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syam's aviary., Kunnamkulam (2025)

06/05/2025

Red Spurfowl (Galloperdix spadicea)

The Red Spurfowl is a ground-dwelling bird native to the Indian subcontinent. It belongs to the pheasant family (Phasianidae). Recognized for its rusty-red plumage and barred underparts, the Red Spurfowl is known for its loud, harsh calls and shy behavior. Males feature a pair of leg spurs used in territorial fights. These birds are typically found in dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and hilly regions.

Key Facts:

Scientific name: Galloperdix spadicea

Size: About 30–35 cm in length

Habitat: Forest undergrowth, foothills, and scrub

Diet: Seeds, insects, berries, and small invertebrates

Behavior: Secretive and mostly terrestrial; rarely flies unless disturbed

They are often seen in small groups and are more likely to be heard than seen due to their camouflaged plumage and reclusive habits.

05/05/2025

Jungle Bush Quail (Perdicula asiatica)

The Jungle Bush Quail is a small, ground-dwelling bird native to the Indian subcontinent. It belongs to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. These quails are found in dry scrub forests, grasslands, and cultivated areas, often in small coveys (groups). Their plumage is mottled brown with distinctive barring, providing excellent camouflage.

Key Characteristics:

Size: About 15–18 cm in length.

Appearance: Males are slightly more colorful with reddish underparts, while females are more uniformly brown.

Behavior: Shy and elusive, they tend to run rather than fly when disturbed.

Diet: Primarily seeds, grains, and small insects.

Call: A whistling or piping sound used to communicate within coveys.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN), though habitat loss may affect local populations.

04/05/2025

Kestrel Bird (Falco tinnunculus)

Overview:
The kestrel is a small falcon known for its ability to hover mid-air while hunting. The most widespread species is the Common Kestrel, found across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Physical Features:

Size: 30–35 cm in length with a wingspan of 65–82 cm.

Color: Males have a chestnut-brown back with black spots and a grey head and tail. Females are browner overall and more heavily streaked.

Eyes: Large, dark eyes adapted for spotting small prey.

Habitat:
Open countryside, farmland, grasslands, and even urban areas. They nest in tree holes, cliffs, buildings, or nest boxes.

Behavior:

Famous for "hovering" or kiting in place while searching for prey.

Diet includes small mammals (especially voles), insects, and small birds.

Silent hunters, using keen eyesight to spot prey from high above.

Reproduction:

Breeding season starts in spring.

Usually lays 3–6 eggs in unlined nests.

Incubation lasts about 27–31 days.

Conservation Status:

Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but local populations may decline due to habitat loss and pesticide use.

03/05/2025

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

The osprey, also known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a large raptor found near rivers, lakes, and coastal regions worldwide. It is easily recognizable by its white underparts, dark brown upperparts, and a distinctive dark eye stripe. Ospreys primarily feed on fish, diving feet-first to catch prey with their powerful talons and reversible outer toes, which help grip slippery fish. They build large stick nests in tall trees, cliffs, or man-made structures like poles and platforms. Known for their long migratory journeys, ospreys are found on every continent except Antarctica.

02/05/2025

Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Description: The Short-toed Snake Eagle is a medium-large bird of prey known for its distinctive pale underparts, broad wings, and piercing yellow eyes. Adults have a greyish-brown upper body and a white belly often streaked with brown.

Size: Length about 62–67 cm; wingspan 170–190 cm.

Habitat: Prefers open landscapes such as scrublands, semi-deserts, grasslands, and agricultural areas, often near forests or woodlands for nesting.

Range: Found across southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. It is migratory, wintering mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia.

Diet: Specializes in hunting reptiles, especially snakes, which it captures using its powerful talons and keen eyesight from the air.

Behavior: Often seen soaring with wings held flat, scanning the ground for prey. It nests in trees, usually building a relatively small platform of sticks.

Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though local populations may be threatened by habitat loss and human disturbance.

01/05/2025

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)

The Black Vulture is a large bird of prey found mainly in the southeastern United States, Central America, and much of South America. Recognizable by its black plumage, short tail, and featherless dark gray head, this vulture has a wingspan of about 4.5 to 5 feet. Unlike other vultures, it often flaps its wings more frequently and has distinctive white patches near the tips of its wings.

Black Vultures are scavengers, feeding primarily on carrion, though they may also eat eggs or small animals. They have a keen sense of sight but a poor sense of smell, often following other vulture species like the Turkey Vulture to locate food. These birds are highly social, roosting and feeding in groups, and are known for their strong family bonds.

Although not considered threatened, Black Vultures can sometimes come into conflict with humans due to their scavenging behavior around farms or garbage sites.

Phoro credits : google

30/04/2025

White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

The White-bellied Sea Eagle is a large bird of prey found in coastal regions across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Recognized by its striking white head, breast, and underparts, it contrasts sharply with its grey wings and black flight feathers. This eagle is commonly seen soaring along coastlines, rivers, and large lakes.

It primarily feeds on fish and other aquatic animals, often hunting by skimming the water surface. The species is known for its loud, goose-like honking calls, especially during the breeding season. They build large stick nests high in tall trees or cliffs, which are reused and added to each year.

The White-bellied Sea Eagle is considered a symbol of strength and freedom in some cultures and plays an important ecological role as a top predator in its habitat.

Photo credits : Google

29/04/2025

Shikra (Accipiter badius)

Description: The Shikra is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is a compact raptor with short, broad wings and a long tail, ideal for agile flight through trees.

Appearance:

Adults have pale grey upperparts and fine reddish barring on the underparts.

Eyes are striking red or orange in adults.

Males are typically greyer, while females and juveniles have more brownish tones and streaking.

Size: Approximately 26–30 cm in length, with a wingspan of around 50–65 cm.

Habitat: Found across much of Asia and Africa, particularly in forests, woodlands, and even urban areas like parks and gardens.

Diet: Primarily feeds on small birds, lizards, insects, and rodents.

Behavior: Known for its swift and precise hunting style. Shikras often perch silently before making a quick dash to catch prey.

Breeding: Breeding season varies by region, but generally involves building a small stick nest in trees. They lay 3–4 eggs, and both parents participate in rearing the young.

Call: A distinctive "kee-kee-kee" call, especially heard during the breeding season.

Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, due to its wide distribution and stable population.

Interesting Fact:
The Shikra is sometimes confused with other small accipiters like the Eurasian Sparrowhawk, but can be distinguished by its call and more compact size.

28/04/2025

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

The Crested Serpent Eagle is a medium-sized raptor found widely across tropical Asia, especially in forested regions. It is known for its striking appearance, with a prominent crest on its head, broad wings, and a strong, hooked beak. The plumage is generally dark brown with lighter underparts, and the wings often display distinctive white or pale patches during flight.

True to its name, the Crested Serpent Eagle primarily preys on snakes, but it also hunts lizards, small mammals, and amphibians. It has a powerful call, often a high-pitched whistle, that can be heard resonating through dense forests. This eagle usually perches silently in the canopy, waiting to ambush its prey.

It builds large stick nests high up in trees and typically lays a single egg each breeding season. The species is considered to be of "Least Concern" by the IUCN, although habitat destruction in some areas can threaten local populations.

27/04/2025

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

The Black-winged Kite is a small, graceful bird of prey found across parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe. It is easily recognized by its striking appearance: pale gray and white body, black patches on its shoulders and around its eyes, and piercing red eyes. The wings, when folded, show distinctive black markings, giving the bird its name.

Key features:

Size: About 31–38 cm long with a wingspan of 80–95 cm.

Habitat: Open grasslands, savannas, farmlands, and lightly wooded areas.

Diet: Primarily small mammals (like rodents), insects, and occasionally small birds.

Behavior: Often seen hovering over fields like a kestrel, searching for prey. It hunts mostly during dawn and dusk.

Nesting: Builds nests in trees; both parents share duties of raising the chicks.

The Black-winged Kite is admired for its elegant flight and remarkable hunting skills. Its populations are generally stable, although local threats like habitat loss and pesticide use can affect them.

26/04/2025

Black-breasted Baza (Aviceda leuphotes)

The Black-breasted Baza is a striking bird of prey found across parts of South and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the family Accipitridae and is known for its unique appearance and agile hunting skills.

Key Features:

Medium-sized raptor with a distinctive black crest and white face.

Dark upperparts with a bold black band across the chest.

Underparts are whitish with rufous streaks.

Short hooked beak and broad wings suited for agile flight through forest canopies.

Habitat:

Prefers dense tropical and subtropical forests, often seen in wooded hills and forest edges.

Found in countries like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Diet:

Feeds mainly on large insects, small reptiles, and sometimes birds.

Known for agile flight while hunting in forested environments.

Behavior:

Usually solitary or found in pairs.

During migration or in feeding flocks, can be seen in small groups.

Has a soft, high-pitched whistling call.

Conservation Status:

Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and stable population, though habitat destruction can pose local threats.

25/04/2025

White-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)

The white-necked stork, also known as the woolly-necked stork, is a large wading bird belonging to the stork family (Ciconiidae). It is easily recognized by its striking black plumage with a contrasting white neck and upper breast, giving it its common name.

Key Characteristics:

Scientific Name: Ciconia episcopus

Size: Approximately 85–95 cm in height

Coloration: Glossy black body with a distinctive white neck; long red legs and a straight, pointed bill

Habitat: Found in wetlands, agricultural fields, and forests, especially near freshwater sources

Range: Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia

Diet: Carnivorous – feeds on fish, amphibians, insects, and small reptiles

Behavior:

Generally solitary or found in pairs, though small groups may gather near feeding areas.

Nests in tall trees, often using large stick nests.

Conservation Status: Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, although habitat destruction and water pollution pose local threats.

syam's aviary.

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