Persian Shearwater
Puffinus persicus
A relatively small shearwater with uniformly white underparts. The upperparts are pale brown throughout with some of the brown extending to the flanks. The wings are almost entirely brown except for a white shaft down the middle. Though small in size, it is heavily built with proportionally broad wings. Flies low over the water with a purposeful and fast flight and smooth gliding. Feeds off the water surface and occasionally makes shallow dives.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Puffinus persicus
- Authority
- Hume, 1872
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Genus
- Puffinus
Range and habitat
After breeding, the northern subspecies ranges from the southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast across the south of the Arabian Peninsula to the Gulf of Oman, Pakistan and western India. The southern subspecies stays in the area around the Comoros and the Tanzanian and northern Mozambican coast.
- Breeding range
- IO : breeds Khuriya Muriya Is. (s of Oman), Socotra and Moheli (=Mwali, Comoro Is.)
- Non-breeding range
- Arabian Sea to Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, w coast of India and Comoro Is. (sw Indian Ocean)
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Opal-rumped Tanager
Tangara velia
Common tanager, found in a variety of forest habitats. Usually seen from below, in which case it is best identified by uniform dark underparts with rufous lower belly and undertail coverts, and active behavior. The shining white rump can be seen from most angles on perched birds, even when high overhead. Found in tall rainforest, shorter-stature forests on sandy soils, and in disturbed areas. Groups move rapidly through treetops, usually with other species of small tanagers, feeding on fruit. Calls are indistinct chips, often given in rapid series in flight.
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurus
Beautiful adult male is shimmering sky-blue above and pale below, with orange sides and a small white eyebrow. Female and juvenile are more subdued, but still have the rufous flanks and blue tail. Breeds in mature taiga and montane forests, often favoring mossy, damp areas. Winters in a range of wooded areas, including parks and forest edges. Can be hyperactive, moving quickly across the forest floor, stopping to flick the tail downwards. Feeds on insects and berries in the autumn. Song is a short series of bright, pleasant warbles. Calls include a rising “sweet”, a descending “seet”, and a series of low, dry notes.
Plum-headed Finch
Emblema modesta
Small brown bird with finely barred front. Brown above, paler and finely barred, below, with with pale spots on the wing and rump, pale-tipped tail, and tiny plum-colored cap (male also has plum-colored chin). Found in drier grassland areas, including agricultural areas, where it feeds in the grass or on the ground. Sometimes in large flocks, mixed with other species.
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