Showing posts with label marshland birds. Show all posts

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia புள்ளிச் சில்லை (Lonchura punctulata), Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

புள்ளிச் சில்லை - Lonchura punctulata

The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small-sized bird. Attractive small songbird of grasslands, gardens, fields, and agricultural areas. Native to India and Southeast Asia, with introduced populations scattered elsewhere around the world. Typical adults dark chestnut-brown above, white below, with the fine dark scaly pattern on belly; some populations duller brown. Juveniles plain brown all over with slightly paler underparts. Typically found in small flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of munia.

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) at Medavakkam near Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

In Chennai wetlands, we have observed Scaly-breasted at different times, in February 2021 the juvenile Scaly-breasted munia was seen near AARI. then we have not noticed any Scaly-breasted munia near AARI. but in June 2021 the flock of Scaly-breasted munia was crossing AARI in the evening time from west to east, in the morning also they may cross but we have not seen them. in morning time these four Scaly-breasted Munia used to visit the bush in front of AARI.

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) at Medavakkam near Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

புள்ளிச் சில்லை என்பது சில்லை எனப்படும் திணைக்குருவி வகையைச் சேர்ந்த சிட்டுக்குருவி அளவிலான ஒரு பறவை. இது ஆசியாவைத் தாயகமாகக் கொண்டது. இது 1758-இல் லின்னேயசால் அறிவியல் முறைப்படி பெயரிடப்பட்டது.

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) at Medavakkam near Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Estrildidae

Genus: Lonchura

Species: L. punctulata

Binomial name: Lonchura punctulata (Linnaeus, 1758)

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) at Medavakkam near Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

This munia eats mainly grass seeds apart from berries and small insects. They forage in flocks and communicate with soft calls and whistles. The species is highly social and may sometimes roost with other species of munias. This species is found in tropical plains and grasslands. Breeding pairs construct dome-shaped nests using grass or bamboo leaves.

The species is endemic to Asia and occurs from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia and the Philippines (where it is called mayang pakíng).

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) at backyard of Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)

This bird was observed since March 2021, but it was very rarely seen, that too while flying away. They stay inside the bushes, if we go near to bushes they fly away... the earlier observations were from Medavakkam Lake. During those time they simply fly away and escape, I was not able to notice its characters properly hence I could not identify. This bird is very new to me so I need to check all its characters to identify it because I have never seen it before. this was happening till May 2021.

In may 2021 that miracle happened this bittern straight away reached the bush in front of our home. that is the time I could see it properly. when I saw the bill (peak) of this bird I recognized as it is a bittern, later found it was Cinnamon bittern. a couple of bitter was visiting our place to stay protected, which is the same place where Moorhen was hatched their chicks. But now White-Breasted Waterhen has occupied the place, hence after trying for two three days this bittern left that area.

Even though it was visiting nearby we could not take clear pictures because it was full of bushes, but on one day evening, we could observe a bittern in an open space. I was called by the AARI admin to take pictures and immediately I went and clicked a lot of pictures. it was giving a nice pose. for the first and last time, it didn't fly away after seeing me. it was literally seeing me by turning its neck but didn't fly. our recent observation confirms that they stay at the backside of the AARI building, where birds like Bronze-winged Jacana, The Eurasian Moorhen, White-breasted Waterhen, Grey-headed Swamphen have bred. I hope this bittern couple also will breed over there, it is in the center of wetland, filled with two Palm trees, Typha, and some thorny trees, The bush is thicker and safer except for the issues with snakes.

Here are some pictures Cinnamon Bittern (செங்குருகு) for you to see...

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) at the backyard of Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: Elaya Perumal)

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) looking at me weirdly from the backyard of Annakkili Amma Research Institute (Photo Credit: Elaya Perumal)

யாரும் இல்லை; தானே கள்வன்;

தான் அது பொய்ப்பின், யான் எவன் செய்கோ?

தினை தாள் அன்ன சிறு பசுங் கால

ஒழுகு நீர் ஆரல் பார்க்கும்

குருகும் உண்டு, தான் மணந்த ஞான்றே.

கபிலர் (குறுந்தொகை 25)

In the above-mentioned Poem, the great poet Kabilar mentioned the characters of Bittern...

Thank you all...

Stay Home Stay Safe

Help Nature to Recover...

The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) அன்றில் Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) பெரும் பூநாரை Chennai Wetland Birds Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) பெரும் பூநாரை

Common at Perumbakkam Mashland area but have not observed at Medavakkam lake area.

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal

Distributed from Africa and southern Europe through West Asia to South Asia. Very large, with long, "coat hanger" neck, big kinked bill, and very long pinkish legs. Plumage at rest whitish with pale pink blush and some deep pink often visible on closed wings. Flies with long neck and legs extended, when deep pink-and-black wing pattern striking (ebird).

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most widespread and largest species of the flamingo family. It is found in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and in southern Europe (wikipedia).

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal

பெரும் பூநாரை (Greater Flamingo) என்பது நாரைக் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த ஒரு பறவையாகும். இதன் அறிவியல் பெயர் பீனிகாப்டெரசு ரோசசு என்பதாகும். நம் வீடுகளில் வளரும் வாத்தின் பருமனுடைய இப்பறவைக்கு நீண்ட முடியற்ற சிவந்த கால்களும், நீண்டு வளைந்த கழுத்தும், குறுகிய வளைந்த அலகும் இருக்கும். கால் விரல்கள் வாத்துக்கு இருப்பது போலவே சவ்வினால் இணைந்திருக்கும். நிமிர்ந்து நின்றால் 1 1/2 மீட்டர் உயரம் இருக்கும். இப்பறவைகள் செந்நிறம் கலந்த வெள்ளையுடலும் கரு நிறமான இறக்கை ஓரமும் கொண்டவை. நிலத்திலும் அதிக உப்புத்தன்மை அதிகமுள்ள ஏரிகளில் கடும் வெப்பத்தையும் தாங்கி வாழும் பூநாரை, தமிழகத்திலுள்ள கோடியக்கரை வனவுயிரினங்கள், பறவைகள் உய்விடம் புகலிடத்திற்கு வரும் எண்ணற்ற பறவைகளில் மிகவும் அழகான ஒன்று. இப்பறவைகள் கூட்டம் கூட்டமாகப் பறந்து உயரச் செல்லும் காட்சி மனதைக் கவரும் தன்மை உடையது (wikipedia).

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal

Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) புள்ளி மூக்கு வாத்து அல்லது புள்ளி மூக்கன் Chennai Wetland Birds Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

Indian spot-billed duck

Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) at Perumbakam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

அலகின் (அலகின்) நுனியில் ஒரு மஞ்சள் நிறப்புள்ளி உள்ளது இவைகளின் தனிச்சிறப்பு.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Genus: Anas

Species: A. poecilorhyncha

Binomial name: Anas poecilorhyncha Forster, 1781

Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) at Perumbakam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

The spot-billed duck species was little frequent at Perumbakkam Marshland and they were flying towards Pallikaranai Marshland direction. In Medavakkam lake only once during mid of March we have sited some of these ducks but not on other days. that does not mean these birds are not present in Medvakkam wetland area, we might be missing the time for observing these birds.

Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) at Perumbakam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

The Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) is a large dabbling duck that is a non-migratory breeding duck throughout freshwater wetlands in the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the red spot at the base of the bill that is found in the mainland Indian population. When in water it can be recognized from a long distance by the white tertials that form a stripe on the side, and in-flight it is distinguished by the green speculum with a broad white band at the base. This species and the eastern spot-billed duck (A. zonorhyncha) were formerly considered conspecific, together called the spot-billed duck (A. poecilorhyncha) Source: Wikipedia.

Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) at Perumbakam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

A large grayish-brown duck with a diagnostic yellow-tipped black bill and a red spot at the base of the bill (missing in certain subspecies). In-flight, note the green panel in the wing that is bordered in white. Often seen in small groups dabbling or tipping up in shallow water or walking on marshy land at the edge of freshwater lakes or in cultivated fields. Usually not seen associating with other species. Similar to Eastern Spot-billed Duck, but note green wing panel, lack of a distinct dark "moustache", and overall warmer tan coloration (Source Ebirds).

Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) நெடுங்கால் உள்ளான் Chennai Wetland Birds Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Charadriiformes

Family: Recurvirostridae

Genus: Himantopus

Species: H. himantopus

Binomial name: Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Black-winged stilt observed at Perumbakkam Marshland (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

The Black-winged Stilt is very common in Perumbakkam marshland. we have not observed them at Medavakkam lake or near Annakkili Amma Research Institute. which makes us think that this bird is not visiting Medavakkam Marshland. The Perumbakkam marshland is a bigger area with a shallow water body which is the supporting habitat for the Black-winged Stilt. hence they reside more near Perumbakkam Marshland, the habitat is similar to Pallikaranai also, but are yet to visit Pallikaranai Marshland (The Major Marshland/wetland of Chennai)

Black-winged stilt observed at Perumbakkam Marshland (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

The black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family (Recurvirostridae). The scientific name H. himantopus was formerly applied to a single, almost cosmopolitan species. It is now normally applied to the form that is widespread in Eurosiberia and Africa and which was formerly regarded as the nominate subspecies of Himantopus himantopus sensu lato. The scientific name Himantopus comes from the Greek meaning "strap foot" or "thong foot". Most sources today accept 2–4 species. It is sometimes called pied stilt, but that name is now reserved for the Australian species, Himantopus leucocephalus (Wikipedia).

Black-winged stilt observed at Perumbakkam Marshland (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

Fairly common to locally common in warmer regions. Favors wetlands with open shallow water, often brackish; breeds on bare ground near water, often in noisy colonies. Striking and essentially unmistakable, with elegant shape, boldly pied plumage, long hot-pink legs, and long, very fine bill. Feeds by wading in the water, picking with its bill from the water surface. In-flight, long pink legs stick out far beyond the tail (ebird).

நெடுங்கால் உள்ளான் (Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus) என்பது நீண்ட கால்களைக் கொண்ட கரைப்பறவைகளுள் ஒன்றாகும். இது நீர் நிலைகளுக்கு அருகில் வாழக்கூடிய பறவை ஆகும்.

Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird (Ardeola grayii) குளத்துக் கொக்கு /குருட்டுக் கொக்கு / மடையான் Chennai Wetland birds Marshland of Medavakkam

Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird (Ardeola grayii) குளத்துக் கொக்கு /குருட்டுக் கொக்கு

Indian Pond Heron spotted at Sivaram Avenue, Sivagami Nagar, Medavakkam, Chennai - 600 100 (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

This heron is very commonly observed all around Tamil Nadu. In Chennai Marshland area also it is widely distributed. this heron has peculier name in Tamil as Kurrttu Kokku means Blind egret. I used to think in childhood days as this egret is blind. but it always fly away when i go near to that. so used to wonder why this name came. but i could sense that this bird got this namen because it always camouflouge with th environment and by standing still it avoid noticed by other animals. that could be the only reason it is called as" Kurruttu Kokku".

This bird is often noticed near to Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI), But it was surprise to see more than hundred individual Indian Pond heron birds at Medavakkam Lake (Medavakam eri). Eventhough the Lkae is not properly maintained or cleaned the lake is worth visiting for sighting some rare and colourfull birds.

Indian Pond Heron at Medavakkam eri, Medavakkam, Chennai 600 100 (Photo Credit : U Elaya Perumal)

The House sparrow (Passer domesticus) சிட்டுக்குருவி World Sparrow Day 2021 Chennai Wetland's biodiversity Madipakkam Marshland birds

The House sparrow (Passer domesticus) சிட்டுக்குருவி

A pair of House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012 (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

World Sparrow Day is celebrated on March 20 every year. It a day to raise awareness and protect the common house sparrows, which are not so commonly seen now due to increasing various pollutions. among them, noise pollution considered as the worst pollutant affecting the house sparrows.

A pair of House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012

In Madipakkam Lakshmi Nagar we have noticed some House sparrows regularly late in 2020. But in Medavakkam even though we have observed Silverbill, Prinia, Sunbird, Munia, and Tailor birds, we have not noticed any House sparrow yet. our search is on we will surely find some house sparrow soon in Medavakkam Marshland too. since we don't have photo of Madipakkam sparrow we have used our stock photos from 2012.

A female House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012

Here we would like to showcase the video of House sparrow from Tirunelveli District
We have set up two-three sparrow houses in our home where many sparrow families are residing, often they play in our balcony and plants near the balcony... this video was taken from our balcony when they were playing...

Feed sparrows, water sparrows, and give space for sparrows in your home. this should be the motto taken on The world Sparrow day 2021...
Hope everyone follows and protects sparrows from extinction...

Female House Sparrow

The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world. It is a small bird that has a typical length of 16 cm (6.3 in) and a mass of 24–39.5 g (0.85–1.39 oz). Females and young birds are coloured pale brown and grey, and males have brighter black, white, and brown markings. One of about 25 species in the genus Passer, the house sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.

A pair of House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Passeridae

Genus: Passer

Species: P. domesticus

Binomial name: Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

A pair of House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012

Widespread and abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms. Avoids dense woods. Flocks cluster in dense bushes, bustling around and chattering to one another. Males have smart black bibs, bright rufous napes, and stunningly patterned wings with brilliant buffs and browns. Underparts are pale pearly-gray. Females are plain brown with cute face and lighter eyebrow. Native to Eurasia; introduced to much of the rest of the world.

Female House Sparrow

A pair of House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012

Male House sparrow

A pair of House sparrow inside a hostel room in Pune University Photo taken in 2012

Chennai Wetland's Biodiversity

The scaly-breasted munia or spotted munia புள்ளிச் சில்லை (Lonchura punctulata), Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

புள்ளிச் சில்லை - Lonchura punctulata

Scientific classification

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus) Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

Cinnamon Bittern செங்குருகு (Ixobrychus cinnamomeus)

The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) அன்றில் Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

The greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) பெரும் பூநாரை Chennai Wetland Birds Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

Indian spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) புள்ளி மூக்கு வாத்து அல்லது புள்ளி மூக்கன் Chennai Wetland Birds Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

Indian spot-billed duck

Scientific classification

Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) நெடுங்கால் உள்ளான் Chennai Wetland Birds Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

Scientific classification

Indian Pond Heron or Paddybird (Ardeola grayii) குளத்துக் கொக்கு /குருட்டுக் கொக்கு / மடையான் Chennai Wetland birds Marshland of Medavakkam

The House sparrow (Passer domesticus) சிட்டுக்குருவி World Sparrow Day 2021 Chennai Wetland's biodiversity Madipakkam Marshland birds

The House sparrow (Passer domesticus) சிட்டுக்குருவி

Scientific classification

AARI World Wetland Day Quiz, 2022 conducted by AARI and Chennai Wetlands Biodiversity Blog || Publish your articles and books with us www.aaribioscience.com