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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Male House sparrow 

Male House sparrow

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

 

வெண்புருவ வாலாட்டி White-browed Wagtail or Large Pied Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) Chennai Wetland Birds Medavakkam Marshland birds || Bird watching

 White-browed Wagtail or Large Pied Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) வெண்புருவ வாலாட்டி / வரி வாலாட்டிக் குருவி

White-browed Wagtail Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal

    This bird is not a frequent visitor to the Medavakkam Marshland, since our project started we have observed less than 10 times only. the morphology is somewhat similar to Pied Bushchat but it differs from that with a large body and long tail and an iconic white colour above the eybrow.  this bird continuously flips its tail up and down which is the reason behind the name Wagtail. A pair of White-browed Wagtail have been observed here near Annakkili Amma Research Institute between 6:30 am to 8:00 am. 

White-browed Wagtail Photo Credit U Elaya Perumal

        The white-browed wagtail or large pied wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis) is a medium-sized bird and is the largest member of the wagtail family. They are conspicuously patterned with black above and white below, a prominent white brow, shoulder stripe, and outer tail feathers. White-browed wagtails are native to South Asia, common near small water bodies, and have adapted to urban environments where they often nest on rooftops. The specific name is derived from the Indian city of Madras (now Chennai).

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Motacillidae
Genus: Motacilla
Species: M. maderaspatensis
Binomial name:    Motacilla maderaspatensis Gmelin, 1789

Asian Koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus (Cuculiformes, Cuculidae) ஆசியக் குயில் Chennai wetland area | Birds of Medavakkam Marshlands, Chennai city birds

Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) ஆசியக் குயில் 

 

Asian Koel Black (Male), and White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)  

        To my wonder, Asian koels are more over here. nearly ten or more Asian Koel are spotted near Annakkili Amma Research Institute (AARI). In Chennai, we used to spot one or two asian koel but here in Medavakkam Marshland it more in numbers.  It is more pleasant when we hear their song in the early morning. and there is a bush of trees present near AARI, where you can find koels full day. 

        

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Scientific classification:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Cuculiformes
Family: Cuculidae
Genus: Eudynamys
Species: E. scolopaceus
Binomial name: Eudynamys scolopaceus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

                The Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) is a member of the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. It forms a superspecies with the closely related black-billed koels, and Pacific koels which are sometimes treated as subspecies. The Asian koel like many of its related cuckoo kin is a brood parasite that lays its eggs in the nests of crows and other hosts, who raise its young. They are unusual among the cuckoos in being largely frugivorous as adults. The name koel is echoic in origin with several language variants. The bird is a widely used symbol in Indian and Nepali poetry.

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

            A large cuckoo, distinctive in all plumages, but usually secretive, keeping to the interior of dense trees in many habitats, even inner cities, and fields. Adult males glossy black with the dull lime-green bill; females and immatures blackish-brown with white dots on the wings and strong streaking on head and throat. Adults have ruby-red eyes. Females lay eggs in the nests of other large birds, including crows, shrikes, and starlings. The song is a loud, persistent “ko-EL!” similar to a peacock’s call.

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        It is a brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of medium to large passerines, particularly crows and magpies (Corvidae), mynas and starlings (Sturnidae), orioles (Oriolidae), drongos (Dicruridae), laughingthrushes (Leiothrichidae), and Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach). In contrast to most brood-parasitic cuckoos, nestlings of koels and foster parents usually grow up together.

Asian Koel Black (Male), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        The Indian Subcontinent through east China, the mainland south-east Asia, the Phillippine, and the Sundaic Islands. Also Maldives, Laccadives, Andamans and Nicobars. A rare visitor to the Middle East. Accidental Korea and Japan

Asian Koel Black (Male),  (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Both resident and breeding migrants occur in secondary forests, mangroves, swamp forests, coastal scrub, forest edges, orchards, plantations, and city parks. Recorded up to 1,800 m in the Himalayas.

Asian Koel White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        Asian Koel could potentially turn up in any habitat with trees or tall vegetation. Passage birds have been recorded in Phragmites reedbeds and hill forests. 

Asian Koel  White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        Based on the identification of female birds on plumage, migrant chinensis seemingly favors forests on small islands and coastal areas as they outnumber resident malayanus in such habitats in the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Also winters in the mature evergreen forest. Any areas with trees in locations absent of territory-holding resident birds can perhaps be occupied by winter visitors.

Asian Koel White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Arboreal. Visits trees with ripe fruits. Usually skulking in dense foliage above middle story and in the canopy. Rarely comes to the ground to feed. Non-breeding visitors often inhabit the canopy of mature evergreen forests where resident birds shun.

Asian Koel White and Black (Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

            The hook at the tip of the upper mandible, atypical for cuckoos, is useful in plucking ripe fruits. This may also enable it to opportunistically capture small birds as does Pacific Koel. Nectar, large insects, and snails are also taken. Hops among branches in fruiting trees and takes berries one at a time. Most fruits grasped are small, but up to the size of 41 mm has been reported. Fruits are swallowed whole and large seeds are regurgitated. Females frequently consume eggs of other birds, usually as they lay their own. A total of four eggs was reported taken from a bulbul nest within only 4 seconds. 

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

        Fruits of figs (Ficus), mulberries (Morus), jujubes (Zizyphus), Brazilian cherry (Eugenia uniflora), wild cherry (Prunus pseudocerasus), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), java olive tree (Sterculia foetida), large-flowered bay tree (Persea macrantha), sandalwood (Santalum), Pithecellobium dulce, guava (Psidium guajava), nuts of various palms including Chinese fan palm (Livistoma chinensis), oil palm and (Archontophoenix alexandrae), poisonous fruit of Yellow Oleander (Thevatia neriifolia), nectar of Indian coral tree (Erythrina indica), nectar and flower of bluebellvine (Clitoria ternatea), fruit and nectar of papaya (Carica papaya).

Eggs of host species and other passerines such as Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) and Yellow-vented Bulbul (P. goiavier). Large insects, including grasshoppers, mantids, stick-insects, caterpillars. Snails are also occasionally taken.

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Usually vocalizing from dense cover in the canopy. In contrast with typical wintering cuckoos, Asian Koel is noisy even as non-breeding visitors, albeit less vocal, and at night. Male has a wide range of repertoire.

Both sexes give repetitive, bubbling koh-koh-koh-koh, with a falling end wuroo-wuroo-wuroo or drawn out wheeoo. The loud, strident kik-kik-kik-kik, is frequently heard given by females both in flight and when perched. Females engaged in a flight usually emit harsh chuck-chuck-chuck.

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)

Asian Koel  Black and White(Female), (Photo Credit: U Elaya Perumal)