Birding the Backpacker Trail
Northern India, November-December 2000
Rufous-tailed/Isabelline Shrike, Lanius Isabellinus Common.
Brown Shrike, L. cristatus One seen at Colombo. Common in India.
Bay-backed Shrike, L. vittatus One seen at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 24/11/00. Also at Bund Baretha
Long-tailed Shrike, L. schach Common.
Southern Grey Shrike, L. meridionalis Several seen in semi-desert around Sambhar Salt Lake, 2/12/00. Also present at Bharatpur-Bund Baretha and Ranthambore
Eurasian Jay, Garrulus glandarius c10 at Snow-view Ridge, Naini Tal, 12/11/00.
Black-headed Jay, G. lanceolatus At least 3 with Eurasian Jay, Snow-view Ridge, Naini Tal, 12/11/00.
Yellow-billed Blue Magpie, Urocissa ornata Common around McLeod Ganj. See photo at the top of the page.
Red-billed Blue Magpie, U. erythrorhyncha 3, very vocal individuals around Snow-view Ridge, Naini Tal, 12/11/00. 5 on the south side of the lake, Naini Tal,13/11/00.
Rufous Treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda One at Ramnagar, 10/11/00. Common at Keoladeo Ghana NP and Ranthambor. Also at Taj Mahal
House Crow, Corvus splendens Very common.
Large-billed Crow, C. macrorhynchos Common, replacing C. splendens in upland areas, except for one at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00.
Common Raven, Corvus corax Common at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
Eurasian Golden Oriole, Oriolus oriolus One male at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 26/11/00.
Black-hooded Oriole, O. xanthornus Common at Corbett NP, seen frequently in the trees in Dhikala.
Long-tailed Minivet, Pericrocotus ethologus Two at Naini Tal, 11/11/00.
Small Minivet, P. cinnamomeus 10 at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00.
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Hemipus picatus Two at Corbett NP, 16/11/00.
Yellow-bellied Fantail, Rhipidura hypoxantha One seen near Daramkot, 20/11/00.
White-throated Fantail, R. albicollis One at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 25/11/00.
White-browed Fantail, R. aureola One at Dhikala, Corbett NP, 16/11/00.
Black Drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus Very common.
White-bellied Drongo, D. caerulescens One at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00.
Common Iora, Aegithina tiphia Common at Ramnagar and Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Common Woodshrike, Tephrodornis pondicerianus One seen at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00.
Blue Rock Thrush, Monticola solitarius Pair at Bund Baretha, 27/11/00.
Blue Whistling Thrush, Myophonus caeruleus Common at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
Orange-headed Thrush, Zoothera citrina One seen in nursery area, Keoladeo Ghana NP on 24 and 28/11/00.
Scaly Thursh, Z. dauma dauma One flushed at Naini Tal (near Naini Peak), on 12/11/00.
Tickell's Thrush, Turdus unicolor Two in the nursery, Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00.
Grey-winged Blackbird, T. boulboul One male and two females feeding in a fruiting tree on a hillside near McLeod Ganj, 19/11/00.
Dark-throated Thrush, T. ruficollis Small flocks seen at Snow-view Ridge, Naini Tal, 12/11/00 and at McLeod Ganj.
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher, Ficedula strophiata One at Naini Peak, Naini Tal, 12/11/00.
Red-throated Flycatcher, F. parva Common at Keoladeo Ghana NP and Ranthambor.
Ultramarine Flycatcher, F. superciliaris One male at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 26/11/00.
Slaty-blue Flycatcher, F. tricolor One immature/female possibly of this species seen adjacent to the nursery, Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00.
Grey-headed Flycatcher, Culcicapa ceylonensis 3 at Keoladeo Ghana NP 26/11/00. 2+ at Bund Baretha
Siberian Rubythroat, Luscinia pectoralis Heard at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 28/11/00, from bushes near the temple.
Bluethroat, L. svecica Very common at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Red-flanked Bluetail, Tarsiger cyanurus Scarce at Naini Tal, common at McLeod Ganj.
Oriental Magpie Robin, Copsychus saularis Common.
Indian Robin, Saxicoloides fulicata Common.
Blue-capped Redstart, Phoenicurus coeruleocephalus Common in mountains around Naini Tal and at McLeod Ganj.
Black Redstart, P. ochruros One male at Bund Baretha, 27/11/00. Also at Keoladeo Ghana NP & Sambhar Salt Lake
Blue-fronted Redstart, P. frontalis Single males seen at Naini Peak, Naini Tal, 12/11/00 and Daramkot 20/11/00. Also at Mcleod Ganj
White-capped Water Redstart, Chaimarrornis leucocephalus Common at Ramnagar, Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj. See photo below.
Plumbeous Water Redstart, Rhyacornis fulignosus Common along rivers at Ramnagar and Corbett NP. Also present around Naini Lake.
Common Stonechat, Saxicola torquata indica Common at Corbett NP.
Pied Bushchat, S. caprata Common.
Grey Bushchat, S. ferrea Common at Ramnagar and Corbett NP.
Brown Rock-chat, Cercomela fusca Common at Ramnagar, Fatehpur Sikri and Sambhar Salt Lake.
Variable Wheater, Oenanthe picata Three seen around Sambhar Salt Lake, 02/12/00.
Desert Wheatear, O. deserti Two at Sambhar Salt Lake, 02/12/00.
Isabelline Wheatear, O. isabellina One at Sambhar Salt Lake, 02/12/00.
Brahminy Starling, Sturnus pagodarum Common at Ramnagar and Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Rose-coloured Starling, S. roseus One among large mixed flock of starlings at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 24/11/00.
Asian Pied Starling, S. contra Common.
Common Myna, Acridotheres tristis Abundant.
Bank Myna, A. ginginianus Common.
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Sitta castanea Single seen at Kosi River, 10/11/00.
White-tailed Nuthatch, S. himalayensis Common at Naini Tal. One seen stealing pakora (deep fried battered vegetables) from a stall at Snow-view Ridge, 12/11/00!
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, S. frontalis Two at Corbett NP, 16/11/00.
Bar-tailed Treecreeper, C. himalayana Common at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
Rufous-naped Tit, Parus rufonuchalis Common at Snow-view Ridge, Naini Tal, 12/11/00.
Spot-winged Tit, P. melanolophus Very Common around Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
Green-backed Tit, P. monticolus Very common at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
Great Tit. P. major Fairly common around Mcleod Ganj. One between Ramnagar and Amdanda Gate, Corbett NP, 15/11/00.
Black-lored Tit. P. xanthogenys Two seen at Naini Tal, 11/11/00. Fairly common at Mcleod Ganj
Yellow-browed Tit, Sylviparus modestus One at McLeod Ganj, 19/11/00.
Black-throated Tit, Aegithalos concinnus Very common at Naini Tal, less so at McLeod Ganj.
Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes One at Daramkot, 20/11/00. Also at Mcleod Ganj,19/11/00.
Plain Martin, Riparia paludicola Common.
Eurasian Crag Martin, Hirundo rupestris Large flock seen at Naini Tal, 12/11/00, mixed with Red-rumped Swallows.
Dusky Crag Martin, H. concolor Common at Kosi River and Fatehpur Sikri. Also around Delhi airport
Barn Swallow, H. rustica Common.
Pacific Swallow, H. tahitica Common.
Wire-tailed Swallow, H. smithii A flock seen on wires at Delhi, 09/11/00 and fairly common at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Red-rumped Swallow, H. daurica nipalensis Large flock at Naini Tal, 12/11/00.
Red-whiskered Bulbul, Pycnonotus jocosus Common.
Red-vented Bulbul, P. cafer Common.
Himalayan Bulbul, P. leucogenys Common at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
White-eared Bulbul, P.leucotis Two seen at Keoladeo Ghana NP, 24/11/00.
Black Bulbul, Hypsetes leucocephalus One at McLeod Ganj, 19/11/00.
Jungle Prinia, Prinia sylvatica Common.
Yellow-bellied Prinia, P. flaviventris Common.
Plain Prinia, P. inornata Common at Ramnagar and in Corbett NP.
Ashy Prinia, P. socialis Small numbers seen at Ramnagar.
Bright-headed Zisticola, Cisticola exilis Common at Corbett NP.
Oriental White-eye, Zosterops palpebrosus Common at Ramnagar, Corbett NP and Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, Cettia fortipes One possible at Naini Tal, 11/11/00 near Arvinda Gorge, Naini Tal.
Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella naevia One skulking, streaked Locustella in beach scrub at Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 08/11/00 seems likely to have been this species.
Blyth's Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum Common around hotel grounds, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 08/11/00.
Clamorous Reed Warbler, A. stentoreus Common in marsh near hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 08/11/00 and common at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Booted Warbler, Hippolais caligata One seen in dry scrub on an island in the River Kosi, Ramnagar, 14/11/00.
Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca Common at Agra, Keoladeo Ghana NP etc.
Common Tailorbird, Orthtomus sutorius Common.
Common/Siberian Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus (Collybita) tristis Very common.
Dusky Warbler, P. fuscatus Small numbers seen at McLeod Ganj.
Buff-barred Warbler, P. pulcher One or two usually present with mixed flocks at Naini Tal, especially in the High Fields area. Also seen at McLeod Ganj.
Ashy-throated Warbler, P. maculipennis One at McLeod Ganj on 12/11/00 was singing frequently. Seen most days at McLeod Ganj.
Lemon-rumped Warbler, P. chloronatus The commonest warbler species at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj, often being the bulk of mixed species flocks. Flocks would often hold up to 30 individuals. This species seemed very close in appearance to Pallas's Warbler, P. proregulus, but appeared not as clean-cut in appearance, with yellower (less white) underparts and a yellowish wash to the dingy green upperparts. The supercilia, crownstripe, wingbars and tertial edges were not as contrastingly bold. See photo below.
Brook's Leaf Warbler, P. subviridis One seen in mature trees on the edge of the nursery at Keoladeo Ghana NP on 28/11/00.
Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler, P. humei Very common at Naini Tal, Ramnagar and Corbett.
Greenish Warbler, P. trochiloides Very common at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Blyth's Leaf Warbler, P. reguloides One seen in Naini Tal on 11/11/00.
Grey-hooded Warbler, Seicercus xanthoschistos Common in the mountains, around Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj especially.
White-throated Laughingthrush, Garrulax albogularis A flock of approximately 30 individuals were located on snow view ridge feeding on the rubbish tip at the back of the houses. Very approachable and noisy birds! See photo below.
Streaked Laughingthrush, G. lineatus The most common Laughingthrush, seen frequently around the settlements and woods at Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj.
Variegated Laughingthrush, G. variegatus Singles seen at McLeod Ganj 19/11/00 and near Darmkot the next day. Fairly common around Mcleod Ganj. Eg, 3+, the circuit, 19th; 2+, 20th; 2+ on the circuit, 21st; 1 from bedroom window, 22/11/00.
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, G. erythrocephalus Small numbers (up to 3) seen at McLeod Ganj on 20-21/11/00.
Black-chinned Babbler, Stachyris pyrrhops Small numbers usually associating with mixed species flocks in the High Fields area of Naini Tal and more commonly around McLeod Ganj.
Yellow-eyed Babbler, Chrysomma sinense One flock of about a dozen seen at Corbett in the Chaur by Dhikala on 16/11/00.
Common Babbler, Turdoides caudatus Seen frequently on the way to, and around Sambar, 02/12/00.
Large Grey Babbler, T. malcolmi Several large, noisy parties seen moving around Keoladeo Ghana NP on most days.
Jungle Babbler, T. striatus Very common.
Yellow-billed Babbler, T. affinis turbans Common at Colombo, especially in the hotel grounds!
Chestnut-tailed Minla, Minla strigula Two seen at McLeod Ganj, 19/11/00 and one on 21/11/00.
Whiskered Yuhina, Yuhina flavicollis Small numbers in the High Fields area of Naini Tal and at McLeod Ganj.
Rufous Sibia, Heterophasia capistrata Fairly common in the forest around Naini Tal and McLeod Ganj, usually found with mixed species flocks.
Crested Lark, Galerida cristata One seen in semi desert near Sambar Salt Lake on 02/12/00.
Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Eremopterix grisea One by the Kosi River, 10/11/00.
Purple-rumped Sunbird, Nectarinia zeylonica Common around hotel at Colombo.
Purple Sunbird, N. asiatica Fairly common around Ramnagar and Keoladeo Ghana and at Taj Mahal.
Crimson Sunbird, N. siparaja One between Ramnagar and Amdanda Gate, Corbett NP, 15/11/00.
House Sparrow, Passer domesticus Very common.
Russet Sparrow, P. rutilans Common around McLeod Ganj. Perhaps surprisingly, this species was not encountered in Naini Tal. Is it being out-competed by House Sparrow?
Chestnut-shouldered Petronia, Petronia xanthocollis Common south of Delhi, notably at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
White Wagtail, Motacilla alba alboides and leucopsis Common.
White-browed Wagtail, M. maderaspatensis Common at Ramnagar, Corbett, Keoladeo Ghana NP and Bund Baretha.
Citrine Wagtail, M. citreola Common at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Yellow Wagtail, M. flava Common at Keoladeo Ghana NP.
Grey Wagtail, M. cinerea Seen at Corbett along the rivers.
Paddyfield Pipit, Anthus rufulus Common at Keoladeo Ghana NP and near Sawai Madhopur Junction.
Tawny Pipit, A. campestris Two seen near Sawai Madhopur Junction 30/11/00.
Long-billed Pipit, A. similis One possible seen at Ramnagar on 10/11/00.
Olive-backed Pipit, A. hodgsoni Common at Keoladeo Ghana NP and one seen at Ramnagar on 14/11/00.
Rufous-breasted Accentor, Prunella strophiata Small numbers at McLeod Ganj most days.
Black-throated Accentor, P. atrogularis Two present near the settlement at High Fields, Naini Tal 11/11/00.
Red Avadavat, Amandava amandava A small flock seen in Keoladeo Ghana NP on 28/11/00.
Indian Silverbill, Lonchura malabarica Common.
Scaly-breasted Munia, L. punctulata Common at Ramnagar.
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch, Carduelis spinoides Two at Naini Tal, 11/11/00. Two at McLeod Ganj, 20/11/00.
Pink-browed Rosefinch, Carpodacus rodochrous 3 at High Fields, Naini Tal, 11/11/00. 2 by the lake, Naini Tal, 13/11/00. Common around McLeod Ganj.
Rock Bunting, Emberiza cia One male at Daramkot, 20/11/00.