tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89905172863909443462024-03-05T03:06:07.831-08:00Introduction to Wild lifeThe reason behind creating this blog is to introduce as many Wildlife species as possible to a common man and thus to take a step towards wildlife conservation. If this blog inspires the common man to protect wildlife it shall serve it's purpose.
Help me help Mother Nature to survive. Help me save rich wild life for our next generation and for Mother Nature.Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-85162683628039596032011-06-16T23:54:00.000-07:002011-06-16T23:55:34.685-07:00Gharial<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmGVyQ0zQoXT0BBcf6SrOXgi3Dwtmv7lNjQFSrUSoyahhK-RzMQMwdkaM697nXbyKDSehs4jYWZeOsZcZN8Xzf9rBSHPH1zpWcxAoW7qDDe9q61WUSC6zPDJNwTZhCaNHcawdegl4U38/s1600/Aligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmGVyQ0zQoXT0BBcf6SrOXgi3Dwtmv7lNjQFSrUSoyahhK-RzMQMwdkaM697nXbyKDSehs4jYWZeOsZcZN8Xzf9rBSHPH1zpWcxAoW7qDDe9q61WUSC6zPDJNwTZhCaNHcawdegl4U38/s320/Aligator.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"></span></div><h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: black; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gharial</span></h1><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i> (Gavialis gangeticus)</i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"><i><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <b>gharial</b> (<i>Gavialis gangeticus</i>), ( Hindi: घऱियाल, Marathi: सुसर Susar), also called <b>Indian gavial</b> or <b>gavial</b>, is the only surviving member of the once well-represented family Gavialidae, a long-established group of crocodilians with long, slender snouts. The gharial is listed as a critically endangered species by IUCN. The gharial is one of the three crocodilians found in India, the others being the Mugger crocodile and the Saltwater crocodile. It is one of the longest of all living crocodilians.</span></li>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5aKcnCsRv0Uhyphenhyphen_EkA2nZ47NLksZpBx-NcOFSI4cmKG9yDTGDSX80L9RHifKuZtK42eLxfgs-ZZE8H2IMna9bQ3cTVs0ReADB8DALlzfPX8X0VYIzr5WFeoQSH_2G0dKn_RvFMvoWxF8/s1600/DSC_0614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5aKcnCsRv0Uhyphenhyphen_EkA2nZ47NLksZpBx-NcOFSI4cmKG9yDTGDSX80L9RHifKuZtK42eLxfgs-ZZE8H2IMna9bQ3cTVs0ReADB8DALlzfPX8X0VYIzr5WFeoQSH_2G0dKn_RvFMvoWxF8/s320/DSC_0614.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="font-size: small; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal;"></span></i></div><div style="padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; text-align: left;"></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Description:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;"> The Gharial, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>Gavialis gangeticus</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 10pt;"> is uniformly dark olive-gray with a pale yellow belly. Juveniles have dark spots and cross bands against a light background. Gharials have an extremely elongated snout. The teeth are needle-like and the eyes green frosted with back. A large male can reach 23 feet in length, and a female 15 feet.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Gharials, being the most aquatic of all crocodilians, are awkward out of water mainly due to their short stumpy legs. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The adult male develops a pot-like structure on the end of the snout, giving the gharial its name (from "ghara" -- Hindi for earthen pot). This nose knob is used to produce a bussing noise that repels rival males and serves as an audible warning system. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The leg musculature of the gharial does not enable it to raise its body off the ground to achieve the high-walk gait on land, but can only push its body forward across the ground ('belly-sliding'), although it can do this with some speed when required. However, when in water, the gharial is the most nimble and quick of all the crocodilians in the world. The jaws are lined with many interlocking, razor-sharp teeth — 27 to 29 upper and 25 or 26 lower teeth on each side. These teeth are not received into interdental pits; the first, second, and third mandibular teeth fit into notches in the upper jaw. The front teeth are the largest. The gharial's snout is narrow and long, with a dilation at the end and its nasal bones are comparatively short and are widely separated from the pre-maxillaries.</span></span></li>
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</span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Distribution and Habitat: </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Gharials thrive in deep rivers. They are powerful swimmers but graceless on land, and will leave the water only to bask or to nest on sandy beaches. They were once distributed across approximately 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi) of riverine habitat of the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Irrawady river systems. Today their distribution is limited to only 2% of their former range.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">In India, small populations are present and increasing in the rivers of the National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary and the rainforest biome of Mahanadi in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Orissa, where they apparently do not breed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 10px;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">In Nepal, small populations are present and slowly recovering in tributaries of the Ganges, such as the Narayani-Rapti river system in Chitwan National park and the Karnali-Babai river system in Bardia National Park.</span></span></li>
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</span></span></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Diet:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Young gharials eat insects, larvae, and small frogs. Mature adults feed almost solely on fish, although some individuals have been known to scavenge dead animals. Their snout morphology is ideally suited for preying on fish. Their long, narrow snouts offer very little resistance to water in swiping motions to snap up fish in the water. Their numerous needle-like teeth are ideal for holding on to struggling, slippery fish. Gharials will often use their body to corral fish against the bank where they can be more easily snapped up.</span></span></li>
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</span></span></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><b>Threats:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Gharials have been pushed to the brink of extinction. In 1974, the government of India and the United nations Food and Agriculture Organization conducted a survey of its population in India. It was estimated that no more than 50 to 60 surviving adults.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Although the gharial is still listed as endangered, effective conservation measures have now made the gharial's future more promising. Massive sanctuaries have been created and active management involves the collection of eggs for hatchery incubation.</span></li>
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</ul></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-6150614915069851042011-06-14T19:06:00.000-07:002011-06-14T19:32:35.730-07:00Indian Skimmer<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa_wGgZWC1IOo2S54dI_hrovshcqqLFPegY6IWX1tQlf6ODOSfwIFgVpqXeaI_QCmEPTUU-QQf-bKKTbQpqkTljyXIgoAQfIhweiiXy1IPaDYUWH08PYSr_RHvnSd5ChPwiAdXdusTkI/s1600/DSC_0649.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7dNEtyJMNKQyOok-p7PHqbNTBiGNOjkbPfiftD63BfwWFhDsKSYh9F39a4vQ52LflEnHrXBmXMIHiCnsF8kF0JM-FgpWKSRt_NzzOio48fYFtq-UjR7i4gE7Cm0Kb-ZfyrajIbh8Wj4/s1600/Indian+Skimmer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7dNEtyJMNKQyOok-p7PHqbNTBiGNOjkbPfiftD63BfwWFhDsKSYh9F39a4vQ52LflEnHrXBmXMIHiCnsF8kF0JM-FgpWKSRt_NzzOio48fYFtq-UjR7i4gE7Cm0Kb-ZfyrajIbh8Wj4/s400/Indian+Skimmer.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618262953027038050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; " > <b>Indian Skimmer</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; " >(<i>Rynchops albicollis</i>)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; " ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Description: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">A crow sized, tern-like bird, blackish brown above and glistening white below; a broad white forehead, sides of face and a collar, contrasting with the black head and nape; a dark stripe down the middle of the white rump and forked tail. A typical knife-like compressed bill, with longer lower mandible, orange yellow in colour; legs bright red. Immature lighter brown above, scalloped with fulvous white; forehead with brown streaks; tail-feathers tipped brown.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; ">Distribution: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; ">It is found on large rivers and lakes, swamps and coastal wetlands such as estuaries. It is most common on freshwater, particularly during the breeding season. Breeding colonies are on islands or sandy spits, usually in rivers. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; ">Its range has become increasingly fragmented in recent decades. It is still found in parts of Pakistan in the Indus river system of Kashmir and northern and central India along the Ganges,</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px; "> Bangladesh </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">and Burma</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">. It is a scarce non-breeding visitor to Nepal </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">and has occurred as a vagrant</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> in Oman</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> and central Thailand</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> with old records from Iran </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">and China</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">. They are more widespread in winter and are found in coastal estuaries of western and eastern India. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.5em; ">Breeding colonies are known from the Chambal river area, an area that is of importance for the Gharial</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px; ">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.5em; ">Sand banks are important for the nesting of Gharials.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;" ><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Behavior and Diet</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">: </span>The birds forage for food by flying low over the water with the bill open and the lower mandible skimming through the water. When a fish is encountered, it moves up the lower mandible and the bird raises the upper mandible and snaps it with a movement of the head. They forage in small flocks and often associate with terns. They feed mainly on fish but also take small crustaceans and insect larvae. They often feed at dusk and can be very nocturnal.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; ">The breeding season is mainly March and May. They breed in colonies of up to 40 pairs, often with terns and other birds. The nest is a simple scrape on the ground mainly on open sand banks that provide unobstructed views of any oncoming predators. The eggs are buff or white with brown blotches and streaks. There are three to five eggs in a clutch. The birds tend to incubate the eggs more during the cooler hours of the day and are often away from the nest during the hotter parts of the day. Incubating adults are said to indulge in belly-soaking behaviour to cool the eggs. A bird at nest was once observed to pick up (and drop into water) an intruding chick of a River Tern using its leg.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;" ><br /></span></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b>Threats:</b> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">Increased disturbances in the breeding ground along the sandy banks of major rivers due to fishing activities, probable shortage of food (of appropriate size) and increased pollution of river waters in recent times are probable causes of depletion of the species.</span></span></li></ul></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "></sup></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXa_wGgZWC1IOo2S54dI_hrovshcqqLFPegY6IWX1tQlf6ODOSfwIFgVpqXeaI_QCmEPTUU-QQf-bKKTbQpqkTljyXIgoAQfIhweiiXy1IPaDYUWH08PYSr_RHvnSd5ChPwiAdXdusTkI/s320/DSC_0649.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618268117210263218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Indian Skimmer : Fishing</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><p style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></span></p></span></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-15663530509732411382011-01-07T03:20:00.000-08:002011-01-07T03:52:15.275-08:00Oriental White Eye<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnxjdStOh6FXRjdp1eubLkcBS08LhEdrh8KZQR9BLDD4o_RnJnfqQN8prtHFxRIZz-uEaDDPoIWBSgbtwMxFCnNy8a7aeyiQIgTvCYuCDuImQOb5URfl9tlKwvQYFb1brvpNDa9eqS6U/s1600/White+eye.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnxjdStOh6FXRjdp1eubLkcBS08LhEdrh8KZQR9BLDD4o_RnJnfqQN8prtHFxRIZz-uEaDDPoIWBSgbtwMxFCnNy8a7aeyiQIgTvCYuCDuImQOb5URfl9tlKwvQYFb1brvpNDa9eqS6U/s400/White+eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559410298250216658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> Photo taken at Baroda</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b> Oriental White-eye</b>,<br /> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">(<i>Zosterops palpebrosus</i>)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Description:</span> This bird is small (about 8–9 cm long) with yellowish olive upper parts, a white eye ring, yellow throat and vent. The belly is whitish grey but may have yellow in some subspecies. The sexes look similar. The taxonomy of the group is still unclear with some island populations being distinctive while some subspecies are not well supported. The population from Flores, Indonesia for instance is found closer to the Pale White-eye. The family itself is now questioned since they are nested along with the Stachyris babblers. About eleven subspecies are well recognized. These include the nominate form (type locality Bengal, India) which is found from Oman and Arabia, Afghanistan, northern India and extends into China and northern Myanmar. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distribution: </span>The species is found in a wide range of habitats from scrub to moist forest. They sometimes occur on mangrove areas such as in the Karachi area.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_White-eye#cite_note-8"><span></span><span></span></a></sup> And on islands they may lead a more insectivorous life.<sup id="cite_ref-betts_9-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_White-eye#cite_note-betts-9"><span></span><span></span></a></sup> They are somewhat rare only in the drier desert regions of western India.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_White-eye#cite_note-10"><span></span><span></span></a></sup> A feral population was detected in San Diego, California in the 1980s and subsequently eradicated.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Behavior and Diet:</span> These white-eyes are sociable, forming flocks which only separate on the approach of the breeding season. They are highly arboreal and only rarely descend to the ground. The breeding season is February to September but April is the peak breeding season and the compact cup nest is a placed like a hammock on the fork of a branch. The nest is made of cobwebs, lichens and plant fiber. The nest is built in about 4 days and the two pale blue eggs are laid within a couple of days of each other. The eggs hatch in about 10 days. Both sexes take care of brooding the chicks which fledged in about 10 days. Though mainly insectivorous, the Oriental White-eye will also eat nectar and fruits of various kinds.</span></li></ul></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-27207749643320160892011-01-04T02:35:00.000-08:002011-01-04T02:52:59.070-08:00White Eye Buzzard<div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidryWtHblE1E0llrKaUjaXeVhxyAk6nYFZ71Kgl1lVayqgBR1YAomu5QngwtjM5bETFu1HsE6kci7hQgXV5RDyCdTYuWtP2hxPktphVPALCQ3SosLBicmWhdg7cZlTQNj39pXDL33WRB4/s1600/WEB.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidryWtHblE1E0llrKaUjaXeVhxyAk6nYFZ71Kgl1lVayqgBR1YAomu5QngwtjM5bETFu1HsE6kci7hQgXV5RDyCdTYuWtP2hxPktphVPALCQ3SosLBicmWhdg7cZlTQNj39pXDL33WRB4/s400/WEB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558278678039706498" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><b>White-eyed Buzzard</b></span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br />(<i>Butastur teesa</i>)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo taken at Tadoba - Andhari Tiger Reserve</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Description:</span> This slim and small sized hawk is easily identified by its white iris to the eye and the white throat and dark mesial stripe. A white nuchal spot is sometimes visible. When perched the wing tip nearly reaches the tip of the tail. The ceres are distinctly yellow and the head is dark with the underside of the body darkly barred. In flight it shows rounded but narrow wings with black tips to the feathers and the wing-lining appears dark. The upper wing in flight shows a pale bar over the brown. The tail is barred with a darker subterminal band. Young birds have the iris brownish and the forehead is whitish and a broad supercilium may be present.<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distribution:</span> This species is widely distributed in South Asia, throughout India in the plains and extending up to 1000 m in the Himalayas. It is a resident in Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is absent from Sri Lanka and is probably absent from the Andamans. It is a summer visitor in northeastern Afghanistan. It is mainly found in the plains but may go up to 1200m in the foothills of the Himalayas. The usual habitat is in dry, open forest or cultivation. They are numerous in some areas but declining. A survey in the late 1950s estimated about 5000 birds in the vicinity of Delhi in an area of about 50,000 km<sup>2</sup>.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diet and Breeding:</span> The feed mainly on locusts, grasshoppers, crickets and other large insects as well as mice, lizards and frogs. They may also take crabs from near wetlands and <sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-eyed_Buzzard#cite_note-9"><span></span></a></sup> have even been reported to take larger prey like the Black - naped Hare (<i>Lepus nigricollis</i>).<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-eyed_Buzzard#cite_note-10"><span></span><span></span></a></sup></span> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The breeding season is February to May. The nest is loose platform of twigs not unlike that of a crow. The usual clutch is three eggs. Both sexes share nest-building and feeding young; female alone incubates.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-eyed_Buzzard#cite_note-11"><span></span><span></span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-eyed_Buzzard#cite_note-12"><span></span><span></span></a></sup></span></p></li></ul></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-16752117685655105602011-01-03T00:45:00.000-08:002011-01-04T03:17:42.254-08:00Knob billed Duck (Comb Duck)<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmowBcUcId2iynM04UL2URLDaGTBZJ8LTL0vM4gtnyd154HcdslleSbd2bAsRlbdTPQJHrCzxPzbU5z2HHlPEi-RWkZsf8p0uZPsTWQoDzIvR_679prq8Ck1V7uVBgFluaZPeTHN0V9HA/s1600/DSC_5031.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmowBcUcId2iynM04UL2URLDaGTBZJ8LTL0vM4gtnyd154HcdslleSbd2bAsRlbdTPQJHrCzxPzbU5z2HHlPEi-RWkZsf8p0uZPsTWQoDzIvR_679prq8Ck1V7uVBgFluaZPeTHN0V9HA/s400/DSC_5031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557879539074382354" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Photograph taken at Thol wild life sanctuary- Ahmedabad</span><br /></div><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><b>Knob-billed Duck</b></span><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" > (<i>Sarkidiornis melanotos</i>)</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><ul style="font-family:georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Description:</span> This common species is unmistakable. Adults have a white head freckled with dark spots, and a pure white neck and underparts. The upperparts are glossy blue-black upperparts, with bluish and greenish iridescence especially prominent on the secondaries (lower arm feathers). The male is larger than the female, and has a large black knob on the bill. Young birds are dull buff below and on the face and neck, with dull brown upper parts, top of the head and eye stripe. The adults are unmistakable. Immature Knob-billed Ducks look like a large grayish female of the Cotton Pygmy Goose (<i>Nettapus coromandelicus</i>) and may be difficult to tell apart if no other birds are around to compare size and hue. If seen at a distance, they can also be mistaken for a Fulvous Whistling - Duck. However, Knob-billed Ducks in immature plumage are rarely seen without adults nearby and thus they are usually easily identified too. The Knob-billed Duck is silent except for a low croak when flushed.</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><ul style="font-family:georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distribution:</span> It breeds in still freshwater swamps and lakes in the tropics. It is largely resident, apart from dispersion in the wet season<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></span> Knob-billed Ducks often perch in trees. They are typically seen in flocks, small in the wet season, up to 100 in the dry season. Sometimes they separate according to sex. The Knob-billed Duck is declining in numbers locally, but due to its wide range it is not considered globally threatened by the IUCN.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><ul style="font-family:georgia;"><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diet:</span> Konb-Billed Ducks </span><span style="font-size:100%;">feeds on vegetation by grazing or dabbling and to a lesser extent on small fish, invertebrates, and seeds. It can become a problem to rice farmers.</span></li></ul><br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-53064606659097604002010-03-30T02:54:00.000-07:002010-03-30T03:28:57.143-07:00Shikra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwD_y6D2Q0PJIV2_JfIn2qDLntRsEFbqRzkwzA1LouD4gNY9AbzkirPSZMnM3kZwFj1qs09ILuLRQYHuw1od-ctRRccxGgNnqmnIHPWS2sDaA_Vo7zuNo5TayK4QCkO7HL2fseFZNY_wA/s1600/Shikra.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwD_y6D2Q0PJIV2_JfIn2qDLntRsEFbqRzkwzA1LouD4gNY9AbzkirPSZMnM3kZwFj1qs09ILuLRQYHuw1od-ctRRccxGgNnqmnIHPWS2sDaA_Vo7zuNo5TayK4QCkO7HL2fseFZNY_wA/s400/Shikra.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454363274682296818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Shikra</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(</span></b><em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Accipiter badius</span></b></em><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">) </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Description: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 12px; ">This bird is a small raptor (26-30cm) with short broad wings and a long tail, both adaptations to fast manoeuvring. The normal flight of this species is a characteristic "flap – flap – glide". The adult Shikra has pale grey upperparts, and is white, finely barred reddish below. Sexes are similar except that female is larger than the male. The juvenile is brown above and white, spotted with brown below. It has a barred tail.</span></span></b></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Distribution: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><p style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The Shikra is a widespread resident breeder throughout south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Shikra is a bird of open woodland including savannah and cultivation. It nests in trees, building a new nest each year. It lays 3-7 eggs.</span></span></p></span></span></span></b></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Diet:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><p style="display: inline !important; "><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Its hunting technique is similar to other small hawks such as Sparrow hawk,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><em><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">A. nisus </span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> relying on surprise as it flies from a hidden perch or flicks over a bush to catch its prey unaware. The prey is lizards, dragonflies, and small birds and mammals.</span></span></p></span></span><p><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#333333"><o:p></o:p></span></p></span></b></span></span></li></ul></div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-43667503602245153432010-03-06T22:09:00.000-08:002010-03-06T23:33:09.668-08:00Dragon Fly<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHd_84yXzFjbEylSmqmV9Y21SUmDvlpOdZia52x6x-MV867HwRAXF-gC3ZSFmu2S3GSZjuj7iDaAviPpEexZCrv50nScXSYzojYXNQFzZ0JahrQajdX3jIJhrrTGmmTTCfTDGQcdo1Ws/s1600-h/DSC_0143.jpg"></a></b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebMhWIPWU5k-O9BmwLJZH6oTG2SxfxEBgqt4UdE22YDBfi0DdVD2SPa1d73h5dGwFJC6hHoJ1Kily8Q5t1nHgN6lgRIS5RDqT0TxZlG_lmBTan-z1_ey_-ifnUPDJuBVHxzSLdqnwlEo/s1600-h/DSC_0138.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebMhWIPWU5k-O9BmwLJZH6oTG2SxfxEBgqt4UdE22YDBfi0DdVD2SPa1d73h5dGwFJC6hHoJ1Kily8Q5t1nHgN6lgRIS5RDqT0TxZlG_lmBTan-z1_ey_-ifnUPDJuBVHxzSLdqnwlEo/s320/DSC_0138.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445784738066878034" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><p style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">dragonfly</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or, in the strict sense, the infraorder</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Anisoptera. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies are similar to damselflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most dragonflies are held away from, and perpendicular to, the body when at rest. Even though dragonflies possess 6 legs like any other insect, they are not capable of walking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p> <p style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left: 0in"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dragonflies are valuable Predators</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">that eatmosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, ants, and butterflies. They are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and</span></span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> wetlands</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#002BB8;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><o:p><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></o:p></p> <div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid #AAAAAA 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt:solid #AAAAAA .75pt;padding:0in 0in 2.0pt 0in"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.1in;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid #AAAAAA .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 2.0pt 0in"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Life Cycle :</span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.1in;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid #AAAAAA .75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 2.0pt 0in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></b></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0in;line-height:normal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></b></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Female dragonflies lay eggs</span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in or near water, often on floating or emergent plants. When laying eggs, some species will submerge themselves completely in order to lay their eggs on a good surface. The eggs then hatch into nymphs. Most of a dragonfly's life is spent in the naiad</span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(that is, nymph) form, beneath the water's surface, using</span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> extendable jaws </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">to catch other invertebrates</span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or even vertebrates </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">such as tadpoles and fish. They breathe through gills in their rectum, </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and can rapidly propel themselves by suddenly expelling water through the anus. </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some nymphs even hunt on land, </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">an aptitude which could easily have been more common in ancient times when terrestrial predators were clumsier.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHd_84yXzFjbEylSmqmV9Y21SUmDvlpOdZia52x6x-MV867HwRAXF-gC3ZSFmu2S3GSZjuj7iDaAviPpEexZCrv50nScXSYzojYXNQFzZ0JahrQajdX3jIJhrrTGmmTTCfTDGQcdo1Ws/s200/DSC_0143.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445789831173875970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></b></span></p><div><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:6.0pt; margin-left:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The larval stage of large dragonflies may last as long as five years. In smaller species, this stage may last between two months and three years. When the larva is ready to metamorphose into an adult, it climbs up a reed</span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">or other emergent plant. Exposure to air causes the larva to begin breathing. The skin splits at a weak spot behind the head and the adult dragonfly crawls out of its old larval skin, pumps up its wings, and flies off to feed on midges and flies. In flight the adult dragonfly can propel itself in six directions; upward, downward, forward, back, and side to side. </span></span></b></span><span style="color:black;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The adult stage of larger species of dragonfly can last as long as five or six months.</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p></span><p></p></span></span><p></p></div></span><p></p>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-68896330563097621622009-03-10T21:47:00.000-07:002009-03-10T23:26:25.921-07:00Common Jezebel<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjaYXxa_Lv0U_jL5b1a5P9-JY2ijhLlLp3FP5BeQjbXk17PyjFvnHc1gaHxViLsPKaVM2aPGkqRDMFrLTxW5jAbsapaXEKt1Ak3Kd5gnnluFFjjEcwY9MLRiEOFroRJNQqmzrh2g67WM/s1600-h/Jezebel+-+1.jpg"> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjaYXxa_Lv0U_jL5b1a5P9-JY2ijhLlLp3FP5BeQjbXk17PyjFvnHc1gaHxViLsPKaVM2aPGkqRDMFrLTxW5jAbsapaXEKt1Ak3Kd5gnnluFFjjEcwY9MLRiEOFroRJNQqmzrh2g67WM/s400/Jezebel+-+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311806866181703202" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfzkB8s4mVZmilYjsZ25_mbB0MUhbhWTqtMCWgnBG07XmRN4iOUyI8tfjwihWMv8NAmRMgce4y757FOR70-LFL60Tyea4gwB-BOGbGDnmOt5PZbJQ_Z6sjqg5zLp0e6iaf7ucbpnRgC4/s1600-h/Jezebel+-+3.jpg"></a> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Common Jezebel</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Delias eucharis)</span></span></span></div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.5in;line-height:normal"></p><ul><li><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Description:</span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Upperside of male white or bluish white with prominent black veins and black outer discal band in both wings. Marginal black band with arrow of white sots in forewings and light pink spots in the hindwings. Female dull white with yellow and pink tinge. Veins and spots heavily marked in the forewings. Underside hindwingspale yellow ( rarely dark ) with black veins and a row of white ringed red or pink marginal spots, bordered black on both sides in both the sexes. Wingspan 66-83mm. Only species of Delias, widely distributed in our country with unmistakable bright colours on the underside of the wings unlike other butterflies to warn the predators. Weak flier fluttering about but on the wing throughout the year. </span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Upperside</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uzyGuZBl51JiGzjAxm-V_avpLIFcERe0QEaATrZPEuX9r2iqZpyPTyrI2F71HZjJTArKOYLFhBNWT6sGH4CHF1VdbLpOW60BLFOSCrtd2Iq6wXCE_wo5qv4SNWyTvlGNyK9REV0icBc/s1600-h/Jezebel+-+3.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uzyGuZBl51JiGzjAxm-V_avpLIFcERe0QEaATrZPEuX9r2iqZpyPTyrI2F71HZjJTArKOYLFhBNWT6sGH4CHF1VdbLpOW60BLFOSCrtd2Iq6wXCE_wo5qv4SNWyTvlGNyK9REV0icBc/s200/Jezebel+-+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311807655579137506" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px; " /></span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Distribution:</span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> In most of its range, this species is common. Generally found all over India, except in the desert tracts, and up to an altitude of 7000 feet in the hills. The butterfly may be found wherever there are trees, even in towns and cities, flying high among the trees and visiting flowers.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGtb3YRkXaZz6kRNNOfaQ0oxH8QZZcmOoJs1_MIC7pNwVGz02qqAAWxLbdop5gvNuP-XDRZbIViYxAbbfRHbIDoE_KnwMyS2DJbWBFL906MKyX47YzoUwuf4t2gwsm90whxMBoEzHaX4/s1600-h/Jezebel+-+2.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGtb3YRkXaZz6kRNNOfaQ0oxH8QZZcmOoJs1_MIC7pNwVGz02qqAAWxLbdop5gvNuP-XDRZbIViYxAbbfRHbIDoE_KnwMyS2DJbWBFL906MKyX47YzoUwuf4t2gwsm90whxMBoEzHaX4/s200/Jezebel+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311808447262104226" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px; " /></span></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGtb3YRkXaZz6kRNNOfaQ0oxH8QZZcmOoJs1_MIC7pNwVGz02qqAAWxLbdop5gvNuP-XDRZbIViYxAbbfRHbIDoE_KnwMyS2DJbWBFL906MKyX47YzoUwuf4t2gwsm90whxMBoEzHaX4/s1600-h/Jezebel+-+2.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></a></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Habits: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">I</span></span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">t is commonly seen in gardens. The females can be seen flying amongst the trees in search of its foodplants, while the males are more frequently observed visiting flowers for nectar or mud-puddling. It rests with its wings closed exhibiting the brilliantly coloured underside. The Jezebel often flies high up in the canopy and usually comes lower down only to feed on nectar in flowers. Due to this habit apparently, it has evolved a dull upperside and a brilliant underside so that birds below it recognise it immediately while in flight and at rest.</span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Caterpillar</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv1fdyAfz8saDFkKTUMmSfh49sdmRITdY1a4lRexXW9pLyn_80arP359wcJAKU81b_MgKLfmPBL7dGYZ0gSeV4fOLfprXeMsX8aGWn7SpyqE76RkS2IeUeMV9v-_-Hy-2M45eDAiX928/s1600-h/Caterpillar+-+Common+Jezebel.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv1fdyAfz8saDFkKTUMmSfh49sdmRITdY1a4lRexXW9pLyn_80arP359wcJAKU81b_MgKLfmPBL7dGYZ0gSeV4fOLfprXeMsX8aGWn7SpyqE76RkS2IeUeMV9v-_-Hy-2M45eDAiX928/s200/Caterpillar+-+Common+Jezebel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311808927842395618" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></span></a></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Reproduction:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> The Common Jezebel, like the Pioneer, but quite unlike other Whites and Yellows, is a butterfly which lays eggs in batches, instead of laying them singly. Each batch consists of about ten to twenty eggs, although in rare cases up to a hundred eggs may be laid together. They are usually laid on the underside of leaves. the eggs are oval, shiny, and bright yellow. All the eggs from one batch hatch together. the new-born caterpillars devour the eggshells and then move on to eat fresh leaves. They live and feed together and always stay in a disciplined army fashion: all resting side by side with their heads in one direction, and whatever they do they do together.</span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Host Plants:</span></span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style=";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> The host plants are various species of small shrubs which are plant parasites growing on branches of trees such as Loranthus. Their ability to form dense aggregations as caterpillars and to feed on </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Loranthus</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> has led to suggestions that they could be used for control of this parasite.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:6.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></li></ul></div></div><p></p></div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-29353347931473276842009-03-09T00:38:00.000-07:002009-03-09T02:11:40.267-07:00Common Rose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80fesv86QYbm0Pg6GquG-1kglDyKlyC4EFCW_Z0RRV03HsiXAuEJdUlEXEcJf2bGw7gXTja8pDFExt9XD8QptUwsubzTXWyaDLuuPqBScsy1KqT7OsaqVDxL4W8_s1Ivrn_EwrwW1aYU/s1600-h/Pupa+-+Common+Rose.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJx9DDgE2sAcX4tAp2BLt0aDck2buDKssSq3vEdvS8S6MKiMNxg6bkLRyxjiWUAP28lnFmx1PEVjPoQBIg2NNdOA8Y9G5AyFLxVTL838iD-WjoecOKeWToChcqpjY4Ut-wt7iP1ZkRPA/s1600-h/Common+Rose+Caterpillar.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BEDE8BCva0wl06gbkX3W5ANNRSvnziRviNT6kN-spvVTjPEL35ES5Wdv8VClq-7IbiQTaGUETkZ57nYwScR65jnW31RrT7x34jiEYXITYrs2BDAVh7f5-TAMmiaVl2cdpeWmDXiHbFk/s1600-h/Common+Rose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BEDE8BCva0wl06gbkX3W5ANNRSvnziRviNT6kN-spvVTjPEL35ES5Wdv8VClq-7IbiQTaGUETkZ57nYwScR65jnW31RrT7x34jiEYXITYrs2BDAVh7f5-TAMmiaVl2cdpeWmDXiHbFk/s400/Common+Rose.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311099718191493170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Common Rose</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(Pachliopta Aristolochiae Fabricius)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Description:</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span></span></span></li></ul></div></span><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Male:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> The Upperside of male is velvety black. Fore wing with well-marked pale adnervular streaks on the discal area that do not reach the terminal margin, the latter broadly velvety black; the streaks beyond end of cell extended inwards into its apex.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Hind wing with elongate white discal markings in interspaces 2-5 beyond the cell.In dry-weather specimens these markings are very short and do not nearly reach the bases of the interspaces; beyond these a curved series of subterminal lunular markings in interspaces 1 to 7 dull crimson irrorated with black scales, the spot in interspace 1 large, irregular, diffuse, margined interiorly with white.On the Underside of the males, the ground-colour and markings is similar, but the red subterminal spots on the hind wing much brighter;it is not irrorated with black scales, better defined, the anterior four subquadrate, the next two crescentic, sometimes quadrate also, the spot in interspace 1 triangular and pointed. Antennae, thorax and abdomen above up to the preanal segment black; the head, sides of prothorax above, and of the whole of the thorax and abdomen beneath vermilion-red; anal segment vermilion-red.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Female:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Female is similar the males; they differs from the male only in the comparatively broader wings and this is most conspicuous in the fore wing. </span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Distribution:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Common Rose is distributed all over the Oriental Region and is very common throughout India. It is found mainly in open, cultivated areas, scrubs and deciduous forests. A common Visitor to garden flowers, it is also seen in most crowded cities. it is more frequent during very cold or very hot period of the year.</span></span></li></ul></span></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Habits:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It is the commonest of the large tailed butterflies of India and one of the most interesting butterflies for the Indian amateur naturalist to observe. The red body, slow peculiar flight, bright colouration and pattern of the wings are meant to indicate to predators that this butterfly is inedible, being well protected by the poisons it has sequestered from its larval food plant. It also emits a nasty smelling substance when handled to further enhance its unappealing qualities. Hence it is rarely attacked by predators, a strategy so successful, that edible butterflies have evolved to mimic it, the classical example being that of the female morph of the Common Mormon that is </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Papilio polytes</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, female form </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">stichius</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. The Common Rose is active much earlier in the mornings than most butterflies and remains so throughout the day until dusk. It flies just as readily in the shade as in the sun, and frequently visits flowers. In drier regions around noon, the butterfly rests in thickets to avoid the mid-day heat. Here, it will rest and ventures forth only in the late afternoon once again. In the evenings, it retires into wooded areas or thickets in search of dead twigs or small branches on which to roost. It prefers sites that are 10 to 15 feet above ground, below the canopy in trees with sufficient cover from the elements, where it frequently roosts in the company of others of its type, and, sometimes, in the company of the Crimson Rose.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Reproduction: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The female has been observed inspecting the host plants and selecting healthy plants with verdant growth to ensure adequacy of food for its voracious caterpillars. It lays round and reddish eggs with fine black markings. The eggs are laid singly on top, the underside of leaves or even on shoots.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The caterpillar is a beautiful velvety maroon colour and has a beautiful white band on a segment on its middle reminiscent of a belt or collar. It has numerous fleshy red-tipped white protuberances on the body. It is bulky and slow in its movements. It is a beautiful caterpillar. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Pupa is brownish with various shades of brown and pink markings. It is attached to its support by the tail and held at an angle by a body band. The support is usually a stick. The distinguishing feature of the Common Rose pupa is the presence of large semi-circular projections on the back of the abdomen, thorax and head.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Caterpillar of Common Rose</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJx9DDgE2sAcX4tAp2BLt0aDck2buDKssSq3vEdvS8S6MKiMNxg6bkLRyxjiWUAP28lnFmx1PEVjPoQBIg2NNdOA8Y9G5AyFLxVTL838iD-WjoecOKeWToChcqpjY4Ut-wt7iP1ZkRPA/s200/Common+Rose+Caterpillar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311106356481420978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 110px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Pupa of Common Rose</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80fesv86QYbm0Pg6GquG-1kglDyKlyC4EFCW_Z0RRV03HsiXAuEJdUlEXEcJf2bGw7gXTja8pDFExt9XD8QptUwsubzTXWyaDLuuPqBScsy1KqT7OsaqVDxL4W8_s1Ivrn_EwrwW1aYU/s200/Pupa+-+Common+Rose.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311108008251108754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 171px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Host Plants: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 19px; font-family:-webkit-sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The larvae feed on creepers and climbers of the genus Aristolochia, Family Aristolochiaceae and they sequester toxins such as aristolochic acid in their bodies. This makes the adults toxic to vertebrate predators such as birds and reptiles. However the Braconid wasps which parasitise the caterpillars have apparently co-evolved with the butterfly and are not affected by the toxins. Larval foodplants include :-</span></span><ul style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 0.3em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.5em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; list-style-image: url(http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/monobook/bullet.gif); "><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Aristolochia bracteolata ( Kitamari)</span></span></i></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Aristolochia indica</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. [Isarmul {Hindi}, Sapsanda {Marathi}]</span></span></li></ul></span></span></li></ul></div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-84598364710681375212009-03-05T19:50:00.000-08:002009-03-05T21:28:18.000-08:00White Throated Kingfisher<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_c2Sqdf-JGnbGqtNsQ3HvrsngKNRKw1on9lDi8mk1JNoZRxoW34hSdUq7nbCpsBTuVfg2YvBEFp-WSbi1spQFROCD2Wny1bqzw5SDBOl9UAQTXptLTH-aTJeD0ziFKtfFQdhQKYFU_E/s1600-h/W+T+K+F+-+1.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOW9peMT66MZEi_xMr144xQW26KEgOx7R61cKuGN9Jofv9R54S1DSMEk88VgXGrkuf86rHudVpB6D1bowgbrQGpcuZfBRii97B4PATX4gq1EHIfzrDBRcSgUEbH3kiko4SHX4FMvNeGk/s1600-h/W+T+K+F.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOW9peMT66MZEi_xMr144xQW26KEgOx7R61cKuGN9Jofv9R54S1DSMEk88VgXGrkuf86rHudVpB6D1bowgbrQGpcuZfBRii97B4PATX4gq1EHIfzrDBRcSgUEbH3kiko4SHX4FMvNeGk/s400/W+T+K+F.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309930349261610194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">White Throated Kingfisher</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(Halcyon smyrnensis)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Description:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is a large kingfisher, 28 cm in length. The adult has a bright blue back, wings and tail. Its head, shoulders, flanks and lower belly are chestnut, and the throat and breast are white. The large bill and legs are bright red. The flight of the White-throated Kingfisher is rapid and direct, the short rounded wings whirring. In flight, large white patches are visible on the blue and black wings. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are a duller version of the adult. </span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There are four geographic races differing mainly in the</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> plumage </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">shades, but</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">H. s. gularis</span></span></span></i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">of the Philippines has only the neck and throat white. Race</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">fusca</span></span></span></i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">is found in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka and is slightly smaller, bluer and with a darker brown underside than the nominate race found in northwestern India. Race</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">saturatior</span></span></span></i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">is found in the</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Andaman Islands </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and is larger with darker brown underparts. Race</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">perpulchra</span></span></span></i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">(not always recognized) is found in northeastern India and is smaller than</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">fusca</span></span></span></i><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">with paler underparts.</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Albinism has been noted on occasion.</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-text-decoration: none;text-underline:nonecolor:#002BB8;"></span></span></span></sup></span></li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 43, 184); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Local Names</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Hindi:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Kilkila</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">,</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Kourilla</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">;Himachal Pradesh:Neela</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">machhrala; Punjabi:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Wadda machhera; Bengali:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Sandabuk machhranga; Assamese:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Masroka; Cachar:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Dao</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> natu gophu;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Gujarati:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Kalkaliyo,</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Safedchati kalkaliyo; Marathi:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Khandya; Tamil:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Vichuli; Telugu:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Lakmuka,</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Buchegadu; Malayalam:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ponman; Kannada:</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Rajamatsi.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Nesting:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The White-throated Kingfisher begins breeding at the onset of the Monsoons</span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. In its courtship display it spreads out the wings with bill raised high to show the white patterns. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Some perform a courtship flight, flying straight up then spiralling downwards. White-throated Kingfishers nest in steep earth banks besides roads and stream, and occasionally, termite mounds. They dig out a tunnel about 7 cm wide, 50 cm to nearly 1 m deep ending in a breeding chamber about 20 cm in diameter. During the construction period, the mated pair are very vocal and call and display to each other continuously. 4-7 white eggs are laid. Both parents raise the chicks.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">White Throated Kingfisher with a Prey (Toad)</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_c2Sqdf-JGnbGqtNsQ3HvrsngKNRKw1on9lDi8mk1JNoZRxoW34hSdUq7nbCpsBTuVfg2YvBEFp-WSbi1spQFROCD2Wny1bqzw5SDBOl9UAQTXptLTH-aTJeD0ziFKtfFQdhQKYFU_E/s200/W+T+K+F+-+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309935410338509682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Habits & Habitat: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">White-throated Kingfisher is a common species of a variety of habitats, mostly open country with trees, wires or other perches. The range of the species is expanding.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It perches conspicuously on wires or other exposed perches within its territory, and is a frequent sight in south Asia. This species mainly hunts large </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">insects, earthworms,</span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">rodents, snakes, fish and frogs.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Calls:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The call of this kingfisher is a chuckling </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">chake-ake-ake-ake-ake</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. They are particularly noisy in the breeding season. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><a href="http://www.indiabirds.com//birdsounds/white%20throated%20kf.wav"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">http://www.indiabirds.com//birdsounds/white%20throated%20kf.wav</span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></li></ul></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;"><br /></span></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-32531725638259757822009-03-04T23:24:00.000-08:002009-03-05T02:29:33.559-08:00Barn Owl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3gOWFii-PVrmmlf-0GLgf79JLzA_4FVnsQQRh16NFhYLMUG04lFWrsYDNd8uKIx12LUA1U_G2L5cXvFIBednb9OJ4MCaGH7RIWveulQk5hC3R5WyWg7Wa5LSgUDi0JO3Xy4M61sdjbM/s1600-h/Baby+Barn+Owl.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jVHiW2unDYmiqE2_h20smVUJKiRTLEuw59_ul0lgJarXcpp1U7B1cp9_d5R1JHqWCPelUC2mTAW6cLfNsAkcowcQI113OX5SFS8OMnW93sTUVbSeNz3F0-LqhwVhIx6w6WXcJOLWqsk/s1600-h/Barn+Owl+-+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jVHiW2unDYmiqE2_h20smVUJKiRTLEuw59_ul0lgJarXcpp1U7B1cp9_d5R1JHqWCPelUC2mTAW6cLfNsAkcowcQI113OX5SFS8OMnW93sTUVbSeNz3F0-LqhwVhIx6w6WXcJOLWqsk/s400/Barn+Owl+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309614047969643394" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Barn Owl</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">(Tyto alba)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">General Information:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> These pale, nearly worldwide, birds are closely associated with man through their traditional use in the old world </span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">of barn lofts and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> church steeples </span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">as nesting sites. Although widely known beforehand, it was in 1769 when the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span><span class="ilspan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Barn Owl</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">was first officially described by Giovanni Scopoli, an Italian naturalist. The species name "</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">alba</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">" also refers to the colour white. Other names for the Barn owl</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">have included Monkey-faced Owl, Ghost Owl, Church Owl, Death Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Golden Owl, Silver Owl, White Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Scritch Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, Barnyard Owl and Delicate Owl.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Description:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">The Upperparts are light grey with numerous fine dark lines and scattered pale spots on the feathers. There are buff markings on wings and on the back. The underparts are white with a few black spots, occasionally none. Feathering on the lower legs may be sparse. The heart-shaped facial disc is white with a brownish edge,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> with brown</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">marks</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> at the front</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">of the eyes, which have a black iris. Its beak is off-white and the feet are yellowish-white to brownish. Males and females are similar in size and colour, females and juveniles are generally more densely spotted. Generally nocturnal, although it is not uncommon to see this species emerge at dusk or be active at dawn, occasionally being seen in flight during full daylight. Flight is noiseless, with wingbeats interrupted by gliding.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Nesting:</span></span></span></span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Barn Owls will breed any time during the year, depending on food supply. In a good year, a pair may breed twice. Rodent plagues cause</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="ilspan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Barn Owl</span></span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">numbers to increase dramatically. During courting, males may circle near the nest tree, giving short screeches and chattering</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="ilspan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">calls</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">. The majority of Barn Owls nest in tree hollows up to 20 metres high. They will also nest in old buildings, caves and well shafts. 3 to 6 eggs are laid (occasionally up to 12) at 2 day intervals. The eggs are 38 to 46mm (1.5-1.8") long and 30 to 35mm (1.2-1.4") wide and will be incubated for 30 to 34 days. Chicks are covered in white down and brooded for about 2 weeks, and are fledged in 50 to 55 days. After this, they will remain in the vicinity for a week or so to learn hunting skills and then rapidly disperse from the nest area. Young birds are able to breed at about 10 months.</span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Barn Owl Chicks</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3gOWFii-PVrmmlf-0GLgf79JLzA_4FVnsQQRh16NFhYLMUG04lFWrsYDNd8uKIx12LUA1U_G2L5cXvFIBednb9OJ4MCaGH7RIWveulQk5hC3R5WyWg7Wa5LSgUDi0JO3Xy4M61sdjbM/s200/Baby+Barn+Owl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309647352027662674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><ul><li><p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Hunting & Food:</span></span></span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span style=" ;color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Barn Owls specialise in hunting small ground mammals, and the vast majority of their food consists of small rodents. Mice are an important food item, as well as pocket gophers, shrews and rats. Barn Owls breed rapidly in response to mouse plagues. Other prey may include baby rabbits, bats, frogs, lizards, birds and insects. Prey are usually located by quartering up and down likely looking land - particularly open grassland. They also use low perches such as fence posts to seek quarry.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p></li></ul></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Calls of Barn Owl: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">The</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="ilspan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Barn Owl</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="ilspan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">calls</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">infrequently, the usual call being a drawn-out rasping screech. The courtship call of male at nest is a shrill repetitive twittering. Adults returning to a nest may give a low, frog-like croak. When surprised in its roosting hollow or nest, it makes hissing and rasping noises and snapping sounds that are often called bill snapping, but possibly made by clicking the tongue.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><ol><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Typical call: </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; "><a href="http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Tyto-alba-3.mp3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Tyto-alba-3.mp3</span></span></a></span></li><li style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Breeding call: </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; "><a href="http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Tyto-alba-1.mp3"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">http://www.owlpages.com/sounds/Tyto-alba-1.mp3</span></span></span></a></span></span></li></ol></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'courier new';font-size:13px;"><br /></span></p></div></div><p></p></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-41927812063620527162009-03-02T21:06:00.000-08:002009-03-02T22:05:22.063-08:00Red Headed Vulture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qBlZz700EBY6TCNPMnJnuV2ei2Qf3wdR18jPJ8IwwVoDc7-cKc9fXuH5giUTocDSJg1JxId3yL8NFSbRqr6s204o93GO31j2tuQgRm1NP6rih3kZaAxW35JE8DGNSWCWYkyE8jqBapQ/s1600-h/Red+Headed+Vulture.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qBlZz700EBY6TCNPMnJnuV2ei2Qf3wdR18jPJ8IwwVoDc7-cKc9fXuH5giUTocDSJg1JxId3yL8NFSbRqr6s204o93GO31j2tuQgRm1NP6rih3kZaAxW35JE8DGNSWCWYkyE8jqBapQ/s400/Red+Headed+Vulture.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308828431246373138" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">Red-headed Vulture</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">(Sarcogyps Calvus)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Description:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> The Red-headed Vulture, also known as the Asian King Vulture, Indian Black Vulture or Pondicherry Vulture, is the species of Old world Vulture found in South Asia. Up to 85 cm. long and weighting 3.7 to 5.4 Kg, this gaudy-faced vulture was historically abundant with range over South-central and South-eastern Asia extending from Pakistan to Singapore. Today the range of the Red-headed Vulture is localised primarily to Nepal and Northern India where it is found in open country and in cultivated and semi-desert areas. </span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ecological note: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It frequents open country (often near human habitation), well-wooded hills and dry deciduous forest with rivers, usually below 2,500 m. Nesting has been recorded in tall trees. It occurs at lower density than </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gyps</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> vultures owing to its predominantly territorial behaviour, and movements are poorly known. Vultures play a key role in the wider landscape as providers of ecosystem services. They were previously heavily relied upon to help dispose of animal and human remains in India. Furthermore, since the collapse of the vulture population the number of feral dogs in India has doubled since the 1980s and rabies now poses an increased threat to human populations in the Indian Subcontinent. As a consequence, the majority of respondents during a socioeconomic study in Nepal, were strongly in favour of vulture conservation and were willing to contribute towards it</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Threats:</span></span> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">The disappearance of vultures from Asia is linked to a suite of factors: notably the demise of wild ungulates, the intensification of agriculture, increased sophistication of waste disposal techniques, direct persecution and disease. However, rapid declines over the last eight years are believed to have been driven by the pharmaceutical NSAID diclofenac used to treat livestock, which has proven highly toxic to vultures, causing mortality from renal failure resulting from visceral gout</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">. </span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Conservational Measures:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">The Indian government has now passed a bill banning the manufacture of the veterinary drug diclofenac that has caused the rapid population decline across the Indian Subcontinent; their aim was to phase out its use by late 2005<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">,</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> although it was still in widespread use in 2007 and is likely to remain so for several years. Similar laws banning import and manufacture of diclofenac are now in place in Nepal and Pakistan. Efforts to replace diclofenac with a suitable alternative are ongoing; drug companies have now developed meloxicam, an alternative to diclofenac. Monitoring of vultures has been conducted in a number of protected areas in India. Monitoring of vulture populations, combined with supplementary feeding, is underway in the northern and eastern plains of Cambodia. Captive breeding efforts are not as advanced as they are for Critically Endangered </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Gyps</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> vultures and these are urgently needed.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> </span></span></li></ul></div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-40895063866444110082009-02-26T22:45:00.000-08:002009-02-26T23:50:19.183-08:00Saw Scaled Viper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5JqPAC8iReBtxVKPjx0K3Ctv_xxL5cgcJ4ptI_o9N1MuJCwKFf4llvIO-9r_8e6ufbC-J3ba9R2lUz4y1r-jhFEkWZcFyis_5NZRech_qbktTd1L82IMuidoNBw6CZxcxuYuru3v0Jk/s1600-h/SawScale-Scales.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjW2fn_KFMy55xhuYV0JHBmZlVbR7bUicSjPSCs6kQyXhdwjXxqCLnOZZzjmZNQRMEBrS7lSMuP6_ADNj8WsqT9N6qOSzMIPSozsCi5KZimh5MXGJ0gNGL6x1ptLkXG8NC0PTbxCz0hx0/s1600-h/Russell's+Kukri+Snake"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAc0FpbCkVtUz0SKNhVRd9lsMbRhbuDRN4O62AYEb24S3d88McNCi4UyI0isj6hD6rDn7M_eOXsOSiMsY65kPaUguwtai7eA36yRNP7aCu7eXtSjdnZud2vVsZvTyCx9ySEEAzW6YeHM/s1600-h/Common+Cat+Snake"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32hPDQALe9NuKsDEaB8Qpdd8eqcc47wjD8DlqLEQ0r8KR7ThsMfdjxzQzGG-WDJ1cdQSGL3E33gEtpZoHEghqKS3VDTxVR15p2QNd-MAQRoOSVSPpZZDJ80bIR_vjgrikAI4bIPI2u6o/s1600-h/Saw+Scaled+Viper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32hPDQALe9NuKsDEaB8Qpdd8eqcc47wjD8DlqLEQ0r8KR7ThsMfdjxzQzGG-WDJ1cdQSGL3E33gEtpZoHEghqKS3VDTxVR15p2QNd-MAQRoOSVSPpZZDJ80bIR_vjgrikAI4bIPI2u6o/s400/Saw+Scaled+Viper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307365044406410338" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Saw Scaled Viper</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">(Echis Carinatus)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Description:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> Saw scaled viper is a very venomous snake and is common throughout India. Body is short, Adults length measured between 300 - 500 mm (12 - 20 inc). Scales are strongly keeled and are rough in appearance. Head is broader then neck; scaled on upper surface of head are small and strongly keeled. Large eye has vertical pupil. Tail is very short and thin. Back has light, dark brown, brick-red, gray or sand-colored with zigzag patterns. Top of the head has usually distinct, arrow-head mark. Underside is white speckled with brown. Several different color forms exist. This snake is called Saw scaled Viper because it rubs sides of it's body together, producing a rasping sound. It is very ill-tempered snake and will attack any intruder. It's venom is highly hemotoxic and quite potent. Many deaths are attributed to this species. Found in a variety of environments, it is common is rural settlements, cultivated fields, arid regions, barns and rock walls. It is also found in deserts. This snake is very well camouflaged and due to the size, it is barely noticed by anyone. </span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Scalation of Saw-scaled viper</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5JqPAC8iReBtxVKPjx0K3Ctv_xxL5cgcJ4ptI_o9N1MuJCwKFf4llvIO-9r_8e6ufbC-J3ba9R2lUz4y1r-jhFEkWZcFyis_5NZRech_qbktTd1L82IMuidoNBw6CZxcxuYuru3v0Jk/s200/SawScale-Scales.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307381097044950482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 104px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Reproduction:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> Male combat observed. Female bared 4-8 living young between April - August. Female may produce two clutches a year. In Maharashtra (ratnagiri Dist. ) over 2000 Saw-scaled vipers were recorded in one week (July). The same area was visited in December and not a single snake could be found. Hibernation or aestivation in laterite crevices may account for this dramatic disappearance. </span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> Distribution:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> Saw-scaled vipers are found throughout India except West Bengal and the Northeast. Also found in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Found upto 1500mtr. (4920ft).</span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Look-alikes:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"> Common Cat Snake, Sand Boas, Russell's Kukri Snake, Sind Awl-headed Snake.</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Images of look-alike snakes:</span></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Common Cat Snake</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-weight: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAc0FpbCkVtUz0SKNhVRd9lsMbRhbuDRN4O62AYEb24S3d88McNCi4UyI0isj6hD6rDn7M_eOXsOSiMsY65kPaUguwtai7eA36yRNP7aCu7eXtSjdnZud2vVsZvTyCx9ySEEAzW6YeHM/s200/Common+Cat+Snake" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307379100290611618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';">Russell's Kukri Snake</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-weight: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjW2fn_KFMy55xhuYV0JHBmZlVbR7bUicSjPSCs6kQyXhdwjXxqCLnOZZzjmZNQRMEBrS7lSMuP6_ADNj8WsqT9N6qOSzMIPSozsCi5KZimh5MXGJ0gNGL6x1ptLkXG8NC0PTbxCz0hx0/s200/Russell's+Kukri+Snake" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307379278998867538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-74398815862931789412009-02-25T23:29:00.001-08:002009-02-26T00:30:34.155-08:00Indian Rat Snake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKck8Bu0KOBYTBJWU2QjC-7A82QDeNRNZ66PhwcxJD-Wo_Hkak9ZCTYoCSt8B2e3ah4Xnt3PxVrpxqwGHghW4eHVNCeH1qnJPtfOzbyTSElDq1fPygAJv5ey9vniTLVyqiOmkSTZsQinM/s1600-h/Banded+Racer"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq-078zv6LnyOFYW1IJoE2u3D3FkF3z8m9H1zFjgmZrtVsei_OsNI1FJmW94UFJb4iG7gfEj2YLJnfG5T29fVxxGoKdnfWn6KRHWHztbsqbBd1aBCDSHj7eGZ3BYGKXFr3mNltgVrWcE/s1600-h/indian-cobra--naja-naja-2.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZDjMhnvg_vB76kFHh3qhrl7RE513NU-w6tp3E1rHduJR0h-Sn2ai-YLtLi-p0BnBvTzgBA59lHSERw9hAArntIQF7XYseDioeQ00dAIpjZPbxlFKDr_EvNwzbjTeCbDEVJjtDpWCtlM/s1600-h/Rat+Snake+Scales.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BEQneTuyX9uEjZgRcvATcY6VRkh0y7X6jpmQKFrKSfnWC9LxdC0OF8aCyUgLTyOQoMGBKy8edJU4FTTdGsAQYAb9ECiyCVF1Jg2aOlfWtZH8I68m281RoFAJc74CLqtX79Deg_xNaAU/s1600-h/Rat+Snake+-+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BEQneTuyX9uEjZgRcvATcY6VRkh0y7X6jpmQKFrKSfnWC9LxdC0OF8aCyUgLTyOQoMGBKy8edJU4FTTdGsAQYAb9ECiyCVF1Jg2aOlfWtZH8I68m281RoFAJc74CLqtX79Deg_xNaAU/s400/Rat+Snake+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307005024965414898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Indian Rat Snake</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Ptyas Mucosa)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">General Information:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Snakes fascinate us more then any other creature on earth. Because people don't know much about then, snakes are misunderstood and feared. In India most of our snakes are absolutely harmless to humans while only four species are responsible for thousands of deaths each year.Indian snakes range in size from a few centimeters to almost ten meters in length. Snakes live in scorching deserts, humid forests, cool hill ranges, in lakes, streams, and even in the sea. The variety of colors and patterns rivals the butterflies while their grace and fluidity are unmatched in nature. Snake behaviour and adaptations are endlessly exciting but the first step is to be able to identify them. So let us get a bit close to them. Let us get a little friendly with such fascinating creature. </span></span></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Scalation of Indian Rat Snake</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZDjMhnvg_vB76kFHh3qhrl7RE513NU-w6tp3E1rHduJR0h-Sn2ai-YLtLi-p0BnBvTzgBA59lHSERw9hAArntIQF7XYseDioeQ00dAIpjZPbxlFKDr_EvNwzbjTeCbDEVJjtDpWCtlM/s320/Rat+Snake+Scales.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307015718117248898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Description: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Rat snakes are non venomous. They</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> are large, fast moving snakes which grow to a length of 2 ½ meters or more. Color varies from pale yellow, olive, brown, gray or black. There body is lightly or strongly marked with black; Marking usually distinct on tail. Lip scales usually separated by vertical black lines. Underside often has prominent dark cross-bars. Scales smooth or keeled (upper rows). Head is broader then neck. Large eye has round pupil. Rat snakes are found wherever rats and frogs/toads are prevalent. So, of course, they are often found in rice fields and in human habitation. As hill forests are cleared and agriculture spreads to the slopes, rat snakes too are spreading "upwards". Recent records say that they are found 2,000 meters up in plains. Formerly they were rarely seen above 1,000 meters.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The rat snake is active during the day, hunting for rodents, frogs, toads and birds along fields and in bushes. Large rat snakes can give a painful bite and are quick to defend themselves. </span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reproduction:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> The female lays about 8 to 16 eggs. At hatching young sizes between 320 - 470mm (13 - 19 inc.). Young ones start on hatching start their diet on frogs and toads. During a breeding season, a male rat snakes perform a combat dance. This is actually their way of protecting the area they live in and preventing other male snakes from entering their territory. This dance has nothing to do with mating as people claim.</span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Distribution:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> This snake inhabits a wide range of habitats - coastal, arid, wet, mountainous, open fields as well as forests. Found throughout South and Southeast Asia, from Sea level to 4000m (13,120ft).</span></span></li></ul><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look - alikes:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Indian Rat snake looks alikes are Cobras, Banded Racer, Indo - Chinese Rat Snake and King Cobra.</span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Images of Look - alike snakes:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cobra</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq-078zv6LnyOFYW1IJoE2u3D3FkF3z8m9H1zFjgmZrtVsei_OsNI1FJmW94UFJb4iG7gfEj2YLJnfG5T29fVxxGoKdnfWn6KRHWHztbsqbBd1aBCDSHj7eGZ3BYGKXFr3mNltgVrWcE/s200/indian-cobra--naja-naja-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307018838275320786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Banded Racer</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKck8Bu0KOBYTBJWU2QjC-7A82QDeNRNZ66PhwcxJD-Wo_Hkak9ZCTYoCSt8B2e3ah4Xnt3PxVrpxqwGHghW4eHVNCeH1qnJPtfOzbyTSElDq1fPygAJv5ey9vniTLVyqiOmkSTZsQinM/s200/Banded+Racer" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307019604640968338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px; " /></span></div></div></div><div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-33270033042517001892009-02-23T21:57:00.000-08:002009-02-24T00:18:25.695-08:00Plain Tiger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDP-ZZvVTJzWlrn7f0j_3L7ALDEyWEt1PkxANmsxw0qt9TxuuTUf0ZWD-SNmSbC0eftM_BmKBN_ZcljQ4hhUEpzJUP1hbNHORy220WeI2e59Fx5Htwp2zc8_OfqBRN6-AfPLG6D4vNc70/s1600-h/Plain+Tiger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDP-ZZvVTJzWlrn7f0j_3L7ALDEyWEt1PkxANmsxw0qt9TxuuTUf0ZWD-SNmSbC0eftM_BmKBN_ZcljQ4hhUEpzJUP1hbNHORy220WeI2e59Fx5Htwp2zc8_OfqBRN6-AfPLG6D4vNc70/s400/Plain+Tiger.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306239305363949842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Plain Tiger</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Danaus chrysippus)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Plain tiger is one of the commonest butterflies you come across in the city. Beautiful butterfly with black</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 28px; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">border and white spots, it's wingspan sizes between 70-80mm. This is a Tawny, medium-sized butterfly. <br /></span></span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">-Description-</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Male Upperside</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 28px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Reddish </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">reddish brown with black borders in both wings and black apex in fore wing. Fore wing with variable number of white spots in the costal and apex. Hind wing with 4 small black spots around the cell in Male . The fourth spot in male is a cluster of scent-scales that attract females. </span></span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Male Underside:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> Dull orange. Fore wing dark brown in the upper half with white spots in the black area and hind wings with six black spots. </span></span></span></li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Female Upperside and underside: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">T</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">he coloration and marking of forewing similar to male. Hind wing has 3black spots around the cell instead of 4 in male. Underside same as of Male.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Also known as the African Monarch, the African Queen, the Lesser Wanderer and the AK Butterfly, it is the commonest of all Indian butterflies and the strongest flier of the genus Danaus. Found throughout the country, including the deserts and in the hills up to 3000m. flies in an undulating fashion and generally remains on wing for considerably longer periods. The female of the danaid eggfly, Hypolimnas misippus; the Leopard Lacewing, Cethosia cyane and the Indian Fritillary, Argyreus hyperbius hybrida mimic this butterfly.</span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Distribution:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> Clearings and edges in open forests, scrubs and savannhas, neglected corners and gardens in human habitations and riversides are the best places to look for this butterfly. This butterfly though breeds throughout the year it is most commonly seen during the monsoons or just after it but persists even in summers. </span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Habits:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> The plain Tiger is protected against attacks from avian and reptilian predators by virtue of the unpalatable alkaloids it ingests during it's larval stage. it's bright colors advertise it's unplaltability. It's flight is slow and laborious. This gives it's predators sufficient time to recognize it. It flies straight and close to the ground with few vertical deviations. When at rest, the wings are closed over the black. However, the newly - emerged specimen, still too wet and soft to fly, flaps them slowly to reveal the brighter colors on the upperside. While basking, it rests close to the ground, on small bushes, etc. and spreads it's wings with it's back towards the sun, so that the wings are completely exposed to the sun's rays.</span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Reproduction:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> The male courts the female by hovering over it with light wing-beats. To lay eggs, the female perches at the edge of a leaf, curls it's abdomen to reach the lower surface and lays a single egg at a time. The female may lay well over half-a-dozen eggs on the same plan, especially on a large bush of Calotropis, but never more then one on a leaf. The egg is silvery-white and shiny. It is tall with an apical point and ribbed sides. After the caterpillar hatches, it's first meal is of the eggshell itself. The caterpillar is cylindrical and of almost uniform width from the head to the abdominal tip. it's most striking characteristics are a banded body and three pairs of long and black tentacles. Initially the caterpillar is yellowish with black bands on it, but later it turns a dark chocolate-brown or black with alternate, narrow whitish and yellowish bands and a series of dorsolateral, rather longish yellow spots.</span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';">Larval Host Plants:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"> The caterpillars feed on "milkweed" plants. these, in our region, include a large bush - Calotropis ( Sanskrit - Arka, Marathi & Hindi - Arka), Asclepias Curassavica ( Sanskrit - Kakatundi)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(76, 76, 76); line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'courier new';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 28px;font-family:-webkit-sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-38229147052678444242009-02-21T21:10:00.000-08:002009-02-21T22:57:24.308-08:00Grass Jewel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkViFXzXVJ3BvNWk_tkpRGk6DT7xDxVYnk3gO3FxTtMbc13bhUQW9GIVnZtBYS2RPsSQ2UtL9fbpZt77tOTAPQZXWlxwAWykY1GI-tA30_UPaYOj1GOl_VByjkYSaOEfUiyEYU-cEgUH4/s1600-h/Grass+Jewel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkViFXzXVJ3BvNWk_tkpRGk6DT7xDxVYnk3gO3FxTtMbc13bhUQW9GIVnZtBYS2RPsSQ2UtL9fbpZt77tOTAPQZXWlxwAWykY1GI-tA30_UPaYOj1GOl_VByjkYSaOEfUiyEYU-cEgUH4/s400/Grass+Jewel.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305512194449035330" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">Grass Jewel</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">(Family Lycaenidae: Blues)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After introducing you all to two of very common birds found around human habitation now it's time to get familiar to the tiniest ( Wingspan - 15 - 22mm) of the butterflies - Grass Jewel</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Description </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Male Upperside</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - Brown but varies coloration in dry areas and humid areas. the coloration in Dry areas is much paler as compared to that of humid areas. Forewing are uniform with a very ill - defined anticiliary dark line in some specimens. Hindwings have a subterminal series of round black spots crowned with pale Ochraceous ( Pale Yellow or Orange), the posterior four spots generally well defined and outwardly edged with white.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Male Underside</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - Pale silky brown. Forewing consists of following white markings: - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a short line on the inner and outer sides of the discocellulars ; a transverse, slightly curved, discal series of small, more or less incomplete rings; a transverse postdiscal series of disconnected slender lunules; a subterminal series of similar but more regular lunules and a terminal broken line, followed by a dark unbroken anticiliary line; the groundcolour between the two short discocellar lines, that enclosed within each ring of the discal markings, and between the sub-terminal lunules and the terminal line slightly darker than on the rest of the wing. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Female upperside and undersides</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> : ground-colour and markings as in the male, but the latter larger and more clearly defined; on the hind wing the yellow crowning the black spots on the tornal area on the upperside and surrounding the same on the underside, wider and more prominent. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen as in the male.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Habits</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - A unique habit which at once distinguishes this species from all other Blues, is the way in which it moves it's wings. As soon as it settles after a flight, it sways all it's four wings from side to side, and then slows down and finally sits still. it's flight is weak, fluttering and in short bouts; it remains within half a meter from the ground and settles often. The male occasionally basks with their wings half open. Other then small herbs and flowers the male also feeds on wet soil where they may assemble in a small group.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reproduction </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- The female lays it's eggs singly among the bracts of flower-buds. It bends it's abdomen and reaches deep, into the base of the bract, to lay eggs. (Please refer the image given above). The egg is disc-shaped and has fine, smooth, microscopic reticulations on it, which forms irregular polygons. the color of egg is glassy green with a blue tinge. The caterpillar stays hidden among the bracts and buds ad feeds on them. The Caterpillar is green or brown with dorsal and subdorsal longitudinal lines on the body. Pupation takes place close to where the caterpillar fed, as the dense bracts provide good shelter.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Larval Host Plants</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - The host plants are varied and since this is a wide-ranging butterfly, there are likely to be many more as yet unreported species. The recorded host plants include: Hygrophila Auriculata ( Sanskrit - Kokilaksha, Hindi - Talimakhana), Lantana Camara ( Sanskrit - chaturangi, Marathi - Ghaneri, Hindi - Khaneri).</span></span></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); line-height: normal; "><br /></span></span></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-68195759385742312752009-02-19T21:39:00.000-08:002009-02-21T23:00:10.204-08:00About Red Vented Bulbul<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjudQPkVECDuee8FEmM0vocf2Vnso-T7HYV5AN0KvkZsIb_u3l0olAWtwK5PTc_M0PQwgiaJxF-OFF2EUePBH09DcSZLK3j-7GGOznuo9qjoHMxJTzksYL_qtKOjAbnTXpJxuUOj1ngM/s1600-h/Red+Vented+Bulbul.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjudQPkVECDuee8FEmM0vocf2Vnso-T7HYV5AN0KvkZsIb_u3l0olAWtwK5PTc_M0PQwgiaJxF-OFF2EUePBH09DcSZLK3j-7GGOznuo9qjoHMxJTzksYL_qtKOjAbnTXpJxuUOj1ngM/s400/Red+Vented+Bulbul.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305512639102396226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Red Vented bulbul</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Pycnonotus Cafer)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bulbul... We all must have heard this bird species. One of the frequent visitor to our gardens. Bulbul is a species name and it has almost 15 - 20 sub - species. But the commonest of them all is a Red Vented bulbul. This bird is frequently seen around our gardens as well as scrub jungle. These birds are seen in large swarms on Peepul or Banyan trees, eating the fruits but also have a varied diet consisting of insects, vegetables and flower nectar.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Description </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Red-vented Bulbul is easily identified by its short crest giving the head a squarish appearance. The body is dark brown with a scaly pattern while the head is darker or black. The rump is white while the vent is red. The black tail is tipped in white. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sexes are similar in plumage, but young birds are duller than adults. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nesting</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - Nest is built in the bush at the height of around 2-3 m. Sometimes nest is made in lamp shades, lofts, wire bundles, electric housings and similar places. Nests are made from grass, twigs, rootlets, paper, plastic, cobwebs, foils etc. Male and female both equally share parental responsibilities. Two or three eggs is a typical clutch. Nests are occasionally built inside houses or in a hole in a mud bank. Breeding season is from February to July. The eggs are pale-pinkish with spots of darker red more dense at the broad end. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ecological Note</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - Bulbuls are good Pollinators and also insect controllers.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Cultural Note</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - Bulbul is a persian name for Nightingale, which featured extensively in their poetry. It was given to the Red Vented Bulbul of Bengal and the actual bird was forgotten! It now featured extensively in our poetry. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In 19th Century India these birds were frequently kept as cage pets and for fighting especially in the Carnatic region. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Related Species </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- Yellow Throated Bulbul ( Rare sighting or individual sightings recorded in South India). Red Whiskered bulbul ( Found in the Western coastal region of India and in North East India)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Red Vented Bulbul Call</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; "><a href="http://www.indiabirds.com//birdsounds/redwishkeredbulbul%20(2).mp3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">http://www.indiabirds.com//birdsounds/redwishkeredbulbul%20(2).mp3</span></a></span></span><br /></li></ul></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990517286390944346.post-84455044313734513382009-02-19T00:22:00.000-08:002009-02-21T23:05:24.146-08:00About House Sparrow...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hULBWxLFYqg6j8rPkkQouwUMlXETa1hV-WFctYPwjVifmh-wqN27PLk8PmkLeKFJxKTBgWifnz2pVuZ6MrhF7nT_oiVamiNtd3XXGGGfA1lG9baN9RDB3NBU4aGeLvmIXiKiZBDcVqk/s1600-h/House+Sparrow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hULBWxLFYqg6j8rPkkQouwUMlXETa1hV-WFctYPwjVifmh-wqN27PLk8PmkLeKFJxKTBgWifnz2pVuZ6MrhF7nT_oiVamiNtd3XXGGGfA1lG9baN9RDB3NBU4aGeLvmIXiKiZBDcVqk/s400/House+Sparrow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305514088329575810" /><br /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">House Sparrow</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">(Passer Domesticus)</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today we will get familiar with a very familiar bird - House Sparrow. <br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> We all must have seen this cute little bird around our house and garden since childhood, but how much do we know about it???<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We here in Maharashtra know this bird as "chimnee". This bold bird is closely linked to human being. One of the first birds to visit a bird - feeder. Sparrows freely mix with Bulbuls, White - eyes, Munias etc. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Male</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">White cheeks. Black throat and chest. Back of head chestnut, extending to eye. Gray cap. Bill black. Broad, white upper wingbar. Back feathers edged with chestnut. Underparts whitish gray. In winter, the black bib is hidden by pale tips to the breast feathers that eventually wear off and reveal the black.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Female</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Dingy brown all over. Unstriped gray brown chest and underparts. Large pale yellowish eyestripe. Black and straw-colored stripes on back. Bill yellowish. Eyes black. Crown plain gray brown.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Nesting</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - Nesting sites are Wall hole, under the roof and any place in the house where nesting material can be placed and eggs can be laid. They nest throughout the year and parental responsibilities are carried equally by both male and female. At a time about 3-5 eggs of greenish - white color with brown spots are laid.<br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cultural Notes</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - Sparrows are extensively featured in nursery Rhymes. In Rigveda, a reference is made to a sparrow injured by a wolf, which was treated by Ashwinikumar twins, the physicians of God.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Status</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - Though commonly seen around human habitation number of this little bird is Declining currently. Save this beautiful species from vanishing. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">House Sparrow Call </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- A Familiar chirping call when feeding or Roosting. Breeding male sings Tsi - tsi, Chip, Chip, Chew, Cheer when displaying with flapping wings.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></li></ul></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">********************************************************************************************************************************************************</span></div></div></div></div>Dhanashrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11552077984659639159noreply@blogger.com3