Birds at IIT Madras

Ashy prinia or Ashy wren warbler is a resident in urban gardens and farm lands. They are
Insectivorous and found all through India.

Asian brown flycatcher: This is an insectivorous species which breeds in Japan,
eastern Siberia and the Himalayas. It is migratory and winters in tropical southern Asia
from southern India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia.

Asian paradise flycatcher- Male: It is a medium-sized passerine bird native to Asia. Males have
elongated central tail feathers, and in some populations a black and rufous plumage while others
have white plumage. Females are short-tailed with rufous wings and a black head.
They feed on insects, which they capture in the air often below a densely canopied tree.

The blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) is a near passerine bird in the bee-
eater family Meropidae. It breeds in southeastern Asia. It is strongly migratory, seen seasonally
in much of peninsular India.

The black bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis) is a bittern of Old World origin, breeding in
tropical Asia from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka east to China, Indonesia,
and Australia. It is mainly resident, but some northern birds migrate short distances. They feed
on insects, amphibians and fishes

The Blyth's reed warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum) is an Old World warbler in the
genus Acrocephalus. It breeds in temperate Asia and easternmost Europe. It is migratory,
wintering in India and Sri Lanka. It is one of the most common winter warblers in those
countries

The booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus, also classified as Aquila pennata) is a medium-
sized bird of prey. It breeds in southern Europe, North Africa and across Asia. It is migratory,
wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The citrine wagtail(Motacilla citreola) is a small songbird in the family Motacillidae. This species
breeds in north central Asia in wet meadows and tundra. It migrates in winter to south Asia,
often to highland areas. It is an insectivorous bird of open country near water, such as wet
meadows and bogs, and nests on the ground, laying 4–5 speckled eggs.

The common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) (also known as the swamp chicken[2]) is a bird
species in the Rallidae family. This is a common breeding bird in marsh environments and well-
vegetated lakes.

The common tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is a songbird found across tropical Asia. Although
shy birds that are usually hidden within vegetation, their loud calls are familiar and give away
their presence. They are distinctive in having a long upright tail, greenish upper body plumage
and rust coloured forehead and crown. This passerine bird is typically found in open farmland,
scrub, forest edges and gardens. Tailorbirds get their name from the way their nest is
constructed. The edges of a large leaf are pierced and sewn together with plant fibre or spider
silk to make a cradle in which the actual nest is built.

The coppersmith barbet, crimson-breasted barbet or coppersmith (Megalaima haemacephala),
is a bird with crimson forehead and throat which is best known for its metronomic call that has
been likened to a coppersmith striking metal with a hammer. It is a resident found in the Indian
subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. Like other barbets, they chisel out a hole inside a tree
to build their nest. They are mainly fruit eating but will take sometimes insects, especially
winged termites.

The house crow (Corvus splendens), also known as the Indian, greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo
crow,[2] is a commonbird of the crow family that is of Asian origin but now found in many parts of
the world, where they arrived assisted by shipping. House crows feed largely on refuse around
human habitations, small reptiles, and other animals such as insects and other small invertebrates
eggs, nestlings, grain and fruits. House crows have also been observed swooping down from the
air and snatching baby squirrels. Most food is taken from the ground, but also from trees as
opportunity arises. They are highly opportunistic birds and given their omnivorous diet, they can
survive on nearly anything that is edible. These birds can be seen near marketplaces and garbage
dumps, foraging for scraps. They have also been observed to eat sand after feeding on carcass.[

The common hawk-cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius), popularly known as the brainfever bird, is a
medium-sized cuckoo resident in the Indian subcontinent. During their breeding season in
summer males produce loud, repetitive three note calls that are well-rendered as brain-fever,
the second note being longer and higher pitched. These notes rise to a crescendo before ending
abruptly and repeat after a few minutes; the calling may go on through the day, well after dusk
and before dawn. Common hawk-cuckoos feed mainly on insects and are specialised feeders
that can handle hairy caterpillars.

The black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a small Asian passerine bird of
the drongo family Dicruridae. It is a common resident breeder in much of tropical
southern Asia from southwest Iran through India and Sri Lanka east to
southern China and Indonesia. It is a wholly black bird with a distinctive forked tail . it is
common in open agricultural areas and light forest throughout its range, perching conspicuously
on a bare perch or along power or telephone lines.

The purple-rumped sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) is a sunbird endemic to the Indian
Subcontinent. Like other sunbirds, they are small in size, feeding mainly on nectar but sometimes
take insects, particularly when feeding young. They can hover for short durations but usually
perch to suck nectar from flowers.

The forest wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus) is a medium-sized passerine bird in
the wagtail family Motacillidae. It has a distinctive plumage that sets it apart from other wagtails
and has the habit of wagging its tail sideways unlike the usual up and down movements of the
other wagtail species. It is the only wagtail species that nests in trees. They are found mainly in
forested habitats, breeding in the temperate parts of east Asia and wintering across tropical Asia
from India to Indonesia.

The little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), also known as dabchick, is a member of
the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm (9.1 to 11.4 in) in length it is the
smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across
most of its range. This bird breeds in small colonies in heavily vegetated areas of freshwater
lakes across Europe, much of Asia down to New Guinea, and most of Africa.

The grey heron (Ardea cinerea), is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, native
throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It feeds in shallow water,
catching fish, frogs, and insects with its long bill. Herons will also take small mammals and
reptiles. They occasionally take birds up to the size of a water rail.[5] It will often wait
motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. Due to their S-shaped neck, the bird is able to
strike with their bill very rapidly. Herons have also been observed catching and killing juvenile
birds such asducklings.

The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.
Glossy ibises feed in very shallow water and nest in freshwater or brackish wetlands with tall
dense stands of emergent vegetation such as reeds, papyrus or rushes) and low trees or bushes.
They show a preference for marshes at the margins of lakes and rivers but can also be found
at lagoons, flood-plains, wet meadows, swamps, reservoirs, sewage ponds, paddies and irrigated
farmland. I

The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) also known as Eurasian kingfisher, or river kingfisher, is a
small kingfisher with seven subspecies recognized within its wide distribution
across Eurasia and North Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but migratesfrom areas where
rivers freeze in winter. This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed
kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on
fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptions to enable it to see prey under water. The
glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.

The black-rumped flameback (Dinopium benghalense), also known as the lesser golden-backed
woodpecker or lesser goldenback, is a woodpecker found widely distributed in the Indian
subcontinent. It is one of the few woodpeckers that are seen in urban areas. It has a
characteristic rattling-whinnying call and an undulating flight. It is the only golden-backed
woodpecker with a black throat and black rump

The little cormorant (Microcarbo niger) is a member of the cormorant family of seabirds. It is
widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent . It forages singly or sometimes in loose
groups in lowland freshwater bodies, including small ponds, large lakes, streams and
sometimes coastal estuaries. Like other cormorants, it is often found perched on a waterside
rock with its wings spread out after coming out of the water. These birds
breed gregariously in trees, often joining other waterbirds atheronries.

The little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a small white heron. Little egrets eat fish,
insects, amphibians, crustaceans, and reptiles. They stalk their prey in shallow water, often
running with raised wings or shuffling their feet to disturb small fish. They may also stand still
and wait to ambush prey.

The common myna (Acridotheres tristis), sometimes spelled mynah, also sometimes known as
"Indian myna", is a member of the family Sturnidae (starlings and mynas) native to Asia. An
omnivorous open woodland bird with a strong territorial instinct, the myna has adapted
extremely well to urban environments. Common mynas are believed to pair for life. They breed
through much of the year depending on the location, building their nest in a hole in a tree or

The oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) is a small passerine bird . They are distinctive
black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch
conspicuously. Occurring across most of the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia,
they are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests. They are particularly well known for
their songs and were once popular as cagebirds. The oriental magpie-robin is national bird for
Bangladesh.

The orange-headed thrush (Geokichla citrina) is a bird in the thrush family.
It is common in well-wooded areas of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. Most
populations are resident. The species shows a preference for shady damp areas, and like
many Zoothera thrushes, can be quite secretive. The orange-headed thrush is omnivorous,
eating a wide range of insects, earthworms and fruit. It nests in trees but does not form flocks.
The male of this small thrush has uniform grey upperparts, and an orange head and underparts.
The females and young birds have browner upper parts.

The crested honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus) is a bird of prey. This species is also known as
the Oriental honey buzzard. It is a specialist feeder, living mainly on the larvae of social bees
and wasps, also eating bits of comb and honey; it will take other small insect prey such as
cicadas.

The spotted owlet (Athene brama) is a small owl which breeds in
tropical Asia from India to Southeast Asia. A common resident of open habitats including
farmland and human habitation, it has adapted to living in cities. They roost in small groups in
the hollows of trees or in cavities in rocks or buildings. It nests in a hole in a tree or building,
laying 3–5 eggs. It hunts a variety of insects and small vertebrates

The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a
gregarious tropical Afro-Asian parakeetspecies that has an extremely large range. The adult male
sports a red or black neck-ring and the hen and immature birds of both sexes either show no
neck rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings.

The Indian pond heron or paddybird (Ardeola grayii) is a small heron. The primary food of
these birds includes crustaceans, aquatic insects, fishes, tadpoles and sometimes leeches
(Herpobdelloides sp.).Outside wetlands, these herons feed on insects (including crickets,
dragonflies and bees, fish and amphibians.

The purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small sunbird. Like other sunbirds they feed mainly on
nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. They have a fast and
direct flight and can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird but often perch at the base of
flowers. The males appear all black except in some lighting when the purple iridescence becomes
visible. Females are olive above and yellowish below.

The purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) is a "swamp hen" in the rail family Rallidae. The
purple swamphen prefers wet areas with high rainfall, swamps, lake edges and damp
pastures. The birds often live in pairs and larger communities. It clambers through the reeds,
eating the tender shoots and vegetable-like matter. They have been known to eat eggs,
ducklings, small fish and invertebrates such as snails.

The red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) is a member of the bulbul family of passerines. It is
resident breeder across the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka extending east
to Burma and parts of Tibet. Red-vented bulbuls feed on fruits, petals of flowers,[30] nectar,
insects and occasionally geckos

The rufous treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda) is a treepie, native to the Indian Subcontinent and
adjoining parts of Southeast Asia. It is a member of the Corvidae (crow) family. It is long tailed
and has loud musical calls making it very conspicuous. It is found commonly in open scrub,
agricultural areas, forests as well as urban gardens. Like other corvids it is very adaptable,
omnivorous and opportunistic in feeding.

The red-whiskered bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) is a passerine bird found in Asia. It is a member
of the bulbul family. It is a resident frugivore found mainly in tropical Asia.

The Southern coucal or crow pheasant (Centropus sinensis), is a large non-parasitic member of
the cuckoo order of birds, the Cuculiformes. A widespread resident in Asia, from India, east to
south China, Nepal and Indonesia, They are weak fliers, and are often seen clambering about in
vegetation or walking on the ground as they forage for insects, eggs and nestlings of other birds.

The spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small and somewhat long-tailed pigeon which is a
common resident breeding bird across its native range on the Indian
Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. These doves are mostly found on the ground where they
forage for seeds and grain or on low vegetation

The striated heron (Butorides striata) also known as mangrove heron, little heron or green-
backed heron, is a small heron. Striated herons are mostly non-migratory and noted for some
interesting behavioral traits. These birds stand still at the water's edge and wait to ambush prey,
but are easier to see than many small heron species. They mainly eat small fish, frogs and
aquatic insects. They sometimes use bait, dropping a feather or leaf carefully on the water
surface and picking fish that come to investigate.

The white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a waterbird of the rail and crake
family Rallidae that is widely distributed across Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent.
They probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly
eat insects , small fish, aquatic invertebrates and seeds.

The white-browed bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus) is a member of the bulbul family
of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in Sri Lankaand peninsular India. Largely olive coloured
above with whitish underparts, it has a pale supercilium and a yellow vent. They are found in
dense scrub habitats, where they skulk within vegetation and can be difficult to see although their
loud and distinct burst of calls is distinctive.

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

The white-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the white-breasted
kingfisher or Smyrna kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher,[2] widely distributed in Asia from Turkey east
through the Indian subcontinent to the Philippines. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its
range, although some populations may make short distance movements. It can often be found
well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles,
amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in
the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban areas or on wires.

The yellow-billed babbler or white-headed babbler (Turdoides affinis) is a member of
the Leiothrichidae family endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka. Its habitat is scrub,
cultivation and garden land. The yellow-billed babbler lives in flocks of seven to ten or more. It
is a noisy bird, and the presence of a flock may generally be known at some distance by the
continual chattering, squeaking and chirping produced by its members. One member often
perches high and acts as a sentinel while the remaining members of the flock forage on or
close to the ground. They feeds mainly on insects, but also eat fruit, nectar and human food

The eastern yellow wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) is a small passerine in
the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes the pipits and longclaws.
This insectivorous bird inhabits open country near water, such as wet meadows. It nests in
tussocks, laying 4-8 speckled eggs.

Green tailed bee eater:The green bee-eater (Merops orientalis) (sometimes little green bee-
eater) is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family. They are mainly insect eaters and they
are found in grassland, thin scrub and forest often quite far from water

Birds at IIT Madras

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Birds at IIT Madras