THE BIRDS OF BHARATPUR

The Bharatpur region is incredibly rich in avifauna due to the wide variety of habitats, with abundant sources of avian nourishment. Over 400 of the 1300 Species of the Indian Subcontinent’s bird life can be located in the region during the different seasons, with the monsoon and winter time being special periods for visiting tourists and nature lovers.

Inland jheels (ponds), shallow lakes, low-lying areas, seasonal as well as perennial rivers in the vicinity are all rich habitats for water birds and migratory waterfowl. The Yamuna River runs southwards from Delhi about 175 km away, whilst east of Bharatpur and southwards of this region runs the Chambal River. This area lies in the Indo-Gangetic Plain and the whole of the northern section of the region is covered with alluvium form, which rises as a few isolated hills of the Aravalli Range. The forests of this area fall chiefly under the Central India dry deciduous type with anogeissus pendula {Dhok} and acacia catechu {Khair} being the predominant species.

AVIFAUNA OF BHARATPUR:-
MIGRATORY BIRDS:- Approximately 120 Species can be sited in the area{which comprises Bund Baretha, Giriraj canal & Keoladeo National Park}.

RESIDENT & LOCAL MIGRATORY BIRDS:- Almost 300 Species are found in the area and about 20 of these breed successfully in the wetlands of K.N.P. during the months of July, August and September. There are specific species like Dusky Eagle Fowl which breed during winters and which are easily seen in the park, often with young in the nest.

TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES:- About 420 species are found in the area which includes 375 species inside the K.N.P. itself in an area of 30 sq kms during tjewinter season.

SOME IMPORTANT FAMILIES ARE AS FOLLOWS :-

FAMILY – CICONIDAE : STORKS
1. Greater Adjutant Stork - Leptoptilos
2. Lesser Adjutant Stork - Leptoptilos
3. Black Stork - Ciconia nigra
4. Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephalus
(More than four thousand birds breed successfully here in Keoladeo National Park during a good monsoon, from July to Oct.}
5. Asian Openbill Stork - Anastomus oscitans
6. Woollynecked - Ciconia episcopus
7. White Stork - Ciconia ciconia
8. Black Necked Stork - Ephippiorhynchus asiatica
[This beautiful stork stasy here throughout the year]

FAMILY- THRESKIORNITHIDAE: IBISES & SPOONBILL
1. Black- Headed Ibis:- Threskiornis melanocephalus
2. Black Ibis :- Pseudibis papillosa
3. Glossy Ibis :- Plegadis falcinellus
4. Eurasian Spoonbill :- Platalea leucorodia {regular at Bund Baretha}

FAMILY – ANATIDAE : DUCKS, GEESE & SWANS
01. Lesser White- fronted Goose- Anser erythropus
02. Greater White- fronted Goose- Anser albifrons.
03. Greylag Goose- Anser anser.
04. Bar Headed Goose-Anser indicus.
05. Lesser Whistling Duck – Dendrocygna javanica.
06. Ruddy Shelduck – Tadorna ferruginia.
07. Marbled Duck- Marmaronetta angustirostris.
08. Northern Pintail – Anas acuta.
09. Common Teal – Anas Crecca.
10. Baikal Teal – Anas formosa.
11. Spott-billed Duck – Anas poecilorhyncha.
12. Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos.
13. Gadwall – Anas strepera.
14. Falcated Duck – Anas falcata.
15. Eurasian wigeon – Anas penelope.
16. Garganey – Anas querquedula.
17. Northern Shoveller – Anas clypeata
18. Red Crested Poachard – Rhodonessa rufina.
19. Baer’s Poachard – Aythya baeri.
20. Common Poachard – Aythya ferina.
21. Ferruginous Poachard – Aythya nyroca.
22. Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula.
23. Greater Scop – Aythya marila.
24. Cotton Pygmy Goose – Nettapus coromandelianus.
25. Comb Duck – Sarkidiornis melanotos.
26. Smew – Mergus albellus.
27. Common Shelduck – Tadorna – tadorna.

NOTE:- Some of the ducks stay in the park throughout the year whilst others are easily spotted during the winter, and some occasionally migrate.

FAMILY- PHALACROCORACIDAE :CORMORANTS &DARTER
1. Indian Cormorant – Phalacrocorax fuscicollis
2. Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo.
3. Little Cormorant - phalacrocorax niger.
4. Derter - Anhinga {rufa}melanogaster.

NOTE :- The above species breed in the wetlands and are easily seen in the park with young.

FAMILY – ARDEIDAE : HERONS, EGRETS, BITTERNS
1. Black-crowned Night Heron – Nycticorax – nycticorax.
2. Grey Heron – Ardea cinerea.
3. Purple Heron – Ardea purpurea.
4. Indian – pond Heron – Ardeola grayii.
5. Little Heron – Butorides striatus.
6. Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis
7. Great Egret -Casmerodius
8. Intermediate Egret -Mesophoyx intermedia
9. Little Egret -Egretta garzetta.
10. Western Reef Heron- Egretta gularis.
11. Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus.
12. Cinnamon Bittern - Ixobrychus cinnamomeus.
13. Yellow Bittern – Ixobrychus sinensis.
14. Black Bittern – Dupetor flavicollis.
15. Great Bittern - Botaurus Stellaris.