Asian Koel

The Koel called Kokil in Bengali, is the commonest and most familiar of Indian Cuckoos and is found in Tiruvannamalai District as well as the rest of India. 

Handsome Male Koel

Cuckoos are found all over the world, but are not numerous in species except in warm regions. They have slightly curved bills of moderate size, with conspicuous nostrils set low down and near the edge of the upper chap, and their toes are in two pairs, the outer front toe being turned backwards, as in Woodpeckers and Barbets. Tree-Cuckoos, which, in the East at all events, lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, have long wings and short legs, while Bush-Cuckoos, which always bring up their own young, have short wings and long legs suited for running; the Tree-Cuckoos on the rare occasions when they come to the ground, being only able to hop. Cuckoos usually have long rounded tails, and are very readily recognizable when a few have been seen. 

Close up of Male Koel

Cuckoos have peculiar notes and are generally more heard than seen. They generally feed on insects, and are exceedingly useful birds. Only in India are any Cuckoos commonly kept as cage-birds, they are not hard to rear, but require hand-feeding for a longer time than other birds. 

The Koel is about as big as a large pigeon, with a long rounded tail; its whole length being nearly a foot and a half, it measures 39–46 cm (15–18 in) and weighs 190–327 g (6.7–11.5 oz). It has a peculiar steady level flight which makes it easily recognizable. 

Male Koel

The cock and hen differ absolutely in colour, the former being a glossy blue-black, while the latter is brown, spotted with white on the head and back, and barred with that colour on the wings, tail and under parts; altogether she rather reminds one of a hen pheasant in colour. Both male and female have pale green bills, bright red eyes and lead-coloured feet. Young birds have black bills and grey eyes; in plumage they resemble adults of the corresponding sex, but not completely, young cocks being usually slightly marked with buff, and young hens having the head and top of the neck black. But there appears to be some variation, so that young cocks may be found in female plumage and vice versa. 

 Video of the song of the Koel

The Asian Koel is omnivorous, consuming a variety of insects, caterpillars, eggs and small vertebrates. However the adult bird feeds mainly on fruit. They will sometimes defend fruiting trees that they forage in and chase away other frugivores. They have been noted to be especially important in the dispersal of the sandalwood tree in India. Large seeded fruits are sometimes quickly regurgitated near the parent tree while small seeded fruits are ingested and are likely to be deposited at greater distances from the parent tree. They have a large gape and are capable of swallowing large fruits including the hard fruit of palms. 

Female Koel with distinctive colouring

This bird is much beloved by indigenous locals who admire the bird’s fine mellow call and it is with them quite a bird of romance with its glossy black plumage. The Koel deserves consideration from all, not only on account of its beauty and musical capacities, but for being one of the very few creatures which scores off the Crows, those birds being the foster-parents which it selects for its young. 

Beautiful photograph of male and female eating

The Asian Koel is a brood parasite and lays its egg in the nests of a variety of birds, including both the Jungle Crow and the House Crow, but the House Crow is the usual victim and the egg of the Koel is a miniature of a Crow's egg, being about an inch long, and green with brown spots. 

House Crow at its Nest

Sometimes two Koels' eggs may be found in one Crow's nest, and at times the big black Jungle-Crow has to do parental duty for the Koel. The most curious thing about the whole business is that the Crows, although they bring up the young Koel and feed it even after it has left the nest, yet evidently know there is something wrong, for they cherish a lively prejudice against the old Koels and hunt any Koel they can to death if they get the chance 

Koels breed from March to July, and at this time the call whence is derived its Hindustani name ''ko-eel ko-eel'' running up the scale, is one of the characteristic sounds of the country. Unfortunately the bird insists on calling at night as well as by day, and is rather apt at all times to be "instant out of season;'' whence thus many call the Koel, the Brain-fever Bird, and detest it accordingly. 

[Narrative taken from book by Frank Finn]

Common Babbler -- Passerine

I earlier made a posting on the Common Babbler, but am including below an extract from a book by Frank Finn 1902, entitled “Garden and Aviary Birds of India.” Frank Finn was part of the British Colonial Service and a dedicated amateur ornithologist. There are many parts of his book, now out-of-print which have an unusual and fresh viewpoint towards birds we are normally quite familiar with here in India.

His chapters on aviary birds and the description of interspecies relationships, sometimes good – and sometimes very bad, are fascinating, and I hope to include more extracts from his book in later postings. But to begin with his chapter on the Passerine, Common Babbler:

The Passerines

"More than half of the known species of birds belong to the great Passerine order, so called from the Latin name of its most prominent member, Passer, the Sparrow. Birds of this order are usually small, the Raven being the biggest, while some are almost the smallest of birds. The Sparrow and Mynah represent fair average sizes of Passerine birds.

They can always be distinguished by their feet: the foot of a Sparrow or Crow will serve as a model for all. The shank is slight and covered behind with long entire plates, and before with a single row of large broad scales, or even with one continuous horny plate; there are three toes before, unconnected by any web or other junction and one behind, which, taking it with its claw, is as big as or bigger than any of the rest.

The shank may be long or short, and the foot as a whole large or small as compared with the bird's body, but the style of scaling and proportion of the toes is always unmistakable. The shape, and the wings, tail and beak vary a great deal in Passerine birds; but they always have large heads in proportion to their size.

Their young are always hatched blind, helpless, and naked or nearly so; their nests are usually in a bush or tree, and they live in pairs in the breeding season. They are the most skilful nest-builders of all birds, and the only ones which are commonly accounted songsters. They bear captivity well, but are not so easy to breed in that state as some groups of birds.

The order is divided into many families, which are not always easy to distinguish, as there are many connecting links. One of the families is the Babbler. Which form the most numerous group of Indian birds and are, of all the smaller fry the most interesting in my opinion, whether at large or in the aviary.

The Common Babbler

They vary a good deal in size, but there is something about their general style which marks them off at once when seen in life, though, as skins in a museum collection, they are not so easy to separate. They have very short rounded wings, and rather long tails. As a rule their plumage is lax and fluffy, not close and sleek, and their legs and feet are strong, not to say coarse. Their bills are moderate in size; not actually slender, but not thick like a Crow's.

Common Babbler Feeding

Common Babbler in Tree

Common Babbler Calling

They usually go about in parties, and have a weak flight, never going far at a time, and often whining and skimming alternately, like Partridges. They feed mostly on insects, and take hold of their food in one foot, if they wish to break it up. On trees or on the ground they are very active, moving about by long hops, for very few of them run. Males and females are alike in colour, and the young resemble them. They are very affectionate and constantly caress each other with their bills.

Affection Babblers in Tree

Common Babbler Preening

THE SAT-BHAI (Crateropus Canorus), is the most familiar of the larger Babblers, the native name, which of course means seven brothers, having been practically accepted as English. I have not thought it necessary to figure this common bird; everyone must have noticed it, with its pale-drab, dust-coloured plumage, cunning-looking white eyes, and sickly-white legs and bill. It is found all over India in the plains and low down in the hills, and comes freely into gardens, making its presence known obtrusively by a squeaky babbling varied by hysterical outbursts.

Common Babbler Nest and Eggs

In confinement it is very easy to tame, will eat table craps readily and is amusing for a time; but nobody would want to keep such a frowsy unmusical creature for long. Interesting as its habits undoubtedly are. Birds which I turned out after studying them for some time remained so tame that they would still take food from the hand; and I imagine that a hand-reared one would make a very nice pet. The nest is an open cup-shaped one, placed low down and the eggs are of a most lovely blue."

Adult Common Babbler Feeding Young

Local Bird Artist

The artist in the below paintings is Kumar, who is an expert of birds found in Tiruvannamalai District. He has already painted many of the birds spotted locally and which are on exhibit in the gardens of the Mountain of Medicine, a few minutes walk from Ramana Ashram and located across from the Local Arts College. 

In the above painting, the bird on the left is the Little Stint, in the centre the Black Winged Stilt and to the right, the Sandpiper.

One of his completed and labelled paintings below showcases the: Blue-Winged Leafbird, the Golden Fronted Leafbird and the India Pitta.

Spotted Eagle

I have not made any postings of the birds listed above, as I only write about birds after I have viewed them personally. Already over 150 birds have been listed by official bird watchers as being spotted in this area, so the postings on Arunachala Birds will develop incrementally with my own sightings. However invite information, photographs and personal reminiscences from bird watchers in this area. 

Do visit the gardens of Mountain of Medicine when next in this area, the paintings and information about local birds and other wildlife is fascinating -- a perfect days outing, specially for the young at heart!

Asian Palm Swift

The Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) is a small swift the size of a Swallow. It is a common resident in Tiruvannamalai District where there is a profusion of palm trees. 

Bow like wings, with tail held closed

The Palm Swift is only a little less in length than the House Swift, but is really a much smaller bird, being more slender, with a fairly long and well forked tail; in colour it is drab without any conspicuous markings. It has a narrow deeply forked tail and long slender bow-like wings. The tail is usually held closed but the fork is particularly noticeable when the bird wheels or banks in flight. 

Bird of the open skies

These Swifts spend most of the day hawking tiny winged insects in the vicinity of the palms where it roosts. When in the air it turns and twists to the accompaniment of a loud, shrill joyous triple note ti-ti-tee. Asian Palm Swifts often feed near the ground, and drink on the wing. 

Feeds and drinks in the air

This bird of open country and cultivation is associated with the fan or toddy palm as the rigid folds and furrows of the palm leaves provides the bird with suitable roosting and nesting sites. Its nest is a tiny half-saucer of feathers and vegetable down agglutinated with the bird’s saliva, and attached in a fold on the underside of a tad palm leaf. The bird’s saliva is also used to secure the eggs. This species of Swift generally lays 2 or 3, pure white long pointed oval eggs. 

Notice the Swift's sharp right claw

Sexes are similar, and young birds differ mainly with a shorter tails. The Asian Palm Swift has very short legs which it uses only for clinging to vertical surfaces, since swifts never settle voluntarily on the ground. 

Young nestlings in fronds of Palm Leaf

The Swift has only ten tail feathers and its first toe is not directed backwards as in Swallows, instead all its four toes spread out like the finger on a hand, falling into right and left pairs. The Asian Palm Swift does not perch or walk, but can cling and climb well as its claws are very strong and sharp. 

Feeding its young

Purple Rumped Sunbird

The Purple-rumped Sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica) is common in Tiruvannamalai District. This species is found in a variety of habitats with trees, including scrub and cultivation and is usually absent from dense forest. Males are brightly coloured but females are olive above and yellow to buff below. Their call is ptsiee ptsit, ptsiee ptsswit or a sharp twittering tityou, titou, trrrtit, tityou. I currently have a number of these beautiful birds visiting my garden and its in bloom Coral Tree.

Male Sunbird

The Purple-rumped Sunbird is small in size, and feeds mainly on nectar, sometimes taking insects, particularly when feeding young. They can hover for short durations but usually perch to feed. When the flowers are too deep to probe, they sometimes pierce the base of the flower and rob the nectar. It has been noted that they maintain special scratching posts, where they get rid of pollen and nectar sticking to their head 

Male Sunbird with Distinctive Colouring

Duller Female Sunbird in Flight

Female Preening

Female Sunbird constructing nest

This bird breeds through the year and may have two broods. Its nest is made up of fine plant fibres and lined with soft fibres from seeds of the Calotropis, cobwebs and is studded on the exterior with lichens, bark pieces, flying seeds and other materials. The nest is constructed by the female alone although the male may fly alongside her. The nest is placed on the end of branch and the entrance usually faces a bush. Nests may sometimes be built close to buildings or under open porches.

Video of female Purple Rumped Sunbird feeding chicks

The clutch consists of usually two eggs which are oval pale greenish and white with spots and streaks becoming more dense at the broad end. The eggs are incubated by both the male and female. The chicks fledge in about 17 days and continue to be fed by the male for a few days. Old nests are sometimes reused. Nests are sometimes parasitised by the Grey-bellied Cuckoo.

The Purple-rumped Sunbird may indulge in dew-bathing, or bathing by sliding in drops of rain collected on large leaves. Sunbirds are a confusing species with overlapping range. To learn more about the differences between the types of beautiful Sunbirds go to this link here. 

Male Sunbird on Feeding Duty

Immature male Sunbird

My Junior Francolin

The Grey Francolin (Francolinus Pondicerianus) is very common in scrubland throughout this area. This bird can also be found in large numbers in grasslands and in cultivated areas near villages. To read my previous posting go to this link here.

Checking for Seeds

I intentionally prevent thorny bushes around the side of my cottage being felled by wood cutters in order to provide a safe sanctuary for the large number of Francolins that rummage and nest near my cottage. 

Sharing the table with Babblers

Some time back a Francolin nesting at the back of my cottage, started to visit my compound with her six chicks, and my dogs and I got quite used to Mother and her young brood wandering around the compound looking for nice eatables. Glad to see that Mother’s tuition has had positive results, and her chicks, now grown to be juveniles have enough confidence to pay regular visits to my compound and to the eating table. 

My Junior

I can talk -- can you fly? Common Mynah

The Common Mynah (Acridotheres tristis) is a member of the family of Sturnidae (Starlings and Mynahs) native to Asia.

The Mynah is the size of a Pigeon. It’s a familiar dark brown bird with bright yellow bill, legs and a yellow peri-orbital skin around the eye. The Mynah displays a conspicuous white wing patch during its flight. The sexes are similar and birds are usually seen in pairs. With the Crow and Babbler, the Mynah is probably the most common bird at Arunachala.

Yellow peri-obital skin around eye

The range of the Common Mynah is increasing at such a rapid rate that the IUCN Species Survival Commission has declared it one of the world’s most invasive species and is one of only three birds in the top 100 species that pose an impact to biodiversity. The other two birds on the list are the Red-vented Bulbul and the European Starling. The Common Mynah is regarded as a pest in South Africa, North America, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and many Pacific islands. It is particularly problematic in Australia. Several methods have been tried to control the bird's numbers and protect native species.

Close up of yellow skin around eye

This Bird favours open woodland but has adapted well to urban environments. Like most Starlings, the Common Mynah is omnivorous. It feeds on insects, arachnids, crustaceans, reptiles, small mammals, seeds, grain and fruits and discarded waste from human habitation. It forages on the ground among grass for insects, and especially for grasshoppers, from which it gets the generic name Acridotheres, "grasshopper hunter". It however feeds on a wide range of insects, mostly picked from the ground. It is a cross-pollinator of flowers such as Salmalia and Erythrina. It walks on the ground with occasional hops and is an opportunistic feeder on the insects disturbed by grazing cattle as well as fired grass fields.

Conspicuous wing patch during flight

This bird breeds for life and its nesting season is April to August. Its nest is comprised of a collection of twigs, roots, paper and rubbish in a hole in a tree, wall or ceiling. It lays around 4 or 5 glossy blue eggs with both sexes sharing domestic duties.

Nesting in Tree Hollow

The Common Mynah uses the nests of woodpeckers, parakeets and other birds and easily takes to nest boxes; it has been recorded evicting the chicks of previously nesting pairs by holding them in the beak and later sometimes not even using the emptied nest boxes. This aggressive behaviour is considered to contribute to its success as an invasive species.

Nest with eggs and first hatchling

The Mynah has a number of sharp calls and chatter. The call of this bird includes croaks, squawks, chirps, clicks, whistles and 'growls', and the bird often fluffs its feathers and bobs its head in singing. The Common Mynah screeches warnings to its mate or other birds in cases of predators in proximity or when its about to take off flying. Common Mynahs are popular as cage birds for their singing and "speaking" abilities. Before sleeping in communal roosts, Mynahs vocalise in unison, which is known as "communal noise". 

Young Mynah Bird

The Mynah is a superb imitator, as this charming and amusing video shows.

I can talk - can you fly?

Erythrina Indica Bird Visitors

Currently I have a beautiful Erythrina Indica -- Coral Tree, in bloom outside my front door. This tree with its lovely, striking scarlet flowers is daily attracting a large number of feathered friends. Just in a few short moments sitting on my steps, I took photos of the below bird visitors to the tree. Erythrina Indica is one of the indigenous trees in this country that the famed Ornithologist Salim Ali in his, “Book of Indian Birds,” positively identifies as a tree (with its seeds and brightly coloured leaves) that is strongly favoured by birds. To find out more about the Erythrina Indica tree, go to this link here. 

 

Common Babber

Loten Sunbird

Mynah Bird

Brahminy Starling

Purple Sunbird

White Breasted Kingfisher

Sirkeer Malkoha

Over the last few weeks have been noticing a Sirkeer Malkoha near my house. Think its probably the same bird, because its usually close or around the same spot. This is a largish bird that is mainly brown and rufous in colour, It has a long heavy tail edged with white tipped graduated tail feathers. It is related to the Coucal (which is commonly observed throughout this area). The bill of the Sirkeer Malkoha is hooked and bright cherry-red and yellow. The sexes are the same but juveniles are duller. 

Bird Preening

The Samudram Eri seems to be the perfect location for this bird because its preference is open scrub and thorn jungle, singly or in pairs. It moves about thickets and undergrowth like the Crow-Pheasant, searching for food such as insects, lizards, fallen fruit and berries. This bird is a feeble flier, and is similar in movement to the Coucal in that it ascends trees rapidly and agilely hops from branch to branch. 

Close up of its Cherry Red and Yellow Beak

The call of the bird is a subdued "bzuk... bzuk" ; also an alarm call of "p'tang" with a metallic quality. It has a sharp kek-kek-kek-kerek-kerek of the quality of the Rose Ringed Parakeet’s shrieks. 

Video of Bird on Roadside

Adult Bird on Tree

Its nesting season is from March to August, varying with locallity. It is non parasitic. Its nest is usually a shallow saucer of twigs lined with leaves in a thorn bush or sapling about 2-7 metres up. It lays from 2-3 white eggs. 

Bird on Ground