The family Megalaimidae was first introduced by Edward Blyth (23 December 1810 – 27 December 1873), an English zoologist, in the year 1852.
The Megalaimidae contains subfamilies Megalaiminae and Caloramphinae. It includes two genera, Psilopogon and Caloramphus, divided into 34 species.
The genus Psilopogon was introduced by Dr. Salomon Müller (April 7, 1804 – December 29, 1864), a German naturalist, in the year 1836. Earlier, this genus used to include a single species Psilopogon pyrolophus.
The species under the genus Megalaima were found to be similar to Psilopogon pyrolophus and all of them were brought under genus Psilopogon. The species Psilopogon pyrolophus is retained as type species of this genus.
The species P. pyrolophus was first described (as Trogon asiaticus) by John Latham (27 June 1740 – 4 February 1837), an English physician, naturalist and author, in the year 1790. The P. pyrolophus is polytypic and includes two subspecies.
Taxonomic classification
Binomial name:
Psilopogon asiaticus
Species:
P. asiaticus
Genus:
Psilopogon
Subfamily:
-
Family:
Megalaimidae
Order:
Piciformes
Class:
Aves
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia
1.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus 352 Photo by Koshy Koshy
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2.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by SaniyaChaplod
3.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by Darren Bellerby
4.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by Sougandha Sarkar
5.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by Prateik Kulkarni
6.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by SaniyaChaplod
7.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by J.M.Garg
8.Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus Photo by Abhijitbarua gauripur
The blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus) belongs to the family of Asian barbets, the Megalaimidae.
The blue-throated barbet species is distributed in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China. These barbet species have bright green, blue and red plumage. These barbets are polytypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus) is a medium-sized barbet, measuring 20 to 25 cm in length and weighing 60 to 100 grams.
The overall plumage of this blue-throated barbet is green. The face and throat are bluish. There is a red forehead and black-edged red cap. There is a pale bluish patch between the forehead and the cap. There are two small reddish patches on the throat.
The back, wings and the uppertail of the blue-throated barbet are green. The underparts are yellowish green. The undertail is bluish green. Both the sexes look similar. The juveniles have paler plumage.
The bill is heavy and fringed with bristles. The bill is ivory colored with dark patch on the tip as well as the upper side of the upper mandible. The irises are brown. The feet are pale gray. Their call is a fast repeated "tu-tu-tuk" sounds.
1.Birds of India - Image of Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus by SaniyaChaplod
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2.Indian birds - Picture of Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus by Koshy Koshy
3.Birds of India - Photo of Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus by Darren Bellerby
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The blue-throated barbet species is distributed in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China.
In India, these blue-throated barbet species are distributed in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram.
The blue-throated barbet nominate subspecies P. a. asiaticus is distributed in northeast Pakistan, along the Himalayan India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, northeast India, north and central Myanmar and south and central China.
The blue-throated barbet subspecies P. a. davisoni is distributed in southeast Myanmar, Thailand, northern Laos, north and central Vietnam and south and central China.
Ecosystem and habitat
These blue-throated barbet species have moderate forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes from 200 to 2000 meters. The artificial ecosystems and habitats of these species include plantations, rural gardens, urban parks and orchards.
The natural ecosystems and habitats of these barbet species include, subtropical and tropical lowland forests, subtropical and tropical montane forests, primary and secondary evergreen forests and deciduous forests.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of the blue-throated barbet consists mainly of fruits. Wild fruits, orchard fruits, berries, figs, flower and buds are their primary food. Sometime they feed on insects including ants, cicadas, dragonflies, crickets, locusts, beetles and mantids.
Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these blue-throated barbet species is from March to July in India. Sometimes two broods are raised in a season. These birds are monogamous and territorial. Courtship includes singing and counter-singing and bobbing of head.
These blue-throated barbet species mostly excavate holes in trees for nesting. The clutch contains two to four white eggs without any markings. Both pairs take turns to incubate the eggs. The chicks hatch out after 13-15 days.
Migration and movement patterns
These blue-throated barbet species are non-migratory resident birds. The birds in higher altitudes may descent to lower levels during winter.
Post breeding, the juvenile barbets may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Distribution: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, China
Diet and feeding habits: fruits, berries, figs, insects
IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be stable.
Throughout its range, this barbet species is reported to be common. The generation length is 8.5 years. Its distribution size is about 4,020,000 sq.km.
Habitat alteration and destruction, deforestation and trapping for pet-trade are the main threats that are endangering the survival of this barbet species.
IUCN and CITES status
The blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Psilopogon asiaticus
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Piciformes
Family:
Megalaimidae
Subfamily:
-
Genus:
Psilopogon
Species:
P. asiaticus
Binomial name:
Psilopogon asiaticus
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
The blue-throated barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus) is closely related to the turquoise-throated barbet (Psilopogon chersonesus), moustached barbet (Psilopogon incognitus) and Annam barbet (Psilopogon annamensis).
The two recognized subspecies of Psilopogon asiaticus are: Psilopogon asiaticus asiaticus (Latham, 1790) and Psilopogon asiaticus davisoni (A. O. Hume, 1877).
1.Photo source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bird_Blue_throated_barbet_01.jpg (cropped)
Photo author: SaniyaChaplod | License: CC BY-SA 4.0
2.Photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kkoshy/26047661023/ (cropped)
Photo author: Koshy Koshy | License: CC BY 2.0 as on 11/15/17
3.Photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/world-birds/17503574313/ (cropped)
Photo author: Darren Bellerby | License: CC BY 2.0 as on 11/15/17
Current topic in Birds of India: Blue-throated barbet - Psilopogon asiaticus.
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The family Strigidae was first described by William Elford Leach, MD, FRS (2 February 1791 – 25 August 1836), an English zoologist and marine biologist, in a guide to the contents of the British Museum published in 1820.
Nearly 25 genera and 220 extant species are classified under the Strigidae. The genus Athene was introduced by Friedrich Boie (4 June 1789 – 3 March 1870), a German entomologist, herpetologist, ornithologist and lawyer, in the year 1822.
The genus Athene includes four living species, viz., Athene brama, Athene noctua, Athene blewitti and Athene cunicularia. The species Athene brama is polytypic and includes five subspecies, viz., Athene brama brama, Athene brama indica, Athene brama ultra, Athene brama pulchra and Athene brama mayri.
Taxonomic classification
Binomial name:
Athene brama
Species:
A. brama
Genus:
Athene brama
Subfamily:
-
Family:
Strigidae
Order:
Strigiformes
Class:
Aves
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia
1.Spotted owlet - Athene brama 369 Photo by Mahesh Mankar
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2.Spotted owlet - Athene brama Photo by Deepak sankat
3.Spotted owlet - Athene brama Photo by Swaroopsingharoy
4.Spotted owlet - Athene brama Photo by Jishnu Satheesh babu
5.Spotted owlet - Athene brama Photo by ANIL KUMAR BOSE
6.Spotted owlet - Athene brama Photo by Souryadeep Mukherjee
7.Athene brama Photo by Sri Raman A
8.Athene brama Photo by Lip Kee
9.Spotted owlet - Athene brama - Juvenile Photo by Rushil2u
The spotted owlet (Athene brama) belongs to the family of owls and owlets, the Strigidae.
The spotted owlet species is distributed in Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. These owlet species are resident birds and have adapted to live near human habitation. These owlets are polytypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The spotted owlet (Athene brama) is a small owlet with rounded head, measuring 18 to 20 cm in length and weighing 100 to 115 grams.
The overall plumage of these owlets is shades of brown. The brown head is heavily spotted white. The facial disc is dark and there are curved white eyebrows. There is a white neck band.
The upperparts of the spotted owlet are grayish brown or brown. The underparts are white with brown streaking. Both the sexes look similar. The juvenile owlets are more whitish with lesser spots and streaks.
The bill has downward curve and is pale yellow. The irises are bright yellow and there is a dark blackish brown eye-ring. The legs and feet are covered with whitish feathers. The call of these owlets is a harsh and loud churring and chuckling "chiurr..chiurr..chiurr" sounds.
1.Birds of India - Image of Spotted owlet - Athene brama by Deepak sankat
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2.Indian birds - Picture of Spotted owlet - Athene brama by Mahesh Mankar
3.Birds of India - Photo of Spotted owlet - Athene brama by Swaroopsingharoy
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The spotted owlet species is distributed in Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
The spotted owlet nominate subspecies A. b. brama is distributed in southern India. The subspecies A. b. ultra is distributed in northeast India. The subspecies A. b. pulchra is distributed in central and southern Myanmar.
The spotted owlet subspecies A. b. indica is distributed in Iran, Pakistan, north and central India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. The subspecies A. b. mayri is distributed in north and east Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Ecosystem and habitat
These spotted owlet species have low forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes from 0 to 1500 meters. The artificial ecosystems and habitats of these species include cultivated lands, flooded agricultural lands, pasturelands, thickly covered gardens and heavily degraded forests.
The natural ecosystems and habitats of these owlet species include, subtropical and tropical open lowland forests, semi-open country, semi-deserts and hot deserts.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of the spotted owlet consists mainly of insects. Grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, moths, insect larvae, toads, small frogs, lizards, small birds and small rodents are their primary food.
Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these spotted owlet species is from February to April in northern India. The laying season is from November to April in southern India.
These spotted owlet species mostly use tree cavities and holes found in buildings and manmade structures for nesting. They prefer well branched densely foliaged trees. Dalbergia sissu, Acacia nilotica, Butea monosperma are some of the preferred tree species.
The clutch contains two to five roundish oval, milky white eggs without any markings. Both pairs take turns to incubate the eggs. The chicks hatch out after 25-30 days and fledge after 25 days.
Migration and movement patterns
These spotted owlet species are non-migratory resident birds. The birds in higher altitudes may descent to lower levels during winter.
Post breeding, the juvenile owlets may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Diet and feeding habits: insects, small birds, toads, small frogs, lizards, small rodents
IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the spotted owlet (Athene brama) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be stable.
Throughout its range, this owlet species is reported to be common. The generation length is 4 years. Its distribution size is about 10,800,000 sq.km.
Habitat alteration and destruction and capture of adults and juveniles for pet-trade are the main threats that are endangering the survival of this owlet species.
IUCN and CITES status
The spotted owlet (Athene brama) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the owlet species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for spotted owlet (Athene brama).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Athene brama
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Strigiformes
Family:
Strigidae
Subfamily:
-
Genus:
Athene
Species:
A. brama
Binomial name:
Athene brama
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
The spotted owlet (Athene brama) is closely related to the little owl (Athene noctua) and the boreal owl (Aegolius funereus).
The five recognized subspecies of the spotted owlet (Athene brama) are: Athene brama brama (Temminck, 1821), Athene brama indica (Franklin, 1831), Athene brama ultra Ripley, 1948, Athene brama pulchra A. O. Hume, 1873 and Athene brama mayri Deignan, 1941.
The Andaman coucal (Centropus andamanensis) aka brown coucal belongs to the family of cuckoos, the Cuculidae.
The Andaman coucal species is distributed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India and Coco Islands of Myanmar. These brown coucal species are endemic to these islands in the Bay of Bengal. These coucals are monotypic species.
Appearance, physical description and identification
The Andaman coucal (Centropus andamanensis) is a large coucal, measuring 45 to 50 cm in length and weighing 230 to 300 grams.
The overall plumage is shades of brown. The head, mantle and underparts are pale grayish brown. The rear mantle and wings are chestnut brown. The tail is pale brown at the base and darkens towards the tip.
The bill has downward curve and is dark metallic gray. The irises are deep red and there is a brownish eye ring. The legs and feet are blackish gray. The call of these coucals is a series of deep, resonant "hoop..hoop..hoop" and also chuckling and grating sounds.
1.Birds of India - Image of Andaman coucal - Centropus andamanensis by Albinjacob
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2.Indian birds - Picture of Andaman coucal - Centropus andamanensis by Antony Grossy
3.Birds of India - Photo of Centropus andamanensis by T R Shankar Raman
Origin, geographical range and distribution
The Andaman coucal species is distributed in India (Andaman Islands, Great Nicobar Island) and Myanmar (Great Coco Island, Little Coco Island and Table Island).
The Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) of these coucal species are, Baratang-Rafters Creek, Jarawa Reserve, Kadakachang, Landfall Island, Wandoor National Park, Mount Diavalo, Mount Harriet, Sentinel Islands, North Reef Island and Rani Jhansi Marine National Park.
Ecosystem and habitat
These Andaman coucal species have moderate forest dependence. They normally occur in altitudes from 0 to 100 meters. The artificial ecosystems and habitats of these species include cultivated lands, flooded agricultural lands, pasturelands and thickly covered gardens.
The natural ecosystems and habitats of these species include, subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical and tropical mangrove forests and swamps.
Diet and feeding behavior
The diet of the Andaman coucal consists mainly of insects. Grasshoppers, crickets, moths, insect larvae, small frogs, crabs and lizards are their primary food.
Reproduction and breeding habits
The breeding season of these Andaman coucal species is from February to July in Indian Islands. The nest is a dome of twigs, grass and leaves placed on the tree. The clutch contains two or three chalky white eggs.
Migration and movement patterns
These Andaman coucal species are non-migratory and are resident birds.
Post breeding, the juvenile coucals may disperse and establish in new locations within the range. They may make local movements for feeding and breeding within their range.
Distribution: India (Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands), Myanmar (Great Coco Island, Little Coco Island)
Diet and feeding habits: insects, insect larvae, grasshoppers, small frogs, crabs, lizards
IUCN status listing: Least Concern (LC)
Conservation and survival
The global population size of the Andaman coucal (Centropus andamanensis) has not been quantified. The overall population trend of the species is considered to be stable.
Throughout its range, this coucal species is reported to be common. The generation length is 3.8 years. Its distribution size is about 77,700 sq.km.
Habitat alteration and destruction and deforestation are the main threats that are endangering the survival of this coucal species.
IUCN and CITES status
The Andaman coucal (Centropus andamanensis) does not approach the thresholds for being Vulnerable either under the range size criterion, or under the population trend criterion or under the population size criterion.
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated the coucal species and has listed it as of "Least Concern".
The CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) status is ‘Not Evaluated’ for Andaman coucal (Centropus andamanensis).
Taxonomy and scientific classification of Centropus andamanensis
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Cuculiformes
Family:
Cuculidae
Subfamily:
-
Genus:
Centropus
Species:
C. andamanensis
Binomial name:
Centropus andamanensis
IUCN status listing:
Least Concern
The Andaman coucal (Centropus andamanensis) is closely related to the greater coucal (Centropus sinensis).
