TonyQ's Big Year: Number 4

[TonyQ]

183.In142. Northern Pintail  Anas acuta        

Keolada National Park            04.03.2019

[TonyQ]

In143. Northern Shoveler  Spatula clypeata  

Already seen in UK

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

[TonyQ]

184.In144. Oriental Darter  Anhinga melanogaster   

Keolada National Park            04.03.2019

     

Kaziranga        01.03.2019

Also known as Snake Bird, because they look like a snake when swimming - very low in the water

[TonyQ]

185.In145. Oriental Magpie-robin  Copsychus saularis         

(m) Hauz Khas, Delhi           18.02.2019

     

(m) Satpura           22.02.2019 

    

(f) Keolada National Park            04.03.2019

[TonyQ]

186.In146 Oriental Skylark  Alauda gulgula   

Satpura           21.02.2019

[TonyQ]

187.In147. Oriental Turtle-dove  Streptopelia orientalis         

Kaziranga        28.02.2019

[TonyQ]

188.In148. Oriental White-eye  Zosterops palpebrosus         

Forsyth Lodge, Satpura          20.02.2019

seen each day in the bushes near our room 

Edited May 7, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

189.In149. Osprey  Pandion haliaetus           

  

Kaziranga        02.03.2019

 

With big fish, Kaziranga        02.03.2019 

[TonyQ]

190.In150. Painted Stork  Mycteria leucocephala      

Keolada National Park            05.03.2019 

    

(Juveniles) Keolada National Park            04.03.2019     

[Galana]

@TonyQ

Seeing as how we 'robbed' you of the Goliath Stints would you like to go back to your Mallards and take a long hard stare at the bird on the bank on the left?

 

Some more great photos here.

[TonyQ]

@Galana - kind and cruel at the same time

 

Tricky with the head tucked in.

Black rump with pale tail. Black and white patches at end of wing.Orange legs. Unusual pattern on chest - possibly a Gadwall? (if so already had one .

Pattern of chest also similar to Falcated Duck - but not the rest of it!

So I would probably guess a Gadwall - what did you think?

[Galana]

2 hours ago, TonyQ said:

So I would probably guess a Gadwall - what did you think?

I was thinking Falcated male in eclipse but could be Gadwall male as you say.

[TonyQ]

I will check what it looks like in eclipse!

[TonyQ]

SImilarities to both birds I think (and I see they are closely related) but I suspect (unfortunately!) that it is a Gadwall.

 

191.In151. Pallas's Fish-eagle  Haliaeetus leucoryphus        

Kaziranga        28.02.2019

Distant, poor light, but quite distinctive. I think this is the only time we saw one

[TonyQ]

192.In152. Peregrine Falcon  Falco peregrinus         

Satpura           20.02.2019

Taken very early (6.37am) on the way into the National Park. We saw it (assuming it was the same bird) two days in a row in the same tree - waiting for the sun to come up

[TonyQ]

193.In153. Pheasant-tailed Jacana  Hydrophasianus chirurgus        

Kaziranga        02.03.2019

Unlike the more common cousin, we only saw this species once

Edited May 8, 2019 by TonyQ

[TonyQ]

194.In154. Pied Avocet  Recurvirostra avosetta        

Kaziranga        01.03.2019  

Our book shows this as a little out of range, but even I can recognise an Avocet! Our guide said they visit this bit of Kaziranga each year.   

[TonyQ]

195.In155. Pied Bushchat  Saxicola caprata 

(F) Satpura           20.02.2019

(M) Satpura           19.02.2019

[TonyQ]

196.In156. Pied Harrier  Circus melanoleucos          

Kaziranga        27.02.2019

A lot of poor photos in this block of postings, but luckily this bird is very distinctive

[TonyQ]

197.In157. Pied Kingfisher  Ceryle rudis        

Kaziranga        24.02.2019

[TonyQ]

198.In158. Pin-tailed Snipe  Gallinago stenura          

Kaziranga        01.03.2019

[TonyQ]

199.In159. Plain Martin  Riparia paludicola   

Kaziranga        27.02.2019

Kaziranga        27.02.2019

[TonyQ]

200In160. Purple Sunbird  Cinnyris asiaticus

I have changed the order a bit to make this lovely bird Number 200.

(m) Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

(m) Keolada National Park            05.03.2019

(f) Forsyth Lodge, Satpura          24.02.2019

The female was nesting near the staff quarters at Forsyth Lodge. Our guide, Sidanthe, took us to a place where we could watch it without disturbing it (although it was actually quite used to staff walking past as it flew in and out to feed the young). We had never seen a Sunbird nest before - it is a fascinating construction using lots of spders' web, leaves and grass. It was a real treat for us.

[Galana]

32 minutes ago, TonyQ said:

I have changed the order a bit to make this lovely bird Number 200.

Hearty congratulations for this achievement and a good choice of bird to celebrate it.

No doubt about the Avocet either. My book has them as sporadic up there.

Re- Sunbirds nesting. I have heard it said that they quite like nesting near human activity as it deters predation.

[PeterHG]

Congratulations on #200 and a beautiful bird to celebrate the number!