East Asian Birds

For: Preliminary

Topics covered: Environment conversations, migratory birds species in India

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Researchers found few East Asian birds near coastal forest in the Great Nicobar Island of the Andaman and Nicobar island chain, during their migration from north to south.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with just about 0.25 % the country’s landmass, is home to about 350 species of exotic birds.

Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcites basalis)

Distinguished by the green and brown plumage on its back, tiny bird – roughly about 15 cm and weighing 22 g and known for its repeated, loud and piercing whistle.

Zappey’s Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cumatilis)

Zappey’s Flycatcher (Cyanoptila cumatilis) a song bird in the Old World flycatcher family muscicapidae, that breeds in China and spends the winters in the Malay peninsula, Sumatra and Java also spotted in different areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Javan Pond Heron (Ardeola speciosa)

The Javan pond heron is a wading bird of the heron family, found in shallow fresh and salt-water wetlands in Southeast Asia. Its diet comprises insects, fish, and crabs. The Javan pond heron is typically 45 cm long with white wings, a yellow bill with a black tip, yellow eyes and legs. Javan Pond Heron usually found in Thailand and Cambodia.

Other species found

Researchers are intrigued by the fact that number of new sightings has increased post the tsunami. The new records include the Mugimaki Flycatcher (Ficedula mugimaki), Blue-winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis), Chinese Egret (Egretta eulophotes) and the Chinese Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone incei).

East Asian-Australasian Flyway

These birds also use Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a few week rest before they can fly along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). The EAAF extends from Arctic Russia and North America to the south Australian boundaries and includes the most of the east Asian regions including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Source: The Hindu