Rollers inhabit warm regions from Europe and Africa to Australia. Most rollers are some combination of blue, violet and brown in color. The two inner toes on their feet are connected, and they have small bills and medium to long tail feathers. Diet They feed on locusts, flying ants,...
Asian Barbets (Megalaimidae) Asian barbets are small, colourful birds frequently found in forests and other green patches. India is home to nine barbet species. Barbets are named for the bristles at the bases of their stout, sharp bills. They are big-headed, short-tailed birds. They call loudly, jerking the head...
Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a casque on the upper mandible. Diet The family is omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals. Behaviour Hornbills are diurnal, generally travelling in pairs or small family groups. Reproduction They...
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae Scientific name: Gallicrex cinerea, Gmelin, 1789 IUCN Red list status- Least Concern Did you know? Watercock is a monotypic species bird and it is the only bird of Gallicrex Description Watercocks are 43 cms long and weigh 476–650 g. They have mainly black-grey plumage with...
Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae Scientific name: Amaurornis phoenicurus, Pennant, 1769 IUCN Red list status-Least Concern Did you know? White breasted Water hens are able to walk over the floating leaves of aquatic plants. Description White Breasted Water hen is 28-33 cms long and weighs 170-320 gms. They have dark...
Order: Trogoniformes Family: Trogonidae Scientific name: Harpactes fasciatus, Pennant, 1769 IUCN Red list status-Least Concern Did you know? Malabar Trogon is the only Trogon species found in Kerala. Description The Malabar Trogon is a medium-sized brightly coloured, sexually dimorphic bird which measures about 28-30 cm in length and 60...
Order: Apodiformes Family: Hemiprocnidae Scientific name: Hemiprocne coronata, Tickell, 1833 IUCN Red list status-Least Concern Did you know? Crested Tree-swift got the name due to the presence of the crest above the head. Description The Crested Tree swift is a small, slender, aerial bird, measuring about 20 to 25...
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae Scientific name: Sterna aurantia, J.E. Gray, 1831. IUCN Red list status-Near Threatened Did you know? The River Tern is also known as Indian River Tern. Description The River Tern is 35 to 45 cm long and weighs 100-120 Gms. The overall plumage of the river...
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae Scientific name: Thalasseus bengalensis, Lesson, 1831 IUCN Red list status-Least Concern Did you know? Lesser Crested Tern is also known as Little Crested Tern. Description The Lesser Crested Tern is a medium-sized bird measuring 35 to 45 cm in length and weighs 180 to 250...
Order: Apodiformes Family: Apodidae Scientific name: Aerodramus unicolor, Jerdon, 1840 IUCN Red list status-Least Concern Did you know? Indian Swiftlet is also known as Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet. Indian Swiftlet’s nest is edible and it is harvested occasionally for making soups and other cuisines. Description The Indian Swiftlet is a...
