Woolly-necked stork

Home   ›   Black stork   ›   Woolly-necked stork - Ciconia episcopus.

The woolly-necked stork (Ciconia episcopus) belongs to the family Ciconiidae in the order Ciconiiformes. These stork species are distributed in Africa and Asia. There are three recognized subspecies in these storks. The subspecies C. e. episcopus are distributed in Pakistan, India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines. The subspecies C. e. microscelis are found in Africa. The subspecies C. e. neglecta occurs in Indonesia.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these bird species and had listed them as 'Vulnerable'.

These storks are large wading birds, measuring 85 to 95 cm in length and are 85 cm tall. The neck feathers are soft, fluffy and woolly. They may have a black cap on the head. The woolly neck is white.

The back is black with glossed dark green and purple plumage. The beak is heavy and reddish grey. The legs are long and reddish. The forked tail is black.

They are resident birds and inhabit wetlands, marshes, rivers, lakes and ponds. They feed on frogs, fish, crabs, insects and small reptiles. They breed during July to September in south India and December to March in north India. They nest on the forest trees and the nest has two to five eggs.

Indian birds - Woolly-necked stork - Ciconia episcopus

Biological classification of Ciconia episcopus
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Ciconiiformes
Family:	Ciconiidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Ciconia
Species:	C. episcopus
Binomial name:	Ciconia episcopus
Distribution:	India, Indonesia, and Africa
Feeding habits:	crabs, fish, frogs, shrimps
IUCN status listing:	Vulnerable

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Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woolly-necked_stork,_Bishop_stork_or_White-necked_stork,_Ciconia_episcopus,_at_uMkhuze_Game_Reserve,_kwaZulu-Natal,_South_Africa_(15301626220).jpg
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Current topic in Birds of India: Woolly-necked stork - Ciconia episcopus.

Black stork

Home   ›   Asian openbill   ›   Black stork - Ciconia nigra.

The black stork (Ciconia nigra) belongs to family Ciconiidae in the order Ciconiiformes. These storks are distributed in the Europe, temperate Asia and Southern Africa. These birds are migratory and winter in Africa, India, Myanmar, China, Taiwan and Korea.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these stork species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These storks are large birds, measuring 95 to 100 cm in length and weighing 3,000 grams. The wingspan is 145 to 155 cm. They can stand as tall as 102 cm.

Male birds are slightly larger than the females. The long legs are orange or reddish. The beak is straight and pointed with red coloration. The plumage is blackish with a purplish green sheen. The tail is blackish. The lower breast, belly and undertail is white.

These storks are seen foraging in wetlands, marshes, river banks and lakes. They feed on fish, frogs, insects, snails, crabs and small reptiles. They nest on high trees and the breeding season extends from April to May in Europe.

Indian birds - Black stork - Ciconia nigra

Biological classification of Ciconia nigra
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Ciconiiformes
Family:	Ciconiidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Ciconia
Species:	C. nigra
Binomial name:	Ciconia nigra
Distribution:	Indian Subcontinent, Europe, Asia and Southern Africa
Feeding habits:	crabs, fish, frogs, shrimps
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Current topic in Birds of India: Black stork - Ciconia nigra.

Asian openbill

Home   ›   Painted stork   ›   Asian openbill - Anastomus oscitans.

The Asian openbill (Anastomus oscitans) belongs to the family Ciconiidae. The Asian openbill is a large wading bird of stork family. The Asian openbill is distributed in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The openbill is found in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these openbills and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

The Asian openbill is a large bird, measuring 80 cm in length and 70 cm in height. The bird is greyish white in color with glossy black wings.

It has a forked black tail with purple or greenish sheen. The lower and upper mandibles are arched towards one another with a gap between the curves. The younger birds do not have the gap.

The mandible is greyish with brush like structure in the cutting edges. The relatively short legs are greyish or pinkish.

Indian birds - Asian openbill - Anastomus oscitans

The main feed of openbill is apple snail. They also feed on fish, crabs and frogs. They are seen foraging in flocks in inland wetlands, marshes and ponds. They breed during July to September in northern India and November to March in southern India.

They make platform of nests on half-submerged trees. The nest may have two to four eggs. Both the openbill parents take turn to incubate the eggs.

Biological classification of Anastomus oscitans
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Ciconiiformes
Family:	Ciconiidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Anastomus
Species:	A. oscitans
Binomial name:	Anastomus oscitans
Distribution:	Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia
Feeding habits:	large molluscs, crabs, fish, frogs, shrimps
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Current topic in Birds of India: Asian openbill - Anastomus oscitans.

Painted stork

Home   ›   Swinhoe's storm petrel   ›   Painted stork - Mycteria leucocephala.

The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) belongs to the family, Ciconiidae. The painted stork is a large wading bird of stork family. These birds are widely distributed over the plains of Asia. The painted storks are usually seen in the freshwater wetlands and occasionally in the coastal regions. They are found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these stork species and had listed them as 'Near Threatened'.

The painted stork is a large bird, measuring 90 to 100 cm in length and weighing 2,000 to 3,500 grams. They have a wingspan of about 150 to 160 cm. They have a long heavy yellow beak with a down curved tip.

The bare head is reddish or orange in color. They have a distinctive black pectoral band with white scaly markings. The tertials are long and the tips are bright pink extending beyond the tail when at rest.

Indian birds - Painted stork - Mycteria leucocephala

These storks feed in groups, wading in shallow waters and avoiding deeper waters. They feed on small fish, frogs and reptiles. The breeding season extends from July to October in north India and November to March in south India.

They breed in colonies on the tree tops. The platform of nests is seen in islands and undisturbed areas.The typical clutch may contain two to five eggs. The chicks are fed with regurgitate fish.

Though the population in India is considered secure, the painted stork are near threatened in other countries due to poaching.

Biological classification of Mycteria leucocephala
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Ciconiiformes
Family:	Ciconiidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Mycteria
Species:	M. leucocephala
Binomial name:	Mycteria leucocephala
Distribution:	Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia
Feeding habits:	fish, frogs, shrimps
IUCN status listing:	Near Threatened

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Swinhoe's storm petrel

Home   ›   Black-bellied storm petrel   ›   Swinhoe's storm petrel - Oceanodroma monorhis.

Swinhoe's storm petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis) is a small seabird belonging to the family Hydrobatidae. Swinhoe's storm petrel ranges across Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. These birds breed in islands off the coast of China, Japan, Russia and Korea.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these shearwater species and had listed them as 'Near Threatened'.

These petrels are small birds, measuring 18 to 20 in length and weighing 25 to 55 grams. They have a wingspan of about 50 cm. They are dark brown in color with a notched tail. They feed on small fish and shrimp. They are normally a pelagic birds and are rarely seen in the coastal waters. They breed on offshore islands. The female lays a single egg in the rock crevices and burrows.

Indian birds - Swinhoe's storm petrel - Oceanodroma monorhis

Biological classification of Oceanodroma monorhis
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Hydrobatidae
Subfamily:	Hydrobatinae
Genus:	Oceanodroma
Species:	O. monorhis
Binomial name:	Oceanodroma monorhis
Distribution:	Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Near Threatened

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Image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:OceanodromaMonorhisSmit.jpg
Author: Joseph Smit | License: Public domain
Current topic in Birds of India: Swinhoe's storm petrel - Oceanodroma monorhis.

Black-bellied storm petrel

Home   ›   Jouanin's petrel   ›   Black-bellied storm petrel - Fregetta tropica.

The black-bellied storm petrel (Fregetta tropica) is a seabird in the Hydrobatidae family. The black-bellied storm petrel ranges across tropical and subtropical major oceans including Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. It is found in Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Oman, South Africa, South India and several oceanic islands.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these petrel species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These petrels are small, measuring 20 cm in length and weighing 40 to 60 grams. They have a wingspan of 45 cm. They are near blackish in color and have white upper tail-coverts. They are rarely seen from the shore, except during breeding season starting by September. They feed on small fish, squid and shrimps.

Indian birds - Black-bellied storm petrel - Fregetta tropica

Biological classification of Fregetta tropica
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Hydrobatidae
Subfamily:	Oceanitinae
Genus:	Fregetta
Species:	F. tropica
Binomial name:	Fregetta tropica
Distribution:	Antarctica, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fregetta_tropica_By_John_Gould.jpg
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Jouanin's petrel

Home   ›   Tropical shearwater   ›   Jouanin's petrel - Bulweria fallax.

Jouanin's petrel (Bulweria fallax) is a seabird belonging to the Procellariidae family. Jouanin's petrel is found in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Red Sea. These bird species are seen off coasts of Djibouti, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Maldives, Mozambique, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Somalia, and Yemen.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these bird species and had listed them as 'Near Threatened'.

These birds are small in size, measuring 30 cm in length and weighing 150 to 180 grams. Their wingspan is 75 to 85 cm. They are dark sooty birds with wedge shaped tail. They feed on fish, squids and shrimps. They are marine and pelagic and are observed far from the shore. Their natural habitats are open seas and shallow seas. They have been recorded to breed on Socotra.

Indian birds - Jouanin's petrel - Bulweria fallax

Biological classification of Bulweria fallax
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Procellariidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Bulweria
Species:	B. fallax
Binomial name:	Bulweria fallax
Distribution:	Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Near Threatened

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Tropical shearwater

Home   ›   Cory's shearwater   ›   Tropical shearwater - Puffinus bailloni.

The tropical shearwater (Puffinus bailloni) is a seabird in the Procellariidae family. The tropical shearwater ranges across Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. There are four recognized subspecies of these bird species. The subspecies are: P. b. nicolae, P. b. bailloni, P. b. dichrous and P. b. gunax.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these shearwater species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These birds are small in size, measuring 25 to 35 cm in length and weighing 150 to 250 grams. Their wingspan is 65 to 75 cm. These birds are dark brown in color with white throat. They are pelagic, but quite often sighted offshore. They are seen off south India, Japan and east Africa. They feed on fish, squid and shrimp. These birds breed during summer months.

Indian birds - Tropical shearwater - Puffinus bailloni

Biological classification of Puffinus bailloni
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Procellariidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Puffinus
Species:	P. bailloni
Binomial name:	Puffinus bailloni
Distribution:	occasionally Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Cory's shearwater

Home   ›   Streaked shearwater   ›   Cory's shearwater - Calonectris borealis.

The Cory's shearwater (Calonectris borealis) is a seabird in the family Procellariidae. The Cory's shearwater ranges widely in Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean and occasionally in Indian Ocean. These species breed in islands off Portugal and Spain.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these shearwater species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These shearwater are medium sized birds, measuring 50 to 55 cm in length and weighing 600 to 1000 grams. Their wingspan is 110 to 125 cm. It has brownish-grey upper parts, white underparts and a yellowish bill. They appear very similar to C. diomedea but much larger. They are pelagic, except for breeding colonies, they are not seen from shore. They feed on fish, molluscs, squids and shrimp. They are noted for following fishing vessels. They breed from April onwards. They nest among rocks and burrows. They lay single egg and both the parents take part in rearing the chick.

Indian birds - Cory's shearwater - Calonectris borealis

Biological classification of Calonectris borealis
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Procellariidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Calonectris
Species:	C. borealis
Binomial name:	Calonectris borealis
Distribution:	occasionally Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Image source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CorysShearwaterBottom.jpg
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Streaked shearwater

Home   ›   Short-tailed shearwater   ›   Streaked shearwater - Calonectris leucomelas.

The Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) is a seabird belonging to Procellariidae family. The Streaked Shearwater ranges across Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. These birds nest on islands off Japan, China, Korea and Russia. After breeding they migrate to Indian Ocean and are seen off the coast of Australia and southern India.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these shearwater species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These birds measure 45 to 50 cm in length and weigh 450 to 550 grams. They have a wingspan of 100 to 110 cm. The shearwater is brownish in color with mottled head and mottled white underparts. The bill is rather large and pale. The legs are pale pink in color. They feed mainly on squid and fish. They are known to follow fishing vessels. They breed from March onwards. They nest in burrows in high forested hills.

Indian birds - Streaked shearwater - Calonectris leucomelas

Biological classification of Calonectris leucomelas
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Procellariidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Calonectris
Species:	C. leucomelas
Binomial name:	Calonectris leucomelas
Distribution:	Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Short-tailed shearwater

Home   ›   Flesh-footed Shearwater   ›   Short-tailed shearwater - Ardenna tenuirostris.

The short-tailed shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris) is a seabird belonging to family Procellariidae. The short-tailed shearwater ranges across Pacific and Indian Oceans. These shearwaters are migratory birds breeding in Tasmania and Australia.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these shearwater species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These birds are medium sized, measuring 40 to 45 cm in length and weighing 500 to 900 grams. They have a wingspan of about 100 cm. These birds are blackish brown on the cap and slightly paler over rest of the upper parts. They have blunt-tail and black-bill. They are seen inshore and offshore. It feeds on fish, squids and shrimps. They breed during September and October. Both the parents take turn to feed the single chick.

Indian birds - Short-tailed shearwater - Ardenna tenuirostris

Biological classification of Ardenna tenuirostris
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Procellariidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Ardenna
Species:	A. tenuirostris
Binomial name:	Ardenna tenuirostris
Distribution:	Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean,
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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Flesh-footed Shearwater

Home   ›   Wedge-tailed shearwater   ›   Flesh-footed Shearwater - Ardenna carneipes.

The flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) is a seabird belonging to the family Procellariidae. The flesh-footed shearwater ranges across, Indian ocean, Pacific Ocean and Arabian Sea. The shearwater breeds on islands off Australia and New Zealand.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had categorized and evaluated these shearwater species and had listed them as of 'Least Concern'.

These birds are medium sized, measuring 40 to 50 cm in length and weighing 500 to 775 grams. They have a wingspan of 100 to 115 cm. They have blackish brown plumage. The feet are pale pink and the bill is pale yellow with distinct black tip. These birds breed in colonies and breed during September and November.

Indian birds - Flesh-footed shearwater - Ardenna carneipes

Biological classification of Ardenna pacificus
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Procellariiformes
Family:	Procellariidae
Subfamily:	-
Genus:	Ardenna
Species:	A. carneipes
Binomial name:	Ardenna carneipes
Distribution:	Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arabian Sea
Feeding habits:	fish, squids and shrimp;
IUCN status listing:	Least Concern

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