Birds Of Nepal: July 2013

Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Great Barbet (Megalaima virens) is an Asian barbet.
Barbets are a group of near passerine birds with a worldwide tropical distribution.
They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills.
The Great Barbet is a resident breeder in the lower-to-middle altitudes of the Himalayas, ranging across northern India, Nepal and Bhutan, and some parts of Southeast Asia as far away asLaos.
It is a species of broadleaf evergreen woodlands at 600-2,565 m altitude. It nests in a tree hole.
This is the largest barbet at 31–33 cm (12–13 in) in length and a weight of 192–295 g (6.8–10.4 oz).
It is a plump bird, with a short neck, large head and short tail.
The adult has a blue head, large yellow bill, brown back and breast, green-streaked yellow belly and red vent.
The rest of the plumage is green. Both sexes and immature birds are similar.
The male's territorial call is a very loud kay-oh. The alarm is a harsh keeab, and another call is a repetitive piou-piou-piou-piou.

The Common Green Magpie (Cissa chinensis) is a member of the crow family, roughly about the size of the Eurasian Jay or slightly smaller.
It is a vivid green in colour (often fades to turquoise in captivity), slightly lighter on the underside and has a thick black stripe from the bill (through the eyes) to the nape.
Compared to the other members of its genus, the white-tipped tail is quite long.
This all contrasts vividly with the red fleshy eye rims, bill and legs.
The wings are reddish maroon.
It is found from the lower Himalayas in north eastern India in a broad south easterly band down into central Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and northwestern Borneo in evergreen forest(including bamboo forest), clearings and scrub.
This bird seeks food both on the ground and in trees, and takes a very high percentage of animal prey from countless invertebrates, small reptiles, mammals and young birds and eggs.
It will also take flesh from a recently killed carcass.
The nest is built in trees, large shrubs and often in tangles of various climbing vines.
There are usually 4–6 eggs laid.
The voice is quite varied but often a harsh peep-peep. It also frequently whistles and chatters.