Chennai Wetland's Biodiversity

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.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) சாம்பல் நாரை Chennai Wetland Birds Medavakkam & Perumbakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

These birds have been spotted in Medavakkam Lake and also in Perumbakkam Marshland. the Grey heron was occasionally spotted at Medavakkam Lake but in the Perumbakkam Marshland area, it was found with high frequency.

Grey Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Generally quite common and conspicuous in wetland habitats from marshes and tidal flats to small ponds, ditches, and wet fields; nests colonially in tall trees. Mainly seen as singles or in small groups, standing quietly in or at the edge of the water, less often hunting in fields. Plumage mostly gray overall, with a paler neck; the adult has a white crown, black eyebrows, and black shoulder patch. Like other herons and egrets, flies with necks pulled in to form a bulge.

Grey Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

The grey heron is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn (Wikipedia).

Grey Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Pelecaniformes

Family: Ardeidae

Genus: Ardea

Species: A. cinerea

Binomial name: Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758

நதியன், நாராயணப் பட்சி, நரையான், கொய்யடி நாரை, கருநாரை பெருங்கொக்கு, சாம்பல்கொக்கு ஆகியவை இதன் வேறு பெயர்கள்.

Birds of Annakkili Amma Research Institute | April observation published on World Big Day of Ebird

On the day of "World Big Day" I would like to share the list of birds, I observed during the month of April 2021.

Common Name: Rock Pigeon

Scientific Name: Columba Olivia (Columbiformes > Columbidae)

Around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI) we could observe more Feral pigeons... Here we are sharing the group photo of a small group of feral pigeon at the backside of AARI

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)

Greater Coucal

Common Name: Asian Koel

Scientific Name: Eudynamys scolopaceus (Cuculiformes > Cuculidae)

Around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI) we could observe at least 4, Asian Koels, every day and someday at a certain time we have even observed more than 10 Asian koels... Here is the link for a small write-up on Asian Koel from us. Follow the link to see more photos.

Asian Koel

Common Name: Asian Palm-Swift

Scientific Name: Cypsiurus balasiensis (Caprimulgiformes > Apodidae)

Around six Asian Palm-swift are there near AARI...

Common Name: Eurasian Moornhen

Scientific Name: Gallinula chloropus (Gruiformes > Rallidae)

Eurasian Moorhen

Common Name: Gray-headed Swamphen

Scientific Name: Porphyrio poliocephalus (Gruiformes > Rallidae)

One pair of Swamphen residing near AARI. they could be seen all day.

Gray-headed Swamphen

Common Name: White-breasted Waterhen

Scientific Name: Amaurornis phoenicurus (Gruiformes > Rallidae)

more than three pairs of White-Breasted Waterhen was breeding near AARI and gave birth to 5 chicks each. so here near AARI you could find more water hens all day.

White-breasted Waterhen

Red-wattled Lapwing

Common Name: Bronze-winged Jacana

Scientific Name: Metopidius indicus (Charadriiformes > Jacanidae)

A pair of Matured Jacana was laid eggs and hatched 4 jacana chicks near AARI... according to our observation, this could be the second time hatching for this jacana pair.

Bronze-winged Jacana

Indian Cormorant

Cattle Egret

Indian Pond-Heron

Glossy Ibis

Black-headed Ibis

White-throated Kingfisher

Indian Roller

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Black Drongo

House Crow

Common Tailorbird

Red-vented Bulbul

Yellow-billed Babbler

Common Myna

Purple-rumped Sunbird

Purple Sunbird

Indian Silverbill

White-Browed Wagtail

Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal

Species observed around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI), on 22nd April 2021 (Birds of Chennai Wetlands/ Medavakkam Marshland)

Species observed around Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI), on 22nd April 2021

Passeriformes > Pycnonotidae / Red-vented Bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

Species	Count	Location	Observation type	Observation date
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)	30	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Greater Coucal	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Asian Koel	7	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Asian Palm-Swift	4	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Eurasian Moorhen	16	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Gray-headed Swamphen	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
White-breasted Waterhen	15	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Bronze-winged Jacana	3	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Cattle Egret	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Indian Pond-Heron	6	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Glossy Ibis	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Black-headed Ibis	1	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
White-throated Kingfisher	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Black-rumped Flameback	1	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Rose-ringed Parakeet	16	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Black Drongo	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
House Crow	13	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Common Tailorbird	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Plain Prinia	1	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Red-vented Bulbul	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Yellow-billed Babbler	10	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Common Myna	5	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Purple-rumped Sunbird	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Purple Sunbird	2	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21
Indian Silverbill	6	Annakkili Amma Research Institute	Traveling	22-Apr-21

காட்டுக் கொடித்தோடை (Passiflora foetida) Chennai Wetland Biodiversity | plants of Medavakkam marshland

காட்டுக் கொடித்தோடை (Passiflora foetida; wild maracuja, bush passion fruit, wild water lemon) (துரைப்புடலை அல்லது மொசுக்கட்டான் ) எனப்படுவது தென்மேற்கு ஐக்கிய அமெரிக்க (தென் டெக்சஸ், அரிசோனா), மெக்சிக்கோ, கரிபியன், நடு அமெரிக்கா, தென் அமெரிக்கா ஆகிய இடங்களைத் தாயகமாகக் கொண்ட கொடித்தோடையினத் தாவரமாகும். இது உலகில் பல வெப்பமண்டலப் பகுதிகளுக்கு அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட்டது. அவற்றில் தென்கிழக்காசியா, ஹவாய் ஆகிய பகுதிகளும் அடங்கும். படரும் கொடி போன்ற இனத்தாவரமான இதனது பழம் உண்ணத்தக்கது.
இலங்கையில் இதனை தண்ணீர் சோற்றுப்பழம் என அழைப்பார்கள்.

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)