White-naped Tit
Machlolophus nuchalis
The only strongly patterned, black-and-white tit in its range. The upperparts from forehead to tail are glossy black, with a prominent white patch on the lower nape and upper mantle. The cheeks and the rest of the underparts are white, with a wide black central band running from throat to vent. The wings have a large white patch with a few black bars. Female and juvenile retain the same basic pattern, with duller black and dingier white. A habitat specialist found only in dry thorny forests. Seen in pairs or small family groups; quite vocal, commonly gives a 2- to 5-noted high-pitched “psi-psi-psi” ending in a harsh churrr.
识别特征
The only pied (black-and-white) tit in India, this species has the wing-coverts, crown, sides of head, chin, throat, a ventral band running down the breast and belly to the vent black. The cheeks below the eye, the ear-coverts and a patch on the nape are white. The wing has white on the outer primaries and the base of the secondaries. The last tertiaries are completely white. The two outer tail feathers are white while the next has the outer web white and the remaining black. The white of the flanks can be suffused with yellow.
分类信息
The white-naped tit was formerly one of the many species in the genus Parus but was moved to Machlolophus after a molecular phylogenetic analysis published in 2013 showed that the members of the new genus formed a distinct clade.
- 学名
- Machlolophus nuchalis
- 命名信息
- (Jerdon, 1845)
- 目
- Passeriformes
- 科
- Paridae
- 属
- Machlolophus
分布与栖息地
This species was discovered in the Eastern Ghats near Nellore by T C Jerdon who received a specimen from a local hunter. A specimen was later obtained in 1863 from near Bangalore and for a long time the species was not observed anywhere in southern India. A O Hume had suggested in that the two populations might represent different species. The southern population was subsequently noted when Salim Ali collected specimens from the Biligirirangan Hills. The species occurs in the nearby Kaveri valley area where Parus cinereus stupae is also found. The species has also been reported from the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Salim Ali had claimed that the two species were mutually exclusive, however there is no support for this. The distribution in western India is larger and better known, ranging mainly in areas of Kutch and extending into parts of Rajasthan and Haryana. A specimen in the British Museum marked as being from Bootan (Bhutan) is considered to be in error. Records from Wynaad, Anshi National Park and Dharwad have also been considered doubtful.
- 迁徙
- Resident species
行为
These birds are believed to live at very low densities in small numbers. They are shy and are best detected by their calls which have been described as musical whistling notes tee-whi-whi or see pit-pit-pit-pit. They forage within well-established territories which pairs will defend from others of their own species. Both males and females make use of roost hollows and individuals have been observed to use the same roost for more than six years. The male of a pair accompanies the female to its roost before proceeds to his own roost site. The birds move their head from side to side in a nearby bush and then fly into the roost cavity, turning around at the entrance so that they can look out and fly if threatened. The birds feed on insects and the berries of Salvadora oleoides. They may also obtain nectar from the flowers of Capparis aphylla and will sometimes visit rainwater puddles to drink. The breeding season in Rajasthan is during the monsoons, from May to August. The nest is a pad of fibre and hair (sometimes plucked from roadkill) placed inside a cavity typically on a tree. They choose natural hollows as well as cavities made by woodpeckers and coppersmith barbets. Nests have been found in old trees of Salvadora persica and Boswellia serrata. The clutch size is not known but adults with three young have been observed. The female develops a brood-patch and it is not known if the male incubates. Males have been seen carrying food to the female at nest. Both parents take part in care of the chicks. The chicks are fed mainly with non-hairy caterpillars, the parents may bring food as late as 2000 Hrs in the evening. In Gujarat it has been said to be dependent on old woodpeckers nest holes, especially those made by yellow-crowned woodpeckers, which are used both for nesting and roosting. Suggestions that the species might migrate from western to southern India have not found support and birds (including juveniles) have been seen in southern India during summer. Birds ringed in western India have been recaptured within a radius of 5 to 7 km. Breeding has not been studied in the southern population.<p>This species is said to have undergone a rapid population decline in the recent past. The habitat of dense Acacia scrub is severely degraded and fragmented in western India especially due to the collection of old branches with potential nest holes for firewood.
保护状况
- 种群趋势
- declining
照片
分布
鸟叫声
其他鸟类
Solomons Corella
Cacatua ducorpsii
A rather small corella-type cockatoo. An entirely white, short-tailed, noisy parrot with light blue bare skin around the eyes. Chest and belly often stained slightly brownish. Undertail and underwing yellowish in flight, but difficult to see. Often raises tall white crest. Found in most types of forest up to 1700 meters of elevation. Unmistakable within its range. Voice loud and obtrusive, including a harsh croaking “reh-reh.”
Cape Starling
Lamprotornis nitens
A medium-sized iridescent blue-green glossy starling that lacks dark ear-patches and has greenish flanks and belly, giving it a more uniform appearance than the “blue-eared” starlings. Pairs and small groups occupy high-altitude grassland, Karoo, and savanna, including drier habitats than other glossy starlings. The species feeds on the ground and in trees on fruit and insects; often it scavenges from people. It gives a rolling “turrreaau” flight call and harsh “karrr” alarm notes. Similar “blue-eared” starlings differ from Cape Starling by being smaller and having blue-magenta flanks and belly that give them a less uniform appearance.
African Gray Flycatcher
Bradornis microrhynchus
A very plain gray-brown flycatcher of dry country. Note the distinct dark streaks on the crown and the dirty grayish underparts. Found in dry savanna and woodland habitats, usually in pairs or small groups, often sitting on open perches. Very similar to Pale Flycatcher, but found in drier habitat, and distinguished by the streaked crown and darker underparts. Similar to Spotted Flycatcher, but lacks streaking on the breast. Distinguished from all other flycatchers by the crown streaking. Gives quiet scratchy vocalizations.
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