barrage where largest numbers occur in early to mid- February. A maximum of 80 was noted on 7 February 1974 (518). There are a few winter records from Begnas Tal, Sukla Phanta, Phewa Tal, and Chitwan. Range eT a Winters in n. India and Nepal. es ie GADWALL Anas strepera Subspecies strepera. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor and passage migrant to Kosi Barrage. The maximum number reported is 2000 esti- mated in mid-February 1981 (559) and early March 1989 (172). Regularly re- corded at Chitwan and Phewa Tal. De- scribed last century as a spring and au- tumn migrant to the Kathmandu Valley (708) but few recent records. Passage birds have been seen in the Himalayas: recorded flying north up the upper Kali L 7000» Gandkaki valley in March (476), on Rara Lake at 3050m in March (137), on Gokyo Lakes at 4750m in April (131) and near Pisang (J4) at 2900m in November (553). Range Winters throughout the subconti- nent. rH : 7 Ja EA Me vAR MH ron gs A WAS O LON! TD 100 BAIKAL TEAL Anas formosa Vagrant. First recorded by S. Christensen et al. who found two resting by the Kali Gandaki river near Larjung (H4) at about 2560m on 16 October 1984 (145). Single COMMON TEAL Anas crecca Green-winged Teal Subspecies crecca. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor and passage migrant. Regularly winters up to 915m; possibly also as high as 3050m at Rara Lake. Present at Chitwan from September to April (296). At Kosi Bar- rage peak numbers of up to 2000 occur in mid-February. Small migrant flocks flew south down the upper Kali Gandaki val- ley between 26 September and 10 Octo- ber 1973 (76). Has been recorded in the Himalayas in spring, presumably also on passage: in March from the Kali Gandaki valley (476,559), and in May near Jumla (620) and Gosainkund Lakes at 4300m (440). Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Subspecies platyrhynchos. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a winter visitor and passage migrant; also breeds. Fairly common at Rara Lake, Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal, and Kosi Barrage where a maximum of 450 was reported in early February 1987 (647). Uncommon at Chi- twan and rare in the Kathmandu Valley. Proved breeding on Titi Lake, upper Kali Gandaki valley (H4) at 2620m in 1970 (527) and 1977 (667). Seen on passage: a few birds flew north up the Kali Gandaki valley in October 1973 (76) and seen at Manang (J4) in November 1984 (142). There is a monsoon record of 11 at Beg- nas Tal on 5 July 1978 (688). Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Range Breeds Kashmir and Nepal. Winters from Paki- stan east to Bangladesh and south to Ma- harashtra. Ducks adult males were seen at Kosi Barrage on 23 February 1987 (205) and 9 February 1989 (468). Range Vagrant to Paki- stan and n. India. EE eee 9000m Ji aRe iM A Mie hrs tA et Sere NAD: 9000m J'F'M M' JAJA TS 'O'N'D Ducks 101 SPOT-BILLED DUCK Anas poecilorhyncha Spotbill First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A resident and winter visitor. Two subspecies occur: poecilorhyncha (p) has been collected in the Kathmandu Valley (245) and zonorhyncha (z) at Kosi Barrage (671). A maximum of about 200 was seen at Kosi in early March 1986 (197). An irregular winter visitor to Chi- twan (296). Several records from Phewa Tal, but mainly single reports from else- where. One seen at Pisang (J4) at 3290m in November 1984 was presumably a migrant (142). Range Throughout the subcontinent south to Karnataka. NORTHERN PINTAIL Anas acuta Pintail Subspecies acuta. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Winter visitor and pas- sage migrant. Occurs in far greater num- bers than other duck species at Kosi. A flock of over 5000 has often been seen in February and March. On 16 February 1981 the exceptionally high number of at least 50,000 was estimated (559). A fairly common winter visitor to Phewa Tal. eS EE Occasionally seen elsewhere. A winter eral May reports from lakes in Khumbu at 4570m and visitor to Chitwan from October to April. 4650m. There is a monsoon record of one on 5 July 1978 at Recorded in October in the Manang val- Begnas Tal (688). Range Winters throughout the subconti- ley (J4) (658) and at Jomosom (76). Sev- nent. GARGANEY Anas querquedula First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a passage migrant. Common at Kosi Barrage where a few birds also win- ter. Greatest numbers occur in mid-Feb- tuary. A peak of 800 was noted on 16 February 1981 (559). Formerly a common passage migrant in the Kathmandu Valley (635), but only a few recent reports from there (589,418,256). Occasionally re- ported elsewhere between March and May. Three were found on Gokyo Lakes pes =| aE at 4570m on 1 May 1984 (764). In autumn ( ae small flocks flew south down the upper Manang (J4) in October (658). A few autumn records from Kali Gandaki valley from late September other areas. A pair was seen at Begnas Tal on 5 July 1978 to mid-October 1973 (76). Seen at (688). Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. 102 NORTHERN SHOVELER Anas clypeata Shoveler First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a passage migrant. Occurs in spring between March and May. Com- mon at Kosi Barrage where a peak of over 1500 was estimated on 5 March 1986 (197). Only occasionally seen elsewhere. Found as high as 4570m at Gokyo Lakes in May 1981 (559). Reported in autumn from Jomosom in October (76) and at Chitwan and Kathmandu valley in No- vember. There are also a few winter rec- ords from Kosi Barrage, Phewa Tal, Beg- nas Tal and the Kathmandu Valley. A Ducks Cc = aalaeaan Non =a ais M vA Mc AS ON) pair was noted on 5 July 1978 at Begnas Tal (688). Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. PINK-HEADED DUCK = Rhodonessa caryophyllacea Only recorded by B. Hodgson who ob- tained a specimen from the Kathmandu Valley on 15 September. He described it RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A winter visitor and passage migrant. At Kosi most birds are seen in March and April. A peak of about 80 was noted there in early March 1986 (197). Noted throughout the winter at Rara Lake and mainly in spring at Phewa Tal. Uncommon at Chitwan and found there between November and April. Only a few records from elsewhere. Range Winters mainly in Pakistan and nw. India. COMMON POCHARD Aythya ferina A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Salvadori (697), but it may have come from India. First definitely recorded by D. Proud at Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley on 8 January 1948 at about 1320m (629). A winter visitor and passage migrant. Fairly common at Kosi. Occasionally seen at Begnas Tal and also Phewa Tal where the maximum of 500 was noted on 5 March 1986 (55). Uncommon at Chitwan and reported there between November and April (296). There are a few spring and autumn records from the Himalayas, presumably of passage birds. Seen in spring in Khumbu at 3965m and 4570m as shy and residing in remote large jheels (336,388). Range Probably now extinct, formerly found in n.e. India and Nepal. CC DE MAY MS nd RU PeAS Sr 0 wa iUiaa Dy ES SF eM AMY tll Ae Sec Ghee NSD) “4000m (243,250). Two reports from Rara Lake in October (691) and one from Pisang (J4) at 2900m in November (553). Range Winters mainly in Pakistan and nw. India. Ducks BAER’S POCHARD Aythya baeri First recorded by R.F. Grimmett et al. who saw two males and one female at Kosi Barrage on 12 February 1979 (486,651,652). A scarce passage migrant. Regularly reported from Kosi Barrage in small numbers between February and early March. A maximum of 20 was counted there on 20 February 1979 (486,651,652). The only other record is of two at Phewa Tal on 29 October 1984 (145). Range Winters mainly in n.e. India and Bangladesh. FERRUGINOUS DUCK Aythya nyroca White-eyed Pochard First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. Mainly a passage migrant; also a winter visitor. Greatest numbers occur in February and March; a maxi- mum of 150 was reported at Kosi on 13 February 1981 (622). Several records from Phewa Tal and Begnas Tal. There are a number of reports of migrants from the Himalayas: on Rara Lake in February (137), lower Gokyo Lake at 4575m in May (243), in the upper Kali Gandaki valley at 2560m (76,553) and Marsyangdi valley at Bagerchap (J4) at 2160m (553) in Octo- ber and November, and a few records from the Kathmandu Valley. Range Breeds in Kashmir and Ladakh. Winters mainly in Pakistan and nw. India. TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Tufted Pochard First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a winter visitor and passage mi- grant although some birds occur through- out the year. Reported more frequently than other ducks on high altitude lakes. Resident in small numbers at Kosi Bar- Tage where a maximum of 100 was esti- mated in mid-February 1979 and 1981 (622,652). Occasionally found elsewhere in winter and spring, especially on Phewa Tal and Begnas Tal. Several May records from lakes in Khumbu between 4650m and 4900m. Fewer records in autumn including four birds on a small lake on Ama Dablam (P6) at 4115m in November (314). Summer reports from Gosainkund 103 lakes at 4300m in June (543) and Rani Pokhari (L6) in July (639). Range Winters mainly from Pakistan east to Manipur. 104 GREATER SCAUP. Aythya marila Scaup Vagrant. Although Gray and Gray (277) listed this species for Nepal, Hodgson apparently considered the bird in ques- tion to be a Ferruginous Duck (388). The specimen collected on 21 October in the Kathmandu Valley has not been traced. A LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Oldsquaw Vagrant. An immature male was re- corded by T.P. and C. Inskipp from 13 to 15 March 1980 at Kosi Barrage (440). The only other record was also at the Barrage: a pair noted in February and March 1982 (682,770,804). Range Winter straggler to Pakistan and n. India. COMMON GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Goldeneye Subspecies clangula. First recorded at Phewa Tal on 4 January 1971 by T-P. Inskipp et al. (444). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. At least six wintered at Begnas Tal from January to February 1977 (243). There are several winter records from Rara Lake, Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal, Chitwan and Kosi Bar- rage. The only other report is from Khumbu at about 3050m (178). Range Winters n. India and Nepal. SMEW Mergus albellus Vagrant. First recorded by F.M. Bailey who collected a specimen at Bilauri (A4) at about 160m on 22 January 1937 (62,108). Single birds were seen later on 15 and 16 January 1981 at Kosi Barrage (300) and at Chitwan on 1 February 1983 (296,687). Range Winters from Pakistan east to Assam; south to Gujarat and Orissa. Ducks drawing of the bird (336) cannot be positively identified but is almost certainly not a Greater Scaup. First definitely recorded by T. Andrews on 8 February 1985 at Phewa Tal (59). The only other record is of a pair on 9 February 1989 at Kosi Barrage (468). Range Winter straggler from Paki- stan east to Bangladesh. on. Ducks/Birds of Prey 105 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Vagrant. First recorded by V. Eve and G. Hibberd who found a first winter male on 24 and 25 February 1987 at Kosi Barrage GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Common Merganser Subspecies comatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common winter visitor throughout up to 3000m. Occurs on lakes and both fast-flowing and slow- moving rivers. Range Breeds in Ladakh. Winters in Pakistan and n. India. BLACK BAZA Aviceda leuphotes Black-crested Baza Subspecies syama. First recorded by B. Hodgson (350). A scarce and local sum- mer visitor. Breeds at Chitwan where it usually occurs from March to June (296). Three birds seen at the late date of 13 No- vember 1989 (597). A pair displaying near a nest in the Dharan area on 1 May 1986 (321). Several reports from both locali- ties, also north of Sunischare. The only other record is of a pair near Butwal on 23 July 1978 (155). Frequents lightly wooded low foothills and forest edges. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in Kerala. Birds recorded elsewhere in India pre- sumably migrants. (205). The only other record was also from the Barrage: two females or immatures on 9 February 1989 (468). Range Vagrant to Pakistan and West Bengal. ee Ty ARS M) Aj Mintel ADEs el ORIN Dard 79000m TTFAM AM J JAA SO ND ORIENTAL HONEY-BUZZARD Penis ptilorhyncus Crested Honey Buzzard, Honey Kite (P. apivorus) i E Subspecies ruficollis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A fairly common resident and passage migrant. Regularly reported throughout the year up to 1700m. Noted up to 3050m in spring and autumn, pre- ‘sumably on migration. In the upper Kali Gandaki valley 13 birds, presumably mi- grants, flew south between 13 September and 2 October 1973 (76) and in mid-May 1981 three flew north up the Arun valley (Q6) (483). Frequents well-wooded ar- eas, usually of broadleaved trees. Range Throughout the subcontinent. \ \ = 6 Reg - » TEL — aoe a 106 Birds of Prey BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE Elanus caeruleus Black-winged Kite Subspecies caeruleus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (376). A fairly common resi- dent, mainly occurring in the tarai. Regu- larly reported from the Kathmandu Val- ley at about 1370m, especially in summer, and rarely up to 1550m. Found in areas of cultivation, grassland and open scrub country. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. BLACK KITE Milvus migrans Dark Kite, Pariah Kite, Black-eared Kite First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A common resident and passage migrant. Two subspecies occur. M. m. govinda (g) is found down to 75m in winter and up to 2300m in summer. M. m. lineatus (1) winters from 75m to 2135m and summers up to 4900m. Proved breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (243,321). Autumn migrants observed flying south down the upper Kali Gandaki valley: 254 between 14 September and 1 October 1973 (76) and 32 between 24 September and 5 Oc- tober 1978 (761). A total of 97 migrated west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 6 November 1985 (683). In the upper Arun valley 22 flew north in May 1981 RED KITE Milvus milvus Vagrant. One was observed 2km south of Jomosom at about 2690m on 3 March BRAHMINY KITE Haliastur indus Subspecies indus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (365). Mainly an uncommon resident subject to some local seasonal movements governed by water condi- tions. Occurs most frequently in the east- ern lowlands especially on Kosi marshes. Usually found in the lowlands up to about 360m; sometimes at higher altitudes in- cluding the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, especially in summer. Fre- quents the vicinity of water. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. (483). In Khumbu four were seen in September and Octo- ber 1970 (526) and a flock of nine flew south between Ding- boche and Tengboche (P6) at 4400m on 15 March 1986 (546). Occurs most frequently in towns and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 1987 by M. Rogers after a week of exceptionally severe weather (685). Range Vagrant to n. India. Birds of Prey 107 PALLAS’S FISH EAGLE Haliaeetus leucoryphus Ring-tailed Fishing Eagle First recorded by B. Hodgson (361). Mainly a winter visitor and passage mi- grant between September and mid-May; possibly breeds. Resident at Sukla Phanta (700). Reported annually at Kosi in re- cent years where a maximum of four birds was seen on 4 March 1988 (465). A rare winter visitor to Chitwan. No records this century from the Kathmandu Valley. Noted on passage in the upper Kali Gan- daki valley: seven flew south between 4 September and 1 October 1973 (76). Single birds seen on 17 April 1981 at Hans probably also migrants. Frequents large rivers and lakes. Pokhari (S8) (559) and on 4 April 1986 Range Pakistan and Kashmir east through n. India to Bang- over the upper Mai valley (R8) (321) were ladesh. WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed Sea Eagle First recorded by T.P.Inskipp on 21 De- cember 1970 at Begnas Tal (444). A win- ter visitor. Recorded annually at Kosi Barrage from 1979 to 1990 with a maxi- mum of four seen in February 1989 (468). Rare at Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal, Chitwan and Kathmandu Valley. Mainly single records from elsewhere. In 1979 seven birds were seen at four localities (486,652). Normally frequents the coast but in Nepal seen by large rivers and lakes. Range Winters in Pakistan, n.w. India and Nepal. LESSER FISHING EAGLE Ichthyophaga humilis Himalayan Grey-headed Fishing Eagle (Ichthyophaga nana) Subspecies plumbea. First recorded by B. Hodgson (372). A scarce and local resi- dent which has apparently declined dur- ing the last 40 years. A rare breeder at : Chitwan (296). Its scarcity and that of x other fish-eating raptors in the park has been attributed to overfishing (759). Only a few recent records from elsewhere: . Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal, near Barlabas (G6) and the eastern tarai (R8). Frequents forested rivers and ES] SSS lakes chiefly in the tarai, although it has : ae ; been recorded at 3500m and 4250m in Khumbu in May 1954 (109). Range Hima- layas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 108 Birds of Prey GREY-HEADED FISHING EAGLE Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus Subspecies ichthyaetus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (372). A scarce and local resident in the lowlands. Breeds at Chi- twan (296) where it is seen more often than Lesser Fishing Eagle. Mainly single reports from elsewhere: Sukla Phanta EGYPTIAN VULTURE Neophron percnopterus Scavenger Vulture Subspecies ginginianus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent up to 915m, also a passage migrant. Some birds migrate altitudinally. Fre- quently noted up to 2000m in spring and summer and up to 3050m at Khaptad (C3) (657,428). The maximum altitude re- ported is 3810m at Muktinath in May 1984 (158). Only a winter visitor to Chi- twan, occurring from October to May (296). A total of 74 migrated west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 6 November 1985 (683). Proved breeding in the Kali Gandaki valley (H6) (563). A LAMMERGEIER Gypaetus barbatus Bearded Vulture Subspecies aureus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (343). A common resident throughout the Himalayas. Usually oc- curs between 1200m and 4100m but occa- sionally seen much higher. Observed soaring from 7200m to 7500m in Khumbu (432), Ghodaghodi Tal (B4) (792,750), Phewa Tal (551,154), Begnas Tal (687) and Kosi Barrage (408). Found near slow-moving rivers and streams or lakes in wooded country. Range India from Delhi and the Himalayan tarai east to Bangladesh and south to Kerala. = —__— = ie os oe oo Sa SSS Lt ere DUA S DOANSsD 0! Ue a Say 9000m JAF M AAM J'J A'S O'N D scavenger frequenting the neighbourhood of towns and villages. Range Pakistan east to West Bengal and south tos. India. by the Sagarmatha expeditions (51). Noted as low as 305m at Mugling (K6) (244). Proved breeding in Khumbu in Feb- ruary and April (109) and above Jharkot (H4) in November (306). Scavenges around villages. Frequently seen gliding majestically across cliff faces and valleys. Range Mountains of Pakistan and the Himalayas east to Arunachal Pradesh. Birds of Prey 109 LAMMERGEIER, cont'd ... First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Resi- 3050m at Khaptad (C3) in April and May (428). Birds in the dent. The commonest vulture up to about hills including some from the Valley, descend in winter. 1000m, and in the Kathmandu Valley at Found breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (336,629,708) 1370m; less frequent up to 1800m. Re- and at Chitwan (296,480,734). Frequents the outskirts of ported as high as 2440m and 3100m in the towns and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent. far east (S7) in March (735), and up to LONG-BILLED VULTURE Gyps indicus Subspecies tenuirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent and partial altitudinal migrant up to 1525m. Proved breeding at Bardia (202) and Chitwan (296). Probably overlooked - aSit is similar in appearance and habits to Oriental White-backed Vulture with which it often associates. Range Through- out most of the subcontinent. re PLLFAM AM J J AS) OAN QD 9000m —»' 110 Birds of Prey HIMALAYAN GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps himalayensis A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal scavenging on the carcasses of dead pack animals. Fairly by Sharpe (711), but it may have origi- common elsewhere. Usually found between 900m and nated in India. First definitely recorded 4000m but may wander as high as 6100m. Occursin the tarai by J. Scully in 1877 who found it in small as a straggler: a specimen was taken at 75m at numbers in the Kathmandu Valley in Raghunathpur (N8) in January 1954 (647). Proved breeding winter (708). Resident throughout the near Marpha (H4) in March (111) and in Marsyangdi valley mountains. Common along the well-used (J5) in April (484). Range Himalayas from N.W.F-.P. east to trade routes in the Kali Gandaki and Bhutan and possibly Arunachal Pradesh. Langtang valleys. Presumably benefits by EURASIAN GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps fulvus Indian Griffon Vulture Subspecies fulvescens. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A resident found mainly between 75m and 915m. Tends to replace the Himalayan Griffon at lower levels although the two species do overlap altitudinally. Common up to 3050m at Khaptad (C3) in April and May (428). Few records from elsewhere above 915m. A specimen was taken at 1980m at Bigu (N6) in November 1960 (246). Range Breeds in the mountains of Paki- stan, Kashmir and possibly Nepal. Win- ters south to n.w. India and Nepal. RED-HEADED VULTURE Sarcogyps calvus Indian Black Vulture, King Vulture (Torgos calvus) rs First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident throughout; fre- quent near Pokhara. Normally occurs up to 2000m but has been reported as high as 3050m on the Milke Danda (Q7) in Octo- ber (302) and at Khaptad (C3) in April and May (428). Some birds descend in winter. Only a winter visitor to Chitwan between September and April (296). Found in open country near habitation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Birds of Prey 111 CINEREOUS VULTURE Aegypius monachus Eurasian Black Vulture First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncommon winter visitor most frequently seen in central Nepal and east- wards. Reported during the breeding season although no evidence of nesting has been found. Fairly common at Kosi (327), and at Pokhara and northwards along the Kali Gandaki valley. There are two monsoon records: on 6 August 1973 north-west of Pokhara (HS) (814) and on 25 August 1986 in the Arun valley (590). Range Breeds in Baluchistan, Assam and probably w. Himalayas. Winters in n. India and Nepal. SHORT-TOED SNAKE-EAGLE Circaetus gallicus Short-toed Eagle First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Scarce. Most often seen in the tarai, but recorded as high as 2130m over Kakani ridge (L6) in mid-April 1960 (639). Status uncertain; possibly a passage migrant, but may also breed. A pair noted displaying on 16 February 1981 at Biratnagar (S8) (622). Several records from Kosi marshes and a few from Chitwan. Single reports from elsewhere. Found in open country. Range Throughout the subcontinent. CRESTED SERPENT EAGLE Spilomis cheela 0 9000m 7a Subspecies cheela. First recorded by B. on Machapuchare in October (Q7) (244). Normally winters Hodgson (340). A common resident sub- below 915m. Some birds remain in the lowlands all year. ject to some altitudinal movements. Usu- Proved breeding at Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu ally seen up to about 2100m in summer Valley (95). Frequents wooded areas. Range Throughout although has been recorded up to 3350m the subcontinent. 112 Birds of Prey EURASIAN MARSH HARRIER = Circus aeruginosus Subspecies aeruginosus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common win- ter visitor and passage migrant. Usually winters up to 915m. Mainly occurs be- tween October and April but has been seen as early as S September in the Kath- mandu Valley (629), and up to the end of May at Kosi (682). Noted on passage in the upper Kali Gandaki valley: ten flew south between 6 September and 3 Octo- ber 1973 (76). The maximum altitude recorded is of two single birds at 3050m at Khaptad (C3) in April 1988 (428), pre- sumably migrants. Prefers marshes, but also occurs over ricefields and grasslands. Range Winters throughout the subconti- nent. HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Subspecies cyaneus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. The most common harrier over 1400m. Often seen up to 3000m in winter and at much higher altitudes on migration. The maximum height recorded is of one flying high over the Thorang La (H4) at 5400m on 4 March 1986 (260). A total of 66 migrated west at Khare (HS) between 20 October and 7 November 1985 (683). Frequents Pi (1 5 EE _ open country, grassland and cultivation. ee 2 SE Ce a i Range Winters from Pakistan east to As- sam and south to Maharashtra. PALLID HARRIER Circus macrourus Pale Harrier First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Mainly seen up to 2200m but found at 3350m above Thare Pati (L5) on 19 November 1970 (444). Most birds are reported between September and April. Anunusually late male was photographed at Surkhet (D4) on 4 June 1979 (626). Noted on passage: three flew south down the upper Kali Gandaki valley in Septem- ber 1973 (76) and two flew west at Khare (HS) on 22 October 1985 (683). Several reports from Pokhara, Begnas Tal, Kath- rage. Mainly single records from elsewhere. Range Winters mandu Valley, Chitwan and Kosi Bar- throughout the subcontinent. Birds of Prey 113 MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. There are a few winter reports of lone birds from Chitwan and Kosi Tappu. Single winter records from elsewhere. Noted on migration in the upper Kali Gandaki valley where two flew south on 17 and 19 September 1973 (76) and at Wen on : Khare (HS) where three flew west be- % —o : 4 3 tween 21 October and 7 November 1985 x (683). Migrants also seen in the Kath- Ena =s] ae eT mandu Valley in April and November (629), and at Chitwan in March, April and November (296,432). Winters in culti- vated areas. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. PIED HARRIER Circus melanoleucus Cc Eo First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). the unusually high altitude of 3810m at Muktinath on 26 Mainly an uncommon winter visitor, al- March 1984 (624), was presumably on passage. Frequents though fairly often reported from Chi- fields and open grassy areas. Range Winters mainly in the twan and Kosi Barrage. A male noted at east of the subcontinent. NORTHERN GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Subspecies schvedowi. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional; presuma- bly resident. Chiefly reported between 1370m and 4880m and most frequently above 2400m. Regularly recorded north- west of Pokhara, Langtang, Kathmandu valley and Khumbu. A rare winter visitor between October and April to Chitwan (296). Usually inhabits oak forest. Some- times seen above the treeline especially in Khumbu. Range Breeds in the w. Hima- or a layas east possibly to Nepal. Winters from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh. 114 Birds of Prey BESRA Accipiter virgatus Besra Sparrowhawk Subspecies affinis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (365). An uncommon resident. Localities include Pokhara, lower Arun valley and Mai valleys. Chiefly summers between 1350m and 2800m. A few reports from higher altitudes, including singles at 3350m at Gapte (LS) in May 1980 (440) and at 3440m at Namche Bazaar (P6) in May 1982 (207). Some birds descend to the foothills in winter, usually to a lower i ————] Ea limit of 250m; rarely to the tarai. A pair found in more open country in the foothills and lowlands in often breeds at Godavari (243). Usually winter. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal frequents forested hillsides although also Pradesh; n.e. India; Western Ghats. EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Northern Sparrowhawk First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). Fairly common. Two subspecies occur, the resident A. n. melaschistos (m) and wintering A. n. nisosimilis (n). The former mainly summers between 2440m and 3965m. It moves to the foothills and tarai in winter. However the extent of its range there is unclear because of possible con- fusion with A. n. nisosimilis which has been recorded between 250m and 1450m. a The species has rarely been reported ee from the tarai. The maximum height re- corded is 5180m on 20 May 1982 at Gokyo September and5 October 1973 (76) and23 between 24 Sep- (540). Migrants flew south down the tember and 5 October 1978 (761). Inhabits well-wooded upper Kali Gandaki valley: 14 between 6 areas. Range Baluchistan and entire Himalayas. CRESTED GOSHAWK Accipiter trivirgatus Subspecies indicus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (365). Uncommon; presumably resident. Areas include Pokhara, Kath- mandu Valley, Chitwan, north of Sunis- chare and Morang District (Q8). Only one record from the west; at Mahendran- agar (A4) (247). Mainly single reports from elsewhere, including two in Decem- ber 1983 at the particularly high altitudes of 2100m above Ulleri (H5) (177) and 2000m near Ghasa (315). Frequents open ie === 7 broadleaved forests often near streams. Range Himalayas from Garwhal east to Sikkim and possibly Bhutan; s.w. and n.e. India; Bangladesh. = es >, ae CLI FJ FAM A MAS JASON D Birds of Prey SHIKRA Accipiter badius Subspecies dussumieri. First recorded by B. Hodgson (365). A fairly common resi- dent usually found up to 1370m. One was seen at the exceptionally high altitude of 2250m at Khaptad (C3) on 6 May 1988 (428). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (792). Oc- curs in open wooded country in the tarai and hills. Range Throughout the subcon- tinent. WHITE-EYED BUZZARD Butastur teesa First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A fairly common, sedentary resident mainly found in the lowlands up to 300m. Several records from 1200m to 1500m in Mechi Zone (R7) (658) and observed up to 1200m in the lower Arun valley (483). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Fre- quents cultivation and open dry decidu- ous and coniferous forests. Range Throughout the subcontinent. COMMON BUZZARD Buteo buteo Desert Buzzard First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant; probably breeds. Two races occur: B. b. japonicus (j) (245,482,647) and B. b. ‘refectus’ (r) (647,791), but only specimen records of these are named on the distribution map because the intras- pecific variation is very poorly under- stood. Chiefly recorded above 1000m. A pair was seen nest-building at Go- sainkund on 24 April 1984 (624) and summering birds were seen between 3400m and 3800m in the upper Madi Khola valley (J5) from 16 to 19 June and at 3000m above Ghasa on 28 July 1977 (758). Migrants noted flying south in the upper Kali Gandaki valley: 45 between 31 August and 14 October 1973 (76) and 12 between 24 September and 5 October 1978 (761). A total of 32 migrated west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 7 November 1985 (683). Found in open country. Range Breeds in Gilgit and Nepal? Winters in the Himalayan foot- hills, n.e. India and the peninsula. 115 116 Birds of Prey LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo rufinus Subspecies rufinus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (365). Océasional. A winter visi- tor and passage migrant. Seen regularly north-west of Pokhara (H4,HS) and in the Kathmandu Valley, especially between October and March. Several records from Chitwan and the Arun valley. Recorded in Langtang (LS), presumably on migra- tion, almost daily between 21 October and 2 November with a maximum of five on 29 October 1980 (516). Migrants noted =< ee flying south down the upper Kali Gandaki eae aes ton ee S| valley: 15 between 5 September and 12 1985 (683). One, presumably a migrant, seen as high as October 1973 (76) and five between 24 4800m in the Barun valley on 28 November 1988 (596). September and 5 October 1978 (761). A Several reports from elsewhere. Inhabits open country. total of 16 migrated west at Khare (HS) Range Breeds in Pakistan, Kashmir and Garwhal. Winters between 20 October and 6 November in Pakistan and the Himalayas south to Tamil Nadu. UPLAND BUZZARD Buteo hemilasius First recorded by B. Hodgson who ob- tained at least one specimen from the central hills (336,388). Status uncertain. The species is difficult to separate from eastern races of Common Buzzard and Long-legged Buzzard. The only other specimen records are six birds collected by G.B. Gurung from the Kathmandu Valley (243). Localities of sight records include Khaptad (C3), north-west of y Pokhara (H4,H5), Langtang, Kathmandu oa —— Valley and the Singhalila ridge (S8). One ® oa Pe aieaartel i was seen at 250m at Sauraha (J6) in Feb- tuary 1988 (465). A pair of buzzards, prey to a nest containing at least two young, at 3900m near probably of this species, was observed Braga (J4) on 15 July 1977 (758). Occurs in open country. attending anest on 21 June 1977 at 4050m Range Possibly breeds in Nepal; winters in the Himalayas in Manang and one was seen carrying from Kashmir east to Sikkim. BLACK EAGLE Ictinaetus malayensis Subspecies perniger. First recorded by B. Hodgson (361). A fairly common resident from west-central areas eastwards, occa- sionally seen in the west. Usually found between 1000m and 3100m. The maxi- mum altitude reported is 4000m in the upper Arun valley in May 1981 (483). The only low altitude reports are from Chi- twan where it is a rare winter visitor (296), and Kosi Tappu on 16 April 1987 (327). Inhabits broadleaved forested slopes. a EEE Range Himalayas from Rawalpindi Dis- : ae trict east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; hills of the peninsula. Birds of Prey LESSER SPOTTED EAGLE Aquila pomarina Subspecies hastata. A Hodgson specimen was listed from Nepal by Sharpe (711), but may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. who collected a specimen on 26 Decem- ber 1952 at Dhangarhi at 275m (245). A very uncommon resident. Records of migrating birds are unacceptable as the species is known only as a resident in the subcontinent (51,664). Several reports from Pokhara, Hetaura, Kosi and also Chitwan where observed nest-building (750). Chiefly single records from else- where. Usually found in wooded areas in the lowlands. Range Mainly n. India, Nepal and Bangladesh. GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE Aquila clanga Spotted Eagle First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. No evidence of breeding, contra Ali and Ripley (51). Regularly reported north-west of Pokhara (H5), Chitwan, Kathmandu Valley, Kosi Barrage and north of Sunischare. Mainly single re- ports from elsewhere. Winters in the lowlands. Shows a preference for wooded areas near water. Birds at higher altitudes are probably on passage. Maximum height recorded is 3840m over the Pangsang Pass (LS) on 29 October 1980 (516). Range Pakistan, n. India, Nepal and Bangladesh. STEPPE EAGLE Aquila nipalensis (Aquila rapax nipalensis) Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (340). A common winter visi- tor and passage migrant. Seen most fre- quently between 1000m and 2200m. May reach very high altitudes on migration: one was found dead at 7925m on Mt. Everest on 23 May 1960 (728). Large numbers use the Himalayas as an east- west pathway in autumn and have been reported across the breadth of Nepal. Largest counts have been made south of 117 ee ee (1 [ener = —_ —— See] ir AES SPOTS L J’ F MAA'M JAJ A'S O'N'D Annapurna (H5) including 992 birds between 26 and 28 October 1984 (145) and 7852 between 20 October and 7 No- vember 1985 (683). Several records of smaller numbers migrating south down Himalayan valleys in autumn includ- ing 276 down the Trisuli valley (L5) in two and a half hours on 24 October 1980 (516). Fewer reports of spring migra- tion including 25 flying north in 15 minutes over the Nau- danda ridge (H5) on 10 March 1981 (476) and 150 moving north over Namche Bazaar (P6) on 10 March 1982 (77). Range Winters Pakistan, n. India, Nepal, and possibly Bangladesh. 118 STEPPE EAGLE, cont’d ... TAWNY EAGLE Aquila rapax Subspecies vindhiana. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Very uncommon, presumably resident. Localities include Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Chitwan and Kosi marshes. Frequents open wooded coun- try and cultivation in the tarai. Range Pakistan east to Bangladesh; south to Tamil Nadu. IMPERIAL EAGLE Aquila heliaca Subspecies heliaca. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Uncommon. Chiefly a passage migrant from March to early May and late September to November. Re- ported several timesin these months from the Pokhara and Kali Gandaki valleys, Chitwan and Kosi Barrage. Nine mi- grated west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 4 November 1985 (683). One recorded at the maximum altitude of 3900m on 10 and 11 May 1981 at Dole (P6) (559). A few winter records from Chitwan, Kathmandu Valley and Kosi Barrage. Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Range Winters from n.w. In- dia and Pakistan east to Bangladesh. Birds of Prey ja | a I ] == n==E 3000m J°F'M"A™M J JAS ON D | SS ee Birds of Prey GOLDEN EAGLE Aquila chrysaetos Subspecies daphanea. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A thinly distributed resident of the high Himalayas mainly occurring above 2745m. Two nests found in upper Langtang (M5) in March (484) and in May (771). The maximum height recorded is 6190m in Khumbu in May 1975 (605). Two seen as low as 75m at Kosi Barrage in February 1990 (256). Inhabits rocky, high mountains, usually well above the treeline. Range Baluchis- tan and the Himalayas east to Arunachal Pradesh. BOOTED EAGLE Hieraaetus pennatus Booted Hawk-Eagle First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, also a rare resident. Several March records from north-west of Pokhara (H4,H5) could have been migrants. A total of 16 flew south down the upper Kali Gandaki valley between 24 September and 5 October 1978 (761). Six birds soaring over the Trisuli valley (L6) on 24 October 1980 were possibly mi- grants or a family party (516). A nest was found near Braga, Manang valley (J4) at the unusually high altitude of 3850m on 15 July 1977 (758). Regularly recorded from the Kathmandu Valley and Chi- twan. Few reports from elsewhere. Win- ters in well-wooded country. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. Winters throughout the subcontinent. BONELLI’S EAGLE Hieraaetus fasciatus Bonelli’s Hawk-Eagle Subspecies fasciatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (361). A local resident reported occasionally between 1400m and 2600m. Regularly seen north-west of Pokhara on the Jomosom trail north to Kalopani (H4,HS5), Nagarjung (L6), and the Trisuli valley (LS). A few records from east of Pokhara (J5); chiefly single reports from elsewhere. Inhabits well-wooded areas. Range Throughout the subcontinent, except the extreme north-west. 119 120 Birds of Prey RUFOUS-BELLIED EAGLE Hieraaetus kienerii Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle (Lophotriorchis kienerii) ae oe, Sy aN Subspecies Kienerii. Scarce, presumably 1987 (328), and two at Bardia in February 1988 (731). resident. First recorded by T.P. Inskipp et Breeding behaviour of the northern population is little al. by the Rapti River (K7) on 10 Novem- known. In Nepal found only in forested areas between 200m ber 1970 (444). Subsequently singles and 300m. In the Indian eastern Himalayas seen in moist noted at Chitwan in October 1978 (762) forests up to about 1500m and could also occur in similar and November 1979 (170), Arung Khola habitat in e. Nepal. Range Himalayas from Corbett east to (H6) in March 1982 (606), near Dharan in Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; Western April 1986 (546), Kosi Tappu in October Ghats. CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus cirrhatus Subspecies limnaeetus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (372). A very uncommon resident usually seen up to 360m but occa- ao sionally up to 1050m. Regularly reported mK from Chitwan where it breeds (296). Mainly single records from elsewhere. Inhabits forests. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; ne. India and Bangladesh; Indian peninsula. MOUNTAIN HAWK-EAGLE Spizaetus nipalensis Hodgson’s Hawk-eagle Subspecies nipalensis. The species was recorded from Nepal by B. Hodgson (361,797). A locally frequent resident and partial altitudinal migrant. Regularly seen in the hills bordering the Kath- mandu Valley, on the Jomosom trail up to Ghorepani, and Trisuli (LS) and Mai val- leys (R8). In the breeding season usually found between 1500m and 2835m. Some birds descend as low as the tarai in winter: reported from the far eastern tarai (N8,Q8) (293,647) and as a scarce visitor to Chitwan between October and April (296). Occurs in forests. Range Hima- layas from Pakistan east to Arunachal Pradesh; s.w. and n.e. India. Birds of Prey 121 OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Subspecies haliaetus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A fairly common winter visitor and resident up to 915m. Occa- sionally reported on passage. Migrants flew south down the upper Kali Gandaki valley: singles on 4 and 27 September 1973 (76), in late September/early Octo- = ber 1978 (761), and on 1 April 1984 (421). 4 \ ‘ The maximum altitude recorded is 3965m 2 ‘ e at Pangboche (P6) in November 1987 (558); presumably also a migrant. Fre- Loo ——"F—=EEEeEEE quents large rivers, lakes and large pools. Ladakh east to Kumaon and in Assam. Winters throughout Range Breeds in the Himalayas from the subcontinent. COLLARED FALCONET Microhierax caerulescens Red-breasted Falconet, Red-thighed Falconet A HR Subspecies caerulescens. First recorded nischare and Chitwan, where a pair observed mating on 19 by B. Hodgson (385). An uncommon resi- February (480). Breeding behaviour is little known. Inhab- dent in the tarai and foothills up to 915m. its forest edges and clearings. Range Himalayan foothills Regularly recorded in the Pokhara valley, from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; Assam. lower Arun valley, Dharan, north of Su- LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanni First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncommon passage migrant in October and November when often seen in flocks. Regularly found roosting near Phewa Tal in autumn with a maximum count of 340 on 31 October 1982 (244), and up to 25 until 26 December 1989 -(729). A total of 77 migrated west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 7 November 1985 (683). Only two spring records: seven flew north over the Kath- ooo ] Ee —e mandu Valley on 28 April 1981 (483) and : ps one near Santapur (R8) on 22 March 1989 particularly high altitude of 3700m on 18 February 1982 (549). Several winter reports from the (770). Range Winters in the Himalayas from Gilgit east to Kali Gandaki valley. Seen there at the Nepal, in n.e. India, and south to Tamil Nadu. 122 Birds of Prey COMMON KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Eurasian Kestrel First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). Common throughout up to 5200m. Two races occur: F. ¢. tinnunculus (t) is a winter visitor and passage migrant; F. t. interstinctus (i) is a resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Proved breeding in the Kathmandu (755) and upper Kali Gandaki valleys (811,321). Passage birds flew south down the upper Kali Gandaki valley: 11 between 6 September and 6 October 1973 (76) and 39 between 24 September and 5 October 1978 (761). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Ladakh east to Nepal and probably in Manipur; Western Ghats. Winters throughout the subcontinent. RED-NECKED FALCON Falco chicquera Red-headed Merlin Subspecies chicquera. First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A scarce resident. Numbers have apparently declined. De- scribed in 1877 as a very common breed- ing resident in the Kathmandu Valley (708) and not uncommon there in 1947 (95). Only three later records from the Valley. Nowadays only regularly seen at Kosi Barrage where it is uncommon. Mainly single reports from elsewhere in recent years: Phewa Tal (804), Chitwan (296), Trisuli valley (L6) (516), Bu- ludanda (N6) (207), upper Arun valley (574,588), Biratnagar (180) and eastern tarai (Q8) (293). Inhabits cultivation in- terspersed with groves. Range Through- out the subcontinent. AMUR FALCON Falco amurensis Eastern Red-legged Falcon First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). flock regularly roosts near Phewa Tal. The maximum num- Mainly a passage migrant occurring in ber of birds estimated was 220 on 24 and 25 October 1986 October and November. Several large (306,590). Only four spring records all of lone birds in April flocks reported, sometimes mixed with and May in the Trisuli valley (L6) (440), upper Arun valley Lesser Kestrels. The largest count re- (483), on Chankeli Lekh (136) and at Sauraha (J6) (730). ceived is 328 birds (all Amurs) from near Two singles in summer in the Dolpo at 4420m in June 1971 Godavari (L6) between 8 and 11 Novem- (224) and above Jomosom at 3660m in July 1973 (243). A ber 1985 (201). A total of 138 migrated winter record of one at Sauraha in January 1984 (815). west at Khare (H5) between 20 October Range Passage migrant to most of the subcontinent but not and 4 November 1985 (683). In autumn a Pakistan. Birds of Prey AMUR FALCON. cont'd ... MERLIN Falco columbarius Subspecies insignis? First recorded by the Manora River in the Kathmandu Valley on 11 November 1970 by T-P. Inskipp et al. (444). Scarce; a winter visitor and pos- sibly also a passage migrant found from the tarai up to 4000m. Other records are from the Namlang valley (F2) (undated) (447); singles at Kagbeni in December 1979 (681), Chandrakot (HS) in March 1981 (610), and Surkya (P6) in April 1981 (159); two at Kosi Barrage in November 1981 (255) and singles at Tashinga (P6) in April 1982 (207), Muktinath in February 1983 (748) and Ghasa in February 1987 (205). Frequents open country. Range Winters in Pakistan, n. India and Nepal. EURASIAN HOBBY Falco subbuteo Subspecies subbuteo. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A resident, passage migrant and winter visitor found up to 3050m. Proved breeding in the Kathmandu (792) and upper Kali Gan- daki vaileys (76). Present in a communal roost of falcons near Phewa Tal: at least 12 between 10 and 23 November 1977 (495) and over 10 on 24 October 1986 (436). A rare visitor to Chitwan from October to April (296). Inhabits open wooded country and semi-deserts. Range ‘Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. Winters throughout most of the subcontinent. 123 9000m es S| ee | J'F'M AM’ J J"A"S*O'™N D 124 ORIENTAL HOBBY Falco severus Subspecies rufipedoides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (389). Scarce; status un- certain. Formerly bred in the Kathmandu Valley (587,629). A few recent reports of lone birds from the Valley in January (748), April (770) and in summer (417). A rare winter visitor to Chitwan from Octo- ber to April (296). Single reports from elsewhere. Frequents wooded hills in the breeding season. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Pakistan east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Winters south to Kerala. LAGGAR FALCON Falco jugger (Falco biarmicus jugger) First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). Scarce; possibly resident. A few records from Chitwan and Kathmandu Valley. Scattered, mainly single reports from other areas including Taulihawa (F6) (157), Pokhara (758), lower Arun valley (Q7) (587) and the eastern tarai (N8,P8,Q8). Most frequently seen in ar- eas of cultivation in the tarai. Noted at the unusually high altitude of 1980m over Nagarjung (L6) (301). Range Through- out the subcontinent. SAKER FALCON Falco cherrug (Falco biarmicus cherrug) Subspecies milvipes. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,385). A scarce winter visitor. Only two later records from the Valley: a bird taken in Kathmandu on 7 December 1957 (482) and one seen on 4 November 1984 (145). Reported in the upper Kali Gan- PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus Shaheen Falcon First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). Two races occur. Shaheen F. p. peregrinator (p) is a fairly common resident. A partial altitudinal migrant. Usually occurs be- tween 1500m and 3000m in the breeding season. One recorded as high as 4200m in Khumbu in April 1986 (75). Uncommon Birds of Prey 9000" Raa Bay ETS 9000m Si ES iM Mia onsetAtr SPORANDED: daki valley: at least two seen between Marpha and Mukti- nath, between 2590m and 3795m, in February and March in 1981, 1983 and 1990, and one at Ghasa at 2040m in February 1986 (403). Singles migrated west at Khare (H5) on 20 and 25 October and 5 November 1985 (683). Found in semi- desert and open dry scrubby areas. Range Winters in Paki- stan, n.w. India and Nepal. in the tarai in winter. Proved breeding on Nagarjung (L6) (4). Frequents mountain areas in the breeding season and nests on steep crags. F. p. calidus (c) is a winter visitor. Status uncertain; records received from Kathmandu Valley (708), Kosi Barrage (652) and Kosi Tappu (327). Range Throughout the subcontinent. Birds of Prey/Gamebirds PEREGRINE FALCON, cont'd ... 125 gb BARBARY FALCON Falco pelegrinoides Red-capped Falcon Subspecies babylonicus. Vagrant. Listed as collected in Nepal by B. Hodgson (388). Several birds were observed at Kagbeni and Tangbe (H4) from 3000 to 3200m in late July 1977 and in September SNOW PARTRIDGE Lerwa lerwa Y SS Subspecies lerwa. The species was de- scribed by B. Hodgson from Nepal (339,797). A fairly common high altitude resident mainly occurring above 4000m in summer. Moves down to about 3050m in TIBETAN SNOWCOCK Tetraogallus tibetanus _ Subspecies aquilonifer. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. above Tukche at 4875m in December 1949 (647). A fairly common resident at high elevations. Usually sum- mers above 4500m. Descends in winter and early October 1978 (758). Singles flew west at Khare (HS) on 26 October and 4 November 1985 (683) and seen at Tengboche (P6) at 3865m in November 1987 (558). Range Breeds in s. Pakistan. Winters in Pakistan and nw. India. J ir Se JTIAATS OTN D 9000m winter, although it has been reported at 4880m in Decem- ber 1954 (109). Breeding confirmed in the Barun valley (Q6) (167). Inhabits alpine meadows and open, rocky hillsides. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. to Arunachal Pradesh. down to 3650m. Fledglings were collected at Gokyo in August (190) and at Nam La (G4) in June (589). Also proved breeding in the Langu valley (F2) (330). Frequents alpine pastures, stony ridges and steep hillsides. Range Himalayas from Ladakh east to Arunachal Pradesh. 126 TIBETAN SNOWCOCK, cont’d ... Gamebirds HIMALAYAN SNOWCOCK Tetraogallus himalayensis Subspecies himalayensis. A Hodgson specimen was described as originating in the snowy regions of Nepal (277) but was later listed as coming from Kumaon (602). First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. above Tukche, at 4875m in December 1949. He saw 70 to 80 birds between 4875m and 5180m (647). A resi- dent of uncertain status. Areas include Rara (127), Namlang and Langu valleys (F2) (447,330), Thorang La (H4), and Dolpo (G3). Two found on 15 April 1984 at 4400m near Kyangjin (M5) (624), the eastern limit of the species’s range. Proved breeding in the Langu valley (330), and in June in Dolpo (620). Some- times found in the same areas as Tibetan Snowcock, although usually at slightly higher altitudes (244). Range Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. CHUKAR PARTRIDGE Alectoris chukar (A. graeca) Subspecies chukar. First recorded by W.J. Kirkpatrick in 1793 (818). In the last cen- tury found breeding in the hills surround- ing the Kathmandu Valley (414,708), but only one report from the Valley this cen- tury (639). A fairly common resident in the western hills, usually occurring be- tween 2100m and 3960m. Only a few rec- ords east of Manang, mainly from Hel- ambu (L5) and upper Langtang (M5). Found as far east as Jiri (N6), the eastern limit of the species’s range, in December 1960 (246). Proved breeding in Mugu 9000m (Ie ae (E2,F2) (330). Frequents sctub-covered hillsides and grassy slopes. Range Baluchistan, Sind, and the Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. Gamebirds BLACK FRANCOLIN Francolinus francolinus Black Partridge First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common in the lowlands and central dun throughout the year. In summer some birds move into the hills and are quite common up to about 2000m. Two subspe- cies occur: F. f. asiae (a) (16,482,647) and F. f. melanonotus (m) (95,245). Proved breeding at Fircape (L6) (589). Inhabits cultivation and areas of tall grass and scrub, especially near rivers. Range Paki- stan and n. India east through the Hima- layan foothills to n.e. India and Bangla- desh. GREY FRANCOLIN $9 Francolinus pondicerianus Grey Partridge Subspecies interpositus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Resident in the low- lands. Status uncertain. Found to be common at Kohalpur (D5) (792). Also reported from Bardia (128,192,432), Kauriala Ghat (C5) (659), Butwal (G6) (647), Sonauli (G7) (230) and as far east as near Mugling (J6) (439). An adult with young was seen near Tilaurakot (G6) in June (157). Found in dry grassy and scrubby areas near cultivation. Range Pakistan east to Bangladesh and south through the peninsula. SWAMP FRANCOLIN $Francolinus gularis Swamp Partridge First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident. Common at Kosi Tappu since 1986; a maximum of 28 birds was counted there in November 1989 (597). Only one earlier report from there, of two birds in February 1984 (408). J. Roberts suggests that changes in the course of the Kosi River during 1986 moved a popula- tion of the species into the reserve (674). Up to three birds occasionally seen at Kosi Barrage since 1981. Several reports from the south-west tarai (A4,B4,C4) including recent sightings at Sukla Phanta (238,432) and Bardia (674), and one specimen taken from Tribeni (H7) in 1935 (62). Frequents tall grasses, swamps 127 =a f [oe = i a 9000m T'F'MAAM JJ "A SAO'N'D and other wet areas in the lowlands. Range Nepal and Uttar Pradesh east across n. India to Bangladesh. 128 Gamebirds TIBETAN PARTRIDGE Perdix hodgsoniae Subspecies hodgsoniae. First recorded by O. Polunin on 20 June 1952 at Simen- gaon, Dolpo (G3) at 4880m (620). A resi- dent of uncertain status. Noted between 3700m and 4100m in winter and up to 5000m in summer. Found in Tibetan pla- teau country. Several reports from above Muktinath; also from the Namlang valley (F2) (447), Dolpo (G3), Sangda (G4) (301), Khangsar (H4) (512), and north of Jomosom (647). Occurs on rocky slopes with scattered bushes. Range Extends marginally from Tibet into Nepal, Sikkim and possibly Arunachal Pradesh. COMMON QUAIL Coturnix cotumnix Grey Quail Subspecies coturnix. First recorded by B. Hodgson (368). In the Kathmandu Valley it was abundant last century in winter and on passage (708), but only one later re- port from there (62). Nowscarce in winter from the tarai up to 915m, and on pas- sage, but possibly resident and fairly common at Chitwan (296). However only two dated records from there, in April 1982 (432) and January 1987 (702). In May and June 1982 two heard at Syabru (L5) at 2100m (199,294,682). Inhabits standing crops and grasslands. Range Resident from Pakistan east through n. India to Bangladesh. Winter visitor throughout the subcontinent. RAIN QUAIL Coturnix coromandelica Black-breasted Quail Vagrant. Recorded by B. Hodgson who ords, both from the Valley: one taken at Bhaktapur on 25 obtained at least six specimens from the July 1956 (245) and another by New Road, Kathmandu on Kathmandu Valley in April, May and 11 April 1959 (482). Occurs in cultivation, grass and scrub August including a female in breeding jungle. Range Locally throughout the subcontinent. condition (336,368). Only two other rec- Gamebirds 129 BLUE-BREASTED QUAIL Cotwnix chinensis Subspecies chinensis. Recorded by B. Hodgson who took at least five specimens in April and May including one in breed- ing condition from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). Scarce; status uncertain. Possi- bly resident at Chitwan. Three records from there: singles in November 1979 (813) and April 1980 (440), and two in March 1987 (552). Also recorded from the tarai: at Bilauri (A4), Kosi River (P8) and Haraincha (Q8) in February and March 1936 to 1938 (62). The only recent record is of one from the Kathmandu Valley in June 1963 (247). Inhabits wet grassland, field edges and scrub. Range The subcontinent east and south of a line from Bombay to Simla. JUNGLE BUSH QUAIL Perdicula asiatica Only collected by B. Hodgson (277) who found it chiefly in the sub-Himalayan val- leys, and as a migrant (368). Range Throughout most of India. HILL PARTRIDGE Arborophila torqueola Common Hill Partridge UF Subspecies torqueola. First recorded by dense forests of oak and other broadleaved, evergreen B. Hodgson (377). A fairly common resi- trees. Feeds amongst humus on the forest floor. Range dent usually found from 1830m to 3200m. Himalayas from Chamba east to Arunachal Pradesh and Inhabits ravines and slopes in damp, n.e. India. 130 RUFOUS-THROATED PARTRIDGE Arborophila rufogularis Rufous-throated Hill Partridge Subspecies rufogularis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A scarce resident, for- merly reported more frequently. Once occasionally found on Phulchowki’s lower slopes, but only three records from there in 1980s: in January and May 1982 (682) and January 1986 (321). The only other recent records are from Pokhara in 1971 (551) and south of Annapurna (H5) in 1977 (762). Chicks seen in May at Godav- ari, Kathmandu Valley in 1954 (647) and Hetaura in 1947 (95). A record from Ghasa listed in the first edition of this book (435) has been withdrawn. Inhabits dense secondary growth and understorey of broadleaved, evergreen forests. Usu- ally occurs at lower altitudes than Com- [RED SPURFOWL Gealloperdix spadicea Although described as inhabiting the Nepal tarai (63,579,664), no definite evi- dence of its occurrence has been found. Possibly inhabits the western tarai. Range India.] BLOOD PHEASANT Ithaginis cruentus Subspecies cruentus. The species was described by T. Hardwicke from a speci- men collected in Nepal by E. Gardner. (311,797). Although previously recorded only as far west as Dhaulagiri (G5) (243), there are recent reports west to Rara and Jumla areas (127,464,627). A locally fairly common resident, mainly found between Gamebirds F W "90008 TE SoD mon Hill Partridge. Favours a zone of 1450m to 1830m. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. [PAINTED SPURFOWL Galloperdix lunulata A specimen is listed as originating in Nepal by Ogilvie- Grant (602). However it seems likely that the skin was mislabelled as the species only occurs south of the Gangetic Plain (664). Range India.] als COCR 3200m and 4400m. May withdraw from higher levels in cold weather. Chicks found at 3200m in June 1981 at Pipar (H5) (496,499,505). Inhabits dense bamboo clumps, open forests or scrub of rhododendron and birch or juniper. Usually tame and gregarious; often found in coveys of about ten birds. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. Gamebirds SATYR TRAGOPAN [Tragopan satyra Crimson Horned Pheasant First recorded by W.J. Kirkpatrick in 1793 (818). Resident, subject to vertical movements which are not fully under- stood in Nepal. Mainly reported from 2590m to 3800m in summer and down to 2100m in winter. Reports received sug- gest it is uncommon, although it is per- haps under-recorded due to its shy and wary nature. Found west to Khaptad (C3) (428,68). Regularly recorded south of An- napurna (HS), at Ghasa, Langtang and Khumbu. Breeding behaviour is little known. A female with young at 2640m on 31 May and a nest and eggs at 3760m in June 1979 were found south of An- napurna (H5) (496,499,505). A female 131 a J'F'M' AAM' JAJTA S ON D with young was seen on 26 May 1985 above Syabru (LS) (313). Inhabits damp oak and rhododendron forest with dense undergrowth and bamboo patches. Favours steep slopes. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to w. Arun- achal Pradesh. [WESTERN TRAGOPAN Tragopan melanocephalus Western Horned Pheasant A Hodgson specimen is listed as originat- ing in Nepal by Gray and Gray (277). The subsequent British Museum catalogue (602) included a Hodgson specimen from KOKLASS PHEASANT Pucrasia macrolopha Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A locally fairly com- mon resident, chiefly reported from 2680m to 3200m in summer, and down to 2135m in winter. The maximum altitude recorded is 3500m at Bung Lagna (E3) in May 1985 (160). Few specimens collected (647,708). Birds in the far west may be P. m. macrolopha. Found as far east as the Modi Khola (H5) and possibly to the Marsyangdi Khola (H5) (669). Localities include Khaptad (C3), above Ghasa, at Ghorepani and in the upper Dhorpatan valley (G4). Breeding behaviour of this face is poorly known. A female with chicks photographed at Pipar (HS) on 14 May 1985 (800,616). Chicks found on 2 June (244). Frequents forests of conifers, oaks and rhododendron. Favours steep ravines. Range Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. the ‘N.W. Himalayas’. There is also a Hodgson specimen la- belled ‘Nepal India’ in Exeter Museum (133). Range W. Himalayas from Swat east to Garwhal and possibly Kumaon.] 132 HIMALAYAN MONAL Lophophorus impejanus Impeyan Pheasant The national bird of Nepal. First re- corded by W.J. Kirkpatrick in 1793 (818). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Chiefly summers from 3300m to 4570m, and winters down to 2500m. At Khaptad (C3) found at 2500m on 20 April and on several dates in May at RED JUNGLEFOWL Gallus gallus Subspecies murghi. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally common resi- dent, usually found up to 915m. Localities include Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Chitwan and Kosi Tappu. Introduced to Gokarna, Kathmandu Valley. Few records from elsewhere. Numbers seem to have de- clined in recent years. Local farmers claim many have been shot out (155). Breeding reported in 1979 at Begnas Tal where it has been introduced (670), and also at Chitwan (296). Inhabits forest edges and scrub jungle interspersed with patches of grassland or cultivation. Range Himalayas from Punjab east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n., n.e. and s.w. India and Bangladesh. KALIJ PHEASANT —_ Lophura leucomelana The species was described by J. Latham (493) without precise locality; later given as Nepal by Baker (63). First definitely recorded by WJ. Kirkpatrick in 1793 (818). A fairly common resident from 245m to 3050m. Withdraws from higher levels in cold weather. The maximum alti- tude recorded is 3700m in Khumbu in Gamebirds 3050m (428). Breeding confirmed at Thare Pati in May (199,294,682), Gapte (321), upper Langtang (MS) (621) and Khumbu (190). Frequents steep grassy slopes above the treeline in summer and rhododendron forests in winter. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. eee —— May 1986 (75). Three intergrading races occur: L. |. hamil- tonii (h), the endemic L. |. leucomelana (1) and L. 1. mela- nota (m). L. |. hamiltoni is given in error as occurring at Baglung, west-central Nepal (52). Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (336,632). Frequents forests of all types with dense undergrowth. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Gamebirds 133 KALIJ PHEASANT, cont’d ... CHEER PHEASANT Catreus wallichi Chir Pheasant F on )—~—S— SS First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A (500). Regularly seen above Ghasa, but locals claim it is resident of uncertain status, occurring declining there because of hunting pressure (260). Very few east to the upper Kali Gandaki valley records from elsewhere. Inhabits steep, craggy hillsides sup- (669). Reported between 1800m and porting scrub and stunted trees. In the Dhorpatan valley 3050m, with apparently little altitudinal also found in burnt, felled and cut over areas with secondary movement. In the Dhorpatan valley (G5) growth in pine/juniper/fir/rhododendron forest (500). 50 to 100 birds were estimated in 1981 Range Himalayas from Hazara east to Nepal. BLUE PEAFOWL Pavo cristatus Indian Peafowl, Common Peafowl Inexplicably not reported by B. Hodgson. First recorded by J. Scully from the cen- tral bhabar in 1877 (708). A locally com- mon resident mainly found up to 300m. Localities include Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Chitwan, Kosi Tappu and north of Sunis- chare. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296), Hetaura (95) and Kosi Tappu (432). Occurs at 1280m in Gokarna, Kathmandu Valley where it has been introduced. | a Inhabits dense riverine vegetation, tall grassland and open sal forest. Range Throughout the subcontinent east of the Indus. 134 Gamebirds/Rails and Crakes SMALL BUTTONQUAIL Turnix sylvatica Little Bustard-Quail, Andalusian Hemipode Striped Buttonquail Subspecies dussumier. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Scarce, presumably resident. One was taken at Bilauri (A4) at 250m on 15 February 1937 (62). The only YELLOW-LEGGED BUTTONQUAIL Turnix tanki Button-Quail Subspecies tanki. First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it breeding in corn- fields in the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). Only one later record from the Valley (589). Resident. Fairly common at Chi- twan (334,432,152), but scarce elsewhere. Other localities are Bardia (796), Jayamrui (L5) (636), Hetaura (95,245), the eastern foothills (Q8) (293,561) and eastern tarai (Q8) (62). Inhabits grass- land, scrub and cultivation. Range Throughout the subcontinent east of Kohat and Sind. BARRED BUTTONQUAIL Tumix suscitator Common Bustard-Quail, Northern Bustard-Quail Subspecies plumbipes. First recorded by B. Hodgson (368). A fairly common resi- dent chiefly occurring up to about 300m. The maximum height reported is 2050m on 23 May 1970 at Jamuna (R7) (441). Occasionally seen at Bardia (C4) (192) and commonat Chitwan (296). Not found in the Kathmandu Valley this century. Frequents grassland, also scrub and weedy patches at the edges of villages and cultivation. Range Throughout much of the subcontinent. SLATY-LEGGED CRAKE Rallina eurizonoides Indian Banded Crake Subspecies amauroptera. Vagrant. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the tarai (336,388). Only one other record: three seen west of Hetaura at 375m on 14 June 1957 (234,245). In India inhabits wooded and well-watered areas up to 1600m (52). Range Throughout the subcontinent. other reports are from tall grasslands at Chitwan where it has been noted several times since 1982 (296,432,517). Range Throughout the subcontinent south and east of the Punjab. fe] | eae ER CET 0 9000m J°F'M A MAJ SA’ SS” OAQN' D WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Vagrant. First collected by B. Hodgson from the Kath- mandu Valley in October (336,721). Two races recorded. R. a. indicus was taken in the tarai at Bilauri (A4) on 27 January 1937, and at Haraincha (Q8) on 16 February 1938 (62). One was found dead at Tribhuvan University, Kath- mandu in October 1973 (243). A specimen of R. a. korejewi was obtained at Bilauri on the same date as that of R. a. indicus (62). Inhabits marshes, reedbeds and wet fields. Range Breeds in Kashmir and possibly Ladakh. Winters in Pakistan, n. India and Bangladesh. Rails/Crakes SLATY-BREASTED RAIL Reallus striatus Blue-breasted Banded Rail Subspecies albiventer. Vagrant; possibly resident. The first record is of one col- lected on 16 February 1938 in the tarai at Haraincha (Q8) by F.M. Bailey (62,108). The only other reports are of singles at BAILLON’S CRAKE Porzana pusilla Subspecies pusilla. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; possibly breeds. Several reports from Chitwan between October and April, Kosi Barrage from January to April and the Kath- mandu Valley in spring and autumn. Single records from elsewhere. Occurs in reedy lake edges, swamps and wet fields. Range Breeds in Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh. Winters throughout the subcon- tinent. RUDDY-BREASTED CRAKE Porzana fusca Ruddy Crake Subspecies fusca. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally distributed resi- dent in the lowlands up to 370m. Fairly common at Chitwan (296). Regularly reported from Kosi Barrage. Other locali- ties include Sukla Phanta, Hetaura, and [BLACK-TAILED CRAKE Porzana bicolor Elwes’s Crake (Amauromis bicolor) Status uncertain. Specimens collected by B. Hodgson (721) were overlooked due to confusion with Brown Crake, but may have originated in India (443). H. Stevens had three live birds brought to him on 22 135 Chitwan on 27 May 1985 (418) and on 6 March 1987 (463). Frequents reedy swamps and wet paddyfields in India (52). Range From Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Nepal south and east through most of the subcontinent. north of Sunischare. An uncommon visitor to the Kath- mandu Valley, breeding in ricefields (591). Frequents reedy lake edges, grassland, marshes and wet fields. Range N. Pakistan from Kohat east through Himalayan foothills and n. India to Assam and Bangladesh. May 1912 and was told they were caught on the Nepal/ Darjeeling border (S7) between 3660m and 3960m, but he was doubtful of the claim (741,443). Found in dense grass and jungle near streams and ponds in foothills up to 2800m (52,664). Range Himalayas from Nepal? east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India.] 136 BROWN CRAKE Amauromis akool Subspecies akool. First recorded by B. Hodgson in his later collection (276,721), but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by B. Biswas from Hetaura on 7 June 1947 (96). A common breeding resident at Chitwan (296). few reports from Kosi and mainly single records from elsewhere. One was collected at the unusually high altitude of 3290m at Ongre (J4) on 10 September 1984 (589). Inhabits reedbeds and vegeta- tion along watercourses. Range India from Kashmir east to Bangladesh; south in the peninsula to Karnataka in the west and Raipur in the east. WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN Amauromis phoenicurus Subspecies phoenicurus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident from the tarai up to 915m. Proved breeding at Bagarkot (A3) (657) and Chitwan (296). A few records from the Kathmandu Valley. Occurs in marsh and scrub vegetation at the edges of ponds, lakes and ditches. Range Throughout the subcontinent. COMMON MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Indian Gallinule Subspecies chloropus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally common resi- dent and winter visitor, chiefly found in the tarai. Localities include Sukla Phanta, Kosi marshes, and also Chitwan where it occurs from October to May (296). Noted as high as 4575m (243), presumably on passage. Other records, probably of mi- grants, at Jomosom (76), Ongre (J4) (589) and Taudha lake (L6) (639,589) in September and October. Inhabits marshes and reed-edged pools with emer- gent vegetation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Rails/Crakes Rails/Crakes 137 PURPLE SWAMPHEN Porphyrio porphyno Purple Moorhen, Purple Gallinule Subspecies poliocephalus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Chiefly a winter visitor and passage migrant up to about 915m; also breeds. Locally fairly common at Chitwan, Kosi Barrage, also Sukla Phanta and Ghodaghodi Tal (B4). Proved breeding at the latter site and at Belatari (G6) (750). Only one record this century from the Kathmandu Valley, presumably a migrant: on 2 May 1980 at Chobar (440). Single reports from elsewhere. Frequents dense reedbeds at pool edges and marshes. Range Resident through the subcontinent. WATERCOCK Gallicrex cinerea Subspecies cinerea. Scarce monsoon visi- tor, although possibly under-recorded. First seen by R. Gregory-Smith and F. Batson on 15 June 1975 on Kosi marshes (293). There are a few later reports from Kosi. One was noted at Begnas Tal on 4 and 5 July 1978. The only other records are from the Kathmandu Valley: three by the Bagmati River on 3 August 1978, four in paddyfields at Gokarna on 4 August 1978 (688) and two there on 27 June 1987 0 (792). Males at the latter areas were ‘sing- y ing’ in paddyfields. Found in reedy swamps and ditches and flooded fields. Range Throughout the subcontinent east of the Indus. | a 9000m J°F'M A MAJ 'J° A’ SAO'N D EURASIAN COOT Fulica atra Common Coot Subspecies atra. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Regu- larly reported from Rara Lake, Phewa Tal, Chitwan, Kathmandu Valley and Kosi Barrage. Migrants have also been noted in March at Jomosom (476) and Syang (H4) (480), in June at Manang (J4) (464), in November at Tukche (647), and at the exceptionally high altitude of [ } > — == — 5000m at Gokyo lakes in May 1977 (679). ; Occurs in reed-edged open expanses of water. Range Resident and winter visitor throughout the subcontinent. 138 Cranes COMMON CRANE Gyrus grus Subspecies lilfordi. Recorded by B. Hodgson (276) in his later collection, but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded in 1877 by J. Scully who found it common in winter in the tarai and Hetaura dun, and to pass over the Kathmandu Valley on migration (708). Now chiefly a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. Only one later rec- ord from the Valley (243). Small flocks at Chitwan in most winters (244). Large ST a numbers are also reported to fly over : ar Sn RB asincg there in October/November and March/ April (296). A total of 37 flew south down Only three other records: from Kauriala Ghat (C5) (659) the upper Kali Gandaki valley on 8 Octo- and Kosi marshes (319,597). Range Winters Pakistan and n. ber and three on 12 October 1973 (76). India. BLACK-NECKED CRANE Gzrus nigricollis Vagrant. A presumed adult was photo- graphed at Begnas Tal on 4 and 5 July 1978 by J.B.O. Rossetti (688,689). Range Breeds Ladakh. Winters in e. Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. SARUS CRANE Grus antigone Subspecies antigone. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (276), but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded in 1877 by J. Scully who found it commonin the central tarai (708). A sedentary resident in the tarai. Only a few recent reports from Chi- twan (296). A 1988 survey carried out throughout the western and west-central lowlands west of the Narayani River found the species to be uncommon (751). a Local people considered that is was de- : aR ata clining, mainly because of wetland losses and hunting (751). Proved breeding in Rupandehi District (G7) and in Kapil- vastu District (G6) (751). Forages in grassland and cultivation and roosts in wetlands (751). Range Pakistan, n. India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Cranes/Bustards 139 DEMOISELLE CRANE Anthropoides virgo First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common passage migrant in April/ May and October/November. Passes over Nepal in large flocks. Greatest num- bers reported flying south down the upper Kali Gandaki valley in autumn: 31,351 were estimated between 1 and 11 October 1969 (526), about 6,000 cranes including at least 2,220 Demoiselles between 29 September and 10 October 1973 (76), and 63,000 cranes considered to be mainly Demoiselles between 24 September and 5 October 1978 (761). Described last cen- tury as common in the central tarai and Hetaura dun in winter (708). Now uncom- mon on passage at Chitwan, some birds remaining to winter (296). A few records from the Kathmandu Valley and only single reports from elsewhere. Two noted at 280S5m at Kagbeni in January 1990 (176). Range Winters from Pakistan through n. India to Bangladesh and As- sam; south to Karnataka. [GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD Ardeotis nigriceps (Choriotis nigriceps) B. Hodgson reported a pair from the ‘North West’ (388). However the record may have been from an area south of the present Nepalese border. Range Mainly in Rajasthan, Gujarat and the Deccan south to Karnataka.] BENGAL FLORICAN Houbaropsis bengalensis (Eupodotis bengalensis) F 140 BENGAL FLORICAN, cont'd ... Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Local and uncommon; probably resident. Inhabits the tarai. Regularly observed at Sukla Phanta, Bardia and Chitwan (J6,K6). Several rec- ords from Kosi Barrage in the early 1980s, but none received since 1986. Described as a resident, seen occasionally at Kosi Tappu in 1976 (174) but very few later LESSER FLORICAN Sypheotides indica Likh First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). Chiefly a scarce summer visitor although probably under-recorded. On 26 July 1960 three were seen and a specimen taken in the Kathmandu Valley (245). Singles were found in the Rapti dun (J6) in March and April 1962 (190); at Bardia in February 1980, May 1982 (433) and June 1988 (750), Chitwan (K6) in May 1982 (433), March 1986 (154) and May 1987 (298), and Sukla Phanta (undated) (327). Fre- quents grasslands with scattered bushes and cultivation. Range Mainly Pakistan and India from the Makran coast, Punjab and Rajasthan south to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Bustards/Jacanas/ sightings. The only other records are of specimens taken in Morang District (Q8) in 1936 and 1938 (62). A Nepalese population of only 56 to 82 was estimated in 1982 (431,433). Mainly occurs in grasslands with tall grass clumps inter- spersed with scattered bushes but sometimes in cultivation. Its grassland habitat in the east has now been almost entirely converted to cultivation. Range Mainly Assam and Nepal; also Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan? and Bangladesh? | =. ; : f JM ESAS PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA Hydrophasianus chirurgus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a summer visitor although has been reported throughout the year. Fairly common on the Kosi marshes and proved breeding there (256). A resident seen occasionally at Sukla Phanta (700). Rare at Phewa Tal, Begnas Tal and at Chitwan between March and October (296). A few records from the Kathmandu Valley, in- cluding a family party seen in summer 1959 (245). The maximum of 85 was seen at Jagdishpur Tal (G6) on 15 June 1988 (750). One was found at the high altitude of 3050m at Rara Lake in October 1982 (190). Frequents lakes and pools with floating vegetation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Jacanas/Waders 14] BRONZE-WINGED JACANA Metopidius indicus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident throughout the tarai; several records from 915m at Beg- nas Tal and Phewa Tal. Proved breeding at Belatari (G6) (750) and Kosi Tappu (597). Found on marshes, pools and lakes with floating vegetation. Range Nepal to s. India and Bangladesh. GREATER PAINTEDSNIPE Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe Subspecies benghalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon resi- dent mainly found in the lowlands. Areas include Sukla Phanta (432), Dhangarhi (246), Begnas Tal (656), Taulihawa (G6) (157), Kosi Barrage, Chitwan, Hetaura, Tamaspur, and the Kathmandu Valley. The maximum of 40was noted at Chitwan (undated) (244). An adult and half-grown young one were seen in the Kathmandu Valley on 19 February 1988 (734). Feeds in muddy areas in marshes and along stream banks. Range Throughout the subcontinent. EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER + Haematopus ostralegus Common Oystercatcher Subspecies osculans? Vagrant. Only re- obtained at least one specimen from the Kathmandu Val- corded by B. Hodgson (388) who found it ley, on 8 October. Range Winters on the coasts of Pakistan was ‘a passage migrant in the hills’. He and India. Has bred in the Sunderbans. IBISBILL Ibidorhyncha struthersii First recorded by B. Hodgson (344). Fre- quently seen at Kyangjin, upper Lang- winter on the Rapti River at Hetaura, between late Novem- tang, 3800m (MS), between April and ber and mid-March; the largest number counted there was September; a maximum of 18 pairs was 12 on 17 February 1981 (656). Several records from the reported in April 1984 (624). Proved lower Arun (Q7) in winter; mainly single winter reports . breeding there (812) and by the Imja from elsewhere. Occurs on shingle flats in large river beds. Khola (P6) (75). Regularly observed in Range Himalayas from Gilgit east to Arunachal Pradesh. 142 Waders IBISBILL, cont'd ... on wan Gos ) C Subspecies himantopus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon spring and autumn passage migrant. Flocks of up to ten regularly seen at Kosi Barrage between February and May. A few rec- ords from Chitwan between January and April, and from the Kathmandu Valley in August and September. Mainly single sightings from elsewhere. The only high altitude record is from Muktinath at 3355m on 22 August 1977 (243). Found in marshes and lakes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. PIED AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet First recorded by B. Hodgson in the Kath- Chitwan: in December 1984 (150), November 1989 (597) mandu Valley in October and November and November 1982 when a maximum of seven was seen (336,388). A rare passage migrant. A few (304). Inhabits marshes, lagoons and mudflats. Range reports from Kosi Barrage in March and Breeds in n. Baluchistan and Kutch. Winters in Pakistan April. The only other records are from east to n.e. India and south to Tamil Nadu. EURASIAN THICK-KNEE Burhinus oedicnemus Stone-curlew, Northern Stone-curlew Subspecies indicus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, seen occa- sionally throughout the tarai and lower hills up to 915m. Breeding confirmed at Kosi Barrage (652) and at Chitwan (296). Several August records from the Kath- mandu Valley, presumably of birds un- dergoing local movements. Frequents sandy or stony river beds and open dry fields. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. Waders GREAT STONE-PLOVER Esacus recurvirostris Great Thick-Knee The species was described by C. Cuvier without locality (173); later given as Ne- pal by Baker (63). First definitely re- corded by B. Hodgson who found it in the Kathmandu Valley (349). Only one later report from there: on 5 November 1985 (546). A local resident and winter visitor INDIAN COURSER 9 Cursorius coromandelicus First recorded by B. Hodgson from the tarai (336,388). Scarce, presumably resi- dent. Regularly reported in the early 1980s from the old river bed south of Kosi Barrage; a maximum of six including a ORIENTAL PRATINCOLE Gilareola maldivarum Collared Pratincole (G. pratincola maldivarum) First reported by B. Hodgson in the Kath- mandu Valley on 10 June (336,388). A scarce passage migrant. Although de- scribed in 1976 as a common local mi- grant in the Kosi Barrage area (293), only four other records received from there, mainly singles in April and May. The maximum of 25 was seen at Badhaiya Tal (C5) on 13 June 1988 (750). Other reports are from the Kathmandu Valley in Sep- tember 1973 and October 1983 (243,589), _Phewa Tal in April 1977 (563), Tumling- tar (Q7) (483) in May 1981, and Chitwan (undated) (293). Range Breeds in Paki- stan, n. India and Bangladesh. Winters throughout the peninsula. 143 to the tarai. Occasionally seen at Chitwan (J6,K6) where proved breeding (296,480). Fairly common at Kosi Barrage and Bardia. A few other reports from the eastern tarai (Q8,R8), where the population is augmented by migrants from November to February (293). Occurs on wide rocky or shingle riverbeds. Range Throughout the subcontinent. chick was seen there on 29 May 1982 (432), but no records received since 1986. The only other record is of a specimen taken in December 1952 at Dhangarhi at 275m (647). Frequents stony ground and dry open areas of scattered scrub. Range Locally throughout the subcontinent. = =! ee ‘JF MAA M JAJA S*O'N'D 144 LITTLE PRATINCOLE Glareola lactea Small Pratincole First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley on 24 June but no later reports from there (336,388). A resi- dent and local migrant up to 750m. Com- mon over the Karnali River at Bardia, the Arung Khola at Tamaspur, Rapti and Narayani Rivers at Chitwan and at Kosi LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Sub- species jerdoni is acommon resident up to 1500m. Numbers are augmented in win- ter, presumably by the migratory subspe- cies curonicus, although there is only one definite specimen record of the latter race: from Kosi in November (244). Proved breeding at Phewa Tal (166), Kosi Tappu (481) and in February at Chitwan (J6,K6) (296,481). Found on shingle and mudbanks of rivers, pools and lakes. Range Throughout the subcontinent. LONG-BILLED PLOVER Charadrius placidus Long-billed Ringed Plover This species was described from a Hodgson specimen by J.E. Gray (276,797) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by J. Scully in Novem- ber 1877 in Nawakot District (L6) (708). A rare winter visitor and passage migrant. Seen several times in the Kathmandu Waders if , = { a = = = | ie : 7 + ae Sy. Barrage. A few reports from elsewhere. Local movements noted at Chitwan, where concentrations were found be- tween November and January, including a flock of 2000 near Meghauli on 5 January 1983 (304). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296) and Kosi Barrage (483). Occurs on rivers with sandbars or stony beds. Range Throughout the sub- continent east of the Indus River. Valley in April, May and in winter, and on the Rapti River at Hetaura between November and February. There are a few reports from the Yamdi Khola (H5) (206,254,150), and single records from elsewhere. Frequents shingle beds of large rivers. Range Winters Bangladesh, Nepal, n. and n.e. India. Waders 145 LONG-BILLED PLOVER, cont'd ... KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus Snowy Plover Subspecies alexandrinus. A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (722) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Raghunathpur (N8) at 275m in De- cember 1953 (647). A locally common winter visitor and passage migrant; possi- bly breeds. Regularly seen in the Kath- mandu Valley, at Kosi Barrage, and be- tween October and late April at Chitwan (296). The maximum of over 250 was seen at Kosi on 27 February 1986 (514). Fre- quents shingle and sandy riverbeds. Range Breeds in Pakistan and n. and s. India. Winters throughout the subconti- nent. LESSER SAND PLOVER Charadrius mongolus Mongolian Plover Subspecies atrifrons. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley in May (336,388). No later reports until 1981, although possibly overlooked. A fare winter visitor and spring migrant, probably only stopping for short periods. Several sightings from Kosi Barrage be- tween mid-March and late May, and from Chitwan between November and May. . The maximum of 43 was photographed by (eS laa a Phewa Tal on 21 May 1985 (800). The : on ga SEER GREE Cees only other records are from the Bagmati River, Kathmandu Valley in February 1981 (180) and Rara Lake in May 1985 (160). Range Breeds in the Himalayas in Ladakh, Lahul and Sikkim. Winters on the coasts of the subcontinent. 146 Waders GREATER SAND PLOVER Charadrius leschenaultii Large Sand Plover Subspecies leschenaultii. Vagrant. First recorded by B. Hodgson on 10 June in the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). The only PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis fulva Eastern Golden Plover (P. dominica) Lesser Golden Plover First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A winter visitor and passage migrant. Com- mon at Kosi Barrage where flocks of over 50 are frequently recorded; a maximum of 1000 was estimated on 11 April 1982 (207,561). Scarce elsewhere. Several spring and autumn records from the Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan; single records from elsewhere. One was noted in the upper Kali Gandaki valley at about 2590m on 24 September 1973 (76). Found on ploughed fields and muddy riverbanks. Range Winters locally throughout the subcontinent. GREY PLOVER 1 Pluvialis squatarola Black-bellied Plover Vagrant. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley on 2 January and 2 October (336,388). The only other records are of singles seen on the Rapti River, Chitwan in November 1979 (170) RIVER LAPWING Hoplopterus duvaucelii River Plover other record is of one seen at Kosi Barrage on 11 February 1987 (463). Range Winters on the coasts of the subconti- nent. FMA Mog) po Ay’S) OQ) Ni )D) T9000m J and from December 1988 to February 1989 (67); also from Kosi Barrage where a flock of at least 20 in breeding plumage was observed on 30 April 1982 (244), one on 2 May 1986 (321), and 15 on 15 April 1987 (327). Range Winters on the coasts of the subcontinent. Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus duvaucelii) ait J = SESE [a 9000m J "FAM A'M JAJA SON D Waders RIVER LAPWING, cont'd ... First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident in the tarai and foothills up to 915m. Occasionally seen in the Kathmandu Valley, especially in summer, and proved breeding there in the last 147 century (708). Breeding also confirmed at Chitwan (296,432) and Bardia (C5) (432). Inhabits stony beds and sand bars of rivers. Range India from Haryana east through the Himalayan foothills to Bangladesh; south to the Godav- eri River. YELLOW-WATTILED LAPWING Hoplopterus malabaricus Yellow-wattled Plover First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a rare winter visitor although re- ported in all months. A resident occasion- ally seen at Sukla Phanta (432,700). A scarce winter visitor to Chitwan, noted in open areas at the park edges (296). A breeding record from Kosi Barrage (281), listed in the first edition of this book (435), is now considered unacceptable. An infrequent monsoon visitor to the Kathmandu Valley in 1949 (629), but there are no other records. Rare at Kosi Barrage and only single reports from else- where. Found in dry fields, open country and river beds in the lowlands. Range Sind; India from Haryana and W. Bengal southwards; w. Bangladesh. (Vanellus malabaricus) F a x GREY-HEADED LAPWING Hoplopterus cinereus Grey-headed Plover (Vanellus cinereus) First recorded by F.M. Bailey on 6 April 1937 from Gaucher, Kathmandu Valley (62,108). In 1961 discovered to be a regu- lar and quite common visitor from the end of September to the end of March in the Valley (638); mainly seen by the Manora River. Regularly reported there since with a maximum of 56 in November 1985 (201). The Valley is the westernmost regular wintering area for the species. Irregularly recorded from Kosi Barrage, twice found at Phewa Tal (325,152), and single reports from elsewhere. Winters on river banks and in wet fields. Range Winters in n.e. India and Bangladesh. 148 RED-WATILED LAPWING Hoplopterus indicus Red-wattled Plover (Vanellus indicus) Subspecies indicus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to 1050m. Breeding con- firmed in Banke District (D5) (750), at Chitwan (153,296), north-west of Pokhara (420) and at Hetaura (96). Very common during the monsoon in the Kath- mandu Valley and occurs in small num- bers all year (629). Frequents fields and open areas near water. Range Through- out the subcontinent. WHITE-TAILED LAPWING Chettusia leucura White-tailed Plover (Vanellus leucurus) First recorded in December 1952 at Bi- lauri (A4) at 250m by R.L. Fleming Sr. (647). Another was obtained there a month later, and one was seen at Dhan- garhi in December 1952 (647). The only reports received are from Nepalganj on 1 January 1977 (464), and by the Babai River near Ghurai (E6) from 7 to 10 January 1981 (576). Inhabits marshes, reedy pools and river edges. Range Win- ters in Pakistan, n. India and Bangladesh. NORTHERN LAPWING 1 Vanellus vanellus Eurasian Lapwing, Peewit First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon winter visitor, mainly seen at Phewa Tal, the Kathmandu Valley, and Kosi Barrage, with a few sightings from Begnas Tal and Chitwan. Singles noted twice in the upper Kali Gandaki valley at about 2700m (243, 658). A maximum of about 300 was seen in early February 1987 at Kosi Barrage (518). Occurs in wet marshes, fields and cultivation. Range Winters in Pakistan and n.w. India east to Nepal; erratically to n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. SANDERLING Calidris alba The only record is of one seen on 11 February 1979 at Kosi Barrage by F. Lambert et al. (486,651,652); it accompa- nied a flock of 50 Little Stints and nine Waders Se = s'O'N'D 9000m J'F'M'A'™M J Dunlin. The flock could not be relocated the next day. This is apparently the first inland record of Sanderling for the Indian subcontinent. Range Winters on the coasts of the subcontinent. Waders 149 LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant mainly recorded from Chitwan, the Kathmandu Valley and Kosi Barrage. Single reports from elsewhere. Two seen by Rara Lake at 3050m in October 1982 (627). An exceptional flock of about 50 was seen on 11 February 1979 at Kosi Barrage (486,651,652). Frequents muddy edges of lakes, streams and rivers. Range Winters mainly on the coasts of the sub- continent. TEMMINCK’S STINT Calidris temmincki First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor and passage mi- grant from the tarai up to 915m and at about 1370m in the Kathmandu Valley. Noted on passage in the Himalayas: a total of 39 counted at Tukche between 6 and 14 October 1973 (76) and 13 seen by Gokyo Lake at 4710m on 2 May 1984 (764). A maximum of 65 was estimated on 20 March 1986 at Sauraha (J6) (403). Frequents marshes, paddyfields, mud and sandy edges of rivers and lakes. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. LONG-TOED STINT Calidris subminuta First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. on 11 May 1960: two or three accompanied a (245). The only other other record is of four on 4 May 1982 flock of Temminck’s Stints on mudflats of at Rani Tal, Sukla Phanta (432). Range Winters inn.e. India the Bagmati River, Kathmandu Valley and Bangladesh. CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea (Calidris testacea) First recorded by N. Krabbe et al. who Bagmati River, Kathmandu on 25 October 1982 (305) and saw one in full breeding plumage at Kosi up to four along the Rapti River, Chitwan, between 8 No- Barrage on 22 April 1981 (483). A scarce vember and 28 December 1982 (304,299). Occurs on mud spring and autumn passage migrant. The and sandy river banks. Range Winters on the coasts of the only other records are of two seen by the subcontinent. Small numbers inland. 150 DUNLIN Calidris alpina Subspecies alpina. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. There are several winter sightings from Kosi Barrage, with a maxi- mum of over 30 on 27 February 1986 (514). Small flocks noted at Chitwan in late March 1981 (476) and December 1982 (304). The only other records are of one collected from the Bagmati River, Kathmandu Valley on 1 January 1967 (586,587) and two seen at Begnas Tal on 29 March 1984 (764). Occurs on mud and sand banks of rivers. Range Winters mainly on the coasts of Pakistan and n.w. India south to Bombay, also the Gangetic river system. RUFF Philomachus pugnax First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A very uncommon passage migrant. There are several reports from the Kathmandu Valley in September and October, and from Kosi Barrage between February and April where a maximum of 47 was noted on 12 February 1979 (486,652). Twice found at Chitwan and single records from elsewhere. Found in marshes, wet fields and mudbanks of rivers and lakes. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus (Gallinago minima) First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). A scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. In the last century found between early Septem- ber and end of April, with largest num- bers occurring on passage in October, November and March (708). Described in 1949 as a scarce passage migrant; a few probably staying all winter (629). In 1950 the numbers of Jack, Common and Pin- tail Snipe in the Valley were reported to be severely reduced compared to 20 years before (659), and only three recent rec- ords of this species have been traced, all of lone birds, two in winter (155,217), and one in October (589). The only other records are of one or two at Phewa Tal in Waders February 1981 (622), Kosi Barrage in March 1982 (794), and Chitwan (J6,K6) in April 1985 (59) and February 1988 (481). Inhabits swampy areas and wet fields. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. Waders COMMON SNIPE _ Gallinago gallinago Fantail Snipe Subspecies gallinago. First recorded by B. Hodgson, who noted that some birds remained in the Kathmandu Valley all year (338). Now a winter visitor and pas- sage migrant; possibly breeds. Locally fairly common at Phewa Tal, Chitwan, Kathmandu Valley and Kosi Barrage; occasionally reported from elsewhere. Mainly found up to 1500m. Noted in the Himalayas, presumably on passage: at 4700m at Gokyo in April 1972 (131,243), at 2650m in the upper Kali Gandakivalley in March 1985 (313) and at 3050m at Khaptad (C3) in September 1989 (68). Frequents marshes, wet fields and muddy PINTAIL SNIPE Gallinago stenura First recorded by B. Hodgson (338). A winter visitor and passage migrant occa- sionally seen up to 1370m. Sometimes found with Common Snipe, although of- tenin drier habitats than that species. The largest number reported is ten at Kosi Barrage on 16 March 1982 (682). Found in harvested paddyfields with scattered pools, marshy pool edges and dry grass and scrub areas. SWINHOE’S SNIPE Gallinago megala Vagrant. The only record is of one seen with Pintail Snipe and Common Snipe by S.C. Madge et al. on 6 March 1987 in SOLITARY SNIPE Gallinago solitaria 151 edges of rivers and ponds. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Garhwal. Winters throughout the subcon- damp rice fields between Biratnagar and Itahari (Q8) (515). Range Scattered winter records throughout India; also Sri Lanka and Maldives. To | Se | aah ===) SS To ATS OND 152 SOLITARY SNIPE, cont’d ... Subspecies solitaria. The species was de- scribed by B. Hodgson from Nepal (338,797). An uncommon and local win- ter visitor and passage migrant; probably also resident. Mainly occurs over 2135m but found at 915m at Phewa Tal on 18 December 1970 (444). Last century de- scribed as not uncommon in the Kath- mandu Valley from October to April (338,708), although there are very few recent records. Regularly reported in winter near Muktinath at 3795m. A maxi- WOOD SNIPE Gallinago nemorcola The species was described by B. Hodgson from Nepal (364,797). Scarce; possibly a resident that migrates altitudinally. In the Kathmandu Valley Hodgson found it not uncommon in winter, staying until 11 May. Two specimens contained eggs (336,338). It was apparently rare by 1877 (708), and last recorded from there in 1950, when one or two were shot each year (659). Collected from the Singhalila ridge (S7) at 3050m in January 1912 (735) and from Sundar Gundar (Q8) on3 Feb- tuary 1938 (62). Proved breeding in the Barun valley (Q6) in 1973 (167,243). The only other records are of one seen at Khangma (Q6) at 3800m in May 1981 (483), two displaying at Pipar (H5) be- EURASIAN WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Woodcock First recorded by B. Hodgson (338). A fairly common resident locally, and an altitudinal migrant. Usually summers between 1980m and 3900m. Descends to about 1350m in winter but a few reports down to 100m at Chitwan (180,481,810) and found as high as 1900m at Pothana in December (58). Seen roding at Khaptad (C3) (428), in the Dhorpatan valley (F4,Q5) (499), Marsyangdi valley (J4) (512), Langtang (440,639), and Khumbu (109). Breeding confirmed in the Gan- dak-Kosi watershed (L5) (639). Occurs in swampy dense undergrowth in rhododen- dron and fir forests. Range Breeds in the Waders mum of 11 was seen there on 1 February 1984 (815). Described as not uncommon in the upper Arun valley (Q6) in December 1979 (574,587) and found there in August 1986 (590). Uncommon at Khaptad in April and May 1988 (428) and still present in the summer of that year (754). Other records are from the upper Kali Gandaki valley, Manang (J4), Langtang and the Singhalila ridge (S7). Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Frequents marshy edges and beds of mountain streams. Range Summers in the Himalayas from Ladakh east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters in the Himalayas. Resident in n.e. India. abs a —__ r 9000m J FIM AAMAJ JA S'O'N D tween 11 and 16 May 1985 (800) and one seen at Jolbari (R7) on 19 January 1989 (307). Inhabits swampy areas in woods. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kulu east to Arunachal Pradesh and n.e. India. Winters at lower eleva- tions and in the hills of s. India. Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters at lower elevations in the Himalayas, and the hills of n.e. and s. India. Waders BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Luimosa limosa Subspecies limosa. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A scarce and local pas- sage migrant. Found last century in the Kathmandu Valley in April and from mid-August to October, and described as not common (336,708). Only three later WHIMBREL Niwnenius phaeopus Subspecies phaeopus. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley in August and September (336,388). A scarce passsage migrant; mainly reported in spring. One was seen at Kosi Barrage between February and April 1981, and 12 on 14 March 1982 (794). The only other records are from Phewa Tal in April 1981 (811), Bagmati Pools, Kathmandu Valley in September 1989 (256) and at Chitwan where it is described as a rare passage migrant from April to September (296), with a maximum of 22 on 10 May 1984 EURASIAN CURLEW Nummenius arquata Curlew Subspecies orientalis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor and passage migrant to Kosi Barrage, mainly reported there from September to April, with singles also noted on 13 July and 10 August 1975 (293). The maximum of 700 was noted on 16 March 1982 (682,770). A scarce passage migrant else- where: small groups at Chitwan in Sep- tember and April (296), a few reports from the Kathmandu Valley, but only single sightings from elsewhere. Two were seen at 3050m at Khaptad (C3) on 8 September 1989 (68). Occurs on mudflats SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local winter visitor and passage migrant. Occasionally reported from Chitwan and Kosi Barrage between February and May. Seen three times at Phewa Tal (486,811,764). Single sightings from other [spi= 153 records from the Valley: singles in August, in 1978 (243), 1981 (587,244) and 1989 (256). Irregularly reported since 1979 in April and early May at Kosi Barrage. The maximum of 55 was noted in April 1981 (483) and 1983 (56). Occurs in shallow water and mudbanks of rivers and lakes. Range Winters mainly in Pakistan, n. and n.e. India. sal = a — i 30 M TITAS OND” (421). Fonds on mudflats and grassy areas. Range Winters on the coasts of the subcontinent. 5) a Me AMM ie rile fer ABR ZO It NICD. and grassy fields. Range Winters throughout the subconti- nent, mainly on the coast. areas. Only one record from the Kathmandu Valley since Hodgson’s time (486). A maximum of eight was seen on 30 April 1982 at Sukla Phanta (432). Frequents muddy banks and shallow water of rivers and lakes. Range Winters in Pakistan, India and Nepal. 154 Waders SPOTTED REDSHANK, cont'd ... if —— TeV aM AS Mv nelineS na ASES tes OLIN IED COMMON REDSHANK Tringa totanus Subspecies eurhinus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local winter visitor and passage migrant. Occasionally reported from Kosi Barrage. Uncommon in the Kathmandu Valley, at Phewa Tal and at Chitwan where it is recorded from Sep- tember to April (296). Evidence of move- ment there in December 1982 when flocks of up to 20 birds were noted (304). Noted on passage in the Himalayas: twice found by Gokyo Lakes at 4700m in May SS == EE) (243,764), seen by Rara Lake in May =: aerae vA hrc oe ; (160) and in the Langu valley (F2) (330). Single reports from elsewhere. Found in marshes, rivers and lakes. Range Breeds in Kashmir and Ladakh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. MARSH SANDPIPER Tringa stagnatilis A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (722), but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by G. Diesselhorst in the Rapti Dun (K6) on 9 April 1962 (190). An uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor to Chitwan (J6,K6) and Kosi Barrage. Only single reports from elsewhere. The maxi- mum of 11 was seen on 15 March 1982 at Kosi Barrage (794). Frequents marshes and mud banks of rivers and lakes. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. Waders 155 COMMON GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Greenshank First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common. Mainly a winter visitor and passage migrant between mid-August and May. Chiefly winters up to 370m, with a maximum of over 150 at Kosi Barrage on 8 February 1974 (518). A few birds remain there during the summer (293). The most abundant migrant wader at — Chitwan; roosting flocks of up to 102 birds counted in December 1982 (304). In oo a as HE eS = the Kathmandu Valley most often seen from mid-August to mid-September (190), at Tukche in early October 1973 (76) and by Rara (635). Singles noted on passage in Lake (127). Inhabits marshes, river banks and lakes. Range Khumbu at 4800m on 30 August 1962 Winters throughout the subcontinent. GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common passage migrant and fairly com- mon in winter up to about 370m. Noted at Chitwan from September to early April (296,304). In the Kathmandu Valley most seen on passage in September, but small numbers regularly winter (629). Ob- served on passage: several reports be- tween February and May from the upper Kali Gandaki valley; also noted in April at Chitwan (432) and Kosi Barrage (483). To _] EEE eee Flocks seen in September and October in ae Joie the upper Kali Gandaki valley (76) and 4250m at Pheriche (P6) (190). Frequents marshes, streams, other autumn records from Rara Lake lakes and rivers. Range Breeds in Chitral. Winters through- (627), Manang (J4) (295,512), and at out the subcontinent. WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon winter visitor but observed more frequently on passage, mainly in April, May and September. Regularly seen at Phewa Tal, Chitwan, Kosi Barrage and in the Kathmandu Valley. Noted on passage at Jomosom, where 14 were counted between 10 September and 9 October 1973 (76), and one was seen at Muktinath at 3780m on 4 April 1984 (421). Migrants have also been noted by SES ape SS Rara Lake in February 1977 (464), Octo- : ee: ber 1982 (627) and May 1985 (160). Barrage on 14 April 1981 (559). Found on marshes and Mainly single records from other areas. banks of rivers and lakes. Range Winters throughout the The maximum reported is 40 at Kosi subcontinent. 156 TEREK SANDPIPER Xenus cinereus (Tringa terek) Vagrant. First recorded by R.F. Grim- mett and J. Eames at Kosi Barrage on 18 April 1982 (199,294). The only other rec- ords are from Gokyo Lake at about 4710m: two were seen on 2 May 1984 and one photographed the next day (764). Range Winters on the coasts of the sub- continent. COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos (Tringa hypoleucos) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor from the tarai up to 1370m, mainly occurring between early August and the end of April. Numbers are increased by passage birds in spring and autumn. Occasionally reported from the Himalayas, presumably on_ passage. Noted several times in the upper Kali Gandaki valley in February; 50 to 52 were counted there between 7 September and 9 October 1973 (76). Other high altitude records are from Rara Lake (83,464,785), Pheriche at 4250m (190), and as high as 5400m at Gorak Shep Lake (P6) (679). Frequents marshes and banks of streams, rivers and lakes. Range Breeds from Kashmir east to Garhwal. Winters throughout the subcontinent. RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Turnstone Subspecies interpres. Vagrant. The only record is of one photographed on the gravel flats at Tukche on 14 September 1973 by M. Beaman (76). Range Winters on the coasts of the subcontinent. Waders Waders/Gulls 157 RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus Vagrant. One was recorded on Rara Lake shore on 16 October 1982 by D. Brearey and D. Pritchard (627). Range Winters off the Pakistan and Gujarat coasts. GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ichthyaetus a ET TREAD Pd PAY eS) OREN Set) First recorded by F.M. Bailey from the Valley (154,506). Several spring and autumn sightings from Kosi River on 9 February 1938 (62). A elsewhere, presumably of passage birds. Found in March locally fairly common winter visitor and and April at Rara Lake (137), Phewa Tal (811,812), Kath- passage migrant. Several reports of up to mandu Valley (243), Hetaura (476) and the lower Arun 20 birds. Most often seen at Tamaspur, valley (546). Seen in the lower Arun valley in August (590), Chitwan and Kosi, and occasionally at and at Rara Lake in October and November (83,627,691). Bardia. Also recorded in winter from Frequents large rivers of the lowlands. Range Winters on Rara Lake (137) and the Kathmandu the coasts and rivers of the subcontinent. COMMON BLACK-HEADED GULL Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull F First recorded by B. Hodgson (388,698). ie O\ A winter visitor and passage migrant. avy \ \ ¥ Fairly common at Kosi Barrage from No- \ ANN vember to May. The maximum of about 150 was seen in February in 1974 (518) -and 1984 (650). Occasionally found at Phewa Tal. Uncommon at Chitwan; re- corded there from September to April \ ei (296). Reported from the Himalayas at Rara Lake (127), in the upper Dudh Kosi CS —, SS. valley (P6) at over 5490m in May 1977 (243) and on Gokyo lakes at 4700m in ords from elsewhere. Occurs on lakes and large rivers. November 1988 (453). Mainly single rec- Range Winters mainly on the coasts of the subcontinent. 158 BROWN-HEADED GULL Larus brunnicephalus A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Saunders (698) but may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming on the Bagmati River at Patan (L6) at 1280m on 24 October 1963. A winter visitor and passage migrant. Fairly common at Kosi Barrage and un- commonat Chitwan. Also found in winter at Bardia (128,192), Rara Lake (785), and Kapilvastu (F6) (658). Numbers increase SLENDER-BILLED GULL Larus genei First recorded by P.A. Dukes et al. on 7 February 1974 at Kosi Barrage. The fol- lowing day an immature was seen (518).A scarce and irregular winter visitor and passage migrant only seen at the barrage between January and mid-March and in November. The only other records are of one to two birds in February in 1975 (293), 1979 (486,652), and 1981 (65,559), in January 1985 (142), in March 1987 (744,769) and November 1989 (597). Range Breeds in Baluchistan. Winters in Sind and n.w. India. Gulls at Kosi in spring; a peak of 35 was reported in April 1979 (486,559,652). Several spring and autumn reports from else- where, presumably of migrants. Noted in March at Phewa Tal (598,154), Begnas Tal (111) and the lower Arun valley (546), and in April at Kagbeni (812) and Hetaura (332). Seen in October at Rara Lake (244) and in the Kathmandu Valley (247). A party of 19 with one Black-headed Gull flew over the upper Dudh Kosi valley (P6) at 5490m in May 1977 (243). Inhabits rivers and lakes. Range Breeds in Ladakh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. MEW GULL Larus canus Common Gull Subspecies heinei? Vagrant. A first year bird was recorded at Kosi Barrage on 12 February 1979 by R. Filby et al. It was still present on 21 February (486,651,652). Subsequently single adults have been recorded both from Phewa Tal, on 21 January 1981 (180), and on 28 February 1983 (593). Range These are the first published records for the subcon- tinent. LESSER BLACK-BACKED AND YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS Larus fuscus and L. cachinnans The status of these two species is unclear at present because of nomenclatural confusion; heuglini is considered to be a race of Herring Gull L. argentatus by some authors (e.g. 47,243), but is here treated as a race of Lesser Black-backed Gull. Most records received have not been identified subspecifically and are treated here as Yellow-legged/Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Winter visitor and passage migrant. Uncommon at Kosi Barrage: a maximum of six noted on 14 February 1981 (622). Several other reports, mainly in spring and autumn, presumably of pas- sage migrants. Noted at Phewa Tal in March and April (811,519,166) and September (141), Manang in October (658), and the Kathmandu Valley during the monsoon (243,418) and in October (256). One flew over Pheriche (P6) at 4725m on 8 November 1978 (314). Also recorded at Rara Lake (243) and Chitwan (296,746,408). Gulls/Terns 159 LESSER BLACK-BACKED AND YELLOW-LEGGED GULLS, cont'd ... LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus cachinnans A first year specimen, probably L. f. heug- First definitely recorded by R.F. Grimmett who saw one, lini was collected from the Bagmati River, probably of the race mongolicus, at Kosi Barrage on 11 Feb- Kathmandu in November 1961 by R.L. Tuary 1979 (486,652). Singles, probably of the same race, Fleming Sr. (234,247). Only three other were also seen there on 15 February 1984 (650), 18 Novem- definite reports received, all from Kosi ber 1988 (596) and from 8 to 9 February 1989 (468). The Barrage: an adult of the race L. f. fuscus only other record is of one at Phewa Tal on 9 March 1986 was noted on 14 April 1981 (559), another (403). Range Winters on the coasts of Pakistan and India, adult of the race L. f. heuglini on 14 also on the Ganges River. February 1984 (650), and a juvenile on 5 November 1989 (597). Range Winters on the coasts of Pakistan and w. India. GULL-BILLED TERN Gelochelidon nilotica Subspecies affinis? First recorded at Kosi Barrage by S.C. Madge et al. on 25 Janu- ary 1974 (518). Winter visitor and passage migrant. Fairly common at Kosi Barrage where up to ten birds are often reported in winter. Peak numbers have been noted in spring; a maximum of about 60 was seen in late April 1981 (483). Only a few spring and autumn records from else- where, presumably of passage birds. Ob- served at Chitwan in April (56), Phewa Tal in May (563,811), Manang (J4) in August (587), the Kathmandu Valley in September (587), and Rara Lake (127). Frequents large rivers and lakes. Range Breeds locally in Pakistan, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. 160 CASPIAN TERN Stema caspia Subspecies caspia. First recorded at Kosi Barrage on 7 and 8 February 1974 by S.C. Madge et al. (518). A winter visitor and passage migrant. Fairly common at Kosi where twenty birds have been reported in February and March. Numbers increase RIVER TERN § Sterna aurantia First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally common resident and partial mi- grant mainly recorded up to 610m. Regu- larly reported from the Karnali River at Bardia, rivers at Chitwan, and at Kosi. An COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo First recorded by D. Proud on the Manora River, Kathmandu Valley: a ju- venile taken on 8 August 1953 was of the race tibetana (628,635). Several other autumn records from the Valley, chiefly from the Bagmati and Manora Rivers between August and October. Uncom- mon at Kosi and found there in February, April, May, September and November with a maximum of 30 in two flocks seen in late April 1981 (483). An adult ob- served at the Barrage on 16 April 1982 was apparently of the race longipennis (294). Also noted at Chitwan (296), at Phewa Tal in April (82), May (811,800), and in July and August (688). Seen as high as 4000m at Tengboche (P6) in May 1975 (580). Range Breeds Ladakh. Winters locally throughout the subcontinent. Terns in spring; maxima of about 20 were noted in mid-March 1982 (770) and in 1989 (172). The only other reports are from Bardia where one was seen on 8 November 1985 (162) and from Chitwan where it is a rare winter visitor and passage migrant (296). Range Breeds locally in Baluchistan and Sri Lanka. Winters throughout the subcontinent. influx of up to 50 was noted at Kosi during the monsoon (293), but the maximum of 450 was estimated there in late November 1984 (58). An adult was observed feeding young at Kosi in May (432). Frequents marshes, streams and rivers. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Terns 161 BLACK-BELLIED TERN Stema acuticauda a” ge Neos 8 ie Qh > o= j b ~~ | i Wo \ \\ \ Qe A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal dent and partial summer visitor. Found on marshes and by Saunders (698), but it may have origi- rivers of the tarai and foothills up to about 730m. Numbers nated in India. First definitely recorded generally increase at Kosi Barrage during spring, but the by F.M. Bailey from Tribeni (H7) at 75m peak of about 60 was noted on 15 February 1984 (650). on 12 January 1936 (62). A common resi- Range Throughout the subcontinent east of the Indus River. LITTLE TERN Stema albifrons Subspecies albifrons. Noted without de- tails from the Karnali and Kosi Rivers by S.D. Ripley during 1947 to 1949 (659). The first detailed record was of one seen by General Sushil Rana and R.L. Fleming in September 1973 on the Bagmati River, Kathmandu (243). A fairly common sum- mer visitor to Chitwan and Kosi Barrage. The maximum of 100 has been noted at Kosi in May 1987 (792). Adults with young were found in May on the Karnali ee _ = River at Bardia (432) and at Kosi Barrage Occurs on rivers and lakes. Range Breeds Pakistan, n. India (792). Single reports from elsewhere. and locally throughout the subcontinent. WHISKERED TERN CAlidonias hybridus Subspecies indicus. First recorded by H.S. Nepali who collected a specimen in Sh- ishawabit-Sapti District (P8) at 190m on 13 February 1971 (589). An irregular and uncommon winter visitor and spring pas- sage migrant to Kosi Barrage. By far the largest number reported is over 400 on 30 April 1982 (561). The only other records are of migrants in March at the Chatra Canal (Q8) (243) and Kosi Tappu (193); in March, April and May at Chitwan [ eee ne en Seer eS Oa ee a (703,205,730) and in May at Phewa Tal Bae ; (483). Range Breeds in Kashmir, n. and n.e. India and Bangladesh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. 162 WHITE-WINGED TERN Chlidonias leucopterus White-winged Black Tern The first confirmed record is one seen at Phewa Tal by N. Krabbe et a/. on 4 May 1981. They also reported a sighting by another observer at Begnas Tal the previ- ous day (483). A rare spring passage mi- grant. Small numbers were noted at Kosi INDIAN SKIMMER Rynchops albicollis Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (276), but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by R.L. Fleming and H. Gilston at Kosi Barrage on 11 April 1975 (243). Subsequently reported from Kosi Bar- tage where it is an irregular and uncom- mon visitor recorded from February to [PAINTED SANDGROUSE Pterocles indicus Range Pakistan and India east to Bengal and south to Tamil Nadu.]} [CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE Pterocles exustus Indian Sandgrouse Subspecies erlangeri. Range Baluchistan and India.]} Terns /Sandgrouse a es | (tt, eT arte J'F M'A M J!5 A S'O ND Barrage from 30 April to 2 May 1982 (199,294,561), and four there on 19 May 1987 (792,484). The only other sightings are of singles near Sauraha (J6) on 8 May 1982 (703) and in the Kathmandu Valley on 26 April 1985 (418). Range Winters in Assam, Bangladesh, and irregularly throughout the rest of the subcontinent. July. A maximum of seven was noted in February and March 1981 (180,442). A pair repeatedly chased other birds from a sandbank in the river in late May 1979, apparently defending territory (509). The only other known locality is the Karnali River close to the Indian border (C5), where two were seen on 30 March 1986 (418). Range Large rivers of n. and e. India and Pakistan. [BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE Prterocles orientalis Imperial Sandgrouse Subspecies orientalis. Range Breeds in Pakistan. Winters to nw. India.] All three sandgrouse species have only been recorded by B. Hodgson (388). The specimens were obtained from the plains and it is possible they originated from an area which nowadays lies in India south of the Nepal border. Pigeons/Doves 163 ROCK PIGEON Columba livia Rock Dove, Blue Rock Pigeon Subspecies intermedia. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident subject to altitudinal movements. Sum- mers from the tarai up to 4270m and winters up to at least 2810m. Breeding confirmed in the Kathmandu Valley (659). May nest throughout the year but mainly May to July in the higher Hima- layas (53). Inhabits towns and villages, rocky cliffs and gorges. In urban localities the birds are semi-feral interbreeding with domestic varieties. Range Through- out the subcontinent. HILL PIGEON Columba rupestris Turkestan Hill Pigeon Subspecies turkestanica. First recorded on 19 December 1963 at Jharkot (H4) at 3350m by R.L. Fleming Jr. (212). A resi- dent usually occurring above 3000m in summer. May move south and to lower elevations in winter after severe weather. Common in the Tibetan plateau region. Found breeding at Shey Gompa (F3) (243). Noted as far south as Macchermo (P6) at 4465m in November 1987 (558), Landrung (HS5) at 1650m in March 1989 (166), and Kodari (M6) at 2000m (un- dated) (243). Frequents rocky cliffs, gorges, villages and old buildings. Range Himalayas from Gilgit east to Sikkim. SNOW PIGEON Columba leuconota ee 1 a] 5 9000= J°F'M AAM' JS JAAS O°N'D 164 SNOW PIGEON, cont’d ... Subspecies leuconota. The species was first described by Vigors, froma specimen from the Himalayas (788); later given as Nepal by Baker (63). First definitely re- corded by B. Hodgson (388). A common Pigeons/Doves resident of the Himalayas subject to altitudinal movements. Inhabits alpine areas in summer, generally over 3600m. Regularly descends as low as 1500m in winter. Found breeding in the upper Arun (167), and at Khumjung (P6) (190). Occurs on rocky cliffs and gorges. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. COMMON WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Woodpigeon Subspecies casiotis. A specimen was listed for Nepal by Salvadori (696), but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. on 9 Febru- ary 1957 at Tin Pani Bhangjang forest, Kathmandu Valley at 2275m (234,245). No further reports until the 1980s. Now an erratic winter visitor occurring in large flocks in some years, but absent in others. Several records from north-west of Pokhara (HS) and the Kathmandu Valley and single reports from Jumla (244) and near Charikot (M6) (748). The maximum of more than 4000 was recorded near Dhampus (HS) at 1800m on S March 1983 (66). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. to Kashmir; east to Nepal in winter. (ESO Oi pee seer = mE i 9000 = s'f Mia’m s!s A S'O ND SPECKLED WOODPIGEON Columba hodgsonii This species was described by Vigors from the Himalayas (789); later given as Nepal by Baker (63). First definitely recorded by B. Hodgson (346). A resident subject to irregular movements appearing wher- ever its favoured trees have ripe fruit. Over 1000 were estimated near Dhampus (H5) on 21 January 1985 (150). Occasionally seen in the Kathmandu Valley, Khaptad (C3), north-west of Pokhara and in Langtang. Mainly single reports received from elsewhere. Found in dense broadleaved forests but may also feed on weed seeds and grain. Range Himalayas from Gilgit east to Arunachal Pradesh and n.e. India. Pigeons/Doves 165 ASHY WOODPIGEON Columba pulchricollis This species was described by E. Blyth probably from specimens taken by Hodgson in Nepal (116 ,797). First defi- nitely recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Resident; chiefly occurring above 1100m. Like the Speckled Woodpigeon wanders in search of available fruiting trees. Regu- larly seen in the Kathmandu Valley and found breeding there in Chapagaon for- est (243). Occasionally reported from the upper Mai valley (R7,S7) and from the upper Kali Gandaki valley north to Lete (H4); the western limit of the species’s range. Breeding behaviour is little known. Few records from other areas. Frequents dense broadleaved evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Indian Ring Dove, Collared Dove Subspecies decaocto. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident throughout the tarai and duns mainly found up to 400m; subject to altitudinal movements depending on food supply. Recorded as high as 2440m at Jumla in mid-winter (243). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Reported feeding on rip- ening rice in the Kathmandu Valley (635). Found in dry open cultivation with groves. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. RED TURTLE DOVE Sweptopelia tranquebarica Red Collared Dove First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident throughout the lowlands up to 300m. Two races occur: S. t. tranquebarica (t) and S. t. humilis (h). Found breeding at Sukla Phanta (432) and Chitwan (296,432). Mainly a summer visitor at higher altitudes. The maximum height reported is at 1370m in the Kath- mandu Valley where it is an uncommon summer visitor from April to September. = ==) Se eeenreny ea Occurs in cultivation and open scrub 2 tee country with scattered broadleaved trees. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 166 Pigeons/Doves ORIENTAL TURTLE DOVE Steptopelia orientalis Rufous Turtle Dove First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common. Chiefly a resident and winter visitor subject to seasonal movements. Reported from about 365m up to 4570m in summer. Proved breeding at Jharkot (H4) (811), the Kathmandu Valley (96), Hetaura (96) and the upper Mai Valley (742). In winter mainly occurs below 1370m, occasionally up to 2000m. Some birds may move south into India. Two a) EO ND resident races occur S. 0. meena (m) : et (512,647) and S. o. agricola (a) taken on 29 October 1957 at Kapel (L6) (245). Inhabits (109,247,659) and intermediates (am) open broadleaved forests particularly near cultivation. (96,659,708). Only one record of the Range Throughout the subcontinent except the arid north- northern race S. 0. orientalis (0): a pair west. LAUGHING DOVE Steptopelia senegalensis Palm Dove, Little Brown Dove ————— See eo | Subspecies cambayensis. First recorded twan in February, May and November (198,703,813). The on 2 December 1967 at Balaju (L6) at only other records are from Bardia (809), Trisuli River 1340m by H.S. Nepali (589). Scarce, (243) and Kosi Tappu (327). Breeds chiefly between Janu- status and movements are uncertain. ary and October. Frequents dry cultivation, villages and Reported to winter around Jumla at open scrub country. Range Throughout the subcontinent, 2440m (243). A few sightings from Chi- except for n.e. India. SPOTTED DOVE Sweptopelia chinensis Subspecies suratensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident from the tarai up to 1500m. In summer occasionally reported up to 2000m and rarely to 4000m. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (336,414,756). Frequents cultivation, gardens and habi- tation. Generally found in wetter and more wooded areas than Collared and Laughing Doves. Range Throughout the | = es subcontinent. : a De a Pigeons/Doves 167 BARRED CUCKOO-DOVE Macropygia unchall Long-tailed Cuckoo-Dove, Bar-tailed Cuckoo-Dove Subspecies tusalia. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a scarce resident. The only place where it is regularly re- ported is between Sukhani and Garuwa (R8) where flocks of up to seven have EMERALD DOVE Chalcophaps indica Green-winged Pigeon, Common Emerald Dove Subspecies indica. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A sedentary and locally common resident, mainly found up to about 365m. Rarely reported from higher altitudes. Areas include Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Hetaura, north of Sunischare and also Chitwan, where proved breeding (296). Only one record from the Kath- mandu Valley: a pair at Gokarna in De- cember 1978 (486). Frequents moist broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to Bangladesh and s. India. been seen (518,559). A few records from Kathmandu Valley forests, particularly on Phulchowki, and near Pokhara. Only single records from elsewhere. Inhabits dense, broadleaved, evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Ka- shmir to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. A> ORANGE-BREASTED GREEN PIGEON Treron bicincta Subspecies bicincta. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (276), but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. from Butwal at 275m in Janu- ary 1950 (647). Locally distributed in the lowlands. A common breeding resident at Chitwan (296). Fairly common at Kosi Tappu (327). Mainly single records from elsewhere. Occurs in sal and riverine forests. Range Himalayas from Uttar Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India, Bangladesh and hills of e. and s.w. India. 168 Pigeons/Doves POMPADOUR GREEN PIGEON 9 Treron pompadora Grey-fronted Green Pigeon The apparently endemic subspecies conoveri was first described by R.L. Flem- ing Sr. from a specimen taken from But- wal at 275m on 25 January 1950 (645,647). A fairly common and locally distributed resident at Chitwan (296,432). Uncom- mon at Tamaspur, Kosi Tappu and north of Sunischare. Single reports from else- where. Sight records from east Nepal at Chatra (518) and Kosi Tappu (174) may _——— CS OND refer to conoveri or to the eastern a subspecies phayrei. Frequents sal and riv- Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India, Bangladesh erine forests. Range Himalayas from and the hills of s.w. India. THICK-BILLED GREEN PIGEON Treron curvirostra ne ee TS Eee M JAJ'A'S O° ND Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by ceived: between Garuwa and Sukhani (R8) (207,559, B. Hodgson (355). A scarce and local 561,321,183) and Dharan (561). Found 2 to 3km west of Ta- resident in lowland forests. Several reports maspur (H6) on 26 April 1978 (159), the westernmost from Chitwan (J6,K6). Described as ‘oc- locality for the species. Occurs in sal and riverine forests. casional’ in the eastern tarai (P8,Q8,R8) Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; in 1976 (293) but only six other records re- n.e. India and Bangladesh. YELLOW-FOOTED GREEN PIGEON Treron phoenicoptera Bengal Green Pigeon, Green Pigeon Subspecies phoenicoptera. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident through- out the lowlands and foothills. Fairly common at Bardia (192) and Chitwan (296), occasionally seen elsewhere up to 250m and uncommon up to 1400m. Noted as high as 1480m in Mechi Zone (658) in January 1989 (658). Occurs in broadleaved forests and groves. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Pigeons/Doves 169 PIN-TAILED GREEN PIGEON Treron apicauda Subspecies apicauda. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A scarce resident in the lowlands. Several sightings from forests north of Sunischare. Only single records from elsewhere. Noted at Kaneri (B4) (246), Bardia (162), near Pokhara (762), Chitwan (296,762), Tamaspur (486,652), Betrawati (L6) (516) and Hetaura (96). Found in sal and riverine forests. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. ———————— | WEDGE-TAILED GREEN PIGEON Treron sphenura Subspecies sphenura. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally fairly common resident subject to seasonal movements, most often seen between 1525m and 2000m. Two seen at 2800m at Chumo (N6) in April 1986 (75). Regularly found in the Kathmandu Valley and Langtang. Occasionally reported north-west of Pokhara and in the Arun and Mai valleys. Mainly single records from elsewhere. Only one record from Chitwan: in the | = a. ye Churia hills (J6) in May 1989 (67). Inhab- its mixed broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. MOUNTAIN IMPERIAL PIGEON Ducula badia Imperial Pigeon, Maroon-backed Imperial Pigeon ” Subspecies insignis. First recorded by B. Hodgson who obtained a specimen in breeding condition on 24 June from the lower hills (336,355). Scarce, probably resident. Described as possibly occurring in the west (53) but no records have been traced. Three specimens were collected from Walung Forest, Iswa-Arun valley (Q6) between 1150m and 1250m in Feb- Tuary 1959 (482). The only other reports ee 8 ee ee are from Chitwan (J6,K6) in October/ Owes Spare uae ue EY er ae) November 1978 (296,759,762), March 1982 (770) and February 1988 (481), and in the Rapti dun (L7) (undated) (223). Inhabits dense broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India, Bangla- desh and hills of s.w. India. 170 [GREEN IMPERIAL PIGEON Ducula aenea A specimen was listed as doubtfully from Nepal by Salvadori (696), and others have also included Nepal in the range of the species (46,63). No definite records have been traced. Range From e. Uttar Pradesh east to n.e. India and south to s. India.] ALEXANDRINE PARAKEET Psittacula eupatria Large Parakeet Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (358). A common resident in the tarai and lower hills up to about 365m; rare at higher altitudes. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Inhabits sal and riverine forests. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. ROSE-RINGED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Ring-necked Parakeet Subspecies borealis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident up to 365m. Only occasionally seen at higher altitudes with the exception of the Kath- mandu Valley. It has been frequently reported from there since 1979, but the population may have originated from escaped cage birds. Discovered breeding in Kathmandu in April 1982 (517); also proved breeding at Sukla Phanta (432) and Chitwan (296). Frequents broadleaved forests, secondary growth, gardens, cultivation and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Pigeons /Parrots VERNAL HANGING PARROT Loriculus vernalis Indian Lorikeet Subspecies vernalis. Scarce, probably resident. First re- corded by B. Hodgson from the tarai on 20 June (336,358). Only three other reports: noted as rare at Chitwan (296); found in the eastern tarai at Jnapa (R9) (undated) (247); and at Chisapani (N8) at 275m on 23 June 1965 (247). Nests January to April. Frequents humid forests. Range Hima- layas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; s. and e. India. SLATY-HEADED PARAKEET Psittacula himalayana First recorded by B. Hodgson (358). Resi- dent. The only parrot commonly found above 1350m. Usually summers up to 2000m and winters down to 1000m. Seen at the unusually high altitude of 3260m on Machapuchare (244). Infrequently found at lower altitudes in winter. Common north-west of Pokhara (HS) and fairly common on hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. Only occasionally seen elsewhere. Fre- quents broadleaved forests and favours flowering silk cot- ton trees. Range Himalayas from Pakistan east to Arun- achal Pradesh. Parrots/Cuckoos SLATY-HEADED PARAKEET, cont'd ... 171 fo Soa a PLUM-HEADED PARAKEET Psittacula cyanocephala Blossom-headed Parakeet Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent throughout the tarai and lower hills up to 500m; occasionally reported up to 1525m. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Described in 1949 as moderately common in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills (629), but there are very few later records. Occurs in well-wooded areas. Range Pakistan, India east to Bhu- tan duars and Nepal. MOUSTACHED PARAKEET Psittacula alexandri Rose-breasted Parakeet Subspecies fasciata. First recorded by B. Hodgson (336,358). A locally fairly com- mon resident, rarely found above 365m. Areas include north of Sunischare and also Chitwan where proved breeding (296). Described as a common local mi- grant from January to June in Morang District (Q8) (293). Recorded from the Kathmandu Valley last century (336,708), but no later records. Frequents open broadleaved forests and groves. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. PIED CUCKOO Clamator jacobinus Pied Crested Cuckoo, Jacobin Cuckoo Subspecies serratus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A summer visitor mainly occurring up to 365m, but one noted as high as 3660m in Khumbu (243). Most reports are during the monsoon. Uncom- mon at Chitwan and scarce elsewhere. Localities include Sukla Phanta (700), Dipayal (B3) (68), Hetaura (96,245, 601), the Kathmandu Valley, Kosi Tappu (174,432,597) and elsewhere in the east (P8,Q8) (293). One was collected in the Kathmandu Valley on 11 January 1962 (190), the only winter record for the Indian subcontinent. Inhabits broadleaved forests. Range Throughout the sub- continent. 172 Cuckoos PIED CUCKOO, cont’d ... CHESTNUT-WINGED CUCKOO Clamator coromandus Red-winged Crested Cuckoo First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A very local summer visitor, mainly occur- ring from 250m to 365m. Fairly common at Chitwan where proved breeding (296). A few have been seen passing through the Kathmandu Valley from April to June (243), in August (68) and October (589). Fairly common in the Hetaura duns in May and June 1947 (96), but no later records. The only other reports are from = = —_ near Pokhara in 1977 (762) and near aa , Dharan in April 1986 (763,546). Fre- quents both dense and light broadleaved forests, also thorny undergrowth and scrub. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters in s. India. HODGSON’S HAWK-CUCKOO Hierococcyx fugax (Cuculus fugax) Subspecies nisicolor. First recorded by B. Hodgson who obtained at least one speci- men from the lower hills in April (336,388). The only other record is of one seen at Kosi Tappu on 11 March 1988 (328). Found in broadleaved wooded country (53). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Cuckoos 173 COMMON HAWK-CUCKOO. Hierococcyx varius (Cuculus varius) Subspecies varius. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to 1000m; rarely found higher. Reported to breed in small num- bersin the Kathmandu Valley last century (708), but there are few later records. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Like other cuckoos it is silent for much of the non-breeding season and is then easily overlooked. Occurs in lightly-wooded areas including gardens, cultivation and groves. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. 9000m J" FAM A 'M JAJ°A’S*O°N' D LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO Hierococcyx sparverioides (Cuculus sparverioides) Subspecies sparverioides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a fairly common summer visitor between 1830m and 3000m. Found breeding in the east- ern hills (Q8) (293). Most birds move south to the Indian peninsula but there are a few winter records: noted at 1800m and 2460m (780), and one was also taken at 1830m in Nawakot District in January (647). One, presumably on passage, was seen at Chitwan on 29 April 1980 (440). Found in broadleaved forests, especially in oaks. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Pakistan east to Arunachal Pradesh and in n.e. India. Winters south to s. India. 2 | i al pe ara NRT ASIAN EMERALD CUCKOO Chrysococcyx maculatus Emerald Cuckoo (Chalcites maculatus) First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley and Bhimpedi, in June, August and September (336,388). A scarce summer visitor. There are three reports from the Kathmandu Valley: a small party seen on 7 September in the early 1950s (635); a specimen taken in _ May 1959 by the Vishnumati River (247); and one found in August 1978 at Gokarna (688). The only other records are of singles found in April at Chitwan in 1982 (296,432), and at 1830m near Pokhara (250), and one at Malunga (H6) in September 1988 (575). Nests mid-April to July. Occurs in evergreen, broadleaved forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India and Bangladesh. 174 Cuckoos GREY-BELLIED PLAINTIVE CUCKOO Cacomantis passerinus Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Indian Plaintive Cuckoo First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A summer visitor mainly A reported between late April and August from the tarai up to 1400m; rare up to 2135m. Probably overlooked because of its resemblance to Black-winged Cuckoo- Shrike, and its silence after breeding. Localities include Dandeldhura and Doti Districts (B3,C3) (657), Chitwan, Kath- mandu Valley, upper Arun valley (483), 5 —_ Mechi Zone (R7,R8) (658) and Kosi Tappu. Frequents groves and open forests. Range Summers in n. Pakistan and n. India from Kashmir and Mt. Abu east to Bhutan and Meghalaya. Winters south to s. India. RUFOUS-BELLIED PLAINTIVE CUCKOO Cacomantis merulinus Plaintive Cuckoo Subspecies querulus. A Hodgson speci- record is of one at Kosi Barrage on 9 February 1989 (468). men was listed for Nepal by Shelley (724), Sometimes considered conspecific with Grey-bellied Plain- but it may have originated in India. First tive Cuckoo (243). Occurs in well-wooded country (53). definitely recorded by A. Goodwin and S. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; Gawn who saw one at Chitwan on 21 n.e. India and Bangladesh. February 1986 (264,260). The only other BANDED BAY CUCKOO Cacomantis sonneratii Subspecies sonneratii. A Hodgson speci- men was listed for Nepal by Shelley (724), but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey from Tribeni (H7) at 75m on 29 December 1935 (62). An uncommon visitor to Chi- twan from February to October (296). Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Recently found north of Sunischare (R8) (518,307), Tamaspur (682), lower Arun valley (590), Dharan (561,307,597). In- SS, Gre. habits dense broadleaved forests in the lowlands. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to Bangladesh and s. India. Cuckoos INDIAN CUCKOO Cuculus micropterus Short-winged Cuckoo Subspecies micropterus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a summer visi- tor, although reported to be resident in the eastern tarai (P8,Q8) (174,293). Common in spring and summer from April onwards from the tarai up to 2100m. Occasionally moves above this altitude. Occurs at Chitwan (J6,K6) between Feb- Tuary and September and arrives in the Kathmandu Valley in early April. Proved breeding in both areas (296,629). Fre- quents forests, well-wooded country and groves. Range Throughout the subconti- nent except the arid north-west. EURASIAN CUCKOO $9 Cuculus canorus Common Cuckoo First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common summer visitor from 915m to 3800m; uncommon up to 915m from March to September. Two intergrading Taces occur, C. c. canorus (c) (96,647,708) and C. c. bakeri (b) (22). The species occurs in the Kathmandu Valley between early April and early October (629,708). Many seen passing through in September and October (629). Breeding confirmed at Manangbhot (J4) (512), in the Kath- mandu Valley (708), and the upper Mai valley (S7) (735). Inhabits open wooded country and secondary growth. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to s. India. ORIENTAL CUCKOO Cuculus saturatus Himalayan Cuckoo Subspecies saturatus. The species was described by E. Blyth from Hodgson specimens taken in Nepal (114,797). Pos- sibly resident in the Himalayas (53), and reported to descend to lower altitudes in the foothills and plains in winter (243). However Nepalese records received are from the end of March to September. Common between 1525m and 3050m in spring and summer from April onwards. Proved breeding at Godavari (96, 432). Occurs in open wooded country. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F-P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. 175 9000m 5 FAM ATM JIA = ND 176 LESSER CUCKOO Cuculus poliocephalus Little Cuckoo, Small Cuckoo A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Shelley (724), but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by H. Stevens from the upper Mai valley (S7) at about 2135m on 25 May 1912 (741). A summer visitor chiefly occurring between 1500m and 3660m. Common on Sheopuri in spring (243), fairly common at Khaptad (C3) (428), in the middle hills (LS,L6,P6) (559), in Langtang and in the upper Arun valley. Single reports from elsewhere. Possibly under-recorded be- cause of its late arrival in spring. Inhabits dense broadleaved forests. Range Breeds DRONGO-CUCKOO = Swmiculus lugubris Subspecies dicruroides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (382). A local summer visitor mainly occurring up to 1500m. Noted at 2000m at Gopetar (R7) in May (658). A common breeder at Chitwan, where it is reported from April to early November COMMON KOEL Eudynamys scolopacea Koel Cuckoo, Asian Koel Subspecies scolopacea, First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common throughout up to 1370m. Noted between 1700m and 1800m in the east at Taplejung (R7) (658) and in Dhankuta District (Q7) (613). Reported to be resident at Bardia (192) and in the eastern tarai and foothills Cuckoos i | OE = ras f = a — Tara yn Ce = = f eo a a ale TI" FAM ATM J°J°A™S OAN*D in the Himalayas from Pakistan east to Arunachal Pradesh andn.e. India. Migrates through Bangladesh and the Indian peninsula. (296,597). Fairly common in the Kathmandu Valley in spring (243,635). Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Other localities include Khaptad (C3) (428), Bardia, Kosi Tappu, Dharan, and Sukhani to Garuwa (R8). Frequents edges and clearings of forests and groves. Range Through- out the subcontinent, except the arid north-west. (P8,Q8) (174,293); possibly resident at Sukla Phanta (700). A summer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley chiefly occur- ring from March to October (417). Uncommon at Chitwan (J6,K6) and only found there from March to September. Occurs in gardens, groves, cultivation and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Cuckoos 177 COMMON KOEL, cont’d ... GREEN-BILLED MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus tristis Large Green-billed Malkoha (Rhopodytes tristis) F Gg 1" M Q Subspecies tistis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Fairly common up to a about 700m; uncommon at higher alti- tudes. Resident at Bardia (192), Chitwan << (296), and near Dharan (293). A summer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley where it S = . ; is chiefly reported from April to Septem- ay 6 eae ee \ ber. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan ‘ ae New oF (296). Inhabits dense thickets in forests. : Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to i es a Arunachal Pradesh, extending south to e. Madhya Pradesh and Bangladesh. SIRKEER MALKOHA Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii Sirkeer Cuckoo (Taccocua leschenaultii) Subspecies infuscatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Resident up to about 365m. Occasionally seen in the far west at Sukla Phanta and Bardia; uncommon further east. Found in scrub, thorny bushes and acacia trees in dry stony areas. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 178 GREATER COUCAL Centropus sinensis Large Coucal, Common Crow-Pheasant Subspecies sinensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common and sedentary resident mainly found up to about 365m. Up to three seen in June 1988 at the unusually high altitude of 850m to 900m in Ilam District (R8), including a mating pair (658). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Occurs in tall grasslands and thick- ets near cultivation, gardens and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent. LESSER COUCAL Centropus bengalensis Small Coucal (Centropus toulou) W7s= ‘/) We Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident and possibly also a summer migrant, chiefly reported up to 365m. Seen several times between 750m and 1400m at Jitpur and Siddhithumka, Ilam District (R8) on 26 June 1988 (658). Fairly common at Chi- BARN OWL Tyto alba Common Barn Owl Subspecies stertens. First recorded by B. Hodgson (385). A local resident. Uncom- mon in the Kathmandu Valley where it roosts in the roofs of old buildings. Sev- eral recent sightings from Durbar Square, Kathmandu. A family group was ob- served on the roof of Kalimati Durbar in January (247). The only other report is from south of Annapurna in 1977 (762). Crepuscular and nocturnal. Breeds prac- tically all year (53). Range Throughout the subcontinent. Cuckoos/Owls J°F MA MAS JA’ SAD ND twan where proved breeding. Numbers are noted to in- crease there in summer (296). Occasionally reported from elsewhere. Found in large expanses of tall grassland and reedbeds in the lowlands, and in Salima grass with bamboo clumps and scattered trees and bushes (658). Range Hima- layas from Dehra Dun east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh south to Orissa; also s.w. India. GRASS OWL. Tyto capensis Subspecies longimembnis. First reported by R.L. Fleming Sr. who purchased an owlet taken by Tharus, west of the Narayani River, Chitwan in November 1964 (247). Rare and local. Resident at Chitwan (J6,K6) at 225m, where it breeds (296,244); possibly resident at Sukla Phanta (700). Breeds from October to March. Occurs only in tall grass- lands. Crepuscular and nocturnal. Range Himalayas from Dehra Dun to West Bengal; Assam and Meghalaya; e. and s.w. India. Owls 179 [ORIENTAL BAY OWL Phodilus badius Subspecies saturatus. Only recorded by B. the bird may not have originated in Nepal. Range Hima- Hodgson who obtained a skin from a shop layas from Nepal?, Sikkim and Bhutan?; n.e. and s.w. near Kathmandu (336,388). It is possible India.] COLLARED SCOPS OWL Otus bakkamoena First recorded by B. Hodgson (357). A local resident of uncertain status, found between 185m and 1525m. Like other scops owls it is probably under-recorded as it is strictly nocturnal and usually only located by its characteristic calls. Re- ported as common in the central dun (L7) in 1947 (98), but only one subsequent record (190). Described as common in the Kathmandu Valley in 1949 (635), seen there occasionally in 1970 (240) but with few later records. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296), in Kathmandu in 1986 and 1987 (418) and at Hetaura (98). Two races have been recorded: O. b. lettia (1) (98,190) and O. b. gangeticus (g) (23,247,807) and it has recently been pro- posed to treat these as races of two differ- ent species (678) on the basis of different calls. However, the situation in the west- ern Himalayas is not resolved and some authorities regard the variation in calls as intraspecific (790). Inhabits mixed forest and groves near cultivation and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent. ORIENTAL SCOPS OWL Otus sunia Scops Owl (Otus scops) Subspecies sunia. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (357,797). Mainly a fairly common resi- dent of the tarai and lower hills but occurs up to 1525m (247). Found to be common between Dhangarhi and Nepalganj in March and April 1988 (792). A vagrant taken at Jomosom at 2745m in December (243) is perhaps more likely referable to the Eurasian Scops Owl O. scops turani- cus. Confirmed breeding at Chitwan (296). Found in forests, secondary growth and groves. Range Himalayas from Paki- stan east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to s. India. 180 Owls MOUNTAIN SCOPS OWL Otus spilocephalus Spotted Scops Owl First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (336,388). Resident, mainly found be- tween 1830m and 2590m. Fairly common north-west of Pokhara (HS) and on hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. It is likely that two intergrading races occur. Specimens from central Nepal (L6) showed features between O. s. huttoni and O. s. spilocephalus (98,647). Mainly single records from elsewhere. Inhabits dense evergreen, broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Pakistan east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. EURASIAN EAGLE OWL + Bubo bubo Northern Eagle Owl, Great Horned Owl Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it breeding on Sheopuri (336,357). A local resident occa- sionally reported from around Pokhara and in the Kathmandu Valley, especially on Nagarjung. Single records from else- where. Found as high as 3415m on Ma- chapuchare (244). Frequents wooded country with cliffs or rocky ravines where it roosts during the day. Range Through- SSS ae out the subcontinent. kone a een SPOT-BELLIED EAGLE OWL Bubo nipalensis Forest Eagle Owl Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (357,797). Rare and local. Resident at Chitwan (J6,K6) where it breeds (296). Seen a few times on cliffs at Nagarjung (L6). A nestling was taken on 14 April 1912 in the Mai Khola Valley (742). The only other reports are from south of Annapurna in 1977 (762), the Barun val- ley (Q6) (588) and Gokarna (L6) (418) in i= ST ee SD 1984, and Bardia (C4) in 1986 (796). Occurs in dense evergreen forests. Nocturnal. Range Himalayas from Kumaon to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. and s.w. India, and Bangladesh. Owls DUSKY EAGLE OWL Bubo coromandus Dusky Horned Owl Subspecies coromandus. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the tarai and lower hills (336,372). In 1976 found to be a breeding resident, occasionally seen at Kosi Tappu (174,175), but no later re- ports from there. A few records from BROWN FISH OWL. Ketupa zeylonensis (Bubo zeylonensis) Subspecies leschenault. First recorded by B. Hodgson (363). Mainly a resident found occasionally from the tarai up to 1525m. Breeding confirmed at Hetaura (98) and Gokarna (635). Like other fish- eating birds of prey it is uncommon at Chitwan (296,759). Frequents densely wooded areas near water. Semi-diurnal. Range Throughout the subcontinent. TAWNY FISH OWL Ketupa flavipes (Bubo flavipes) The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson who obtained at least six specimens from the lower hills (336,363,797). Very rare, presumably resident. Only three other reports: a bird was obtained at Bhugwada (location unknown) on 30 November 1920 (23). An COLLARED OWLET Glaucidium brodiei Collared Pygmy Owlet Subspecies brodiei. First recorded by B. Hodgson (357). A fairly common, locally distributed resident mainly seen between 1350m and 2900m. Areas include north- west of Pokhara, Langtang, hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley and the upper Arun and Mai valleys. Inhabits mixed oak forests. Diurnal and calls persistently. Range Himalayas from Chi- tral east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 181 Chitwan (J6) between 1984 and 1988 (771,562,792), includ- ing an adult photographed with young in February 1984 (196). Breeds December to January. Inhabits wooded areas near water in the lowlands. Semi-diurnal. Range Locally throughout the subcontinent. adult and two juveniles were taken at Hetaura on 18 May and 2 June 1947 (98). Seen at Chitwan in October/Novem- ber 1978 (759,762). Breeding behaviour is little known, probably December to Februaty. Found in forested ravines near water. Crepuscular and semi-diurnal. Range Hima- layas from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. yam 9000m SD 182 Owls JUNGLE OWLET Glaucidium radiatum Barred Jungle Owlet Subspecies radiatum. First recorded by B. Hodgson (372). A common resident, mainly occurring from the tarai up to 915m. A few records from north-west of Pokhara (H5) between 1430m and 1600m (451,436,152). Apparently recently ex- tended its range to the Kathmandu Val- ley; present at Rani Bari all year in 1987 (792). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (98). Found in open forests and secondary jungle. Mainly crepuscular. Range Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh to Bhutan; south through India to Sri Lanka. ASIAN BARRED OWLET Glaucidium cuculoides Barred Owlet Subspecies cuculoides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (372). A common resident, mainly occurring between 245m and 2440m. Proved breeding at Pokhara (326), Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (98). Its altitudinal zone overlaps with that of Jungle Owlet between 160m and 915m. Both species not only breed in the same forests but are also common there (98,296). Frequents open forests. Diurnal. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. BROWN HAWK OWL. Ninax scutulata Brown Boobook Subspecies /ugubris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (370). Resident. Fairly common at Chitwan (296) and occasionally found elsewhere. Breeding behaviour of this race is little known. Three family parties with flying young between 24 July and mid-August in the Kathmandu Valley (792). One in breeding condition was taken at Hetaura on 27 March (190). Inhabits forests and well-wooded areas wT | often near water. Crepuscular and noc- : turnal. Range Himalayas from Dehra Dun east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to s. India and Bangladesh. Owls LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Tibet Owlet, Northern Little Owl Subspecies /udlowi. First recorded by O. Polunin at Terengaon (G4) at 4115m on 12 June 1952 (620). Scarce, presumably resident. Occurs in the Tibetan plateau region between 2715m and 4155m. Singles were taken at Terco Phijar (F3) SPOTTED OWLET Athene brama Spotted Little Owl Subspecies indica. First recorded by B. Hodgson (357). A common resident from the tarai up to 1525m. Breeding con- firmed at Majhagaon (A4) (432), north- west of Pokhara (811), Kathmandu (417), Chitwan (296) and Dharan (281).A strag- gler was collected at 2745m at Khangjung (L5) on 4 September 1949 (619,621). Inhabits villages, towns, ruins and cultiva- tion. Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. Range Throughout the subcontinent. BROWN WOOD OWL Swix leptogrammica Subspecies newarensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (357). Found between 760m and 2700m.A resident reported occasion- ally from the Kathmandu Valley. A pair was seen feeding young in May at Rani Bagh (629). Status elsewhere is uncertain; probably under-recorded. Found in west- central Nepal (F5) in 1977 (563), Mai 183 on 8 July and at Tnku, Do Trap (F3) on 23 July 1978 (587). All other records are from Thakkhola (H4): several reports of one or two birds from January to April between 1979 and 1987. Found on stone walls of old buildings and rocky cliffs. Mainly crepuscular and nocturnal. Range Baluchistan; Himalayas in N.W.F-.P., Baltistan, Ladakh and Nepal. {1,0 ] Loe hist ae. | ae 5 u = 00 As'rom Msis a'sS'o'N D Pokhari (R7) in April 1982 (561), Barun valley (Q6) in November 1984 (588) and at Khaptad (C3) in May 1988 (428). Frequents dense broadleaved forests. Usually noc- turnal although a pair was observed feeding young in daylight (629). One flew over Kathmandu chased by a large crow flock in April 1976 (82). Range Himalayas from Pakistan east to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh?; south through the peninsula. 184 TAWNY OWL Stix aluco Tawny Wood Owl First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Two races possibly occur. S. a. nivicola is an uncommon resident. A pair possibly of the race biddulphi was seen at Lete (H4) at 2440m on 4 January 1974 (518). This race previously only reported as far east as north of Mussoorie (53). Areas where the species has been recorded include Khaptad (C3), north-west of Pokhara, Langtang, Khumbu and the Arun valley. Probably under-recorded as it is noctur- nal and more often heard than seen. Fre- quents oak, rhododendron and conifer- LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Subspecies otus. First recorded by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley on 20 November (336,372). The only other report is of one taken on the Kakani hills SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Subspecies flammeus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (372). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Described last century by Hodgson as the common field owl of the Kathmandu Valley (336) but there is just one later record (98). Several reports from Chitwan and also Kosi Barrage, with a maximum of seven at the latter site on 4 November 1989 (597). A few records from north-west of Pokhara. Singles found on Machapu- chare at 3320m on 10 April 1979 and 3260m on 1 October 1979 (244). Found in SAVANNA NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus affinis Franklin’s Nightjar Subspecies monticolus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly occurs up to 915m. Movements are unclear. Only two winter records: singles collected at Simery (L7) in January (589) and seen at Chitwan (K6) in February (481).The lack of winter records may be attributed to the species’s silence during the non-breeding season. Fairly common at Chitwan (J6,K6) and confirmed breeding there (296). Occa- sionally seen at Sukla Phanta (700) and a common resident at Bardia (192). Found in small numbers in the central bhabar and dun (K7,L7) (98). Only single records ° 9000m Owls/Nightjars 1 a TTFAM A MAJ J° A'S O°N D ous forests. Range N. Baluchistan and Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh. (L6) at 2000m on 11 November 1962 (190). Nocturnal. Range Single breeding records from Baluchistan and Ka- shmir. Occurs elsewhere in Pakistan and n.w. India. SEM) Ae ASE Se OM SND! grassland and open scrub country. Diurnal and crepuscular. Range Winter visitor throughout the subcontinent. |_ = i} a $a ° 9000m J°FAM' A'M J J AAS O ND from elsewhere. Inhabits scrubby hillsides and open forest. Crepuscular and nocturnal like other nightjars, Range From Punjab and Gujarat east through the subcontinent. Nightjars 185 INDIAN NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus asiaticus Little Nightjar, Common Indian Nightjar Subspecies asiaticus. First recorded on 22 March 1961 at Simra Airport (K7) at 105m by R.L. Fleming (234,246). Scarce. Movements are uncertain. Probably un- der-recorded as its call is not very obvi- ous. Described as resident at Sukla Phanta (700). A few spring records from Chitwan (296,800,172). The only other reports are from Bardia (128,432,202), near Gorsinge (F6) (157), Tilaurakot (G6) (157), and the eastern tarai near Chatra (281,293), Dharan (652) and Kosi Tappu (432). Occurs in open scrub and cultivation in the tarai. Range The whole subcontinent east of the Indus Valley. LARGE-TAILED NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus macrurus Long-tailed Nightjar Subspecies albonotatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Fairly common in forests of the tarai and foothills up to 915m. Movements uncertain. Found at Chitwan (J6,K6) from February/March to October/November. Proved breeding there (296). Reported as resident at Sukla Phanta (700), Bardia (192), Kosi Tappu (174) and elsewhere in the east (P8,Q8) ‘ (293). A summer visitor, seen occasion- = = = a ally in the Kathmandu Valley (240); heard a ee, ene ae aa as early as 13 March (629) and one col- lected there on 31 January (589). Hunts in forest clearings. Range Himalayas from Kangra to Arunachal Pradesh; south to Bangladesh and s. India, but absent from much of the north-west. JUNGLE NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus indicus Grey Nightjar Subspecies hazarae. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident and partial altitudinal migrant. Regularly found up to 2895m in summer. First heard calling on hills surrounding the Kath- mandu Valley in mid-March and proba- bly resident there (632). In winter mainly reported from 180m up to 915m. Birds at Chitwan considered possibly on passage (296). Frequents forest clearings and Sf a ee nib cover-d hillsides Range Hivalayes 0 a ay cae). a from Hazara to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; south through Rajasthan to s. India. 186 HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET Collocalia brevirostris (Aerodramus brevirostris) Subspecies brevirostris. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by J. Scully from the Kathmandu Valley on 20 August 1877 (708). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Sum- mers up to 4575m. Usually winters be- tween 915m and 2745m and occasionally in the lowlands. Two records from the tarai: in the east (Q8) on 29 June 1975 (293) and at Majhagaon (A4) on 13 May 1982 after storms (432). Gregarious; 2000 estimated over Phewa Tal on 14 January Swifts 1m WE | —l 1989 (152). Range Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh east to Arunachal Pradesh, and ne. India. WHITE-RUMPED NEEDLETAIL Zoonavena sylvatica White-rumped Spinetail Swift (Chaetura sylvatica) Base {| First recorded by R.L. Fleming Jr. on 16 March 1972 from Mahendra Rajmarj (J6) (243). Local and uncommon, possibly resident. Regularly seen at Chitwan. Other reports are from Sukla Phanta (432), Bardia (432,162), Nepalganj (627), Majhagaon (A4) (811), Butwal (178), Tamaspur (206,486,652) and north of Sunischare (59). Movements are poorly known. Noted in winter at Ta- maspur and at Chitwan. Breeding habits of the northern population are unknown. Seen at nesthole at Mahendran- agar (A4) on 5 March 1981 (811). Hawks insects over lowland forests. Range Himalayas in Garhwal, Nepal and Sikkim; Meghalaya and Bangladesh; locally to s.w. India. WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Spinetail Swift (Chaetura caudacuta) Subspecies nudipes. First recorded by B. Hodgson (352). Status and movements are uncertain. Like other swifts it is possi- bly under-recorded as it often feeds at high altitude. Some reports received probably refer to White-vented Needle- tails as the two forms have often been regarded as conspecific (54,243). Areas where reliably seen include Phewa Tal, Chitwan, Langtang, Kathmandu Valley, Jamuna (R7), Dharan and north of Sunischare. Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Only two winter records: on 31 January 1981 at Hetaura (476) and 11 January 1989 at Birethante (H5) (152), but this subspecies is often considered to be resident. The maximum altitude recorded is 3100m at Khaptad (C3); several reports in April, May and June (657,428). Range Himalayas from Hazara to Arunachal Pradesh and n.e. India. Swifts WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL, cont'd ... be FG 187 WHITE-VENTED NEEDLETAIL Hirundapus cochinchinensis White-vented Spinetail Swift (Chaetura cochinchinensis) _ * The apparently endemic subspecies rupchandi was described by B. Biswas. He observed flocks of about a dozen birds and took specimens on 24 June and 6 July 1947 at Hetaura (98). Its status and move- ments are poorly known. Probably over- looked because of confusion with White- throated Needletail. Later found near Hetaura in April in 1959 (245) and 1985 (332). Described as rare and possibly resi- dent at Chitwan (296) but several reports received from there with a maximum of 16 seen on 26 April 1982 (432). Four noted flying over Phulchowki at 2440m on 4 May 1980 (440). The only other record is from north of Sunischare in late March COMMON SWIFT Apus apus Black Swift Subspecies pekinensis. First recorded by RL. Fleming Jr. in Dolpo (H3) at 3355m in June 1971 (243). A local summer visitor mainly seen from mid-March to July and in September between 2000m and 3795m. Common in summer north of Annapurna (H4) and fairly common north of Dhaula- giri (G4). The only other records are of four near Syabru (L5) on 16 April 1984 (624), singles over Kathmandu on 31 March 1988 (730) and Kakani (L6) on 13 April 1988 (326), and ten at Chitwan on 18 February 1989 (506). Breeding behav- iour is little known. The season is proba- bly May and June in Pakistan and Kashmir. Range Summer visitor to Balu- chistan, and the Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. H 5 — eastern! 1985 (59). Breeding details are unknown. Range Nepal, Meghalaya and Manipur. 188 Swifts [DARK-RUMPED SWIFT Apus acuticauda Khasi Hills Swift, Dark-backed Swift The species was described from Nepal by specimen originated in India. There are no later records. T.C. Jerdon from a Hodgson specimen Range Breeds in Meghalaya and probably Mizoram.] (458,457). However, it is possible that this FORK-TAILED SWIFT Apus pacificus Pacific Swift, Large White-rumped Swift Subspecies /euconyx. First recorded by B. Biswas near Everest Base Camp at 3600m to 3800m in April 1953 (109). Fairly com- mon, possibly resident. Movements are not fully understood. Winter records re- ceived are mainly between 75m and 365m, but noted at 915m at Pokhara in January 1990 (138). In spring and summer seen up to 3800m. Found breeding near Syabru (LS) (612,682, 321,298). On 14 May 1982 after storms about 60 were observed in the tarai at Majhagaon (A4) and 10 at Dhangarhi (432). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- achal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Winters south to s.w. India. ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba Subspecies nubifuga. First recorded by FM. Bailey at Ramdhuni, Morang Dis- trict (Q8) on 29 January 1938 (62). Fairly common, probably resident. Movements are little known. Subject to seasonal alti- tudinal migration and also wanders errat- ically over long distances when feeding. In summer reported up to 3700m but is mainly found from 75m to 2200m. Most winter records are from the tarai and foothills up to 915m. Possibly resident at S$] a Chitwan (296). Hundreds were observed he flying round a cliff face by the Rapti River north of Hetaura in February (518). Seen entering cracks in cliff faces at Birethante (HS) in February and near Butwal in June (159). These could have been nesting colonies although the breeding season has been given as May and June (54). Breeding details are poorly known. Range Locally throughout the subconti- nent. Swifts HOUSE SWIFT Apus affinis Little Swift Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (352). A common resident seen from 75m to 2100m. Occurs up to 915m throughout the year but withdraws from higher levels in winter. Remains in the Kathmandu Valley from mid-March to mid-November (201). Breeds in the Valley during this period (629,659), but earlier at lower altitudes. Noted entering nests as early as 12 January at Pokhara and 10 February at Hetaura (518). Also proved breeding at Silgadi-Doti (B3) (68), Surkhet (626), Dhangarhi (432), Ka- pilvastu District (F6) (157), Syabru (L5) (321), north of Pati Bhanjyang (L6) (321), and east of Pokhara (J5) and at Ilam (442). Inhabits towns and villages. Range Throughout the subcontinent except the s.e. peninsula. ASIAN PALM SWIET Cypsiurus balasiensis (C. parvus) Subspecies balasiensis. The first dated record is of five on 7 October 1970, seen by T.P. Inskipp et al. at Simra (K7) at 75m (444). An uncommon resident in the ta- tai, mainly found close to the Indian bor- der. Areas include Birganj (K7), Kosi 189 Barrage, Janakpur (M8), Dharan, Birthamore (R8) and Biratnagar. Occurs as far west as Chitwan where it is a rare visitor (460,813). About 60 seen at Sunischare in February 1987 (463). Inhabits open country and cultivation with scattered palmyra palms. Range From Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat east through the whole subcontinent. 190 Swifts/Kingfishers CRESTED TREE SWIFT Hemiprocne coronata Crested Swift (H. longipennis) First recorded by B. Biswas at Hetaura on 1 May 1947 (98). A locally common resi- dent usually occurring up to 365m, but one at Gokarna at 1280m on 22 July 1973 (814) and seen at 760m at Surkhet in winter (244). Regularly reported from Dharan, north of Sunischare, Tamaspur, Simra, Chatra, and also Chitwan where it breeds (296,432). Uncommon in the west. Frequents forests. Range From Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat east through the whole subcontinent. RED-HEADED TROGON Harpactes erythrocephalus Subspecies hodgsonii. First recorded by J. Gould (269) described presumably froma specimen collected by B. Hodgson. A local and very uncommon resident which has declined recently, probably as a result of habitat loss. Described as not uncom- mon in the central dun (K7,L7) in 1947 (98), and eight were seen there (L7) in December 1970 (444). Found breeding at Godavari at 1830m in 1955 (635). No later records from these areas. Since 1970 re- a ee corded from south of Annapurna (H5) tee (762,594), Chitwan (J6,K6), Arun valley (483,590), Fatehpur (P8) (293), north of Sunischare and in the lower Mai valley (S7) (658,307). Inhabits dense, broadleaved evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. RUDDY KINGFISHER Halcyon coromanda Subspecies coromanda. First recorded by from near Hetaura: in May and June 1947 (98) and in B. Hodgson from the lower hills November 1977 (507). Inhabits streams and pools in (336,388). Scarce and local, probably resi- shaded, dense, evergreen jungle of the tarai and lower hills. dent. Recently recorded at Chitwan Probably suffered as a result of habitat loss. Likely to be (J6,K6) where singles have been seen in overlooked as it is very shy. Breeds March and April. Range April and May by streams of the Churia Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. hills (11,67). The only other reports are India and Bangladesh. Kingfishers 191 WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER Halcyon smymensis White-breasted Kingfisher Subspecies fusca. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident throughout up to 1000m. Rarely seen above 1800m but one was noted at 3050m in the Langu valley area (F2) in October (330). Most birds at higher altitudes de- scend in winter. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (629). Inhabits streams, rivers and pools. Found ina variety of habitats often = =| : far from water, such as cultivation,forest $8 ° == | edges and gardens. Range Throughout the subcontinent. FP oMAa MJ JAA SOND BLACK-CAPPED KINGFISHER Halcyon pileata Vagrant. First recorded by R.L. Fleming other report is from the Mai Khola (R8) at about 300m on Jr. in late September 1974 by the Reu 20 April 1981 (559). Mainly occurs near water in coastal River at Chitwan (218,296). The only areas. Range Coasts of Bangladesh and India west to Bombay; locally inland in India. STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER Pelargopsis capensis Brown-headed Stork-billed Kingfisher (Halcyon capensis) , pes + Tagaon RET CT Subspecies capensis. First recorded by B. breeding (296). Seen at the unusually high altitude of 1830m Hodgson (388). A local resident occasion- at Godavari on 17 February 1978 (676). Inhabits deeply ally found up to 760m. Regularly reported shaded lakes, slow-moving rivers and streams. Range From from Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Hetaura, Dehra Dun and Gujarat east through the whole subconti- Kosi and also Chitwan where proved nent. [ORIENTAL KINGFISHER Ceyx erithacus Three-toed Kingfisher, Three-toed Forest Kingfisher Black-backed Kingfisher Subspecies erithacus. The only record is a originated in India. Range Himalayas from Nepal(?) east to specimen included in the later collection Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; s.w. India.] of B. Hodgson (409), but this may have 192 KEY TO THE COLOUR PLATES PLATE 1 BUSH WARBLERS SCIAHRWHHE re} Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler Cettia acanthizoides Pale-footed Bush Warbler C. pallidipes Chestnut-crowned Bush Warbler C. major Brown-flanked Bush Warbler C. fortipes fortipes Brown-flanked Bush warbler C. f: pallidus Aberrant Bush Warbler C. flavolivacea Grey-sided Bush Warbler C. brunnifrons Brown Bush Warbler Bradypterus luteoventris Chinese Bush Warbler B. taczanowskius Chinese Bush Warbler, May Spotted Bush Warbler B. thoracicus Spotted Bush Warbler PLATE 2 PRINIAS COIDHSEWNHe Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsoni winter Grey-breasted Prinia summer Rufous Prinia P. rufescens winter Rufous Prinia summer Grey-crowned Prinia P. cinereocapilla Graceful Prinia P. gracilis Yellow-bellied Prinia P. flaviventris Plain Prinia P. inornata summer Plain Prinia winter Striated Prinia P. criniger Jungle Prinia P. sylvatica Hill Prinia P. atrogularis winter Hill Prinia summer Ashy Prinia P. socialis PLATE 3 LOCUSTELLA AND ACROCEPHALUS WARBLERS WOIAADAHEWNH ee ro Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus aedon Oriental Reed Warbler A. orientalis worn Oriental Reed Warbler fresh Black-browed Reed Warbler A. bistrigiceps Blunt-winged Warbler A. concinens Paddyfield Warbler A. agricola Clamorous Reed Warbler A. stentoreus Blyth’s Reed Warbler A. dumetorum fresh spring Blyth’s Reed Warbler worn winter Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia Grasshopper Warbler, streaked Lanceolated Warbler L. lanceolata Pallas’s Warbler L. certhiola PLATE 4 PHYLLOSCOPUS WARBLERS WITH WINGBARS OMIAHSE WHE ee a) ee BOL Grey-faced Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus maculipennis Pallas’s Leaf Warbler P. proregulus Yellow-browed Warbler P. inornatus inornatus Yellow-browed Warbler P. i humei Orange-barred Leaf Warbler P. pulcher Yellow-vented Leaf Warbler P. cantator Blyth’s Leaf Warbler P. reguloides Western Crowned Warbler P. occipitalis Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides viridanus worn Greenish Warbler P. ¢. viridanus fresh Greenish Warbler P. ¢. trochiloides Green Warbler P. nitidus worn Green Warbler fresh Large-billed Leaf Warbler P. magnirostris PLATE 5 PHYLLOSCOPUS WARBLERS WITHOUT WINGBARS 1 Slender-billed Warbler P. tydleri 1st winter 2 Slender-billed Warbler worn winter 3 Tickell’s Warbler (Buff-bellied Warbler) P. affinis arcanus 4 Tickell’s Warbler P. a. affinis fresh autumn 5 Smoky Warbler P. fuligiventer 6 Chiffchaff P. collybita fresh autumn 7 Dusky Warbler P. fuscatus 8 Sulphur-bellied Warbler P. griseolus 9 Radde’s Warbler P. schwarz 1st winter 10 Radde’s Warbler worn winter PLATES 6 and 7 ROSEFINCHES Dark-breasted Rosefinch Carpodacus nipalensis Blanford’s Rosefinch C. rubescens Pink-browed Rosefinch C. rhodochrous Common Rosefinch C. erythrinus Dark-rumped Rosefinch C. edwardsi Beautiful Rosefinch C. pulcherrimus Spot-winged Rosefinch C. rhodopeplus Vinaceous Rosefinch C. vinaceus White-browed Rosefinch C. thura Streaked Rosefinch C. rubicilloides 11 Red-fronted Rosefinch C. puniceus 12 Great Rosefinch C. rubicilla WOMIAAWNSWNHHE _ o PLATE 8 BUNTINGS Pine Bunting Emberiza leucocephalos male Pine Bunting female White-capped Bunting E. stewarti male White-capped Bunting female Chestnut-eared Bunting E. fucata female Chestnut-eared Bunting male Rock Bunting E. cia female Rock Bunting male Little Bunting E. pusilla Rustic Bunting £. rustica male Yellow-breasted Bunting E. aureola male Yellow-breasted Bunting female Black-faced Bunting E. spodocephala female Black-faced Bunting male rep emer ANE ene ee BOS Plate 1 PSAP ap Ne My Oe ane rn SS Craig Robson'84- RICKARD GRimmeTT 1 Bh Plate 3 Richard Grimmett , 84. Plate 4 Plate 6 Plate7 Plate 8 Kingfishers BLYTH’S KINGFISHER Alcedo hercules Great Blue Kingfisher Scarce. The only record is of one seen by T. Nordin and J. Wallander beside the Sabbhaya Khola south of Tumlingtar 193 (599). Frequents streams in dense lowland forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. (Q7) at about 250m on 14 April 1982 EURASIAN KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Common Kingfisher, Small Blue Kingfisher Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent up to 1000m; occasionally seen up to 1800m; rare at higher altitudes. The maxi- mum altitude recorded is 3050m at Khap- tad (C3) on 24 April 1988 (428). Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296). Found by streams, rivers, ditches, ponds and lakes in open country. Avoids shady forest. Range Throughout the subcontinent. md BLUE-EARED KINGFISHER Alcedo meninting Deep-blue Kingfisher Subspecies coltarti. First recorded by B. Biswas who obtained several specimens between 12 and 19 June 1947 at Hetaura (98). Scarce, presumably resident. Very uncommon at Chitwan (296). Only four other confirmed reports: one in Jhapa District (R8) on 17 February 1965 (247) Lt OK ‘ two in Kosi District (P8) on 11 April 1975 z we : i x (293), one in the lower Arun watershed z (Q7) (589), and in Kanchanpur District = - (A4) in 1985 (470). Occurs by streams in AL dense shady forest. Range Himalayan foothills from Nepal to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India south to Orissa; s.w. India. PIED KINGFISHER Ceryle rudis Small Pied Kingfisher Indian Pied Kingfisher Subspecies leucomelanura. First re- corded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident in the tarai and lower hills up to 915m. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296). Frequents slow-moving streams, Trivers, ponds and lakes in open country. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 194 Kingfishers /Bee-eaters CRESTED KINGFISHER Ceryle lugubris Large Pied Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) Himalayan Pied Kingfisher Subspecies continentalis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A sedentary resi- dent occasionally found between 250m and 1800m. Reported at the unusually high altitude of about 3000m in October 1981 in the Dhorpatan valley (573). Found by rocky, fast-flowing streams in well-wooded areas; rarely by lakes. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. BLUE-BEARDED BEE-EATER Nyctyornis athertoni Subspecies athertoni. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (362). An uncommon resident up to 365m, but in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills it occurs between 1525m and 1980m. Rare at such altitudes elsewhere. Other areas include Bardia (192,432), Tamaspur (10,682), Chitwan (J6,K6), Rapti dun (K7) (486), Dharan and north of Sunischare. Frequents forest margins and open forests. Range Hima- layan foothills from Himachal Pradesh BT —— a nd AAS OND east to Bhutan; n.e. India and Bangla- desh; s.w. India. GREEN BEE-EATER Merops orientalis Small Green Bee-eater, Little Green Bee-eater F Subspecies orientalis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident and summer visitor throughout the tarai, fairly common in the lower hills up to 620m and uncommon up to 1280m. Birds noted at 2135m at Ghasa on 23 and 24 April 1982 (207,703) were presumably migrants. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Inhabits open country with scat- tered trees and cultivation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Bee-eaters/Roller 195 BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER Merops philippinus (M. superciliosus) Subspecies philippinus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally, fairly com- mon summer visitor to the tarai. A winter record of one at Chitwan on 19 February 1988 (465). Regularly seen at Sukla Phanta, Chitwan, Tamaspur, Bardia, and Kosi marshes. Occasionally reported up to about 300m and rarely up to 1525m. A large colony was discovered in a gorge where the Bagmati River runs down to I =a a _—— =a) the tarai (L7) (245). On 29 March 1978 a eee ; flock of 500 to 1000 migrants was seen in areas near water. Range Breeds in n. Pakistan, n. and c. n.w. Kapilvastu (F6) (155,157). Favours India, and Bangladesh. Winters south to s. India. CHESTNUT-HEADED BEE-EATER Merops leschenaulti Subspecies /eschenaulti. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Fairly common up to mer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley arriving in early 680m. Mainly a summer visitor although March. Flocks are regularly seen in Gaucher forest and at some birds are resident. Chiefly occurs at Gokarna. Inhabits open broadleaved forests often near Chitwan between February and October water. Range Himalayas from Dehra Dun to Arunachal and proved breeding there (296). A sum- Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; s.w. India. INDIAN ROLLER 9 Coracias benghalensis ‘Blue Jay First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to 1050m. Rare at higher altitudes. A strag- gler to the Kathmandu Valley (240). Noted as high as 3655m on 5 August 1950 at Manangbhot (J4) (512). Proved breed- ing at Chitwan (296). Two races occur: C. b. benghalensis (b) (512,647,708), C. b. affinis (a) (62,246) and intermediates (ab) (98,482). Frequents cultivation, gardens, groves and open broadleaved forest. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 196 Dollarbird/Horbills DOLLARBIRD Eurystomus orientalis Broad-billed Roller, Dark Roller Subspecies cyanicollis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local summer visitor mainly found up to 365m. Common at Chitwan where it breeds (296). Uncom- mon elsewhere. Areas include Sukla Phanta (432), Bardia (128,192,432), Dharan (561,763,546) and north of Sunis- chare. Only two reports from the Kath- mandu Valley this century (243,444). Inhabits forests and clearings with scat- ro a —_—_ tered trees. Range Himalayas from Am- ; oes ’ bala east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; s.w. India. HOOPOE Upupa epops First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Fairly common. Three subspecies occur. U. e. ceylonensis (c) is resident up to about 1500m. Birds breeding at Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (243) are probably this race. U. e. epops (e) has been recorded in the Valley, presumably on passage. U. e. saturata (s) mainly sum- mers between 1700m and 4400m and descends to the lowlands in winter. Re- orted on passage: a number were pres- aS E fae P ——— ent on Muktinath Himal in September 1954 (419), at Tukche 342 were counted May at 5900m in 1954 (109) and 5200m in 1976 (582), and between 5 September and 14 October five between 3800m and 5000m in September and October 1973 (76) and up to 15 a day seen in 1970 (526) were presumably migrants. Frequents open October in the eastern lowlands and foot- country, lightly wooded areas, cultivation and villages. hills (P8,Q8) (293). Singles in Khumbu in Range Throughout the subcontinent. INDIAN GREY HORNBILL = Tockus birostris Common Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris) Subspecies pergriseus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. A local resident mainly occurring in the tarai. Found up to 760m in the Surkhet valley (244). Subject to local movements de- pending on fruiting seasons. Areas in- clude Sukla Phanta, Bardia, Kosi Tappu and Ilam District (R8). Rare at Chitwan (296). Inhabits open broadleaved forests, groves, gardens and cultivation wherever fig trees occur. Range Most of the sub- continent, but absent from the north-west and the north-east. Hornbills 197 RUFOUS-NECKED HORNBILL Aceros nipalensis The species was described from Nepal by tall, broadleaved, evergreen forest in the foothills. Little if B. Hodgson who found it in the lower hills any suitable habitat remains and the species is probably ex- (336,337). There are no later records. tinct in Nepal. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arun- Formerly presumably resident inhabiting achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. ORIENTAL PIED HORNBILL Anthracoceros albirostris Indian Pied Hornbill (A. malabaricus, A. coronatus) aoe 2 s K © 1— M Q Subspecies albirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident mov- ing seasonally according to supply, of fruiting trees and small animals. Fairly % common at Bardia, north of Sunischare + and also Chitwan where proved breeding (296). Occasionally seen at Sukla Phanta and Dharan. Single reports from most other areas. Inhabits broadleaved forests of the lowlands and foothills. It is proba- bly declining due to deforestation. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. GREAT HORNBILL Buceros bicomis Giant Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill F Subspecies homrai. First recorded by B. Hodgson (342). A local resident in thick Tamaspur, near Dharan (484) and north of Sunischare. Ob- forest of the tarai and duns, subject to served more frequently in the past: in 1964 and 1965 it was seasonal movements. Uncommon at Chi- seen 19 times in five localities from Sunischare west to twan (J6,K6) where breeding has been Chitwan (210). Its decline is mainly due to deforestation. confirmed (296). Only a few recent re- Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal ports from elsewhere: Bardia (796,750), Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; s.w. India. 198 GREAT BARBET Megalaima virens Great Hill Barbet, Great Himalayan Barbet First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident mainly occurring be- tween 900m and 2200m. Subject to altitu- dinal movements. Mainly summers above 1000m. Proved breeding in the hills of the Kathmandu Valley last century (414). Tworaces occur: M. v. marshallorum (m) (245), M. v. magnifica (ma) (13,482, 647,659) and intermediates (mma) (98). Chiefly inhabits temperate forests. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. BROWN-HEADED BARBET Megalaima zeylanica Green Barbet Subspecies caniceps. Status and distribu- tion are unclear because of confusion with Lineated Barbet. First recorded at Bilauri (A4) at 275m on 5 February 1937 by F.M. Bailey (62). A fairly common resident at Sukla Phanta (700), and Bardia (192). Seen at Surkhet (297). Specimens have been obtained from Dhangarhi (647), Tikapur (C5) (659), Gularia (C5) (441), and near Trisuli (L6) (589). Proved breeding at Birganj (K7) in April 1987 (792). It has also been re- ported from Chitwan (11,166) and the eastern tarai and foothills (P8,Q8) (293), but further confirmation of its occurrence there is desirable. Frequents lowland for- LINEATED BARBET Megalaima lineata First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident. In some localities oc- curs with Brown-headed Barbet: at Dhangarhi (647), Surkhet (297) and Bardia (432). Two races occur. M. 1. hodgsoni (h) is reported below 365m. M. I. rana (r) is found up to 915m, and replaces hodgsoni at higher altitudes in west-cen- tral areas (G6) (647). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296) and in the Trisuli valley (L6) (517). Occurs in sal forests of the lowlands and lower foothills. Range Himalayan foothills from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. Barbets ests and wooded areas near habitation. Range Himalayan foothills from Kangra east to Nepal. N. India from Haryana east to W. Bengal, and south to s. India. Barbets 199 GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET Megalaima franklinii Subspecies franklinit. First recorded by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114). A local resident, seen occasionally between 1500m and 2400m. Formerly recorded more frequently on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. Proved breeding there last century (336). Described as common in 1947 (98) and in 1970 (240), but recently only reported occasionally from Phulchowki and Sheopuri. Other localities include north-west of Pokhara (HS), Begnas Tal, Langtang, the upper Arun and the upper Kali Gandaki valley, the westernmost limit of the species’ range (76). Only single records from else- where. Inhabits moist, broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. BLUE-THROATED BARBET Megalaima asiatica Subspecies asiatica. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to about 1500m. Occasionally seen at higher elevations. In general it is found over a lower altitudinal range than Golden-throated Barbet. Breeding con- firmed at Surkhet (626), in the Kath- mandu Valley (629), and at Chitwan (296). Frequents open forest, groves near habitation and gardens. Range Hima- layas from Rawalpindi District east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. BLUE-EARED BARBET Megalaima australis Subspecies cyanotis. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. who obtained specimens north of Bhadrapur (S8) on 7 February 1965 (247). Scarce. Occurs in the far east- ern tarai between 120m and 305m. Pre- sumably resident. Only four other re- ports: from Mechi District (S8), undated (178), one in Kosi District (Q8) on 11 April 1975 (293), four near Sukhani (R8) on 24 March 1981 (442) and one or two near Dharan on 5 April 1986 (546). In- habits dense tarai forests. Breeds from April to mid-June. Range Himalayan foothills from e. Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 200 Barbets/Honeyguide COPPERSMITH BARBET Megalaima haemacephala Crimson-breasted Barbet Subspecies indica. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by J. Scully who obtained specimens on 19 June 1877 in the Kathmandu Valley (708). A com- mon resident throughout, up to 915m. Occasionally recorded up to 1830m. Breeding confirmed at Pokhara (442) and in the Kathmandu Valley (243,771), where it is a summer visitor (240,629). Occurs in groves, open wooded areas near villages, cultivation and in gardens. Range The whole subcontinent east of the Indus River. ORANGE-RUMPED HONEYGUIDE Indicator xanthonotus Himalayan Honeyguide, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Subspecies xanthonotus. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. above Bigu (N6) at 1830m on 24 November 1960 (234,246). Locally distributed. Status uncertain; probably an uncommon resident. Likely to be overlooked because of its drab appearance and slow-moving or inactive behaviour. Mainly reported between 1800m and 3195m. Occurs in the upper Arun valley: near Shunin Oral (483) and fairly common by the Kasuwa Khola (169). Regularly reported from Ghorepani, between Tato- pani and Ghasa (H4) and in the upper Langtang Gorge east to Chongdong (LS). Single reports received from else- where. Breeding details are poorly known. A female taken on 7 May 1962 at Ting Sang La at 3300m, had laid eggs (190). Noted copulating between 22 April and 19 May 1973 by the Kasuwa Khola at 2195m (169). Frequents steep rocky cliffs above streams and rivers; also dense mixed broadleaved and coniferous forests nearby. Found in the vicinity of bees’ nests. Range Himalayas from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh and n-e. India. Woodpeckers EURASIAN WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Wryneck First obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. who col- lected a specimen at Malakheti (B4) at 290m in December 1952 (647). Occa- sional. A winter visitor up to 915m and passage migrant. Noted in the Kath- mandu Valley in March, April, Septem- ber, October and December (240,635,418). Reported on passage in the upper Kali Gandaki valley: on 2 April 1971 two were noted at Jomosom (450), and 36 at Tukche between 8 September and 6 October 1973 (296). One was found at the unusually high altitude of 3445m on Machapuchare on 1 May 1980 (244). Two traces have previously been recognised as occurring (54), but the Eurasian popula- tions are now considered monotypic. Inhabits secondary growth, scrub, edges of cultivation and marshes. Range Breeds in the n.w. Himalayas from Pakistan to Himachal Pradesh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. SPECKLED PICULET Picumnus innominatus Spotted Piculet 201 Subspecies innominatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (367). A resident, mainly - occurring from 915m to 1830m. Fairly common at Phulchowki, Nagarjung, and Gokarna inthe Kathmandu Valley. Occa- sionally seen north-west of Pokhara (H4,HS5), and north of Sunischare. Rare at Chitwan (296). Mainly single reports received from elsewhere. Unobtru- sive and probably under-recorded. Inhabits broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Punjab east to Arunachal Pradesh; hills of s.w., e. and n.e. India, and Bangladesh. 202 Woodpeckers WHITE-BROWED PICULET Sasia ochracea Rufous Piculet Subspecies ochracea. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (351,797). Uncommon, presumably resi- dent. Reported from Tamaspur (486,652), Chitwan, Hetaura (98), upper Arun valley (10,482), Dharan, upper Mai valley, and Ilam District (R8). Found as high as 2135m at Mai Pokhari (R7) (561,687). Breeding behaviour is little known. Frequents broadleaved forests, occ =I x ee a. = with a preference for bamboo. Range a Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. RUFOUS WOODPECKER Celeus brachyurus Brown Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus) F Subspecies phaioceps. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, recorded up to 1525m but mainly found below 305m. Occasionally seen at Sukla Phanta (700) and Bardia (192), and uncommon at Chitwan and the eastern tarai (P8,Q8). A rare visitor to the Kathmandu Valley. Single reports received from most other areas. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (99). Birds in the west are SS possibly subspecies humei. Inhabits broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Garhwal and Kumaon east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India, and south through the peninsula. LESSER YELLOW-NAPED WOODPECKER Picus chlorolophus Small Yellow-naped Woodpecker, Lesser Yellownape Lek First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A a4 4 x A resident, fairly common up to 1750m and A rare up to 2135m. Breeding confirmed at if Hetaura (98) and in the Kathmandu Val- 2 ley (708). Two races occur: P. c. simlae (s) (647), P. c. chlorolophus (c) (98), and intermediates (cs) (98). Found in broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Haryana east to Arunachal Pradesh; hills of s.w., e. and n.e. India, and — oe Bangladesh. 7000 TF MAA : Woodpeckers 203 GREATER YELLOW-NAPED WOODPECKER Picus flavinucha Large Yellow-naped Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape F Subspecies flavinucha. First recorded by B. Hodgson (367). A resident, fairly com- mon between 305m and 1450m and un- common upto 2135m. Proved breeding at GREY-HEADED WOODPECKER Picus canus Black-naped Green Woodpecker First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident, chiefly occurring be- low 2000m. Breeding confirmed at Chi- twan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (190,708). Two races occur: P. c. sanguin- iceps (s) (245), P. c. hessei (h) (482) and intermediates (hs) (98,647). Inhabits broadleaved forests and favours oaks. Range Himalayas from Murrtee east to Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. and e. India, and Bangladesh. Bhimpedi (L6) and Hetaura (98). Birds in the west are possibly subspecies kwmaonensis (54,664). Frequents broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. India and Bangladesh. STREAK-THROATED WOODPECKER Picus xanthopygaeus Small Scaly-bellied Woodpecker (Picus asad ss Streak-throated Green Woodpecker First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, occasionally seen in the tarai and lower hills up to 465m. Fairly com- mon at Chitwan. Proved breeding at Hetaura (98). There is only one record at _ ahigher altitude: at Begnas Tal at 915m in December 1970 (444). Occurs in secon- dary growth, open broadleaved forests. Range The whole of India from Haryana, central Rajasthan and Gujarat east to Bangladesh. 204 Woodpeckers SCALY-BELLIED WOODPECKER Picus squamatus Large Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker E H D G Kk Subspecies squamatus. A specimen la- 4 OH 4 een i A belled ‘Nepal’ and presented to the Brit- i i 1 ish Museum by E. Hargitt was possibly A collected by B. Hodgson. First definitely ; recorded by F.M. Bailey on 10 October 2 1935 at Laura Bina (L5) (62). A locally 3 fairly common resident between 1850m and 3700m. Areas include Ghorepani, Ghasa, upper Langtang and Khaptad (C3) where proved breeding (657,428). . Scarce east of the Langtang valley. Inhab- cs |) erly —_ a its coniferous or mixed oak/coniferous forests. Range N. Baluchistan and the Himalayas from Chitral east to Darjee- ling. HIMALAYAN FLAMEBACK_ Dinopium shorii Three-toed Golden-backed Woodpecker, Himalayan SUES Himalayan Golden-backed Woodpecker E r Lt S K § 4 Subspecies shoni. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident found up to 275m. Common at Tamaspur, Chitwan and in the central bhabar and dun (K7,L7). Occasionally seen north of Su- nischare, at Sukla Phanta, Bardia and Dharan. Chiefly single reports received from elsewhere. Breeding behaviour is little known. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296,321), and Hetaura (98). Frequents mature lowland forests. Range Himalayas from Haryana east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; also locally in the hills of the peninsula. BLACK-RUMPED FLAMEBACK Dinopium benghalense Golden-backed Woodpecker, Black-rumped Goldenback, Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker ‘ E LY G a K § 4 m Q Subspecies benghalense. First recorded by B. Hodgson (367). A resident occa- sionally seen throughout the tarai and dun, below 365m. Fairly commonat Sukla Phanta (700), and Bardia (192). Found in groves around villages, open wooded areas, sal forests, and cultivation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Woodpeckers 205 GREATER FLAMEBACK $1 Chrysocolaptes lucidus Greater Goldenback, Greater Golden-backed Woodpecker . & First recorded by B. Hodgson (367). A resident, occasionally seen up to 915m, but fairly common at Chitwan and scarce rt at higher altitudes. Only two records from A the Kathmandu Valley (495,612). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296), Simra (98), and Chatra (659). Two races occur: C. l. sultaneus (s) (190), C. 1. guttacristatus (g) (482,574,659), and intermediates (gs) (98). Inhabits forests. Range Himalayas ee Se See from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; =e 900s Ee ren A MAD JAS OND Sri Lanka and the hills of s.w., e. and n.e. India. WHITE-NAPED WOODPECKER Chrysocolaptes festivus Black-backed Woodpecker Subspecies festivus. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Dhangarhi at 245m on 18 March 1965 (247). An uncommon resi- dent found in the western tarai east to the eastern bank of the Karnali River (432,162). Also reported from Bilauri (A4) (247), Sukla Phanta (432,700) and Bardia (192,432,162). Occurs in light broadleaved forests. Range India from Dehra Dun, Rajasthan and Gujarat east to Bengal and from the Oudh tarai, Nepal and Bihar south to Kerala. PALE-HEADED WOODPECKER 1Gecinulus grantia Subspecies grantia. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but this specimen may have originated in India. Scarce, probably a resident. First definitely recorded by S.C. Madge et al. who found singles between Garuwa and Sunischare (R8) at 275m on 1 and3 Feb- Tuary 1974 (518). Up to three were seen in the same area on 21 and 22 April 1981 (559). This is the western limit of the species’s range. Breeds from March to May. Found in bamboo jungle. Range Himalayas from e. Nepal east to Arun- achal Pradesh, n.e. India and Bangladesh. 206 Woodpeckers BAY WOODPECKER Blythipicus pyrrhotis Red-eared Rufous Woodpecker Subspecies pyrrhotis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (367,797). A local and uncommon resi- dent, mainly found between 1525m and 2500m. Areas include north-west of Pokhara (HS), hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, Langtang and the upper Mai valley. Single sightings from other areas. The only low altitude records are of singles at about 150m at Bardia in i $= i ta eo I early Feteuary 1990 (202) and at 75m at ees er AS Genie Sukla Phanta on 12 May 1982 (432), the (L6) (99). Possibly overlooked as it inhabits dense forests westernmost record of the species. and thick undergrowth. Range Himalayas from Nepal east Proved breeding in the Markhu valley to Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. India and Bangladesh. GREAT SLATY WOODPECKER Mulleripicus pulverulentus \ , Vena = S PH \ af 7 EL \ \ Subspecies mohun. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Butwal at 275m in (192), and Tamaspur. Rare at Chitwan and only three February 1952 (647). A local resident; records from elsewhere. Inhabits mature sal forests. Range chiefly occurring up to 245m. Occasion- Himalayas from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. India ally seen at Sukla Phanta (700), Bardia and Bangladesh. HIMALAYAN WOODPECKER Dendrocopos himalayensis Himalayan Pied Woodpecker (Picoides himalayensis) F i Subspecies himalayensis. First recorded in southern Doti District (B3) in Decem- ber 1952 by R.L. Fleming Sr. (245). A fairly common resident, subject to altitu- dinal movements; mainly seen above 2000m. Found east to the Dhorpatan val- ley (153,499). Proved breeding at Khap- tad (C3) in April and May (428). Fre- quents coniferous and oak/rhododen- dron forests. Range W. Himalayas from Safed Koh east to Nepal. Woodpeckers 207 DARJEELING WOODPECKER Dendrocopos darjellensis Darjeeling Pied Woodpecker (Picoides darjellensis) ape Subspecies darjellensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- g dent, chiefly occurring between 1830m " and 3500m. Regularly reported in the 2 upper Kali Gandaki valley, the western- most limit of the species’ range. Found breeding in the upper Mai valley (741,193). Occurs in coniferous and oak/ thododendron forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. CRIMSON-BREASTED WOODPECKER 1 Dendrocopos cathpharius Crimson-breasted Pied Woodpecker (Picoides cathpharius) Subspecies cathpharius. First recorded by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114). Resident, mainly seen between 1500m and 2750m. Generally found at lower elevations than Darjeeling Woodpecker although their altitudinal ranges overlap. Several reports from the upper Kali Gandaki valley, the westernmost limit of the species’s range. Occasionally seen north-west of Pokhara (H4,HS) and in Langtang; uncommon in the Kathmandu and upper Mai valleys. Single records received from most other areas. Found in oak/rhododendron forests. Range Hima- layas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos hyperythrus Rufous-bellied Sapsucker (Hypopicus hyperythrus) F Rufous-bellied Pied Woodpecker : Subspecies hyperythrus. First recorded by Phulchowki, Ghorepani and also Khaptad (C3) where B. Hodgson (388). A locally fairly com- proved breeding (428). Inhabits oak/rhododendron and mon resident, mainly found between coniferous forests. Range Himalayas from Hazara east to 2135m and 3050m. Regularly seen at Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. India and Bangladesh. 208 Woodpeckers YELLOW-CROWNED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos mahrattensis Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker (Picoides mahrattensis) Mahratta Woodpecker, Yellow-crowned Pied Woodpecker oA ge A K Subspecies mahrattensis. First collected by B. Hodgson (312). An uncommon resi- dent, mainly occurring up to 275m, al- though found in the eastern tarai and foothills (P8,Q8) to 1500m (293). Noted at the unusually high altitude of 1700m in the upper Arun valley in November 1979 (574). A rare breeding bird at Chitwan (296). Occurs in open wooded areas. Range The whole subcontinent east of the Indus River. BROWN-FRONTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos auriceps Brown-fronted Pied Woodpecker (Picoides auriceps) eet ao | \ D ‘s K First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident, found between 1065m and 2440m. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428) and in the Markhu valley (L6) (98). Two intergrading races occur: D. a. auriceps (a) (646,661) and the endemic D. a. incognitus (i) (190). Inhab- its coniferous and dry broadleaved forests. Range N. Baluchistan north to Chitral east through to Nepal. FULVOUS-BREASTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos macei Fulvous-breasted Pied Woodpecker (Picoides macei) Baca Subspecies macei. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the Modi Khola (H5) eastwards. Occa- sionally reported from further west. Most frequently seen up to 1830m. Noted at the particularly high altitude of 2745m in the Gandak Kosi watershed (L5) on 23 March 1951 (631). Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Inhabits broadleaved and broadleaved/coniferous forests and open Lt sae =] Se wooded country. Range Himalayas from ; a Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. and e. India and Bangladesh. Woodpeckers/Broadbills 209 GREY-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER 1 Dendrocopos Grey-crowned Pygmy Woodpecker, (Picoides canicapillus) Grey-capped Woodpecker First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, mainly found up to 365m. Fairly common from Butwal eastwards. Rarely seen further west. Common at Chitwan and proved breeding there (296,326). An uncommon summer visitor to the Kath- mandu Valley (240). Two intergrading traces occur: D. c. mitchelli (m) (62,247) and D. c. semicoronatus (s) (62,247). In- habits open broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- achal Pradesh, n.e. India and Bangladesh. BROWN-CAPPED PYGMY WOODPECKER 1Dendrocopos nanus Brown-crowned Pygmy Woodpecker, Brown-capped pyacdpetet (Picoides nanus, Dendrocopos moluccensis) Subspecies nanus. First recorded by S.D. Ripley from Chisapani (C4) at 225m, and Tikapur (C5) at 150m in January 1949 (659). A resident, most frequent in the west. Fairly common at Sukla Phanta (700), and occasionally seen at Bardia (192). Rare from Chitwan eastwards. Noted in Tilaurakot woods (G6) at 150m in the same area as Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (157). Occurs in light for- ests, and trees near cultivation in the tarai. Range N. India from Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat east to Bangla- desh, and south through the peninsula. SILVER-BREASTED BROADBILL Serilophus lunatus Hodgson’s Broadbill, Collared Broadbill Subspecies rubropygius. Only recorded by January (336). Inhabits evergreen and semi-evergreen B. Hodgson (380). One of his specimens jungle up to 1700m. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to was obtained from the lower hills on 10 Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. LONG-TAILED BROADBILL Psarisomus dalhousiae Subspecies dalhousiae. First recorded by (518) and Hans Pokhari (S8) (193). Described as common B. Hodgson (336,388). Probably resident. in dense forests of the central duns (L6,L7) in 1947 (99), but Possibly declined; fairly common north of only one later record from the area: in December 1970 Sunischare but is now scarce and local (444). A pair nest-building, and three old nests, found at elsewhere. The only other reports re- Bogaytcha north of Sunischare on 29 April 1986 (321). ceived since 1974 are from south of An- Frequents broadleaved forests of the foothills. Range napurna (HS) (762), Phewa Tal, Chitwan, Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. lower Arun watershed (596), Chatra India and Bangladesh. 210 LONG-TAILED BROADBILL, cont’d ... Broaabills/Pittas BLUE-NAPED PITTA Pitta nipalensis Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (371,798). His specimens came from the lower hills and the Kathmandu Valley (336). Scarce and local; probably resi- dent. All later records are from the Val- ley. Chiefly seen at Godavari at about HOODED PITTA Pitta sordida Green-breasted Pitta Subspecies cucullata. First recorded by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114). Very locally distributed up to 305m. De- scribed as chiefly resident in the subconti- nent (54,664), but only reported from Nepal in summer. Common at Chitwan (J6,K6) from April to October, and proved breeding there (296). The only other reports are from Hetaura in May and June 1947 (99) and in June 1957 (245), Simery (L7) in April 1973 (587), Dharan in May 1976 (293), and south of Annapurna (HS) in 1977 (762). Inhabits damp tropical and subtropical forest with thick undergrowth. Range Himalayas from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. INDIAN PITTA Pitta brachyura First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local summer visitor to the lowlands. Common at Chitwan, and proved breed- ing there (296). Rare at Sukla Phanta (700), and Bardia (128,192,750). The only other report is from the eastern tarai and 1525m. The most recent reports received are from Godav- ari in January 1983 (402) and Nagarjung in November 1989(675). Breeds from April to August. Occurs in damp gullies in subtropical forests with dense undergrowth. Skulking and easily overlooked, like other pittas. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. foothills (Q8), where it isan uncommon passage migrant in May (281,285,293). Inhabits tropical forests with dense undergrowth. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Rajasthan, Kanara and Bangladesh. Winters in s. India. Pittas/Larks INDIAN PITTA, cont'd ... 211 RUFOUS-WINGED BUSHLARK Mirafra assamica Bush Lark, Bengal Bushlark Subspecies assamica. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident throughout the tarai. Frequents short grassland, ploughed fields and other dry cultivation. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Range North-central India from Haryana east to Assam and Bangladesh, and south to s. India. _——— SIUC JT FAM ATM’ JJ AAS OUND ASHY-CROWNED FINCH LARK Ervemopterix grisea First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident throughout the tarai and up to 730m in the Surkhet valley (244). Occurs in open dry areas including cultivation, stony scrub and ploughed fields. The breeding season is irregular. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Sr 900 Os GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella brachydactyla Short-toed Lark (C. cinerea) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Specimens identified to subspecies have all been C. b. dukhunensis, but C. b. longi- pennis possibly occurs. Occasional. Mainly a passage migrant; also a winter visitor. Found with Hume’s Short-ioed Larks in flocks of up to 1000 in the upper Kali Gandaki valley between 27 Septem- ber and 14 October 1973 (76). Also seen in mixed flocks in April 1981 at Tukche, Jomosom, and Kagbeni (811). Several records from the Kathmandu Valley, mainly in March, April and October. Also noted in the Kosi marshes in March, April and November, including a flock of about 400 in early March 1989 (172). Noted in winter at Phewa Tal (180), Begnas Tal (325), Chitwan (702), Kalopani (H4) (687), and in the Kathmandu Valley (300). There are two Monsoon specimen records: one collected at 5000m at Lobuche (P6) on 17 August 1962 (190) and one in Mustang District (H3) on 11 June 1977 (589). Frequents ploughed fields, open stony, and short grass areas. Range Winter visitor throughout the subcontinent. 212 Larks GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK, cont’d ... a =I a a a a 5 J FIM ATM JS J ATS OND HUME’S SHORT-TOED LARK Calandrella acutirostris Subspecies tibetana. A Hodgson speci- men was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (719), but it may have originated from outside Nepal. First definitely recorded by B. Biswas at Phalong Karpo (P6) on 6 May 1954 (109). Common in summer; uncom- mon in winter and on passage. Reported in spring and autumn from the upper Kali Gandaki valley, in flocks with Greater Short-toed Larks (76,762,811). A few reports of passage migrants in Khumbu a= a (109,558), and in March and April at Kosi saa as a Fol PAE To eae Barrage where a maximum of 300 was found in early March 1988 (465). Com- (F2) (447), Khumbu (558) and Kosi Barrage (262). Inhabits mon in the Dolpo (G3) in summer, and open dry stony areas. Range Summer visitor to Baluchistan, possibly breeds there (224). Also re- and the Himalayas from Chitral to Bhutan. Winters from corded in winter in the Namlang valley Pakistan east to Bangladesh. SAND LARK Calandrella raytal Indian Sandlark Subspecies raytal. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (315), but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by J. Scully in the lowlands in December 1877 (708). A locally common resident. Regularly seen at Tamaspur, Kosi Barrage, and also Chitwan where breeding has been proved (296). Occasionally observed elsewhere. Found on sandy river banks and islands of a OC large rivers in the tarai. Range Pakistan, n. India and Bangladesh. Larks CRESTED LARK Géalerida cristata Subspecies chendoola. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent east to Nepalganj; rare further east. Found in dry fields of the tarai just north of the Indian border. Range Pakistan; n. India east to Bihar, and south to Madhya Pradesh. ORIENTAL SKYLARK Alauda gulgula Little Skylark, Small Skylark, Eastern Skylark First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly commonwinter visitor and resident. Three subspecies occur.A. g. gulgula (g) is found to 150m and is probably resident (245,246,247). A. g. inopinata (i) (99, 240,574,708) and A. g. lhamarum (1) (234, 245,659) have been mainly collected in winter between 1280m and 1700m but possibly also breed. The latter race is probably much less common. Birds not subspecifically identified but probably A. g. inopinata have been found in summer in the Tibetan plateau region (509,587) and in the Dhorpatan valley (G5) (243,499). A fairly common winter visitor to the Kathmandu Valley. Frequents grassy hillsides, ploughed fields and other cultivation. Range Throughout the sub- continent. [EURASIAN SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Described as a winter visitor to central Nepal (664) but no definite evidence of its occurrence has been traced. Likely to be HORNED LARK Eremophila alpestris Shore Lark Subspecies elwesi. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but this specimen may have originated from outside Nepal. First definitely recorded by J.O.M. Roberts who collected one at Khangsar (H4) at 4575m on 5 August 1950 (512). Resident and partial altitudi- 213 — | oo “oboe G FAM AM’ J AAS OND — | 9000m J FAM AM J JAAS OUND confused with the large race of Oriental Skylark A. gulgula lhamarum. Range Winters inn. Pakistan and n. India east to Uttar Pradesh.] nal migrant. Mainly reported between 3965m and 5490m, although one noted at 5900m in summer (620), and one col- lected in winter as low as 2600m at Mali Dala Jiri (G4) on 2 April 1973 (589). Fairly common in the Dolpo (F3,G3,H3) and in Khumbu. Proved breeding at Khangsar (H4) (512) and at Gokyo (190). Found on barren stony hillsides. Range Himalayas from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh. 214 HORNED LARK, cont’d ... Martins/Swallows PLAIN MARTIN Riparia paludicola Sand Martin, Grey-throated Sand Martin, Plain Sand Martin, Brown-throated Sand Martin Subspecies chinensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (352). A common resident up to 1500m, subject to local movements. One was seen at the unusually high altitude of 2990m near Kagbeni (244). Found breed- ing at Chitwan (J6,K6) (296,518,481), in the Kathmandu Valley (518,635), near Trisuli (L6) (612), and at Kosi Barrage (442). The breeding season is given as October to March in the Indian subconti- nent (45), but in Nepal it is from February to November. Frequents rivers and streams and nests in sandy banks. Range Most of the subcontinent south to 18°N. SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Collared Sand Martin, Bank Swallow A scarce passage migrant. Most reports are from 1980 onwards; probably over- looked before this. First collected at Sun- dar Gundar (Q§8) on 15 February 1938 by F.M. Bailey (62), a bird of the race R. r. ijimae. A flock of 10 to 20 probably of the race R. r. diluta was observed at Kosi Tappu (Q8) on 20 April 1982 (199,294) and 2 May 1982 (561). The species has F 3000m SE 7. been reported in April and May from Kagbeni, Jomosom and Naudanda (811), Chitwan (561), the Kathmandu Val- ley (440) and Kosi Barrage (483). Recorded between late September and early November from Rara Lake (68), Jomosom (76) and Kosi Barrage (327). Only a few other winter records; from Kosi Barrage (327) and Chitwan (402). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F-.P. to Garhwal, also Bhutan, n.e. India and Bangladesh. Winters south to Madhya Pradesh. Martins/Swallows SAND MARTIN, cont'd ... 215 NORTHERN CRAG MARTIN Ptyonoprogne rupestris Crag Martin (Hirundo rupestris) First recorded by B. Hodgson (352). Probably resident, subject to altitudinal movements. The population may also be augmented by winter visitors. Usually found below 2135m in winter, and may occur as high as 4575m in summer. Fairly common north-west of Pokhara (H4,HS). Found breeding in cliffs by the Seti Khola at Pokhara (419), near Ghasa (295), and in walls of houses around Muktinath at 3500m to 3600m (757). A straggler to the Kathmandu Valley, and occasionally re- ported from elsewhere. Hawks insects near rocky cliffs. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. Winters south to s. India. BARN SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Swallow First recorded by B. Hodgson (352). A common resident and summer visitor, mainly occurring up to 1830m. A straggler was noted in Khumbu at 6400m on 16 May 1975 (580). Chiefly a summer visitor to the Himalayas. Two races occur: H. r. rustica (r) (99,482, 647,708) and H. r. gut- turalis (g), but there is only one record of the latter (99). Proved breeding in Bajhang District (C2) (657), Dan- deldhura and Doti Districts (A3,B3,C3) (657, 428,68), Kathmandu streets, north- west of Pokhara (H4,HS) (811), and at Ilam (518). Reported on passage: a total of 321 flew west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 7 November 1985 (684) and nearly 500 were seen at 3660m on Machapuchare (244). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Arun- achal Pradesh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. 216 WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW Hirundo smithii Subspecies filifera. A Hodgson specimen is listed for Nepal by Sharpe (717) but it may have originated in India. First defi- nitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. near Bhairawa in March 1959 (230). Uncom- mon and local; possibly resident. Re- ported from Nepalganj (432,691,811), and Kapilvastu District (F6,G6) (157,792). The only other record is from Mahendranagar (A4) (811). Proved breeding at Nepalganj in March (811). Usually found near water. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Hirundo daurica Striated Swallow First recorded by B. Hodgson (352). Three races occur. H. d. nipalensis (n) isa common resident subject to altitudinal movements. It nests up to 1770m in Dan- deldhura and Doti Districts (A3,B3) (657,428,68), at Malunga (H6) (575), Surkhet (626), between Pokhara and Lumsum (G4,H5) (419), Pati Bhanjyang (L6) (440,633), Chitlang (L6) (99), Kath- mandu Valley (99,629,708) and Tumling- tar (Q7) (484). In winter descends to be- tween 915m and the tarai. Noted on pas- sage in the Kathmandu Valley in Novem- ber (436,418) and at Khare (H5) where 13,902 flew west between 20 and 30 Octo- Martins/Swallows = z C to ] c aa eae = IG FAM A™M’J "JA SAO ws i ————_-1,, SF MAA M JJ AAS ON D ber 1985 (684). There are only single winter records of H. d. daurica (d) (659) and H. d. japonica (j) (247). Frequents cultivated open scrub country and upland pastures. Range Throughout the subcontinent. STREAK-THROATED SWALLOW Hirundo fluvicola Indian Cliff Swallow First recorded by R.L. Fleming and H. Gilston, on 11 April 1975 at Kosi Barrage (243,293). A scarce visitor, reported sev- eral times in January: up to 10 were seen at Begnas Tal in 1979 (486,651), three by the Tadi River, Nawakot District in 1980 (L6) (587), and singles at Phewa Tal in 1981 (180), Chobar in 1982 (L6) (73), and Hetaura in 1984 (143). Only three other records: one at Birganj (K7) on 20 August 1973 (77), five at Kosi Barrage on 10 February 1984 (408), and one at Kosi Tappu (Q8) on 22 April 1982 (199,294), the easternmost record of the species. Usually seen with flocks of hirundines i ear so ° 9000m over rivers or lakes. Range N. Pakistan, and India east to Madhya Pradesh and e. Nepal. Martins/Swallows 217 NEPAL HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon nipalensis Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore froma Hodgson specimen (409,798) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by H. Stevens from the upper Mai valley (S7) on 28 April 1912 (740). A fairly common resident subject to local altitudinal movements. Usually found up to 3500m in summer but one noted at 3865m at Tengboche (P6) in May (75). Regularly reported in winter between 915m and 2135m, but rare in the low- lands: noted at the particularly low alti- tude of 160m at Sukla Phanta (700). Oc- casionally seen on passage in the Kath- mandu Valley. Proved breeding near Syabru (L5) (612) and Nundhaki (Q7) (793). Frequents mountain river valleys, grassy ridges and slopes. Range Hima- layas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon dasypus COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN DD. urbica The status and distribution of both spe- Khumbu. Proved breeding near Jumla in July (620). On 20 cies is uncertain as they are often consid- June 1954 “an almost endless stream” was observed passing ered conspecific (45,243,664). Birds not east over Lumsum (G4) at 1980m, including a flock of 200 specifically identified have been reported birds (419). Many were also seen flying south near Pokhara between 305m and 4575m. Regularly seen from 2 té 8 November 1954 (419). north-west of Pokhara, in Langtang and ASIAN HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon dasypus Subspecies cashmeriensis. Probably resi- dent, subject to altitudinal movements. First recorded by G. Diesselhorst at Pher- iche (P6) at 4250m on 27 August 1962 (190). A nesting colony was found under a huge boulder at Gapte (LS) at 3500m in May (440). Other confirmed records are from Bajhang (C2) (657), north-west of Pokhara (H4,H5), Chitwan (K6) (325), Helambu (L6) (444), Langtang (L5,M5), near Lukla (P6) (769) and Ilam District (442,307). Occurs over grassy slopes and mountain valleys. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Arun- achal Pradesh. Winters at lower levels, and occasional records in the plains of n.e. India. 218 Martins /Pipits COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN Delichon urbica House Martin Subspecies urbica. Only four definite rec- ords, probably of passage migrants. One was taken by R.L. Fleming near Dhan- garhi at 460m on 26 April 1965 (234,247). The other reports are of ten birds at Majhagaon (A4) at 150m on 13 May 1982 (432), three over Arung Khola (H6) at 150m in mid-February 1986 (321) and two between Khare and Suikhet (H5) at about 1470m on 13 February 1989 (506). Range es | a Breeds in the Himalayas from Gilgit east to Spiti. Winters south to s. India. RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus novaeseelandiae Paddyfield Pipit First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Two races occur. A. n. nichardi is a winter visitor and passage migrant, seen occa- sionally. Regularly reported from Phewa Tal and Begnas Tal where flocks of up to 35 have been seen. Uncommon at Chi- twan, and also in the Kathmandu Valley where it has been found as early as 19 September (629). 2 oo) Oe q = Ube aM/eAwiMead sus An eS Ee ODNIN SAD) Paddyfield Pipit A. n. rufulus isa common resident up to 1830m, and has been re- ported up to 2440m in summer (626). Proved breeding in the Kathmandu Val- ley (629), at Chitwan (229) and Kosi (313). The species frequents open grassy areas and dry cultivation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Pipits BLYTH’S PIPIT Anthus godlewski First collected by B. Hodgson (388). A passage migrant of uncertain status and distribution. Only specimen records have been accepted because until recently no reliable field identification criteria had been established to separate this species from Richard’s Pipit or Tawny Pipit. Has been obtained in March and April at Kathmandu, and at Haraincha (Q§8) at 75m (62). Collected in September from Gumtang (L6) and Kodari (M6) (62); Langtang at 4115m (621); and Khumbu between 3800m and 4250m (190). Taken at Sukipatal (Q6) in October (690) and at Kathmandu in November (62,190). There are sight records from Khumbu (526,559,560), Tukche (811) and several from Kosi Barrage. Range Winters locally inn.e. India, Bangladesh, and much of the peninsula south to Kerala. Passage mi- grant in the e. Himalayas. TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris Vagrant. First recorded at Chitwan (J6) on 28 March 1977 by G. Groh (6,634). Another, probably of this species, was seen at Sukla Phanta in February 1977 (6,238). The only other records are singles migrating west at Khare (H5) on 20 and 21 October 1985 (684) and one at Chi- twan (K6) on 15 February 1989 (506). Range Local winter visitor to Pakistan, India (except the n.e.), and Bangladesh. LONG-BILLED PIPIT Anthus similis Brown Rock Pipit Subspecies jerdoni. First collected at Banbassa (A4) at 150m on 7 January 1937 by F.M. Bailey (62). Scarce, possibly resi- dent. Specimens were also taken at Bi- lauri(A4) at 275m in December 1952, and Barmdeo Mandi (A3) at 290m in January 1953 (647). Proved breeding at Silgadi 219 = — = Seas (0 Gl & a =a] Sarees ie] SSS ste TROT ATH SSA SOND [Sa S| = | =] — 4 JF M'A'’M slau‘ a’slo'Nn'od Doti (B3) at about 1700m; singles noted carrying food at two sites on 29 May 1988 (438). Seen in song flight at Dipayal (B3) at 800m on 30 May 1988 (438). Frequents dry cultivation and grassy and rocky slopes. Breeds from April to August. Range Breeds in the hills of Pakistan, the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal, and in s.w. India. Winters east to Bangladesh. 220 OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT Anthus hodgsoni Hodgson’s Pipit, Olive Tree-Pipit, Indian Tree Pipit wes First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Two races occur. A. h. hodgsoni (h) is a com- mon resident subject to altitudinal move- ments. Mainly summers between 2900m and 4000m, occasionally down to 2440m; and winters from about 1980m to 2560m. Confirmed breeding on the Mamche Danda (L6) (640). Birds breeding in the Dhorpatan valley (F4), in June, presuma- bly belonged to this race (499). A speci- men was taken at 305m at Amlekhganj (K7) on 7 March 1947 (99). A. A. yun- nanensis (y) is a common winter visitor up to 2560m. Found on grassy slopes in open forests, and scrub or cultivation with scat- TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Brown Tree-Pipit Subspecies wivialis. The first record is a specimen taken at Thankot (L6) on 11 April 1947 by B. Biswas (99). A winter visitor and passage migrant. Mainly re- corded since 1979; possibly overlooked before this. Uncommon at Chitwan and Kosi Barrage. Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Frequents cultivation, or open country with scattered trees. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Lahul. Winters throughout the subcon- tinent. RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus First recorded by B. Hodgson in the Kath- mandu Valley (336,388). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Mainly found between October and Feb- Tuary, with several reports between March and June, presumably of spring migrants. A few records from fields by Phewa Tal with a maximum of 35 in mid- January 1981 (180). Mainly single reports from elsewhere. A total of 109 migrated west at Khare (H5) between 20 October and 7 November 1985 (684). The maxi- mum altitude recorded is 5180m, above Tukche in December 1949 (647). Winters in wet grassy areas and stubble fields. Range Local and uncommon migrant in Pakistan, n.w. India, and Manipur. Pipits 5 —' yo" M Q 8 aq EX 8 \ N’ G 8 7 pn Ss roa 9000m J FM AAM J JAA SO ND tered trees. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Dharmsala east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters south to s. India, and east to Bangladesh. TT s000m TUREMIM OAS MUm mae IIs ALISO WANED! == be JERE RIM GALAGA My sJ nel iat A e Soad ORNL) Seer =| Pipits ROSY PIPIT Anthus roseatus Rosy-breasted Pipit (Anthus pelopus) Vinaceous-breasted Pipit The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (121). A fairly common resident subject to alti- tudinal movements, and a passage mi- grant. Mainly summers between 3355m and 5050m, and winters from 760m to 1500m, occasionally down to the tarai. Proved breeding in the upper Kali Gan- WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT A. rubescens The status and distribution of both spe- cies is uncertain as, until recently they were usually considered as conspecific. Birds not specifically identified have been reported between 75m and 2700m in winter and on passage. Several records from Phewa Tal; mainly single reports from elsewhere. Both species inhabit marshes and damp cultivation in winter. BUFE-BELLIED PIPIT Anthus rubescens Siberian Water Pipit, American Pipit Subspecies japonicus. Probably a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (717), but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by P. Holt at Jomosom at 2715m on3 and ‘5 March 1986 (403). The only other con- firmed records are of 50 on 23 January by Manora River, Kathmandu Valley (L6); 20 at Phewa Tal on 13 January, about 10 in the Pokhara valley on 14 January and six at Chitwan (K6) on 17 January 1989 (152). Range Winters locally in Pakistan; recorded from Darjeeling and Manipur. 221 LEE) OE JF M AA Jo AAS OND daki valley (811), and at Pheriche (P6) (190). Flocks of up to 50 seen flying up the Kali Gandaki valley on 27 March 1982 (294). A total of 530 was noted at Kosi Tappu in early February 1984, presumably migrants (408). Occurs in sum- mer above the treeline on stony slopes and in alpine mead- ows. Winters in marshes and cultivation. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Safed Koh east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters in n. Pakistan, n. India, and Bangladesh. WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Subspecies blakistoni. Probably a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. who collected a specimen at Pokhara on 31 December 1963 (247). The only other confirmed records are of singles seen by Phewa Tal on 25 March 1989 (166) and at Kosi Barrage from 3 to 5 February 1990 (256). Range Winters locally in Pakistan and n.w. India. 222 UPLAND PIPIT Anthus sylvanus Pipits/Wagtails The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). He found it breed- ing in the Kathmandu Valley (336,414).A locally fairly common resident and partial altitudinal migrant. Recorded between 1830m and 2900m in summer, and 1350m FOREST WAGTAIL Dendronanthus indicus (Motacilla indica) Vagrant. First recorded by K. Curry- Lindahl who saw one by the Rapti River, Chitwan on 30 November 1979 (171). The only other records are of singles seen on 4 April 1984 at Chitwan (624), by Bagmati YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. Mainly a winter visitor seen up to 1350m, and a passage migrant. Fairly common at Chitwan (296), where over 2000 Yellow and Citrine Wagtails were seen flying to roost in January 1980 (180). Five races have been recorded, but their distribution and movements are poorly known, and birds subspecifically identified have mainly been spring males. M. f. beema (b) occurs on passage and in winter, and is more frequently reported than other races. There are several rec- ords of M. f. thunbergi (t) in April and May (295,432,440,442,635), single reports of M. f. melanogrisea (m) (647), and three of M. f. leucocephala (1) (199,294,321). One M. f. taivana (a) which is scarce in the subcontinent, was found at Kosi Barrage on 14 March 1981 (442). M. f. lutea is to 2000m in winter. Found at Mai Pokhari (R7) on 22 April 1982 (561), the eastern limit of the species’s range in the Himalayas. Proved breeding at Pipar (H5) (800). Inhabits steep rocky and grassy slopes. Range Himalayas from Paki- stan east to e. Nepal. Bridge, Kathmandu on 4 April 1986 (403) and at Chatra (Q8) on 4 October 1987 (792). Usually frequents clearings in broadleaved forest and bamboo jungle. Range Winters locally in s.w. and n.e. India, and Bangladesh. 7 "9000m TRA TaD S'O'N D likely to occur. A specimen record of M. s. simillima (482) listed in the first edition of this book (435) has been omitted because it is considered unlikely that this far eastern race occurs so far west. The species frequents marshes and damp fields, especially near grazing animals. Range Breeds in Ladakh and possibly n. Kashmir. Winters throughout the subcontinent. Wagtails CITRINE WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola Yellow-headed Wagtail First recorded by B. Hodgson (360). Oc- casional. Mainly a winter visitor to the lowlands and a passage migrant. Fairly common at Chitwan (296) and Kosi, with a maximum of 60 estimated at the latter place on 2 May 1986 (321). Three races occur. M. c. calcarata (a) (62,294,432, GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea (M. caspica) Subspecies cinerea. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident sub- ject to altitudinal movements. Mainly summers between 2315m and 4115m, and winters below 365m, but occasionally to 1550m. Proved breeding near Jumla (620), in Langu valley (F2) (330) and along the Marsyangdi and Kali Gandaki Rivers (H4,HS,J5) (757). Migrants noted in the upper Kali Gandaki valley: up to 10 daily between 14 September and 6 Octo- ber 1973 (76). Occurs by fast-flowing, tocky streams in summer, and slower WHITE WAGTAIL Motacilla alba Pied Wagtail First recorded by B. Hodgson (360). A commmon passage migrant and winter visitor, with one race remaining to breed. Proved breeding in Langu valley (F2) (330). Mainly winters below 1500m. At Sauraha (J6) over 8000 were estimated flying to roost in January 1981 (180). Oc- casionally reported flying up river valleys on passage. In early November 1954 large numbers passed south over Pokhara daily (419). Migrants noted as high as 5000m at Gorak Shep (P6) (526). Six races occur. 223 647,428) and M. c. citreola (i) (62,432,442,587,647) have been reported on passage and in winter. Only a few records of M. c. werae (w), from March to May (294,442,321). Inhabits marshes and wet fields. Prefers wetter areas than Yellow Wagtail. Range Breeds in Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Spiti. Winters throughout the subcontinent. streams in winter. Range Breeds in Baluchistan, and the Himalayas from Chitral to Nepal. Winters throughout the subcontinent. All have been found in the Kathmandu Valley (x) where their status has been studied (635). M. a. dukhunensis (d), M. a. leucopsis (1), M. a. personata, M. a. baicalensis and M. a. alboides (a) are regularly seen. The last is also a summer visitor found between 3600m and 4800m (109,190,512). M. a. ocularis has only been reported from the Kathmandu Valley on passage (99,240,245,635,708). The species winters in open country near water: marshes, rivers, streams, lakes and wet fields, and summers in the alpine zone. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Gilgit to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters throughout the subcontinent. 224 Wagtails /Woodshrikes WHITE WAGTAIL, cont'd ... e6 WHITE-BROWED WAGTAIL Motacilla maderaspatensis Large Pied Wagtail Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by B. Biswas at Thankot (L6) on 10 April 1947 (101). A fairly common resident throughout the tarai and lower hills mainly below 915m, and uncom- monly up to 1700m. Mainly occurs in the Kathmandu Valley in summer; scarce in winter. Proved breeding at Pokhara (480), Chitwan (296), and in the Kath- mandu Valley (629,316). Frequents banks of rivers, pools and lakes. Range Locally throughout the subcontinent. COMMON WOODSHRIKE Tephrodomis pondicerianus Lesser Wood-Shrike, Indian Wood-Shrike Subspecies pondicerianus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (375). A locally, fairly common resident found up to about 455m. Areas include Bardia, Chitwan, the central dun (K7,L7) and the eastern low- lands (Q8,R8). Proved breeding at Chi- twan (296), and Hetaura (99). Inhabits dry scrub and lightly wooded areas. Range Throughout most of the subconti- nent. Le JTFAM AAM' JS 'J7A SOON D Woodshrikes/Cuckoo-shrikes LARGE WOODSHRIKE Tephrodomis gularis (T. virgatus) Subspecies pelvica. First recorded by B. Hodgson (375). A locally fairly common resident up to 365m. Areas include Ta- maspur, Chitwan, and north of Sunis- chare. A straggler to the Kathmandu Valley. Occurs in broadleaved forests and well-wooded country, but prefers wetter areas than the Common Woodshrike. Range Himalayan foothills from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; s.w. India. BAR-WINGED FLYCATCHER-SHRIKE Pied Wood-shrike Subspecies capitalis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident up to 1830m subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Chiefly a summer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (440). Frequents open broadleaved forests. Range Himalayan foothills from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to s. India and Bangla- desh. 225 Mahon EE FAM AM J a7. Ss O°N'D BLACK-HEADED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina melanoptera Subspecies sykesi. First recorded by B. Biswas at Hetaura on 21 May 1947 (99). Scarce. Subject to seasonal movements; mainly seen in spring and summer in the lowlands, but is possibly under-recorded. As breeding does not start until June most birds probably do not arrive until late spring. A few reports from Chitwan between March and the monsoon (772,730,562,810); also in December 1989 (138). Single records from elsewhere: Birganj (K7) in 1973 (587), Chapagaon forest (L6) at 1430m in February 1978 (301), Simra in February 1979 (486), Bardia and Kosi Tappu in May 1982 (432), north of Sunischare in January 1985 (142) and Dharan in November 1989 (597). A male was seen carrying nesting material on 15 April 1977 at Birtamod FM AM, aS | =e ; aso (R8) (243). Occurs in open broadleaved forests and secon- dary growth. Range Himalayan foothills from Himachal Pradesh east to West Bengal, and south to Kutch and Bangladesh. 226 Cuckoo-shrikes/Minivets BLACK-WINGED CUCKOO-SHRIKE | Coracina melaschistos Dark Cuckoo-Shrike, Dark Grey Cuckoo-Shrike et SSS iy 9000m J°F'M AAM JAJA S° ON D Subspecies melaschistos. The species was 2200m in summer. Seen between February and mid-Octo- described from Nepal by B. Hodgson ber in the Kathmandu Valley (635), and proved breeding (374,798). A resident subject to altitudi- there (635, 659). Occurs in open forests and groves. Range nal movements. Occasionally found up to Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree to Arunachal 915m throughout the year, and up to Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to Karnataka and Bangladesh. LARGE CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina macei Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (C. novaehollandiae) ee Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (374,798). A common resi- dent up to 2135m. Generally descends from higher elevations in winter, al- though it has been found at 1525m. In- habits secondary growth and open wooded country. Range Himalayan foot- hills from Rawalpindi east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to s. India and Bangla- desh. SCARLET MINIVET Pericrocotus flammeus Subspecies speciosus. First recorded by B. twan (296). Frequents broadleaved and coniferous forests. Hodgson (388). A common resident up to Range Himalayas from Murree to Arunachal Pradesh; also 2200m, possibly subject to altitudinal locally south in the hills to s. India. movements. Breeding confirmed at Chi- Minivets SCARLET MINIVET, cont'd ... 227 SHORT-BILLED MINIVET Pericrocotus brevirostris Subspecies brevirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Scarce, probably resi- dent. Found between 1005m and 2745m. Very similar to the Long-tailed Minivet; the two species were long confused in the literature and not separated until 1914. Collected in the Langtang valley (L5) (619,621), at Deorali, (L6) (99), Jiri (N6) (190,196), near Jamuna (S7) (246), and in the upper Arun valley (10). Other con- firmed localities include south of An- napurna (J5), the Kathmandu Valley, Sangure ridge (Q8) and Dharan. The only published breeding information for the species is of one taken in breeding condi- tion at Deorali at 1495m on 29 April 1947 (99), and a pair nest-building above 2 a so! 6a 9000m Sie i MeVAY Medias TAgmoe LO) ND OD, Hanga Tham at about 2140m on 27 April 1986 (321,323). Inhabits open broadleaved forests and forest edges. Range Himalayas from Naini Tal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. LONG-TAILED MINIVET Pericrocotus ethologus The species was first collected by B. Hodgson; this was confirmed by the re- cent location of specimens in the British Museum (Natural History). A common resident subject to altitudinal move- ments. Most frequent in summer between 1200m and 2400m, and in winter between 245m and 2135m. Recorded at 3965m at Khangsar in August (512). Found breed- ing at Rara Lake (626) and in the Kath- mandu Valley (440,629,659,708). Two taces occur: P. e. laetus (1) (247), P. e. favillaceus (f) (512,647), and intermedi- ates (fl) (99,109,647,659). Frequents for- ests, trees at edges of cultivation and groves. Range Breeds in the Himalayas a ———_— si, JF MAA M JAJA S' ON D from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Winters south to Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. 228 Minivets GREY-CHINNED MINIVET Pericrocotus solaris Yellow-throated Minivet Subspecies solaris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Scarce, presumably resi- dent and found between 250m and 2075m. Occasionally seen on the lower slopes of Phulchowki. Other records are from north-west of Pokhara (223,309), Chitwan (K6) (11), Chapagaon forest (L6) (243), Deorali (L6) (99), Num (Q6) (587), Trisuli valley (L6) (794), north of Sunischare (142) and the far eastern hills (Q8,R8) (223). Noted at Ulleri (H5) in March 1982 (207,561); the most westerly records for the species. Occurs in damp iour is little known. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to broadleaved forests. Its breeding behav- Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. SMALL MINIVET Pericrocotus cinnamomeus A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (714), but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey from Tribeni (H7) at 75m on8 February 1936 (62). A resident, occa- sionally seen throughout the lowlands up to 290m. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296). The eastern race P. c. vividus has been collected in the far western tarai (A4,B4) (647), but Ripley considered his western specimens were intermediates between this race and P. c. peregrinus (46, 659,664). Frequents more open wooded areas than other minivets. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. ROSY MINIVET Pericrocotus roseus Subspecies roseus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Locally distributed. Status uncertain, possibly resident. Seen in winter at Bardia (192), Chitwan (180,460) and at Dharan (597), but all other records are from March to May. Occasionally seen at Chitwan and a few sightings from Tamaspur. Only single re- ports received from elsewhere: at Barmdeo Mandi (A3) (247), Kanchanpur District (A4) (470), Bardia (192), south of | ee Annapurna (J5) (762), Hetaura (190), ae Kosi District (P8) (293), Dharan (597), Kosi Tappu (328), and north of Sunis- chare (442). Inhabits broadleaved forest in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. to Arunachal Pradesh, and and open wooded country. Range Breeds in n.e. India. Winters south to Maharashtra. Bulbuls 229 STRIATED BULBUL Pycnonotus striatus Striated Green Bulbul Subspecies striatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident, with some altitudinal movements, found be- tween 1500m and 2650m. Reported at Ulleri (H5) on 22 July 1978 (688), the most westerly record of the species. Occa- sionally seen between Dhampus and Lan- drung (HS), on Phulchowki, and in the Trisuli (LS), Arun and Mai valleys. Breeding behaviour is little known. Taken in breeding condition on 6 May 1947 at Bhimpedi at 1220m (99). Fre- quents damp, broadleaved, evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, andn.e. India. BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL Pycnonotus melanicterus Black-headed Yellow Bulbul Subspecies flaviventris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Resident. Common up to 800m in Mechi Zone (R7,R8) (658). Elsewhere occasionally seen up to 365m, uncommon up to 915m and rare to 1525m. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (99). Inhabits moist forests with dense undergrowth and thick secondary jungle. Range Himalayas from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh, and e. and s.w. India. RED-WHISKERED BULBUL Pycnonotus jocosus | ees =a EEE 9000m J FAM AM JJ A SAO ND Subspecies pyrrhotis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally common and (432) and Hetaura (99). Occurs in scrub jungle and open sedentary resident, reported up to 455m. forest. Prefers damp habitats. Range Lowlands below the An abundant breeding bird at Chitwan Himalayas from Punjab east to Arunachal Pradesh; also (296), and also found breeding at Bardia most of India, except the north-west, and Bangladesh. 230 Bulbuls WHITE-CHEEKED BULBUL Pycnonotus leucogenys Subspecies leucogenys. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a common resi- dent between 350m and 2400m. Abun- dant in some areas up to 1830m. Occa- sionally found down to 250m and up to 3050m. Confirmed to breed at Chitwan (296), in the Kathmandu Valley (708), and at Hetaura (99). Frequents secondary growth, scrub jungle, and cultivation. Range Himalayan foothills from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh; Pakistan and nw. India. RED-VENTED BULBUL Pycnonotus cafer Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to 1500m, occasionally seen up to 2135m. Abundant in some areas. Found breeding at Dipayal (B3) (68), in the Kathmandu Valley (336,629,708), at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (99). Frequents gardens, secon- dary scrub and light broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; south throughout the subcontinent. WHITE-THROATED BULBUL Criniger flaveolus Subspecies flaveolus. The species was described by J. Gould (783), the locality of the type later given as Nepal (479). It was collected by B. Hodgson (388). Lo- cally distributed, probably resident, up to 455m. Fairly common north of Sunis- chare. A few records from Hetaura, but none since 1970. Found rarely at Chitwan (J6,K6) (296,481), the westernmost local- ity for the species. The only other reports are from Amlekhganj (K7) in 1947 (101), Se eee a the eastern tarai (P8) in 1975 (293) and e 40008 a= ees Hans Pokhari Danda (S8) in 1989 (193). Inhabits undergrowth in dense, broadleaved, evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Bulbuls 231 MOUNTAIN BULBUL Hypsipetes mcclellandii Rufous-bellied Bulbul (H. virescens) Subspecies mcclellandii. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal move- ments, most frequently seen between 1830m and 2135m. Proved breeding at Bhimpedi (99), and in the Kathmandu Valley (336,708). Inhabits forests and secondary growth. Range Himalayas from Mussoorie east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. ASHY BULBUL Hypsipetes flavalus Brown-eared Bulbul Subspecies flavalus. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (798,118), but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by B. Biswas at Hetaura on 3 May 1947 (99). A resident, occasionally seen between 305m and 1525m. Rare in the Kathmandu Valley. Occurs in forests ' and dense secondary growth. Range Himalayan foothills from between Simla and Mussoorie east to Arunachal Pradesh. BLACK BULBUL Hypsipetes leucocephalus Grey Bulbul (H. madagascariensis) Subspecies psaroides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident be- tween 305m and 2600m, most frequent between 1830m and 2135m. Abundant in some areas. Some birds apparently de- scend to the foothills in winter, but also x eA \ onl tedees” found at 2700m on hills surrounding the . Were & Kathmandu Valley (629). Occasionally ey? seen at Chitwan and confirmed to breed ot ee, a there (296). Frequents forests. Range Himalayas; also s.w. India, n.e. India and Bangladesh. 232 Tora/Leafbirds COMMON IORA 4egithina tiphia Tora Subspecies tiphia. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common up to 365m, oc- casionally seen up to 1900m. A summer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley. Breed- ing confirmed at Chitwan (296), Gaucher forest (L6) (243), Hetaura (96) and near Dhankuta (Q7) (446). Inhabits open broadleaved forests and scrub jungle. Range Himalayas from N.W.F-.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; also all of India ex- << cept for the north-west; Bangladesh. @ soeer GOLDEN-FRONTED LEAFBIRD Chloropsis aurifrons Subspecies aurifrons. First collected by B. Hodgson (114). A fairly common resident western slopes of Nagarjung (243) and noted on Phul- up to 365m; uncommon up to 915m, and chowki in January 1984 (418). Breeding confirmed at rare above this altitude. Subject to altitu- Chitwan (296). Occurs in broadleaved forests. Range dinal movements. Scarce in the Kath- Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; also mandu Valley, but sometimes seen on the south to Bangladesh, e. and s.w. India. ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD Chloropsis hardwicki Subspecies hardwicki. The species was described from Nepal by Jardine and Selby (449). Resident, subject to some al- titudinal movements, and mainly re- corded between 1300m and 2135m. Oc- curs over a higher altitudinal zone than Golden-fronted Leafbird. Fairly common on Phulchowki and occasionally reported from other areas. Favours broadleaved evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to (eT a Sa Bangladesh. Fairy Bluebird/Dippers 233 ASIAN FAIRY BLUEBIRD Irena puella Subspecies sikkimensis. First recorded north-west of Sunischare at 335m on 1 January 1965 by R.L. Fleming Sr. (247). Local, presumably resident. Mainly found in dense, moist forest near water up to 365m. Fairly common north of Sunis- chare. Described as an uncommon resi- dent in Morang District (Q8) in 1976 (293). Found at Hetaura in December 1971 (405) and March 1978 (507). The only other record is from Hans Pokhari —— Danda (S8) in May 1989. Its overall nest- e Seis ing season is from January to June. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Bangladesh; also s.w. India. | OS 8 SSS) sf mM aA M JAs a'slo'N D BOHEMIAN WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Subspecies garrulus. First recorded by record is of five seen together below Pisang (J4) at 3050m RL. Fleming Jr. who saw a party of four on 17 March 1985 (332). Range Irregular vagrant to the at Thare Pati, Helambu (LS) at 3660m on Himalayas and Pakistan. 16 December 1967 (211). The only other WHITE-BREASTED DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Dipper, White-throated Dipper Subspecies cashmeriensis. First recorded by O. Polunin in upper Langtang (MS), between 3355m and 3660m, in summer 1949 (621). A resident between 3500m and 4800m. Subject to some altitudinal movements. Fairly common in the Ti- betan plateau region, also reported from Langtang (L5,M5) (195,621,656), Khumbu (P6) (299), Taplejung District (S6) (194), Topke Gola (R6) (487), and =e) |) ee eee also the upper Ladka Khola valley (R6) aa ‘ Sha (537) and Tak Do Trap (F3) (587) where 1982 (598). Frequents rocky, fast-flowing waters. Range proved breeding. Seen at the particularly Himalayas from the Kagan valley east to Bhutan and proba- low altitude of 2590m at Tukche in March bly Arunachal Pradesh. BROWN DIPPER Cinclus pallasii Subspecies tenuirostris. First recorded by Confirmed to breed between 1525m and 3600m at Khaptad B. Hodgson (388). A common resident (C3) (428), Kawa (D2) and Barikot (E4) (620), Chankeli between 915m and 3100m, occasionally (626), Dhorpatan (G5) (153), Langtang (517,771), north- seen up to 4960m in summer. Usually west of Pokhara (H4,HS) (82,811,812,480,111), Sundarijal found at lower elevations than White- (L6) (635), Naubise (L6) (321,734) and Mai valley (R8,S7) breasted Dipper, although the two spe- (740,307). Occurs on mountain streams. Range Himalayas cies have been seen in the same localities from Ladakh east to Arunachal Pradesh. where their altitudinal ranges overlap. 234 Dippers/Accentor BROWN DIPPER, cont’d ... Nu i TT TEM AM Sd 570" NAD, "000m , NORTHERN WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Wren, Winter Wren Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent subject to altitudinal movements. Chiefly occurs between 2500m and 4700m, but noted at 5300m in Khumbu (314), and at 2135m at Ghasa (H4) in February 1982 (770). Regularly winters up to 3050m and probably occurs higher. Found among rocks and dwarf scrub; also on rocky slopes above the treeline. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arun- achal Pradesh. MAROON-BACKED ACCENTOR Prunella immaculata as So. The species was described from Nepal by and upper Kali Gandaki valleys, and occasionally from B. Hodgson (391,798). A winter visitor, Ghorepani and the Arun valley. Several records from the mainly occurring between 1830m and hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, Langtang, and 2700m. Found west to Ghasa (H4), the Tamurvalley. Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Occurs westernmost locality for the species. in damp forests and forest clearings. Range Himalayas from Regularly reported from the upper Mai Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. Accentors 235 RUFOUS-BREASTED ACCENTOR Pnumella strophiata The species was described from Nepal from a Hodgson specimen (114). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Chiefly summers above 3500m; found as high as 4930m in Khumbu. Mainly winters between 1600m and at least 3650m. Two races occur: P. a. strophiata (s) and P. s. jerdoni (j) (647). Found in upland pastures with scattered bushes in winter; rhododendron and dwarf juniper scrub near the treeline in summer. Range Himalayas from Pakistan to Arunachal Pradesh. BROWN ACCENTOR Prunella fulvescens Subspecies sushkini. First recorded by RL. Fleming Sr. from Jomosom in De- cember 1949 (647). An altitudinal mi- grant, common in the Tibetan plateau re- gion. Summers up to 4880m, and seen nest-building in June at 4270m (243). Winters from 2300m up to at least 3800m. Fairly common in winter in Thakkhola (H4). The unusually high number of 103 was counted there between Kalopani and Muktinath in December 1984 (58). Found in low scrub on dry rocky hillsides. Range Himalayas from Hunza to Sikkim. ih] z — | Ll SS SSS a Mm AAM J JAAS OND BLACK-THROATED ACCENTOR Prunella atrogularis Subspecies Auttoni. The first documented record is of a specimen collected near Jumla on 26 January 1971 at 2440m by R.L. Fleming (9). A fairly common winter visitor to the far north-west. Three sight- ings from the upper Kali Gandaki valley: from Jomosom in March 1981 (559), Kalopani in October 1984 (145) and Marpha in November 1985 (298), the most easterly records in the Himalayas. Occurs among bushes in cultivation. Range Wintersin the Himalayas from Hunza to Nepal. 236 Accentors ROBIN ACCENTOR Prunella rubeculoides The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore from a Hodgson specimen (409,798) and listed for Nepal in Hodgson’s later collection (276), but the specimens may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. from Jomosom at 2805m in December 1949 (647). A fairly common altitudinal migrant between 2655m and 5000m. Sum- mers at higher altitudes than other accen- tors, mainly over 4500m. Confirmed to breed at Gokyo at 4800m (190). Seen as high as Everest base camp at 5485m in May 1976 (582). Fairly common in winter November 1987 (558). May occur higher in winter. In between Marpha at 2655m and Mukti- summer inhabits dwarf willows and Caragana scrub near nath at 3795m. Reported at 3960m in streams or pools. Winters in dry, stony areas. Range Hima- Khumbu in February 1954 (86), and layas from Baltistan and Ladakh east to Bhutan, and proba- found to be common there up to 4880m in bly Arunachal Pradesh. ALTAI ACCENTOR Prunella himalayana Rufous-streaked Accentor Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by R.L. Fleming Sr. from Jomo- som at 2805m in December 1949 (647). A fairly common winter visitor, chiefly oc- curring between 2135m and 4270m. Noted as low as 1340m at Rukum (loca- tion unknown) on 25 March 1982 (244). A late record in mid-May from Gosainkund, at 4300m (243,440). Feeds on grassy hillsides. Range Winter visitor to the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arun- achal Pradesh. ALPINE ACCENTOR Prunella collaris Subspecies nipalensis. First collected by B. Hodgson (114). Occasional. A resi- dent subject to altitudinal movements. Chiefly summers over 4200m; noted as high as 7900m on Mt Everest (49). Con- firmed to breed in Khumbu from 4900m to 5000m (190). Winters between 2440m and 3795m, and probably higher. Noted in Khumbu at 4930m in November (453). Inhabits rocky alpine pastures and scree slopes, and also occurs in winter near a | SS villages. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. en : to Arunachal Pradesh. Chats/Thrushes GOULD’S SHORTWING Brachypteryx stellata Subspecies stellata. The species was de- scribed by J. Gould (272) froma specimen collected by C.V. Eccles. This is labelled “Nepal, 10,000” (798), but it is often ascribed to Sikkim (664,716). First defi- nitely recorded in the upper Mai Valley (S7) at 2135m on 8 April 1912 by H. Stevens (740). Scarce and very locally distributed; probably a resident, subject to altitudinal movements. Summers near Gapte cave at 3505m where the maximum 237 of seven was seen on 22 May 1982 (199,682). Found breed- ing in the upper Arun valley in late June 1973 (167), but there are no other published breeding records for the species (48). The only other reports received are from the upper Mai valley in March 1961 (246), upper Arun valley in July and October 1973 (10), south of Annapurna (HS,J5) in May 1974 (259) and 1977 (762), and in Gaucher forest (L6) in July 1977 (301). Inhabits rhododendron and juniper shrubberies. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arun- achal Pradesh. [RUSTY-BELLIED SHORTWING Brachypteryx hyperythra A specimen in the Hancock Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K. is labelled solely ‘Nepal’, but no further details are known (322).] WHITE-BROWED SHORTWING Brachypteryx montana Subspecies cruralis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A very uncommon resi- dent subject to altitudinal movements. Summers from 2560m to 3660m at locali- ties including Pipar (H5) (475,499), the Gosainkund trail (L5) (633,652), the upper Arun (483) and upper Mai valleys (440,561,264,321), and the hills surround- ing the Kathmandu Valley. Reported in the non-breeding season between 245m and 2375m from areas including Phewa ‘Tal (622,403), south-west of Annapurna (HS) (746,702), Phulchowki (152), Arung Khola (H6) (486,652), Chitwan (759) and Barun valley (588). Frequents damp oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth near streams. Range Hima- layas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh. Lae YA = oe 9000= JF M AAM J JAAS OND 238 Chats/Thrushes LESSER SHORTWING Brachypteryx leucophrys Subspecies nipalensis. Obtained by B. April: from Ilam District (R8) (undated) (223), Tarahara Hodgson in his later collection (409,798) (Q8) in February 1971 (589), north of Sunischare in April but the specimen may have originated in 1986 (264), the upper Arun valley in March 1987 (769), India. First definitely recorded by H. Ste- Simery (L7) in February 1988 (589), east of Ilam bazaar vens from the upper Mai Valley (S7) at (R8) in January and March 1988 (658) and Hanga Tham in 2135m on 3 and 8 April 1912 (740). March 1988 (465). Inhabits thick undergrowth in damp Scarce, presumably a resident, subject to forests, and secondary jungle often near streams. Range altitudinal movements. Recorded from Himalayas from Garhwal and east Nepal east to Arunachal 250m to 2135m between January and Pradesh. SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Luscinia calliope Eurasian Rubythroat (Erithacus calliope) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A winter visitor and passage migrant, found occasionally up to 1370m. Probably over- looked because of its skulking behaviour. Inhabits thick undergrowth, wet ravines and long grass often near water. Range Winters in the Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; south to Rajast- han, Andhra Pradesh and Bangladesh. BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica (Entthacus svecicus) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant up to 915m. Noted on passage at about 3445m on 28 September 1972 in Khumbu (474), at Tukche be- tween 14 September and 10 October 1973 (76) and at Khaptad (C3) on 1 May 1988 (428). Two specimens from the eastern tarai (Q8) were L. s. pallidogularis (62), but no others have been subspecifically identified. Skulks in damp ravines, scrub, reeds, tall grass and cultivation near water. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. Chats/Thrushes 239 WHITE-TAILED RUBYTHROAT Luscinia pectoralis Himalayan Rubythroat (Erithacus pectoralis) é First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Occasional. Three races occur. L. p. pec- toralis (p) is a resident subject to altitudi- nal movements. Summers in west and central areas. Breeding confirmed at Manangbhot (H4) between 3960m and 4570m (512), and at 3300m at Thare Pati : o Be: (L5) (48). A few winter records from % é eae i, s 275m to 1340m east to Jhapa District (S8) y (247). L. p. confusa (c) is a resident sub- Sa al | Se 2S ject to altitudinal movements. Found breeding in Khumbu between 4200m and 4800m (190) and wintering in the foothills (62). Only two records of L. p. tschebaiewi shrubberies and Caragana scrub above the treeline in (t): in winter and on passage (246). Inhab- summer; dense scrub in winter. Range Himalayas from its dwarf rhododendron and juniper Baltistan east to Arunachal Pradesh. INDIAN BLUE ROBIN Luscinia brunnea Blue Chat (Erithacus brunneus) Lia SI TTF M AAM J JAA SOND Subspecies brunnea. The species was de- Occasionally seen in the lowlands on passage in spring. A scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson male on 5 March 1982 at Chitwan (77) was possibly an early (371,798). Mainly a fairly common sum- migrant. Found in winter at Thare Pati (L5) in November mer visitor, arriving in April. Common at 1970, and the Rapti dun (L7) in December 1970 (444). Khaptad (C3) (657,428). Breeds above Skulks in dense undergrowth in damp forests. Range 2135m, most frequently between 2440m Breeds in the Himalayas from Pakistan to Arunachal and 3355m. Proved breeding on Sheopuri Pradesh. Winters in s. India and occasionally in the Hima- (243,635) and in the Mai valley (740). layan foothills. SIBERIAN BLUE ROBIN Luscinia cyane _ (Enithacus cyane) Vagrant. The only record is of an adult male seen on 29 November 1985 at Nagarjung, Kathmandu Valley, at about 1450m by R. Roberts (677). Range Strag- gler to W. Bengal and Manipur. 240 ORANGE-FLANKED BUSH-ROBIN Tarsiger cyanurus Red-flanked Bluetail (Erithacus cyanurus) Chats/Thrushes Subspecies rufilatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (391,798). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Mainly summers between 3000m and 4000m, and winters from 1370m to 2745m. Proved breeding at Dori Lekh (E3) (626), Khumjung (P6) (190) and in the Dhorpatan valley (G5) (499). Inhabits the understorey and bushes at clearing edges in broadleaved and coniferous forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters south to n.e. India. GOLDEN BUSH-ROBIN 9 Tarsiger chrysaeus (Erithacus chrysaeus) Subspecies chrysaeus. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). A resident subject to altitudi- nal movements: most frequent in summer between 3500m and 4200m, and in winter from 1700m and 2800m. Fairly common north-west of Pokhara (HS), Langtang (LS,MS) and in the Arun and upper Mai WHITE-BROWED BUSH-ROBIN Tarsiger indicus (Erithacus indicus) Subspecies indicus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident subject to alti- tudinal movements. Occasionally seen in summer between 3000m and 4000m, and in winter from 2100m to 3050m. Noted at the unusually low altitude of 915m at valleys; occasionally seen elsewhere. Confirmed breeding south of Annapurna (H5) (499) and in the Gandak-Kosi wa- tershed (L5) (633). Frequents dense shrubberies of birch, rhododendron and juniper above the treeline, and rocky slopes with scattered shrubs in summer; thick undergrowth in evergreen forests, or secondary scrub, in winter. Range Himalayas from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Phewa Talin February 1988 (262). Found breeding south of Annapurna (H5) (499). Occurs in dense shrubberies of fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper, and in bushes at forest edges. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Chats/Thrushes 241 WHITE-BROWED BUSH-ROBIN, cont’d ... First collected by B. Hodgson (388). An altitudinal migrant, presumably resident. Occasionally found in summer between 1 3200m and 4200m, and in winter from 2 2135m to3050m. Described asvery scarce in the Himalayas in 1973 (48) and there were only four Nepalese records up to oe ss \ 1978, but its population has apparently in- 3 ‘ = : creased recently. Regularly found in i spring near Gapte cave at about 3505m Sa Oma et since 1979 (L5) with a maximum of ten a ee FA ey birds on 30 May 1982 (207). Pairs were seen feeding young there in May in 1979 (651,652), 1980 (440) and 1982 (207). (HS). Chiefly single records from elsewhere. Found at Young just able to fly were seen on3 June Kabre (H4) at about 1500m in January 1983, the western at 3200m in Helambu (244). The nest and limit of the species’s range. Inhabits edges and clearings of eggs are undescribed (48). Regularly re- dwarf birch and rhododendron forest, especially near ported in winter from north-west of streams. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Nepal east to Pokhara, especially from Ghorepani Arunachal Pradesh. Winters south to n.e. India. ASIAN MAGPIE-ROBIN Copsychus saularis Magpie Robin, Robin Dayal Subspecies saularis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (360). A commmon resident up to 1525m and occasionally found up to 2000m. Subject to some local movements. Occurs in the Kathmandu Valley throughout the year, but surprisingly only reported at Chitwan from March to Octo- ber (296). Proved breeding in these areas and at Hetaura (100). A female with a brood patch was mist-netted as high as 3050m at Chankheli on 7 July 1979 (626). Inhabits villages, towns, gardens, groves, open dry broadleaved forests, and secon- dary growth. Range Most of the subconti- nent, except parts of the arid north-west. 242 Chats/Thrushes WHITE-RUMPED SHAMA 1 Copsychus malabaricus Shama Subspecies indicus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, mainly occur- ring up to 365m. The maximum altitude reported is 500m in Ilam District (R8) in April (658). Common at Chitwan where proved breeding (296); fairly common near Dharan and north of Sunischare; oc- casionally seen elsewhere. Frequents undergrowth in broadleaved forests. Range Himalayan foothills from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to e. Madhya Pradesh and the Eastern Ghats; also in w. and s.w. India. RUFOUS-BACKED REDSTART Phoenicurus erythronotus Eversmann’s Redstart First recorded at Jomosom at 2805m in December 1949 by R.L. Fleming Sr. (647). A winter visitor. Fairly common at Rara Lake in February (243), occasion- ally seen at Jumla and regularly seen but uncommon in the upper Kali Gandaki valley. Noted at Pisang (J4) at 3300m on 15 November 1981 (553), the most east- erly record of the species in the Hima- layas. Found amongst scrub and on stone es | S| Ss | walls bordering fields in dry habitats. ae ae i Range Winters in n. Baluchistan, and the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. BLUE-CAPPED REDSTART Phoenicurus caeruleocephalus Blue-headed Redstart 7 Chats/Thrushes BLUE-CAPPED REDSTART, cont’d ... First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident subject to altitudinal move- ments. Fairly common in the breeding season in the north-west, from the upper Kali Gandaki valley (H4) westwards. Occasionally seen further east to the Kathmandu Valley and Langtang, and BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochruros Subspecies rufiventris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An altitudinal migrant. Common in summer in the Tibetan steppe region between 2560m and 5700m. Mainly winters in the tarai and foothills up to about 700m. Proved breeding at Chharkabhotagaon (G3) (620), in Khumbu (190), and in the upper Kali Gandaki valley (811). Migrants were noted in the upper Kali Gandaki valley in September and October 1973: a peak of about 100 occurred on 10 October (76). Inhabits grasslands above the treeline in summer; stony areas, thin scrub, and cul- tivation in winter. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Sikkim. Winters south throughout the subconti- nent. HODGSON’S REDSTART Phoenicurus hodgsoni The species was first collected by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley (336,388) and described by F. Moore (409,798). A winter visitor seen occasion- ally, mainly from 760m to 2800m, but common in the Kathmandu and upper Kali Gandaki valleys. Noted at 150m in south-east Nepal (302). Late migrants seen at Ghora Tabela (LS) on 30 April and 1 May 1981 (517), above Muktinath at 5030m in May 1978 (301), and at Pher- iche (P6) at 4240m on 23 April 1982 (207). Frequents grass areas interspersed with bushes, dry cultivation, and open forests. Range Winters in the Himalayas from Naini Tal east to Arunachal Pradesh; and n.e. India and Bangladesh. 243 scarce in east Nepal. Mainly summers between 2900m to 4270m, and winters between 1370m and 2900m. Noted at the unusually low altitude of 800m at Dipayal (B3) in February 1988 (68). Proved breeding at Rara Lake (620). Summers on rocky ground in juniper and open conifer forests and winters.in open forests and scrub. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Bhutan. Looms le — TPM AAM) sed S ND 244 Chats/Thrushes BLUE-FRONTED REDSTART Phoenicurus frontalis First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common altitudinal migrant. Chiefly summers between 3350m and 4900m, and winters between 1000m and 3050m, but noted as low as 455m in the south-east (302). Proved breeding in Khumbu, at Kyangjin (M5) (199), in the Dolpo (G3) (243) and north-west of Pokhara (300). Inhabits open rhododendron, birch and juniper shrubberies and stony slopes above the treeline in summer. Winters in fields and open forest. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters south to n.e. India and Bangladesh. WHITE-THROATED REDSTART Phoenicurus schisticeps as NS The species was described from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). A high altitude resi- dent subject to relatively small altitudinal movements. Occasionally seen in summer between 3050m and 4200m and in winter between 2500m and 3050m, but noted at Sn Oe 3965m in January on Gosainkund ridge (244). Recorded at Khaptad (C3) on 16 March 1989 (68), the western limit of the species’s range. Common between Kalopani and Jomo- som in winter. Its breeding behaviour is little known. Fre- quents open shrubberies on rocky slopes. Range Himalayas from w. Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. GULDENSTADT’S REDSTART Phoenicurus erythrogaster White-winged Redstart Subspecies grandis. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. from Jomosom at 2805m in December 1949 (647). An altitudinal migrant occurring at high elevations. Found between 2650m and 3965m in winter and probably higher; in summer mainly between 4900m and 5600m. Fairly common between Tukche and Muktinath in winter, uncommon elsewhere. Other locali- ties include Jumla, Manang, Langtang and also Khumbu, where proved breeding (190). Inhabits the dry alpine zone in summer; stony pastures, rocky moraines and scrubby areas in winter. Range Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh. Chats/Thrushes GULDENSTADTSS REDSTART, cont’d ... 245 PLUMBEOUS REDSTART Rhyacomnis fuliginosus Subspecies fuliginosus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Win- ters between 75m and 2560m; most fre- quently between 1000m and 1800m. Summers mainly between 1525m and 3750m; uncommonly up to 4420m. Proved breeding in the Kathmandu Val- ley (629) and at Sukipatal (Q6) (12). Fre- quents fast-flowing rocky streams. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to Bangladesh. WHITE-BELLIED REDSTART Hodgsonius phoenicuroides Hodgson’s Shortwing Subspecies phoenicuroides. The species was described from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). A summer visitor, occasionally seen between 2900m and 4270m. Breed- ing confirmed in the Dhorpatan valley (GS) (499), and in upper Manang (H4) (757). A scarce winter visitor to the foot- hills, with only two records received: from Bardia (192) and Marek (G6) at 915m (247). Summers in birch, rhododendron and juniper shrubberies near the treeline; winters in thick undergrowth and forest edges. Range Himalayas from the Indus River east to Arunachal Pradesh. 246 Chats/Thrushes WHITE-TAILED ROBIN Cinclidium leucurum White-tailed Blue Robin The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391). A local and uncom- chowki and also Sheopuri, where proved breeding (635). A mon resident subject to altitudinal move- rare winter visitor to Chitwan and Phewa Tal. Single rec- ments. Summers between 1900m and ords received from most other areas. Probably overlooked 2745m, and mainly winters below 915m. because of its secretive behaviour. Frequents undergrowth Seen near Lete (H4) at 2440m on 16 in dense, damp forest, often near streams. Range Hima- November 1979, the westernmost record layas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and of the species (206). Summers on Phul- Bangladesh. [BLUE-FRONTED ROBIN Cinclidium frontale Blue-fronted Long-tailed Robin Subspecies frontale. Obtained by B. probably of this species, singing at Phulchowki on 28 and 30 Hodgson in his later collection (409) but April 1979 (474). Inhabits wet subtropical forest. Range the specimen may have originated in In- Himalayas in Nepal?, Sikkim and Darjeeling.] dia. The only other report is of a bird, GRANDALA Grandala coelicolor Hodgson’s Grandala = ; 000m OO ay a Chats/Thrushes GRANDALA, cont’d ... The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (386,798). A locally fairly common, high altitude resident, subject to altitudinal movements. Summers be- tween 3900m and 5500m. Winters mainly between 3000m and 3960m, occasionally PURPLE COCHOA Cochoa purpurea The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (347). He found it in the lower hills, and also in breeding condition in the northern hills on 20 May (336). Scarce, presumably resident. The only recent reports are from Sukipatal, upper Arun valley (Q6) at 2135m on 6 Novem- ber 1973 (12) and the Mai valley: found near Hanga Tham at 2255m on 14 May 1970 (9) and on 20 September 1978 (301), and near Ilam (R8), also in 1978 (178). Only three other records of singles: on Sheopuri ridge on 21 May 1921 (423), at 2135m inthe same area between 1942 and 1945 (733), and at Bhimpedi on 10 May GREEN COCHOA = Cochoa viridis The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (347,798). He obtained at least four specimens from the lower hills in June (336). There are no later records. In India frequents undergrowth in damp, dense broadleaved evergreen forests in tropical and subtropical zones. Range Himalayas in Kumaon, Nepal, Darjeeling and Sikkim; possibly Bhutan and Arun- achal Pradesh; and n-e. India. COMMON STONECHAT Saxicola torquata Collared Bushchat, Stonechat First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common. Three races occur. Their status and distribution are not fully understood. S. t. maura (m) is a winter visitor of uncer- tain status (62,619,682). S. ¢. przevalskii (p) is mainly a common winter visitor up to 1500m and a passage migrant. It also breeds in the Tibetan plateau region above 2745m (243,620). S. t. indica (i) isa common resident subject to altitudinal movements. It summers between 365m and 2895m. This subspecies proved 247 descending in bad weather: recorded as low as 1950m near Ghandrung (HS) on 18 March 1989 (166). Regularly re- ported from Gosainkund, Kyangjin (M5), Dole to Gokyo (P6) and, in severe winters, from the upper Kali Gandaki valley. Proved breeding in Khumbu (190). Frequents rocky slopes and stony alpine meadows. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh. IE SI, J 5 F F Fen St JAA a ae a 1947 (100). Breeds from early May to mid-June. Inhabits damp, dense broadleaved, evergreen forests of the tropical and lower temperate zones. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. BROWN ROCK CHAT Cercomela fusca Scarce. First recorded by R.L. Fleming who collected a specimen at Kosi Barrage on 12 March 1969 (244). The only other confirmed record is of a pair breeding at Hariaun, Sarlahi District (L7); the parents were feeding young in August 1989 and four or five individuals were seen after- wards (494). There is also an undated sighting from Bhairawa that possibly relates to this species (244). Found amongst buildings in open country. Range Resident in n.e. Pakistan; n.w. and central India. breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (659), and at Hetaura (100). The species has also been confirmed to breed in Doti District (B3,C3) (428) and at Pokhara (326). Thousands of birds not subspecifically identified were noted passing through the Valley between 5 and 14 April 1948, but no large scale return migration was observed in autumn (629). Common in the upper Kali Gandaki valley in September and October (76), and very common at Kosi Barrage in winter and early spring, presumably on passage. Frequents open country and cultivation with scattered bushes. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan, and the Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters south throughout the subcontinent. 248 COMMON STONECHAT, cont’d ... WHITE-TAILED STONECHAT Saxicola leucura White-tailed Bushchat First recorded at Bilauri (A4) at 275m on 28 January 1937 by FM. Bailey (62). A local resident of the lowlands. Fairly common at Sukla Phanta, Chitwan, and Kosi Barrage. Proved breeding at Chi- twan (56,296,111) and north of Kosi Bar- rage (294), and at Sukla Phanta (432). Single reports from elsewhere. There are two doubtful records from the Kath- mandu Valley in April (243); the species has not been recorded above 700m else- where in its range. Inhabits reeds and tall grassland often in wet areas. Range Paki- stan and n. India east to n.e. India and Bangladesh. HODGSON’S BUSHCHAT Saxicola insignis White-necked Bushchat Chats/Thrushes a TOU i : 9000m Se Chats/Thrushes HODGSON’S BUSHCHAT, cont'd ... A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray (277,798) but this apparently originated in India (413). First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming south of Kosi Barrage on 11 April 1975 (186,293). It is an uncommon winter visi- tor there, observed between November PIED BUSHCHAT Saacola caprata Subspecies bicolor. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common from the tarai up to 915m; fairly common to 1400m, and occasionally seen up to 2440m in summer but noted at 2665m at Marpha (H4) in March (111). Most birds occurring above 1400m descend to the foothills in winter. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296), Sukla Phanta (432,750), and also in the Kath- mandu Valley (756). Nest-building has been observed as early as 1 February at Chitwan (180). Frequents cultivation and open country with sparse scrub. Range Throughout the subcontinent. JERDON’S BUSHCHAT Saxcola jerdoni Vagrant. The only records are of a male on 11 May 1975, and another male with a GREY BUSHCHAT Saxcola ferrea Dark-grey Bush Chat Subspecies ferrea. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). A fairly common altitudinal migrant. Sum- mers between 1500m and 3355m, most frequently above 1800m. Chiefly winters between 915m and 2125m. It is a rare winter visitor to the tarai. Breeding con- firmed on Sheopuri (635) and in Doti District (C3) (438). Inhabits secondary growth, forest edges, and scrub-covered hillsides. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to the plains of n. India and Bangladesh. 249 and late April. Only single reports from two other localities: two immature males collected along the Manora River (L6) at 1380m on 9 October 1982 (589), and one seen at Meghauli (J6) on 23 March 1986 (403). The maximum of over 10 was recorded at the Barrage on 17 and 18 March 1982 (541). Found in tall grasses, tamarisk, and reeds by the river. Range Winters in n. India from Ambala east to As- sam. possible juvenile on 19 June 1976, seen by R.C. Gregory- Smith at Kosi Barrage (293). Found in reedbeds. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to e. Bihar and Bangladesh. 250 ISABELLINE WHEATEAR 1 Oéenanthe isabellina First recorded by the Manora River, Kathmandu Valley at 1280m on 16 No- vember 1968 (9), and twice seen in the same area in April by R.L. Fleming (243). A scarce passage migrant. One was ob- served by New Road, Kathmandu at NORTHERN WHEATEAR 1 Oécnanthe oenanthe Wheatear Subspecies oenanthe? Vagrant. The only record is of an adult male seen on 1 April 1983 at Meghauli (J6) by C. Byers and A. Adams (140). Another record of an Oe- nanthe species seen at Kyangjin (M5) on 18 April 1984 (624) was previously incor- rectly ascribed to this species in the first edition of this book (435). Range Vagrant to Pakistan, n.w. India and Nepal. PIED WHEATEAR Oe6cnanthe pleschanka Vagrant. The only record is of one, proba- bly a first year male, seen at Tukche at DESERT WHEATEAR Oecnanthe deserti Subspecies oreophila. A scarce but regu- lar summer visitor and passage migrant. First recorded by R. Jarman and W. Howard at Tukche on 1 April 1971 (450). Subsequently reported several times in the upper Kali Gandaki valley between Marpha and Jomosom, between 2650m and2715m, from mid-March to mid-June. Collected in the Dolpo (G3,H3) in June (243,587) and seen at Rara Lake (127). The only other reports are of singles, presumably on passage, at Chitwan in April 1981 (296), in the Yamdi Khola valley (H5) in March 1985, and at Khap- tad (C3) in May 1988 (428,68). Inhabits dry semi-desert country. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan, and the Himalayas from Kashmir east to c. Nepal. Winters south through Pakistan and n. India. Chats/Thrushes 1370m on 13 March 1982 (811). The only other records are fromthe upper Kali Gandakivalley in March 1982, between 2440m and 2590m: singles were reported from Tukche on 18 March (207,561), and on 27 March at Lete (294) and Ka- lopani (199). Found in dry cultivation. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas in N.W.F.P. Winters in Pakistan and n.w. India. 2590m on 11 January 1985 by T. Andrews (59). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Lahul; migrant in n. Baluchistan; vagrant elsewhere in the subcon- tinent. Sa S| == SS 3000m TE MAA M JAJA S O ND Chats/Thrushes VARIABLE WHEATEAR Oécnanthe picata Eastern Pied Wheatear Scarce. First recorded by P. Hagen at Birendranagar, Surkhet valley (D4) at 760m on 3 December 1979; it remained WHITE-CAPPED REDSTART Chaimarromis le White-capped River Chat (Thamnolaea leucocephala) F D G K River Chat First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common altitudinal migrant. Mainly summers between 1830m and 5100m. Proved breeding in Khumbu (190). Win- INDIAN ROBIN Saxcoloides fulicata Indian Chat 251 until February 1980 and the species was seen in the same area in subsequent winters (244). The only other record is of one seen at Chisapani Gorge, Bardia (C4) on 13 February 1988 (731). Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan and north to Gilgit. Winters in Pakistan and n.w. India. ters most frequently between 915m and 1525m; occasionally up to 2590m, and in the foothills from 245m to 915m. Occurs on rocks in rushing streams. Often found at consid- erable distances from water in summer in the alpine zone. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Subspecies cambaiensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident reported up to 760m and most often from the west. Uncommon at $ukla Phanta, Bardia and Nepal- ganj, and rare at Chitwan (J6,K6). Mainly single reports re- ceived from other areas. Inhabits sparse scrub in dry stony areas and edges of cultivation. Range Throughout the sub- continent. 252 Chats/Thrushes BLUE-CAPPED ROCK-THRUSH Monticola cinclorhyncha Blue-headed Rock-Thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A summer visitor, occasionally seen be- tween early April and early October from 1200m up to 2135m. Proved breeding at Silgadi Doti (B3) (438), in the Trisuli valley (L5,L6) (440,517), and Ilam Dis- trict (R8) (658). Inhabits coniferous for- ests and rocky slopes with scattered trees. 5 ae Ba o Range Breeds in the Himalayas from : N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and i (a —_—_ in n.e. India. Winters mainly in s.w. India ie and Assam. CHESTNUT-BELLIED ROCK-THRUSH 1 Monticola rufiventris First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Mainly summers between 1800m and 3400m, but recorded up to 4460m at Gosainkund (543). Win- ters between 915m and 2380m, but is most frequent between 1800m and 2135m. Found breeding in the upper Mai valley \ \ (740). Frequents coniferous and 8 * broadleaved forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- a ——— arya, achal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to Bangladesh, and rarely in the plains of n. India. BLUE ROCK-THRUSH Monticola solitarius Subspecies pandoo. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An altitudinal migrant. Occasionally seen in summer in the Trans-Himalayan region between 2590m and 4880m and in winter from the tarai up to 1400m. Confirmed to breed at Manang (757), andin Dolpo District (G3) (243). A male near Naudanda (H5) on 22 Decem- ber 1973, showing characters of the race M. s. philippensis (518), forms the first record of the race for the subcontinent. However, birds showing features inter- mediate between M. s. pandoo and M. s. philippensis have been recorded from winters along streams or amongst old buildings. Range Assam and Meghalaya (49). Summers in Breeds in n. Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas from open rocky areas or on steep cliffs and N.W.F-.P. east to west-central Nepal. Winters throughout the subcontinent. Chats/Thrushes BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH Myiophoneus caeruleus Whistling Thrush (Myiophonus caeruleus) Subspecies temminckii. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident subject to vertical movements. Chiefly summers between 1500m and 3100m, but noted at 4800m in Khumbu on 15 May 1954 (109); winters from the tarai up to 2745m. Found breeding in the Dhorpatan valley (499), Solu (P6) (109) and the Trisuli valley (LS) (771). Occurs along streams and rivers in forested areas. Fa- vours gorges and ravines. The upper limit ofits summer range usually coincides with the treeline. Range Breeds in n. Baluchis- tan, the Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India and Bangladesh. Winters in the foothills and rarely in the adjacent plains. (TT 253 PLAIN-BACKED MOUNTAIN THRUSH 9 Zoothera mollissima Plain-backed Thrush Subspecies mollissima. First recorded by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114). A fairly common altitudinal migrant, wintering between 1500m and 2400m. Chiefly summers between 3000m and 4000m. Juveniles were taken on 28 and 29 July 1964 between 3900m and 3930m near Tarke Gyang (M5) (247). Its breeding be- haviour is poorly known. Inhabits fir for- ests and open grassy slopes near the treeline in summer; broadleaved and coniferous forests in winter. Range Hima- layas from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. LONG-TAILED MOUNTAIN THRUSH Long-tailed Thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson breeding at Jahar Powah, Kathmandu Valley (336). An altitudinal migrant, occasionally seen in winter between 1500m and 2700m, and in summer from 2100m to 4250m. Breed- ing also confirmed near Jumla (620), Tarke Gyang (M5) (247) and at Chandab- ari (LS) (321). Occurs in forests of birch, fir or juniper near the treeline in summer; thick forests, often near streams in winter. Range Himalayas from the Sutlej River east to Arunachal Pradesh, andn.e. India. 254 Chats/Thrushes SCALY THRUSH Zoothera daumna Speckled Mountain Thrush, White’s Thrush, Golden Mountain Thrush Subspecies dauma. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A partial migrant. Fairly common in summer between 2320m and 3540m. Found breeding in Langtang (199), on Sheopuri (243), and at Chankheli (627). Common between 275m and 1500m in winter, when numbers are augmented by migrants from elsewhere. Inhabits thick forests with dense under- no ae eee growth, often near streams. Range , Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh, and inn.e. and s.w. India. Winters south to Madhya Pradesh and Bangladesh. LONG-BILLED THRUSH 1 Zoothera monticola Large Long-billed Thrush, Large Brown Thrush Beet Subspecies monticola. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident subject to altitudinal movements. Occasionally seen in winter between 915m and 2500m; rarely at lower altitudes. Reported in summer between 2285m and 3850m. Proved breeding in Langtang (264). In- habits the forest floor in dense, damp forests, usually near streams. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kulu east a ——_————] a? 9000n JF MAAN to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to Bangladesh. DARK-SIDED THRUSH Zoothera marginata Lesser Long-billed Thrush, Lesser Brown Thrush oe Scarce. First collected by B. Biswas on 8 March 1947 at Amlekhganj (K7) at 305m. He also obtained two on 5S and 10 May 1947 at Bhimpedi (100). A specimen taken at Barmdeo Mandi (A3) at 290m in January 1953 (647) is the westernmost record of the species. The only other rec- ord is of one at Shyaksila Toten, Barun valley (Q6) at 2195m on 22 November 1984 (588). Frequents the forest floor in damp forests near streams. Range Hima- layas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Chats/Thrushes PIED GROUND THRUSH Zoothera wardii Pied Thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson, who found it breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (388,414). An uncommon summer visitor, mainly found between 1500m and 2400m. One seen at Ghasa at about 2040m at the early date of 26 February (403). Regularly seen in the Trisuli valley between Ramche and Dhunche (LS). Other locali- ties include Khaptad (C3), between Surkhet and Dailekh (D4), north-west of Pokhara (H4,H5), Phulchowki and the lower Arun valley. Found breeding near Bokejunda, Trisuli valley (LS) (440,652), Khaptad (C3) (68) and near Syabru (LS) (294). Single reports from most other areas. Occurs in open forests and in thick undergrowth along streams. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from the Kulu valley east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Migrates through India to winter in Sri Lanka. ORANGE-HEADED GROUND THRUSH Orange-headed Thrush Subspecies citrina. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common partial migrant. Mainly a summer visitor occur- ting from mid-April to early October, between 250m and 1830m. Found breed- 255 ing at Chitwan (296) and at Rani Bagh (L6) (629). Some birds winter in the tarai and dun. Noted at 915m at Pokhara in January 1990 (138). Found in damp forests, often in wet ravines. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chamba east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in Bangladesh, and n.e., e., and s. India. Winters throughout e. India and Bangladesh. 256 Chats/Thrushes TICKELL’S THRUSH Turdus unicolor Indian Grey Thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly a fairly common summer visitor occurring between April and the end of October from 1500m to 2450m. Con- firmed breeding at Gaucher forest (L6) (629) and in the lower Arun valley (Q7) (446). Several winter reports from the lowlands at Chitwan and Sukla Phanta (700). One seen north-west of Pokhara (HS) on 5 January (152). In summer in- habits open broadleaved forests with little undergrowth. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal and probably Sikkim. Winters east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Andhra Pradesh and Bangladesh; and also in n. Baluchistan. im a |_| | | 4 | | 8. Lj = -s| 4 =| (| > a | z| o WHITE-COLLARED BLACKBIRD Turdus albocinctus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident subject to altitu- dinal movements. Winters between 1525m and 3000m, mainly above 2100m but singles noted at about 250m near Dharan on 24 January 1981 (180) and at Chitwan (J6) on 5 March 1989 (810). Chiefly summers between 2400m and 3445m. Found breeding in the Dhorpatan valley (499). Frequents broadleaved and ce coniferous forests, especially edges and (i —————1. es clearings. Range Himalayas from Chamba east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. GREY-WINGED BLACKBIRD Turdus boulboul First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it breeding at Jahar Powah (L6) (336,388). A common altitudinal migrant. Chiefly summers between 2100m and 2745m, but found at 3300m at Bigu on 16 May 1962 (190). Breeding confirmed in the Hongu valley (P6) (109) and on Sheopuri (243). Mainly winters between 1400m and 1980m, occasionally descend- ing as far as the tarai. Summers in damp broadleaved forests, preferring thicker La == Ss habitat than White-collared Blackbird. : Ph Winters in open, wooded country. Range east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Winters down to Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree the adjacent plains, rarely further south. Chats/Thrushes 257 EURASIAN BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Common Blackbird, Blackbird Subspecies maadmus. First recorded in Jumla District on 11 August 1952 by O. Polunin (620). Mainly an erratic visitor in winter and spring. Chiefly observed be- tween 3305m and 4800m, although also found in the tarai in January (243). An invasion occurred in April and May 1978, when described as fairly common in Sa- garmatha National Park (243), and also seen at Jumla and Langtang (MS) (243). There are also several records from Thakkhola (H4), Langtang (L5,MS) and Khumbu. Mainly single reports from else- where. Favours juniper shrubberies above the treeline. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; hills of peninsular India. CHESTNUT THRUSH 9 Turdus rubrocanus Grey-headed Thrush The species was described from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). An uncommon and erratic winter visitor; possibly breeds. Most records received are from Decem- ber to March between 2000m and 2745m. Mainly seen north-west of Pokhara, on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley and upper Arun and upper Mai valleys. Chiefly single reports from other areas. Two races recorded, T. r. nubro- canus (r), and one record of T. r. gouldii (63). Found in winter in open wooded country on fruiting trees. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Safed Koh east to Sikkim. Winters south to n.e. India. KESSLER’S THRUSH Turdus kessleri White-backed Thrush A scarce and erratic winter visitor. First ber and 31 December 1988, including over 20 on 21 Novem- recorded by T. Robinson who saw a male ber at Tongaba Phortse Dangbe (453,456) and over 15 at on 26 January 1986 above Namche Ba- Shomare on 19 December (596). The only other report zaar (P6) at about 3445m (680). Three received is of 35 to 40 on 16 February 1989 at Kyangjin (M5) later sightings in Khumbu (P6) during the at about 3600m (70). Found in mixed birch and rhododen- same winter (680,558). Several records dron forest, juniper and Berberis shrubberies, and in potato from Khumbu (P6) between 17 Novem- fields. Range Vagrant to Sikkim and Nepal. 258 EYE-BROWED THRUSH 1 Turdus obscurus Dark Thrush A Hodgson specimen was listed from Nepal by Seebohm (710) but it may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by E. Cronin who netted one in 1973 in the Arun valley (exact location unknown) (243). A scarce winter visitor found between 1500m and 2300m. One to two also seen at Danda Bazaar (Q8) on 6 October 1978 (155), Gokarna on 20 De- cember 1978 (486,651,652), Hanga Tham on 22 December 1979 (206) and on 28 April 1986 (321), above Syabru (L5) on 23 April 1985, two sightings in the lower Arun valley in January 1990 (256), and one at Basantpur (Q7) in March 1990 (256). There is also a record from 2300m on 18 May (locality and year unknown) (49). Range Winters in n.e. India and Bangladesh. DUSKY THRUSH 9 Turdus naumanni Subspecies eunomus. First collected by B. Hodgson from the Kathmandu Valley on 10 and 29 January (113,336). A scarce winter visitor found between 915m and 2850m. Reported from Gokarna on 4 February 1979 (486,651,652), and on 26 April 1982 (157). The large numbers re- ported in spring 1948 at Nagarjung (629) have not been repeated and are open to doubt. Singles showing intermediate fea- tures of T. n. eunomus and T. n. nau- manni were found near Jomosom from 27 March to 1 April 1983 (56) and at Jolbari (R7) on 19 January 1989 (307). Recorded from the upper Kali Gandaki valley at Lete on 22 to 24 January 1979 (486, 651,652), Marpha on 27 April 1981 (811), Kalopani on 10 and 11 March 1982 DARK-THROATED THRUSH $9 Turdus ruficollis Black-throated Thrush, Red-throated Thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor. Two subspecies occur: Black-throated Thrush T. r. atrogu- laris from the tarai up to 4200m, and Red- throated Thrush T. r. ruficollis mainly at higher altitudes from 2400m to 3900m. Arrives in the Himalayas in October and descends to lower altitudes during the a= Chats/Thrushes ON ] (207,561) and at Jomosom on 6 March 1986 (403). The only other reports are from Phewa Tal on 5 March 1986 (55) and above Ghorepani on 27 April 1987 (484). Records are mainly of single birds. Frequents forest edges and scrub. Range Winters in n.e. India. winter. Noted in the Kathmandu Valley by mid-November, but not usually seen at Chitwan and the eastern foothills (Q8) until February (293). Most birds leave Nepal by the end of April. Frequents grassy slopes, forest edges and forests. Range Winters in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Sind, Madhya Pradesh, and Bangladesh. Chats/Thrushes 259 DARK-THROATED THRUSH, cont’d ... MISTLE THRUSH 9 Turdus viscivorus Subspecies bonapartei. A Hodgson speci- men was listed for Nepal by Seebohm (710) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. who collected a specimen east of Rupal (A3) at 2225m on 9 April 1965 (247). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal movements, and reported east to Machapuchare (244). Mainly summers between 2400m and 3800m, and winters between 2135m and 3050m. In- habits coniferous and broadleaved forests in summer, and open grassy slopes and forest edges in winter. Range N. Baluchis- tan, and the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. LITTLE FORKTAIL Enicurus scouleri Subspecies scouleri. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 1830m and 4000m, and winters between 900m and 1830m. Found breeding in the upper Kali Gandaki valley (811) and in Jumla Dis- trict (620). Frequents rushing rocky Streams, often near waterfalls, and in winter also on slower moving waters. Range Himalayas from N.W.F-.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. 260 Chats/Thrushes BLACK-BACKED FORKTAIL 9 Enicurus immaculatus The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (360). A resident occasion- ally found up to 1370m from west-central areas eastwards; few records from the west. Fairly common and confirmed to breed at Chitwan (296); also found breed- ing at Hetaura (100). Occurs on fast-flow- ing streams in damp broadleaved forest. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. SLATY-BACKED FORKTAIL Enicurus schistaceus The species was described from Nepal by localities include the lower Arun and upper Mai valleys, and B. Hodgson (360,798). Mainly an uncom- north of Sunischare. Mainly single reports from elsewhere. mon resident between 900m and 1675m. Frequents large fast-flowing rocky streams and lakes. Fairly common on the Modi Khola and Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Bhurungdi Khola near Birethante. Other Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. SPOTTED FORKTAIL Enicurus maculatus First recorded by B. Hodgson (360). A fairly common resident, mainly summer- ing between 1370m and 3100m. Some birds descend from higher elevations in winter but others remain up to at least 2745m. Proved breeding at Hetaura (100). Two races occur: E. m. maculatus (m) (100,109,190,647), and E. m. guttatus (g) (246,736). Inhabits rocky streams in forests,and shady ravines, avoiding rivers and lakes. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Warblers 261 CHESTNUT-HEADED TESIA Tesia castaneocoronata Chestnut-headed Ground Warbler METI rl Subspecies castaneocoronata. The spe- and 4000m, most frequently from 2440m to 3300m. Mainly cies was described by E. Burton, probably winters between 800m and 1830m, but descends to lower al- from Nepal (139). First definitely re- titudes at Chitwan, where it is a rare visitor (296). Proved corded by B. Hodgson (371). A fairly breeding at Phulchowki (771). Frequents thick under- common resident subject to altitudinal growth in broadleaved forest. Range Himalayas from Kulu movements. Summers between 2135m east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. GREY-BELLIED TESIA Tesia cyaniventer Dull Slaty-bellied Ground Warbler, Slaty-bellied Ground Warbler The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (371,798). Occasional. An altitudinal migrant. Summers mainly be- tween 1525m and 2440m, and winters from 1830m down to the foothills, and rarely to the tarai. Found breeding in Langtang Gorge (L5) (682). Occurs in tangled undergrowth in thick forest near small streams; favours ravines in summer, and shady broadleaved forest in winter. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. SLATY-BELLIED TESIA Tesia olivea Scarce, probably resident. The species August at Num and on 21 September at Khandbari (590). was discovered in Nepal by H.S. Nepali in Frequents dense undergrowth in damp, broadleaved, ever- the Arun valley (Q6,Q7) between 1000m green forest. Range Himalayas from e. Nepal east to Arun- and 1700m. First recorded at Hururu on achal Pradesh; n.e. India. 30 August 1986 and later seen on 31 262 Warblers PALE-FOOTED BUSH WARBLER Cettia pallidipes Blanford’s Bush Warbler Subspecies pallidipes. First definitely re- corded at Simra on 4 March 1947 by B. Biswas (102). A local resident. Fairly common at Chitwan (J6,K6). Chiefly single reports from elsewhere. It is shy and skulking as are other bush warblers, and is probably overlooked as it is more often heard than seen. Inhabits tall grasses and bushes at forest edges. Range Himalayas from Dehra Dun east to Arun- achal Pradesh, and n.e. India. BROWN-FLANKED BUSH WARBLER Cettia fortipes Strong-footed Bush Warbler (C. montana) The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). An altitudinal migrant whose seasonal movements are uncertain. Found between about 1400m and 2135m in December (307) and be- tween 1800m and 3200m in summer. Reported to be fairly common in spring in the upper Arun valley (483); several rec- ords from the upper Mai valley (R7,R8) and near Ilam (R8) (246,658,307); also reported from Hans Pokhari (S8) (183). It is rare further west: single records from Dandeldhura District (A3) (247), south of Annapurna (J5) (762), and the Dhorpatan valley (499). Two races occur: C.f. fortipes (f) (246), and C. f. pallida (p) (247). Frequents dense undergrowth in forest and favours damp ravines. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. CHESTNUT-CROWNED BUSH WARBLER Cettia major Large Bush Warbler Subspecies major. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by T. Horsfield and F. Moore from a specimen included in Hodgson’s later collection (409,798) but this may have originated in India. The first dated records are of several pairs found breeding by J.M. Thiollay between 3550m and 3680m on Lamjung Himal (J5) on 16 and 18 June 1977 (762). A scarce altitudinal migrant. Its breeding behaviour is poorly known. Found on Machapuchare (HS) at 3415m on 13 Oc- tober 1979 (499). A scarce winter visitor to the lowlands: at Chitwan (J6,K6) from October to April, also two trapped near Kosi Barrage in March (243), and noted _ SS | 0 9000m ca ee ae at Tamaspur in December 1979 (681). Summers in thorny scrub at rhododendron forest edges, and winters in reedbeds. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arun- achal Pradesh, and n-.e. India. Warblers ABERRANT BUSH WARBLER Cettia flavolivacea Subspecies flavolivacea. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (798,118). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Mainly summers between 2440m and 3600m, and winters between 915m and 1830m. A rare winter visitor, recorded at lower altitudes at Tamaspur and Chitwan. Frequents shrubberies and also bushes at forest edges and in clearings. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. 263 YELLOW-BELLIED BUSH WARBLER Cettia acanthizoides Hume’s Bush Warbler, Verreaux’s Bush Warbler Subspecies brunnescens. Collected by B. Hodgson who confused it with Brown- flanked Bush Warbler; the specimens have now been correctly identified in the British Museum (Natural History). Scarce, probably resident. All other rec- ords are from spring and summer be- tween 2000m and 3660m. Collected on the Singalila Ridge (S7) at 3050m on 29 April 1912 (738), on Walung ridge (Q6) at 2000m on 12 March 1959 (482), and on the northern slopes of Sheopuri at 2590m on 30 March 1969 (9). Two singing males were found in July 1973 above Tukche between 3150m and 3250m (529). Fairly common at Khaptad (C3): at least 11 singing birds found between 21 and 27 May 1988 at about 2700m (428). One seen in Annapurna Sanctuary (H5) on 3 April 1987 (463). Noted near Sheopuri summit: in May 1986 (578) and on 16 April 1988 (438). Inhabits ringal bamboo but also found in scrub above Tukche (529). Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh. GREY-SIDED BUSH WARBLER Cettia brunnifrons Rufous-capped Bush Warbler Subspecies brunnifrons. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). A common altitudinal migrant. Summers chiefly between 2745m and 4000m, and winters between 915m and 2135m, uncommon at lower altitudes down to 215m. Noted as low as 75m on 16 January 1989 at Kosi Tappu (596). Found breeding on the hills north of the Kath- mandu Valley (635), and at Khumjung (P6) (190). Occurs in rhododendron and barberries at forest edges in summer, and in tall grass and dense undergrowth in winter. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from the Pir Panjal range east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters down to the foothills, and the plains of n.e. India. 264 Warblers SPOTTED BUSH WARBLER Bradypterus thoracicus Subspecies thoracicus. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth, from a Hodgson specimen (118). A scarce altitu- dinal migrant. Only two summer records. A nest with eggs was found at 3850m on Lamjung Himal (J5) on 22 July 1977 (541). Noted to be common in June up to 3350m on the ridge west of Mardi valley, Machapuchare (HS) and proved breed- ing there (499,244). One seen near Tato- pani (H4) at 1220m on 15 April 1977 was presumably a migrant (243). All other reports are from the lowlands in winter or spring: rare at Kosi Barrage and Chitwan (J6,K6), and single records from San Pakwa (Q8) on 2 March 1938 (62), Bhorli (N8) in December 1953 (647), and Sukla Phanta on 4 and 5 May 1982 (432). Inhab- CHINESE BUSH WARBLER Bradypterus tacsanowskius Subspecies tacsanowskius. Vagrant. First recorded on 20 February 1938 at Haraincha (Q8) by F.M. Bailey (62). Subsequently single birds were found north of Sunischare on 25 February 1961 (234,246), and at Kosi Barrage on 13 March 1981 (442). Winters in reedbeds. Range Rare winter visitor to Nepal and Bhutan. BRIGHT-CAPPED CISTICOLA Cisticola exalis —___ = cas rt JTF M AAM J JAAS O'N D its rhododendron and juniper shrubberies above the treeline in summer, reedbeds and tall grass in winter. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters down to the foothills, and the plains of n.e. India. BROWN BUSH WARBLER 1 Bradypterus luteoventris Subspecies /uteoventris. Vagrant. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). He obtained speci- mens from the northern hills (336). The other records from Sukla Phanta (432), listed in the first edition of this book (435), are now considered unacceptable. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Golden-headed Cisticola, Golden-headed Fantail Warbler Subspecies tytleri. First recorded at Dhan- garhi in December 1952 by R.L. Fleming Sr. (647). Very local, probably resident. Fairly common at Sukla Phanta (432,700), and at Sukebhar, Chitwan. Four were seen near Damak (R8) in December 1978 (134). Several records from Kosi Barrage including a maximum of six on 4 March 1988 (465). The only other record is of four seen at Biratnagar airport in December 1989 (256). Inhabits tall grassland in the tarai. Range Kumaon and the Nepal tarai east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. and s.w. India, and Bangla- desh. \E it E 9000m 5 as oe Warblers ZITTING CISTICOLA Cisticola juncidis Fan-tailed Warbler, Fantail Cisticola, Streaked Fantail Warbler Subspecies cursitans. First collected by B. Hodgson (115). A fairly common resident and summer visitor up to 1350m, locally up to 1900m. Found in the Kathmandu Valley from March to October (244). Proved breeding there (629) and at Chi- twan (770). A common summer visitor to the eastern tarai from March to October (293). Frequents paddyfields, tall grass and reedbeds. Range Throughout the subcontinent. GRACEFUL PRINIA _Prinia gracilis Fulvous-streaked Prinia, Streaked Wren-Warbler Bes First definitely recorded at Tribeni (H7) at 75m on 19 January 1936 by F.M. Bailey (62). A very local resident in the tarai. Fairly common along the Karnali River (C4) (192,243) and south of Kosi Barrage, where several pairs were proved breeding (821). Rare at Chitwan (296). Also re- corded from Bilauri (A4) (62), Haraincha (Q8) (62), Bardia District (D5) (162), Kosi Tappu (327) and Chatra (245). The last record is referable to P. g. stevensi but the race involved in all other records is unknown. Found in tall grass along sandy river beds in the tarai. Range Pakistan and n. India east to Bangladesh. PLAIN PRINIA Prinia inomata Plain Wren-Warbler (P. subflava) First recorded by B. Hodgson (391). A resident seen occasionally throughout the tarai. Two subspecies occur: P. i. fusca (f) (647) and P. i. terricolor (t) (659). Like other prinias it is probably under-re- corded because of field identification dif- ficulties. Inhabits tall grass and reedbeds at edges of cultivation and sal forests. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 265 2 \ om J = A —— -_ _ D Or 266 Warblers ASHY PRINIA Prinia socialis Ashy Wren-Warbler Subspecies stewarti. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but (62). A resident, occasionally seen throughout the tarai. the specimen may have originated in In- Frequents tall grass and reedbeds at the edges of cultiva- dia. First definitely recorded by F.M. tion, sal forests and rivers. Prefers wetter habitats than Bailey at Bilauri (A4) on 9 February 1937 Plain Prinia. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. [RUFOUS PRINIA Prinia rufescens Rufescent Prinia, Beavan’s Wren-Warbler A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal needed. Occurs in tall grassland or light grass patchesunder by Sharpe (716), but it may have origi- groves of broadleaved trees (48). Range Himalayas from nated in India. Reported from Chitwan Darjeeling east to Arunachal Pradesh; Orissa, n.e. India (315,703), but further confirmation is and Bangladesh.] GREY-CROWNED PRINIA Prinia cinereocapilla Hodgson’s Wren-Warbler, Grey-capped Prinia F The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore from a specimen in Hodgson’s later collection (409,798) but it may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Badamachli (B4) at 460m in December 1952 (647). A local resident, mainly found between 75m and 1065m, but noted as high as 1600m in the eastern hills (Q8) (293). Fairly com- mon and confirmed breeding at Chitwan (J6,K6) (296). Described as common in the central dun (L7) in 1947 (102) but just one later record from there. Only a few reports from other areas, including Bardia (C4) (162), Tamaspur (206,681), Trisuli (L6) (180), and [lam District (681,794). Little is known of its breeding habits. Frequents bushes in forest clear- ings and secondary growth; more arbo- real than other prinias. Range Himalayan foothills from Kumaon east to Bhutan; Assam in n. Cachar. Warblers 267 GREY-BREASTED PRINIA Prinia hodgsonii Hodgson’s Prinia, Ashy Wren-Warbler, Franklin’s Wren-Warbler Subspecies rufula. First collected by B. Hodgson (115). A fairly common resident in the tarai, bhabar and dun up to 400m, occasionally seen up to 1200m, and locally up to 1750m. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296). Found in bushes at the edges of forest and cultivation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. at ———} TF MA JS A SAO ND" YELLOW-BELLIED PRINIA Prinia flaviventris Yellow-bellied Wren-Warbler Subspecies flaviventris. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey at Bilauri (A4) on 5 February 1937 (62). A local resident. Fairly common at Sukla Phanta, Kosi marshes, Tamaspur, and also Chitwan (J6,K6), where found breeding (296). Single records from else- where. Occurs in tall grassland along riv- erbeds, and in reedbeds. Range Pakistan and nw. India; foothills of the Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. STRIATED PRINIA Prinia criniger Brown Hill Prinia, Brown Hill Warbler Subspecies criniger. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (359,798). A common resident. Summers chiefly between 1220m and 2300m, and winters between 915m and 2135m. Noted as low as 75m at Kosi Tappu on 3 March 1988 (327). Confirmed breeding at Nagarjung (635). Inhabits hillsides amongst scrub and grass, also terraced cultivation. Range The hills of Pakistan; (a Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- : achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 9000n Ties aan M’J'J°A’S’ OAN'D 268 JUNGLE PRINIA Prinia sylvatica White-tailed Prinia, Jungle Wren-Warbler Subspecies gangetica. First definitely re- corded at Banbassa (A4) at about 75m on 11 January 1937 by F.M. Bailey (62). A resident, occurring in the far western ta- rai. Occasionally seen at Sukla Phanta (432,700), Dhangarhi (647) and Bardia (192,432). Reported from Chitwan (296,762), but its occurrence there re- quires further confirmation. Inhabits scrub and tall grass in open dry areas. Range Himalayan foothills from Jammu east to W. Bengal; south to Bangladesh and s. India. HILL PRINIA Prinia atrogularis Warblers Black-throated Hill Prinia, Black-throated Hill Warbler a Subspecies atrogularis. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by H. Ste- vens from the Mai valley (S7) in April 1912 (738). A resident, seen occasionally in the far east. Regularly reported from the Mai valley (R7,S7), several records from Ilam District (R8) and Hans Pokhari (S8); also noted by the Mewa Khola, Taplejung District (R7) (243). One was recorded between Mure and Hurure, Arun valley (Q6) on 13 June 1988 (537), the western limit of the species’s range. Found in scrub and grass on hill- sides, and terraced cultivation between 1400m and 2500m. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. India and Bangladesh. LARGE GRASS WARBLER Graminicola bengalensis First recorded at Bilauri (A4) at 270m on 2 February 1937 by F.M. Bailey (62); also collected there in December 1952 and January 1953 (647). A very local resident. Occasionally seen, and possibly breeds at Chitwan (296). The record from Kosi Barrage listed in the first edition of this book (435) has been withdrawn, but the species has been reported from there in November 1989 (597). The only other report is of two at Sukla Phanta on 4 May 1982 (432), the western limit of the spe- cies’s range. Found in tall grass and reeds in the tarai. Skulking and probably overlooked. Range Nepal, n.e. India and Bangladesh. Warblers COMMON TAILORBIRD Orthotomus sutorius Tailor Bird Subspecies patia. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from 75m to 1830m. Confirmed to breed at Chitwan (296) and in the Kathmandu Valley (629,708). Inhabits gardens and bushes at the edges of cultivation, and broadleaved forests. Range Throughout the subcontinent. [MOUNTAIN TAILORBIRD Orthotomus cuculatus Golden-headed Tailorbird Subspecies coronatus. A specimen has been listed as originating in Nepal, but no other details are known (716). Described as obtained by B. Hodgson (48) but not included in the catalogues of his collec- tions (276,277,388). Range Himalayas from Darjeeling east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh.] LANCEOLATED WARBLER Locustella lanceolata Streaked Grasshopper Warbler Vagrant. First recorded by F.M. Bailey who collected a specimen from the east- ern tarai at San Pakwa (Q8) on 23 Febru- ary 1938 (62,108). The only other records are of singles seen at Sukla Phanta on 2, 4 and 5 May 1982 (432), Chitwan on 19 April 1983 (56) and on 4 March 1986 (514), and Kosi Barrage in late January 1987 (594). A specimen from the Babai River, originally identified as this species (243), has been redetermined as a Grass- hopper Warbler by the Chicago Field Museum (9). Found in tall grassland in GRASSHOPPER WARBLER = Locustella naevia Subspecies straminea. Vagrant. A speci- men was obtained from the Babai River, Bardia District (DS) in April 1972 by R.L. Fleming (9,243). Only three other rec- ords: one ringed on 11 April 1976 at Kosi 269 PALLAS’S WARBLER Locustella certhiola Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler Subspecies rubescens. Vagrant. First recorded by F.M. Bailey who collected a specimen by the Kosi River in the tarai on 12 February 1937 (62,108). One was also seen there on 17 March 1982 (606) and two on 7 April 1986 (403). The only other record is of one seen by the Bagmati pools, Kathmandu Valley on 26 October 1989 (256). Winters in reedbeds. All Locustella warblers are very skulking, espe- cially in winter, and are probably overlooked. Range Win- ters in n.e. India and Bangladesh. "ST mia mula a'slo'N'D 9000 = Nepal; also inhabits low vegetation in paddy stubbles (664). Range Winters in n. and n.e. India, and Bangladesh. Barrage (287,293), another seen there on 8 April 1983 (56), and one or two at Chitwan (J6) on 13 April 1985 (59). Frequents tall grass and reedbeds. Range Winters locally throughout the subcontinent. 270 BRISTLED GRASS WARBLER Chaetomis striatus First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Jr. who saw one singing by the Rapti River, Chitwan (J6) on 24 April 1986 (227). A minimum of five birds was found in the same area between 6 and 13 May Warblers 1986, including one nest-building on the latter date (763,324,321). Found in riverine grassland. Range Punjab in Pakistan; most of India, but very locally distributed; Bang- ladesh. STRIATED MARSH WARBLER Megalurus palustris Striated Warbler First recorded from the Kosi River on 15 February 1938 by F.M. Bailey (62). Local, probably resident. Common at Kosi Tappu (P8,Q8): a maximum of 30 was reported there on 31 May 1982 (432). Fairly common at Kosi Barrage, a rare resident at Chitwan, and also reported from Belatari (G6) (587), Sukla Phanta (432), Dhangarhi (647), and Emelie (A4) (647). Inhabits tall, damp grassland and reedbeds. Range Pakistan in the Punjab, east to n.e. India and Bangladesh. BLACK-BROWED REED WARBLER Acrocephalus bistrigiceps Schrenck’s Sedge Warbler Subspecies bistrigiceps. Vagrant. There are three records, all of single birds in the Kosi marshes in winter. First seen on 19 January 1981 by J. Hall (300). Subse- quently found there on 17 March 1982 (770), and 23 February 1983 (66). Found in tall grass and reedbeds. Like other Acrocephalus warblers it is skulking and easily overlooked, especially in winter. Range Recorded in winter in Ladakh (once), Nepal (rare), Calcutta, and n.e. India. PADDYFIELD WARBLER Acrocephalus agricola Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by F.M. Bailey from Sundar Gun- dar, Morang District (Q8) on 7 February 1938 (62). A local winter visitor to the tarai. Fairly common at Kosi Barrage, but ad, eo BLUNT-WINGED WARBLER Acrocephalus concinens Blunt-winged Paddyfield Warbler, Swinhoe’s Reed Warbler Subspecies Aaringtoni? Status uncertain; only three con- firmed records received. Possibly overlooked because of its similarity to Paddyfield Warbler. First recorded on 10 February 1965 north-west of Bhadrapur (R8) at 230m by RL. Fleming Sr. (234,247). Later reported along the Vish- numati River, Kathmandu Valley in March and November (243). Found in tall grasses, reedbeds and willows along river banks. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from the Kagan valley east to Kashmir; Assam. Winter quarters poorly known, but recorded from the Bengal duars and Bangla- desh. scarce at Chitwan. It has been recorded from the Kath- mandu Valley (629,687,403), but requires further confirma- tion. Only single records from elsewhere. It is possible that some reports should be referred to the Blunt-winged War- bler because the two species are easily confused. Frequents reed-beds and tall damp grassland. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan. Winters throughout the subcontinent. Warblers PADDYFIELD WARBLER, cont'd ... 271 BLYTH’S REED WARBLER Acrocephalus dumetorum First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant, most frequent in winter up to 1525m, but noted on passage up to 2900m. Reported in the Kathmandu Val- ley, and in the eastern tarai and foothills (P8,Q8) (293), between October and May. Inhabits bushes at the edges of cul- tivation and forests and in gardens. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent. CLAMOROUS REED WARBLER Acrocephalus stentoreus Indian Great Reed Warbler Subspecies brunnescens. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local winter visi- tor and passage migrant, occurring chiefly in the tarai. Occasionally seen at Kosi Barrage, found at Kosi Tappu (481,327), tare at Chitwan, and only single records from other areas. Singles were collected at Balaju (L6) at 1340m on 26 December 1966 (591) and on 12 September 1970 (589). Some records should perhaps be referred to the Oriental Reed Warbler as the two species are easily confused. Oc- curs in reeds, wet grassland, and bushes in | i ee oe =—_ 9000= J'F'M' AAM' J* JS AAS 'O'N'D damp areas. Range Breeds in Pakistan, Kashmir, and spo- radically in the Indian peninsula. ORIENTAL REED WARBLER Acrocephalus orientalis Eastern Great Reed Warbler (4. arundinaceus) Great Reed Warbler Vagrant. The only record is of one col- lected near Biratnagar (Q9) at about 75m on 9 March (year unknown) by R.L. Fleming (243). The record from Kosi Barrage given in the first edition of this book (435) has been withdrawn. Possibly overlooked because of similarity to Clamorous Reed Warbler. Found in reedbeds and wet rice fields. Range Winters in n.e. India. 272 Warblers THICK-BILLED WARBLER Acrocephalus aedon (Phragamaticola aedon) Subspecies aedon. Obtained by B. Hodgson i in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming at Trisuli Bazaar (L6) on 14 November 1956 (245). An uncommon winter visitor regularly reported between 75m and 1500m. Areas include Pokhara, Kathmandu Valley, Hetaura, and Chatra (Q8). Occurs in tall grass and scrub along wooded streams and forest edges, also in gardens and at the edges of cultivation. Range Winters from Rajasthan and Gujarat east to n.e. India and Bangla- desh. BOOTED WARBLER Hippolais caligata Booted Tree Warbler Subspecies caligata. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388,710). A scarce winter visi- tor and passage migrant reported be- tween January and April. The subsequent records are of one collected at Beltar (L6) at 550m on 5 January 1974, singles seen at Tamaspur on 7 and 9 April 1981 (559), at Meghauli (J6) on 24 March 1982 (770), Kagbeni at 2810m on 5 April 1982 (812), Kosi Barrage on 18 April 1982 (199,294) and on 13 February 1984 (408), Kosi Tappu on 9 February 1984 (408), and at Sauraha (J6) on 17 March 1986 (403). Found in deciduous scrub and bushes at edges of cultivation in dry habitats; fa- ORPHEAN WARBLER Sylvia hortensis Subspecies jerdoni. Vagrant. First re- corded in spring 1975 at Sukla Phanta by R.L. Fleming Sr. (238). Later the same year a probable was noted at Dharan (Q8) on 13 June (293), and one was seen at Chitwan on 11 November (141). The only other record is of one seen at Kosi Tappu on 9 March 1989 (193). Found in bushes and forest edges in the tarai and bhabar. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan, andin the Himalayas inN.W.F.P. Winters east to Bihar, and south to s. India. SoMa AS Mie ate Sey AES an OMEN IED) vours acacias. Range Breeds in Pakistan. Winters locally throughout the subcontinent, except n.e. India. Warblers 273 LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca Subspecies blythi. First recorded on 30 October 1957 at Phewa Tal by RA. Paynter Jr. (663). An uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, regularly seen in winter up to 1500m, at localities including Pokhara, Tamaspur, the Kath- mandu Valley and Chitwan where the maximum of nine was seen in mid-Febru- ary 1989 (506). Birds noted at about 2750m in the upper Kali Gandaki valley in March (594) and September (76), and at Hanga Tham at about 2135m in March (193) were presumably on passage. Fre- quents scrub and undergrowth. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Ka- shmir. Winters east to West Bengal, and south to s. India. [2 SS att Oe 9000m I ERIMETAY IMU SUAS ES) OL INE AD: GOLDEN-SPECTACLED WARBLER Seicercus burkii Yellow-eyed Warbler, Black-browed Flycatcher-Warbler oer Subspecies burkii. First recorded by B. aie Hodgson (388). A common altitudinal ok migrant. Mainly summers between 2400m and 3800m and winters from 2135m down z to 250m, occasionally to 150m. Breeding + confirmed at Phulchowki (190). Found in = undergrowth in broadleaved and conifer- ous forests and in rhododendron shrub- beries above the treeline. Range Hima- layas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh. GREY-CHEEKED WARBLER Seicercus poliogenys Grey-cheeked Flycatcher-Warbler Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by H. Stevens from the Singhalila ridge (S7) at 3100m in April and May 1912 (738). Scarce, probably resident. There are a few records from Phulchowki. Re- ported in Kathmandu (635) but its pres- ence there requires confirmation. Noted in the upper Manang valley (J4) (762) in mid-July 1977, the western limit of the ee species’s range. The only other records are from the upper Mai valley (S7) at = 5 a Sh) a | i J°F'M AAM JAJ ASO N'D on 25 January 1985 (142) and on 30 March 1989 (193). 2440m on 10 March 1961 (246), Milke Danda (Q7) at 3200m in October 1978 (155,156,301) and in Mechi Zone (R8,S7) Inhabits bamboo and dense undergrowth in damp, ever- green, broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. 274 Warblers [WHITE-SPECTACLED WARBLER Seicercus affinis Allied Flycatcher-Warbler The species was described from Nepal by it may have originated in India. There are no other records. F. Moore from a specimen included in Inhabits dense, damp evergreen, broadleaved forests. Hodgson’s later collection (409,798) but Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh.] CHESTNUT-CROWNED WARBLER Seicercus castaniceps Chestnut-crowned Flycatcher-Warbler Subspecies castaniceps. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (798,118). A resident subject to altitudi- nal movements. Occasionally seen be- tween 1800m and 2750m in summer; and between 1000m and 2285m in winter, al- though sometimes down to 250m. Inhab- its broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Corbett east to Arunachal Pradesh. GREY-HOODED WARBLER Seicercus xanthoschistos Grey-headed Flycatcher-Warbler The species was described from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Sum- mers between 1000m and 2750m. Some birds remain at the highest elevations during winter, but most descend to be- tween 2000m and 750m; rarely down to 245m. Found breeding in the upper Kali Gandaki (811), west of Pamdur (H5) (153), and on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley (629). Two inter- grading races occur: S. x. albosuperciliaris (a), and S. x. xanthoschistos (x). Feeds in the lower canopy and in tall bushes in coniferous and broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. BROAD-BILLED WARBLER Tickellia hodgsoni Broad-billed Flycatcher-Warbler (Abroscopus hodgsoni) Subspecies hodgsoni. The species was Barun valley (Q6) at 2195m on 22 November 1984 (588). described from Nepal by F. Moore froma The only other record is of one seen at Tashigaon, upper specimen included in Hodgson’s later Arun valley (Q6) at about 2300m on 5 September 1986 collection (409,798) but it may have origi- (590). Inhabits moist broadleaved forest with bamboo. nated in India. First definitely recorded Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Bhutan and possibly by H.S. Nepali from Shyaksila Toten, Arunachal Pradesh. Warblers 275 RUFOUS-FACED WARBLER Abroscopus albogularis White-throated Warbler, White-throated Flycatcher-Warbler Subspecies albogularis. The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore froma specimen included in Hodgson’s later collection (409,798) but this may have originated in India. There are only two definite records, both from the eastern tarai and lower foothills in Ilam District (R8): an undated record by R.L. Fleming (223), and three seen south of Ilam on 18 March 1982 at about 305m (794). Scarce, presumably resident. Breeds from early April to June. Frequents bamboo and scrub jungle. Range Hima- layas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. YELLOW-BELLIED WARBLER Abroscopus superciliaris Yellow-bellied Flycatcher-Warbler Subspecies flaviventris. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (276) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by B. Biswas on 11 May 1947 at Hitaura, and proved breeding there (102). A resident subject to altitudinal movements, mainly seen between 245m and 1525m. Fairly com- mon in the upper Mai valley (R7), and from Garuwa north to Ilam. Uncommon at Chitwan where it is possibly only a winter visitor. Found on Phulchowki in March (476) and a pair noted courtship feeding at 1700m on Nagarjung in May (556). Single reports received from other areas. Found on the hills around Pokhara in mid-August 1977 (H5) (762) and at Phewa Tal on 6 February 1989 (673), the BLACK-FACED WARBLER Abroscopus schisticeps Black-faced Flycatcher-Warbler Subspecies schisticeps. The species was described from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). A local resident found between 1525m and 2700m. Probably descends from higher altitudes in winter. Fairly common on Phulchowki and Sheopuri; occasionally seen north-west of Pokhara (HS), and in Langtang (L5) where proved breeding north of Syabru (321). Single records received from elsewhere. Found at Khaptad (C3), the only locality in the west (428). Frequents damp forests, espe- cially in moss-covered trees, bamboo, and thick undergrowth. Range Himalayas from Garwhal east to Bhutan and possi- bly Arunachal Pradesh; also n.e. India. mo aa ETT TRAE o7.9 M van ADESuOUsNGSD) most westerly records of the species. Breeding confirmed at Hetaura (102). The maximum altitude recorded is at 2285m, above Hanga Tham on 23 December 1979 (206). Inhabits bamboo in damp, broadleaved forests, often near streams. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 3 9000m SS ee 276 Warblers YELLOW-VENTED WARBLER Phylloscopus cantator Yellow-throated Leaf Warbler, Black-browed Leaf Warbler, Yellow-faced Leaf Warbler A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Seebohm (710) but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming who collected one north- west of Bhadrapur (S8) at 305m on 8 February 1965 (247). Uncommon and very locally distributed. Reported be- tween November and early April in the far eastern tarai and foothills, between 250m and 600m. Regularly seen between Sukhani and Chisapani (R8). The only other records are of one near Dharan (Q8) on 25 December 1978 (134), and one or two near Tumlingtar (Q7) on 13 April 1982 (599). Found in Sikkim at 2000m (738), and possibly occurs at a similar altitude in eastern Nepal. Breeds from the end of April to June. Frequents the lower storey of broadleaved forests, among bushes and bamboo. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Bhutan; n.e. India. BLYTH’S LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus reguloides Crowned Leaf Warbler, Blyth’s Crowned Warbler er Subspecies reguloides. First collected by B. Hodgson (114). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Sum- mers from 1980m up to 3800m, chiefly between 2440m and 3050m. Mainly win- ters below 1500m, although it has been found up to 2750m. Found breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), in the Dudh Kosi valley (P6) (109), and on the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley (635). Inhabits broadleaved and coniferous for- ests in summer; forest edges, bushes and open forests in winter. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- achal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters down to the adjacent plains and south to Bangladesh. Warblers 277 WESTERN CROWNED WARBLER Phylloscopus occipitalis Large Crowned Leaf Warbler f A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Seebohm (710) but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey from Godavari (L6) on 17 April 1938 (62). An uncommon spring passage migrant and rare winter visitor; possibly breeds. Described as fairly com- mon in the west between 1800m and 1990m in spring and summer (243), but only three other reports received from there (464,573,438). Chiefly recorded between March and May in the Kath- mandu Valley and surrounding hills, and at Chitwan. Described as a common win- ter visitor to Chitwan (296), but this re- quires confirmation. The maximum of ten was seen there on 14 March 1983 (513). Only a few other winter records received: in January from Begnas Tal (408) and Godavari (320), and in February from Kosi Tappu (408); and also one in Octo- ber from Dhorpatan (573). Found in broadleaved and coniferous forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kohat east to Kumaon. Winters in the Indian peninsula, possibly east to Bangla- desh. SLENDER-BILLED WARBLER Phylloscopus tytleri Tytler’s Leaf Warbler Scarce. Status uncertain; possibly a pas- sage migrant or else a summer visitor. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. who collected one south of Rupal, Dan- deldhura District (A3) at 2135m on 9 April 1965 (234,247). The only other rec- ords are from Khaptad (C3), where one was seen on 20 April at 2500m, and also noted between 22 and 29 April at 3050m, with a maximum of five on 28 April (428). Found in oak/rhododendron forest (243) and in shrubberies at forest edges (428). Range Breeds in the w. Himalayas in Gilgit, Hazara and Kashmir. Winters in the Indian peninsula, but few records. 278 GREEN WARBLER Phylloscopus nitidus Warblers Yellowish-breasted Warbler (P. trochiloides nitidus) C Be A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Seebohm (710) but may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by J. Scully in April 1877 from the Kath- mandu Valley (708). A scarce and local spring migrant, reported between March and mid-May, chiefly in the second half of April. There are several reports from the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills, between 1500m and 2135m. The only other records are from Khaptad (C3) at 2100m (428), Gorlekharka (Q7) (546); also the lowlands between 75m and 305m, at Chitwan (440,111), the Rapti dun (K6) (190), Narayangarh (J6) (647), and Kosi I aI Mi wAG Mi AOU mT ANSE cO kiN Dy 0 90000 AAP Barrage (559). Found in broadleaved trees in forests and forest edges. Range Winters in s. India, and recorded on passage from Pakistan east to Nepal and Calcutta. GREENISH WARBLER Phylloscopus trochiloides Dull Green Leaf Warbler First collected by B. Hodgson (114). Two subspecies occur. P. t. viridanus (v) is a common winter visitor up to 1830m and a passage migrant. P. t. trochiloides (t) is a common summer visitor between 2440m and 4270m; chiefly between 2900m and 3900m. Found breeding at Kalapokhari (S7) (530). Passage birds presumably move through very quickly as there are only a few reports, chiefly from April to early May, and from mid-September to early October. Surprisingly, there are only a few winter records. Summers in broadleaved and coniferous forests or bushes near the treeline, and winters in Mn | La 9000m J FM AAM' J° J AAS O°N'D open wooded areas and gardens. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kohat east to Arunachal Pradesh, and n.e. India. Winters throughout India and Bangladesh. LARGE-BILLED LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus magnirostris LL | EL Y aT 9000m J a rar CARY. O°N'D Warblers LARGE-BILLED LEAF WARBLER, cont’d ... First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A summer visitor; possibly also occurs in winter. Likely to be confused with Green- ish Warbler especially in winter. Mainly summers between 2440m and 3600m. There are several records of passage migrants from Chitwan and the central region (L6,L7,K7) in March, April, Au- 279 gust and September. Reported in winter between 75m and 2750m at Phewa Tal (300), Ghorepani (309), Chitwan (408), Hetaura (121), Kosi Barrage (622), Kathmandu Valley (309,518) and Mai valley (R7) (307) but further confirma- tion of its occurrence in winter is desirable. Occurs in broadleaved trees near streams in summer. Range Hima- layas from N.W.F.P. east to Bhutan and presumably Arun- achal Pradesh. Winters in southern and n.e. India. ORANGE-BARRED LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus palcher, Buff-barred Warbler The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (118). A common altitudinal migrant. Summers between 2440m and 4265m, chiefly from 3500m to 4000m. Winters between 915m and 3050m and possibly higher. One was noted at the unusually low level of 75m in January 1978 at Janakpur (M8) (302). Two intergrading races occur: P. p. pulcher (p) and P. p. kangrae (k). Found breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (243), Khumjung (P6) (190), the Gandak-Kosi watershed (LS) (633) and Gapte (682). Frequents broadleaved forests and also shrubberies of fir, birch, juniper and rhododen- dron above the treeline in summer. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kishtwar east to Arunachal Pradesh, andin n.e. India. Winters at lower elevations in the same hills. GREY-FACED LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus maculipennis Ashy-throated Warbler 280 GREY-FACED LEAF WARBLER, cont'd ... Subspecies maculipennis. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth (125,798), but it may have originated in India. The species was collected by B. Hodgson, but not separated from Pallas’s Leaf Warbler. First definitely recorded by H. Stevens from the upper Mai valley (S7) at 2745m in April 1912 (738). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal Warblers movements. Chiefly summers between 2440m and 3500m, and winters between 2900m and 1525m, rarely down to 915m. Little is known of its breeding behaviour. Confirmed breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), south of Annapurna (H5) (814) and on Phulchowki (636). Occurs in broadleaved and broadleaved/coniferous forests in summer; broadleaved forests and secondary growth in winter. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh, and probably n.e. India. PALLAS’S LEAF WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Yellow-rumped Leaf Warbler, Lemon-rumped Warbler, F “E be g K Pallas’s Warbler First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common altitudinal migrant. Mainly summers between 2750m and 4000m, and winters between 275m and 2750m, chiefly from 1400m to 2000m. Two intergrading races occur: P. c. simlaensis (s) and P. c. chloronotus (c) (798). Found in broadleaved and coniferous forests and also in fir and birch shrubberies above the treeline in summer. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arun- achal Pradesh. Winters in the foothills and adjacent plains south to Bangladesh. wake YC YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Plain Leaf Warbler, Inornate Warbler First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Two races occur. P. i. inornatus (i) isan uncom- mon winter visitor and passage migrant from March to mid-April, and from mid- October to early November. Found in the Kathmandu Valley (628,635), near Pokhara (628) and at Tukche (527). P. i. humei (h) is a common resident and abundant passage migrant. Summers be- tween 2800m and 3660m; fairly common in winter below 2135m, and rare up to 2560m. Breeds in coniferous forests and winters in open broadleaved woods and secondary scrub. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal; probably also in Arunachal Pradesh. Winters south to Belgaum and Bangla- desh. : e a Sidon SS | Warblers 281 RADDE’S WARBLER Phylloscopus schwarz Vagrant. One was found north of Charali March 1983 (794) and on 4 March 1986 (55). The species (Q8) at 150m on 25 December 1979 by R. frequents undergrowth and bushes in winter. Range Va- Fairbank (206). The only other records grant in n.w. India and Nepal. are of singles seen at Pokhara on 4 and 5 DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus Dusky Leaf Warbler F First recorded by B. Hodgson (391). A winter visitor, occasionally seen up to f- fuscatus (f) (102,190,647,659). Inhabits bushes, hedges 1600m. Most birds appear in mid-Octo- and long grass, especially near water. Probably overlooked ber and remain to the end of March. because of its skulking behaviour. Range Winters in the Common at Kosi Barrage. Two races Himalayan foothills from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh occur: P. f. weigoldi (w) (234,247), and P. and south to Rajasthan and Bangladesh. SMOKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuligiventer Smoky Willow Warbler Subspecies fuligiventer. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). Mainly an uncommon altitudi- : nal migrant. Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Reported in summer between 3900m and 5000m: described as common and found breeding on Lamjung Himal (J5) between 3900m and 4200m in June (757,762); also seen between Gapte Cave and Gosainkund and noted carrying food = sl ee lo there in late May (321); seen in Knhumbu Et . ; & in June and July (48,190,474) and in the Barun valley (Q6) in September (590). Regularly reported in winter below 915m at Sukla Phanta, Phewa Tal, Tamaspur, Chitwan, and Kosi Barrage. Noted as high grants. Summers in dwarf juniper shrubberies and other low as 3200m in November at Barapakhari, bushes above the treeline, and winters in dense under- Lamjung District (J4) (589). Three birds growth near water. Range Breeds in Nepal, n. Sikkim and at Khaptad (C3) at about 3050m in April Bhutan. Winters in the adjacent foothills and plains from and May were presumably passage mi- Corbett east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. 282 Warblers SULPHUR-BELLIED WARBLER Phylloscopus griseolus Olivaceous Leaf Warbler First recorded in Kathmandu by F.M. Bailey on 13 April 1938 (62,108). A scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. Mainly reported in April, presumably on passage. Described as common in Bardia District (CS) in early April 1972 (9,243). Singles were seen below Naudanda (H5) if ; on 5 April 1982 (199,294), and at Chitwan 6 e a on 12 and 15 April 1983 (56). The only f other records are from the lower Lang- fiseliems = 8 tang valley on 21 August 1949 (619), and at Tamaspur on 4 December 1979 (206). Winters in rocky areas. Range Breeds in the w. Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Gilgit. Winters inn. Pakistan and n. India. TICKELL’S WARBLER Phylloscopus affinis Buff-bellied Leaf Warbler (P. subaffinis) F Buff-throated Warbler R First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Two races occur. P. a. arcanus (ar) is a scarce winter visitor (659). P. a. affinis (af) is a common altitudinal migrant. Mainly summers between 3355m and 4880m, and winters in the tarai; occasionally also in the lower hills up to 1190m. Proved breeding in the Langu valley (F2) (330) and in Khumbu (190). A common mi- grant on the hills surrounding the Kath- mandu Valley, in March, April and Sep- tember (635), and in the upper Kali Gan- daki valley in September and October growth in well-wooded areas in winter. Range Breeds in the (76,526). Occurs in willow and other Himalayas from Gilgit east to Sikkim. Winters in e., n.e. and shrubs in summer; bushes and secondary s. India and in Bangladesh. CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita Brown Leaf Warbler Subspecies tristis. First collected by B. Hodgson (277). A winter visitor occasion- ally seen up to 1370m. Seen at higher altitudes, presumably on passage: near Chumo (P6) at 2800m in May (75), Hanga Tham at about 2135m in March (549), and several reports from the upper Kali Gandaki valley between 2560m and 2800m, from mid-March to mid-April, Ly | | ees ——_— and from late September to early Octo- T9000n Up Ra Mee ACG Miskin oO AGES TGs NED ber. Winters in bushes, secondary growth stan, in n. India south to Maharashtra and Bengal, and in and light forest. Range Winters in Paki- Bangladesh. Warblers/Flycatchers GOLDCREST Regulus regulus A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Gadow (253,798) but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by H. Stevens on the Singhalila ridge (S7) on 25 January 1912 (738). A resident, subject to altitudinal movements. Occa- sionally found between 2200m and 3050m in winter, and up to 4000m in summer. Proved breeding at Khumjung (P6) (190). The intermediate R. r. sikkimensis/hima- layensis (hs) and R. r. sikkimensis (s) have been recorded. Occurs in coniferous forest. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. 283 STOLICZKA’S TIT-WARBLER Leptopoecile sophiae White-browed Tit-Warbler ce Subspecies obscura. First recorded above Jomosom in December 1949 at 3600m by R.L. Fleming Sr. (647). A resident, occa- sionally seen between 2700m and 4575m LARGE NILTAVA Niltava grandis (Muscicapa grandis) Subspecies grandis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally distributed resi- dent. Occurs between 1525m and 2850m and is probably subject to seasonal move- ments. One at Ghorepani on 14 March 1983 is the most westerly record of the species (148). Uncommon on An- napurna, in the upper Mai valley (R7,S7) and on Phulchowki in winter, and single records from elsewhere. Inhabits dense, damp, broadleaved forests, especially near streams. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. throughout the year, in the trans-Himalayan region. Found in dwarf juniper and Caragana shrubs above the treeline in semi-desert areas. Range Tibetan facies north of the Hima- layas in Baltistan, Gilgit and Ladakh east to Nepal. o 9000m STUY. CEC BD 284 SMALL NILTAVA Niltava macgrigoriae (Muscicapa macgrigoriae) Subspecies macgrigoriae. First recorded by B. Hodgson (369). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal move- ments. Winters between 270m and 1400m, and summers up to 2200m. Lo- cally common north-west of Pokhara (HS) and in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills. Proved breeding on Phulchowki (763,792). Inhabits bushes near streams, edges of tracks and clear- ings in broadleaved forest. Range Hima- layas from Mussoorie east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. RUFOUS-BELLIED NILTAVA Niltava sundara Beautiful Niltava (Muscicapa sundara) Subspecies sundara. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (369). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Chiefly winters between 800m and 1830m, and summers between 2135m and 3200m. Proved breeding near Flycatchers Syabru (L5) (682), at Thodung (N6) (190) and on Phul- chowki (792). Frequents bushes and undergrowth in broadleaved forests and secondary growth. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters in the foothills and adjacent plains south to Bangladesh. PALE-CHINNED FLYCATCHER Cyomis poliogenys Brooks’ Flycatcher (Muscicapa poliogenys) Subspecies poliogenys. Collected by B. Hodgson, but confused with Blue- throated Flycatcher; the specimens have now been correctly identified in the Brit- ish Museum (Natural History). A resi- dent, mainly seen up to 455m. Found at Butwal and Dobhan (G6) in January 1950 (647), and Tilaurikot woods (G6) in 1978 (157), the most westerly records for the species. Common at Chitwan and north of Sunischare where proved breeding (296,321); also common at Dharan and Tamaspur and occa- sionally seen elsewhere. Inhabits bushes and undergrowth in broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India, Bangladesh and the E. Ghats. Flycatchers 285 PALE-CHINNED FLYCATCHER, cont’d ... PALE BLUE FLYCATCHER 9 Cyomis unicolor (Muscicapa unicolor) Subspecies unicolor. First recorded at Hetaura and Bhimpedi between 4 and 16 May 1947 by B. Biswas. One of the speci- mens was a female with eggs (103). Scarce; presumably a resident, subject to seasonal altitudinal movements. Little is known of its breeding habits. Regularly reported from Phewa Tal. The only other records are from the Rapti dun (L7) in December 1970 (444), south of An- t= ] i ano 71) napurna (J5) in 1977 (762), upper Arun ‘ or eS gar ie Poon valley in September 1986 (590), Chitwan in March 1987 (552) and April 1989 (193), Found in damp subtropical broadleaved forests. Range Godavari in March 1986 (514) and Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. Nagarjung (L6) in November 1989 (256). India and Bangladesh. BLUE-THROATED FLYCATCHER Cyomis rubeculoides Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa rubeculoides) E Subspecies rubeculoides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (369). A partial migrant. Mainly a summer visitor between about : 365m and 1500m but noted at 2100m at He Bigu (N6) (190). Fairly common and breeds in the Kathmandu Valley (635). Occasionally reported in summer from elsewhere. Confirmed breeding at Hetaura and Bhimpedi (103). Rarely re- corded in winter at localities in the lower inn at a foothills, including Chitwan and north of 6 ; ~Ta0b0e JF HAA MH J SAAS OUND Sunischare. Frequents open forests and groves. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh, and inn.e. India and Bangladesh. Winters south to s. India. 286 Flycatchers HILL BLUE FLYCATCHER 9 Cyomis banyumas Large-billed Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa banyumas) Subspecies magnirostris. A Hodgson records for the species. Found on Makalu Base Camp trek specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (Q6) at about 3350m on 6 and 11 May 1982 (244) and at (714), but it may have originated in India. Nagarjung (L6) on 31 December 1988 and 1 January 1989 First definitely recorded by D. Lowndes (69). Reported fom Godavari in winter (73,587), but further who collected one from Thangja, Mar- confirmation is desirable. Found in dense humid siyangdi valley (J4) at 2590m on 20 Au- broadleaved forest, especially in ravines. Little is known of gust 1950 (512). A male was seen in the the altitudinal distribution and seasonal movements of the same valley at about 1250m on 1 May Himalayan population. Range Himalayas from Nepal east 1984 (158). These are the most westerly to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. TICKELL’S BLUE FLYCATCHER = Cyomnis tickelliae Tickell’s Red-breasted Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa tickelliae) p A Subspecies tickelliae. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. from Butwal at 275m in Feb- tuary 1950 (647). Scarce, status and move- ments uncertain. Described as fairly common at Sukla Phanta in winter and possibly resident (700), and a resident seen occasionally at Bardia (192,432,162). The only other reports are from Dhan- garhi in December 1952 (647),the eastern foothills (Q8) in April 1975 (293), Luxmighat (G6) in March 1978 (157), and 1986 (135). Inhabits open dry broadleaved forests. Range Chitwan in autumn 1978 (762), in March The Indian peninsula east of a line from Kutch to Mus- and April 1980 (440,474) and in October soorie; n.e. India and Bangladesh. PYGMY BLUE FLYCATCHER Muscicapella hodgsoni i o ne 9000m ee acs oe Flycatchers PYGMY BLUE FLYCATCHER, cont’d ... Subspecies hodgsoni. The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore, from a specimen included in Hodgson’s later collection (409,798) but it may have origi- nated in India. First definitely recorded by H. Stevens in the upper Mai valley (S7) on 21 March 1912 (739). Scarce and local, probably resident. Seasonal altitudinal movements are uncertain. Summers be- tween 2100m and 3500m, and winters VERDITER FLYCATCHER Muscicapa thalassina Subspecies thalassina. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A partial migrant; common in summer, occasionally seen in winter. Mainly a summer visitor between 1200m and 2625m, and sparsely up to 3000m. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), in Langtang (682), in the Kath- 287 between about 305m and 3500m. Found near Ghorepani on 19 March 1982 (57) and31 March 1986 (264), the most west- erly records of the species. Reported between March and October in Manang (762), south of Annapurna (H5) (300,559), (JS) (762), below Thare Pati (L5) (141), on Phulchowki, in the upper Mai valley (442), and from Go- davari ravines and north of Sunischare in winter. Its breed- ing habits are little known. Found in dense, damp broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 9000 a? mandu Valley and on the surrounding hills (432,440,629,659), at Bhimpedi (103), and north of Dhankuta (Q7) (446). Some birds remain in the tarai and foothills up to 350m in winter. Occurs in open forests, especially of broadleaved trees. Range Breeds in the Hima- layas from the Indus valley east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south throughout India and Bangla- desh. FERRUGINOUS FLYCATCHER Muscicapa ferruginea (M. rafilata) The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). Scarce, probably only a summer visitor. Summers between 2000m and 3300m. Records at lower alti- tude are probably of migrants. Seen at Lete (H4) at 2440m on 6 May 1981, the most westerly record of the species (811). Mainly found in the east; localities where Teported recently include north-west of Pokhara (H5) (655,82,111), Khumbu (559,463), upper Arun valley (483), Barun valley (Q6) (590), upper Mai valley (R7) (561), Ilam (770) and Hans Pokhari (S8) (193,183). Frequents humid, broadleaved oe 9000m ae ar oo forests, especially of oak. Range Himalayas fom Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 288 ASIAN SOOTY FLYCATCHER Muscicapa sibirica Sooty Flycatcher, Dark-sided Flycatcher Subspecies cacabata. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common summer visitor between 2000m and 3300m. Seen at lower altitudes on passage. Breeds on the north face of Sheopuri (243) and in Flycatchers the upper Mai valley (S7) (741). There is a winter record of one at Begnas Tal on 27 December 1981 (300). Occurs in the canopy of open broadleaved and coniferous forest, or in clearings. Range Himalayas from Safed Koh east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India. RUFOUS-TAILED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa ruficauda First recorded at Kathmandu on 19 April 1935 by F.M. Bailey (62). An uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Summers between 2440m and 3655m. Lo- calities include the upper Kali Gandaki valley (509), Manangbhot (J4) (512), south of Annapurna (J5) (762), and Lang- tang (L5,MS5) (199,682,321). Reported occasionally on passage in April and May in the Kathmandu Valley, and rarely at Chitwan in April, September and Octo- ber. There are only two records from the east (155,301,474), and further confirma- tion of its occurrence there is desirable. Summers in fir, birch and oak forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Safed Koh east to central Nepal. Winters in s.w. India. | [ 9000m JTFTM AAM J JAA’ S'O°NTD BROWN-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa muttui Vagrant. First recorded by S. Vyas who saw one at Rani Bari, Kathmandu Valley at about 1330m on 6 September 1987 (792). The only other record is of one seen at Chatra at about 135m on 4 October 1987 (792). Found in thickets near water and in forest undergrowth. Range Breeds in n.e. India and possibly in Sikkim; winters in s.w. India and Sri Lanka. Flycatchers 289 ASIAN BROWN FLYCATCHER Muscicapa latirostris Brown Flycatcher (M. dauurica) Subspecies /atirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncommon passage migrant and summer visitor, rare in winter. Breeds between 1000m and 1550m. Occasionally reported from the Kathmandu Valley between April and September and found breeding in Gaucher forest (243). There are a few SAPPHIRE FLYCATCHER Ficedula sapphira Sapphire-headed Flycatcher (Muscicapa sapphira) Subspecies sapphira. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by H. Ste- vens in the upper Mai valley at about 2135m on 4 and 11 April 1912 (741). Scarce, possibly resident. Subject to alti- tudinal movements. Seen in the upper Arun valley at 2800m in May 1981 (483). Found in the eastern lowlands from Janu- ary to March: at Chatra (Q8) at 150m in 1949 (659) and 1974 (518), and in the lower Mai valley (R8) in 1961 (246), 1985 (59) and 1989 (549,307). A male, probably on passage, seen at Nagarjung on 31 May 1982 (540), forms the most westerly rec- ord for the species. Reported near Ghan- drung (HS) (243), but confirmation of its occurrence so far west is desirable. Inhab- its damp, evergreen, broadleaved forest. Its breeding behaviour is little known. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Bhutan and possibly Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 4 : J'F'M A’M JAS AS "O'N'D spring and autumn records, presumably of passage mi- grants, from Chitwan, and north of Sunischare, and mainly single reports from elsewhere. Noted in winter in the Kath- mandu Valley (78,444), at Chitwan (296), and in the eastern tarai (P8) (293). Inhabits open broadleaved forest. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chamba east to Bhutan; also in the Vindhya Range, and the W. Ghats. Winters in s. and e. India, and Bangladesh. 290 SLATY-BLUE FLYCATCHER Ficedula tricolor (Muscicapa leucomelanura) Subspecies tricolor. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). A common altitudinal migrant. Mainly summers between 3050m and 4000m. Winters between 160m and 2135m but most frequently between 245m and 1525m. The race F. t. minuta is de- scribed as occurring in Nepal (450), but no records have been located. Inhabits shrubberies above the treeline in sum- mer; bushes, tall grass and forest under- growth in winter. Range Himalayas from the Indus River east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. Flycatchers 1 cat 9000m cy ETC ULTRAMARINE FLYCATCHER Ficedula superciliaris White-browed blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa superciliaris) ae First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common. Mainly a summer visitor from late February to late October. Found in the breeding season between 1800m and 3200m, but chiefly from 2000m to 2500m. Proved breeding on Sheopuri (440,682). There are a few winter records up to x S K 1500m: localities include Dana (H4) (439), Naudanda (H5) (309), and the Kathmandu Valley (622). Two intergrading races occur: M. s. aestigma (a) and M. s. superciliaris (s). Occurs in broadleaved forests, especially of oaks. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kohat east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to Karnataka and Bangladesh. LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula westermanni (Muscicapa westermanni) Subspecies collini. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An uncommon altitudi- nal migrant. Summers between 1200m and 3000m, and winters between 275m and at least 915m. A nest was found in the Dhorpatan valley at 2990m (499); seen carrying food on 17 May at Thulokobang (H5) (800) and collected in breeding condition at Chitlang (L6) in April (103). There is no other published breeding in- formation for this subspecies. Taken at Barmdeo Mandi (A3) at 300m in January 1953, the most westerly record of the species (647). Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters south to Madhya Pradesh and Bangladesh. Flycatchers 291 LITTLE PIED FLYCATCHER, cont'd ... SLATY-BACKED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hodgsonii Rusty-breasted Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa hodgsonii) F § First recorded by B. Biswas on 20 March 1947 at 1495m at Thankot, Kathmandu Valley (103). A scarce and local altitudi- m nal migrant. Caught at Phematan, Barun x valley (Q6) at 3450m before the monsoon in 1973 (71). All other reports are be- tween 245m and 2000m in winter and early spring. Described as fairly common in the Kathmandu Valley during winter and early spring in 1955 (635), now a scarce but regular visitor to Godavari. A few records from north of Sunischare and single reports from elsewhere. Found below Ghasa on 24 February 1986, the most westerly record for the species (403). Found in fir forests in summer and in damp broadleaved forests in winter. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. SNOWY-BROWED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hyperythra Rufous-breasted Blue Flycatcher (Muscicapa hyperythra) , Subspecies hyperythra. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An altitudinal migrant. Occasional. Summers between 2000m * and 2440m, and sometimes up to 3000m. Winters between 275m and about 1525m. Proved breeding on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley (635). Rare at Chitwan between September and April (296). Found in the lower storey of humid broadleaved forests with dense growth. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 292 Flycatchers WHITE-GORGETTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula monileger (Muscicapa monileger) Subspecies monileger. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391). Scarce, presumably resident. An adult and a juvenile were found at Lumle (HS) at 1550m on 25 July 1973 (814); also seen at Ghandrung on 2 November 1979 (813). These form the two westernmost records for the species. Altitudinal move- ments within Nepal are poorly known. Other reports are from Phewa Tal (460), S$ = — a south aE Annapuvis (J5) (762), Sheopuri ie oe ear fom (587), Godavari (647), Kathmandu Val- ley (486), Arun valley (441), Barun valley forest. Breeding of the race occurring in Nepal is unde- (Q6) (588), the upper Mai valley (741) scribed but probably is the same as in the eastern race. and north of Sunischare (142). Found in Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; dense undergrowth in damp, broadleaved n.e. India. ORANGE-GORGETTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula strophiata Rufous-gorgetted Flycatcher (Muscicapa strophiata) ast Subspecies strophiata. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (369). A common altitudinal migrant. Mainly summers between 2440m and 4000m, and winters between 915m and 1830m, but seen uncommonly up to 2135m and down to 245m. Confirmed breeding in the Mai valley (741) and at Chankheli (626). Found in broadleaved and coniferous forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Kangra east to Arun- achal Pradesh, and in n.e. India. Winters in the foothills and south to Bangladesh. KASHMIR FLYCATCHER Ficedula subrubra Kashmir Redbreasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa subrubra) eee ee 7 ia 9000m IF 'M AAM' J JAA S7O™N’D Flycatchers KASHMIR FLYCATCHER, cont’d ... First recorded in Kathmandu on 10 April 1953 by D. Proud (635). A scarce visitor, mainly reported on passage in spring. Status uncertain. Several reports of singles in March and April 1982: at Sau- taha (J6) (682), Pashupatinath (199,208), Gokarna (599), Hetaura (682,770), and north of Birtamod (R8) (794). Also re- ported in April at Sauraha (J6) in 1985 293 (313) and 1986 (403). Only two autumn records: from Godavari in October 1970 (444) and Sukipatal (Q6) in November 1973 (441). Found twice in the Kathmandu Valley in winter: at Swayambhunath in December 1964 (589) and at Godavari in February 1980 (523). Frequents open broadleaved forest. Range Breeds in the w. Himalayas in Kashmir and the Pir Panjal range. Winters in Sri Lanka. Vagrant east to Bhutan. RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva Red-throated Flycatcher (Muscicapa parva) Subspecies albicilla. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor from the tarai up to 1830m. Mainly occurs between late September and late April in the Kathmandu Valley (635), at Chitwan (296), and in the eastern tarai and foot- hills (P8,Q8) (293). Noted on autumn passage: at Tukche, at 2590m, where one or two were seen from 4 to 16 September 1973 (76), andin Langtang at 2320m 0n31 October 1980 (516). Found in bushes, groves and scrub at edges of cultivation. Range Winters throughout the subconti- nent. Seer] — CE 9000m eRe Mig AM MUGS aid aA MO MEN SD GREY-HEADED FLYCATCHER Culicicapa ceylonensis Subspecies pallidior. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A very common partial migrant. Summers between 1200m and 3100m, but most frequent from 1500m to 2400m. Found breeding in the central region (L6) (103,659), at Chitwan (296), in the Hongu valley (P6) (109), and north of Dhankuta (Q7) (446). Some birds remain in winter from 75m up to 1800m. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from the Indus valley east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in s.w. and c. India. Winters in n. Pakistan, much of India, and in Bangla- desh. a . AM JAJ A'S OND” 294 Flycatchers YELLOW-BELLIED FANTAIL Rhipidura hypoxantha First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A very common resident, subject to altitudi- nal movements. Chiefly summers be- tween 2440m and 4000m. Winters be- tween 200m and 1800m, but seen occa- sionally up to 2560m and down to 760m. Proved breeding on Phulchowki (792). Noted as low as 245m at Chitwan in February 1981 (300,656) and December 1986 (325). Found in the lower canopy of broadleaved and coniferous forests and shrub- beries of birch, fir and rhododendron above the treeline. Range Himalayas from the Chenab River east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL Rhipidura albicollis First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident up to 1500m, and occasionally seen up to 2440m. Usually descends from the highest altitudes in winter but noted at 2135m in February (243). Common at Chitwan where it breeds (296); also proved breeding in Doti District (C3) (438). Inhabits ravines and shady areas in broadleaved forests. Although the western race R. a. canescens is given as extending to w. Nepal (47), specimens of R. a. albicollis have been collected throughout (62,647). Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India, Bangladesh and the Indian peninsula from Mt. Abu south- wards. Flycatchers 295 WHITE-BROWED FANTAIL Rhipidura aureola Subspecies aureola. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409), but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey from Tribeni (H7) at 75m on 19 December 1935 (62). Chiefly an uncom- mon resident throughout the lowlands up to 275m. Occasionally found at Chitwan, and single records received from most other areas. Frequents undergrowth and bushes near the ground, in more open and Sa 8 SS drier forests than White-throated Fantail. rs Range Himalayan foothills from the In- dus River east to the Bhutan duars; south through most of the subcontinent. ASIAN PARADISE FLYCATCHER Terpsiphone paradisi Paradise Flycatcher Subspecies /eucogaster. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A summer visitor, mainly seen from the tarai up to 1525m. Noted at 1850m at Yangnam (R7) in April (658). There is a winter record of one at Soktim (R8) in January (142). A common breeder at Chitwan (J6,K6) where it occurs from March to October (296). Found to be fairly common and breeding at Dailekh (D4) in June 1979 tt io Ss (626). Last century described as breeding y eae SEER area ees iiiae Sie very commonly in the Kathmandu Valley from elsewhere. Found in open forests, groves and gardens. (708), but only a few recent reports, in- Range N. Baluchistan, and the Himalayan foothills from cluding a pair breeding at Nagarjung in N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India, Bangla- July 1987 (792). Chiefly single reports desh, and the Indian peninsula from Kathiawar southwards. BLACK-NAPED MONARCH Hypothymis azurea Black-naped Flycatcher (Monarcha azurea) Subspecies styani. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident, occa- sionally seen in the tarai and lower foot- hills up to 365m. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (103). Other localities include Sukla Phanta (700), Bardia (162), Tamaspur, the central dun (K7,L7), and the eastern lowlands, espe- cially north of Sunischare (P8,Q8,R8). Found in the middle storey of broadleaved forests. Range India south and east of a line from Kutch to Dehra Dun; Bangladesh. 296 Babblers PUFF-THROATED BABBLER Pellorneum ruficeps Spotted Babbler Subspecies mandellii. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident chiefly occur- ring up to 915m; rare up to 1675m. Does not appear to move seasonally. Common at Tamaspur and Chitwan (J6,K6), fairly common in the eastern tarai and foothills (P8,Q8,R8), and occasionally seen at Begnas Tal, Phewa Tal and in the Jower Arun valley. Scarce in the Kathmandu Valley (300,635) and few records from the west. Inhabits bushy undergrowth of broadleaved forests, heavy scrub and sec- ondary growth. Range Himalayan foot- ABBOTT'S BABBLER Trichastoma abbotti Subspecies abbotti. Obtained by B. Hodgson i in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by S.D. Ripley from Chatra at 150m in February 1949 (659). A very local resident occur- ring between 75m and 275m. Common north of Sunischare where the maximum of 15 was heard on 24 March 1981 (442). Found again at Chatra in 1957 (245). The only other records are from Dharan in 1986 (763), Kosi Tappu in 1987 (328), Charkose Ban (S9) in 1989 (164), and Chitwan in 1978 (762) and 1989 (597), the westernmost locality for the species. Breeds from April to July. Frequents = y T9000m ay RE OST hills from Kangra east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India, and the hills of peninsular India. ea tangled thickets, especially at forest edges along stream banks. Range Himalayan foothills from Nepal east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. RUSTY-CHEEKED SCIMITAR-BABBLER Pomatorhinus erythrogenys First recorded by B. Hodgson (359). A common and sedentary resident, mainly seen between 305m and 2135m and occa- sionally up to 2440m. Confirmed breed- ing on the hills surrounding the Kath- mandu Valley (336,708), at Hetaura and Bhimpedi (101), Taplejung (R7) (687), and in the Mai valley (S7) (737). The race P. e. haringtoni (h) (246,587,737) and in- termediates between P. e. erythrogenys and P. e. haringtoni (eh) (62,101,621,647) have been collected. Found in thick scrub and undergrowth at forest edges, secon- dary jungle, bushy hillsides, and bushes at field edges. Range Himalayas from the Jhelum River east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Babblers 297 WHITE-BROWED SCIMITAR-BABBLER Pomatorhinus schisticeps Slaty-headed Scimitar-Babbler (P. horsfieldii) Subspecies schisticeps. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson \ (359,798). A sedentary resident, occasion- , ally seen between 245m and 915m, and k rarely up to 1500m. Breeding confirmed at Hetaura (78) and Chitwan (296). Found in dense scrub, secondary jungle, and undergrowth in forests. Range Hima- layas from Kangra east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. I 0 9000m STREAK-BREASTED SCIMITAR-BABBLER Pomatorhinus ruficollis Rufous-necked Scimitar-Babbler The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (359,798). A fairly common resident betweeen 1500m and 2590m, which is not known to migrate altitudi- nally. Two intergrading races have been recorded: P. r. godwini (g) (246,574,659) and P. r. raficollis (r) (62,101,190, 621,647,708). Inhabits thick undergrowth and dense, scrub-covered hillsides. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arun- [| a achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. F th CORAL-BILLED SCIMITAR-BABBLER Pomatorhinus ferruginosus Subspecies ferruginosus. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. The only other report is of a dozen sightings from the Arun valley in 1973 (243). Occurs in dense undergrowth and bamboo jungle. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 298 Babblers SLENDER-BILLED SCIMITAR-BABBLER Xiphirhynchus superciliaris Subspecies superciliaris. Although listed as obtained in Nepal by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409), these specimens may have originated in India (716). First definitely recorded by H. Stevens from Kalipokhari (S7) between 2440m and 3050m in April and May 1912 (737). A few later reports received from the upper Mai valley (S7). A scarce resident which probably migrates altitudinally. Found near Tirkedhunge (H5) at 1500m on 29 January 1979 (486,652) and on 10 March 1981 (476), the westernmost locality for the species. The only other records are from south of Annapurna (H5,J5), above Syabru (LS) (321), below Ghora Tabela (L5) (70), on the north face of Sheopuri = -- i 1) Mt 9000m Jyae i M aro D (9,243), at Sukipatal (Q6) (10) and in the Barun valley (588). Inhabits bamboo and thick undergrowth in damp broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. [LONG-BILLED WREN-BABBLER Rimator malacoptilus Subspecies malacoptilus. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409,716) but the specimen may have originated in India. Inhabits forest undergrowth and dense scrub (46). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India.] GREATER SCALY-BREASTED WREN-BABBLER Pnoepyga albiventer Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). A fairly common resident subject to altitudinal move- ments. Usually summers between 2440m and 4000m. Winters between 275m and 2285m, but mainly between 1000m and 2440m. Two intergrading races occur: P. a. pallidior (p) (647,659) and P. a. albiventer (a) (101, 246,574,647). Inhab- its dense undergrowth in damp broadleaved forests, par- ticularly near streams and in ravines; also boulder-strewn slopes and forest edges. Range Himalayas from Duala Dhar east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. Babblers 299 LESSER SCALY-BREASTED WREN-BABBLER Pnoepyga pace Brown Wren-Babbler, Pygmy Wren-Babbler Subspecies pusilla. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (391,798). A resident subject to altitudi- nal movements. Breeds over a lower altitudinal range than the previous spe- cies, although their ranges overlap be- tween 2440m and 2590m. Occasionally seen between 1500m and 2590m in sum- mer, and between 915m and 1770m in winter; rarely down to 275m. Breeds near the rim of Sheopuri (243). Collected at Ainthpur (A4) in January 1953 (469), the western limit of its range. Habitat is simi- lar to that of Greater Scaly-breasted Wren-Babbler. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 1 $=} ana Lan a 000m Fe SPOTTED WREN-BABBLER Spelaeomis formosus Scarce, presumably resident. The only record is of one heard by R.L. Fleming Jr. north-west of Shyaksila Toten, Barun valley (Q6) at 1785m on 12 November 1984 (588,226). Frequents damp rhododendron forest with thick ferns and mossy rocks (46). Range Himalayas from e. Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangla- desh. RUFOUS-THROATED WREN-BABBLER Spelaeormis caudatus Tailed Wren-Babbler Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by R.L. Fleming in the upper Mai valley (S7) at 2195m on 10 March 1961 (246). Subsequently regularly reported from the same area. A scarce and very local resident found between 2135m and 2440m. The only other records are from Paniporua (R7) on 18 April 1988 (537), and from Shyaksila Toten, Barun valley (Q6) on 24 November 1985 (588), the most westerly locality of the species. Fre- quents damp dense broadleaved forests among thick undergrowth and moss-cov- -ered boulders. Its breeding habits are poorly known. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. 300 Babblers [LONG-TAILED WREN-BABBLER Spelaeomis longicaudatus Mistakenly listed for Nepal, instead of the previous species, by Fleming (234) and this error was repeated by Ripley (664).] RUFOUS-CAPPED BABBLER Stachyris ruficeps Red-headed Babbler Subspecies ruficeps. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by H. Ste- vens who found it breeding commonly in the upper Mai valley (S7) in April 1912 (737). A fairly common resident in the far east; possibly subject to altitudinal sea- sonal movements. Regularly seen subse- quently in the Mai valley, and also the 1 — aso Arun valley watershed, probably the : ees western limit of its range. Reported as far west as Lumle (H4) (814), but further from Sheopuri (733) is also not acceptable. Frequents evidence of its presence in the area is bamboo and dense undergrowth in humid, broadleaved for- required, as this would be a considerable ests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal westward extension of its range. A record Pradesh; n.e. India and Orissa. BLACK-CHINNED BABBLER Stachyris pyrrhops The species was described from Nepal by the species. Found throughout the year from 245m to E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen 2440m, but most frequently above 915m. Birds at higher (115,798). A resident, fairly common east altitudes sometimes descend in winter. Proved breeding in to the Tamur valley; rare further east. A the Kathmandu Valley (336) and at Chitwan (296). Found sighting in Ilam District (R8) in summer on the ground, or in low undergrowth, in secondary and 1989 (658) is the easternmost record for open forest. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Nepal. Babblers GOLDEN BABBLER Stachyris chrysaea Golden-headed Babbler Subspecies chrysaea. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (115,798). Scarce and very local, probably resident. Recorded between 1800m and 2440m. Several rec- ords from south of Annapurna, and also from south of Machapuchare (HS), the GREY-THROATED BABBLER Stachyris nigriceps Black-throated Babbler Subspecies nigriceps. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (115). Occasional. A local resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Chiefly summers between 1220m and 2000m, and winters between 245m and at least 1830m. Mainly seen east of the Kathmandu Valley, rare fur- ther west. Areas include Phulchowki and the Mai Valley (R8,S7). Collected at Ranibas (G6) at 760m in January 1952 (647), the western limit of the species’s range. Confirmed breeding at Chitwan (296), Godavari (190) and as early as 12 March at Bhimpedi (101). Occurs in un- dergrowth and bamboo thickets in damp broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. TAWNY-BELLIED BABBLER Dumetia hyperythra Rufous-bellied Babbler Subspecies hyperythra. First recorded at Chisapani (C4) at 305m, and at Tikapur (C5) at 75m in December 1948, by S.D. Ripley (659). He described the species as common in the area but it has not been reported there subsequently. Scarce, probably resident. Found in the tarai between 75m and 305m. Collected at Dhangarhi in December 1952 (647); rare at Chitwan (296). The only other records are of 12 in the eastern tarai (Q8) in January 1975 (293) and one north of But- wal on 1 August 1978 (159). Inhabits thorny scrub and tall grass of the lowlands. Range S. Rajasthan east through Simla and the Nepal tarai to Bangladesh, and south through the pen- insula to s. India. 301 western limit of the species’s range. The only other records are an undated one from the upper Mai valley (S7) (223) and from Tashigaon, upper Arun valley on 5 September 1986 (590). Breeds from April to July. Inhabits bamboo and dense undergrowth in humid, broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 302 Babblers STRIPED TIT-BABBLER Macronous gularis Yellow-breasted Tit-Babbler Subspecies rubricapilla. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident from the tarai up to 760m. Common from central areas eastwards, and occasionally seen further west. Found at Barmdeo Mandi (A3) in January 1953 at 290m (647), and at Sukla Phanta in May 1982 (432), the western limits of the species’s range. Con- firmed breeding at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (101). Frequents both open and dense broadleaved forests. Range Hima- layan foothills from Nepal east to Arun- achal Pradesh; e. and n.e. India, and Bangladesh. CHESTNUT-CAPPED BABBLER Timalia pileata Red-capped Babbler Subspecies bengalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally common resi- dent. Reported at Barmdeo Mandi (A3) at 290m in January 1953 (647), the west- ernmost record of the species. Frequent at Chitwan (J6,K6) where breeding has been confirmed (296). A few records from Tamaspur, but only single reports from elsewhere. Forages amongst tall grass, reedbeds, and damp scrub jungle in == the lowlands. Range Himalayan foothills ‘ from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. a ae 7S TCR YELLOW-EYED BABBLER Chrysomma sinense Subspecies sinense. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident from the tarai up to 365m. Fairly common at Chi- twan (J6,K6) and occasionally seen at Sukla Phanta and Bardia (C4,C5). Only single records from elsewhere. Occurs in bushes, sugarcane fields, reeds and tall grass. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent, absent from parts of the arid north-west. Babblers 303 GREAT PARROTBILL Conostoma aemodium (C. oemodium) The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (383,798) who collected it from Gosainkund (L5) (336). Uncom- mon, probably resident. Occurs between 2700m and 3660m, and shows little, if any, seasonal movement. Observed as high as 3355m in late January (243). Recorded a ° a \ / few times at Khaptad (C3) (245,657,428), 6 are d “i the most westerly records of the species. : Regularly reported from north-west of SS) tt mo Pokhara, especially above Ghorepani. Other localities where found recently include the upper Kali Gandaki valley behaviour is poorly known. Probably under-recorded be- (159,546), Surkhe (P6) (595), upper Arun cause it tends to remain out of sight in the undergrowth. valley (10,483,589) and Singhalila ridge Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Bhutan and probably (S7) (549). Inhabits bamboo. Its breeding Arunachal Pradesh. BROWN PARROTBILL Paradaxomis unicolor Brown Suthora Subspecies unicolor. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (386). Uncommon and very local, proba- bly resident. Recorded between 2590m and 3050m from October to May. There are several reports from the upper Mai valley, below Machapuchare, at Pipar, and near Ghorepani, the westernmost locality for the species. The only other records are from the Tinjure ridge (Q7) at 2895m in February 1949 (659) and from Surkhe (P6) in December 1986 (595). Its breeding behaviour is little known. A female with enlarged ovaries was col- lected in the upper Mai valley at 2925m on19 May 1970 (9,243). Inhabits bamboo. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. BLACK-BREASTED PARROTBILL Paradoxomis flavirostris Gould’s Parrotbill Subspecies flavirostris. The species was specimen was subsequently listed as collected in the Nepal described from Nepal by J. Gould from a tarai (716). There are no later records. Frequents dense Hodgson specimen (267,798). Although thickets of reeds, high grass and bamboo, from the plains up not included in the catalogues of to 1900m (664). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Hodgson’s collections (276,277, 388), a Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 304 Babblers FULVOUS PARROTBILL Paradoxomis fulvifrons Fulvous-fronted Parrotbill, Fulvous-fronted Suthora aes Subspecies fulvifrons. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (388,798). Uncommon and locally distrib- uted, probably resident. Not known to move altitudinally with the seasons. Seen above Ghorepani on 2 April 1982 (199,294); the western limit of the spe- cies’s range. There are a few records from the Modi Khola valley (H5), but the only other recent reports are from Pipar (499), Syabru (L5) (656), between Ghat and Kharke (P6) (769), and the upper Arun valley (10,483,589). Frequents bamboo. Probably breeds in June and July, but its nest has still not been found. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. 6 K aS < 4 M Q = Seas! =I | TF A MAJ JAA’S"O ND BLACK-THROATED PARROTBILL Paradaxomis nipalensis Nepal Parrotbill, Orange Suthora The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). A resident, mainly found between 2000m and 3000m, but noted a few times as low as 1050m near Birethante (518,594,142). Occasionally reported from the Kali Gandaki valley eastwards. Only two localities from the west: at Chankheli (627) and common at ee oer Khaptad (657,428). Two races have been recorded: P. n. Aumii (h) (659) and P. n. nipalensis (n) (246,527,647). P. h. garhwalensis may occur in the west. Breeding behaviour is poorly known. A pair seen copulating in mid-March above Ghasa (321). Frequents bamboo and thick undergrowth in oak forests. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India. [RUFOUS-HEADED PARROTBILL Paradoxomis ruficeps Greater Red-headed Parrotbill, Red-headed Parrotbill Subspecies ruficeps. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. There are no other records. Inhabits bamboo, dense thickets of reeds and mixed grasses, and scrub growth from the plains up to 1400m (664). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh.] Babblers 305 SPINY BABBLER Turdoides nipalensis The only endemic species of bird in Ne- the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, particularly pal. The species was described from near Tokha Sanitorium. Noted as far east as Ilam District Nepal by B. Hodgson (359,798). A resi- (R8) (658) and west to Baitidi (A2) (587). It may occur west dent, subject to altitudinal movements. into India, but there are no definite records. Inhabits dense, Found occasionally between 1500m and secondary scrub, particularly away from cultivation, where 2135m in summer, and between 915m and the undergrowth is usually thicker. Probably under-re- 1830m in winter. Regularly seen from corded as it is difficult to observe, and is more often heard Pokhara north-westwards (H5) and on than seen. Range Nepal. COMMON BABBLER Turdoides caudatus Subspecies caudatus. First collected by JA. Propst near Nepalganj airport in 1973 (243) and subsequently found to be fairly common in the area (243,464). Very locally distributed, probably resident. Occurs in the tarai near the Indian bor- der. Seen in 1978 in Tilaurakot woods (G6) (155,157). The only other records are from Sanauli (G7) on 21 March 1959 (230) and near Lumbini (G7) (750). Fre- quents dry cultivation and scrub. Range Throughout the subcontinent, except Orissa, W. Bengal and n.e. India. STRIATED BABBLER Turdoides earlei Subspecies earlei. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Resident. Locally com- mon in the eastern tarai and dun (P8,Q8), particularly on Kosi marshes; also at Chi- twan where proved breeding (296). Un- common elsewhere. Occurs in tall grass and reed-beds in the lowlands. Range The plains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brah- maputra River systems. 306 Babblers SLENDER-BILLED BABBLER 9 Turdoides longirostris The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore from a specimen included in B. Hodgson’s later collection (409,798) but it may have originated in India. First defi- nitely recorded by T.P. and C. Inskipp near Tiger Tops, Chitwan (J6) on 28 April 1980 (440). Very local, probably resident. It is fairly common at Chitwan (296), and was probably overlooked previously. There are no records from elsewhere. Frequents tall grass and reeds, especially a near water. Usually remains hidden in the vegetation. Range From Oudh and the Nepal tarai east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. SSS oS LARGE GREY BABBLER Turdoides malcolmi First recorded on the India-Taulihawa road (F7) at 105m on 10 August 1978 (155,157) by J. Cox Jr. Later seen in the same area (777), and nearby at Bhairawa on 27 January 1982 (770). Locally distrib- uted and presumably resident. Occasion- ally found in the tarai near the Indian border. The only other records are on 9 and 11 January 1980 at Kalapani, by the Babai Khola near Ghurai (E6,F6) in ey January 1981 (576); from the Babai Khola _ Ce a a crossing near Gularia (C5) on 22 May 1982 (432), and near Lumbini (G7) in February 1989 (749). Feeds onthe ground or in low vegetation, in open dry scrub country and cultivation. Range India from Punjab east to Uttar Pradesh, and south to Tamil Nadu. JUNGLE BABBLER Turdoides striatus Subspecies striatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident mainly occurring between 75m and 1220m. Found at 1500m in Doti District (B3) (68). Not known to move altitudi- nally. Found in gardens, cultivation and secondary scrub. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. Babblers 307 WHITE-THROATED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garnilax albogularis Subspecies albogularis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (353). A common resident, subject to alti- tudinal movements. Summers chiefly be- tween 1800m and 2440m ; occasionally up to 3500m. Winters between 1220m and at least 2255m. Proved breeding on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley (708). Inhabits both dense forest and open secondary growth. Range Hima- layas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. WHITE-CRESTED LAUGHING-THRUSH 1 Garrulax leucolophus Subspecies /eucolophus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident occurring mainly between 800m and 1980m. Uncommon down to 305m, and up to 2135m. Possibly shows some sea- F sonal movements. Confirmed breeding at Godavari (190). Frequents broadleaved evergreen forests; also secondary growth. Range Himalayas from Chamba east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. LESSER NECKLACED LAUGHING-THRUSH 1 Garrulax monileger Necklaced Laughing-thrush Subspecies monileger. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (353,798). Mainly an uncommon resident from the tarai up to 915m. Found at Marek (G6) at 915m in January 1950 (647), the westernmost record of the spe- cies. Localities where regularly reported include Begnas Tal, Pokhara, Chitwan and north of Sunischare. Only two rec- ords from the Kathmandu Valley this century (629,652). Occurs in dense broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 308 Babblers GREATER NECKLACED LAUGHING-THRUSH § Garrulax pectoralis Large Necklaced Laughing-thrush, Black-gorgetted Laughing-thrush Subspecies pectoralis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (353). A local resident occurring between 75m and 1220m. A few records at Pokhara (208,519,142), the westernmost locality for the species. Fairly common north of Sunischare, uncommon at Chi- twan (J6,K6) and mainly single reports from elsewhere. Uncommon near the western limit of its range. Only one record from the Kathmandu Valley this century (629). Found breeding at Hetaura (101). Inhabits dense broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. o G K STRIATED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garrulax striatus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally common resident between 1200m and 2850m; most frequent between 1500m and 2750m. Possibly shows some altitudinal movements. Regularly seen at Khaptad (C3), north-west of Pokhara (HS), in Langtang, in the Arun and upper Mai valleys, and on Sheopuri and Phul- chowki. Two subspecies have been recorded: G. s. vibex (v) (101,190,482), and G. s. sikkimensis (s) (482,659). Fre- quents dense broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Kulu east to Arunachal Pradesh and n.e. India. [= | = a7 Oca, te 9000m JF MAA MJ JAA S°O ND VARIEGATED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garmulax variegatus Subspecies variegatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, possibly subject to some seasonal movements. Occurs between 2100m and 4100m. Common in west and central areas east to upper Langtang (M5). Scarce in Hel- ambu (LS) and further east. Collected at Ting Sang La between 3400m and 3500m on 3 and 7 May 1962 (190), the most easterly records for the species. Proved breeding inthe Dhorpatan valley (F4,G5) (499). Found in coniferous and broadleaved forests with thick under- growth and rhododendrons above the treeline. Range Himalayas from Kohat, Chitral and Gilgit east to Nepal. o 9000m TC Babblers 309 RUFOUS-CHINNED LAUGHING-THRUSH 9 Garrulax rufogularis First recorded by B. Hodgson (353). A locally distributed resident, possibly mak- ing some altitudinal movements. Occa- sionally seen between 915m and 1675m; tare up to 2135m. Regularly reported from Pokhara and hills to the north-west (H5); also from hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Confirmed to breed at Bhimpedi (101), and on Jahar Powah (L6) (336). Two intergrading races occur: G. r. occidentalis (0) (245) and G. r. rufogularis (r) (101,647). Found in broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. SPOTTED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garmulax ocellatus White-spotted Laughing-thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally, fairly common and sedentary resi- dent; chiefly found between 2135m and 3660m. Regularly seen at Khaptad (C3), Ghorepani, Ghasa, Langtang, and in the Arun and upper Mai valleys. Little is known of its breeding behaviour. Two nests with young were found at Thodung —: SSS 9000m J'F'M' AAM JAJ°A’S*O'N'D (N6), at 2850m and 3100m, on 30 May and 3 June 1962 (190). Also collected in breeding condition at Jiri (N6) and Thodung, between 3000m and 3200m in May and June (190). Two intergrading races occur: G. o. griseicauda (g) (246) and G. o. ocellatus (0) (246,621,647,737). Frequents open mixed forest with undergrowth, and rhododendron shrubberies. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arun- achal Pradesh. 310 Babblers GREY-SIDED LAUGHING-THRUSH 1 Garrulax caerulatus Subspecies caerulatus. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (353,798). A locally distributed resident, occasionally seen between 1370m and 2745m. Regularly reported from Phul- chowki, the upper Arun valley (Q6) (690,590), the eastern hills (Q7,R8) (223), and on Sheopuri where proved breeding (243). Noted south of Annapurna (JS) at about 1500m in June 1977 (762), the most westerly record of the species. Inhabits dense, humid, broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Bhutan and probably Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. oi? OO oe RUFOUS-NECKED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garrulax ruficollis First recorded by B. Hodgson (277). A very local resident. Fairly common near Tiger Tops, Chitwan where breeding has been proved (296). The only other rec- ords are from Tamaspur, the western limit of its range. Found in thick undergrowth in dense, broadleaved forest at about 275m. Breeds from March to August. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. STREAKED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garrulax lineatus Subspecies setafer or lineatus if setafer is considered invalid (647). First recorded by B. Hodgson (353,798). A resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Common in the Langtang valley (LS) and further west. Occasionally seen in the Kathmandu Valley and eastwards. Sum- mers chiefly between 2440m and 3905m, and winters from 1065m up to at least 2745m. Found breeding on the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley in May and June (190,336,708) and at Junbesi (P6) (190). Inhabits secondary scrub, for- est edges, bushes at roadsides, and edges of cultivation. Range Hills of Pakistan, and the Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh. 3 9000m BY CR Babblers BLUE-WINGED LAUGHING-THRUSH First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it breeding in the central region (353,414). A scarce resident between 1220m and 2440m. One was seen at Karuwa (HS) on 27 April 1984, the most westerly locality for the species (623). Other recent reports are from Phul- chowki, the lower Marsyangdi Khola (J5) (126,142), the upper Arun (10,574), Barun (588) and upper Mai valleys (142) and Hans Pokhari (S8) (559). Proved breeding on Sheopuri (247). Skulks in dense undergrowth in humid, broadleaved, evergreen forests. Range 311 Garrulax squamatus India. SCALY LAUGHING-THRUSH_ Garrulax subunicolor Plain-coloured Laughing-thrush Subspecies subunicolor. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth (114,798) from a Hodgson specimen. Local, probably resident. Occurs between 1500m and 3450m, and possibly descends from higher levels in winter. Fairly com- mon in the upper Arun and upper Mai valleys. Occasionally reported from the Modi Khola valley and Pipar (H5). Found north of Ghasa (H4) at 2075m on 16 May 1984 (158), the westernmost record for the species. Single reports from else- where. Frequents thick undergrowth in damp, broadleaved, evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. BLACK-FACED LAUGHING-THRUSH The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114,798). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Summers mainly between 2750m and 4000m, and locally as high as 4600m. Descends from higher levels in winter, occasionally down to 1830m. Regularly seen west to the upper Kali Gandaki valley. Recorded near Bundi Pass, Jumla District (E3) on 19 May 1985 (160), the western limit of the species’s range. Confirmed breeding in Khumbu (190) and Langtang (771). Two Taces occur: G. a. affinis (a), G. a. bethelae (b), and intermediates (ab). Occurs in bushes in broadleaved, coniferous and Garrulax affinis Ta EEE o 9000m JTF M AAM JAI TA mixed forests, and shrubberies above the treeline. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. 312 Babblers CHESTNUT-CROWNED LAUGHING-THRUSH Garrulax erythrocephalus Red-headed Laughing-thrush First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 1800m and 3000m. Mainly winters be- tween 1800m and at least 2750m, and occasionally down to 1100m. Proved RED-FACED LIOCICHLA Liocichla phoenicea Crimson-winged Laughing-thrush Subspecies phoenicea. The species was described from Nepal by J. Gould (268), probably from a Hodgson specimen. Recorded by Hodgson (277), but there SILVER-EARED MESIA Leiothrix argentauris Subspecies argentauris. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). Local, probably a sedentary resident. Recorded mainly between 365m and 1220m, but occasionally down to 205m and up to 1830m. Regularly seen in Ilam District (R8), but few recent re- ports from elsewhere: at Bardia (162), near Bandipur (H5) (329), south of An- napurna (J5) (762), near Narayanghat (J6) (7), Tribeni (Q8) (446) and Hans Pokhari (S8) (193). Frequents bushes in evergreen broadleaved forests and shady ravines. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (101,190). Two races occur: G. e. kali (k), G. e. nigrimentum (n) and intermediates (kn). Frequents dense undergrowth in broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Changla Gali and Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. are no later records. Occurs in dense undergrowth in ever- green forests, and at field edges, from 900m to 1800m (46). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Babblers RED-BILLED LEIOTHRIX Leiothrix lutea Pekin Robin Subspecies calipyga. First recorded by B. Hodgson (378). A fairly common resident subject to slight altitudinal movements. Occurs mainly between 1220m and 2440m, but occasionally seen down to 915m and up to 2745m. Found breeding on Sheopuri (414,632). Inhabits thick undergrowth and wooded ravines in moist broadleaved forests. Range Hima- layas from Pakistan, in the Punjab, east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. FIRE-TAILED MYZORNIS 9 Myzomis pyrrhoura a The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114,798). A locally distributed resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Found between 2135m and 3950m, and up to at least 2745m in winter (659). Occurs mainly from Langtang (L5) east- wards. Noted north-west of Pokhara (H5) at about 2000m in early August 1977 (762), the westernmost record for the CUTIA Cutia nipalensis Nepal Cutia Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (348). Very locally distributed, probably resident. Favours an altitudinal zone of 2100m to 2300m. Possibly shows some altitudinal movements, but noted up to at least 2285m in February (647). Found as 313 species. Regularly seen near Gapte cave (L5), and in the upper Arun and upper Mai valleys. Its breeding behaviour is poorly known. The nest of the species was first described from the Gandak-Kosi watershed (L5) at 3660m, where a pair was feeding young in late May 1961 (639). Three nests under construction were found at Gapte (L5) at 3505m on 21 May 1982 (294,682). Inhabits mossy forests of juniper and rhododendron; also bamboo thickets. Range Hima- layas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. low as 1095m at Birethante in December 1984 (142). Regu- larly recorded on Phulchowki; occasionally seen in the upper Mai and Modi Khola valleys, but only two records from elsewhere. The nest has not been described. Feeds in the canopy of dense oak and on moss-covered trunks in humid, broadleaved evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 314 CUTIA, cont'd ... Babblers BLACK-HEADED SHRIKE-BABBLER Pteruthius rufiventer Rufous-bellied Shrike-Babbler First definitely recorded from Nepal by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Jiri (N6) at 2500m on 19 November 1960 (246). Specimens in B. Hodgson’s later collection have been described as Nepalese (409), but may have originated in India (276). A scarce and local resident, mainly reported be- tween 2135m and 2500m. A few reports from south of Annapurna, and also south of Machapuchare where found up to 3230m on 23 April 1979 (244). Noted twice near Ghandrung (H5) (746,436), the most westerly locality for the species. The only other records are from the up- per Arun valley in 1973 (10,441), Barun valley (Q6) in 1984 (588), upper Mai val- ley (S7) in 1983 (148) and 1989 (307), and (as | 2 Jo FEM WAN M Jana |S west of Sanam (P7) in 1986 (546). Its seasonal movements and breeding habits are unknown. Frequents dense mossy, humid, broadleaved evergreen forests. It moves sluggishly and is easily overlooked. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. WHITE-BROWED SHRIKE-BABBLER Pteruthius flaviscapis Red-winged Shrike-Babbler Babblers WHITE-BROWED SHRIKE-BABBLER, cont'd ... Subspecies validirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resi- dent subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Summers chiefly between 1800m and 2200m. Winters mainly between 315 1500m and 2135m, but wanders down to 1200m, and one record at 305m at Badalmachi (B4) in December 1952 (647). Inhabits broadleaved forests, favouring oaks. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. GREEN SHRIKE-BABBLER Pteruthius xanthochloris The species was described from Nepal by J.E. and G.R. Gray from a Hodgson specimen (277,798). A resident, occasion- ally found between 2135m and at least as high as 3050m throughout the year. May descend from the higher altitudes in win- ter. Regularly reported north-west of Pokhara (H4,HS), in Langtang, and on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley. Two races occur: P. x. occidentalis (0) (245), and P. x. xanthochloris (x) (647). Frequents broadleaved and coniferous forests. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. BLACK-EARED SHRIKE-BABBLER Pteruthius melanotis Chestnut-eared Shrike-Babbler Subspecies melanotis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (395). A resident, subject to altitudinal movements. Occasional and locally dis- tributed. Summers between 1800m and 2440m, but mainly above 2135m. Winters mainly between 1500m and 2000m, but recorded at 305m on 12 January 1981 south of Ilam (300). Regularly seen north-west of Pokhara (HS), on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, and in the upper Arun, Barun and upper Mai valleys (R7,S7). Reported a few times from Ghorepani, the western limit of the species’s range. Breeding behaviour is little known. Found in humid, broadleaved evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. WHITE-HOODED BABBLER Gampsorhynchus rufulus White-headed Shrike-Babbler Subspecies rufulus. Scarce. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming who saw one north of Bhadrapur (S8) at 600m in February 1965 (247). The only other record received is of five seen at Soyang, Ilam District (R8) at about 1400m on 17 January 1989 (694). Occurs in secondary jungle, and in undergrowth of ever- green forest (664). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 316 Babblers RUSTY-FRONTED BARWING Actinodura egertoni Spectacled Barwing Subspecies egertoni. The species was de- scribed by J. Gould from a specimen pre- sented by P.G. Egerton from Nepal (267,798). Scarce and local, presumably resident. Reported between 1785m and 2255m. Found south of the Lamjung Himal (J5) in October 1976 (474) and in HOARY BARWING Actinodura nipalensis The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (353,798). A fairly common resident subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Most frequently seen between 1980m and 3000m, but occasionally up to 3500m and down to 1500m. Noted up to at least 2750m in winter (647). Fairly com- mon at Khaptad (C3) (657,428,68), the western limit of the species’s range. Little is known of its breeding behaviour. Col- lected in breeding condition between 15 May and 3 June 1962 at Bigu, Jiri, and Thodung (N6), between 2900m and 3200m (190). Seen nest-building on Sheopuri on 16 April 1988 (438) and at Kutumsang (L5) at about 2470m on 18 May 1988 (771). Forages in mossy oak and rhododendron forests. Range Hima- layas from Nepal east to Bhutan. 1977 (762), the most westerly records for the species. Un- common in the upper Mai valley. The only other reports are from Chitlang in April 1947 (101), Walung forest (Q6) in January 1959 (482), Barun valley (Q6) in 1984 and upper Arun valley in 1986 (590). Frequents dense thickets in humid, broadleaved evergreen forest. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. Babblers BLUE-WINGED MINLA Minla cyanouroptera Subspecies cyanouroptera. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). A fairly common resident, sub- ject to some altitudinal movements. Win- ters mainly between 1000m and 1830m, but occasionally up to 2285m. Summers up to 2440m, and rarely to 2750m. Proved breeding at Hans Pokhari (S8) (193). Found in bushes and tangled under- growth in dense forest. Range Himalayas from Naini Tal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. CHESTNUT-TAILED MINLA Minla strigula Bar-throated Minla, Bar-throated Siva The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). A common resi- dent subject to altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 2440m and 3750m. Winters mainly between 1400m and 2745m, but noted at 1035m at Bire- thante (H5) in February 1982 (770). Proved breeding on Sheopuri and Phul- chowki (243). Two subspecies occur: M. s. simlaensis (si) (247), and M. s. strigula (s). Chiefly inhabits broadleaved forests, es- pecially of oak. Range Himalayas from Kangra east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. RED-TAILED MINLA Minla ignotincta Subspecies ignotincta. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). An altitudinal migrant; proba- bly resident. Common in the far east, and occasionally seen elsewhere. Reported from Ghorepani (206,439), the western- most locality for the species. Summers mainly between 1830m and 3400m, and 317 "9000e J °F M M'JAT™A™S'O'N'D winters between 760m and at least 2285m. Little is known of its breeding behaviour. Collected in breeding condition at Thodung and Jiri (N6), between 3100m and 3400m, on 24 and 30 May 1962 (190). Frequents damp, dense broadleaved, evergreen forests, especially of oak. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 318 Babblers GOLDEN-BREASTED FULVETTA Alcippe chrysotis Golden-breasted Tit-Babbler Subspecies chrysotis. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (116). Hodgson found it breeding in the central region in May and June (414). Its breeding habits have not been recorded since. Very local, probably resident. Found between 2435m and 3050m. Common in the upper Modi Khola valley (HS), occasionally seen in the upper Mai valley and uncommon south of Annapurna. Only two other rec- ords received: collected in April 1984 at Yanjua Dhoja (R6) (589) and at Pahakhola (Q6) in June 1988 (537). Noted north of Ghasa on 3 March 1986 (321), the most westerly record for the species. Frequents bamboo. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 8 ¢ - fo} M Q [ I = =| Se ry. SB ‘= Ar T ‘9000 = J oF M' AAM J A’s'O ND [YELLOW-THROATED FULVETTA Alcippe cinerea Dusky-green Tit-Babbler Obtained by B.Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. Reported at Godav- ari in April 1948 (629), but confirmation of its occurrence there is desirable. No later records. Found in deep evergreen forest (47). Range Himalayas from Sikkim east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangla- desh.] RUFOUS-WINGED FULVETTA Alcippe castaneceps Chestnut-headed Tit-Babbler Subspecies castaneceps. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). A common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Summers mainly between 1825m and 2745m but noted at the particularly high altitude of 3505m at Gapte cave in May 1982 (682). Winters from 1525m up to at least 2745m. A few records from the upper Kali Gan- daki valley, the western limit of the range of the species. Occurs in thick under- growth in moist broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh. Babblers 319 WHITE-BROWED FULVETTA Alcippe vinipectus White-browed Tit-Babbler The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). A common resi- dent subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Summers usually between 2400m and 4200m. Winters between 2135m and 3000m, but rarely down to 1525m. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (68), in Lang- - Been I Ve tang (771), Khumbu (190), and on Nangi s ve hee ss Danda (L6) (636). Two races occur: A. v. He vinipectus (v) (62), and A. v. chumbiensis => (c) (647). Inhabits bushes in broadleaved and coniferous forests, and shrubberies of birch, juniper and rhododendron. Range Himalayas from Dharmsala east to Bhu- tan, and possibly Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. NEPAL FULVETTA Alcippe nipalensis Nepal Babbler, Nepal Quaker Babbler Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (378,798). A resident subject to altitudi- nal movements. Winters chiefly between 245m and 1830m, and summers up to 2285m. Common on the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, but uncommon elsewhere. Reported from north-west of Pokhara (HS), Chitwan (J6,K6) and Mechi Zone (R7,R8,S7,S8). Single rec- ae SSD ords from elsewhere. Found breeding on Phulchowki (101,629,659), “and on Sheopuri (243). Noted near species. Frequents dense undergrowth in damp forests. Narsinghkanda (C4) on 15 November Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; 1985 (162), the westernmost record of the n.e. India and Bangladesh. RUFOUS-BACKED SIBIA Heterophasia annectans Chestnut-backed Sibia Subspecies annectans. Scarce, presuma- bly resident. First seen near Mai Pokhari (R7) at 2135m on 17 and 18 September 1978 by S. LeClerq, R. DeWitt and R.L. Fleming Jr. (178,243). The only other records are from the same area near Phidim (R7) at 1450m on 10 November 1978 (155,301) and at Hanga Tham at 2650m on 27 March 1989 (193). Breeds in May and June. Occurs in dense, humid, broadleaved evergreen forest (664). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 320 BLACK-CAPPED SIBIA Heterophasia capistrata First recorded by B. Hodgson (381). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Chiefly summers between 1980m and 3000m, and winters between 1050m and 2750m. Noted at 850m in December in Mechi Zone (658) and at 3400m at Ting Sang La in May (190). Proved breeding at Godavari (190). Three races occur: H. c. capistrata (c) (2A7), H. c. nigriceps (n) (101,482, 619,647,798) and H. c. bayleyi (b) (647). Forages in broadleaved forests, especially of oaks. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh. LONG-TAILED SIBIA Heterophasia picaoides Subspecies picaoides. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (381,798). He found it in the tarai and lower hills (336). Described as tolerably common about Nimboatar (L7) in winter 1877 (708). There are no other confirmed records. Frequents forest clearings, and open scrub with large trees (47). Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. WHITE-NAPED YUHINA 1 Yuhina bakeri Chestnut-headed Yuhina Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by R.L. Fleming who collected one from Hans Pokhari Danda (S8) at 1525m on 18 February 1969 (9) and de- Babblers scribed the species as fairly common (243). The only other record is of one seen at the same locality on 8 April 1989 (193). Breeds from April to July. Frequents humid ever- green forest. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Two records of Rufous-vented Yuhina (109,647,659) have been wrongly listed as this species (47,101,664). WHISKERED YUHINA Yuhina flavicollis Yellow-naped Yuhina The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (356,798). A common resi- dent subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Summers chiefly between 1830m and 2745m, and winters between 800m and 2745m. Proved breeding in the cen- tral region (414) and on Sheopuri (243). Two races occur: Y. f. flavicollis (f) (62,101,659), and Y. f. albicollis (a) (247,647,659). Found in bushes and lower branches of mainly broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Hima- chal Pradesh east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Babblers 321 WHISKERED YUHINA, cont’d ... STRIPE-THROATED YUHINA Yuhina gularis Subspecies gularis. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (356,798). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Summers mainly between 2435m and 3700m; winters be- tween 1700m and 3050m, rarely down to 1400m. Breeding behaviour is little known. Collected in breeding condition between 14 and 27 May 1962 at Bigu and Harkhate Gairi (N6) between 3200m and 3300m (141). Inhabits forests of pure broadleaves and mixed with conifers. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh and n.e. India. RUFOUS-VENTED YUHINA Yuhina occipitalis Subspecies occipitalis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (356,798). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Summers be- tween 2400m and 3600m, most frequently between 3050m and 3400m; winters from 1830m to at least 2745m. Found breeding on Nangi Danda (L6) (636), and in the Gandak-Kosi watershed (L5) (633). Oc- casionally seen in the upper Kali Gandaki valley, the western limit of the species’s range. Records from the west near Rara (627) and Jumla (620), which are given in the first edition of this book (435), are now considered unacceptable. Frequents broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. 322 Babblers/Tits BLACK-CHINNED YUHINA Yuhina nigrimenta Subspecies nigrimenta. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (392,798). Scarce, probably resident. Reported between 610m and 1500m. Alti- tudinal movements are poorly under- stood. Recently recorded from Khaptad (C3) (428), Surkhet (D4) (297), south of Annapurna (H5,J5) (762,142), the Arun valley (Q6,Q7) (10,596,769), Sangure ridge (Q8) (293), and below Ilam (59). Frequents the lower storey of broadleaved evergreen forests. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. WHITE-BELLIED YUHINA Yuhina zantholeuca (Y. xantholeuca) Subspecies zantholeuca. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (115,798). A local resident, subject to large and poorly understood altitudinal movements. Recorded between 180m and 2285m, mainly below 1650m. Its breeding zone is uncertain but most fre- quently reported between 1300m and 1600m. Common in the Kathmandu Val- ley, and fairly common at Chitwan a ie eS (J6,K6) where it is possibly resident (296). Occasionally seen west to Pokhara Dis- most westerly record of the species. Found in clearings and trict (H5). Collected south of Dan- forest edges. Range Himalayas fom Nepal east to Bhutan; deldhura (B4) on 24 April 1965 (247), the n.e. India and Bangladesh. BLACK-BROWED TIT Aegithalos iouschistos Rufous-fronted Tit Subspecies iouschistos. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (116 ,798).A resident, occasionally found between 2590m and 3700m throughout the year. Three noted on Phulchowki at about 2400m on 31 October 1989, the first for the Kath- mandu Valley (256). Collected above Dana (H4) at 2590m on 21 December 1963 (247) and seen between Kalopani and Tukche (H4) on 9 December 1984 (58), the most westerly records of the species. The nest was first described in (190), near Jaubari (R7) (12) and in the upper Mai valley Ilam District at 2745m in May (243). Also (R7) (704). Frequents the lower storey of broadleaved and confirmed breeding at Ghora Tabela hemlock forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to (LS) (812) in May, at Thodung (N6) Arunachal Pradesh. Tits WHITE-THROATED TIT Aegithalos niveogularis First definitely recorded near Jumla in mid-May 1952 by O. Polunin (620). Probably resident. Found between 2800m and 3550m. Its movements in Nepal are poorly understood. Occasionally seen in the north-west, including Rara (E2), Jumla (E3) and the Dolpo (F3). Common in the Langu valley (F2) where proved breeding (330). There are three reports BLACK-THROATED TIT Aegithalos concinnus Red-headed Tit Subspecies iredalei. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident. Occurs mainly between 1400m and2700m throughout the year, but occasionally found down to 1065m, and up to 3000m. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), 323 from Ghorepani: on 12 March 1981 (559), and on 19 and 23 November 1981 (146); also one from Kalopani (H4) at 2560m on 19 March 1984 (787). Only one record from farther east: a pair at Gosainkund on 3 April 1979 at about 2750m (474), a considerable range extension for the species. Inhabits bushes in mixed birch and coniferous forests, and shrubberies near the treeline. Range Himalayas from the Kagan valley east to Nepal. P= ——— 9000m TIER A MAJ" J AS’ O°N'D north-west of Pokhara (H4,HS) (811), on Phulchowki (440), and in Langtang (440). Inhabits broadleaved or mixed broadleaved/coniferous forests. Range N. Baluchistan; Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 324 YELLOW-BROWED TIT Sylviparus modestus Subspecies modestus. The species was described from the Himalayas by E. Burton (139), the type locality later de- fined as Nepal by Baker (64). A resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Generally fairly common, from the Kali Gandaki valley eastwards, and common in some areas. Usually summers between 2135m and 2800m, and occasionally up to 3250m; winters between 1500m and 2800m. Noted at 4265m in the Gandak- Kosiwatershed (732), but confirmation of its occurrence at such high altitude is desirable. Little is known of its breeding habits. The nest was first described from Phulchowki at 2380m on 4 May 1968, when the parents were feeding young (215). Another nest with young was found on Phulchowki on 2 May at 2000m (510,651). A nest with eggs was discov- GREY-CRESTED TIT Parus dichrous Brown Crested Tit Tits STN ie ATs Sans ORMIN BaD) ered on 25 April at 2410m during a trek to Ganesh Himal (215). Noted feeding flying young at Khaptad (C3) on 19 May (428) and carrying food on Phulchowki in mid-May (556). Occurs in broadleaved forests and favours oaks. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. Subspecies dichrous. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (116 ,798). A resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Chiefly summers between 2745m and 4200m, and winters from 2000m up to 3655m, but seen at 4270m in February in Khumbu (558). Proved breeding at Pipar (H5) (800), in the Gandak-Kosi watershed (L5) (633), and at Khumjung (P6) (190). Fre- quents broadleaved, coniferous and mixed forests. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh. Tits RUFOUS-NAPED TIT Parus rufonuchalis Simla Black Tit (P. rubidiventris rufonuchalis) Rufous-naped Black Tit First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey at Tullo Silkki (D2) on 6 June 1936 (62). Fairly common, probably resident; sub- ject to some altitudinal movements. Summers between 2700m and 4000m. Its winter altitudinal range in Nepal is poorly known. Occasionally found in the upper Kali Gandaki valley, the eastern limit of the species’s range. Proved breeding at Tukche (528). Frequents coniferous and oak/rhododendron forests. Range N. Baluchistan; Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. RUFOUS-VENTED TIT Parus rubidiventris 325 Rufous-breasted Black Tit, Rufous-bellied Crested Tit F Sikkim Black Tit, Rufous-vented Black Tit ARN y The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth (121). A common resident, sub- ject to some altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 3050m and 4250m. May descend in winter, occasion- ally down to 2135m, but noted as high as 4270m in February in Khumbu (558). Breeding confirmed at Dhorpatan (G5) (528), above Tukche (528), in the Gan- dak-Kosi watershed (L5) (633), at Tho- dung (N6) (528) and at Khumjung (P6) (190). Two races occur: P. r. rubidiventris (r), and P. r. beavani (b).It has been suggested that the Bhote Kosi (M6) marks the division between the races (528), but beavani has been found just west of there in upper Langtang (M5) (195,243,509). A specimen of nominate rubidiventris from near Jiri (N6) (525) was possibly a stray, and confirmation of its occurrence there regularly is needed. Frequents conif- erous forests, and mixed conifer and birch forests; also rho- dodendron shrubberies. Range Himalayas from Tehri Garhwal east to Bhutan and probably to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 326 SPOT-WINGED TIT Parus melanolophus Crested Black Tit, Spot-winged Black Tit First definitely recorded by O. Polunin above Maina (E4) on 6 April 1952 (620). A common resident, probably subject to altitudinal movements. Summers be- tween 2200m and 3700m; wintering alti- tudes are poorly known. Foundeast to the Namlang and Langu valleys (F2) (447,330) and at Ringmo (F3) where proved breeding (528). Hybridises with Coal Tit further east (x). Birds showing slight introgression with the latter species have been found breeding and collected near Tarakot (F4), at Thankur (G4) and Dhorpatan (GS) (528). Hybrids have also been collected near Dhorpatan (G5) (528). Sightings of the species as well as hybrids have been reported further east COAL TIT Parus ater Subspecies aemodius. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388,798). A fairly common resident subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Summers chiefly between 2800m and 4000m, occasionally down to 2440m and up to 4250m. Winters mainly between 2500m and at least 3050m, but noted at 4270m in February in Khumbu (P6) (558) and rarely down to 1830m. Found breed- ing in the Gandak-Kosi watershed (LS) (633) and at Thodung (N6) (528). Hybrids (x) with Spot-winged Black Tit have been collected near Dhorpatan (G5) (528), and specimens showing introgression with GREAT TIT Parus major Grey Tit Subspecies nipalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (378,798). A common resi- dent subject to some altitudinal or local movements. Frequent up to 1525m, occa- sionally seen up to 1800m, and rare at higher elevations. Noted as high as 3050m at Rara on 23 June 1979 (626). Proved breeding in Doti District (B3,C3) (438) and at Chitwan (296). Inhabits open for- est, groves, cultivation and gardens; fa- vours broadleaved trees. Range N. Balu- chistan; Himalayan foothills from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; peninsular India. Tits from Ghorepani (305,476), and in the upper Kali Gandaki valley (207,559, 546,480), but confirmation of its occurrence in these areas is needed. Favours conifers, but also fre- quents mixed forest. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. a ] f T9000m JTF M' AAM JAS A'S OND that species have been collected near Dhaulagiri (H4) (528). Frequents coniferous forests and dwarf junipers above the treeline. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Bhutan. Tits GREEN-BACKED TIT Parus monticolus Subspecies monticolus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Fre- quent between 1370m and 3100m, and oc- casionally seen up to 3660m. Replaces Great Tit altitudinally, chiefly breeding above 1525m, and wintering below 2745m. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), near Dhankhuta (Q7) (446), and in the Trisuli valley (L5) (517). Occurs in both dense and light forests; prefers moister habitat than that occupied by Great Tit. Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. BLACK-LORED TIT Parus xanthogenys Yellow-cheeked Tit Subspecies xanthogenys. First recorded by B.Hodgson (388). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Breeds mainly between 1500m and 2300m, and winters between 915m and 2135m. Noted at the exceptional altitudes of 75m near Simra in January 1981 (309), at 2925m in the Dhorpatan valley (G5) in June 1981 (499) and at 2700m at Rara in July 1989 (68). Common in the Arun valley; uncom- mon further east. Seen with Yellow- cheeked Tits at Chisapani (R8) on 14 January 1989 (307). Breeding confirmed at Khaptad (C3) (428), on the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu, Chitlang and Markhu valleys (104,517), and at Pati YELLOW-CHEEKED TIT Parus spilonotus Black-spotted Yellow Tit Subspecies spilonotus. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by H. Ste- vens in the upper Mai valley at about 2400m on 28 March 1912 (737). Uncom- mon and very local, probably resident. Chiefly recorded between 1980m and 327 JF M'A MJ's A S'O ND Bhanjyang (L6) (771). Found in open forests, groves, and edges of dense forest. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Darjeeling; hills of the Indian peninsula. 2440m in the upper Mai valley near Hanga Tham between January and April. Two seen with Black-lored Tits at the exceptionally low altitude of 450m at Chisapani (R8) on 14 January 1989 (307). Breeds from the end of March to the end of June. Altitudinal movements in Nepal are not known. Frequents open oak forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 328 SULTAN TIT Melanochlora sultanea Subspecies sultanea. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson who obtained specimens from the lower hills (336,378, 798). Scarce, probably resident. Described as fairly common in December 1877 between Hetaura and Nimboatar (L7) (708). The only later report from the area is one collected at Hetaura on 24 VELVET-FRONTED NUTHATCH. Sitta frontalis Subspecies frontalis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (351). Mainly a fairly common resident found between 75m and 2015m, most frequent up to 1800m. No altitudinal movements have been reported. Com- mon at Chitwan where proved breeding (296). Inhabits broadleaved forests, espe- cially those of sal. Range Himalayas from Dehra Dun east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; locally throughout the Indian peninsula. WHITE-CHEEKED NUTHATCH Sitta leucopsis Subspecies /eucopsis. First definitely re- corded by the Lulo Khola (F3) at 4575m on 30 June 1952 by O. Polunin (620). Probably resident. Found between 2745m and 4575m. Altitudinal movements in Nepal are unknown. Described as fairly common in the north-west (243) and as Tits/Nuthatches = = OS yr MAA M J JAAS O"N D May 1947 (104). Found at Rupa Tal (J5) in 1977 (587), the most westerly record for the species. Also reported from Chatra (Q8) in February 1949 (659), near Shantinagar (S8) on 20 February 1969 (9), north of Sunischare on 17 March 1982 (794) and a few recent reports from the Churia hills at Chitwan (J6,K6) (481,11,67). Frequents broadleaved forests. Range Himalayan foothills from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. common in the Langu valley (F2) (330). Other localities include Rara Lake (159,68) and the Dolpo. Singles near Tarakot (F4) on 3 June 1973 (589) and on 20 April 1974 (153) are the most easterly records of the species. Inhabits coniferous forests. Range Himalayas from N.W.F-P. east to Nepal. Nuthatches 329 WHITE-CHEEKED NUTHATCH, cont’d ... Tmt [ a | ] aM 9000m fe A WHITE-TAILED NUTHATCH Sitta himalayensis Subspecies himalayensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (351). A common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Occurs chiefly between 1800m and 3050m. Sometimes descends in winter, rarely down to 915m. Confirmed breed- ing at Khaptad (C3) (428), Ghorepani (82), on the Mamche Danda (L6) (633), on Phulchowki (632) and in Mechi Zone (R7) (658). Chiefly inhabits broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Chamba I =i SRC ay east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. CHESTNUT-BELLIED NUTHATCH Sitta castanea First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to 1830m. No altitudinal movements have been reported. Confirmed breeding in Doti District (C3) (438), the Kathmandu Valley (517), and at Chitwan (296). Three Taces are recorded: S. c. castanea (ca) (247,659), S. c. almorae (a) (190,647), S. c. cinnamoventns (ci) (482) and intermedi- ates between the two latter races (ac) (104). Mainly frequents broadleaved for- ests and groves. Range Himalayas from Chakrata east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; locally in n., c., and s.w. India. 330 Nuthatches/Treecreepers KASHMIR NUTHATCH Sitta cashmirensis Eurasian Nuthatch (S. europaea) Variously regarded as a subspecies of S. europaea (243,664) or S. castanea (784); here treated as a separate species pending results of further studies. Found between 2400m and 3505m. First definitely re- corded on 12 May 1952 at Sialgari (E3) at 2895m by O. Polunin (620). Fairly com- mon in the north-west, probably resident. Altitudinal movements in Nepal are poorly known. Found in oak, spruce and ee as pine forests. Range N. Baluchistan; : Me Tee Himalayas from N.W.F-.P. east to Nepal. WALLCREEPER 1 Tichodroma muraria Subspecies nepalensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Fairly common. Mainly reported in winter when found over a wide altitudinal range from 245m to over 5000m. Noted at 5730m in Khumbu in mid-March 1975 (605). Un- common at Chitwan from October to March (296). Confirmed breeding in Khumbu (190) and in the Dhauligiri area (G4) (526). Frequents gorges and cliffs, especially above streams. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Safed Koh east to Arunachal Pradesh. Winters down to the foothills, and in the plains south to Ra- jasthan. BROWN-THROATED TREECREEPER Sikkim Treecreeper Subspecies discolor. A Hodgson speci- men was listed for Nepal by Gadow (253) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by S.D. Ripley at Godavari in November 1948 (659). A resident subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Summers chiefly between 2000m and 2750m, occasionally up to 3050m. Sometimes descends in winter down to 1800m, but has been found at 3050m in December (243). One collected at the exceptionally low altitude of 305m at Badalmachi (B4) in December 1952 (647) 1962 (190). Frequents broadleaved forests. The four Nepal- is the most westerly record of the species. ese treecreepers all occur in the central Himalayas Fairly common on Phulchowki, uncom- (H4,HS). Each species has been found to inhabit different mon elsewhere. Breeding habits are overlapping altitudinal belts and forest formations (533). poorly known. Taken in breeding condi- Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; tion at Godavari at 2000m on 9 March n.e. India. Treecreepers 331 BAR-TAILED TREECREEPER Certhia himalayana Himalayan Treecreeper Subspecies himalayana. A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Gadow (253) but it may have originated in India. First definitely collected by S.D. Ripley at the exceptionally low altitude of 75m at Tikapur (C5) in December 1948 (659). A fairly common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Summers mainly between 2900m and 3660m; in winter sometimes descends to 1800m, and occa- sionally down to 305m. Regularly re- ported east to the upper Kali Gandaki valley. Four were seen below Pisang (J4) on 28 March 1985 (451); the most easterly record in the Himalayas. A nest was found on 9 April 1974 in the Pelma Khola valley (F4) (153). Noted feeding young on 8 May 1988 at Khaptad at 3050m (C3) (428), and carrying nest material on 9 May 1985 at 2740m near Bumra (E3) (163). Breeding behaviour for this subspe- cies was previously unrecorded. Frequents coniferous and thododendron forests. Range N. Baluchistan, and the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. RUSTY-FLANKED TREECREEPER Certhia nipalensis Nepal Treecreeper oy > The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (798,118). A fairly common resident, sub- ject to some altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 2550m and 3660m, and winters between 1830m and at least 3505m. Breeding behaviour is poorly known. A nest was found on 4 May 1970 at Dhorpatan (G5) at 3400m (527); seen feeding young on 21 May 1982 at Gapte cave (L5) at 3505m (199); and flying in and out of a crevice in an oak in the upper Langtang valley on 30 April 1982 (517). Taken in breeding condition at Ting Sang La (N6) between 3000m and 3400m on 7 May and 2 June 1962 (190). Inhabits oak, also mixed coniferous and broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh. 332 EURASIAN TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Northern Treecreeper, Common Treecreeper Subspecies mandellii. First definitely re- corded at Chilung Pati (LS) at 2895m on 9 September 1935 by F.M. Bailey (62). A fairly common resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Mainly summers between 3000m and 4100m, and winters from 2000m up to at least 3655m. Breed- ing behaviour of this subspecies is little known. Observed nest-building on 19 April 1952 in an old fir stump at Punga Lekh (D3) at 3355m (620). Juveniles col- lected at 3950m and 4200m in Khumbu in late June 1962, were found to be inde- pendent (190). Seen feeding young in a nest hole at 3250m on Dori Lekh (E3) on 9 May 1985 (163), and one recently FIRE-CAPPED TIT Cephalopyrus flammiceps A specimen listed as “Nepal Purchased”, but with no other details is the first notice of the species (253). First definitely re- corded by J. Martens from Myandi Khola, Muri (G4) at 2100m on 26 March 1970 (527). Status in Nepal is uncertain; a scarce resident but also a very uncommon and erratic visitor. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) with flying young seen in May (657,428). Mainly recorded between 2135m and 3000m. Several recent reports from the upper Kali Gandaki valley in March and April, and a few from the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills between January and March. An influx in 1982 from February to May: in the Kath- mandu Valley (73), Khumbu (599), Syabru (LS) (199), and in the upper Kali Treecreepers/Sunbirds 9000m J'F'M J'J'A'S O'N'D fledged young bird was seen at 2800m at Khaptad (C3) on 21 May 1988 (428). Occurs in coniferous and birch forests. Range Himalayas from Gilgit east to Arunachal Pradesh. 9000m eo Gandaki valley with a maximum of over 12 near Lete (703). Single records from elsewhere. Two races have been recorded: C. f. flammiceps (664) and C. f. olivaceus (253,664,789). Frequents broadleaved and mixed forests, favouring maples. Range Himalayas from Gilgit east to Bhutan. RUBY-CHEEKED SUNBIRD Anthreptes singalensis Rubycheek Subspecies rubinigentis. First recorded at Chatra in February 1949 by S.D. Ripley (659). Very locally distributed, probably resident. Uncommon north of Sunischare and rare at Chitwan (296), the most west- erly locality for the species. Described as uncommon in the eastern tarai in 1976 (293). The only other records are from near Dharan on 8 February 1969 (9) and Hetaura on 9 October 1970 (444,450). Breeds from mid-March to June. Re- ported up to 455m in open forests or forest clearings; favours evergreens. ] —— | ie Lu r r Sat ramen alg (ain a ° 9000 = Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Sunbirds PURPLE SUNBIRD Nectarinia asiatica Subspecies asiatica. First recorded by B. Hodgson (366). A resident, common from the tarai up to at least 365m, mainly a summer visitor above 900m. In the Kathmandu Valley chiefly occurs be- tween June and mid-November, with a few overwintering. Confirmed breeding in the Kathmandu Valley (708), and at Chitwan (296). Found in flowering shrubs and trees in open forests and gardens. Range Throughout the subcontinent. MRS GOULD’S SUNBIRD Aethopyga gouldiae Subspecies gouldiae. A Hodgson speci- men was listed for Nepal by Gadow (254) but it may have originated in India. first definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey at Kodari (M6) on 27 May 1937 (62). An uncommon resident, subject to altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 2500m and 3655m, and winters between 1830m and at least 2700m. Breeding con- firmed above Dhunche (L5) (195). Regu- larly seen north-west of Pokhara (H4,H5), in Langtang, the upper Mai valley (S7) and on Phulchowki. Frequents thododendrons in oak and coniferous forests. Range Himalayas from the Sutlej valley east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. GREEN-TAILED SUNBIRD Aethopyga nipalensis Nepal Sunbird The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (366,798). A common resi- dent subject to altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 1830m and 3000m, occasionally up to 3505m. Mainly winters between 915m and 2745m but collected as low as 305m at Tari (N8) in December 1953 (647). Two intergrading taces occur: A. n. horsfieldi (h) (647,659), A. n. nipalensis (n) (104,190,512, 647,659,741) and intermediates (hn) (647). Found in oak and rhododendron and mixed broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Mussoorie east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 333 334 Sunbirds BLACK-THROATED SUNBIRD Aethopyga saturata Black-breasted Sunbird Subspecies saturata. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (366,798). A resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Occasionally found between 1000m and 1830m, and up to 2200m in summer. Descends from CRIMSON SUNBIRD Aethopyga siparaja higher levels in the coldest weather, infrequently down to 305m. Confirmed breeding in the Chitlang valley (L6) (104). Inhabits flowering bushes in open forests, and the edges of dense forest. Range Himalayas from Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Scarlet-breasted Sunbird, Yellow-backed Sunbird ear Subspecies seheriae. First recorded by B. Hodgson (366). A resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Fairly com- mon up to 915m, occasionally seen up to 1200m, and scarce up to 1800m. With- draws from higher levels in cold weather. Confirmed breeding at Amlekghanj (K7) (104), and Chitwan (296). Found in flow- ering shrubs in light forests, groves and gardens. Range Himalayas from Kangra east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; hills of the n.e. peninsula and W. Ghats. FIRE-TAILED SUNBIRD Aethopyga ignicauda Fire-tailed Yellow-backed Sunbird Subspecies ignicauda. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (366,798). A fairly common resident sub- ject to altitudinal movements. Summers at higher altitudes than Green-tailed Sunbird, mainly between 3000m and 4000m. Winters chiefly between 1050m and 2135m, but has been found up to 2895m. Proved breeding at Gosainkund (LS) (771). Inhabits rhododendron bushes above the treeline and open conif- erous forest. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Spiderhunters/Flowerpeckers 335 LITTLE SPIDERHUNTER Arachnothera longirostra Subspecies /ongirostra. First recorded at Kankaimukh near the Mechi River (S8) at 150m on 21 February 1961 by R.L. Fleming Sr. (234,246). Scarce and very local, probably resident. Subsequently found north of Sunischare (R8) (243) including one on 16 November 1978 (155) and three in mid-January 1989 (307). A scarce resident at Chitwan, near Tiger Tops (296), the most westerly record of the species. Breeds from March to September. Frequents wild bananas in damp broadleaved evergreen forests along streams, between 75m and 305m. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangla- desh; W. and E. Ghats. STREAKED SPIDERHUNTER Arachnothera magna Subspecies magna. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (366,798). Probably resident, locally dis- tributed. Mainly found in the tarai and lower hills up to 450m, but two were trapped at 2135m in the Arun valley (243). Fairly common north of Sunischare and uncommon elsewhere. Found at Chi- twan, the most westerly locality of the species this century. Inhabits broadleaved evergreen forests with dense under- growth, favouring wild bananas. Usually feeds in the canopy. Range Himalayas in the Sutlej valley (not since 1868), and from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. THICK-BILLED FLOWERPECKER Dicaeum agile Subspecies agile. First recorded by J. Scully in July and August (1876 or 1877) in the Kathmandu Valley (708). A resi- dent below 800m, mainly asummer visitor at higher elevations. Occasionally seen in the Kathmandu Valley up to 2135m be- tween May and October, and at Sukla Phanta where breeding has been con- firmed (432). Uncommon elsewhere. Inhabits broadleaved forests and groves. Range Himalayan foothills from Raw- alpindi east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Kerala and Bangladesh. a 90000 De SS 336 YELLOW-VENTED FLOWERPECKER Subspecies chrysochlore. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by R.L. Fleming Jr. in 1974 near Dhankuta along the Tamur River (Q8) at 245m (216,243). Scarce and very local, probably resident. YELLOW-BELLIED FLOWERPECKER CR. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114,798). Locally distributed, probably resident. Seasonal movements are poorly understood. Found between 2400m and 3000m in summer, and from 1050m to at Flowerpeckers Dicaeum chrysorrheum Reported from north of Sunischare: in March and April in 1977 (178), 1981 (559), 1982 (207,561) and 1987 (205). The only other records are from Chitwan in March in 1985 and 1989 (67), the western limit of the species’s range. Breeds from April to July. Seen in mistletoes in open forests and forest edges. Range Himalayan foothills from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Dicaeum melanaxanthum J9 FAG RSH OMENS?) 9000n JF MAM J) J least 1550m in winter. Occasionally seen in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills in winter, uncommon else- where. Breeding behaviour is unknown. Frequents flower- ing and fruiting trees in open broadleaved forest and forest clearings. Range Himalayas from Almora east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. PALE-BILLED FLOWERPECKER Dicaeur erythrorhynchos Tickell’s Flowerpecker Subspecies erythrorhynchos. First re- corded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, occasionally found throughout the tarai and lower foothills up to 305m. Sight records from the Kathmandu Valley at 1400m in summer (50,629,664,814) are unacceptable. The species is easily con- fused with Plain Flowerpecker, particu- larly the immatures which all have pale bills. Inhabits groves and open broadleaved forest. Range Himalayas from Dharmsala east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; In- dian peninsula. 9000m EEE Flowerpeckers 337 PLAIN FLOWERPECKER Dicaeum concolor Plain-coloured Flowerpecker Subspecies olivaceum. A Hodgson speci- men was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (717) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by S.D. Ripley at Nagarjung (L6) in April 1947 (659). Lo- cally distributed, presumably resident. Occurs mainly between 305m and 1525m. : { \ " \ Noted as high as 2500m above the Trisuli - ee : Ne oF valley (L5) on 31 October 1980 (516). Fairly common north of Sunischare, and foo aa in the Kathmandu Valley from mid- March to the end of September (635), but uncommon elsewhere. Proved breeding at Tumlingtar (Q7) (546). Found in broadleaved forest edges and groves. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh; s.w. India. FIRE-BREASTED FLOWERPECKER Dicaeum ignipectus Buff-bellied Flowerpecker Subspecies ignipectus. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth from a Hodgson specimen (114,798). A common resident subject to altitudinal move- ments. Summers mainly between 1830m and 2700m, and winters between 915m and 2285m. A scarce winter visitor to Chitwan. Proved breeding in the Chitlang valley (L6) and Kathmandu Valley (104). Frequents broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India. SCARLET-BACKED FLOWERPECKER Dicaeum cruentatum Subspecies cruentatum. Obtained by B. The only other record is of a male and two females seen at Hodgson in his later collection (315) but Dharan at 305m on 21 April 1979 (651,652). These are the the specimen may have originated in In- westernmost records of the species. Breeds from April to dia. First definitely recorded from Ilam August. Frequents broadleaved forests. Range Himalayan District (R8) at the exceptionally high foothills from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India altitude of 2135m (undated) (223,243). and Bangladesh. Scarce and very local, probably resident. 338 ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE Zosterops palpebrosus White-eye, Indian White-eye Subspecies palpebrosus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A very common resi- dent, subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Occurs up to 1370m throughout the year; probably only a summer visitor at higher altitudes up to 2440m. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296,432) and in the Kathmandu Valley (629,708). Inhab- its undergrowth in open forests, groves and gardens. Range Throughout the sub- continent, except parts of the extreme north-west. MAROON ORIOLE Oriolus traillii White-eye/Orioles Subspecies rraillii. First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). A locally fairly common resident, subject to some seasonal move- ments. Regularly seen on the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley, north- west of Pokhara (H5) and at Khaptad (C3) (428); few reports from elsewhere. BLACK-HOODED ORIOLE Onilus xanthornus Black-headed Oriole Subspecies xanthomus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident, subject to local seasonal movements. Common in the tarai and lower foothills below 365m, uncommon up to 915m, and rare at higher altitudes. A straggler to the Kathmandu Valley (240). Breeding confirmed at Chi- twan (296) and Hetaura (105). Inhabits open broadleaved forests and groves. Range Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Kerala, Kutch and Bangladesh. Summers mainly between 1500m and 2440m, and winters between 1200m and 1800m. Noted at Chitwan in November 1981 (296). Breeding confirmed at Bhimpedi (105). Inhab- its dense broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. TEAM AM) ied cA) O'N'D 9000= Orioles/Shrikes 339 SLENDER-BILLED ORIOLE Ofriolus tenuirostris Black-naped Oriole (O. chinensis) First recorded by J. Scully on 1 February 1877 in the Kathmandu Valley (708). He found it to be fairly common in the Valley from October to March, but it has only been recorded a few times subsequently, between January and April (222,243, 301,629). Scarce. Status is uncertain, probably a winter visitor. Other recent confirmed records are from north of Dhumre (J5) (652), Chitwan (151,296), Dharan (628), Hetaura (262), Tumlingtar (Q7) (574,587), upper Mai valley (R7) (321), Kosi Tappu (408) and north of Sunischare (658,549). Found in trees in open country and groves. Range Breeds EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE Onriolus oriolus Golden Oriole Subspecies kundoo. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A summer visitor from the tarai up to 1830m. Common at Chi- twan from March to October (296), occa- sionally seen elsewhere. Found in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding hills between mid-April and the end of No- vember (629,635). Breeding confirmed in the Valley (629) and near Dhankhuta (Q7) (446). Inhabits groves, trees at the edges of cultivation, and open wooded country. Range Breeds in Pakistan, in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal, BROWN SHRIKE Lanius cristatus Subspecies cristatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (375). A winter visitor and pas- sage migrant, occurring mainly below 1525m. Fairly common from central Nepal (K7,L6) eastwards, uncommon further west. One seen at Syang (H4) at about 2700m on 29 January 1983 showed the characters of /ucionensis (748). Noted, presumably on passage: in the upper Kali Gandaki valley at 2560m from 13 September to 5 October 1973 (76), and in mid-March 1982 (207); also at Tarnga (P6) at 4000m in mid-October 1970 (526), and between Khinza and Those (N6) at 2700m on 3 May 1982 (207). Frequents open forest, forest clearings and edges, ° 9000 = | | = 1 jal tt 9000m ay = Cea! 2H ON D mi ae | aa _____ JF M'A MJ's A’S'O ND in the Himalayas from Bhutan east to Arunachal Pradesh and in Meghalaya. Winters west to Nepal and Bombay, and south to Kanyakumari. and south to Karnataka. Winters throughout the peninsula east to Bengal. Ht SFM AVM lina AMESEOn INIA D: Ls 9000m secondary scrub, and hillsides with scattered bushes. Range Winters throughout the subcontinent, except parts of the north-west. 340 ISABELLINE SHRIKE Lanius isabellinus Pale Brown Shrike (L. collurio isabellinus) Subspecies isabellinus. First recorded by J. Scully who collected a specimen on 15 August 1875 which is held in the British Museum (Natural History). The speci- men is not listed by Gadow (253) or by Scully (708). Vagrant. The only other BAY-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius vittatus Subspecies vittatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Mainly an uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant, but regular sightings in summer and winter at Surkhet (D4) (244). Winters chiefly be- tween 75m and 335m. Singles noted, pre- sumably on passage, at Marpha at 2600m in September 1973 (76), at Kagbeni at 2810m in April 1982 (812), and north of Manang (J4) at the exceptionally high altitude of 3965m in July 1988 (194). In- habits open, dry bushy areas, and edges of cultivation. Range Pakistan and India from the w. Himalayan foothills, east to Bengal and south to s. India. LONG-TAILED SHRIKE Lanius schach Black-headed Shrike, Rufous-backed Shrike Shrikes records are of singles seen at Meghauli (J6) on 28 Decem- ber 1984 and at Sunischare on 28 January 1985 (142); also at Kosi Barrage on 30 January 1987, and photographed at Phewa Tal on 3 March 1986 (55). Frequents dry open scrub country. Range Winters in Pakistan and n.w. India. aEUE SM iwAI Misi CTA) Sea O aN BaD) First recorded by B. Hodgson (375,798). Common. Mainly resident, subject to alti- tudinal movements. Summers up to 3100m, chiefly between 1500m and 2700m. Some birds remain to winter in the foothills and tarai, others move south to India. Two intergrading races occur. The Black-headed Shrike L. s. tricolor (t) occurs chiefly in central areas (L5,L6), and eastwards. Proved breeding in the Gandak-Kosi watershed (L6) (230), in the Kathmandu Valley and on the sur- rounding hills (629,659,708), at low alti- tude at Chitwan (296) and near Dhankuta (Q7) (446). Oc- casionally reported in winter in the west (62,153,620,627,647) but these birds may be intermediates between this race and the Rufous-backed Shrike L. s. erythronotus (e). Introgression is apparent in the Kath- mandu Valley (88), but both intermediates (te) and pure erythronotus are common in the Kali Gandaki valley and westwards. A birds of each race was observed behaving as a pair near Jomosom on 12 April 1982 (812). The numbers of erythronotus are probably increased by winter visitors. The species inhabits lightly wooded areas and bushes in open country. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Shrikes/Drongos GREY-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius tephronotus Tibetan Shrike Subspecies tephronotus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (375). A fairly common alti- tudinal migrant. Summers chiefly be- tween 2745m and 4575m; winters mainly from 275m up to at least 2560m, infre- quently below 365m. In the Kathmandu Valley chiefly seen from October to March. Frequents open bushy areas and edges of cultivation. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Baltistan east to Arun- achal Pradesh. Winters in the foothills and south to the plains of n. and nee. India. GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Grey Shrike Subspecies /ahtora. First collected by H.S. Nepali near Gauhna village (C5) on 8 February 1969 (591). A locally distributed resident in the tarai near the Indian bor- der. Fairly common in Kapilvastu District especially near Bhairawa (F6,G6) (7,155, 444). Uncommon near Kosi Barrage and Kosi Tappu (P8,Q8,R8), and elsewhere in the far south-east tarai (Q9,R9) (293). Only single records from other areas. Occurs in dry, open scrub country. Range Pakistan and n. India east to Bangladesh, and south to Karnataka. BLACK DRONGO Dicrurus macrocercus (D. adsimilis) Subspecies albirictus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (340). An abundant resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Occurs up to at least 1525m throughout the year, and occasionally up to 2000m in 341 9000 Ty — Sew TE O'N'D summer. Confirmed breeding at Nepalganj (432), Pokhara (326), in the Kathmandu Valley (629,708), Trisuli valley (LS) (517) and at Hetaura (106). Frequents open wooded country, edges of cultivation and habitation. Range Throughout the subcontinent. 342 ASHY DRONGO Dicrurus leucophaeus Grey Drongo Subspecies /ongicaudatus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). Common. Mainly a resident, subject to altitudinal move- ments, and with some birds moving south to winter in India. Summers regularly between 1220m and 2745m, and winters between 1065m and 1525m. It is also a locally common resident in the lowlands at Bardia and Chitwan. Proved breeding at Chitwan (296,432), on the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley (629,708,556) and at Bhimpedi (106). Inhabits broadleaved and coniferous forests. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh, and in n.e. India and Bangla- desh. Winters south to s. India. Drongos WHITE-BELLIED DRONGO Dicrurus caerulescens Subspecies caerulescens. A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (713) but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by J. Scully who found it commonly at Hetaura in winter in 1876 or 1877 (708). A resident in the lowlands up to 305m. Common in the west at Sukla Phanta, Dhangarhi and Bardia; fairly common in central areas at Tamaspur, Chitwan, Butwal and Hetaura; occasionally seen further east. Confirmed breeding at Mahendranagar (A4) (811) and Dhangarhi (432). Occurs in clearings and edges of thin forest. Range India from Haryana and Kutch east to Bengal and from Nepal south to Kerala. CROW-BILLED DRONGO Dicrurus annectans The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (374,798). Its status is uncer- tain in Nepal and the rest of the subconti- nent (45,664) because of confusion with the Black Drongo. Probably an uncom- mon summer visitor. Wrongly described as a common resident at Chitwan (296); only a few records in spring have been confirmed from there. The only other acceptable records are from Bardia (432), Hetaura (106,245), the eastern foothills (P8,Q8) (293,792), Kosi Barrage (256) and north of Sunischare (442,794). Frequents humid, broadleaved, evergreen forests. Range Himalayan foothills from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. Drongos CROW-BILLED DRONGO, cont’d ... BRONZED DRONGO Dicrurus aeneus Little Bronzed Drongo Subspecies aeneus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (374). A fairly common resi- dent, subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Usually winters below 1220m; mainly summers up to 1600m, occasion- ally up to 2000m. Confirmed breeding in the central hills (414), at Dhunche (L5) (771) and at Chitwan (296). In the Kath- mandu Valley it is mainly a summer visi- tor. Frequents clearings and forest paths in broadleaved forests. Range Himalayan foothills from Mussoorie east to Arun- achal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; E. and W. Ghats. 343 = si EEE 9000m J'FAM'A'M JAI A’ S'O'N'S LESSER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO Dicrurus remifer Small Racquet-tailed Drongo Subspecies tectirostris. First recorded by B. Hodgson (374). A locally distributed resident, found mainly between 915m and 1800m. Some birds possibly withdraw from higher elevations in winter. Occa- sionally seen north-west of Pokhara, at Begnas Tal, and Chitwan north of the Churia range, where it may be only a winter visitor (243,296); uncommon inthe Kathmandu Valley and in Ilam District (R8). Mainly single records from else- where. Proved breeding at Bhimpedi (106) and in the Kathmandu Valley (243). Inhabits dense, moist broadleaved forests. Range Himalayan foothills from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. 344 Drongos/Woodswallow SPANGLED DRONGO Dicrurus hottentottus Hair-crested Drongo Subspecies hottentottus. First recorded by J. Gould (266). A fairly common resident, subject to seasonal movements depend- ing on the supply of nectar, its main food. Occurs chiefly from the tarai up to 1050m, uncommonly at higher altitudes. A strag- gler was found at 4115m in June 1971 in the Dolpo (G3) (224,692). Proved breed- ing at Hetaura (106). Frequents moist broadleaved forests; associates with flow- ering trees, especially silk cotton. Range Himalayan foothills from Kangra east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bang- ladesh; E. and W. Ghats. GREATER RACKET-TAILED DRONGO_ Dicrurus [PEERS Large Racquet-tailed Drongo Subspecies grandis. First recorded by J. Regularly seen at Sukla Phanta, Bardia, near Dharan, north Gould (266). A locally common resident, of Sunischare, and also at Chitwan where proved breeding liable to some seasonal wanderings. (296). Occurs in open broadleaved forests. Range India east Found mainly below 150m, uncommonly and south of a line from Gujarat to Kumaon; Bangladesh. up to 365m, and rarely at higher altitudes. ASHY WOODSWALLOW Artamus fuscus Ashy Swallow-shrike First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A local resident. Found mainly between 75m and 365m, but noted in the upper Kali Gandaki valley at 2560m on 13 April 1978 (655), and on 1 March 1981 (65). Common in summer in the eastern tarai and foothills (Q8) (293), and fairly com- mon at Hetaura, north of Sunischare, and at Chitwan where proved breeding uy (296,432,771). Mainly single records from Poe : SS elsewhere. Frequents open country and 8 ponte Ret ors grassy ridges. Range India east and south of a line from Gujarat to Simla; Bangla- desh. Crows 345 EURASIAN JAY Garrulus glandarius Himalayan Red-crowned Jay, Jay First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally distributed resident, found mainly between 1800m and 2440m throughout the year, but subject to some altitudinal movements. Common on the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley, fairly common at Khaptad (C3); occasionally seen elsewhere. Proved breeding on Sheopuri (414), and in the Markhu valley (L6) (106). Two races occur. G. g. bispecu- laris (b) (482,647,659), G. g. interstinctus om OES (i) (736) and intermediates (bi) (106). Inhabits broadleaved forests, favouring oak. Range Himalayas from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. LANCEOLATED JAY Garrulus lanceolatus Black-throated Jay, Black-headed Jay First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it breeding on Jahar Powah (L6) (388,414). Presumably resident. Re- ported chiefly between 915m and 2500m and subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Common in Dandeldhura and Doti Districts (A3,B3,C2,C3); uncom- mon further east as far as the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley. A pair was noted at Yarsa (N6) at about 1800m ra nt rt ee ee on3 April 1981 (159); the eastern limit of So Eo Pia Meas eae the species’s range. Inhabits oak and mixed broadleaved forests. Range Hima- layas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. YELLOW-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE Urocissa flavirostris Gold-billed Magpie (Cissa flavirostris) Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by J. Scully from the hills sur- rounding the Kathmandu Valley and in Nawakot District in June and July 1877 (708). A common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Found ‘mainly above 2440m throughout the year; in summer frequently up to 3660m, andin winter occasionally down to 1850m. In the 5 9000e a far west seen in May as low as 1500m in Bajhang District (C2) (657) and at 1300m flavirostris (f) (247,482,574,661) and intermediates (cf) in Doti District (C3) (438). Proved breed- (106). Frequents broadleaved and coniferous forests. ing at Thodung (N6) in May (190). Two Range Himalayas from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh; races occur: U. f. cucullata (c) (647), U. f. n.e. India. 346 Crows RED-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE Urocissa erythrorhyncha Blue Magpie (Cissa erythrorhyncha) Subspecies occipitalis. First recorded by B. Hodgson, (388). A common resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Generally occurs at lower elevations than the Yellow-billed Blue Magpie. Reported chiefly between 365m and 1525m, but occasionally up to 2200m in summer, and GREEN MAGPIE Cissa chinensis Subspecies chinensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally fairly common resident, occurring chiefly below 1200m. Regularly seen north-west of Pokhara, at Begnas Tal, and in the Mai valley (R7,R8). Uncommon at Chitwan (296) and elsewhere. Inhabits dense thickets in moist broadleaved forests. Range Hima- layas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh. RUFOUS TREEPIE Dendrocitta vagabunda Indian Treepie noted at 3050m near Rara on 21 June 1979 (626). Found at Hans Pokhari Danda (S8) in March 1988 (485), the eastern- most record of the species in the Himalayas. Confirmed breeding in Doti District (C3) (68), at Hetaura (106), in the Kathmandu Valley (629) and upper Arun valley (483). Inhabits broadleaved and mixed forests. Range Himalayas from Kangra and Kulu east to Nepal; n.e. India. 9000m aS RT Crows RUFOUS TREEPIE, cont'd ... Subspecies vagabunda. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident from the tarai up to 1050m, uncommon up to 1370m. Noted in December 1979 with Grey Treepies, at about 1800m on GREY TREEPIE Dendrocitta formosae Himalayan Treepie First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident subject to altitudinal movements. Generally occurs at higher altitudes than Rufous Treepie. Chiefly summers between 1050m and 2150m, and winters between 915m and 1525m. Noted as low as 250m at Chitwan on 25 Septem- ber 1989 (67). Proved breeding at Phewa Tal (326). Two intergrading races occur: D. f. occidentalis (0) and D. f. himalayen- sis (h). Inhabits forests and secondary scrub. Range Himalayas from the Jhelum River east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; E. Ghats. [COLLARED TREEPIE Dendrocitta frontalis Black-browed Treepie Subspecies frontalis. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- 347 Phulchowki, and in February 1989 at Kimche (HS) at 1585m (69). Confirmed breeding at Chitwan (296). Frequents open wooded country, groves and trees at edges of cultivation. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. J °F MAA M J JAA SOUND dia. No subsequent records. Inhabits dense, mixed, ever- green forest and bamboo jungle (45,664). Range Himalayas from Darjeeling east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India.] HUME’S GROUND JAY Pseudopodoces humilis Hume’s Ground Pecker (Podoces humilis) Hume’s Ground Chough, Tibetan Ground-Jay First definitely recorded on 18 June 1952 at Tuiyegaon (G3) at 5335m by O. Pol- n unin (620). A resident, occasionally found 2 in Trans-Himalayan Nepal between 4000m and 5335m. Shows little seasonal movement. Reported on the Thorong La (H4) (314) and above Manang (J4) (553). Breeding confirmed in Mustang (H3) and in the Dolpo (G3) (243). A juvenile was yl | — a | ‘collected at Bhareal (G3) at 4880m on 28 y Foti te ee July 1978 (587). Breeding behaviour has not been described in the Indian subcon- tinent. Feeds on the ground in the Ti- betan steppe facies above the treeline, among scattered bushes, or on stony hillsides. Range N. Nepal and n. Sikkim. 348 Crows SPOTTED NUTCRACKER WNucifraga caryocatactes Nutcracker, Eurasian Nutcracker Subspecies hemispila. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Mainly summers between 2745m and 3660m, and winters from at least 2135m up to 3050m, but seen several times at Khaptad (C3) down to 1500m in May (428). A straggler was seen at 305m at Dharan in October (243). Breeding con- firmed in the Dhorpatan valley (G5) (499), in the Gandak-Kosi watershed (L5) (633) and in the upper Arun (483) and upper Mai valleys (736). Forages in coniferous forests. Range Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh. ALPINE CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax graculus Yellow-billed Chough Subspecies digitatus. First definitely re- corded on the Singalila Range (S7) on 6 March 1912 at 3610m by H. Stevens (736). A common resident, subject to some alti- tudinal movements. Occurs chiefly above 3500m and up to at least 6250m. Noted as high as 8235m on Sagarmatha (243). Sometimes descends from higher levels in winter, particularly after bad weather. Seen at 2350m near Jumla on29 March 1977 (464), and below Chame (J4) on 13 November 1978 (553). Breeding confirmed in Khumbu (190) and as low as 3450m below Manang (J4) (757). Inhabits alpine meadows and upland cultivation, often near cliffs. Range N. Baluchistan, and the Himalayas from Chi- tral east to Arunachal Pradesh. Crows 349 RED-BILLED CHOUGH Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Chough Subspecies himalayanus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (277). A common resi- dent, subject to altitudinal movements. Occurs mainly above 2440m, and noted as high as 7340m and 7950m on Sagarmatha in May 1952 (415). May descend from higher elevations in winter, occasionally down to 2135m, and found as low as 1450m at Dana (H4) in February and March 1982 (57,682). Proved breeding in the Langu valley (F2) (330) and at Kagbeni (811). Habitat is similar to that of Alpine Chough, although generally found at lower altitudes. Range N. Balu- HOUSE CROW Corvus splendens chistan, and the Himalayas from Chitral east to Arunachal Pradesh. Subspecies splendens. First recorded by B. Hodgson (277). An abundant and sed- entary resident from the tarai up to 1525m, rare at higher altitudes. The maxi- mum altitude reported is 2100m at JUNGLE CROW Corvus macrorhynchos Large-billed Crow First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident. Four races occur. C. m. intermedius (i) (106) is found mainly between 1200m and 4900m, and shows little evidence of seasonal movements. Seen as high as 5790m below the summit of Paldor East (L5) in October 1982 (583). This race is larger than the other two, has a call similar to that of the Common Raven, and is often confused with that species. Intermediates between Nagarkot (M6) on 9 February 1983 (593). Confirmed breeding at Chitwan (296), and in the Kathmandu Valley (517,629,708). Entirely associated with man. A scavenger in villages and towns. Range Throughout the subcontinent. this race and C. m. tibetosinensis (it) occur in n.e. Khumbu (45). C. m. culminatus (c) (234) and C. m. levaillantii (1) (246), have only been collected in the lowlands. Proved breeding at Khaptad (C3) (428), Nepalganj (432) and in the Kathmandu Valley (629,708); also at Chitwan (296), near Dhankuta (Q7) (446), and in the upper Mai valley (736). Frequents forests, cultivation, and open country above the treeline, but usually associated with villages and towns. Range N. Baluchistan; Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Praéesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; the whole of peninsular India. 350 JUNGLE CROW, cont'd ... COMMON RAVEN Corvus corax Raven, Northern Raven Subspecies tibetanus. First definitely re- corded in July and August 1950 by D. Lowndes at Manangbhot (J4) between 4265m and 4570m (512). A fairly common resident subject to some altitudinal move- ments. Occurs in Trans-Himalayan Nepal mainly above 3500m, and up to at least 5000m. Seen as high as 8235m on Sagar- matha in 1971 (244). May move south and to lower altitudes in winter, occasionally as low as 2500m, particularly after severe weather. Inhabits dry rocky areas above the treeline, in the Tibetan facies. Range Pakistan; Himalayas from Hunza east to Arunachal Pradesh. SPOT-WINGED STARLING Saroglossa spiloptera Spot-winged Stare 9000 Crows/Starlings Starlings SPOT-WINGED STARLING, cont’d ... First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). Occasionally seen up to 915m anduncom- mon up to 1830m. Status is uncertain. A passage migrant to Chitwan from Febru- ary to April and in July (296). Flocks of up to 50 noted at Dharan in March and June (293), over 100 in Doti District (B3) in 351 May (68) and 125 at Chitwan in February (565) were possibly on migration. Breeding confirmed at Hetaura (105), Betrawati (L6) (299) and Mechi Zone (R7) (658). Frequents open broadleaved forests and feeds on nectar of flowering trees. Range Himalayan foothills from Kangra east to Sikkim; n.e. India east to Bangladesh. CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING Stunus malabaricus Grey-headed Myna Subspecies malabaricus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). Fairly common between 75m and 1370m. Although re- corded in all months it is not certain that it is resident. A summer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley from mid-March to early November (635). Occurs at Chitwan from February to October, and possibly BRAHMINY STARLING Stwnus pagodarum Brahminy Mynah ° WF JF AM J JAAS’ ON D resident there (296). Described as a winter visitor to Sukla Phanta (700) and as both a resident and local migrant to the eastern tarai and foothills (Q8) (293). Breeding confirmed at Silgadi-Doti (B3) (438), Chitwan (296), in the Kath- mandu Valley (629,756) and in the east (Q8) (293). Inhabits lightly wooded country and groves. Range The whole of the subcontinent east and south of a line from Rajasthan to Dehra Dun. 352 BRAHMINY STARLING, cont'd ... First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). A resident, reported mainly up to 915m. Seasonal movements are poorly known. Occasionally seen at Nepalganj and west- wards; uncommon further east. Noted at the unusually high altitude of 3050m in the Langu valley (F2) in May 1983 (330). COMMON STARLING Saunus vulgaris Eurasian Starling, Starling First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). He also provided the only specimen of S. v. humii (519), although this may have origi- nated in India. Two other races have been recorded: S. v. porphyronotus (p) (62,647) and S. p. poltaratskyi (t) (245). The species is an uncommon winter visitor and passsage migrant found chiefly up to 1500m. Several reports from Sukla Phanta, Pokhara, Kathmandu Valley, and Kosi marshes. Mainly single records from elsewhere. The maximum of about 100 was seen on 6 January 1988 by the Bag- mati River, Kathmandu Valley (203). Singles noted at Jomosom on 28 March 1983 (56) and Kagbeni on 1 April 1984 (421) were presumably on passage. Found in damp grassland and cultivation. Range Winters throughout Pakistan, n. India, and Bangladesh. ROSY STARLING Stumus roseus Rosy Pastor, Rose-coloured Starling Vagrant. First recorded by B. Hodgson who found it on 10 October in the Kath- mandu Valley (336,388). The only other record is of one seen on 14 April 1981 at Kosi Barrage (559). Frequents grassland and cultivation. Range Winter visitor to India east to Bengal and south to s. India. Passage migrant in Pakistan. Starlings Found breeding at Surkhet (D4) (626), in the eastern foothills (Q8) (293) and by the Indrawati Khola (M6) (243). Only one record from the Kathmandu Valley, possibly referring to escaped birds (3). Inhabits dry open broadleaved forest and scrub. Range Throughout the sub- continent, except parts of the north-west and north-east. Starlings ASIAN PIED STARLING Sturnus contra Pied Myna Subspecies contra. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident throughout the lowlands up to 305m. Possibly subject to local movements. Confirmed breeding at Chitwan (296) and in the eastern tarai (Q8) (293). One located in the Kathmandu Valley (813) was possibly an escaped bird. Forages in cultivation and other open country, usu- ally near habitation and grazing animals. Range Haryana east to n.e. India and Bangladesh, and south to Bombay and Andhra Pradesh. COMMON MYNAH Acridotheres trstis Indian Mynah 353 Subspecies tristis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). An abundant resident, regularly found up to at least 1830m throughout the year. Occasionally sum- mers up to 3050m and winters up to BANK MYNAH Acridotheres ginginianus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally, fairly common resident, occurring mainly in the tarai. Only occasionally seen at higher altitudes. Several reports from the Kathmandu Valley refer possibly to escaped birds. Subject to some local movements but these are poorly under- stood. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296), Mahendranagar (A4) (811), Bardia District (432), and the eastern tarai (P8) (293). Found near villages, often associ- ated with grazing animals. Rarely occurs in urban areas in Nepal. Range Pakistan, and n. India east to Assam and Bangla- desh, and south to Bombay and n. Orissa. 2135m. Found breeding in the Dhorpatan valley (G5) (499), at Chitwan (296), Hetaura (105), in the Kathmandu Valley (517,629) and eastern lowlands (Q§8) (293). Frequents habi- tation almost everywhere. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. 354 JUNGLE MYNAH Ac7vidotheres fuscus Subspecies fuscus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). A common resident from the tarai up to 1525m. Noted up to 2200m at Khaptad (C3) in April and May 1988 (428). Subject to local seasonal move- ments which are poorly understood. Abundant at Chitwan in spring (432) but absent in December (460). Common throughout the year in the Kathmandu Valley but less numerous in winter (629). Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296), Hetaura (105) and in the Kathmandu Valley (629,708). Inhabits well-wooded areas, cultivation, and edges of towns and villages. Range Himalayas from Murree HILL MYNAH_ § Gracula religiosa Talking Mynah, Grackle Subspecies intermedia. First recorded by B. Hodgson (348). A resident, occasion- ally found in the central and eastern low- lands, mainly up to 455m. Noted at 1025m in Ilam District (R8) in December (658). Subject to some local and poorly under- stood seasonal movements. Breeding confirmed at Chitwan (296) and Hetaura (105). One noted in the Kathmandu Val- ley on 21 December 1980 (576) was probably an escaped bird. Frequents moist broadleaved forests. Range Hima- layas from Kumaon east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; hills of the n.e. peninsula; W. Ghats. HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident from the tarai up to 1600m, occasionally reported up to 2135m. Possibly subject to some local alti- tudinal movements. Breeding confirmed at Sukla Phanta (432), Surkhet (D4) (626), Nepalganj (626), Chitwan (296), and in the Kathmandu Valley (626,659, 481). P. d. indicus (i) has been found up to 1500m (245,482,647). The birds above this altitude are likely to be P. d. parkini but specimens are lacking. Birds in the Kathmandu Valley are intermediate be- tween the two races (ip) (105). Frequents villages, towns and nearby cultivation. In Starlings/Sparrows east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south locally throughout the peninsula to s. India. the Kathmandu Valley chiefly occurs in urban areas. Range Throughout the subcontinent. Sparrows 355 SPANISH SPARROW Passer hispaniolensis Willow Sparrow Subspecies transcaspicus. Vagrant. First recorded at Kosi Barrage where a flock of 50 was seen on 16 February 1981 by D. Mills et al. (65,559). The only other rec- ords are of up to three in mid-March 1982 (682,770), also at Kosi. At least three males showing intermediate features be- tween Spanish and House Sparrows were observed in a party of about 20 sparrows on 17 and 18 February 1981 at Kosi Bar- tage (180). Frequents cultivation and semi-desert. Range A winter visitor to the plains of n. Pakistan and nw. India. CINNAMON SPARROW Passer rutilans Cinnamon Tree Sparrow, Russet Sparrow Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409) but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by F.M. Bailey at Chari Gaon (E2) on 14 June 1936 (62). A resident subject to some altitudinal movements. Fairly common in the Kali Gandaki valley and westwards; uncommon further east to Kathmandu. A total of about 50 was seen at the unusually low altitude of 75m near Kosi (748). Most frequently reported between 1000m and 2900m, although it is also common in Dolpo and Mustang Dis- tricts up to 4270m in summer. Also found (HS) (153). Frequents open forest and cultivation near hill breeding at much lower altitudes, at 915m villages. Range Himalayas from Chitral and Kashmir east to at Phewa Tal (153) and at 2590m at Sikha Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. EURASIAN TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Tree Sparrow First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). An abundant resident subject to altitudinal movements. Occurs chiefly between 610m and 4270m. May withdraw from higher levels in winter but noted as high as 3795m in February 1982 (770). Proved breeding at Tansen (H6) (230), Bhimpedi (105), Chitwan (67) and in the Kath- mandu Valley (629,708). Also breeds at the unusually low altitude of 75m at Kosi Tappu where it occurs from January to May (327). Co-exists with House Sparrow in Kathmandu and elsewhere. Two races higher altitudes (512,647). Frequents towns, villages and occur: P. m. malaccensis (m) up to 2000m adjacent cultivation. Range N. Baluchistan; Himalayas (62,105,482) and P. m. tibetanus (t) at from N.W.F.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. 356 Sparrows/Snowfinches CHESTNUT-SHOULDERED PETRONIA Petronia xanthocollis Yellow-throated Sparrow Subspeciesxanthocollis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A resident subject to local movements, found mainly up to 305m. Occasionally seen in the far west (A4,B4,C4,C5) and at Chitwan; uncom- mon elsewhere. Proved breeding at Chi- twan (296). Inhabits open dry forest, thorn jungle and trees at the edge of cultivation. Range Pakistan and the whole of the Indian peninsula east to Bengal. PLAIN-BACKED SNOWFINCH Monitifringilla blanfordi Blanford’s Snowfinch Subspecies blanfordi. Status uncertain, possibly a scarce resident. The only rec- ord received is of one collected at Neach- achung, Mustang (H3) at 4815m on 13 June 1977 by H.S. Nepali (587). It was found within 100m of birds of the two following species. Inhabits the Tibetan steppe. Range N. Nepal and n. Sikkim. RUFOUS-NECKED SNOWFINCH Monitifringilla ruficollis Red-necked Snowfinch Status uncertain, possibly a scarce resident. The first record was of one collected one at Neachachung, Mustang (H3) at 4815m on 13 June 1977 by H.S. Nepali (587). Singles seen at Pipar Hill (H5) at 3290m, and on nearby Kumai Hill at 3340m both in October 1979 (499) were possibly the same individual. The only other records are of a flock of about 20 seen near Khumjung (P6) at 3700m on 29 October 1987 and one above Dugla (P6) at 4850m on 5 November 1987 after a severe blizzard (558). Frequents open stony areas and short grassland in the Tibetan steppe. Range N. Nepal and n. Sikkim. WHITE-RUMPED SNOWFINCH 9 Montifringilla taczanowski Mandelli’s Snowfinch Status uncertain, possibly a scarce resi- dent. The only record received is of one collected at Neachachung, Mustang (H3) TIBETAN SNOWFINCH Montifringilla adamsi Adams’ Snowfinch, Black-winged Snowfinch Subspecies adamsi. First definitely re- corded near Saldang, Dolpo (G3) at 4330m on 16 June 1971 by R.L. Fleming Jr. (224,246). A common resident in Dolpo and Mustang Districts. Breeds be- tween 3600m and 4500m (50,664), and is subject to some poorly understood altitu- dinal movements. Reported between November and March from 2530m to 3445m in the upper Kali Gandaki valley (765,403), on Thorong La (H4) (298), near Langtang village (M5) (180) and in Khumbu (546,595,596). Occurs on open stony hillsides, plateaux and near upland villages. Range N. Himalayas from La- dakh east to Sikkim. at 4815m on 13 June 1977 by H.S. Nepali (587). Found in open stony Tibetan steppe habitat. Range N. Nepal and n. Sikkim. cc Ti - c oars AAS~ 0 at Weavers BLACK-BREASTED WEAVER 1 Ploceus benghalensis Black-throated Weaver First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally distributed resident in the low- lands, occurring up to 245m. Subject to some local movements. Fairly common at Sukla Phanta (700), Chitwan (296) and on Kosi marshes (P8,Q8). Breeding con- firmed at Tilaurakot (G6) (157), and Chitwan (296). Frequents tall, damp grassland and reedy marshes. Range Mainly in the Gangetic plain east to n.e. India and Bangladesh, but also very lo- cally in Pakistan, Gujarat and near Bom- bay. STREAKED WEAVER Ploceus manyar Subspecies flaviceps. First recorded at Kosi Barrage by S.C. Madge et al. who found a flock of 20 on 8 February 1974 (518). A very local resident and local migrant, in the tarai. In 1976 described as common and breeding at Kosi from June to August (293) but only a few other reports from the area, between February and August. The only other record is from Sukla Phanta where about 17 were seen on 4 May 1982 (432). Inhabits reedy marshes. Range Throughout the subcon- tinent, except some parts of the north- west. BAYA WEAVER Ploceus philippinus First recorded by B. Hodgson (388,798). A common resident from the tarai up to 1370m, subject to seasonal movements. In the Himalayas mainly a summer visitor. Breeding confirmed near Taulihawa (G6) (157), north-west of Pokhara (499), at Chitwan (296,652), in the Kathmandu Valley (629,708,756,321), Sunischare (321), and elsewhere in the eastern low- lands (P8,Q8) (293,432). Two races occur: P. p. philippinus (p) (190,647), P. p. bur- manicus (b) (247) and also intermediates (pb) (62,105,632). Frequents cultivation and grassland with scattered bushes and trees. Range Throughout the subconti- nent. 357 358 Munias RED AVADAVAT Amandava amandava Red Munia Subspecies amandava. Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later collection (409) but the specimen may have originated in In- dia. First definitely recorded by FM. Bailey at Bilauri (A4) on 11 February 1937 (62). A locally distributed resident, seen occasionally up to 305m. Noted up to 670m at Bulbuli, near Surkhet (D4) in August 1979 (244). Regularly found at Sukla Phanta, Kosi Barrage, and at Chi- twan where proved breeding (296). One seen in Kathmandu was probably an es- caped cage-bird (546). Frequents reedy marshes and tall grassland. Range Throughout most of the subcontinent. INDIAN SILVERBILL Euodice malabarica White-throated Munia (Lonchura malabarica) F First definitely recorded at Raghun- athpur (N8) at 275m in December 1953 by R.L. Fleming Sr (647). An uncommon resident in the tarai and duns up to 305m. Several reports from Kosi and Nepalganj. Mainly single records from elsewhere. Found breeding in old weaver nests at Biratnagar in November (243). Frequents cultivation, grassland and open scrub country. Occurs in drier habitats than other munias. Range Throughout the subcontinent. STRIATED MUNIA Lonchura striata Sharp-tailed Munia, White-backed Munia, White-rumped Munia Subspecies acuticauda. First recorded by B. Hodgson (354,798). A local resident, subject to seasonal movements. Seen regularly throughout the year up to about 1220m; but mainly a summer visitor from this altitude up to 2135m. Fairly common near Pokhara and uncommon in the Kathmandu Valley where proved breed- ing (629). Occasionally reported from elsewhere. Inhabits open wooded areas and scrub near cultivation. Range Hima- layas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India and Bangladesh; pen- insular India south from s. Gujarat and s. Bihar. Munias SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA Lonchura punctulata Spotted Munia, Nutmeg Mannikin Subspecies punctulata. First recorded by B. Hodgson (354). A fairly common resi- dent. Occurs mainly up to 1525m throughout the year, but noted at 2680m in the Dhorpatan valley (F4) in summer 1981 (499). Proved breeding at Chitwan CHESTNUT MUNIA Lonchura malacca Black-headed Munia First recorded by B. Hodgson (354). Lo- cally distributed and chiefly found from the tarai up to 1220m. Probably resident. Reported to be fairly common and proved breeding at Chitwan (296). In 1877 described as a common breeding summer visitor to the Kathmandu Valley (708) but there are very few later records. Occasionally seen from April to Septem- ber in the eastern tarai (P8) (293). Several sightings from the Kosi marshes; mainly single reports from elsewhere. Collected in breeding condition at Hetaura in July (105). Two intergrading races occur: L. m. rubroniger (r) (105,247,798) and L. m. atri- capilla (a) (234,246). The nests and eggs of these races are undescribed. Frequents cultivation and grassland. Range Ambala and Lucknow east to n.e. India and Bang- ladesh, and south to Orissa; Bombay and Raipur south to s. India. 359 (296); in the Kathmandu Valley (629), in the eastern low- lands (Q8) (293) and as high as 1670m at Uttarpani (Q7) (613). Forages in cultivation, grassland and bushes. Range The whole of the subcontinent east and south of a line from Kathiawar to Madhupur. 360 Finches COMMON CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Subspecies coelebs. First recorded at Rara at 3050m on 6 February 1971 by R. L. Fleming Jr. (9). An uncommon winter visitor found mainly between 2000m and 2750m, but may descend to lower alti- tudes in cold winters. Noted as low as 1555m at Lumle (H5) in November 1981 (146). Only three records received from east of the Kali Gandaki valley; in the upper Langtang valley (M5) in January 1981 (180), in the upper Marsyangdi val- it —————] a oa ley (J4) (158) and at Goraibas (S7) in March 1989 (549). Frequents conifer for- ests and bushy areas. Range Winter visi- tor to Kohat, Gilgit, and Nepal. BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla First recorded by R.L. Fleming Jr. at Rara and Jumla in winter 1971 (243). An erratic winter visitor, seen mainly in the north and north-west between 2135m and 3050m. Occasionally reported from the upper Kali Gandaki valley in severe win- ters. The maximum of 30 was noted at Tukche on 18 March 1982 (207,561). In the cold winter of 1978 two were found on Sheopuri summit (243) and one near Godavari at 1525m, both records in Janu- ————————F ae ary (243,746). Habitat is similar to that of Common Chaffinch. Range Winters in n. Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. FIRE-FRONTED SERIN Serinus pusillus Red-fronted Serin, Gold-fronted Serin, or Finch F 0 9000m g FMA '? J as o Finches FIRE-FRONTED SERIN, cont’d ... First recorded by O. Polunin on 12 April 1952 at Jumla at 2345m (620). Fairly common, presumably a resident subject to altitudinal movements. Mainly seen above 2440m but found as high as 4575m in summer; occasionally down to 2100m in winter. Regularly seen in the upper TIBETAN SERIN Serinus thibetanus Tibetan Siskin (Carduelis thibetana) First recorded at Godavari at 1525m on 28 January 1952 by D. Proud (634). A local winter visitor, occurring between 1050m and 3355m. Most frequent in the Kathmandu Valley, particularly the Royal Botanic Gardens, Godavari where it occurs from the end of November to end of March (57). The maximum of sev- eral hundred birds was reported there in February 1953 (635). Uncommon else- where. A flock near Jhingrana (C3) at about 2100m on 18 March 1989 (68) is the most westerly wintering record for the SPECTACLED FINCH Callacanthis burtoni Red-browed Finch 361 Kali Gandaki valley and westwards; few reports from fur- ther east. Found at Manang in November 1981 (553,554) and November 1984 (142), at Hinko (HS) in January 1983 (748), and near Syabru (LS) in March 1987 (484). Frequents Tibetan steppe habitat in summer; bushes and small trees in winter. Range N. Baluchistan; Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. [et as === 1 i 9000m Toe Leh a ae O'N'D species. Mainly occurs in alders. Range Possibly breeds in Arunachal Pradesh. Winters in the Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. First recorded on Sheopuri at 2500m on 25 March 1961 by D. Proud (639). A local and erratic winter visitor; possibly also breeds but not definitely known to be resident. Regularly occurs near Ghore- pani. Found to be fairly common there in February and March 1982 but scarce in some winters. Chiefly single records from elsewhere. Only one summer record: from Ghorepani on 24 July 1978 (688). Frequents forests of fir, oak, hemlock and rhododendron. Range Himalayas from Safed Koh and Chitral east to Sikkim. 362 Finches YELLOW-BREASTED GREENFINCH 1 Carduelis spinoides Himalayan Goldfinch, Himalayan Greenfinch Subspecies spinoides. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common resident, sub- ject to altitudinal movements. Breeds mainly between 2440m and 3700m, but noted up to 4400m in Khumbu (190). Winters chiefly from 915m to 1850m; rarely in the tarai. A flock of 20 was seen j on \ on 4 May 1982 at 160m at Sukla Phanta. F 6 3 a Inhabits cultivation, forest edges; also in t shrubberies above the treeline in == T9000m JTF MAM JAS: OAN D Khumbu (190). Range Himalayas from Hazara and Murree east to Arunachal Pradesh. EURASIAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Goldfinch Subspecies caniceps. First recorded by D. Lowndes at Manangbhot (J4) at 3660m on 28 June 1950 (54). An uncommon resident, subject to altitudinal move- ments which are poorly understood in Nepal. Summers mainly between 2450m and 4200m. Found chiefly between 1920m and 2440m in winter, but collected as low ee ee ; at as 75m at Nepalganj in January (243). : Found inthe Langtang valley near Syabru ae) re ner eet oe (180) and Sherpagaon (207); also in Hel- ambu (243,585); the most easterly locali- ties for the species in the Himalayas. Frequents upland cultivation, shrubber- ies above the treeline and open conifer- ous forest. Range N. Baluchistan; Hima- layas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. EURASIAN SISKIN Carduelis spinus Siskin Vagrant. A male was found at Nagarjung at 1500m on 7 April 1982 by C. Winyard et al. (207,561). The second published rec- ord from the Indian subcontinent. Inhab- its conifers. Range Vagrant to Himachal Pradesh and Nepal. Finches COMMON LINNET Carduelis cannabina Linnet (Acanthis cannabina) Subspecies bella. Vagrant. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. in small flocks in Jumla District between 2370m and 2410m in January and February 1971 (9,243). TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Tibetan Twite (Acanthis flavirostris ) First recorded on Gosainkund Pass on 15 and 18 June 1964, between 4200m and 4500m by M. Desfayes (188). Probably resident. Found between 3965m and 4500m. Possibly subject to altitudinal movements, but these are little known. Fairly common in Dolpo (G3) and Mus- tang (H3), uncommon in the upper Kali Gandaki valley and rare further east. Fre- quents boulder-strewn alpine meadows and stony hills. Range N. Himalayas from Chitral east to n. Sikkim. COMMON CROSSBILL Lax curvirostra Crossbill, Red Crossbill Subspecies himalayensis. First recorded by B. Hodgson (116,388,798). Occasional. Residential status is uncertain and move- ments are poorly understood. Reported mainly between 2590m and 3660m. Breeding behaviour for this subspecies is little known; presumably breeds in any month depending on the crop of cones like other crossbills. An adult seen feed- ing young on 8 March 1987 at Kalopani (H4) at about 2530m (480). Found in hemlocks. Range Himalayas from Lahul east to Arunachal Pradesh. 363 The only other record is of one seen at Bhoudigaon, south of Jumla on 17 January 1977 (212). Found in meadows, cul- tivation and bushes. Range N. Himalayas from Gilgit east to Nepal. PLAIN MOUNTAIN-FINCH 1 Lewcosticte nemoricola Hodgson’s Mountain-Finch Subspecies nemoricola. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354,798). A common resident, subject to altitudinal movements. Summers chiefly between 4200m and 5200m and winters between 2000m and at least 3650m. ‘Noted at 1650m near Landrung (HS) in March 1989 (166). Breeding confirmed in Khumbu (190). Inhabits alpine meadows and scree slopes high above the treeline in summer; cultivation and open forest in winter. Range Himalayas fom Chitral east to Bhutan, and possibly Arunachal Pradesh. 364 Finches BLACK-HEADED MOUNTAIN-FINCH 1 Leucosticte brandti Brandt’s Mountain-Finch Subspecies haematopygia. First recorded at Tingegaon (G3) at 5060m on 18 June 1952 by O. Polunin (620). A fairly com- mon resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Generally occurs at higher altitudes than Plain Mountain-Finch. Summers chiefly between 4200m and es : 5250m, but noted at 6000m on 18 June 6 see Pe 1952 in the Dolpo (G3) (620). Usually winters above 3500m, but during the par- on. a ae oom ticularly cold winter of 1982 found down : a to 2350m north-west of Pokhara (682,770). A large flock of about 600 was (682). Frequents stony slopes and alpine meadows. Range seen at Jomosom on 9 February 1982 Himalayas from Chitral east to Sikkim. MONGOLIAN FINCH Bucanetes mongolicus Mongolian Desert Finch, Mongolian Trumpeter Finch (Rhodopechys mongolica) Vagrant. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Jr. who found a flock of 16 in the Mukti- nath valley at 3505m on 25 June 1976 (243). The only other reports were during the particularly severe winter of 1982: a party of 34 was noted near Jomosom on 8 February (641), and one on 9 February (606,682). Found in dry rocky areas. Range Himalayas from Ladakh east to Nepal. BLANFORD’S ROSEFINCH Carpodacus rubescens Crimson Rosefinch The first record is of a specimen in Man- delli’s collection from Dolakha, Bhota Kosi valley (N6) in August 1875 (104). Scarce. It is not clear whether the species is resident, and movements in Nepal are poorly known. Reported between 2745m and 3050m in August and September: collected at Gatlang, Landang Busli and Mangning (LS) in 1935 (62), and at Tarke Gyang (MS) in 1949 (619,621); also south UT 1 ee | ie aes | of Bhairakund (M6) in October 1973 8 ee eee lies ray Baaeee (589). Found between 2315m and 3050m in winter. Several reports of up to five birds east of Ghorepani (HS): in Decem- (HS) in March 1987 (594). Breeding behaviour is unknown. ber 1985 (546), March 1986 (264,321,260), Frequents glades in conifer, or mixed conifer and birch March 1987 (480) and December 1989 forests. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal (176,729); also up to five seen at Chitre Pradesh. Finches 365 DARK-BREASTED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus nipalensis Nepal Rosefinch Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354,798). A fairly common altitudinal migrant. Summers chiefly between 3050m and 3900m; winters between 1830m and 2745m, and sometimes down to 1500m. Breeding behaviour is little known. Trapped with a brood patch at Chankeli at 3050m in July 1979 (626), and collected in breeding condition at Khumjung (P6), between 3900m and 4000m on 30 June and 6 July 1962 (190). Inhabits rhododen- dron and fir forests, and shrubberies above the treeline, in summer; also in cul- COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus Scarlet Rosefinch First collected by B. Hodgson (388). Fairly common, C. e. roseatus (r) is an altitudinal migrant. Summers mainly be- tween 3350m and 4000m, and winters from 1500m down to the foothills. C. e. erythrinus (e) is a winter visitor, reported chiefly between 275m and 2000m. The only record of C. e. kubanensis (k) is of one collected at Rekcha (D4) at about 1525m in December 1948 (659). Inhabits shrubberies and open coniferous and birch forests in summmer; cultivation with bushes, and open wooded country in winter. Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas from Chitral east to tivation and forest clearings in winter. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan and possibly Arunachal Pradesh. Winters through- out the subcontinent. BEAUTIFUL ROSEFINCH Carpodacus pulcherrimus Subspecies pulcherrimus. The species was described from Nepal by F. Moore, from a specimen in Hodgson’s later collection (409,798), but it may have originated in India. First definitely recorded by F.M. Bailey on 18 July 1936 at Bito-kola (D2) (62). A common resident, subject to alti- tudinal movements. Summers mainly between 3600m and 4650m, and winters between 2100m and at least 3300m. Breeding confirmed in Khumbu (190). Found in bushes on steep slopes, and cultivation in winter; in rhododendron shrubberies, Caragana scrub and on stony slopes in summer. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh. 366 Finches PINK-BROWED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus rhodochrous First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident, subject to altitu- dinal movements. Summers chiefly be- tween 3050m and 3900m. Winters mainly from 3000m down to 1800m, and occa- sionally down to 915m. Frequents fir and birch forests and shrubberies of rhodo- dendron and juniper in summer; oak for- ests in winter. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to Sikkim. VINACEOUS ROSEFINCH 9 Carpodacus vinaceus Subspecies vinaceus. First recorded by R.L. Fleming Sr. at Belbahadi (B4) at 1065m in December 1952 (647). It was identified initially as a Dark-rumped Rosefinch, but has been reidentified by the Chicago Field Museum (9). Scarce. Status uncertain, probably a breeding resident. Reported between 1065m and 3050m in winter; and between 3050m and 3200m in summer. A few records from the upper Kali Gandaki valley between Feb- tuary and November (527,770) including a laying female collected near Chadziou Khola on 3 July 1973 (50). Three reports from east of Ghorepani: in March (650,463) and December (176,729). Single records from near Chandrakot (HS) in March (147), Sukarmala (C4) in November (162), Machapuchare and Milke Danda (Q7) in winter (undated) (50), Langtang (LS) in May (421), and trapped at Chankheli in July 1979 (626). Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Inhabits bamboo and dense bushes in forest. Range Hima- layas at Naini Tal and in Nepal. DARK-RUMPED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus edwardsii Edwards’ Rosefinch, Large Rosefinch Subspecies rubicunda. Scarce, status un- certain. A Hodgson specimen was listed for Nepal by Sharpe (718) but it may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by H. Stevens from the upper Mai valley (S7) at 2440m on 28 March 1912 (740). Found nearby, on the Singhalila ridge (S7) at 3635m in May 1989 (704). The only other confirmed reports are from Gosainkund between 3200m and 3505m in May: a maximum of 12 was noted at Gapte, also seen at Mungun (L5) and Chandabari (LS) in 1980 (440) and at Gapte in 1986 (321). These are the most westerly records for the species. A specimen of Vinaceous Rosefinch, taken in the west in winter was initially misiden- tified as this species (50,647,664). Breeding behaviour is little known. Frequents open rhododendron or birch for- ests; also rhododendron and juniper shrubberies. Range Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh. Finches 367 SPOT-WINGED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus rhodopeplus Subspecies rhodopeplus. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A locally distributed resident, subject to altitudinal move- ments. Fairly common near Ghorepani in winter, in the upper Kali Gandaki valley, and in Langtang (L5); occasionally seen at Khaptad (C3) and in the Barun valley (Q6), uncommon elsewhere. Summers mainly between 3050m and 4000m, and winters between 2000m and 3050m. Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Inhabits rhododen- dron shrubberies above the treeline and grassy slopes in summer, dense bushes in forests and damp ravines in winter. Range Himalayas in the hills north of Chakrata and Mussoorie, e. Kumaon, Nepal and Sikkim. WHITE-BROWED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus thura Subspecies thura. First recorded by B. Hodgson (336,388). A fairly common resident, subject to altitudinal move- ments. Summers chiefly between 3800m and 4200m. Winters mainly beteen 2440m and 3660m, but noted as low as 1830m at Ulleri (H5) on 19 December 1981 (309). Proved breeding at Dolaka (N6) (414). Found in dwarf rhododendron and juni- per shrubberies and alpine meadows in summer; open bushy hillsides in winter. Range Himalayas from N.W.F-.P. east to Arunachal Pradesh. x 7 =l, eee aa a J = 0 Lia STREAKED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus rubicilloides Eastern Great Rosefinch, Streaked Great Rosefinch, Crimson-eared Rosefinch Subspecies /ucifer. First recorded in De- cember 1949 by R.L. Fleming Sr., in the upper Kali Gandaki valley at Thinigaon at 2805m, and at Jomosom at 2865m (647). Fairly common from mid-November to early April, between 2800m and 3660m, in the upper Kali Gandaki valley north of Jomosom, and near Muktinath. Summers in the Dolpo (G3) up to 4575m (224,587). The only other records are from Rara in February 1977 (464) and Gorak Shep (P6) in May 1987 (769). Occurs on open stony ground in summer and scrub in dry habitats. Range N. Himalayas and Ti- - LMT a S JF MAT J TSS. betan plateau from Ladakh east to Bhutan. 368 Finches GREAT ROSEFINCH 9 Carpodacus rubicilla Spot-crowned Rosefinch Subspecies severtzovi. First recorded on 1 August 1962 by R.L. Fleming Sr., at Gokyo Pokhari (P6) at 4575m (247). Occasional, presumably resident. Usually shows little altitudinal movement. Re- ported chiefly between 3660m and 5000m. Noted as low as 2650m in the upper Kali Gandaki valley in 1982, during a particularly cold winter (57,682) and at 5350m near Everest Base Camp (P6) in March 1986 (546). Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Confirmed breeding in Khumbu, where juveniles were collected at 5000m on 24 August 1962 (190). Fre- quents the higher part of the alpine zone, on sparsely vegetated and rocky ground. Range N. Himalayas from Chitral east to Sikkim. RED-FRONTED ROSEFINCH Carpodacus puniceus Red-breasted Rosefinch Subspecies puniceus. The species was described from Nepal by E. Blyth, from a Hodgson specimen (116,798). A high alti- tude resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Summers between 4265m and 5490m. In winter noted at least as high as 4575m (243), and there have been several reports from about 2745m in the upper Kali Gandaki valley after cold spells. Noted as low as 2980m at Rara in September (68). Breeding behaviour is poorly known. Taken in breeding condi- tion on 29 July and 3 August 1962 at Gokyo at 4850m and 5100m (190). Habi- tat is similar to that of the Streaked Rosefinch. Range N. Himalayas from Ladakh east to Arunachal Pradesh. CRIMSON-BROWED FINCH § Propyrrhula subhimachala Juniper Finch, Red-headed Rosefinch (Pinicola subhimachala) The species was described from Nepal by 1978 (762,159), the most westerly records of the species. B. Hodgson (354,798). An uncommon Reported in the Namlang valley (F2) (447), but confirma- resident, showing some altitudinal move- tion of its occurrence so far west is desirable. Breeding ments. Summers chiefly between 3500m behaviour is poorly known. Collected in breeding condition and 4000m; winters from 2590m up to at at Trashinga (P6) at 3550m on 9 August 1962 (190). Fre- least 3050m. Localities include Phul- quents dense bushes near the treeline in summer, forests chowki and east of Ghorepani in winter, with thick undergrowth in winter. Favours junipers. Range and in Langtang (L5,MS5). Found twice in Himalayas from Nepal east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. the upper Kali Gandaki valley in May India. Finches 369 CRIMSON-BROWED FINCH, cont’d ... cpanel ae Oe eee ea LPR Mer A Mil irra Ass SLO MND) SCARLET FINCH Haematospiza sipahi The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354). Uncommon and lo- cally distributed, presumably resident. Subject to altitudinal movements, but these are not clearly understood. Re- ported between 2135m and 3100m in May, and winters from 1220m up to at least 2560m. Regularly seen in the lower Langtang valley in spring, and near Ghorepani and on Sheopuri in winter. % batt wit Breeding behaviour is little known. In- 2 a ee ee, habits ravines and clearings in dense broadleaved forests, especially near streams. Range Himalayas from Garhwal east to Arunachal Pradesh, n.e. India. GOLD-NAPED FINCH Pyrrhoplectes epauletta Gold-crowned Black Finch The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354). Probably resident but has mainly been reported in winter. Sub- ject to altitudinal movements which are poorly understood in Nepal. Seen at 3260m and 3355m in May, and between 1525m and 3000m in winter. Uncommon on Phulchowki; several reports from north-west of Pokhara and in the upper Mai valley; single records from most other localities. Breeding behaviour is unknown. Noted carrying nesting mate- tial or food on 10 March 1988 at Hanga Tham (465). Frequents dense under- growth in oak and rhododendron forests in winter, and rhododendron shrubberies in summer. Range Himalayas from Simla east to Arunachal Pradesh. 370 Finches BROWN BULLFINCH 9 Pyrrhula nipalensis Subspecies nipalensis. The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354,798). Locally distributed, probably resident. Shows little altitudinal move- ment: recorded between 1600m and 3050m in winter, and up to 3200m in summer. Occasionally seen on Phul- chowki throughout the year; also on Sheopuri, at Ghorepani, in Langtang, and in the upper Arun and upper Mai valleys. Mainly single reports from elsewhere. Se a ee Breeding behaviour is unknown. Noted in : eee June with nesting material at 2380m (243). Found in dense, moist broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from Dharmsala east to Arunachal Pradesh; n.e. India. RED-HEADED BULLFINCH Pyrrhula erythrocephala First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common resident, subject to some altitudinal movements. Summers mainly between 3050m and 4000m. May descend in winter to 1830m, but resident at 3865m around Tengboche (P6) (558). Frequents low bushes in broadleaved forests. Fa- vours rhododendrons. Range Himalayas from Kashmir east to e. Bhutan. [BLACK-AND-YELLOW GROSBEAK Mycerobas icterioides (Coccothraustes icterioides) Reported by D. Proud from the Gandak- Range Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Garhwal; also a Kosi watershed in May 1952 (633), but specimen from Darjeeling in Leningrad Museum (592).] probably in error for Collared Grosbeak. COLLARED GROSBEAK Mycerobas affinis Allied Grosbeak (Coccothraustes affinis) First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A Breeding behaviour is little known. Taken in breeding resident, subject to altitudinal move- condition at Bigu (N6) at 3300m on 16 May 1962 (190). Seen ments. Fairly common east to Langtang, carrying nesting material at Kalopani (H4) at 2560m, on 5 uncommon further east. Summers chiefly May 1981 (811). Frequents coniferous or mixed between 3000m and 3900m, and winters broadleaved/ coniferous forests. Range Himalayas from down to 2440m. Noted as low as 1065m at Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh. Birethante (H5) in December 1982 (315). Finches 371 COLLARED GROSBEAK, cont’d ... | A SPOT-WINGED GROSBEAK Mycerobas melanozanthos (Coccothraustes melanozanthos) The species was described from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354,798). Presumably resi- dent. Altitudinal movements are poorly known. Reported between 1400m and 2135m in winter, and up to 3355m in summer. A regular winter visitor to Phul- chowki, several records from north-west of Pokhara (H5) in winter, and Langtang in spring. Single reports from elsewhere. Inhabits mixed coniferous/ broadleaved forests. Range Himalayas from the Indus valley east to Arunachal Pradesh; ne. India. WHITE-WINGED GROSBEAK Mycerobas camipes (Coccothraustes carnipes) Subspecies camipes. The species was de- scribed from Nepal by B. Hodgson (354,798). A fairly common resident, sub- ject to some altitudinal movements. Oc- curs chiefly between 3050m and 4200m. In winter may descend to 2745m, but sometimes remains at the higher levels. Frequents dwarf juniper and other shrub- beries near the treeline in summer; for- ests in winter. Range Hills of Pakistan; ‘Himalayas from Gilgit and Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh. 372 Buntings BLACK-FACED BUNTING Enmberiza spodocephala Subspecies sordida. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388,798). An uncommon and local winter visitor and passage migrant, occurring from the tarai up to 1280m. Regularly reported from Kosi marshes, the Kathmandu Valley and, since 1984, from Phewa Tal.The only other records are from Chitwan. Inhabits long grass, edges of marshes, and rice paddies; usu- ally found near water. Range Winter visi- tor to Nepal, n.e. India and Bangladesh. Vagrant west to Corbett. PINE BUNTING Emberiza leucocephalos Subspecies leucocephalos. First recorded by the Seti River, north of Pokhara (H5) on 22 November 1953 by D. Proud (628,638). A winter visitor, found mainly above 2440m, but occasionally down to 915m. Fairly common in most winters in the upper Kali Gandaki valley, and in the YELLOWHAMMER Enmbencza citrinella Subspecies erythrogenys? First recorded at Kagbeni at 2810m on 25 February 1981 by D. Mills et al. (65,559); the first record for the Indian subcontinent. A scarce, irregular and very local winter visitor. Several reports from the Kali Gandaki valley (H4) between January and early De ee a 7 9000e SO ST a TB TT HT 0) AT STO J'F M AM’ J north-west. A rare visitor to the Kathmandu Valley. Noted on the Singhalila ridge (S7) on 22 March 1989 (172), the most easterly record of the species in the Himalayas. For- ages in cultivation and grassy areas with bushes. Range Winter visitor to Pakistan and the Himalayas from N.W.F-P. east to Nepal. April, in most winters between 1981 and 1987: a few birds between Kalopani and Jomosom from 2630m to 2745m, and as low as 1100m at Tatopani (770). The maximum seen, at least six, was at Jomosom in January 1983 (748). The only other confirmed record is of one or two seen at Jumla on 26 January 1983 (627). Found in cultivation; often with flocks of Pine Buntings. Range Vagrant to Ladakh and Nepal. Buntings WHITE-CAPPED BUNTING Enmberiza stewarti Chestnut-breasted Bunting Vagrant. First recorded by F.M. Bailey at Banbassa (A4), at about 75m on 7 Janu- ary 1937 (62). The only other records are of specimens taken at Tansen (H6) at 1370m in December 1951 (647), and at Barmdeo Mandi (A3) at 290m in January ROCK BUNTING Emberiza cia Eurasian Rock Bunting First recorded by F.M. Bailey at Puma (E2) on 16 June 1936 (62). A resident, common in the north-west, and east to Manang. Shows little altitudinal move- ment. Found mainly above 2440m, up to 4600m in summer, and occasionally down to 1800m in winter. Found as low as 1450m in February 1988 at Silgadi Doti (B3) (68). Noted in the Gathlang valley (LS) on 26 October 1980 (516), and in Helambu on 30 January 1981 (300), the most easterly records of the species. The races E. c. stracheyi and E. c. flemingorum (f) (527) have been collected. Inhabits Open grassy and rocky areas. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal. Winters south to Quetta and Delhi. 1953 (647). Frequents fields and dry, grassy scrub jungle. Range Summers in n. Baluchistan, and in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Garhwal. Winters in the foothills from N.W.F.P. east to Nepal, and in n.w. India. CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING Emberiza fucata Grey-headed Bunting "90000 J°F'M LyX J's AAS OND 374 CHESTNUT-EARED BUNTING, cont’d ... Obtained by B. Hodgson in his later col- lection (409), but the specimen may have originated in India. First definitely re- corded by F.M. Bailey at Nekala (E2) on 9 June 1936 (62). Uncommon, probably resident. Altitudinal movements in Nepal are not clearly understood. Several winter reports from Kosi; uncommon elsewhere between 75m and 915m in winter. A few RUSTIC BUNTING Emberiza rustica Subspecies rustica? Vagrant. A male was found at Sauraha (J6) at about 245m on 31 January 1981 by A. del-Nevo and P. Ewins (180,181). The only other records LITTLE BUNTING Emberiza pusilla First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A fairly common winter visitor, occurring mainly between 75m and 2000m; rare up to 3050m. Also noted on spring passage in March and April (50). Feeds in stubble, and ploughed or grass fields. Range Win- ter visitor to Nepal, n.e. India and Bangla- desh. CHESTNUT BUNTING Emberiza naila Vagrant. The only record is of one col- lected at Godavari at 1525m in January 1954 by R.L. Fleming Sr. (647). Inhabits Tice stubbles, bushes in cultivation, and Buntings reports from Jumla at about 2135m in May and August (587,620,626); adults and young common near the airport (244). Confirmed breeding near Dhaulagiri (H4) in 1973 (243). Two subspecies recorded: E. f. arcuata (a) (62), and E. f. fucata (f) (234,247). Summers on bushy hillsides, and winters by reedy streams, lakes and wet fields. Range Breeds in the Himalayas from Chitral east to Nepal. Win- ters down to the adjacent foothills and plains east to n.e. India and Bangladesh. are of another male seen at Kagbeni at about 2810m on 25 February 1981 (65) and two at Pokhara on 25 December 1989 (729). These are the first records for the subcontinent. Range Vagrant to Nepal. forest clearings (664). Range Scarce winter visitor to n.e. India; also recorded in the Himalayas in Chitral, Ladakh, Nepal and Sikkim. YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING Embenza aureola Subspecies aureola. First recorded by B. Hodgson (388). A common winter visitor and passage migrant, from the tarai up to 1370m. In the Kathmandu Valley it was described in 1955 as a winter visitor in large flocks, from the end of November to May (635). Noted recently mainly as a passage migrant, with some birds over- wintering. Flocks of up to 400 are regu- larly seen in the eastern tarai (P8) from November to April (293). Enormous flocks reported flying to roost in March and April 1982: 3500 were estimated at Chitwan (770) and over 7000 at Kosi Tappu (199,227). Frequents cultivation and grasslands. Range Winter visitor to Nepal, n.e. India and Bangladesh. Buntings/Addendum REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Common Reed Bunting Subspecies unknown. Vagrant. The only record is of two seen by T.P. Inskipp on 21 December 1970 at Begnas Tal (444). Found in reedbeds and tall grass. Range Winter visitor to Pakistan, n.w. India and Nepal. 375 RED-HEADED BUNTING Enmberiza bruniceps Vagrant. A male was seen along the Narayani River, Chi- twan, at about 130m on 15 April 1975, by R.L. Fleming and H. Gilston (243,296). Frequents cultivation (664). Range Breeds in n. Baluchistan. Winter visitor to the Indian peninsula from Haryana east to Bangladesh, and south to s. India. BLACK-HEADED BUNTING Emberiza melanocephala First recorded by H.S. Nepali who col- lected a specimen on 17 November 1969 at Balaju, Kathmandu Valley at 1340m (591,589). A scarce winter visitor. The other records are from the eastern tarai: CRESTED BUNTING Melophus lathami First recorded by B. Hodgson (354). A fairly common resident, subject to altitu- dinal movements. Summers from 2440m down to 1220m, and possibly even lower; winters from 1460m down to the tarai. Breeding confirmed in the Kathmandu Valley (414), north-west of Pokhara (811), and near Dhankuta (Q7) (446). Inhabits cultivation, and hillsides with rocks and bushes. Range Himalayan foot- hills from Hazara east to Arunachal Pradesh, and south to Gujarat and Raipur; n.e. India and Bangladesh. in December 1975 (293), Kosi Barrage in December 1984 (150), January 1985 (142) and March 1987 (769); also at Damak (R8), where at least 15 were seen in December 1978 (134). Range Winter visitor to w. and central India and Nepal. Migrates through Pakistan. ADDENDUM The following records of two new species for Nepal were received too late for inclusion in the main text. SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana One was seen by Rosemary Cooper near Kusaha, Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve at about 75m on 28 February and 3 March 1990. Frequents marshes. Range Winter visitor to Pakistan and India. JERDON’S BABBLER Moupinia altirostris (Chrysomma altirostre) Subspecies griseigularis. First recorded by Hem Sagar Baral who found three birds near Gaida Wildlife Camp, Chitwan at about 250m on 26 November 1989. On 7 December 1989 he observed a group of six near Dumariya, Chitwan, and three were seen by him and Jonathon Eames near Lami Tal, Chitwan on 25 April 1990. Inhabits grassland. Range Plains of the Indus in Pakistan, and in n.e. India and Bangladesh. 376 BIBLIOGRAPHY 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 24 Anon (1976) Bird sightings (and other things). Nepal Nature Conservation Society Newsletter No.35, November 1976. Anon (1976) Saturday morning bird walk. Nepal Nature Con- servation Society Newsletter No.32, August 1976. Anon (1977) A new record for the Valley. Nepal Nature Conservation Society Newsletter No.40, April 1977. Anon (1977) Observation. Nepal Nature Conservation Society Newsletter No.39, March 1977. Anon (1977) Recent observations. 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Accentor Alpine 30, 236 Altai 28, 30, 236 Black-throated 235 Brown 17, 28, 235 Maroon-backed 29,234 Robin 28, 30, 236 Rufous-breasted 235 Rufous-streaked 236 Avadavat Red 27, 358 Avocet 142 Pied 142 Babax Giant 11 Babbler Abbott’s 29,296 Black-chinned 300 Black-throated 301 Buff-chested 11 Chestnut-capped 26, 302 Common 305 Golden 16, 28, 29, 301 Golden-headed 301 Grey-throated 16, 25, 29, 301 Jerdon’s 11, 375 Jungle 306 Large Grey 306 Nepal 319 Nepal Quaker 319 Puff-throated 296 Red-capped 302 Red-headed 300 Rufous-bellied 301 Rufous-capped 29, 300 Slender-billed 26, 306 Spiny 16, 25, 305 Spotted 296 Striated 305 Tawny-bellied 301 White-hooded 315 Yellow-eyed 26, 302 Barbet Blue-eared 16, 199 Blue-throated 199 Brown-headed 81, 198 Coppersmith 200 Crimson-breasted 200 Golden-throated 16, 25, 28, 199 Great 198 Great Hill 198 Great Himalayan 198 Green 198 Lineated 81, 198 Barwing Hoary 25, 316 Rusty-fronted 16, 30, 316 Spectacled 316 Baza Black 16, 26, 105 Black-crested 105 Jerdon’s 10 Bee-eater Blue-bearded 29, 194 Blue-tailed 21, 195 Chestnut-headed 195 Green 194 Little Green 194 Bittern 87 Black 88 Hodgson's 209 Long-tailed 29, 209, 210 Silver-breasted 209 Bulbul Ashy 231 Black 231 Black-crested 229 Black-headed Yellow 229 Brown-tared 231 Grey 231 Mountain 231 Red-vented 25, 230 Red-whiskered 229 Rufous-bellied 231 Striated 9, 16, 25, 229 Striated Green 229 White-cheeked 18, 230 White-throated 29, 230 Bullfinch Brown 26, 28, 30, 370 Grey-headed 11 Red-headed 370 Bunting Black-faced 22, 27, 77, 79, 372, 8 Black-headed 79, 80, 375 Chestnut 78, 79, 374 Chestnut-breasted 373 Chestnut-eared 17, 78, 79, 373, 374,8 Common Reed 375 Crested 80,375 Eurasian Rock 373 Grey-headed 373 Little 78, 79, 374, 8 Pine 28, 77, 79, 372, 8 Red-headed 79, 80, 375 Reed 79, 80, 375 Rock 77, 79, 373, 8 Rustic 78, 79, 374, 8 White-capped 77, 79, 373, 8 Yellow-breasted 22, 78, 79, 374, 8 Bush-Robin Golden 25, 28, 240 Orange-flanked 240 Rufous-breasted 16, 18, 28, 29, 30, 240 White-browed 28, 30, 240, 241 Bushchat Collared 247 Grey 18, 249 Hodgson’s 18, 27, 248, 249 Striped 134 Yellow-legged 134 Buzzard Common 22;36,37,115 Crested Honey 105 Desert 115 Long-legged 36, 37, 116 Upland 36, 37, 116 White-cyed 115 Chaffinch Common 360 Chat Blue 239 Brown Rock 247 Dark Grey Bush 249 Indian 251 River 251 White-capped River 251 Chiffchaff 22, 71, 282, 5 Chough 349 Alpine 348 Hume's Ground 347 Red-billed 21, 349 Yellow-billed 348 Cisticola Bright-capped 26, 264 Fantail 265 Golden-headed 264 Ruddy 135 Ruddy-breasted 26, 135 Index Common 178 Cuckoo Asian Emerald 21, 173 Banded Bay 26, 174 Chestnut-winged 26, 172 Common 175 Emerald 173 Eurasian 175 Grey-bellied 174 Grey-bellied Plaintive 174 Himalayan 175 Indian 175 Indian Plaintive 174 Jacobin 171 Koel 176 Lesser 21, 176 Little 176 Oriental 175 Pied 21, 171, 172 Pied Crested 171 Plaintive 174 Red-winged Crested 172 Rufous-bellied Plaintive 174 Short-winged 175 Sirkeer 177 Small 176 Eurasian 153 White-breasted 233 White-throated 233 Dollarbird 196 Dove Collared 165 Common Emerald 167 Emerald 167 Eurasian Collared 165 Indian Ring 165 Index Laughing 166 Little Brown 166 Oriental Turtle 166 Palm 166 Red Collared 165 Red Turtle 165 Rock 163 Rufous Turtle 166 Spotted 166 Drongo Ashy 21, 342 Black 341 Bronzed 343 Crow-billed 21, 26, 27, 29, 342, 343 Greater Racket-tailed 27, 344, Grey 342 Hair-crested 344 Large Racquet-tailed 343, 344 Lesser Racket-tailed 343 Little Bronzed 343 Small Racquet-tailed 343 Spangled 344 White-bellied 342 Drongo-Cuckoo 176 Duck Comb 98 Falcated 99 Ferruginous 103 Fulvous Whistling 95 Lesser Whistling 26, 96 Long-tailed 104 Mandarin 99 Pink-headed 102 Spot-billed 101 Tufted 103 White-headed 10 Dunlin 46, 47, 150 Eagle Black 116 Bonelli’s 119 Booted 119 Crested Serpent 111 Golden 42, 43, 119 Greater Spotted 22, 40, 42, 43, 117 Grey-headed Fishing 26, 108, Himalayan Grey-headed Fishing 107 Imperial 39, 40, 41, 118 Lesser Fishing 26, 107 Lesser Spotted 42, 43, 117 Pallas’s Fish 18, 26, 107 Ring-tailed Fishing 107 Rufous-bellied 120 Short-toed 111 Spotted 117 Steppe 21, 22, 23, 39, 40, 41, 117, 118 Tawny 40, 41, 118 White-tailed 26, 107 White-tailed Sea 107 Great White 90 Intermediate 90 Large 90 Little 90 Plumed 90 Smaller 90 Yellow-billed 90 Falcon Amur 22, 122, 123 Barbary 44, 45, 125 Eastern Red-legged 122 Laggar 44, 45, 124 Peregrine 22, 44, 45, 124, 125 Red-capped 125 Red-necked 26, 122 Saker 44, 45, 124 Shaheen 124 Falconet Collared 26, 29, 121 Red-breasted 121 Red-thighed 121 Fantail White-browed 295 White-throated 294 Yellow-bellied 294 Finch Crimson-browed 16, 28, 368, 369 Gold-crowned Black 369 Gold-fronted 360 Gold-naped 25, 309 Juniper 368 Mongolian 364 Mongolian Desert 364 Mongolian Trumpeter 364 Red-browed 361 Vivid Blue 11 White-browed Blue 290 White-gorgetted 16,292 Flycatcher-shrike 225 Flycatcher-Warbler Allied 274 Grey-headed 274 White-throated 275 Yellow-bellied 275 Flycatcher-shrike Bar-winged 230 Forktail Black-backed 260 Little 29 Slaty-backed 28, 260 Spotted 260 White-crowned 11 Francolin Black 127 Grey 27, 127 Swamp 18, 26, 127 Frogmouth Hodgson’s 10 Fulvetta Bengal 18, 26, 27, 139, 140 Lesser 18, 140 Flowerpecker Buff-bellied 337 Fire-breasted 337 Pale-billed 336 Plain 25,337 Plain-coloured 337 Scarlet-backed 337 Thick-billed 335 Tickell’s 336 Yellow-bellied 25, 28, 336 Yellow-vented 29, 336 Flycatcher Asian Brown 21, 25, 289 Asian Paradise 21, 26, 295 Asian Sooty 21, 288 Black-naped 295 Blue-throated Blue 25, 285 Blue-throated 285 Brooks’ 284 Brown 289 Brown-breasted 288 Dark-sided 288 Ferruginous 16, 21, 287 Grey-headed 293 Hill Blue 16, 286 Kashmir 292, 293 Kashmir Redbreasted 292 Large-billed Blue 286 Little Pied 290, 291 Orange-gorgetted 292 Pale Blue 285 Pale-chinned 284, 285 Paradise 295 Pygmy Blue 16, 286, 287 Red-breasted 22, 293 Red-throated 293 Rufous-breasted Blue 291 Rufous-gorgetted 292 Rufous-tailed 288 Rusty-breasted Blue 291 Sapphire 29, 289 Sapphire-headed 289 Slaty-backed 16, 25, 291 Slaty-biue 290 Snowy-browed 25, 291 Sooty 288 Tickell’s Blue 27, 286 Tickell’s Red-breasted Blue 286 Ultramarine 290 Verditer 287 Golden-breasted 16, 28, 30, 318 391 White-winged 371 Ground-Jay Tibetan 347 Gull Black-headed 157 Brown-headed 26, 52, 53, 158 Common 158 Common Black-headed 52, 53, 157 Great Black-headed 26,50,51,157 Lesser Black-backed 50, 51, 158, 19 Mew 52, 53, 158 Slender-billed 52, 53, 158 Yellow-legged 23, 50, 51, 158, 19 Harrier Eurasian Marsh 112 Hen 112 Montagu’s 113 Pale 112 Pallid 112 Pied 113 Hawk-Cuckoo Common 173 Hodgson's 172 Large 21, 173 Hawk-Eagle Bonelli’s 119 Booted 119 Nepal 25, 26, 319 Rufous-throated 11 Rufous-winged 16, 318 White-browed 319 Yellow-throated 11, 318 Goldeneye 104 Common 104 Goldfinch 362 Eurasian 362 Himalayan 362 Goosander 105 Goose Bar-headed 21, 97 Bean 96 Cotton Pygmy 98 Greater White-fronted 10 Greylag 97 Lesser White-fronted 10 Goshawk Crested 29, 34, 35, 114 Northern 34, 35, 113 Grackle 354 Grandala 30, 246, 247 Hodgson’s 246 Great Crested 8&5 Little 85 Greenfinch Himalayan 362 Yellow-breasted 362 Allied 370 Black-and-Yellow 11, 370 Collared 28, 370, 371 Spot-winged 25, 371 Changeable 26, 27, 38, 120 Mountain 25, 28, 38, 120 Hodgson’s 120 Rufous-bellied 120 Hemipode Andalusian 134 Heron Black-crowned Night 88 Great White-bellied 91 Green-backed 8 Grey 91 Imperial 91 Indian Pond 89 Little 89 Little Green 89 Malay Night 88 Night 88 Purple 91 Striated 89 White-bellied 91 Hobby Eurasian 123 Oriental 124 Honey-Buzzard Oriental 105 Honeyguide Himalayan 200 Orange-rumped 28, 30, 200 Yellow-rumped 200 Hoopoe 17, 21, 196 Hornbill Common Grey 196 Giant 197 Great 26, 197 Great Pied 197 Indian Grey 196 Indian Pied 197 Oriental Pied 26, 27, 29, 197 Rufous-necked 197 Wreathed 10 House-Martin Asian 82, 217 Common 8&2, 217, 218 Nepal 217 Ibis Black 94 Black-headed 26, 95 Glossy 94 Oriental White 95 Red-naped 94 Ibisbill 26, 27, 30, 141, 142 392 Iora 232 Common 232 Jacana Bronze-winged 141 Pheasant-tailed 26, 140 Jay 345 Black-headed 345 Black-throated 345 Blue 195 Eurasian 345 i Red-crowned 345 Hume's Ground 17, 347 Lanceolated 17, 25, 345 Junglefowl Red 132 Kestrel 127 Common 22, 122, 193 Eurasian 122, 193 Lesser 22, 121 Black-capped 191 Blue-eared 26, 81, 193 Blyth’s 193 Brown-headed Stork-billed 191 Common &, 193 Crested 28, 194 Deep-blue 193 Eurasian 81, 193 Great Blue 193 Himalayan Pied 194 Indian Pied 193 Large Pied 194 Oriental 10, 191 Pied 193 Ruddy 190 Small Blue 193 Small Pied 193 Stork-billed 191 Three-toed 191 Three-toed Forest 191 White-breasted 191 White-throated 191 Kite Black 22, 23, 106 Black-eared 106 Black-shouldered 106 Black-winged 106 Brahminy 106 Dark 106 Honey 105 Pariah 106 Red 106 Koel Asian 176 Common 176, 177 Lammergeier 28, 108, 109 Lapwing Eurasian 148 Grey-headed 26, 147 Northern 148 Red-wattled 148 River 146, 147 Sociable 10 Spur-winged 146 White-tailed 148 Yellow-wattled 147 Lark Ashy-crowned Finch 211 Bush 211 Crested 213 Greater Short-toed 22, 83, 211, 212 Horned 30, 213, 214 Hume’s Short-toed 22, 83, 212 Long-billed 11 Sand 212 Shore 213 Short-toed 211 Laughing-thrush Black-faced 311 Black-gorgetted 308 Blue-winged 16, 311 Brown-cheeked 11 Chestnut-crowned 312 Crimson-winged 312 Greater Necklaced 29, 308 Grey-sided 16, 25, 310 Large Necklaced 308 Lesser Necklaced 16, 29, 307 Necklaced 307 Plain-coloured 311 Red-headed 312 Rufous-chinned 25, 28, 309 Rufous-necked 26, 310 Scaly 16, 28, 30, 311 Blue-winged 11 Golden-fronted 232 Orange-bellied 25, 232 Leiothrix Red-illed 313 Likh 140 Gold-billed 345 Red-billed Blue 17, 25, 346 Yellow-billed Blue 345 Malkoha Green-billed 177 Large Green-billed 177 Sirkeer 177 Brown-throated Sand 214 Collared Sand 214 Crag 215 Dusky Crag 11 Grey-throated Sand 214 House 218 Northern Crag 215 Plain 214 Plain Sand 214 Sand 214, 215 Merganser Common 105 Red-breasted 105 Merlin 123 Red-headed 122 Mesia Silver-earec 30, 312 Minivet Grey-chinned 16, 25, 228 Long-tailed 227 Rosy 26, 228 Scarlet 226,227 Short-billed 227 Small 228 Yellow-throated 228 Minla Bar-throated 317 Blue-winged 317 Chestnut-tailed 317 Red-tailed 16, 26, 30, 317 Monal Brandt's 364 Fire-tailed 16, 30, 313 Nakta 98 Needletail White-rumped 26, 27, 186 White-throated 21, 83, 186, 187 White-vented 16, 26, 83, 187 Nightingale 11 Nightjar Common Indian 185 Eurasian 10 Franklin’s 184 Grey 185 Indian 185 Jungle 185 Large-tailed 185 Little 185 Chestnut-bellied 329 Eurasian 330 Kashmir 17, 330 Velvet-fronted 328 White-cheeked 17, 328, 329 White-tailed 329 Oldsquaw 104 Oriole Black-headed 338 Black-hooded 338 Black-naped 339 Eurasian Golden 17, 339 Golden 339 Maroon 338 Slender-billed 339 Osprey 121 Owl 2 Barn 58, 178 Index Brown Fish 25, 26, 27, 56, 57, 181 Brown Hawk 26, 27, 54, 55, 182 Brown Wood 56, 57, 183 Collared Scops 54, 55, 179 Common Barn 178 Dusky Eagle 56, 57, 181 Dusky Horned 181 Eurasian Eagle 25, 56, 57, 180 Forest Eagle 180 Grass 58, 178 Great Horned 180 Little 17, 54, 55, 183 Long-eared 58, 184 Mountain Scops 25, 28, 54, 55, 180 Northern Eagle 180 Northern Little 183 Oriental Bay 10, 11, 58, 179 Oriental Scops 54, 55, 179 Scops 1799 Short-eared 58, 184 Spot-bellied Eagle 56, 57, 180 Spotted Little 183 Spotted Scops 180 Tawny 56, 57, 184 Tawny Fish 56, 57, 181 Tawny Wood 184 Spotted 54, 55, 183 Tibet 183 Oystercatcher Common 141 Eurasian 141 Paintedsnipe Greater 141 Parakeet Alexandrine 170 Blossom-headed 10, 171 Large 170 Moustached 26, 171 Plum-headed 171 Ring-necked 170 Rose-breasted 171 Rose-ringed 170 Slaty-headed 170, 171 Parrot Vernal Hanging 16, 170 Parrotbill Black-breasted 303 Black-browed 11 Black-throated 25, 28, 30, 304 Brown 16, 303 Fulvous 16, 28, 304 Fulvous-fronted 304 Gould’s 303 Great 28, 303 Greater Red-headed 304 Rufous-headed 11, 304 Partridge Black 127 Chestnut-breasted 10 Chukar 126 Common Hill 129 Grey 127 Hill 129 Rufous-throated 130 Rufous-throated Hill 130 Snow 30, 125 127 Tibetan 17, 128 Pastor Index Rosy 352 Peacock-Pheasant Pecker Hume's Ground 347 Peewit 148 Pelican Dalmatian 10 Eastern White 86 Great White 86 Grey 86 Spot-billed 26, 87 White 86 Petronia Chestnut-shouldered 356 Crimson Horned 131 Impeyan 132 Kalij 25, 132, 133 Koklass 17, 28, 131 Western Horned 131 Piculet Rufous 202 Speckled 201 Spotted 201 White-browed 29, 202 Pigeon Bengal Green 168 Blue Rock 163 Green 168 Green-winged 167 Green Imperial 10, 170 Grey-fronted Green 168 Hill 17, 28, 163 Imperial 169 Maroon-backed Imperial 169 Mountain Imperial 16, 169 Orange-breasted Green 26, 27, Pompadour Green 16, 26, 168 Rock 163 Snow 163, 164 Thick-billed Green 168 Turkestan Hill 163 Wedge-tailed Green 18 Yellow-footed Green 168 Pintail 101 Northern 101 Pipit American 221 Blyth’s 64, 65, 219 Brown Rock 219 Buff-bellied 62, 63, 221 Hodgson’s 220 Indian Tree 220 Long billed 62, 64, 65, 219 Olive-backed 28, 62, 63, 220 Paddyfield 64, 65, 218 Red-throated 22, 62, 63, 220 Richard’s 64, 65, 218 Rosy 62, 63, 221 Rosy-breasted 221 Tawny 64, 65, 219 Tree 62, 63, 220 Siberian Water 221 Upland 17, 64, 65, 222 Vinaceous-breasted 221 Water 62, 63, 221 Pitta Blue-naped 16, 210 Green-breasted 210 Hooded 26, 210 Indian 26, 27, 210, 211 Plover Black-bellied 146 Eastern Golden 146 Greater Sand 146 Grey 146 Grey-headed 147 Kentish 145 Little Ringed 144 Long-billed 27, 144, 145 Long-billed Ringed 144 Mongolian 145 Pacific Golden 146 Red-wattled 148 River 146 Snowy 145 White-tailed 148 Yellow-wattled 147 Pochard Baer’s 103 Common 102 Red-crested 102 Tufted 103 White-eyed 103 Pratincole Collared 143 Little 144 Oriental 143 Small 144 Prinia Ashy 69, 266, 2 Black-throated Hill 268 Brown Hill 267 Fulvous-streaked 265 Graceful 27, @, 265, 2 Grey-breasted 69, 70, 267,2 Grey-capped 266 Grey-crowned 26, 0, 266, 2 Hill 29, 70, 268, 2 Hodgson'’s 267 Jungle 27, 70, 268, 2 Plain &, 265, 2 Rufescent 266 Rufous 11, @, 266, 2 Striated 26, 70, 267, 2 White-tailed 268 Yellow-bellied 27, 70, 267, 2 Quail Black-breasted 128 Blue-breasted 129 Common 128 Grey 128 Himalayan 10 Jungle Bush 129 Manipur Bush 10 Rain 128 Rail Blue-breasted Banded 135 Slaty-breasted 135 Water 134 Black 22, 243 Blue-capped 242, 243 Blue-fronted 244 Blue-headed 242 Daurian 11 Eversmann’s 242 Guldenstadt’s 28, 30, 244, 24S Hodgson’s 243 Plumbeous 245 Rufous-backed 242 White-bellied 30, 245 White-capped 251 White-throated 28, 30, 244 White-winged 244 Robin Blue-fronted 11, 246 Blue-fronted Long-tailed 246 Indian 251 Indian Blue 239 Magpie 241 Pekin 313 Rufous-bellied Bush 241 Siberian Blue 239 White-tailed 16, 25, 246 White-tailed Blue 246 Rock-Thrush Blue 252 Blue-capped 252 Beautiful 75, 365, 6, 7 Blanford’s 75, 364, 6, 7 Common 75, 365, 6, 7 Crimson 78, 364 Crimson-eared 367, Dark-breasted 75, 365, 6, 7 Dark-rumped 76, 366, 6, 7 Eastern Great 367 Edwards’ 366 Great 28, 30, 76, 368, 6,7 Large 366 Nepal 365 Pink-backed 11 Pink-browed 75, 366, 6, 7 Red-breasted 368, 6, 7 Red-fronted 30, 76, 368, 6, 7 Red-headed 368 Scarlet 365 Spot-crowned 367, 368, 6,7 Spot-winged 28, 30, 76, 367, 6,7 Streaked 17, 28, 76, 367, 6,7 Streaked Great 367 Vinaceous 75, 366, 6, 7 White-browed 28, 30, 76, 367, 6, Ruff 150 Sanderling 46, 47, 148 Sandgrouse Black-bellied 162 Chestnut-bellied 162 Imperial 162 Indian 162 Painted 162 Tibetan 10 Sandlark Indian 212 Sandpiper Common 156 Curlew 46, 47, 149 Green 155 Marsh 154 Terek 156 Wood 155 T Rufous-bellied 207 Scaup 104 Greater 104 Scimitar-Babbler 393 Coral-billed 297 Rufous-necked 297 Rusty-cheeked 296 Slaty-headed 297 Slender-billed 16, 28, 29, 298 Streak-breasted 297 White-browed 297 Serin Fire-fronted 17, 28, 360, 361 Gold-fronted 360 Red-fronted 360 Tibetan 25, 361 Shama 242 White-rumped 242 Shelduck Common 98 Eurasian 98 Northern 98 Ruddy 97 Shikra 34, 35, 115 Black-eared 16, 25, 28, 28, 30, 315 Black-headed 16, 28, 314 Chestnut-eared 315 Green 315 Red-winged 314 Rufous-bellied 314 White-browed 314, 315 White-headed 315 Sibia Black-capped 320 Chestnut-backed 319 Long-tailed 320 Rufous-backed 319 Silverbill Indian 358 Siskin 362 Eurasian 362 Tibetan 361 Siva Bar-throated 317 Skimmer Indian 26, 162 Skylark Eastern 213 Eurasian 213 Little 213 Oriental 213 Small 213 Snake-Eagle Short-toed 111 Smew 104 Snipe Common 48, 49, 151 Fantail 151 Jack 48, 49, 150 Painted 141 Pintail 48, 49, 151 Solitary 28, 48, 49, 151, 152 Swinhoe’s 48, 151 394 Wood 48, 49, 152 Snowcock Himalayan 17, 126 Tibetan 28, 30, 125, 126 Snowfinch Adams’ 356 Black-winged 356 Blanford’s 356 Mandelli’s 356 Plain-backed 17, 356 Red-necked 356 Rufous-necked 17, 356 Small 11 Tibetan 17, 356 White-rumped 17, 356 Sparrow Cinnamon 28, 355 Cinnamon Tree 355 Eurasian Tree 355 House 17, 354 Russet 355 Spanish 355 Tree 35S Willow 355 Yellow-throated 356 Sparrowhawk Besra 114 Eurasian 34, 35, 114 Northern 114 Spiderhunter Little 16, 29, 335 Streaked 335 Spoonbill 95 Eurasian 26, 95 White 95 Spotbill 101 Spurfowl Painted 130 Red 10, 130 Stare Spot-winged 350 Starling 352 Asian Pied 353 Brahminy 351, 352 Chestnut-tailed 351 Common 352 Eurasian 352 Rose-coloured 352 Rosy 352 Spot-winged 22, 350, 351 Stilt Black-winged 142 Stint Little 46, 47, 149 Long-toed 46, 47, 149 Temminck’s 46, 47, 149 Stone-curlew 142 Northern 142 Stone-plover Great 26, 27, 143 Stonechat 247 Common 247, 248 White-tailed 27, 248 Stork Adjutant 93 Asian Openbill 92 Black 92 Black-necked 18, 26, 93 Greater Adjutant 18, 93 Lesser Adjutant 18, 26, 93 Openbill 92 Painted 91 White 93 White-necked 92 Woolly-necked 92 Sunbird Black-breasted 334 Black-throated 334 Crimson 334 Fire-tailed 334 Fire-tailed Yellow-backed 334 Green-tailed 333 Mrs. Gould’s 25, 333 Nepal 333 Purple 333 Ruby-cheeked 29, 332 Scarlet-breasted 334 Yellow-backed 334 Suthora Brown 303 Fulvous-fronted 304 Orange 304 Swallow 215 Bank 214 Barn 17, 21, 215 Indian Cliff 216 Red-rumped 22, 216 Streak-throated 216 Striated 216 Wire-tailed 216 Swallow-shrike Ashy 344 Swamphen Purple 137 Swan Bewick’s 96 Tundra 96 ‘Whooper 96 Swift Alpine 188 Asian Palm 189 Black 187 Common 21, 187 Crested 190 Crested Tree 190 Dark-backed 188 Dark-rumped 188 Fork-tailed 21, 28, 188 House 189 Khasi Hills 188 Large White-rumped 188 Little 189 Pacific 188 White-rumped Spinetail 186 White-throated Spinetail 186 White-vented Spinetail 187 Swiftlet Himalayan 186 Tailorbird Common 269 Dark-necked 11 Golden-headed 269 Mountain 11, 269 Teal Baikal 100 Common 100 Cotton 98 Falcated 99 Green-winged 100 Large Whistling 95 Lesser Whistling 96 Marbled 10 Tern Black-bellied 26, 161 Caspian 26, 160 Common 160 Gullbilled 159 Little 161 River 26, 160 Whiskered 26, 161 White-winged 162 White-winged Black 162 Tesia Chestnut-headed 261 Grey-bellied 261 Slaty-bellied 261 Thick-Knee Black-throated 258 Biue Whistling 253 Tit Dark-throated 22, 258, 259 Dusky 21, 258 Eye-browed 258 Golden Mountain 254 Large Brown 254 Large Long-billed 254 Lesser Brown 254 Lesser Long-billed 254 Long-billed 25, 28, 30, 254 Long-tailed 253 Long-tailed Mountain 253 Mistle 17, 259 Orange-headed 255 Orange-headed Ground 255 Pied 255 Pied Ground 255 Plain-backed 253 Plain-backed Mountain 253 Red-throated 258 Scaly 254 Speckled Mountain 254 Tickell’s 256 Whistling 253 White-backed 257 White's 254 Black-browed 16, 28, 30, 322 Black-lored 327 Black-spotted Yellow 327 Black-throated 323 Brown Crested 324 Coal 74, 326 Crested Black 326 Fire-capped 28, 332 Great 326 Green-backed 327 Grey 326 Grey-crested 324 Red-headed 323 Rufous-bellied Crested 325 Rufous-breasted Black 325 Rufous-fronted 322 Rufous-naped 17, 74, 325 Rufous-naped Black 325 Rufous-vented 74, 325 Rufous-vented Black 325 Sikkim Black 325 Simla Black 325 Spot-winged 17, 74, 326 Spot-winged Black 326 Sultan 328 White-throated 323 Yellow-browed 324 Yellow-cheeked 30, 327 Tit-Babbler Chestnut-headed 318 Dusky-green 318 Golden-breasted 318 Striped 302 White-browed 319 Yellow-breasted 302 Tit-Warbler Stoliczka’s 17, 28, 283 White-browed 283 Tragopan Satyr 30, 131 Western 131 Tree-Pipit Brown 220 Olive 220 Bar-tailed 17, 331 Brown-throated 25, 330 Common 332 Eurasian 332 Index Himalayan 331 Nepal 331 Northern 332 Rusty-flanked 331 Sikkim 330 Treeduck Fulvous 95 Lesser 96 Treepie Black-browed 347 Collared 11, 347 Grey 347 Himalayan 347 Indian 346 Rufous 346, 347 Trogon Red-headed 26, 190 Turnstone 156 Ruddy 156 Twite 17, 363 Tibetan 363 Vulture Bearded 108 Cinereous 111 Egyptian 108 Eurasian Black 111 Eurasian Griffon 32, 33, 110 Himalayan Griffon 28, 32, 33, 110 Indian Black 110 Indian Griffon 110 King 110 Long-billed 32, 33, 109 Oriental White-backed 32, 33, 109 Red-headed 110 Scavenger 108 Wagtail Citrine 60, 61, 223 Forest 59, 222 Grey 223 Large Pied 224 Pied 223 White 22, 59, 223, 224 White-browed 59, 224 Yellow 60, 61, 222 Yellow-headed 223 Wallcreeper 330 Warbler Aberrant Bush 66, 263, 1 Ashy-throated 279 Black-browed Leaf 276 Black-browed Reed 68, 270, 3 Black-faced 25, 28, 27S Black-throated Hill 268 Blanford’s Bush 262 Blunt-winged 68, 270, 3 Blunt-winged Paddyfield 270 Blyth’s Crowned 276 Blyth’s Leaf 72, 276, 4 Blyth’s Reed 22, 68, 271,3 Booted 22, 272 Booted Tree 272 Bristled Grass 270 Broad-billed 274 Brown Bush 67, 264, 1 Brown Hill 267 Brown Leaf 282 Brown-flanked Bush 17, 66, Chestnut-crowned 25, 274 Chestnut-crowned Bush 26, 66, 262,1 Chestnut-headed Ground 261 Chinese Bush 67, 264, 1 Clamorous Reed 68, 271, 3 Crowned Leaf 276 Dull Green Leaf 278 Index Dull Slaty-bellied Ground 261 Green 73, 278, 4 Grey-sided Bush 66, 263, 1 Hume's Bush 263 Indian Great Reed 271 Inornate 280 Lanceolated 67, 269, 3 Large Bush 262 Large Crowned Leaf 277 Large Grass 26, 268 Large-billed Leaf 73, 278, 279, 4 Lemon-rumped 280 Moustached 11 Olivaceous Leaf 282 Orange-barred Leaf 72, 279, 4 Oriental Reed 68, 271,3 Orphean 272 Paddyfield 22, 68, 270, 271, 3 Pale-footed Bush 26, 66, 262, 1 Pallas’s 67, 269, 280,3 Pallas’s Grasshopper 70, 269 Pallas’s Leaf 17, 72, 280, 4 Plain Leaf 280 Radde’s 71, 72, 281, 5 Rufous-capped Bush 263 Rufous-faced 16, 27S Schrenck’s Sedge 270 Slaty-bellied Ground 261 Slender-billed 71, 277, 5 Smoky 16, 27, 30, 71, 281, 5 Smoky Willow 281 Spotted Bush 66, 67, 264, 1 Streaked Fantail 265 Streaked Grasshopper 209 Striated 270 Striated Marsh 27, 270 Strong-footed Bush 262 Sulphur-bellied 71, 282, 5 Swinhoe’s Reed 270 Thick-billed 68, 272, 3 Tickell’s 21, 22, 71, 282, 5 Tytler’s Leaf 277 Verreaux’s Bush 263 Western Crowned 72, 277, 4 White-spectacled 11, 274 White-throated 275 Yellow-bellied 26, 29, 275 Yellow-bellied Bush 25, 66, 263, 1 Yellowish-breasted 278 Yellow-browed 21, 73, 280, 4 Yellow-eyed 273 Yellow-faced Leaf 276 Yellow-rumped Leaf 280 Yellow-throated Leaf 276 Yellow-vented 29, 72, 276, 4 Yellowish-breasted 278 357 Black-breasted 27, 28, 30, 356, 357 Black-throated 357 Finns 11 Streaked 357 Wheatear 250 Desert 17, 28, 250 Eastern Pied 251 Isabelline 250 Northern 250 Pied 250 Variable 251 Whimbrel 153 White-eye 338 Indian 338 Wood-Owl Brown-fronted Pied 208 Crimson-breasted 16, 207 Crimson-breasted Pied 207 Darjeeling 16, 207 Fulvous-breasted Pied 208 Fulvous-breasted 208 Golden-backed 204 Great Slaty 27, 206 Greater Golden-backed 205 Greater Yellow-naped 203 Grey-capped 209 Grey-capped Pygmy 209 Grey-crowned Pygmy 209 Grey-headed 203 Heart-spotted 11 Himalayan 17, 206 Himalayan Golden-backed 204 Himalayan Pied 206 Large Scaly-bellied 204 Large Yellow-naped 203 Lesser Golden-backed 204 Lesser Yellow-naped 202 Mabratta 208 Pale-headed 16, 205 Red-eared Rufous 206 Rufous 202 Rufous-bellied 25, 207 Rufous-bellied Pied 207 Scaly-bellied 204 Scaly-bellied Green 204 Small Scaly-bellied 203 Small Yellow-naped 202 Streak-throated 203 Streak-throated Green 203 Three-toed Golden-backed 204 White-naped 27, 205 Yellow-crowned 208 Yellow-crowned Pied 208 Yellow-fronted Pied 208 Woodpigeon 164 Ashy 16, 165 395 Greater Scaly-breasted 298 Lesser Scaly-breasted 299 Long-dilled 11, 298 Long-tailed 300 Pygmy 299 Rufous-throated 29, 299 Scaly-breasted 298 Spotted 299 Tailed 299 Wedge-billed 11 Wren-Warbler Ashy 266 Beavan’s 266 Franklin's 267 Hodgson’s 266 Jungle 268 Plain 265 Streaked 265 Yellow-bellied 267 Wryneck 201 Eurasian 21, 201 Yellowhammer 77, 372 Yellownape Greater 203 Lesser 202 Yuhina Black-chinned 322 Chestnut-headed 320 Rufous-vented 16, 321 Striated 11 Stripe-throated 321 Whiskered 320, 321 White-bellied 321 White-naped 320 Yellow-naped 320 396 INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES Plate numbers are in bold. Abroscopus albogularis 275 hodgsoni 274 schisticeps 27S superciliaris 275 Acanthis cannabina 363 flavirostris 363 Accipiter badius 34, 35, 115 gentilis 34, 35, 113 nisus 34, 35, 114 trivirgatus 34, 35, 114 virgatus 34, 35,114 Aceros nipalensis 197 Acridotheres fuscus 354 ginginianus 353 tristis 353 Acrocephalus aedon 68, 272,3 agricola 68, 270-271, 3 arundinaceus 271 bistrigiceps 68, 270, 3 concinens 68, 270, 3 dumetorum 68, 271, 3 melanopogon 11 orientalis 68, 271, 3 stentoreus 68, 271, 3 Actinodura egertoni 316 nipalensis 316 Actitis hypoleucos 156 iouschistos 322 niveogularis 323 Aegithina tiphia 232 Aegypius monachus 111 Aerodramus brevirostris 186 Aethopyga gouldiae 333 ignicauda 334 nipalensis 333 Saturata 334 siparaja 334 A galericulata 99 Alauda arvensis 213 gulgula 213 Alcedo atthis 81, 193 hercules 193 meninting 81, 193 Alcippe castaneceps 318 chrysotis 318 cinerea 11,318 nipalensis 319 rufogularis 11 vinipectus 319 Alectoris chukar 126 graeca 126 Amandava amandava 358 Amaurornis akool 136 bicolor 135 Phoenicurus 136 Anas acuta 101 clypeata 102 crecca 100 falcata 99 formosa 100 penelope 99 platyrhynchos 100 poecilorhyncha 101 querquedula 101 strepera 99 Anthracoceros albirostris 197 coronatus 197 malabaricus 197 Anthreptes singalensts 332 Anthropoides virgo 139 Anthus campestris 64, 65, 219 cervinus 62, 63, 220 godlewskii 64, 65, 219 hodgsoni 62, 63, 220 novaeseelandiae 64, 65, 218 novaeseelandiae richardi 64, 65, 218 novaeseelandiae rufulus 64, 65, 218 pelopus 221 roseatus 62, 63, 221 rubescens 62, 63, 221 similis 62, 65, 219 spinoletia 62, 63, 221 sylvanus 64, 65, 222 trivialis 62, 63, 220 Apus acuticauda 188 affinis 189 apus 187 melba 188 pacificus 188 Aquila chrysaetos 42, 43, 119 clanga 40, 43, 117 heliaca 39, 41, 118 nipalensis 39, 41, 117-118 pomarina 42, 43, 117 rapax 40, 41, 118 rapax nipalensis 117 Arachnothera Jongirostra 335 magna 335 Arborophila mandellii 10 rufogularis 130 torqueola 129 Ardea alba 90 cinerea 91 imperialis 91 insignis 91 purpurea 91 Ardeola Brayii 89 striatus 89 Ardeotis nigriceps 139 Arenaria interpres 156 Artamus fuscus 344 Asio flammeus 58, 184 otus 58, 184 Athene brama SA, SS, 183 noctua SA, 55, 183 Aviceda jerdoni 10 leuphotes 105 Aythya baeri 103 ferina 102 fuligula 103 marila 104 nyroca 103 Babax waddelli 11 Batrachostomus hodgsoni 10 Blythipicus Pyrrhotis 206 Bombycilla garrulus 233 Botaurus steHlaris 87 Brachypteryx hyperythra 11, 237 leucophrys 238 montana 237 stellata 237 Bradypterus luteoventris 67, 264, 1 taczanowskius 67, 264, 1 thoracicus 66-67, 264, 1 Bubo bubo 56, 57, 180 coromandus 56, 57, 181 flavipes 181 nipalensis 56, 57, 180 zeylonensis 181 Bubulcus ibis 89 Bucanetes mongolicus 364 Bucephala clangula 104 Buceros bicornis 197 Burhinus oedicnemus 142 Butastur teesa 115 Buteo buteo 36, 37, 115 hemilasius 36, 37, 116 rufinus 36, 37, 116 Butorides striatus 89 Cacomaniis merulinus 174 Passerinus 174 sonneratit 174 Calandrella Index acutirostris 83, 212 brachydactyla 83, 211-212 cinerea 211 raytal 212 Calidris alba 46, 47, 148 alpina 46, 47, 150 ferruginea 46, 47, 149 minuta 46, 47, 149 subminuta 46, 47, 149 temminckii 46, 47, 149 testacea 149 Callacanthis burtoni 361 Caprimulgus affinis 184 asiaticus 185 europaeus 10 indicus 185 macrurus 185 Carduelis cannabina 363 carduelis 362 flavirostris 363 Spinoides 362 Spinus 362 thibetana 361 Carpodacus edwardsti 76, 366, 6,7 erythrinus 75, 365, 6,7 grandis 11 nipalensis 75, 365, 6, 7 pulcherrimus 75, 365, 6,7 puniceus 76, 368, 6,7 rhodochrous 75, 366, 6,7 rhodopeplus 76, 367, 6, 7 rubescens 75, 364, 6,7 rubicilla 76, 368, 6,7 rubicilloides 76, 367, 6,7 thura 76, 367, 6,7 vinaceus 75, 366, 6, 7 Casmerodius albus 90 Catreus wallichit 133 Celeus brachyurus 202 Centropus bengalensis 178 sinensis 178 toulou 178 Cephalopyrus flammiceps 332 Cercomela fusca 2A7 Certhia discolor 330 familiaris 332 himalayana 331 nipalensis 331 Ceryle lugubris 194 rudis 193 Cettia acanthizoides 66, 263, 1 brunnifrons 66, 263, 1 flavolivacea 66, 263, 1 fortipes 66, 262, 1 major 66, 262, 1 montana 262 Pallidipes 66, 262, 1 Ceyx erithacus 10, 191 Chaetornis ciconia 93 episcopus 92 nigra 92 Cinclidium frontale 11, 246 leucurum 246 Cinclus cinclus 233 pallasii 233-234 Circaetus gallicus 111 Circus aeruginosus 112 cyaneus 112 macrourus 112 melanoleucus 113 hodgsonii 164 leuconota 163-164 Cursorius coromandelicus 143 Curia nipalensis 313-314 Delichon dasypus 82, 217 nipalensis 217 urbica 82, 217-218 Dendrocitta formosae 347 ‘fromalis 11,347 vagabunda 346-347 Dendrocopos auriceps 208 canicapillus 209 Eremo, alpestris 213-214 397 cinerea 137 Gallinago gallinago 48, 49, 151 megala 48, 151 minima 150 nemoricola 48, 49, 152 Solitaria 48, 49, 151-152 398 Index cuculoides 54, 55, 182 ‘Hypopicus kienerii 120 alba 39, 223-224 radiatum SA, 5S, 182 hyperythrus 207 caspica 223 Gorsachius Hypothymis leucomelana 132-133 cinerea 23 melanolophus 88 azurea 295 Loriculus citreola 6, 61, 223 Gracula Hypsipetes vernalis 170 flava 60, 61, 222 religiosa 354 flavalus 231 Laxia indica 222 Graminicola leucocephalus 231 curvirostra 363 maderaspatensis 3), 224 bengalensis 268 madagascariensis 231 Luscinia Me Grandala meclellandii 231 brunnea 2 altirostris 11, 37S coelicolor 246-247 virescens 231 calliope 238 Mulleripicus Grus i cyane 29 pulverulentus 206 antigone 138 struthersti 141-142 megarhynchos 11 Muscicapa grus 138 Ibis pectardens 11 banyumas 286 leucogeranus 10 leucocephalus 91 pectoralis 239 dauurica 289 nigricollis 138 Te svecica 238 ferruginea 287 Gy humilis 107 L grandis 283 barbatus 108-109 ichthyaetus 108 minimus 48, 49, 150 hodgsonii 291 Gyps nana 107 Macronous hyperythra 291 bengalensis 32, 33, 109 Ictinaetus gularis 302 latirostris 289 fulvus 32, 33, 110 malayensis 116 Macropygia leucomelanura 290 himalayensis 32, 33, 110 Indicator unchall 167 macgrigoriae 284 indicus 32, 33, 109 xanthonotus 200 Marmaronetia monileger 292 Haematopus Irena angustirostris 10 muttui 288 ostralegus 141 puella 233 Megaceryle parva 293 Haematospiza Ithaginis lugubris 194 poliogenys 284 sipahi 369 cruentus 130 Megalaima rubeculoides 285 Halcyon Ixobrychus asiatica 199 ruficauda 288 capensis 191 cinnamomeus 88 australis 199 rufilata 287 coromanda 190 flavicolis 91 franklinii 199 Sapphira 289 pileata 191 minutus 10, 87 200 sibirica 288 smyrnensis 191 sinensis 87 Eneata 81, 198 Strophiata 292 Haliaeetus Jynx virens 198 subrubra 292 albicilla 107 torquilla 201 zeylanica 81, 198 sundara 284 leucoryphus 107 Ketupa Megalurus superciliaris 290 Haliastur flavipes 56, 57, 181 palustris 270 thalassina 287 indus 106 zeylonensis 56, 57, 181 Melanochlora tickelliae 226 Harpactes Lanius sultanea 328 unicolor 285 erythrocephalus 190 collurio isabellinus 340 Melanocorypha westermanni 290-291 Hemicircus cristatus 339 mauma 11 Musci canente 11 excubitor 341 Melophus hodgsoni 286-287 Hemiprocne isabellinus 340 lathami 80, 375 coronata 190 schach 340 Mergus affinis 370-371 Jongipennis 190 tephronotus 341 albellus 104 371 Hemipus vittatus 340 merganser 105 icterioides 11, 370 picatus 225 Larus serrator 105 melanozanthos 371 Heterophasia brunnicephalus 52, 53, 158 Merops Mycteria annectans 319 cachinnans 50, 51, 158-159 leschenaulti 195 leucocephala 91 capistrata 320 canus 52, 53, 158 orientalis 194 picaoides 320 fuscus SO, 51, 158-159 philippinus 195 caeruleus 253 Hieraaetus genei 52, 53, 158 superciliosus 195 fasciatus 119 ichthyaetus SO, 51, 157 Metopidius caeruleus 253 kienerii 120 ridibundus 52, 53, 1S7 indicus 141 pennatus 119 Leiothrix Microhierax Pyrthoura 313 Hierococcyx argentauris 312 caerulescens 121 Nectarinia fugax 172 hatea 313 Micropternus asiatica 333 Sparverioides 173 Leptopoecile brachyurus 202 Neophron varius 173 sophiae 283 Milus percnopterus 108 Himantopus Leptoptilos migrans 106 Neta himantopus 142 dubius 93 milvus 106 rufina 102 Hippolais Javanicus 94 Minla Nettapus caligata 272 Lerwa cyanouroptera 317 coromandelianus 98 Hirundapus lerwa 125 ignotincta 317 Nikava caudacutus 83, 186-187 Leucosticte strigula 317 grandis 283 cochinchinensis 83, 187 brandti 82, 364 Mirafra macgrigoriae 28A Hirundo nemoricola 82, 363 assamica 211 sundara 284 daurica 216 Limosa caniillans 11 Ninox fluvicola 216 limosa 153 erythroptera 11 scutulata 5A, 5S, 182 rupestris 215 Liocichla Monarcha Nucifraga rustica 215 Phoenicea 312 azurea 295 caryocatactes 348 Smithié 216 Locustella Monticola Numenius Hodgsonius certhiola 67,269, 3 cinclorhyncha 252 arquata 153 Phoenicuroides 24S lanceolata 67, 26,3 ruftventris 252 Phaeopus 153 Hoplopterus naevia 67, 20,3 Saxatilis 11 Nycticorax cinereus 147 Lonchura solitarius 252 nycticorax 88 duvaucelii 146-147 malabarica 358 Montifringilla Nyctyornis indicus 148 malacca 339 adamsi 356 athertoni 194 malabaricus 147 punctulata 359 blanfordi 356 Ocyceras Houbaropsis Striata 358 davidiana 11 birostris 196 bengalensis 139-140 Lophophorus ruficollis 356 Ocnanthe Hydrophasianus impejanus 132 taczanowskai 356 deserti 250 chirurgus 140 Lophotriorchis Motacilla tsabellina 250 rubidiventris 74, 325 rubidiventris rufonuchalis 325 rufonuchalis 74, 325 spilonotus 327 Phaenicophaeus leschenaultié 177 tristis 177 Phalacrocorax carbo 85-86 fuscicollis 10 niger 86 Phalaropus lobatus 157 Philomachus pugnax 150 Phodilus badius 10, 58, 179 Phoenicopterus fuligiventer 71, 281,5 fuscatus 71, 281, 5 griseolus 71, 282, 5 inornatus 73, 280, 4 maculipennis 72, 279-280, 4 magnirostris 73, 278-279, 4 nitidus 73, 278, 4 occipitalis 72, 277, 4 proregulus 72, 280, 4 pulcher 72, 279, 4 reguloides 72, 216, 4 schwarz 71-72, 281,5 subaffinis 282, 5 trochiloides 72, 278, 4 trochiloides nitidus 278 tytleri 71, 277, $ Pica pica ll Picoides auriceps 208 canicapillus 209 cathpharius 207 darjellensis 207 himalayensis 206 flaviscapis 314-315 melanots 315 rufiventer 314 xanthochloris 315 Ptyonoprogne concolor 11 399 paludicola 214 riparia 214-215 Rostratula benghalensis 141 senegalensis 166 tranquebarica 165 Strix aluco 56, 57, 184 leptogrammica S6, 183 lugubris 176 Sylvia curruca 273 hortensis 272 Syhviparus Index i Ht ysig haw f ZK } nes National |. _ Khapta Na tional sundo SuklaPhanta \*S Wildlife Reserve hendral Ssanaeyt Vie kc 2 Roy. / Bardia nal Park @Surkhet H Hunting Reserve NI ] rel Pokhara’ Nepaigan International boundary Protected area City Town or village Prominent peak Pass Ridges above 3000m 300m contour Highway Metalled road Unmetalled road 83° | L M_. 29 | apurna — | mnservation Aréa | =. | >. As ox eS IJ \ Manaslu SF || N P i W Langtang PR ~.. National Y Lark zX —e > 4) Cz "7 Ly * 1 Boars a risult ' y; Bazaar - 8 Phe > heopuri §& . ie | =e N “Wildlife Reserve| ®°94) 7 — mea) AN a oJ X Ting Sang La Cae » om pi Thodting/@ ae 3 Gadevar? @ Jiri ~ edi @ Phjicnowki ( SH Hetauraira, Se, ars... 2 or Reserve}... Simra ¢~ CAROLINSKIPP has an MSc. in Ecology and isa freelance writer with a special interest in conservation education. She is a keen ornithologist and has travelled widely in Nepal. TIMINSKIPP has a degree in Botany and has had an active interest in birds for a number of years. He is now involved in research on trade in wildlife at the World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, and has contributed to several publications on the subject. He first visited Nepal in 1970 and has returned frequently with Carol to gather information for this book. CONTENTS List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Topography, climate and vegetation Bird distribution Bird conservation Protected areas Migration History of ornithology in Nepal Birdwatching areas Identification section Key to the maps Species accounts Key to the colour plates Bibliography Index Colour illustrations by Clive Byers, Richard Grimmett, Craig Robson and Steve Rooke 2 2 Baitadi@ Lake Rara® C) National _ Khapta Na tional Park >. Royal / Sukla Phanta ..Na Hater oer j Wildlife Reser Dhorpatan S A OSES Hunting Reserve Se hot Srna 5 80°E International boundary Protected area City Town or village Prominent peak Pass Ridges above 3000m 300m contour Highway Metalled road Unmetalled road Map1 Nepal K (e) 5Okm | L M ey 29° Annapurna : Conservation Aréa ; — | , >, : \. J \ S. Zs Manaslu N P Q R i \ Lahgtang National X Ting Sangla Thoding/g iri CNB vel ® les = (Ss~ Sagarmatha ») \yNational Park otse Jarmatha (Mt Everest) 28° a }@Okhaldhunga ye ly @ Taplejung | Dhankuta Chatra Reserve / \ wo unischare e + oo we em Karkavitta bell Chandragarhi Tappu 4. Wildlife) ‘This volume. ..is an invaluable source of reference and should be bought by every birdwatcher who is going to, or has an interest in, Nepal.’ British Birds ‘This book is a must for anyone interested in the birds of this region. Birds ‘The Inskipps have done a remarkable job in pulling together a huge amount of material. ..The result of their efforts will form a basis for the continued exploration of this still decidedly underworked land’ Oryx ISBN 0-7136-8109-8 IM