This checklist is based on the one compiled by Eric D’Cunha, which in
turn was based on the one published in the Journal of the BNHS (Dec. 1986)
by P Newton, S Breedon and G Norman. Additional sightings by Rahul Rao,
Raja Purohit and Rashid Ali
R=Resident S=Summer W=Winter ( ) Old Names
ORDER: GALLIFORMES
Family: Phasianidae
Black Francolin (Black Partridge) R Francolinus francolinus
Painted Francolin (Painted Partridge) R Francolinus pictus
Grey Francolin (Grey Partridge) R Francolinus pondicerianus
Rain Quail (Black-breasted Quail) R Coturnix coromandelica
Blue-breasted Quail R Coturnix chinensis
Jungle Bush Quail R Perdicula asiatica
Red Spurfowl R Galloperdix spadicea
Red Junglefowl R Gallus gallus
Indian Peafowl R Pavo cristatus
(Common Peafowl , Blue Peafowl )
ORDER: ANSERIFORMES
Family: Dendrocygndiae
Lesser Whistling-duck R Dendrocygna javanica
(Lesser Whistling-teal, Lesser Treeduck )
Family: Anatidae
Anserini
Greylag Goose W Anser anser
Ruddy Shelduck (Ruddy Sheldrake) W Tadorna ferruginea
Comb Duck R Sarkidiornis melanotos
Cotton Pygmy-goose (Cotton Teal) R Nettapus coromandelianus
Anatini
Eurasian Wigeon (Wigeon) W Anas penelope
Mallard W Anas platyrhynchos
Spot-billed Duck R Anas poecilorhyncha
(Spotbil Duck , Spotbill)
Northern Shoveler W Anas clypeata
(Shoveller)
Northern Pintail W Anas acuta
(Common Pintail, Pintail)
Garganey W Anas querquedula
Common Teal
W Anas crecca
ORDER: TURNICIFORMES
Family: Turnicidae
Small Buttonquail R Turnix sylvatica
(Little Bustardquail, Little Buttonquail)
Yellow-legged Buttonquail R Turnix tanki
(Button Quail)
Barred Buttonquail R Turnix suscitator
(Common Bustardquail)
ORDER: PICIFORMES
Family: Picidae
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker R Dendrocopos nanus
(Brown-crowned Pigmy Woodpecker)
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker R Dendrocopos mahrattensis
(Yellow-fronted Woodpecker)
Rufous Woodpecker R Celeus brachyurus
Lesser Yellownape R Picus chlorolophus
(Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker)
Streak-throated Woodpecker R Picus xanthopygaeus
(Little Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker)
Black-rumped Flameback R Dinopium benghalense
(Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker)
Greater Flameback R Chrysocolaptes lucidus
(Larger Golden-backed Woodpecker,)
White-naped Woodpecker R Chrysocolaptes festivus
(Black-backed Woodpecker)
Heart-spotted Woodpecker R Hemicircus canente
Family: Megalaimidae
Brown-headed Barbet (Green Barbet) R Megalaima zeylanica
Coppersmith Barbet R Megalaima haemacephala
(Crimson-breasted Barbet)
ORDER: BUCEROTIFORMES
Family: Bucerotidae
Indian Grey Hornbill R Ocyceros birostris
(Common Grey Hornbill, Gray Hornbill)
Malabar Pied Hornbill R Anthracoceros coronatus
ORDER: UPUPIFORMES
Family: Upupidae
Common Hoopoe (Hoopoe) R Upupa epops
ORDER: CORACIIFORMES
Family: Coraciidae
Indian Roller R Coracias benghalensis
Family: Alcedinidae
Common Kingfisher R Alcedo atthis
(Small Blue Kingfisher, Eurasian Kingfisher)
Family: Halcyonidae
Stork-billed Kingfisher R Halcyon capensis
White-throated Kingfisher R Halcyon smyrnensis
(White-breasted Kingfisher, Smyrna Kingfisher)
Black-capped Kingfisher R Halcyon pileata
(Black-capped Purple Kingfisher)
Family: Cerylidae
Pied Kingfisher R Ceryle rudis
(Lesser Pied Kingfisher, Small-pied Kingfisher)
Family: Meropidae
Blue-bearded Bee-eater R Nyctyornis athertoni
Green Bee-eater R Merops orientalis
(Little Green Bee-eater)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater R Merops philippinus
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater R Merops leschenaulti
ORDER: CUCULIFORMES
Family: Cuculidae
Pied Cuckoo S Clamator jacobinus
(Pied Crested Cuckoo, Jacobin Cuckoo)
Common Hawk Cuckoo R Hierococcyx varius
Indian Cuckoo R Cuculus micropterus
Eurasian Cuckoo R Cuculus canorus
(The Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo)
Banded Bay Cuckoo R Cacomantis sonneratii
(Indian Banded Bay Cuckoo)
Grey-bellied Cuckoo R Cacomantis passerinus
(Indian Plaintive Cuckoo)
Asian Koel R Eudynamys scolopacea
(Koel)
Sirkeer Malkoha R Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii
(Sirkeer Cuckoo, Sirkeer)
Family: Centropodidae
Greater Coucal R Centropus sinensis
(Crow-pheasant)
ORDER: PSITTACIFORMES
Family: Psittacidae
Alexandrine Parakeet R Psittacula eupatria
(Large Indian Parakeet)
Rose-ringed Parakeet R Psittacula krameri
Plum-headed Parakeet R Psittacula cyanocephala
(Blossom-headed Parakeet)
ORDER: APODIFORMES
Family: Apodidae
White-rumped Needletail R Zoonavena sylvatica
(White-rumped Spinetail)
House Swift (Little Swift) R Apus affinis
Family: Hemiprocnidae
Crested Treeswift (Crested Swift) R Hemiprocne coronata
ORDER: STRIGIFORMES
Family: Tytonidae
Barn Owl R Tyto alba
Family: Strigidae
Eurasian Scops Owl W Otus scops
(European Scops Owl)
Collared Scops Owl R Otus bakkamoena
Rock Eagle Owl R Bubo bubo bengalensis
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl R Bubo nipalensis
(Forest Eagle Owl)
Brown Fish Owl R Ketupa zeylonensis
Mottled Wood Owl R Strix ocellata
Jungle Owlet R Glaucidium radiatum
(Barred Jungle Owlet)
Spotted Owlet R Athene brama
Brown Hawk Owl(Brown Boobook) R Ninox scutulata
Short-eared Owl W Asio flammeus
Family: Caprimulgidae
Grey Nightjar R Caprimulgus indicus
(Indian Jungle Nightjar)
Indian Nightjar R Caprimulgus asiaticus
(Common Indian Nightjar)
Savanna Nightjar (Franklin’s) R Caprimulgus affinis
ORDER:COLUMBIFORMES
Family:Columbidae
Rock Pigeon (Blue Rock Pigeon) R Columba livia
Oriental Turtle Dove R Streptopelia orientalis
(Rufous Turtle Dove)
Laughing Dove (Little Brown) R Streptopelia senegalensis
Spotted Dove R Streptopelia chinensis
Red Collared Dove (Red Turtle) R Streptopelia tranquebarica
Eurasian Collared Dove (Indian Ring) R Streptopelia decaocto
Emerald Dove R Chalcophaps indica
(Bronze-winged Dove)
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon R Treron phoenicoptera
(Yellow-legged Green or Bengal)
ORDER: GRUIFORMES
Family: Otididae
Lesser Florican (Likh) R Sypheotides indica
Family: Gruidae
Sarus Crane
R Grus antigone
Family: Rallidae
Slaty-breasted Rail R Gallirallus striatus
(Blue-breasted Banded Rail)
Brown Crake R Amaurornis akool
White-breasted Waterhen R Amaurornis phoenicurus
Baillon’s Crake W Porzana pusilla
Common Moorhen R Gallinula chloropus
(Moorhen, Waterhen, Indian Gallinule)
ORDER: CICONIIFORMES
Family: Scolopacidae
Scolopacinae
Common Snipe (Fantail Snipe) W Gallinago gallinago
Tringinae
Spotted Redshank W Tringa erythropus
Common Redshank (Redshank) W Tringa totanus
Marsh Sandpiper W Tringa stagnatilis
Common Greenshank (Greenshank) W Tringa nebularia
Green Sandpiper W Tringa ochropus
Wood Sandpiper W Tringa glareola
Common Sandpiper W Actitis hypoleucos
Family: Rostratulidae
Greater Painted-snipe R Rostratula benghalensis
(Painted Snipe)
Family: Jacanidae
Pheasant-tailed Jacana R Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Bronze-winged Jacana R Metopidius indicus
Family: Burhinidae
Eurasian Thick-knee R Burhinus oedicnemus
(Stone-curlew, Stone-Plover)
Great Thick-knee R Esacus recurvirostris
(Great Stone Plover)
Family: Charadriidae
Black-winged Stilt R Himantopus himantopus
Charadriinae
Little Ringed Plover W Charadrius dubius
(Little Plover, Little Ring Plover)
Yellow-wattled Lapwing R Vanellus malarbaricus
Red-wattled Lapwing R Vanellus indicus
Family: Glareolidae
Glareolinae
Small Pratincole R Glareola lactea
(Small Indian Pratincole, Little Pratincole)
Family: Laridae
Sternini
River Tern R Sterna aurantia
(Indian River Tern)
Family: Accipitridae
Pandioninae
Osprey W Pandion haliaetus
Accipitrinae
Oriental Honey-buzzard R Pernis ptilorhyncus
(Crested Honey Buzzard, Honey Kite)
Black-shouldered Kite R Elanus caeruleus
(Black-winged Kite)
Black Kite R Milvus migrans
(Pariah Kite, Dark Kite, Black-eared Kite)
Grey-headed Fish Eagle R Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
(Himalayan, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle)
Egyptian Vulture R Neophron percnopterus
(Small White, Scavenger)
White-rumped Vulture R Gyps bengalensis
(Indian White-backed Vulture)
Indian Vulture R Gyps indicus
(Indian Long-billed, Indian Griffon)
Red-headed Vulture R Sarcogyps calvus
(King Vulture, Black Vulture)
Crested Serpent Eagle R Spilornis cheela
Eurasian Marsh Harrier W Circus aeruginosus
(Western Marsh Harrier)
Pallid Harrier W Circus macrourus
(Pale Harrier)
Pied Harrier W Circus melanoleucos
Shikra R Accipiter badius
White-eyed Buzzard R Butastur teesa
(White-eyed Buzzard Eagle)
Bonelli’s Eagle R Hieraaetus fasciatus
(Bonelli’s Hawk Eagle)
Booted Eagle W Hieraaetus pennatus
(Booed Hawk Eagle)
Changeable Hawk Eagle R Spizaetus cirrhatus
(Crested Hawk Eagle)
Family: Falconidae
Common Kestrel W Falco tinnunculus
(Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel)
Laggar Falcon R Falco jugger
Peregrine Falcon W Falco peregrinus
(Red-capped Falcon, Barbary Falcon)
Family: Podicipedidae
Little Grebe R Tachybaptus ruficollis
Family: Anhingidae
Darter R Anhinga melanogaster
(Indian Darter, Oriental Darter, Snakebird)
Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Little Cormorant R Phalacrocorax niger
Indian Cormorant (Shag) R Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
Great Cormorant R Phalacrocorax carbo
(Cormorant, Large Cormorant)
Family: Ardeidae
Little Egret R Egretta garzetta
Grey Heron R Ardea cinerea
Purple Heron R Ardea purpurea
Great Egret (Large Egret) R Casmerodius albus
Intermediate Egret R Mesophoyx intermedia
(Smaller Egret, Median Egret)
Cattle Egret R Bubulcus ibis
Indian Pond Heron R Ardeola grayii
Little Heron R Butorides striatus
(Little Green Heron, Striated Heron)
Black-crowned Night Heron R Nycticorax nycticorax
(Night Heron)
Family: Threskiornithidae
Black-headed Ibis R Threskiornis melanocephalus
(White Ibis, Oriental White Ibis)
Black Ibis R Pseudibis papillosa
(Red-naped Ibis)
Eurasian Spoonbill R Platalea leucorodia
(Spoonbill, White Spoonbill)
Family: Ciconiidae
Painted Stork R Mycteria leucocephala
Asian Openbill R Anastomus oscitans
(Open-billed Stork)
Black Stork W Ciconia nigra
Woolly-necked Stork (White-necked) R Ciconia episcopus
Lesser Adjutant R Leptoptilos javanicus
(Lesser Adjutant Stork)
ORDER: PASSERIFORMES
Family: Pittidae
Indian Pitta S Pitta brachyura
Family: Irenidae
Blue-winged Leafbird R Chloropsis cochinchinensis
(Gold-mantled /Jerdon’s Chloropsis)
Golden-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis) R Chloropsis aurifrons
Family: Laniidae
Brown Shrike W Lanius cristatus
Bay-backed Shrike R Lanius vittatus
Long-tailed Shrike R Lanius schach
(Rufous-backed Shrike)
Great Grey Shrike R Lanius excubitor
Family: Corvidae
Corvini
Rufous Treepie (Indian Treepie) R Dendrocitta vagabunda
House Crow R Corvus splendens
Large-billed Crow (Jungle) R Corvus macrorhynchos
Artamini
Ashy Woodswallow R Artamus fuscus
(Ashy Swallow-shrike)
Oriolini
Eurasian Golden Oriole R Oriolus oriolus
(Golden Oriole)
Black-hooded Oriole (Black-headed) R Oriolus xanthornus
Large Cuckooshrike R Coracina macei
Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike (Barred) R Coracina striata
Black-winged Cuckooshrike R Coracina melaschistos
(Smaller Grey/Dark Cuckooshrike)
Black-headed Cuckooshrike R Coracina melanoptera
Rosy Minivet R Pericrocotus roseus
Small Minivet (Little Minivet) R Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Scarlet Minivet R Pericrocotus flammeus
(Orange Minivet)
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike R Hemipus picatus
(Pied Flycatcher-shrike)
Dicrurinae
Rhipidurini
Yellow-bellied Fantail R Rhipidura hypoxantha
(Yellow-bellied Fantail Flycatcher)
White-throated Fantail R Rhipidura albicollis
(White-throated Fantail Flycatcher)
White-browed Fantail (Flycatcher) R Rhipidura aureola
(White-breasted Fantail Flycatcher )
Dicrurini
Black Drongo R Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo (Grey) R Dicrurus leucophaeus
White-bellied Drongo R Dicrurus caerulescens
(White-vented Drongo)
Spangled Drongo (Hair-crested) R Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo R Dicrurus paradiseus
(Large Racquet-tailed Drongo)
Monarchini
Black-naped Monarch R Hypothymis azurea
(Black-naped Flycatcher, Azure Flycatcher)
Asian Paradise-flycatcher R Terpsiphone paradisi
(Paradise-flycatcher)
Aegithininae
Common Iora (Iora)
R Aegithina tiphia
Malaconotinae
Common Woodshrike R Tephrodornis pondicerianus
(Woodshrike, Lesser Wood-shrike)
Family: Muscicapidae
Turdinae
Blue-capped Rock Thrush R Monticola cinclorhynchus
(Blue-headed Rock Thrush)
Blue Rock Thrush R Monticola solitarius
White-throated Thrush R Zoothera citrina cyanotus
(Orange-headed Ground Thrush)
Eurasian Blackbird R Turdus merula
Muscicapinae
Muscicapini
Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher W Rhinomyias brunneata
(Olive Flycatcher, Brown-chested Flycatcer)
Asian Brown Flycatcher W Muscicapa dauurica
(Brown Flycatcher)
Brown-breasted Flycatcher (Layard’s) W Muscicapa muttui
Red-throated Flycatcher W Ficedula parva
(Red-breasted Flycatcher)
Ultramarine Flycatcher W Ficedula superciliaris
(White-browed Blue Flycatcher)
Verditer Flycatcher W Eumyias thalassina
Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher R Cyornis tickelliae
(Orange-breasted Blue Flycatcher)
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher R Culicicapa ceylonensis
(Grey-headed Flycatcher)
Saxicolini
Bluethroat W Luscinia svecica
Oriental Magpie Robin R Copsychus saularis
(Magpie Robin, Asian Magpie Robin, Robin Dayal)
White-rumped Shama(Shama) R Copsychus malabaricus
Indian Robin R Saxicoloides fulicata
(Black Robin, Indian Chat)
Black Redstart W Phoenicurus ochruros
Common Stonechat W Saxicola torquata
(Collared Bushchat,Siberian Stonechat)
Pied Bushchat R Saxicola caprata
(Pied Stone-chat)
Grey Bushchat W Saxicola ferrea
(Dark-grey Bushchat)
Variable Wheatear W Oenanthe picata pictata
(Pied Chat, Pied Wheatear)
Family: Sturnidae
Chestnut-tailed Starling R Sturnus malabaricus
(Grey-headed Myna)
Brahminy Starling R Sturnus pagodarum
(Black-headed /Brahminy Myna)
Asian Pied Starling R Sturnus contra
(Pied Myna)
Common Myna(Mynah) R Acridotheres tristis
Bank Myna R Acridotheres ginginianus
Jungle Myna R Acridotheres fuscus
Family: Sittidae
Sittinae
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch R Sitta castanea
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch R Sitta frontalis
(Velvet-fronted Blue Nuthatch)
Family: Paridae
Parinae
Great Tit (Grey Tit) R Parus major
Black-lored Tit R Parus xanthogenys
(Yellow-cheeked Tit)
Family: Hirundinidae
Dusky Crag Martin R Hirundo concolor
Barn Swallow W Hirundo rustica
(Swallow, Common Swallow)
Wire-tailed Swallow R Hirundo smithii
Red-rumped Swallow(Striated) R Hirundo daurica
Striated Swallow (Larger Striated) R Hirundo striolata
Streak-throated Swallow R Hirundo fluvicola
(Indian Cliff Swallow)
Northern House Martin W Delichon urbica
(House Martin)
Family: Pycnonotidae
Red-whiskered Bulbul R Pycnonotus jocosus
Red-vented Bulbul R Pycnonotus cafer
Family: Cisticolidae
Zitting Cisticola R Cisticola juncidis
(Streaked Fantail Warbler)
Grey-breasted Prinia R Prinia hodgsonii
(Franklin’s Wren Warbler, Franklin’s Prinia)
Jungle Prinia R Prinia sylvatica
(Jungle Wren-Warbler, Large Prinia)
Ashy Prinia R Prinia socialis
(Ashy Wren Warbler)
Plain Prinia R Prinia inornata
(Plain Wren-Warbler, White-browed Prinia)
Family: Zosteropidae
Oriental White-eye R Zosterops palpebrosus
(White-eye, Small White-eye)
Family: Sylviidae
Acrocephalinae
Common Tailorbird(Tailorbird) R Orthotomus sutorius
Common Chiffchaff W Phylloscopus collybita
(Brown Leaf Warbler, Chiffchaff)
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler W Phylloscopus affinis
(Tickell’s Warbler)
Greenish Warbler W Phylloscopus trochiloides
( Dull Green Leaf Warbler)
Sylviinae
Timaliini
Puff-throated Babbler R Pellorneum ruficeps
(Spotted Babbler)
Indian Scimitar Babbler R Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
Tawny-bellied Babbler R Dumetia hyperythra
(Rufous-bellied Babbler, White-throated Babbler)
Yellow-eyed Babbler R Chrysomma sinense
Large Grey Babbler R Turdoides malcolmi
Jungle Babbler R Turdoides striatus
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta R Alcippe poioicephala
(Quaker Babbler)
Sylviini
Lesser Whitethroat W Sylvia curruca blythi
Family: Alaudidae
Bengal Bushlark R Mirafra assamica
Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark R Eremopterix grisea
(Ashy-crowned Finch Lark)
Rufous-tailed Lark R Ammomanes phoenicurus
(Rufous-tailed Finch Lark)
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
Oriental Skylark R Alauda gulgula
(Eastern Skylark, Oriental Lark)
Family: Nectariniidae
Nectariniinae
Dicaeini
Thick-billed Flowerpecker R Dicaeum agile
Pale-billed Flowerpecker R Dicaeum erythrorynchos
(Tickell’s / Small Flowerpecker)
Nectariniini
Purple Sunbird R Nectarinia asiatica
Crimson Sunbird R Aethopyga siparaja
(Yellow-backed Sunbird)
Family:Passeridae
Passerinae
House Sparrow R Passer domesticus
Chestnut-shouldered Petronia R Petronia xanthocollis
(Yellow-throated Sparrow)
Motacillinae
White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail) W Motacilla alba personata
White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail) W Motacilla alba alboides
White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail) W Motacilla alba dukhunensis
White-browed Wagtail R Motacilla maderaspatensis
(Large Pied Wagtail)
Citrine Wagtail W Motacilla citreola citreola
(Yellow-headed/hooded Wagtail)
Citrine Wagtail W Motacilla citreola calcarata
Yellow Wagtail W Motacilla flava
Grey Wagtail W Motacilla cinerea
Richard’s Pipit W Anthus richardi
Paddyfield Pipit R Anthus rufulus
(Indian Pipit)
Tawny Pipit W Anthus campestris
Blyth’s Pipit W Anthus godlewskii
Olive-backed Pipit W Anthus hodgsoni
(Indian Tree Pipit)
Ploceinae
Baya Weaver (Baya)
R Ploceus philippinus
Estrildinae
Red Avadavat (Red Munia) R Amandava amandava
Green Avadavat (Green Munia) R Amandava formosa
White-rumped Munia R Lonchura striata
(White-backed Munia)
Scaly-breasted Munia R Lonchura punctulata
(Spotted Munia, Nutmeg Mannikin)
Black-headed Munia R Lonchura malacca
(Chestnut Munia)
Family: Fringillidae
Carduelini
Common Rosefinch W Carpodacus erythrinus
Emberizinae
Crested Bunting R Melophus lathami
Grey-necked Bunting W Emberiza buchanani