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...

World Environment Day Quiz, June 2021 | Score more than 50% and receive Free Certificate!!!

 On the mark of World Environment Day (June 5), the  World Environment Day Quiz Program conducted AARI and Chennai Wetland Biodiversity blog. Every year World Environment Day is celebrated across the globe to mark the importance of nature and the environment. Hence AARI conducts an environmental Quiz on this day. All the participants, who secure more than 50% will receive a printable certificate. 

Your certificate will be shared via google drive after finishing the quiz kindly check your drive for the certificate, if you are not receiving your certificate within 20 mins means you have failed the quiz.

This Quiz is closed 

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AARI Quiz on Environment 

Peltophorum pterocarpum / copperpod பெருங்கொன்றை Chennai Wetland Biodiversity | Plants of Perumpakkam marshland | Trees of Chennai city

 Peltophorum pterocarpum (commonly known as copperpod, yellow-flamboyant, yellow flame tree, yellow poinciana or yellow-flame). this plant is very common in most areas of Chennai, in some places it grew as an avenue tree. inside Chennai Forest areas (Like IIT, Guindy National Park, Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Nanganallur Reserve forest) also this tree has a wide distribution. A very common tree in Chennai.

 Peltophorum pterocarpum at Perumbakkam Wetland area near the Bird observation Point (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

(unranked): Angiosperms

(unranked): Eudicots

(unranked): Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Peltophorum

Binomial name Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) K.Heyne

 Peltophorum pterocarpum Inflorescence (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

Leptotes plinius plinius (Fabricius, 1793) – Asian Zebra Blue (வரிக்குதிரை நீலன்) | | Chennai wetland area | Butterflies of Madipakkam & Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city wetlands biodiversity

Lepidoptera > Papilionoidea > Lycaenidae > Polyommatinae > Polyommatini > Leptotes.

Asian Zebra Blue butterfly at Medavakkam Marshland (Photo credit U Elaya Perumal)

      This Asian Zebra Blue is the Indian subspecies of Zebra Blue/  Plumbago Blue(Leptotes plinius). this species is widespread in Chennai wetland areas. they were observed at all study areas as of now covered. In 2020 we had a butterfly watch program at Madipakkam lake where these blues were in more population. In 2021 they were observed frequently near Annakkili Amma Research Institute and Medavakkam Lake. Let us know if you notice this butterfly in your area.

Asian Zebra Blue butterfly at Medavakkam Marshland (Photo credit U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Lycaenidae

Genus: Leptotes

Species: L. plinius

Sub-species:  Leptotes plinius plinius (Fabricius, 1793)

Asian Zebra Blue butterfly at Medavakkam Marshland (Photo credit U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Zebra Blue butterfly at Medavakkam Marshland (Photo credit U Elaya Perumal)

The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) செந்நாரை | Chennai wetland area | Birds of Perumbakkam & Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

 Purple Heron செந்நாரை

                Purple heron is one of the most confusing heron, and most similar to the grey heron. There are some noticeable differences which helps in the identification. this birds have been observed at Perumbakkam and Medavakkam wetland areas (we have not visited Pallikaranai marshland). 

 Purple Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland area (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

                It is similar in appearance to the more common grey heron but is slightly smaller, more slender, and has darker plumage. It is also a more evasive bird, favoring densely vegetated habitats near water, particularly reed beds. It hunts for a range of prey including fish, rodents, frogs, and insects, either stalking them or standing waiting in ambush (source ebird).

 Purple Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland area with its prey (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

                       This is shorter than the crest of the grey heron and does not exceed 140 mm (5.5 in). The sides of the head and the neck are buffish chestnut, with dark streaks and lines down either side of the whole the neck. The mantle is oily brown and the upper scapular feathers are elongated but not the lower ones. The rest of the upper parts and the tail are brownish grey. The front of the neck is paler than the sides and there are some elongated feathers at the base of the neck which are streaked with white, chestnut and black. The breast is chestnut brown, with some blackening at the side, and the belly and under-tail coverts are black. The brownish-yellow beak is long, straight and powerful, and is brighter in colour in breeding adults. The iris is yellow and the legs are brown at the front and yellowish behind (Source: Wikipedia).

 Purple Heron at Perumbakkam Marshland area with its prey (Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal)

              இது சாம்பல் நாரையை விடவும் சிறியதாகவும் இலேசாகவும் உள்ளது. இதனை சாம்பல் நாரையிடமிருந்து வேறுபடுத்திக்கட்டுவது யாதெனின் இதன் இள்ஞ்சிவப்பு நிற உடலே. வளர்ந்த பறவைகள் கருத்த பழுப்பு நிறத்தையும் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. இவை குறுகிய வடிவிலான மஞ்சள் அலகினை உடையது. செந்நாரைக்கு உருவத்தில் மிகவும் அருகாமையில் உள்ள நாரை இவற்றை விட உருவில் பெரிய கோலியாத்து நாரை.

இவை ஆப்பிரிக்காவிலும், மத்திய மற்றும் தெற்கு ஐரோப்பாவிலும், தென் மற்றும் கிழக்கு ஆசியாவிலும் வாழ்கின்றன. எனினும் ஐரோப்பிய இனங்கள் குளிர் காலங்களில் ஆப்பிரிக்காவை நோக்கி வலசை வருகின்றன. ஆசிய இனங்களோ வடக்கும் தெற்கும் ஆசியாவிற்குள்ளேயே வலசை வருகின்றன.

AARI Quiz on Birds of Chennai Wetlands, May 2021 | Score more than 50% and receive Free Certificate!!!

 Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI), organizes various quiz and webinar sessions to make the students and researchers engaged in informative and useful activities during this pandemic situation.

AARI Quiz on Birds of Chennai Wetlands concentrates on the names of some common Birds of Chennai Wetlands. By participating in this quiz, you can self-evaluate yourself and also learn some information regarding the Birds of the Chennai Wetland area.

we hope this will help you to know about some rare and common birds.

Wish you all Happy World Biodiversity Day 2021 (22/05/2021)

all participants who secure more than a 50% score will receive the printable e-certificate.

Your certificate will be shared via google drive after finishing the quiz kindly check your drive for the certificate if you are not receiving your certificate within 20 mins in your drive that means you failed the Quiz...

Good Luck

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The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) பச்சைக்கிளி | Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

The Rose-ringed Parakeet/ Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) locally known as Pachchai Kili (பச்சை கிளி).

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) near Medavakkam lake (Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal)

                     In the Medavakkam Marshland area we could observe more rose-ringed parakeets. they live on the palm trees near Medavkkam lake. Every day they fly through Annakkili Amma Research Institute and also often land on backyard trees of AARI. 

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) near AARI (Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal)

                      The ring-necked parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula, of the family Psittacidae. It has disjunct native ranges in Africa and the Indian Subcontinent and is now introduced into many other parts of the world where feral populations have established themselves and are bred for the exotic pet trade. Even in Chennai, it is illegally traded on many pet markets, for example at Chennai Pallavaram Friday market.

                   

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) near Medavakkam lake (Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal)

                           Vibrantly bright green parakeet, frequently found in woodland, parks, gardens, where feeds mainly in trees. Nests in cavities, including holes in buildings. Easily overlooked if quiet, as the bright green plumage blends easily with foliage. Note the very long slender tail, bright red bill; male has narrow black-and-rose neck ring. Closely resembles the larger Alexandrine Parakeet, which has a wine-red patch on each shoulder. Like other parakeets, raucous and social, often appearing in noisy groups. Native to Africa and South Asia, introduced locally in Europe and Japan (Source: ebirds).

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in Tanjavur (Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification

Kingdom          : Animalia

Phylum             : Chordata

Class                 : Aves

Order                : Psittaciformes

Family              : Psittaculidae

Genus               : Psittacula

Binomial name :     Psittacula krameri Scopoli, 1769

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in Tanjavur (Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal)

                  இக்கிளிகளின் வால் நீண்டு கூர்மையாக முடிகிறது. பச்சை நிறத்துடன், வளைந்து சிவந்த அலகும், கருப்பு இளஞ்சிவப்பு கலந்த கழுத்து வளையம் போன்ற ஆரம் உடையது. இவ்வின பெண்கிளி எல்லாவகையிலும் ஆண்கிளி போல இருந்தாலும் இந்த ஆர வளையம் இல்லாமல் இருக்கும். இப்பறவைகள் கூண்டுகளில் வைத்து வளர்க்கப்படுகின்றன. இப்பறவைகள் மனிதர்கள் சொல்லும் சொற்களைக் கேட்டு அவற்றைத் திரும்பச் சொல்லக்கூடியவை. 

The Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) in Tanjavur (Photo credit: U Elaya Perumal)