Common City Birds

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Common Indian City Birds

ds around us everywhere, some living in parks and gardens near our homes and some even sharing
s in the heart of the city. It just takes a little curiosity to identify and know a little more about these direct
the dinosaurs and develop a green hobby that can give you a lifetime of pleasure for free!
helps you come to grips with our feathered neighbours with this two part introduction to city dwelling

u can now download Common Indian City Birds (2 parts) for viewing on your mobile phone.

o your phone from here: Part 1 Part 2

birds are well adapted to a life around human settlements and indeed many can be found only around
This two part presentation will cover the birds that are most commonly seen around the 5 metropolises of
the species are common in all the cities and some do not even occur in some places. But based on
m over a hundred skilled birders from across the country, the list of the top 20 should be fairly
e of what the city birder will get to see without a great effort.

behind these pages is to familiarize beginners with the obvious - it will help them to know the birds a little
more importantly, interest and equip them to look for birds outside this list - birds that are scarce and worth
observing when met because opportunities may be limited.

ut the species covered. All these birds share one thing in common - they are very adaptive and can cope
climatic conditions, food sources and nesting/roosting sites. Most are gregarious and mid-sized. Lastly,
so very visible - part of the reason why they make the "Top Twenty" list and the reason why they make a
good choice for introduction to new birders.

Common Myna

Scientific name: Acridotheres tristis

Size: 26cms
Description: Vinous-brown body, black head and yellow
orbital area. Sexes alike.
Habits: Bold and aggressive, noisy. Usually in pairs. Often
feeds on the ground and has a varied diet which includes
kitchen waste. Roosts communally in great numbers.
Nests in abandoned tree holes or buildings.
Habitat: Found around human habitation. Open country,
farmlands, cities and hills up to 3100m
Range: Widespread resident across the country
Scientific name: Milvus migrans
Size: 40 to 60cms.
Description: Dark brown plumage with a forked tail. In
flight forked tail and long angled wings are noticeable.

.......................................................................................................................
Sumit K Sen 2001 - 2009

All rights reserved

Last updated

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Common City Birds

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Common Indian City Birds

Part - 2

Common Tailorbird

Oriental Magpie Robin

Female

Coppersmith Barbet

Scientific name: Orthotomus sutorius

Size: 13cms
Description: Tiny greenish bird with a dull rufous cap and white
underparts. Sexes alike.
Habits: Inquisitive, confiding and restless. Usually seen in pairs.
Feeds on tiny insects which it industrially searches for in garden
and groves cheerfully calling all the time. The nest is made by
skillfully sewing together the edges of long leaves - giving the
bird its name.
Habitat: Found around human habitation, often choosing to nest
in gardens. A bird of forest edges and gardens.
Range: Widespread resident across the country
Scientific name: Copsychus saularis
Size: 20-22cms.
Description: A smart pied chat with prominent white wing
markings and white underparts. Male is glossy blue-black, and
the female a dull grey above.
Habits: The top city songster. The male pours out a rich melody
often from the top a tall perch. Individuals are territorial and visit
favourite feeding places where the diet of insects and leftovers
are easily available. Often nest in manmade structures and
abandoned pipes etc. Can be remarkably tame.
Habitat: Open woodland, forest edge, farms, towns and cities
Range: Widespread resident across the country. Scarce in
north-western India.
Scientific name: Megalaima haemacephala
Size: 17cms
Description: A richly coloured diminutive green barbet - its short
tail giving it a round appearance . Sexes similar.
Habits: Despite its bright red markings, this barbet can be hard
to find in its favoured fruiting trees like fig etc. This species
advertises its presence by its familiar loud and repeated 'tuck,
tuck', call - a feature of hot summer afternoons in the plains. The
call is reminiscent of a coppersmith beating metal - hence the
name. Nests in tree holes.
Habitat: Open areas, gardens, forests, towns and cities.
Range: Widespread resident across the lowlands. Scarce in the
extreme north-west.
Scientific name: Merops orientalis
Size: 20cms
Description: Slim green bee-eater with a thin long beak and
elongated central tail feathers. Has blue cheeks, a black gorget
and a black eye line. Sexes similar.
Habits: This graceful bird is an aerial acrobat, sweeping down
from its perch to catch insects on the wing. Usually found in
small flocks, the birds often gather together on roadside

.......................................................................................................................
Sumit K Sen 2001 - 2009

All rights reserved

Last updated

Contact Us