The book provides detailed information about more than 750 species of birds native to Nepal. Over two thousand colour photographs depict the plumage, hunting style, and flight of each species. These photographs allow readers to view the most important features of each species. The text also includes new information on voice and habits, as well as the status and density of each species. The authors have included notes to help readers identify the birds that are common and rare in their locality.
Sandgrouse
The Himalayan Mountain Thrush is a songbird native to the mountains of the Himalayas, including Nepal. This solitary species has recently been introduced to the Big Island of Hawaii. Males are 25 to 29 inches long and females are 20 to 24 inches long. Both are blue-black with blue crests. Males prefer higher altitude regions and feed on seeds. Sandgrouse nest on the ground and flocks often fly to watering holes in the morning and at dusk.
The sandgrouse of Nepal is one of sixteen species of the sandgrouse family. This species has a range of habitats and is often regarded as a symbol of Nepal. It is native to the high mountain areas of Nepal, India, and southern Africa. The birds are dimorphic, with males larger than females. Their long, pointed wings and powerful tail feathers give them fast and direct flight.
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is an endangered species in Nepal. It is a common resident of rivers and streams and is one of the most commonly seen birds in the region. Its range is restricted to the region of Nepal and Assam and it faces a variety of threats, including loss of riparian vegetation. However, if protected, the species is a worthy addition to the national bird list.
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is an iconic Nepali bird and is considered one of the largest birds in the world. This large, heavily built bird often perches in trees near rivers and swoops down to catch fish. It is often accompanied by the Yellow-headed Fish Eagle, which is also known to feed on snakes. Though rare in the country, it is easily spotted in urban areas.
The Grey-headed Fish Eagle is a medium-sized raptor that lives in southern Asia. It is brown-gray above and white below with a black-spotted tail and head. The bird has a long tail and unfeathered legs. Its white lower belly and thighs are distinctive features. Its black talons are distinctive and a sign of its ferocity.
Sarus crane
The Sarus crane is a threatened species outside of its protected areas. Conservation efforts must be multifaceted to protect this bird’s habitat and increase public awareness. Wetland conservation should be improved and farmlands restored and managed for the crane’s sake. In addition, sarus cranes need trans-boundary conservation approaches and new technology to monitor their habitat. A conservation action plan should be implemented to protect the bird’s critical population in Nepal.
One recent incident of sarus crane deaths has led conservationists to consider whether or not climate change could affect the species’ breeding success. The climate change-induced changes in rainfall patterns may have a significant impact on the number of sarus cranes. These changes could alter the frequency and intensity of dry seasons. These erratic events could result in the destruction of breeding grounds and nests. It would be best to protect the sarus crane from human-caused harm, including pollution.
The Sarus crane breeds during the rainy season. During this time, the bird performs trumpeting calls and elaborate dance moves to attract potential mates. During breeding season, the Sarus crane couples establish a nesting territory. A single nest, measuring between three and six feet across, can accommodate one or two eggs. The female lays two or three eggs, which hatch after thirty-three days. When the chicks hatch, they are fully developed and can fly.
Nuthatches
The small passerine birds of the Himalayas include the Nuthatches of Nepal. Their distinctive appearance is based on their dark blue upper parts and white cheeks. Although there are several species of nuthatches throughout the world, the Nepal nuthatch stands out for its distinctive blue plumage and large head. These birds are also able to climb trees head-first, in contrast to other birds, which climb upwards. Nuthatches are a striking sight, and their loud songs are very impressive. There are 24 species of this species in the world, and five live in Nepal.
The male nuthatches of Nepal have a larger, longer tail than the female nuthatches. Both sexes are monogamous during the breeding season, and a male may remain with his or her partner for several years. They build nests out of rotting wood and utilize nesting boxes and woodpecker cavities. They lay three to nine eggs. Sometimes, they have a helper bird to assist them as they build their nests.
Treecreepers
Two distinctive species of Treecreeper can be found in Nepal. The Beer-bellied Treecreeper is brown with a decurved bill and rusty rump, while the Spotted Treecreeper has a shorter tail and a plain gray chest. Both species forage for insects and small invertebrates, as well as fruits and seeds. Some species are known to visit birdfeeders.
There are more than 400 species of birds in Nepal, including the critically endangered Indian Spotted Vulture and the Sarus Crane. The forest around the lake provides a habitat for hundreds of other species, including the critically endangered Bengal Florican. There are also many rare species found in the deep inner valleys beneath the mountain peaks, including the Sarus Crane, the world’s rarest bird. Other endemic and threatened species of birds in Nepal include the slaty woodpecker and the Spiny Babbler, which are found only in the mid hills.
The female of Treecreepers builds a nest from materials found in the tree. She lays five to six eggs that hatch in 13 to 17 days. The baby Treecreeper will fly after 15 days and will return to the nest for another few days before flitting out into the wild. In recent years, the treecreepers have become a prominent part of Nepal’s landscape, and their presence in the Himalayan highlands is a symbol of their conservation.
Pittas
The pittas are a group of small birds with round bodies, large heads, long legs, and short tails. They are all terrestrial birds, and all species have similar sizes. They are small – most are only 8 inches (20 cm) long – and have hooked bills. They are found throughout Asia, Africa, and parts of Australia. Some species can even be found breeding in the wild. Here, you can learn about pittas’ diet and behavior.
The hooded pitta, for example, breeds from may to august. The females are mostly drab, with the exception of the Eared Pitta, which has cryptic colours. The other three species of Hydrornis pitta are much brighter, though the females are drabper. The bright colors of these pittas tend to be on the underside of their wings, making them easier to hide from predators.
Cuckooshrikes
The Cuckooshrikes of Nepal consist of three species: the black-headed, yellow-headed, and orange-headed. The black-headed species is easily identifiable by its striking black wings and tail feathers. They are mostly gray in colour with fading orange or yellow underparts. Compared to their colorful New World relatives, the females are a bit more grey in color. They nest in a variety of locations including urban parks, forests, and plantations.
The black-headed cuckooshrike belongs to the family Campephagidae. It is about 18-20 cm long and weighs 25-35 grams. The black-headed cuckooshrike breeds in South Asia, but is not found in Europe. Its plumage is dimorphic. The adult male has a gray head with black streaks on the neck. The black-headed cuckooshrike breeds in southern Nepal and southern India.
Cuckooshrikes are generally single-sexed birds with territories. While ornithologists know little about cuckoo-shrike breeding seasons, most species breed during or just after the rainy season. While males of larger species of the species alternately lift their wings while singing, females are less colorful. In addition to their distinctive song, both males and females build small, shallow cups nests made of twigs and materials.
Pitas
The Pittas are a bird native to central and southern India. They typically live in thick forests and dense undergrowth and breed from October to March. In winter, they migrate south to the southern Indian subcontinent. While this species is commonly found in the Himalayas, it is also known from South Asia. This is one of the few birds of Nepal that has a range that extends beyond the country’s borders.
Himalayan Monal is the national bird of Nepal. It is a member of the Phasianidae family and belongs to the Galliformes order. They can dig up to 10 inches. The Himalayan Monal is a great digger. The Himalayan Monal is also known as the Impeyan Pheasant and the Himalayan monal.
Gurney’s Pitta is a beautiful, endangered species of pitas native to the Himalayan region. It has historically been trapped in the Philippines for the cage bird trade, but this practice has decreased due to a shift in the species’ economic value from illegal trade to conservation-based ecotourism. The species is also a symbol of Nepali culture, and people used to recognize the arrival of the spring season by watching the male Daphne start to dance.
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