2014 | 137 | 17May14 | Valley School

Post by Arunsnap.

01. Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae) - Male -  14 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Male from Blue-throated by orange throat. Female has blue-grey cast to  upperparts (especially rump and tail), orange breast, and white belly and flanks.

02. Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) - Male - 14 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Male has narrow maroon breast-band, maroon head sides and mantle, metallic green shoulder patch, and yellow lower breast and belly with distinctive greyish-white flanks. Does not have eclipse plumage.

03. White-spotted Fantail (Rhipidura (albicollis) albogularis) - Adult - 19 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : From White-browed by narrow white supercilium and white throat, lack of spotting on wing-coverts, white-spotted grey breast, buff belly, and less white in tail. Underparts quite different from White-throated and has longer white supercilium and much less white in tail. Juvenile similar to adult, with rufous spots on wing coverts. Intergrades with White-throated in NE peninsula, where it has a dark grey crown contrasting with olive-brown mantle and unspotted grey breast and flanks.

04. Coppersmith Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala) - Adult - 17 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : A small, brightly coloured barbet, with crimson forehead and patch on breast, yellow patches above and below eye contrasting with blackish hind crown and sides of head, yellow throat, dark streaking on belly and flanks, and bright red legs and feet. Juvenile lacks red on forehead and breast; has prominent pale yellow patches above and below eye (surrounded by dark olive sides of head and moustachial stripe), whitish throat, olive-green breast-band, and broad olive-green streaking on belly and flanks.

05. Oriental garden lizard  (Calotes versicolor) - Male Breeding- 10 cm
ID by  Wikipedia : Dorsal crest moderately elevated on the neck and anterior part of the trunk, extending on to the root of the tail in large individuals, and gradually disappearing on the middle of the trunk in younger ones. No fold in front of the shoulder, but the scales behind the lower jaw are much smaller than the others; gular sac not developed. sometimes uniform brownish or greyish-olive or yellowish. Generally broad brown bands across the back, interrupted by a yellowish lateral band. Black streaks radiate from the eye, and some of them are continued over the throat, running obliquely backwards, belly frequently with greyish longitudinal stripes, one along the median line being the most distinct; young and half-grown specimens have a dark, black-edged band across the inter-orbital region. The ground-colour is generally a light brownish olive, but the lizard can change it to bright red, to black, and to a mixture of both. This change is sometimes confined to the head, at other times diffused over the whole body and tail. Changeable colours are peculiar to the male during the breeding-season, which falls in the months of May and June. During the breeding season, the male's head and shoulders turns bright orange to crimson and his throat black. Males also turn red-headed after a successful battle with rivals.

06. Cicada

07. Grasshopper

2014 | 131 | 11May14 | Mysore Lingabhudhi Lake

01. Common Hoopoe (Upupa Epops) - 31 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Mainly rufous-orange to orange-buff, with striking black-and-white wings and tail, blacktipped fan-like crest which is usually held flat, and downcurved bill. Broad, rounded wings and like giant butterfly in flight.

02. Common lora (Aegithina tiphia) - ♂ Breeding Multicolor - 14 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : From Marshall's lora in all plumages by uniform black tail (male) or green tail (female). Very variable. Crown and mantle of breeding males vary from uniformly black (multicolor of S India and Sri Lanka), to black mixed with much yellow on mantle (e.g. humei of central peninsula), to mainly yellowish-green (e.g. tiphia of Himalayas and northeast). Females very similar to non-breeding males although tail is green.

03. Blue-faced Malkoha (Rhopodytes Viridirostris) - 39 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : From the larger Green-billed Malkoha (which it replaces in S India and Sri Lanka) in having blue rather than redeye-patch, darker green coloration to head and nape (lacking pale-streaked supercilium), darker grey throat and breast with buffish streaking, distinctly buffish lower belly and vent, and broader white tips to tail feathers (especially apparent from below)

04. Yellow-billed Babbler (Turdoides Affinis) - 23 cm♂
ID by  Richard Grimmett : From Jungle in having creamy-white lores, forehead and crown, dark mottling on throat and breast (diffusely streaked on most similar Jungle races), pale grey panel on wings, and also (in some birds) pale bluish-white iris. In flight pale buff rump and base to tail contrasts with darker rest of tail. Paleness of head and extent of mottling on throat and breast varies. Juvenile has darker brownish-buff crown and nape, lacks prominent buff streaking on mantle and back, and lacks darker mottling; best told from Jungle by combination of paler crown and nape showing slight contrast with mantle, buff wing panel, and paler rump and base to tail which contrast with rest of tail. T. a. taprobanus (Sri Lanka) has more uniform greybrown upperparts and underparts, lacking whitish crown and nape and dark mottling on throat and breast. Extremely similar to Jungle (which does not occur in Sri Lanka); main difference is more striking greyish-white panel on wing.

05. Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros Birostris) - Adult - 50 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Has broad greyish-white supercilium with dark grey ear-coverts, white tips to primaries and secondaries, and white-tipped tail. Has prominent blackish casque, and more extensive black at base of bill compared with Malabar. Further, lacks pale streaking on head, neck and breast, has paler sandy brownish-grey coloration to upperparts, and white trailing edge to secondaries. Tail is also longer than on Malabar Grey, and paler brown with dark grey subterminal band and elongated central feathers. Female is similar to male, but has smaller casque with less pronounced tip. Immature has bill as female's, but smaller and with smaller casque; lacks white wing-tips.

06. Dragonfly in Flight

2014 | 124_04May14 | Mysore Kukkarahalli Lake

01. Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) - Male - 58-63 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Has yellow-tipped black bill, greyish-white head and neck with black crown and eye-stripe, blackish spotting on breast, white scalloping on flanks, and largely white tertials. In flight, wings appear dark except for white on tertials and white underwing-coverts. Male has prominent red loral spot and is more strongly marked than female and juvenile (the red loral spot is less conspicuous on female and lacking on juvenile).

02. Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha) - Male - 58-63 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Has yellow-tipped black bill, greyish-white head and neck with black crown and eye-stripe, blackish spotting on breast, white scalloping on flanks, and largely white tertials. In flight, wings appear dark except for white on tertials and white underwing-coverts. Male has prominent red loral spot and is more strongly marked than female and juvenile (the red loral spot is less conspicuous on female and lacking on juvenile).

03. Ashy Prinia (Prinia Socialis) - Male in Breeding plumage - 13 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Has white supercilium (sometimes lacking), slate-grey crown and ear-coverts, red eye, slate-grey (breeding) or rufousbrown (non-breeding) mantle, orange-buff wash on underparts, and prominent black subterminal marks (and whitish tips) to tail feathers. Juvenile has greenish upperparts and buffish-yellow underparts.

04. Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus) - Adult - 28-31 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Dark upperwing and underwing. Adult has white supercilium, bronze-green upperparts, and blackish underparts. Juvenile has orange-buff wash on breast, short white supercilium, and yellowish bill.

05. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Adult Breeding Plumage - 32-35 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : White lateral undertail-coverts, with black central stripe, and usually shows white line along flanks. Breeding adult has blackish head and neck, slate-grey underparts, and dark olive-brown upperparts; red bill with yellow tip and red frontal shield. Non-breeding adult has duller bill and legs. Juvenile has dull green bill, and is mainly brown with whitish throat, grey wash to breast and flanks, and variable whitish patch on belly. Immature resembles non-breeding adult, but has duller body plumage, with grey of underparts washed with brown and buff, whitish throat, and less prominent pale border to the flanks. 

06. Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra albogularis) - Adult - 13 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Forehead and forecrown are rufous-buff, sides of head and underparts are orange-buff, mantle is olive-brown, and wings and tail are brown,the tail with faint barring. Eye is pale and bill is pale pinkish brown. Juvenile has brighter, more rufous-brown upperparts, lacking rufous-brown forehead; has only traces of white on throat, and duller underparts.

07. Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola Grayii) - Adult Non-breeding Plumage - 42-45 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Whitish wings contrast with dark saddle. Adult breeding has yellowish-buff head and neck and maroon-brown mantle/ scapulars. Head, neck and breast streaked/spotted in non-breeding plumage. 

08. Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea) - Adult - 90-98 cm 
ID by  Richard Grimmett : A large, mainly grey heron, lacking any brown or rufous in its plumage. In flight, black flight feathers contrast with grey upperwing- and underwing-coverts, and shows a prominent white leading edge to wing when head-on. Adult has yellow bill, whitish head and neck with black head plumes, and black patches on belly. In breeding season, has whitish scapular plumes and bill and legs become orange or reddish. Immature is duller than adult, with grey crown, reduced black 'crest', greyer neck, less pronounced black patches on sides of belly, and duller bill and legs. Juvenile has dark grey cap with slight crest, dirty grey neck and breast, lacks black patches on belly sides, lacks plumes, and has dark legs. 

09. Purple Heron (Ardea Purpurea) - 78-90 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Rakish, with long, thin neck. In flight, compared with Grey Heron, bulge of recoiled neck is very pronounced, protruding feet large, underwing-coverts purplish (adult) or buff (juvenile) and lacks white leading edge to wing. Adult has chestnut head and neck with black stripes, grey mantle and upperwing-coverts, and dark chestnut belly and underwing-coverts. Juvenile has black crown, buffish neck, and brownish mantle and upperwing-coverts with rufous-buff fringes

10.Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus Philippensis) - Adult Breeding Plumage - 140 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Dingier appearance, rather uniform pinkish bill and pouch (except in breeding condition), and black spotting on upper mandible (except juveniles). Pale circum orbital skin looks cut off from bill (appears to be wearing goggles). Tufted crest/hind neck usually apparent even on young birds. Underwing pattern similar to that of Dalmatian (and quite different from GreatWhite), showing little contrast between wing-coverts and flight feathers and with paler greater coverts producing distinct central panel. Adult breeding has cinnamon-pink rump, underwing-coverts and undertail-coverts; head and neck appear greyish; has purplish skin in front of eye, and pouch is pink to dull purple and blotched with black. Adult non-breeding dirtier greyish-white, with paler pouch and facial skin. Immature has variable grey-brown markings on upperparts. Juvenile has brownish head and neck, brown mantle and upperwing-coverts (fringed with pale buff), and brown flight feathers; spotting on bill initially lacking (and still indistinct at 12 months). 

11. White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis Phoenicurus) - Adult - 32 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Adult has grey upperparts and white face, foreneck and breast; undertail coverts rufous-cinnamon. Bill and legs are greenish or yellowish, with swollen reddish base to upper mandible. Juvenile has greyish face, and sides of neck and breast, and browner upperparts; bill and legs are darker. 

12. Ruddy-breasted Crake (Porzana Fusca) - Adult - 22 cm 
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Combination of dull chestnut underparts, unmarked dark olive-brown upperparts, indistinct dark brown and white barring on rear flanks and undertail coverts (much more restricted than in Slaty-legged and Andaman Crakes) and red legs. Juvenile dark olive-brown, with white-barred undertail-coverts and fine greyish-white mottling/barringon rest of underparts. Legs duller and iris is brown (rather than red as in adult).

Post by Arun Kumar.

2014 | 121 | 01May14 | Agara Lake

01. Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna Javanica) 42 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Smaller and more neatly proportioned than Fulvous. Like Fulvous, has rather weak, deep-flappingflight, appears very dark on the upperwing and underwing, and  is very noisy with repeated whistling. From Fulvous by greyish-buff head and neck, dark brown crown, lack of well-defined dark line down hind neck, bright chestnut patch on forewing, and chestnut uppertail-coverts.

02. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus Ruficollis) - Adult - 25-29 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Small, with square-ended tail, and short undertail-coverts. Often shows faint whitish edges and tip to tail and fringe to tertials. Supercilium usually reasonably distinct and square-ended behind the eye, and can be bordered above by a diffuse dark line. Typically shorter- and finer-billed than Sykes's, with more prominent supercilium, and upperparts are warmer brown; it usually appears more Phylloscopus-like, owing to shorter bill, and more frequently feeds on the ground. Possibly confusable with Common Chiffchaff, but lacks any greenish or olive tones, and has pale base to lower mandible and pale legs.

03. Little Grebe (Tachybaptus Ruficollis) - Juvenile - 25-29 cm

04. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus Chirurgus) - Adult - 31 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Extensive white on upperwing, and white underwing. Yellowish patch on sides of neck. Adult breeding has brown underparts and long, curved tail. Adult non-breeding and juvenile lack elongated tail and have white underparts, with dark line down side of neck and dark breast-band. Juvenile has buff fringes to upperparts, and barring across breast.

05. Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus Chirurgus) - Adult - 31 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Extensive white on upperwing, and white underwing. Yellowish patch on sides of neck. Adult breeding has brown underparts and long, curved tail. Adult non-breeding and juvenile lack elongated tail and have white underparts, with dark line down side of neck and dark breast-band. Juvenile has buff fringes to upperparts, and barring across breast.

06. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) - Adult - 78-90 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Rakish, with long, thin neck. In flight, compared with Grey Heron, bulge of recoiled neck is very pronounced, protruding feet large, underwing-coverts purplish (adult) or buff (juvenile) and lacks white leading edge to wing. Adult has chestnut head and neck with black stripes, grey mantle and upperwing-coverts, and dark chestnut belly and underwing-coverts. Juvenile has black crown, buffish neck, and brownish mantle and upperwing-coverts with rufous-buff fringes.

07. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio Porphyria) - Adult - 45-50 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Large size, purplish-blue coloration with variable greyish head, and huge red bill and frontal shield. Female smaller than male. Juvenile is duller than adult, with greyer neck and underparts, more olive-brown above, duller red bill (which is blackish at first), and duller legs and feet.

08. Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio Porphyria) -Adult - 45-50 cm
ID by  Richard Grimmett : Large size, purplish-blue coloration with variable greyish head, and huge red bill and frontal shield. Female smaller than male. Juvenile is duller than adult, with greyer neck and underparts, more olive-brown above, duller red bill (which is blackish at first), and duller legs and feet.