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Vol. 17 No. 1
Taxonomic updates
Indian Birds | Vol. 17 No. 1
Willow Warbler
Japanese Thrush
Contents
Taxonomic updates to the checklists of birds of India, and the South Asian
1
Indian BIRDS
region—2021
Praveen J, Rajah Jayapal & Aasheesh Pittie
Nest-site characteristics of an urban heronry at Ranipet Police Station, Tamil Nadu
www.indianbirds.in Vol. 17 No. 1 4 D. Frank Sadrack Jabaraj, M. Pandian & Govindan Veeraswami Gopi
Date of Publication: 29 March 2021 Breeding colonies of Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida in Assam
7
ISSN 0973-1407 Sachin Ranade
Correspondence
Editor: Aasheesh Pittie
editor.indianbirds@gmail.com The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus in Punchakkari, southern Kerala: A
10 definitive record for the Indian Subcontinent
Associate Editors: V. Santharam, Praveen J. Nirmal George, Prasanth Das, Jayakrishnan S., Jaichand Johnson,
Arun C. G. & Praveen J.
Editorial Board
Maan Barua, Sahas Barve, Anwaruddin Choudhury 13
The Desert Finch Rhodospiza obsoleta in Sirsa, Haryana, India
Bill Harvey, Farah Ishtiaq, Rajah Jayapal, Girish Jathar Sanjeev K. Goyal & Vivek Goyal
Ragupathy Kannan, Madhusudan Katti A Japanese Thrush Turdus cardis in Walong, Arunachal Pradesh: An addition to
R. Suresh Kumar, Taej Mundkur, Rishad Naoroji 15 South Asian avifauna
Prasad Ganpule, Suhel Quader Dhyey Shah, Ketan Shah & Ravi Mekola
Harkirat Singh Sangha, C. Sashikumar
Presence of Sichuan Leaf Warblers Phylloscopus forresti in Anjaw District,
Manoj Sharma, S. Subramanya, K. S. Gopi Sundar 15 Arunachal Pradesh
Dhyey Shah, Ketan Shah & Ravi Mekola
Layout & Cover Design: Sindu Graphics Occurrence of the Three-banded Rosefinch Carpodacus trifasciatus in
17
Office: P. Rambabu Arunachal Pradesh, India
Atharva Singh, Himadri Sekhar Mondal & Girish Jathar
Pallas’s Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus copulating on the banks of the Ram Ganga
18
New Ornis Foundation Amith Rao & Balakrishna Kulkarni
Rediscovery of Rufous-vented Grass Babbler Laticilla burnesii from Haryana and its
Registration No. 314/2004 19 distribution status in India
Founder Trustees Sanjeev K. Goyal, Rakesh Ahlawat & Vivek Goyal
Zafar Futehally (1920–2013) A high elevation record of the Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnix tanki from Nainital,
Aasheesh Pittie, V. Santharam 20 Uttarakhand
Chandrakala Rawat, Govindan Veeraswami Gopi, Sampath Deepan
Trustees Chackaravarthy, Sumit Kumar Arya, Bhupendra Singh Adhikari & Dhananjai
Aasheesh Pittie, V. Santharam, Rishad Naoroji, Mohan
Taej Mundkur, S. Subramanya, Large flocks of Sarus Crane Antigone antigone and Painted Stork Mycteria
Suhel Quader, Praveen J. 21 leucocephala in Nepal
Prashant Ghimire, Nabin Pandey, Shristee Panthee & Bhuwan Singh Bist
Aims & Objectives Brood parasitism by Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii on Black-naped
• To publish a newsletter that will provide a platform to 22 Monarch Hypothymis azurea in Kerala
birdwatchers for publishing notes and observations Rasheed C. M., Maxim Rodrigues & Raju Stiven Crasta B
primarily on birds of South Asia. Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii in Rudraprayag Forest Division, Garhwal Himalaya
24 Vaibhav K. Singh, Kanchan Puri, Abhishek K. Singh & Ritesh Joshi
• To promote awareness of birdwatching amongst the
general public. The status of the Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus in Himachal Pradesh
25 C. Abhinav & Ankit Vikrant
• To establish and maintain links/liaison with other
associations or organized bodies in India or abroad A record of the Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus breeding in the Lakshadweep
whose objectives are in keeping with the objectives 27 Islands, western Indian Ocean
of the Trust (i.e. to support amateur birdwatchers with Nasheeda Yasmin & Aju K. R.
cash / kind for projects in ornithology). Chestnut-winged Cuckoo Clamator coromandus: first photographic record from Goa
28 Mayur Gawas, Prasanna Kelkar, Jalmesh Karapurkar & Shayeesh Pirankar
Rough-legged Buzzard Buteo lagopus from Ladakh, India
29
Bank details for advertisements & donations: Sonam Choldan (Gasha)
Name: New Ornis Foundation The Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus in Sikkim, India
Bank: Canara Bank 30 Dibyendu Ash, Nisha Sharma, Madhavi Ravindra & Jayanth Gole
Branch: Banjara Hills Branch, Hyderabad A Striolated Bunting Emberiza striolata from Raichur, Karnataka
Account No: 1181201000865 31 Vizz Vishwanath & Sai Shailesh
IFSC: CNRB0001181
A Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola from Ladakh, India
31 Tashi Angchok Stanba
PDFs of both, individual papers, The Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris: An addition to the avifauna of Goa, India
32 Justino Rebello &Mangirish Dharwadkar
and entire issues can be downloaded
from www.indianbirds.in. 32A Letter to the Editor
Address for correspondence:
New Ornis Foundation, 2nd Flr, BBR Forum, Rd. No. 2, Front & Back Cover: Amur Falcon Falco amurensis
Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034, India. Photographer: Kamlesh Mirkale
Pittie et al.: Taxonomic updates 1
Taxonomic updates to the checklists of birds of India,
and the South Asian region—2021
Praveen J, Rajah Jayapal & Aasheesh Pittie
Praveen, J., & Jayapal, R., & Pittie, A., 2021. Updates to the checklists of birds of India, and the South Asian region—2021. Indian BIRDS 17 (1): 1–3.
Praveen J., Villa #5, Embassy Homes, Mudavanmugal, Poojappura P.O., Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695012, India. E-mail: paintedstork@gmail.com
Rajah Jayapal, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty (Post), Coimbatore 641108, Tamil Nadu, India. E-mail: rajah.jp@gmail.com
Aasheesh Pittie, 2nd Floor, BBR Forum, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034, Telangana, India. E-mail: aasheesh.pittie@gmail.com
Manuscript received on 17 February 2021.
Introduction more with contemporary usage, marking an end to the legacy
The first definitive checklists of the birds of India (Praveen et of names in Manakadan & Pittie (2001), or Ali & Ripley (2001).
al. 2016), now in its 14th version (Praveen et al. 2020a), the
Indian Subcontinent, now in its tenth version (Praveen et al. Results & discussion
2020d), and South Asia (Praveen et al. 2020c), were all drawn There are no changes to the total number of species, or any other
from a master database built upon a putative list of birds of the higher order rank in this taxonomic update (Table 1, Table 2).
South Asian region (Praveen et al. 2019). All these checklists, Eleven taxonomic changes are related to movement of genus,
and their online updates, periodically incorporating additions to and two to species epithets. In addition, primary English names
the region’s avifauna (available at www.indianbirds.in), initially of 14 species are also changed.
followed the taxonomy of the ‘Howard & Moore World Checklist
4th edition’ (henceforth, H&M4) (Dickinson & Remsen 2013; Conclusion
Dickinson & Christidis 2014). In 2018 (Praveen et al. 2018), we We continue to believe that our ‘consensus model’ of this
took a decision to deviate from H&M4 and adopted a consensus- taxonomic update is driven, primarily, by pragmatism and
based approach for incorporating taxonomic changes that were utility. Though eBird/Clements was not updated in 2020, our
unanimously accepted by the other three extant global authorities, continuous engagement with their team has enabled us to move
namely, ‘Handbook of Birds of the World & BirdLife International’ forward with South Asian taxonomy without having to wait for
(2019; henceforth, HBW/BLI), eBird/Clements (Clements et al. those updates. We are closely watching all global alignments
2019), and the International Ornithological Congress (henceforth, and regional adoptions, in this space, to offer the best long-term
IOC; Gill et al. 2021). In 2020, we further deviated from HBW/ strategy for South Asian ornithology.
BLI and our consensus model incorporated only eBird/Clements
and IOC (Praveen et al. 2020b); during this update, we also
Table 2. Taxonomic summary
embarked on independent reviews of emerging literature in bird
systematics so that our Checklists remain taxonomically updated. Region South Asia Indian Subcontinent India
Since the last update, we had two revisions of IOC taxonomy Order 26 25 26
while there were no revisions in 2020 in the eBird/Clements
Family 116 115 114
list. Hence, the number of taxonomic changes for this update
is minimal. However, we wish to rationalize the English names Genus 503 499 495
of a few birds in this update in response to feedback from the Species 1,426 1,376 1,333
user community, and the popularity of alternative names in the
region– mainly driven by the field guides (Grimmett et al. 2011; Acknowledgements
Rasmussen & Anderton 2012), and eBird (www.ebird.org). Acknowledgements: Our thanks to David Donsker, Pam Rasmussen and Tom
Schulenberg for helping us take the right forward looking decisions on taxonomies.
Methodology
As there was no update to the eBird/Clements list during this References
Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 2001. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan together with
cycle, there are no new species splits that need to be incorporated
those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. 2nd ed. Delhi: (Sponsored
here. We, nonetheless, make a limited update, involving changes by Bombay Natural History Society.) Oxford University Press [Oxford India
to species epithets and generic limits; these are based on our Paperbacks.]. 10 vols.
independent review of published literature, but also, specifically, Cai, T., Cibois, A., Alström, P., Moyle, R. G., Kennedy, J. D., Shao, S., Zhang, R., Irestedt,
after consultations with the lead authors of both taxonomies so M., Ericson, P. G. P., Gelang, M., Qu, Y., Lei, F., & Fjeldså, J., 2019. Near-complete
as to ensure maximum stability and convergence vis-à-vis global phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the world’s babblers (Aves: Passeriformes).
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 130: 346–356. doi: https://doi.
authorities. While we continue to follow the same framework of
org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.010.
rules and guidelines governing English names as elucidated in Clements, J. F., Schulenberg, T. S., Iliff, M. J., Billerman, S. M., Fredericks, T. A., Sullivan,
Praveen et al. (2016), we recalibrate our English names to align B. L., & Wood, C. L., 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World:
2 Indian Birds Vol. 17 No. 1 (Publ. 29 March 2021)
Table 1. Annotated list of taxonomic updates and nomenclatural changes to the checklist of the birds of India, and the South Asian region
S. No. English name Scientific name Notes on taxonomy / nomenclature Type of change
1 Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus English name changed from Cotton Teal. English name-Independent change
(J.F. Gmelin, 1789)
2 Hodgson’s Hawk Hierococcyx nisicolor English name changed from Whistling Hawk Cuckoo. English name-Independent change
Cuckoo (Blyth, 1843)
3 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus English name changed from Western Water Rail. English name-Independent change
Linnaeus, 1758
4 Brown-cheeked Rail Rallus indicus Blyth, 1849 English name changed from Eastern Water Rail. English name-Independent change
5 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 English name changed from Common Coot. English name-Independent change
6 White Stork Ciconia ciconia English name changed from European White Stork. English name-Independent change
(Linnaeus, 1758)
7 White-browed Crake Poliolimnas cinereus Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Amaurornis. Placed in Poliolimnas Genus change
(Vieillot, 1819) here, following IOC based on the recommendations of Garcia-R
et al. (2020).
8 Collared Owlet Taenioptynx brodiei Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Glaucidium. Placed in Taenioptynx Genus change (with corresponding
(Burton, 1836) here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Salter change in sequence)
et al. (2019).
9 Yellow-crowned Leiopicus mahrattensis English name changed from Yellow-fronted Woodpecker. English name-Independent change
Woodpecker (Latham, 1801)
10 Freckle-breasted Dendrocopos analis English name changed from Spot-breasted Woodpecker. English name-Independent change
Woodpecker (Bonaparte, 1850)
11 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus English name changed from Common Reed Warbler. English name-Independent change
(Hermann, 1804)
12 Black-headed Bulbul Brachypodius melanocephalos Species epithet atriceps, as adopted in H&M4, is emended to Species epithet change
(Gmelin, 1788) melanocephalos here, following IOC.
13 Black-capped Bulbul Rubigula melanicterus Species epithet melanictera, corrected for gender to melanicterus Species epithet change
(J.F. Gmelin, 1789) following IOC.
14 Asian Desert Warbler Curruca nana Hemprich & Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Curruca. Moved to Sylvia based Genus change
Ehrenberg, 1833 on consensus model in Praveen et al. (2018). Placed back in Curruca
here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al.
(2019).
15 Barred Warbler Curruca nisoria Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Curruca. Moved to Sylvia based Genus change
(Bechstein, 1792) on consensus model in Praveen et al. (2018). Placed back in Curruca
here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al.
(2019).
16 Lesser Whitethroat Curruca curruca Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Curruca. Moved to Sylvia based Genus change
(Linnaeus, 1758) on consensus model in Praveen et al. (2018). Placed back in Curruca
here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al.
(2019).
17 Eastern Orphean Curruca crassirostris Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Curruca. Moved to Sylvia based Genus change
Warbler (Cretzschmar, 1830) on consensus model in Praveen et al. (2018). Placed back in Curruca
here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al.
(2019).
18 Ménétries’s Warbler Curruca mystacea Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Curruca. Moved to Sylvia based Genus change
(Ménétries, 1832) on consensus model in Praveen et al. (2018). Placed back in Curruca
here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al.
(2019).
19 Common Whitethroat Curruca communis Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Curruca. Moved to Sylvia based Genus change
(Latham, 1787) on consensus model in Praveen et al. (2018). Placed back in Curruca
here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al.
(2019).
20 Striated Yuhina Staphida castaniceps Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Yuhina. Placed in Staphida here, Genus change
(F. Moore, 1854) following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al. (2019).
21 Dark-fronted Babbler Dumetia atriceps Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Rhopocichla. Placed in Genus change
(Jerdon, 1839) Dumetia here, following IOC, based on the recommendations of
Cai et al. (2019).
Pittie et al.: Taxonomic updates 3
Table 1. Annotated list of taxonomic updates and nomenclatural changes to the checklist of the birds of India, and the South Asian region
S. No. English name Scientific name Notes on taxonomy / nomenclature Type of change
22 Long-billed Wren Napothera malacoptila Assigned by H&M4 to the genus Rimator. Placed in Napothera here, Genus change
Babbler (Blyth, 1847) following IOC, based on the recommendations of Cai et al. (2019).
23 Indian Grassbird Graminicola bengalensis English name changed from Indian Grass Babbler. English name-Independent change
Jerdon, 1863
24 Hume’s Treecreeper Certhia manipurensis English name changed from Manipur Treecreeper English name-Independent change
Hume, 1881
25 White-capped Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus English name changed with the dropping of qualifier ‘Water’. English name-Independent change
(Vigors, 1831)
26 Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia English name changed from Eurasian Rock Sparrow. English name-Independent change
(Linnaeus, 1766)
27 Pale Rockfinch Carpospiza brachydactyla English name changed from Pale Rock Sparrow. English name-Independent change
(Bonaparte, 1850)
v2019. Website URL: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/. Praveen J., Jayapal, R., & Pittie, A., 2016. A checklist of the birds of India. Indian BIRDS
[Accessed on 25 January 2020.] 11 (5&6): 113–172A.
Dickinson, E. C., & Christidis, L., (eds.) 2014. The Howard and Moore complete Praveen J., Jayapal, R., & Pittie, A., 2018. Taxonomic updates to the checklist of birds of
checklist of the birds of the world: Vol. 2. Passerines. 4th ed. Eastbourne, U.K.: India and the South Asian region—2018. Indian BIRDS 14 (2): 37–42.
Aves Press. Vol. 2 of 2 vols. Pp. i–lii, 1–752, plus CD-ROM. Praveen J., Jayapal, R., & Pittie, A., 2019. Checklist of the birds of South Asia (v4.0).
Dickinson, E. C., & Remsen, J. V. J., (eds.) 2013. The Howard and Moore complete Website URL: http://www.indianbirds.in/south-asia/. [Date of publication: 05 May
checklist of the birds of the world: Vol. 1. Non-passerines. 4th ed. Eastbourne, 2019.]
U.K.: Aves Press. Vol. 1 of 2 vols. Pp. i–l, 1–461. Praveen J., Jayapal, R., & Pittie, A., 2020a. Checklist of the birds of India (v4.1). Website
Garcia-R, J. C., Lemmon, E. M., Lemmon, A. R., & French, N., 2020. Phylogenomic URL: http://www.indianbirds.in/india/. [Date of publication: 25 July 2020.]
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Rallidae) evolution. Diversity 12 (2): 1–10. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ of India, and the South Asian region—2020. Indian BIRDS 16 (1): 12–19.
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Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P., (Eds). 2021. IOC World Bird List (v11.1). Doi: Carr, P., Rasmussen, P.C. & Pittie, A., 2020c. Checklist of the birds of South Asia
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Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 2011. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. 2nd ed. 25 July 2020.]
London: Oxford University Press & Christopher Helm. Pp. 1–528. Praveen J., Jayapal, R., Inskipp, T., Warakagoda, D., Thompson, P.M., Anderson, R.C. &
HBW & BirdLife International 2020. Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife Pittie, A., 2020d. Checklist of the birds of the Indian Subcontinent (v4.1). Website
International digital checklist of the birds of the world. Version 5. Website URL: URL: http://www.indianbirds.in/indian-subcontinent/. [Date of publication: 25 July
http://datazone.birdlife.org/userfiles/file/Species/Taxonomy/HBW-BirdLife_ 2020.]
Checklist_v5_Dec19.zip [.xls zipped 1 MB]. [Accessed on 25 January 2021.] Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2012. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide. 2nd
Manakadan, R., & Pittie, A., 2001. Standardised common and scientific names of the ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. 2
birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Buceros 6 (1): i–ix, 1–37. vols. Pp. 1–378; 1–683.
With the compliments of
G.B.K. Charitable Trust
Unit No. T-6C, Phoenix House, S. B. Marg, Lower Parel,
Mumbai 400013, India.
In Memoriam
Storrs L. Olson
(1944 – 2021)
4 Indian Birds Vol. 17 No. 1 (Publ. 29 March 2021)
Nest-site characteristics of an urban heronry
at Ranipet Police Station, Tamil Nadu
D. Frank Sadrack Jabaraj, M. Pandian & Govindan Veeraswami Gopi
Jabaraj, Pandian & Gopi., 2021. Nest-site characteristics of an urban heronry at Ranipet Police Station, Tamil Nadu. Indian BIRDS 17 (1): 4–7.
Frank Sadrack Jabaraj, D, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. E-mail: frank.sadrack@gmail.com
Pandian, M, No. F1901, AIS Housing Complex, Natesan Nagar West, Virugambakkam, Chennai 600092. India. E-mail: pandian.m14@gmail.com
Govindan Veeraswami Gopi, Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. E-mail: gopigv@wii.gov.in [Corresponding author.]
Manuscript received on 28 August 2020.
Introduction rainfall of the district is 1,037 mm.
Biotic and abiotic factors play a significant role in influencing habitat
selection and nest site dynamics of colonial nesting waterbirds
(Kharitonov & Siegel-Causey 1988; Erwin et al. 1998). Colonial
nesting waterbirds choose both, undisturbed wetland sites, as well
as densely populated urban areas for nesting and roosting in India
(Jamgaonkar et al. 1995; Subramanya 1996; Urfi 2010). A recent
study has shown that these waterbirds are shifting to urban habitats
for breeding to avoid predation pressure (Roshnath & Sinu 2017a).
By assessing site conditions before nesting (Vaneerden et al. 1995),
colonial nesting waterbirds consider protection from predators,
favourable climatic conditions, availability of nesting materials, and
access to foraging ground for an ideal nesting ground (Gibbs et al.
1991; Hafner 2000). Along with the above conditions, vegetation
structure (Fellowes et al. 2001) and the quality of the nesting tree
also play a vital role in habitat selection (Fasola & Alieri 1992).
Monitoring of these birds and their habitats in urban areas is thus
crucial in understanding the impact of external pressures on their
long-term survival. Tamil Nadu is a drought-prone state of India, and
due to the vagaries of the monsoon, it frequently gets subjected
to deficient rainfall (Nathan 1998). During years of monsoon
failure, colonial nesting waterbirds tend to abandon their breeding Fig. 1. Location of the Ranipet Police station heronry.
activities, and if the waterbodies dry after the construction of nests,
the birds abandon them (Paulraj 1985; Santharam 1990). Along Methods
with this, frequent nest predation harms the reproduction and The survey was carried out during the breeding season, from
population structure of nesting birds (Madden et al. 2015; Veitch November to May in 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 in the heronry
et al. 2016). The present study was undertaken to emphasize site. A vantage point was selected and the count was carried out
the importance of urban habitats being used by colonial nesting mostly between 0600–0700h, before the birds left the site; this
waterbirds for breeding, and assess how such habitats, amidst was repeated between 1600–1800h. The total count method
human habitation, perform during the breeding season, especially (Bibby et al. 2000) was used to enumerate the bird numbers, and
with regard to the availability and utilization of tree species, and the the nesting trees within the station premises were enumerated
threats faced by these waterbirds. and identified using Nair & Henry (1989). The height, and girth at
breast height (henceforth GBH) of nesting trees were measured
Materials & methods using a tape measure. The utilization of an individual tree species,
Study area by the waterbirds, was calculated thus: number of occupied trees
The heronry is located in the compound of the Ranipet Police of a particular species/total number of trees of that particular
Station (12.92ºN, 79.33ºE; 0.4 Ha; 160m asl), in the newly species x100. The numbers of birds, nests, and chicks, and the
formed Ranipet District (erstwhile Vellore), Tamil Nadu. It activities of predators (corvids) were all ascertained by direct
is about 28 km from Vellore town, and 93 km westwards of observation using binoculars. Police personnel of the Ranipet
Chennai (Fig. 1). Ranipet is situated on the northern bank of Police Station were interviewed in Tamil to determine the earlier
the Palar River, and lies on the Chennai–Bengaluru National activities of nesting birds, maintenance of trees, safety measures
Highway (NH–4), and the Ranipet–Krishnagiri road (NH–46). to nests, their tolerance to the foul smell emanating from the
The human population of this town is 50,764 (Anonymous droppings of the birds, and the disturbance not only to parked
2020a), with a density of 5,958/km2. The average annual vehicles, but also to police personnel and visiting public.
Jabaraj et al.: Urban heronry 5
Results & discussion indica and Delonix regia. They did not prefer other trees.
We enumerated 140 individuals of Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Though Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata were high
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax, and Little in numbers (n = > 35 trees), they were less than four metres
Egret Egretta garzetta and 68 nests in nine nest-supporting in height, and hence not used for nesting. Nesting birds utilized
trees within the Ranipet Police Station during the 2017–2018 about 17.30% of the trees during 2017–2018, and 11.53%
breeding season. In the 2018–2019 season we recorded 26 during 2018–2019 breeding seasons. The police personnel
nests; 63 waterbirds comprising Grey Heron Ardea cinerea and revealed that Ficus religiosa and Madhuca indica were more
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax were present, than 30 years old, and birds were nesting on them for at least a
and nests were constructed on six individual trees. The Little decade. The young Azadirachta indica, and Pongamia pinnata
Egret Egretta garzetta nested during 2017–2018, but not during might serve as good nesting trees in future. This also indicates
2018–2019 (Table 1). Grey Heron mostly constructed nests, and that birds prefer to nest on older and tall trees, rather than
roosted, on trees with GBH of 185–270 cm. Both, Little Egret, young ones.
and Black-crowned Night Heron nests were mostly on trees with
GBH of 38–270 cm.
Table 3. Availability and utilization of tree species for nesting (2017–2018 and
2018-2019)
S. No. Tree species Number Utilization (%) Utilization (%)
Table 1. Details of the birds and their nests during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 period.
of trees 2017–2018 2018–2019
Species Total birds Total nests Total birds Total nests
1 Polyathia longifolia 3 66.67 33.33
2017–2018 2017–2018 2018–2019 2018–2019
2 Pongamia pinnata 21 4.76 4.76
Grey Heron 45 21 31 14
3 Bambusa bambos 1 100 0
Black-crowned Night Heron 77 39 32 12
4 Azadirachta indica 18 5.56 11.11
Little Egret 18 08 00 00
5 Ficus religiosa 1 100 100
Total 140 68 63 26
6 Syzygium cumini 3 0 0
7 Madhuca indica 1 100 100
Vegetation
We counted 52 individual trees belonging to nine species, nine 8 Delonix regia 3 33.33 0
genera, and eight families within the Police Station premises, 9 Millingtonia hortenis 1 100 0
besides the perennial grass Bambusa bambos. Waterbirds
constructed nests on nine individual trees (eight species) Impact of predation
during 2017–2018, and six individual trees (five species) in Colonial nesting waterbirds usually prefer nesting sites in areas
2018–2019 (Table 2). Ficus religiosa was the most popular with less predation pressure (Garg 2016). In northern Kerala,
in both the seasons, followed by Madhuca indica. The Grey 76.92% of nests of colonial nesting waterbirds were located
Heron predominantly chose Ficus religiosa, Madhuca indica, on avenue trees on national highways, and in urban residential
and Delonix regia for its nests. The Grey Heron constructed the premises (Roshnath & Sinu 2017b). In the present study also,
highest nests, followed by Little Egret, and Black-crowned Night colonial nesting waterbirds selected nesting trees within the
Heron (Table 2). urban area with high human activity. Low anthropogenic pressure,
We compared how the waterbirds utilized trees for nesting in terms of disturbance of nesting site, and hunting might have
between the two breeding seasons (Table 3). Grey Herons encouraged their choice for roosting and nesting here.
used the older trees, especially Ficus religiosa, Madhuca Corvids (Corvidae) are one of the major predators of
waterbirds globally, and impact the nesting
Table 2. Nest height ranges among the nesting waterbirds (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) success of colonial nesting waterbirds
(Baker 1940; Ewins 1991; Dorfman & Read
S. No. Tree species Tree height Nesting species Nest height Nest height
(m) Range_17–18 (m) Range_18–19 (m) 1996; Jayson 2001; Jha 2012; Roshnath et
1 Ficus religiosa 15 Grey Heron 12–15 13–14
al. 2019). Though police station provided
locational shelter for the colonial nesting
15 Black-crowned Night Heron 7–12 9–12
waterbirds, multiple incidences of eggs,
2 Polyathia longifolia 12 Black-crowned Night Heron 8–11 9–11
of both, Grey Heron, and Black-crowned
3 Polyathia longifolia 14 Black-crowned Night Heron 9–12 0 Night Heron being damaged by crows were
14 Little Egret 12–13 0 observed [1]. Here, the House Crow Corvus
4 Azadirachta indica 8 Black-crowned Night Heron 5–7 6–7 splendens, as well as the Large-billed Crow
5 Madhuca indica 21 Grey Heron 16–20 19–21 C. macrorhynchos targeted the nests when
21 Little Egret 15–17 0 the adult birds were away for feeding. The
6 Azadirachta indica 10 Black-crowned Night Heron 0 8–9 true impact of crows, on urban-nesting
7 Pongamia pinnata 7 Black-crowned Night Heron 0 5–6
colonial waterbirds needs a detailed study.
Apart from the predation pressure from
8 Pongamia pinnata 8 Black-crowned Night Heron 5–6 0
crows, the residents’ attitudes towards
9 Bambusa bambos 14 Black-crowned Night Heron 5–10 0
waterbirds nesting, especially in urban
10 Delonix regia 17 Grey Heron 14–17 0 areas, is another challenge that needs to
11 Millingtonia hortenis 19 Black-crowned Night Heron 14–16 0 be evaluated.
6 Indian Birds Vol. 17 No. 1 (Publ. 29 March 2021)
its normal rainfall (348 mm), but during 2018 the district
received a paltry 181 mm, which is 48% less than the normal
rainfall (Anonymous 2020b). Given the extreme shortage of
rainfall in 2018, the wetlands nearby, i.e., Dhamal, Walajah,
and Kaveripakkam lakes, which serves as foraging grounds for
these species, had dried up in January 2019 (pers. observ.). The
activity at heronries, and nests enumerated during 2017–2018,
were higher in comparison to the subsequent breeding season
of 2018–2019. It is clear that nearly 50% reduction in monsoon
rainfall during 2018, followed by the drying up of lakes, might
have forced the nesting waterbirds to reduce their breeding
activities, resulting in a decreased number of nests and colonial
nesting waterbirds.
Safety to the colonial nesting waterbirds
1A.
Poaching of colonial nesting waterbirds is common in Vellore
District. The local people hunt birds with catapults, release
pesticide-soaked fish in water bodies, and poach chicks
from nests (pers. observ.). In this particular case, the police
station’s premises provide safety to the roosting birds, nests,
and chicks from poachers. But hunting adult birds, or climb
trees to poach chicks is common in other, unprotected areas.
Inquiry with the police personnel also revealed that the nesting
waterbirds continued their breeding activities annually within
the station because of safety from the poachers and other
anthropogenic disturbances. The droppings of nesting birds
on parked vehicles, on serving police personnel, and visiting
general public is a continuous nuisance [2]. In addition, the
police personnel also tolerated the foul odour emanating
from the birds’ droppings. Despite these inconveniences, the
police personnel were tolerant of nesting waterbirds, nests, and
chicks within their premises, indirectly protecting them.
1B.
1C.
2. The excrement of nesting waterbirds splattered on two-wheelers parked in the police station.
1A–1C. House Crow and Large-billed Crow predate on the eggs in nests, and upon fallen eggs.
Acknowledgements
Impacts of the north-eastern Monsoon We are immensely grateful for the Grant-in-Aid fund support received from the
The nesting of colonial nesting waterbirds in Tamil Nadu Wildlife Institute of India to carry out the state wide survey for nesting sites of colonial
coincides with the south-western and north-eastern monsoons, nesting waterbirds. We value the support received from the Tamil Nadu Forest
but breeding is predominantly during the latter, at most of Department without which it would have been impossible to carry out a statewide
heronry survey. We sincerely appreciate the guidance received from S. Subramanya
the breeding sites. The rainfall patterns of the north-eastern
during the initial planning phase of our work. We thank Dhananjai Mohan, Director,
monsoon, for the last two years, revealed that Vellore District Y. V. Jhala, Dean, and Bitapi C. Sinha, Research Coordinator at the Wildlife Institute of
received 338 mm rainfall during 2017, which is 3% less than India for the Institutional support while conducting the study.
R anade: Whiskered Terns 7
References Jha, K. K., 2012. Some breeding and ecological aspects of colonial nesting waterbirds at
Anonymous. 2020a. Website URL: https://censusindia.gov.in/pca/pcadata/Houselisting- Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary Agra, Northern India. Asian Journal of Conservation
housing-TM.html. (Accessed on 09 November 2020.) Biology 1 (1): 35–41.
Anonymous. 2020b. Website URL: http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/NEM2018.pdf. Kharitonov, S. P., & Siegel-Causey, D., 1988. Colony formation in seabirds. Current
[Accessed on 07 July 2020.] Ornithology 5: 223–272.
Baker, R. H., 1940. Crow depredations on heron nesting colonies. The Wilson Bulletin Madden, C. E., Arroyo, B., & Amar, A., 2015. A review of the impacts of corvids on bird
52 (2): 124–125. productivity and abundance, Ibis 157: 1–16.
Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D., Hill, D. A. & S. Mustoe, S., 2000. Bird census techniques. Nair, N. C., & Henry, A. N., 1989. Flora of Tamil Nadu, India. 3 vols. Botanical Survey
Elsevier. of India, Calcutta.
Dorfman, E. J., & Read, J., 1996. Nest predation by corvids on cormorants in Nathan, K. K., 1980. Droughts in Tamil Nadu: A qualitative and quantitative appraisal.
Australia. Emu-Austral Ornithology 96 (2): 132–135. Drought Network News 10 (3): 3–6.
Erwin, R. M., Nichols, J. D., Eyler, T. B., Stotts, D. B., & Truitt, B. R., 1998. Modeling Paulraj, S., 1985. Studies on Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. Project Report-Final. Parts 1
colony-site dynamics: a case study of gull-billed terns (Sterna nilotica) in coastal & 2. Report submitted to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Madras, Tamil Nadu.
Virginia. The Auk 115 (4): 970–978. Roshnath, R., & Sinu, P. A., 2017a. Are the heronry birds adapting to urbanization? Zoo’s
Ewins, P. J., 1991. Egg predation by corvids in gull colonies on Lake Huron. Colonial Print 32 (12): 27–33.
waterbirds 14 (2): 186–189. Roshnath, R., & Sinu, P. A., 2017b. Nesting tree characteristics of heronry birds of urban
Fasola, M., & Alieri, R., 1992. Conservation of heronry Ardeidae sites in North Italian ecosystems in peninsular India: implications for habitat management. Current
agricultural landscapes. Biological Conservation 62 (3): 219–228. Zoology 63 (6): 599–605.
Fellowes, J. R., Fang, Z., Shing, L. K., Hau, B. C., Lau, M. W., Lam, V. W., & Hafner, H., Roshnath, R., Athira, K., & Sinu, P. A., 2019. Does predation pressure drive heronry
2001. Status update on White-eared Night Heron Gorsachius magnificus in South birds to nest in the urban landscape? Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 12 (2):
China. Bird Conservation International. 11 (2): 101–111. 311–315.
Garg, A., 2016. Nest–plant correlation and predator preclusion in Asian Openbill Storks Santharam, V., 1990. Asian waterfowl counts 1990—a report. Blackbuck 6 (1): 7–11.
(Anastomus oscitans): a case study from Nawabgunj Bird Sanctuary, India. Indian Subramanya, S., 1996. Distribution, status and conservation of Indian heronries.
Forester 142 (2): 179–186. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 93 (3): 459–486.
Gibbs, J. P., 1991. Spatial relationships between nesting colonies and foraging areas of Urfi, A. J., 2010. Using heronry birds to monitor urbanization impacts: A case study of
Great Blue Herons. The Auk 108 (4): 764–770. Painted Storks Mycteria leucocephala nesting in the Delhi Zoo, India. Ambio 39
Hafner, H., 2000. Heron nest site conservation. In: Kushlan A. J., Hafner, H., (Ed). Heron (2): 190–193.
conservation. San Diego (CA): Academic Press. Pp. 201–215. Vaneerden, M. R., Koffijberg, K., & Platteeuw, M., 1995. Riding on the crest of the wave—
Jamgaonkar, A. V., Jacob, P. G., Rajagopal, S. N., & Bhat, H. R., 1995. Records of new possibilities and limitations for a thriving population of migratory Cormorants
breeding colonies of Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala in Karnataka. Pavo 32 Phalacrocorax carbo in man-dominated Wetlands. Ardea 83 (1): 1–9.
(1&2): 59–62. Veitch, B. G., Robertson, G. J. Jones, I. L., & Bond, A. L., 2016. Great Black-backed Gull
Jayson, E. A., 2001. Structure, composition and conservation of birds in Mangalavanam (Larus marinus) predation on seabird populations at two colonies in eastern
Mangroves, Cochin, Kerala. Zoos’ Print Journal 16 (5): 471–478. Canada. Waterbirds 39 (Sp1): 235–245.
Breeding colonies of Whiskered Terns
Chlidonias hybrida in Assam
Sachin Ranade
Ranade, S. P., 2021. Breeding colonies of Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida in Assam. Indian BIRDS 17 (1): 7–9.
Sachin P. Ranade, Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre, Belguri Village, Rani, Kamrup District, Assam 781131, India. E-mail: s.ranade@bnhs.org.
Manuscript received on 30 June 2020.
T
he Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida has a wide distribution Whiskered Terns in Morigaon, Kamrup, and Sivasagar districts of
range covering four continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, and Assam. The observations of breeding birds were carried out from
Australia. In South Asia, it is known as a breeding resident a safe distance of about 200 m. I visited the site approximately
in the Gangetic Plains and is likely to breed in Afghanistan. It once a week, prioritising the welfare of the species (Barve et al.
is a winter visitor and passage migrant in most of parts of the 2020).
Indian Subcontinent (Rasmussen & Anderton, 2012; Gochfeld I observed a nesting colony of the Whiskered Tern on the
et al., 2020). Ali & Ripley (1983), mentioned that the Whiskered outskirts of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (26.23°N, 92.03°E; c.52
Tern breeds in North Cachar in Assam, Kashmir, Delhi, Uttar m asl), in Morigaon District [4], about 30 km from Guwahati,
Pradesh, and Bihar, and in Bangladesh. Rasmussen & Anderton Assam. The Sanctuary resides in the floodplain of the Brahmaputra
(2012) expressed the need of substantiating its breeding reports River and encompasses large water bodies, grasslands, and
from Assam, and Bangladesh. Hussain et al. (2018) reported woodlands. I spotted Whiskered Terns along an 80 km stretch
the presence of Whiskered Terns, in their breeding plumage of the Brahmaputra, from the Sanctuary in the north to Mirza,
[3], from various places in Assam. As per eBird, there were 87 Kamrup District in the south. Whiskered Terns breed in Water
sight records of this species from Assam until June 2020. Here, Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes infested lagoons, on both sides of
I would like to provide the records of breeding populations of the Brahmaputra River. Their eastern-most breeding colony was
8 Indian Birds Vol. 17 No. 1 (Publ. 29 March 2021)
sighted in Sivasagar District, also on the bank of the Brahmaputra hrs through binoculars, and also photographed their activity. The
(Fig. 1). nests were on an ‘island’ of Water Hyacinth growing in marshland.
It was c.200 m from the road, undisturbed by the traffic. The nests
were concealed in vegetation and quite far away from me to
confirm the presence of eggs or chicks. I presumed the existence
of nests when I saw adult terns landing frequently in the hyacinth
patch, carrying either nesting material in their beaks, or food for a
partner. The adults used aquatic vegetation as nest material [5],
and collected this during short flights, or hovering over potential
material and extracting it. The terns guarded their nests zealously.
During the three months of observation, they were seen chasing
away, and diving at Purple Swamphen Porphyrio poliocephalus
(n=16), Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis (n=8), Pheasant-
tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus (n=2), and Bronze-
winged Jacana Metopidius indicus (n=6). Their chicks were
sighted in the Water Hyacinth patch in late July. On 21 July one
fledgling was sighted in a bed of Water Hyacinth, on the banks of
the Brahmaputra, in Guimara village, Mirza (26.11°N, 91.47°E).
The month-old fledgeling had a black cap, black lores, black ear
coverts, brownish-black scapula, black bill, and red tarsi. It had a
white belly and vent, while the overall appearance from top view
3. A Whiskered Tern in breeding plumage.
was grey. It had semipalmate feet and could swim very well [6].
It was seen bathing, and oiling and preening its feathers.
All: Sachin Ranade
4. Habitat for the breeding colony at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Morigaon, Assam.
5. Adult carrying nest material to nest.
Fig. 1. Map of breeding colonies of Whiskered Tern in: 1. Kamrup, 2. Morigaon, 3. Sivasagar
districts of Assam, India.
The nesting colony near Pobitora was monitored from June
to August 2019 (n=8 visits). I first noticed the colony on 02 June,
when I spotted 15 adult Whiskered Terns in breeding plumage.
Subsequently, I visited this site once every fortnight for three
months. On each visit I observed the birds from 1600 to 1800 6. Fledgling of Whiskered Tern.R anade: Whiskered Terns 9
Table 1. Nests and adult Whiskered Terns recorded near Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary, Morigaon District, Assam in 2019
Date Nest Whiskered Tern in flight
02 June No data 15
13 June 40 42
22 June 100 300
29 June 100 100
13 July 10 100
27 July 40 100
Both: Sachin Ranade
07 August 0 30
29 August 0 6
Food 8. Flock of Whiskered Tern.
I observed the adult terns dive to catch fishes and frogs.
Common prey among fishes were barbs (Ciprinidae), notopterid
fishes (Notopteridae), and catfishes (Bagridae) [7]. Sometimes active nests with adult birds. The nesting colony at Mirza, Kamrup
they pursued and caught flying insects. The adult terns uttered District (26.11°N, 91.47°E), was noted on 18 July 2019, but by
calls when they approached the nesting area with food in their then the young birds had fledged, though I did see seven adults
beaks. flying about.
The breeding of Whiskered Terns has not been recorded from
Assam for many years. The earliest record is Baker’s (1935), from
lower Assam (Barak Valley). Birds in breeding plumage were
recorded from all over Assam (Choudhury 2000; Hussain et al.
2018; eBird 2020) but nesting was never confirmed. Therefore it
is interesting to document the presence of more than 100 nests
in Morigaon District. The nesting in Sivasagar District appears
to be the eastern-most breeding ground in India. It won’t be a
surprise, if in future the birds are found nesting in Dibrugarh and
Tinsukia districts, where similar habitat exist.
As mentioned by Ali & Ripley (1983), it is possible that a
number of nests, and offspring, get washed away in flash-floods
as the birds nest on the ground or on Water Hyacinth beds, as
happened on 13 July with the entire colony that I was studying.
But there was a fair chance that the chicks survived in the buoyant
hyacinth beds. The benefits of buoyant hyacinth beds for nesting,
might be worth studying.
7. Adult carrying a fish to nest.
References
Nesting progress near Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1983. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan together with
those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Compact ed. Delhi: Oxford
It seemed that breeding activities were initiated at the beginning
University Press. Pp. i–xlii, 1 l., pp. 1–737, 56 ll.
of June, when the birds occupied nests, and laying commenced Baker, E. C. S., 1935. The nidification of birds of the Indian empire [Pandionidae-
in the second and third weeks of June. The maximum number Podicepidae]. 1st ed. London: Taylor & Francis. Vol. IV of 4 vols. Pp. i–x+2, 1–546.
of adults (n=300) were sighted during my visit on 22 June 2019 Barve, S., Raman, T. R. S., Datta, A., & Jathar, G., 2020. Guidelines for conducting
[8]. Towards the end of June, the monsoon had become active. research on the nesting biology of Indian birds. Indian BIRDS 16 (1): 10–11.
On 13 July, the area was heavily flooded, leaving only a few Choudhury, A., 2000. The birds of Assam. 1st ed. Guwahati: Gibbon Books & World
Wide Fund for Nature-India. Pp. 1–240.
hyacinth beds intact, while most of them were washed away.
eBirds 2020. Whiskered Tern. Website URL: https://ebird.org/species/whiter2/IN-AS
The flood waters had reduced by 27 July, but by then the original Accessed on 29 June 2020.
colony had been completely displaced. Gochfeld, M., Burger, J., Kirwan, G. M., & Garcia, E. F. J., 2020. Whiskered
On that day, I spotted a new colony c.500 m to the south of Tern (Chlidonias hybrida), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo,
the original spot. About forty nests were initiated by the adult birds A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of
on some islands and hyacinth beds in the water filled marshland. Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Website URL: https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.
It appeared as a second breeding attempt by these birds. whiter2.01.
Hussain, M. M., Talukdar, S., Dey, T., Paul, S., & Singha, H., 2018. Whiskered Tern:
On 09 August 2019, small breeding colonies of Whiskered
Sightings of Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida (Pallas, 1811) in Son Beel, Assam.
Terns were sighted at Gorokhia Dol (27.16°N, 94.58E) and Zoos’ Print 33 (2): 30–34.
Disangmukh (27.05°N, 94.58° E), both located in Sivasagar Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2012. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide. 2nd
District. At Gorokia Dol, 15 Whiskered Terns in breeding plumage, ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. 2
and five active nests were observed, while Disangmukh had two vols. Pp. 1–378; 1–683.10 Indian Birds Vol. 17 No. 1 (Publ. 29 March 2021)
Correspondence
The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus in
Punchakkari, southern Kerala: A definitive record for
the Indian Subcontinent
The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus is a strongly migratory
Both: Nirmal George
Old World leaf warbler that breeds in the Eurasian Palearctic.
Post-breeding, it undertakes an over-land migration, between
August and October; all populations winter in Africa. There are
10.
three subspecies - the nominate breeds in much of Europe;
acredula breeds in Fenno-Scandinavia, Russia east to Siberia; 9, 10. Willow Warbler foraging on the wires of the vegetable garden. Note flesh coloured legs,
and yakutensis which breeds in the Russian Far East(Shirihai & pale base to lower mandible, long wings and tail, and yellowish on face and vent. 0931 h, 14
November 2020.
Svensson 2018; Clement 2020).
We report two individuals of Willow Warblers, in November
2020, from the Punchakkari wetlands (8.44°N, 76.98°E), suggested a ‘Chiffchaff’ from these photographs, and PJ took
adjoining Vellayani Lake, which lies south-westwards of up the discussion with the eBird Kerala Media Editors group.
Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, southern India. The area The lack of dark feet and legs quickly eliminated the Common
is a large swamp that, historically, was under multi-crop rice Chiffchaff, and when higher resolution photographs were
cultivation till about 25 years ago. Barring small pockets of scrutinised, it quickly became clear that Willow Warbler was the
paddy fields, most of the land is being converted for growing top suggestion in Merlin, scoring higher than Common Chiffchaff,
vegetables. A major portion remains fallow, some areas being and Sulphur-bellied Warbler P. griseolus. The pinkish legs, paler
damp and waterlogged, with floating vegetation. There is a bund base to lower mandible, yellowish tinge on face, breast, and belly,
that separates this swamp from Vellayani Lake, the only natural lack of wing bars, overall shape with longer tail, all suggested the
freshwater lake in the district. Willow Warbler as a strong contender, and a revisit to the site was
planned by the group members.
14 November: While on a regular birding trip to Punchakkari, on
On the same day, at 1653 h, in rather overcast conditions, PD
a bright and sunny morning, NG spotted a Phylloscopus-sized
independently photographed the same warbler [11] at the same
bird perched on a wire mesh atop a vegetable garden, foraging
location, not realizing its identity. The bird was spotted foraging
for insects at 0931 h. He immediately took some photographs
on the wires of the vegetable garden and the two photos were
[9, 10] before an aggressive Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
taken as it fed on insects. The entire observation lasted less than
chased it off. Though he initially suspected it to have been a
a minute, as the warbler quickly moved through the vegetable
Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum, which were
garden and flew westward. On 17 November, JK informed PD
calling everywhere, NG realised the bird in the photos looked
about an unusual warbler that was photographed during the
different, with an overall greenish-grey plumage and yellow wash.
weekend. PD shared his photograph and JK retrospectively
He sent the pictures to Govind Girija who confirmed it was not
identified the bird.
a Blyth’s Reed Warbler, and advised him to post them in the
local birdwatchers Whatsapp group. The lack of wing-bars, and
slender structure led to suggestions of Common Chiffchaff P.
collybita, a state rarity. The bird identification app, Merlin, also
Prasanth Das
9. 11. Willow Warbler showing its primaries—note emarginations on P3, P4, and P5, with no
emargination on P6—a strong ID feature of this species. 1653 h, 14 November 2020.Correspondence 11
15 November: PJ was at the spot from 0615 h onwards and the better photographs did reveal a dark upper mandible and the
spotted a small warbler at 0715 h flying into a lone acacia tree yellowish-orange base of the lower mandible, with a dark tip. The
(c.10 m tall) that stood behind the vegetable garden, c.30 m iris was dark, and the feet, reddish brown. A pale yellow supercilium
from the spot where NG had seen it. It was seen foraging on extended to the rear of the head above over a dark eye-stripe.
the tree for c.20 sec, pumping its long tail, before House Crows The ear-coverts immediately below the eyes were smudged with
Corvus splendens chased it off. At 0930 h, when it was clear pale feathering, below which they were a distinctive dark olive. A
and sunny, PJ, JJ & JK, saw the warbler foraging in the middle yellowish wash extended on the underparts, with whitish flanks,
canopy of the tree. The distinct yellowish wash on its face, lack of with pale creamy-yellow on the vent. Its upperparts, from the
wing-bars and streamlined body structure indicated this to be the head, nape, and back were greenish brown, with the wings and
same bird as reported on the previous day (Praveen 2020). They tail being dark brown. The primaries were long, projecting more
watched the bird for c. 45 min and its tail pumping behaviour than 75% of the tertial length.
was observed several times. The same tree had c.10 Blue-tailed These photographs were posted on the eBird India editors
Bee-eaters Merops philippinus that were quite passive towards social media group on the same day, but there was no unanimity
the warbler. At 1015 h, CGA and Rajesh M. S., joined in. The on the ID - options discussed included Tickell’s Leaf Warbler P.
bird was actively foraging insects in the acacia tree at a height of affinis and a worn Green Warbler P. nitidus.
08–10 m. It came atop a bare twig two to three times, and at
1058 h, the bird finally emerged into the open, right in front of 18 November: At 0751 h, PD photographed a small warbler that
us, c.3–4 m away [12, 13]. The colours of its bare parts were also passed through the vegetable garden, foraging along the wires in
visible at such close quarters, while its posture, elongated body identical fashion, and quickly flew westwards. JK, who reached at
shape, distinct facial patterns and, comparatively long tail were 0830 h, examined the photographs in the field and concluded
noted. The bird continued to make tail movements as it foraged. they were not of the same bird without realizing that this was also
It did not call during the entire observation period. another Willow Warbler [14].
12.
Prasanth Das
14. Willow Warbler, presumably another individual, at the vegetable garden. Note, shorter tail, and
yellow on supercilium stopping just above the eye, more extensive yellow on the lower mandible
compared to the previous individual. 757 h, 18 November 2020.
Lack of wing bars, yellow on face and supercilium, flesh-
coloured legs, and an extensive pale bill base with sharp
transition to a dark tip are, in combination, good field marks for
a Willow Warbler—these features are visible on both individuals
Both: C G Arun
[12, 13, 14]. Most photos of the first individual showed a long-
13. winged bird with a primary projection that is nearly equal to the
longest tertials—a strong indicator of a Willow Warbler [15, 16].
12, 13. Willow Warbler on an acacia. Note the strong wash of yellow on the supercilium, pale The extent of the yellow suffusion on its face could be indicative
base on lower mandible transitioning sharply to dark tip, pale under the eyes, and dusky cheek
of the bird being a first winter bird (Shirihai & Svensson 2018; van
stripe. 1058 h, 15 November 2020.
Duivendijk 2011). The tail pumping behaviour, and the tendency
to take open perches as well as tree foliage, is also congruent
The photographs were analysed after returning from the with the habits of a Willow Warbler. The second bird is more
field, and they indicated a strong possibility of this being a Willow typical and well proportioned, with less yellow in supercilium,
Warbler. None of the photographs showed any wing-bar, while rather plain ear-coverts and underparts.12 Indian Birds Vol. 17 No. 1 (Publ. 29 March 2021)
with a much more certain second bird, just two days later,
increases the certainty of the first individual as well to be a Willow
Warbler. In all our correspondences everyone concurred with the
ID of the first bird as a Willow Warbler except Peter Clement,
who felt unsure of the bird’s identity since it showed Willow-like
and Tickell’s-like features. He suggested DNA examination before
it can be treated as the first for the country (Peter Clement, in
e-mail dated 20 November 2020), but did not give an opinion
on the second bird which was seen later.
It is impossible to assign age or subspecific status with
confidence to either of the individuals. It is possible that these
birds were from the population that breeds in the eastern
Palearctic and possibly yakutensis—as its migration route is
closest to southern India. However, the eastern yakutensis is
mostly grey-brown and white and adults are never this yellow
(though juveniles can have some yellow), and typically have
brown-grey streaking on the throat, which is not present at all on
this bird (Lars Svensson, in e-mail dated 17 November 2020).
The Willow Warbler had multiple entries and exits into the
checklist of birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Ali & Ripley (1987)
listed it for the subcontinent based on two specimens—one
specimen at the BNHS (#6112), from Gujarat, collected on
29 March 1946 by Sálim Ali, and another in the collections of
Richard Meinertzhagen from the Naga Hills in January 1952.
15. Willow Warbler showing long primary projection, nearly as long as exposed tertials. 15 However, Abdulali & Unnithan (1986) demonstrated that
November 2020. the Gujarat specimen was misidentified (or mislabeled) as a
Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides viridanus and hence should be
removed from the subcontinental avifauna. Both Grimmett et al.
(2011) and Rasmussen & Anderton (2012) did not list it for India
as they both expressed reservations in accepting the sole record
of Meinertzhagen as the first for the Subcontinent—aware of the
collector’s habits of stealing and re-labeling specimens. Though
Zacharias et al. (1997) published an aural record of Willow
Warbler from Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, it is not clear whether
the authors saw a leaf warbler making that call. The same is listed
as unconfirmed by Kazmierczak (2000), excluded from the main
list by Sashikumar et al. (2011), and ignored by Grimmett et
Both: S Jayakrishnan
al. (1998, 2011), and Rasmussen & Anderton (2005, 2012).
Zacharias & Price (2014) surfaced two old museum specimens
purportedly taken from Indian subcontinent - one from Pakistan
and another from Nepal. However, Praveen & Inskipp (2018)
16. Strong bill of this Willow Warbler. 15 November 2020. established that the Pakistan specimen was in fact taken from
Iran and the ‘Nepal’ specimen lacked sufficient details of location,
collector’s name, and date, to be treated as the first for the
Yellow on the face is present in very few leaf warblers.
subcontinent. They recommended Willow Warbler be treated as
Several possibilities including all atypical cases were considered
hypothetical for the Indian Subcontinent.
- including Green Warbler, Greenish Warbler P. trochiloides,
Though it is not included in the South Asia checklist (Praveen
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler, Sulphur-bellied Warbler, Wood Warbler P.
et al. 2020), a spring report, presumably photographed, exists
sibilatrix, and Arctic Warbler P. borealis. The key feature that is
from Camp Marmal, Balkh, Afghanistan (Kaestner 2014) with
not shared by most leaf warblers is the pattern of emarginations
a detailed description that could potentially be a first definitive
on the primaries. We have one photo [11] that showed clearly
record for South Asia. Four years ago a bird was reported from
the emarginations on 3rd, 4th, and 5th primaries, but none on
Malaysia (Bakewell 2016) during autumn migration and is the
the 6th—something that eliminates all the above species. While
closest record on the eastern side. The species regularly passes
lack of vocalization greatly deprived us of an additional line
through Iran and the southern areas of Central Asia, as well
of evidence, it appears that the Willow Warblers are generally
as South-west Asia (Blair et al. 2020), and hence, a vagrant
silent during migration (Oscar Campbell, in a message dated 20
individual from this flyway reaching southern India is not totally
November 2020).
unexpected. It is remarkable that for a bird breeding all the way till
While there is some reticence in accepting the first bird as a
the eastern end of the Palearctic, there are so few records in East,
Willow Warbler, the long primary projection and emarginations
Southeast and South Asia. What is strange is that we had two
leave open no other option. Considering the observation together
different individuals within a matter of days indicating a possiblyYou can also read
