What's in a bird name? - the dummies guide to scientific names of birds

It has been a long time that I have posted to my blog in the recent past. The reason has been due to a double whammy, the great Indian Circus, elections was on - and the entire nation was out on the streets for three full months trying to pick up - who will rule the nation for the next five years, second was that in between this schedule I had tied up a trip to Borneo for birdwatching with some members of Chandigarh Bird club. The preparation, trip and the aftermath has been very tiring. Though I had intended to pen down the experience of the visit too, seeing my routine and engagements I relegated it to some time in the near future.

I have no formal training in any ornithological studies but I was always intrigued by the scientific names of the birds I used to come across during birdwatching. So I have been on to this task of learning more about how the birds are named and what is the logic behind the naming them. I am sharing the studies that I have done for past almost six months and tried to lay them down for everyone to understand in as easy a language and explanation as possible.

Firstly, the moot question - do we address these names as scientific? or Latin names? Calling them the Latin names is how we address them fairly commonly, though that may not be any longer true. Many languages have contributed to names of the birds, Latin is/was very common, but many names of birds are now Greek, from Old English, Russian, Malay, South American native languages etc. That being said, regardless of the origin, generic names are required to have a form of a Latin noun, with defined gender and specific names are required to decline according to rules of Latin adjectives. This is a fact as the system was at that time when Latin was the language of International Communication. However, in today's sense calling them as Scientific Names may be correct as some names are not Latin at all.

There are in all four parts of the full scientific name. The first part of the name describes the genus that distinguishes a group of isolated, distinctive species. This must be a form of a noun or a substantivised adjective treated as a noun. This has to begin with an Upper-case letter. The second part of the name begins with a lower-case letter and describes the species within the genus and may take many forms though it is commonly an adjective or a noun in the genitive case. The third and the fourth part reveal the name and the year in which that name was first validly published as a Binomen.

Now that we know that the scientific names are to be addressed as 'Scientific Names', the names were and are coined using different criteria. These categories/criteria are as given below: -

1. Morphonym: (Gr. morphē form: onuma name) Based on plumage, colours and physical characteristics of the birds and is the largest category accounting for over half of all specific names and nearly half of all generic names.

White-bellied Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis pallidipes)

As an example, this endemic bird of India, the White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, whose scientific name is Cyornis pallidipes. Here Cyornis is derived from the Greek kuanos meaning Dark Blue and ornis for bird. pallidipes  in Latin stands for pale and pes for the foot. So the name describes the plumage and physical characteristics as a Dark blue bird with the pale foot.

2. Eponym: (Gr. epōnumos named after) eponym commemorates a person real, mythical or fictional. These mostly honour the name of the collector or the discoverer of species, but at other times just to honour to a person.

Grey-breasted Prinia (Prinia hodgsonii)

The example of this bird is Grey-breasted Prinia, whose scientific name is Prinia hodgsonii,  Here Prinia is a Javanese name Prinya and hodgsonii is name given in honour of Brian Houghton Hodgson (1800-1894), and English diplomat, resident of Nepal from 1833 to 1844 who was an ethnologist and a collector. His name figures in a number of species scientific name as hodgsoni / hodgsoniae / hodgsonii / Hodgsonius etc.

3.  Autochthonym: (Gr. autokhthōn indigenous, native; onuma name) Based on indigenous or the native name. They are used generically than specifically mostly.

Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)

An example of this bird is the beautiful Chukar Partridge whose scientific name is Alectoris chukar, with Alectoris is a derivation of Greek word alektoris meaning farmyard fowl/chicken and chukar a derivative of Hindi name Chukor.

4.  Toponym: (Gr. topos place; onuma name) These have been proved more popular as specific names than generic names. There are over 1,100 specific toponyms or geographical epithets.

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

As an example of this category I have picked out Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense) where Dinopium is derivative of Greek deinos meaning might, ōpos is appearance. The Toponym part is benghalense depicts Bengal - historically large part of India and Bangladesh.

5.  Taxonym: (Gr. taxis arrangement; onuma name) This is based upon suggestive relationship or resemblance.

Golden Babbler (Stachyridopsis chrysaea)

Here the Stachyridopsis is derivative from genus Stachyris that roughly translates stakhus as ear of wheat and rhis refers to nostrils; reference to the shape of opercula or scales almost closing the nostrils.  opsis  means appearance. chrysaea meaning Golden.

6.  Bionym: (Gr. bios life; onuma name) The popularity of habitat names reflects this diversity.

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

The birds are very mobile and occur in a large variety of habitat. As an example of this category, I have picked out this bird, Black-tailed Godwit, the scientific name of which is Limosa limosa,  limosa is Latin derivative of limosus that means muddy. This bird, true to its name is found on the muddy ocean or lake shores.

7. Ergonym: (Gr. ergon work, occupation; onuma name) This category refers to display, typical habits, temperament, mode of flight, parasitism or breeding behaviour.

Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar)

Like explained above the name is a derivation of the work or accupation. As an example here, Streaked Weaver's Scientific name is Ploceus manyar, with ploceus being a Greek derivative of a word plokeus that means weaver, braider or a plaiter (plekō being to plait, or to entwine). manyar, on the other hand, is the Tamil name Manja for various weavers (Ploceus)

8.  Phagonym: (Gr. phagein to eat: onuma name) The names in this category reveal the variety of food items or prey of birds, including spiders, bananas, carrion, crabs, lizards etc.

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

The scientific name of Little Spiderhunter is Arachnothera that literal translation of Greek word, arakhnēs meaning spider and -thēras meaning hunter. longirostra is a derivation of Latin longus long; -rostris means billed. So all in all - the scientific name means - spiderhunter that has a long bill.

9.  Phononym: (Gr. phōnē voice, sound: onuma name) This category uses the names based upon the sounds/songs of the birds. Surprisingly, this category has yielded relatively few names inspite of the fact that the birds are so many a times associated with the songs, calls and has been admired throughout the ages.

Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

Like described above, inspite of the birds being so closely related to their songs - it is not common to come across bird's scientific name based on this aspect. As an example here is Common Chiffchaff whose scientific name is Phylloscopus collybita. The first part pholloscopus is derived from two Greek words, phullon meaning leaf; skopos meaning seeker. It is the second word, collybita that is based on Latin name collybista money-changer. In Normandy, Common Chiffchaff is called 'Compteur d'argent' from its song that resembles the clinking of coins.

This article just about scratches the convention of Scientific naming of birds and one the places where I have found my solace is after I purchased a book to learn about birds and bird names. The link to the book is given next (Click Here)

PokemanGo - the birder's way of the game...

It was about six months ago that we were sitting spending some family time with my wife and my two kids. Suddenly my son - half immersed in his mobile went out of the room only to return after fifteen odd minutes. His return was with a smile on his face and mobile in his hand. He spoke to his sister in hushed but excited tones. She too showed signs of great excitement and my casual enquiry to it was dismissed by both of them simultaneously replying - brother-sister talk - out of your syllabi. My raised eyebrows were not even acknowledged by either and I thought it was the end of the matter.

My target bird vs PokemonGo dragons...

My children's target Pokemon

A few days later one night after dinner once again as we were sitting chatting - my brother and his kids too in our house. Once again I saw the same hushed talk and excited look in all of the kids eyes. Suddenly my daughter asked for my car keys. Well she is an adult so as to say and owns a drivers licence so I just handed over the keys with a question - where too ? It's almost midnight - once again a simultaneous reply was - we will be back soon by all four kids. To hell with it I thought and let it slip. They returned after about an hour and were jumping up and down as if they have achieved something of great significance - my reaction was that of a father and an uncle - guys you are grounded if I do not understand why and where you went now. They did not skip a heartbeat and all were jumping around me and shouting all at the same time. They have captured 'Charizard' - and as expected I had no idea what they are talking about. After the party ended - before dropping down dead in bed I did some research. Well PokemanGo was a virtual reality game where in characters appear on random places overlaid on google like maps and you have to go and capture the virtual characters. 

Bloody - like hell I realised I have done that my entire life... scanning bird reports, web logs to see what bird has been sighted where and then rush to take snaps and log the sightings. Well there was a basic difference between my child and myself in the same game we were playing with different names. I hit bed early - rise early and am in the womb of nature savouring the fresh air, appreciating nature and God's creation. That led me to be more responsible towards mother nature and sometimes am ashamed when I am given more than one napkin in a restaurant that I have to throw in the dustbin without using, or forgetting to tell the retail that I do not want a copy of the credit card slip - lest I throw it in the dustbin without even glancing at it. Birding has taught me to respect nature, be careful in wasting resources - be it paper, gas, or anything else. I do not litter the country side and carry my own waste bag to dispose off the garbage I create while out of house. Then ofcourse - there is this one little thing more about the difference between my kids game and mine - I have struck with it for better of 25 odd years nurturing it - my kids have already moved on after playing this game for a month.

I am sure that there will be things we can do to coax our kids towards nature and respecting nature. I wonder what will happen to this world with kids who have no exposure to nature and are living lives with no connect with their surroundings. After all it will will be they who inherit this planet and take decisions to protect it for their siblings and generations to come. I wonder if we are doing all we can to pass on the batton to our kids and telling them that winnings are not in a virtual world with PokemanGo but the very world we live and inherit.

And here's the game I played...

Slept at 9 pm sharp. Got up at 3 am, brushed my teeth, took a shower had a cup of tea and hit the road.

Sighted this wonderful sight with a breath of fresh air and blessings of orange lit morning sky...

you can run - but cannot hide - Lesser Yellownape

Would not have let this fiery dragon of the pokemon go scot free...
White-capped Redstart

Greeted the Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker that started to peck for the Breakfast

Heard the Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler calling a hundred yards away - tracked it down and bagged it...

Caught a Common Tailorbird that was calling another kilometre away...

...another two km down the road captured these Chestnut-eared Buntings resting and sitting hidden beneath a bush...

...captured this pokemon dragon that had kept an eye on my movements from the top of the hill another 5 km ahead...
Asian-Barred Owlet

Caught another pokemon flirting with me - coming in sight and out another few km down the road...

Finally reached home from in the evening from a very satisfying game - took a bath and sipped on my favourite Single malt,,, satisfied and tired like hell...

Baya Weaver: the story of a Home Maker...

I will start this with a disclaimer - home builder and home maker are not the same, where in the home builder constructs the home - brick by brick or in case of our story - thread by thread - the home maker makes this place surrounded by these bricks or streaks of vegetation a home. Today I will talk about one such home maker…

 

The male weaver (House Builder) - deciding on the best location for the new house

Me and my fascination of Baya Weavers is not new. I remember being a kid looking up at these beautiful nest in trees - sometimes carrying one home to make it a piece of my decoration - the one that was fallen down was story of many boys and girls who have lived our times in 80s. Then there were period of times that I used to wonder why the nests were abandoned most of the times I saw them. Passing through that thought were times when I blamed myself that I bought that nest home, or touched it or God only knows what all crossed my mind where I blamed the empty nests because of my mis-conduct. Alas - it was only over the observation of these beautiful birds over so many years that I understood the entire process of a few drooping branches that become inhabited by these beautiful birds and then they construct their homes and raise the next generation and move on with life - moving to the next generation.

The first weave - the very foundation of the house is fairly difficult and time consuming it seemed

When I say beautiful - I mean every letter of the word flows from the bottom of my heart. Without rubbing in to my lady readers - the word beauty is more apt to males in the bird world than to a lady bird, hence to start where I left - the BEAUTIFUL males carry Yellow crowns and yellow breasts, with dark black masks over their faces.

 

Each thread of leaf is stripped, evaluated and then used for building

This thread would be stripped roughly 500 times by the time the house is ready

Oh - stop photographing me - get over with it...

Even with the house just starting to show - the male advertises the property

Get back to work boy - you are running behind schedule...

The breeding starts with the arrival of monsoons. The males who attain the breeding conditions by showing off the beautiful yellow at approximate one and half year of age starts looking for places to build the nest. Though the nests have sometimes been found at isolated places - the birds as a rule build nests as a colony with 15 to 20 in a group. There are some very strict rules governing the  colony - the nests are generally on the eastern side of tree - perhaps saving them from the punishing winds of  SouthWest monsoons. If the colony is established on a tree or trees of lower height - then they generally are built where droop over water and not so easy to approach and of course the low colonies are preferred on thorny trees. The colony also has to be near a source of  building material and wet mud. If the colony is established over tall trees then the thorny tree clause is struck off with the tall palm trees preferred.

After the colony location is shortlisted and approved by the house of majority - the males are a flurry of activity. They choose the branch over where the new house is to be built and off they go to get that first thin strip of a reed to make the knot. The first knot takes time and I saw many a males struggling, taking multiple attempts. After this the male makes multiple trips to get one string at a time and weave it to start making the nest. With the nest just about 1/4th done - the male starts advertising the property - after all if he sells the house right - he gets the home maker. The females behave - not unlike our species - minus the make up of course. They will stay at a distance and in a group observing and will come near the colony from time to time in a group. Whenever a female or a group of them approach the colony, it is a flurry of activity - the males shouting at the top of the voice to attract a mate - making full show of the plumage hanging from their (own) nests. Many a times the nest are not approved - and the female will come and tear it from the base - letting it to fall to ground. And this is not necessary  for the nest that are under construction - this may be the treatment given to nest that almost complete or even fully complete. There is no choice and the male starts all over again. This game continues till the nest is complete and a lady bird approves of it.

 

Stand fast: Inspector madam on site !! - the home maker (female)

Is it time already ?? - apprehensions of every male...

The male does the nest that are pendulous - with a retort shape and long vertical tube that leads to the nesting chamber. The nests have are either weighed down or lined with dung or mud. It is believed to give it more stability by adding weight at the right places. Once the nest is chosen by the female the inners are done almost exclusively by the female - lining it perhaps with mud, and soft material and converting this nest to a home.

 

A happy male - house done and accepted by the lady...

Recently - BHNS acknowledging that the weavers range has dwindled over the years in India and initiated a count across the country to count and report the weaver birds so that a study could be done to  mitigate the factors pushing these beautiful birds to the edge. I am writing this article to acknowledge these tiny birds who because of human greed and intervention are being pushed to a stage where they are becoming more and more rare to see and admire. It would be unfortunate for the next generation not to know the magic of building homes in nature. Each thread - stripped and converted to this nest is 20 to 60 cm long. The male takes almost 18 days to build the nest making upto 500 trips to complete one…

If you cannot appreciate it - you have no heart whatsoever…

Sikkim Birding Trip Report 17 Feb to 22 Feb 2016

The Awesome Team...

Introduction

Sitting in the aircraft on my way back to Chandigarh - I drifted off and on from my state of half sleep. Had been running around the bushes for six complete days. That coupled with a running fever - it was killing but of course that did not deter me from chasing the feathered friends. In between one of those sleep induced trance - I called for the Flight Attendant and after introducing her requested to inform the pilot the he should announce the Mt Everest as we passed along. Before long the pilot was on the announcement and told the passengers that the mount everest was the peak covered in the haze of clouds. After looking out and not getting a good view, I felt it was a waste of time and efforts managing the F Seats to get ‘the view of the Great Everest’. I drifted off to sleep once again - drifted to flying in towards the little birding heaven of India.

 

As I once again faded to sleep - the dreams kicked in fast and transported me two months back. It was a day when the Birding trip that I was so hopeful of planning dashed as no one was ready to give me company and I chose Sikkim as the alternate site and started a campaign - posting first on Chandigarh Birds and then on Hyderabad birds. The response was hardly anything to talk about - three calls from Chandigarh Birds and one from Hyderabad birds. After repeating the plans, the budget and everything - no response. I took is fine I suppose - as I almost forgot everything about it.

One day - 15-16 days to go to the chosen date - I got a call from Narbir. ‘Col Sahib’ - what happened to your plan of Sikkim birding ? I replied no one has volunteered and the most economic viable model has to have four birders in the group. He said I am ready - so are you, so was Rima. Alpana had mentioned that she would let me know some time back to I rang up to ask her an update. She responded ‘Affirmative’ and the plan was on track and rocking. 

 

Planning

I immediately made a whatsapp group and started the coordination and planning - after all this was the real purpose of technology - and not the ‘passing stale jokes’ and ‘Gyan' on whatsapp. I had infact done some homework that had got me to the ideal group size of four. Firstly in veh like Innova or one of the jeeps can carry comfortably four plus one driver and the luggage comfortably, and as far as the veh goes - you pay for one the same amount - for four also the same. Secondly the room sharing gets the budgeted to half. 

 

I was very unfortunate to have an extremely bitter experience at this stage that I would like to share. I actually wanted to have a Bird guide all along the trip and after searching for them I stumbled across a website www.goingwild.in and got in touch with Mr Dibyendu Ash who conducts the tours. I was in the process of negotiating with him where in he had asked for ₹ 64,000/- for five days birding to include homestays, food and veh for four. At one stage I asked him what birds are likely, what are the target species and what count did he expect in these five odd days. Suddenly there was no response from him. He stopped picking up my calls. At first I thought that he would be out conducting some tour/was busy/was indisposed, but as our days of travel drew close and hearing no response from him made me panic and I sent him a message to which I got a very funny reply. He basically told me that he is afraid to pick up my calls. I might have accepted this with a pinch of salt but later I came to know that he had got a bigger group during the same time so he broke up with me. It broke my heart too, and the days were closing fast and I had work to do. I let this incident behind me and started doing my own thing. Veh, check, accommodation, check… so on and so forth. All things tied up the trip was on track and rocking.

I will kill the details of bookings here - for those who may look forward to them

Stay at Zuluk: Army Transit Camp (privilege of being a retiree)

Stay at Neora Valley: Neora Valley Jungle Camp, all bookings only via Help Tourism (+91 353 2433683)

Stay at Kewzing: Bon Farm House via Chewang Bonpa (a great person and birder himself) (+91 954 7667788)

Vehicle via Sikkim Tourism stdcsikkim@yahoo.co.in (+91 9933 013474)

We reached Bagdogra airport in the afternoon and immediately got hold of the Veh and started the journey to Zuluk. The traffic was bad and by the time we reached it was dark - so we had dinner and hit the beds. 

Looking back at Zuluk - it was still lights out time when we were climbing the mountain...

First rays of sun lighting up the mighty Kanchenchunja

 

First day of birding - on our way from Zuluk

Hold your breath - the birding is about to start

Wating for the light enough for us to see...

Till the birds are visible - here we are training our guns to the Kanchanchunga, Narbir to the Left and Rima to the right

18 Feb 2016: Early morning, much before the sunrise we were up and on the road heading for seeing pastures and birds upto 14,000 feet. Birding was not too good but the serenity, the peace was worth the effort. As we climbed up - and looked back the famous winding ‘Jalebi turns of Zuluk' were all there. As the sun slowly creeped up the first rays lit up the mighty ‘Kanchenjunga’. It is interesting to mention a few words about this peak - till 1852 this was considered the highest peak in the world. However, based on calculations done by Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1849 - it was concluded that Mt Everest is the highest mountain in the world and relegated Kanchenjunga to be the third highest peak. Highest/second highest or third highest - it does not take the glory of seeing the first rays of sun illuminating the peak. A sight to see and behold. As the day broke we started looking around for our bird sightings. The sightings started - not the density of birds expected but then lifers for me. The birds seen were the White-browed Rosefinches, Alpine Accentors (great posers), Winter wren (a bird given the crown for posing for us for the day), Rufous-vented Tits, Snow Pigeons, Blue-capped Redstart and few raptors like Himalayan Griffon, Common Kestrel and Upland Buzzard (seen by Mrs Alpana). We carried on till about 14,000 feet plus of altitude till a temple known as ‘Baba Harbhajan Singh’s temple’ on the road to Kuppup. After spending some time here we turned back to Zuluk, had a quick bite and were on our way to the next stop - Lava.

White-browed Rosefinch (Male)

White-browed Rosefinch (Female)

Rufous-vented Tit

Eurasian Wren (winter wren)

Eurasian Wren (winter wren)

Alpine Accentor

Common Kestral

Habhajan Singh Gurudwara - we turned back from this point - aprroximately 14,000 feet

Moving for Lava we were covering a stretch from about 10,000 feet to 6,000 feet. Here we had primarily shrubs, bamboo and grass giving way to broad leaf trees, Oaks, Rhododendrons and the like.

While travelling down to Lava we used to peep out - at the first sighting of a flutter or a chirp - brakes were applied, all dis-embarked and out looking for birds. As we drove down, moving below 10,000 feet the Alpine shrubs and pastures gave way to lush green and dense evergreen forests. One can get a sense of the birding enthusiasm by the fact that when we paused in-between to check our progress we could not believe that we had covered just 10 odd km in last six hours. We pledged not to stop the way we were - at every chirp and every movement along the road - that pledge was broken after exactly 10 minutes when we came to a place with abandoned Army Barracks. The place turned out to be a birding heaven. One to two mixed hunting flocks and I can speak for myself - I was a little kid who was so overwhelmed - just did not know where to see and what to look. There were birds, birds and birds each one more colourful than other and each screaming attention. Parrotbills, Rufus-capped Babbler, Streaked Scimitar babbler, Hoary-throated barwings were some of the list of birds we saw here. All the sightings day wise are appended in the end of this blog. The birding here along this route was so crazy that we reached our guest house at Lava in the night.

 

Rufous-winged Fulvetta

Hoary-throated Barwing

Black-throated Parrotbill

White-browed Fulvetta

 

 

 

Stripe-throated Yuhina

Black-throated Parrotbill: it took two days of sighting this bird and around hundred clicks to get it to face me...

 

 

 

It was somewhere during this stretch that the proposal to increase the stay by one day was floated - promptly seconded by others and the hard task of informing our spouses and those waiting at home commenced. I took the lead by calling up - giving some reason that I do not recollect and bingo - I was in the clear. For the rest of them the battle did take a day or so to sort out. We changed the tickets - bearing out some additional cost to the planned and we were good.

 

19 Feb 2016: The day started early and after a self made tea in the morning we were moving around, killing time to the breakfast. The trees within the complex were buzzing with activity. We did a quick trip to the gates - that were about half a km away and the main birds during that period were the Small NIltava, Stripe-throated Yuhinas, Rufous Sibia. The entire valley were covered wit dense broad leaf forest and in places the visibility in the bush was very poor. We could hear and spot a flurry of activity - but before we could look in details the bird had gone. Rufous-throated Partridge and Hill Partridge sounds were echoing in the entire valley but no luck with the sightings. 

The bloody laughing thrushes that refused to come out of the bush: Black-faced Laughingthrush

Stripe-throated Yuhina

Grey Treepie

Blue-fronted Redstart

Rufous Sibia

Neora Valley Jungle camp gate: Left to right - Rima, Self, Narbir and Alpana

I played a call and we had a quick response by the Black-throated sunbird - unfortunately it disappeared as fast as it came out to investigate. All the same had a good sighting (No shots unfortunately) The weather was bad as bad it could be - I am purely talking from the point of view of my photography - the overcast sky was dark and camera was having a tough time spotting and focusing. After breakfast we decided to go to the famous pipeline and thereafter, after lunch to Kolakham village and beyond to a waterfall. That walk was amazing with so many birds. The list of lifers was on a back burner - with Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Dark-chinned Yuhina, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Golden-throated Barbet to name a few. There were others too and the detailed list is at the end. We also came across sub-species of Long-tailed Shrike - and had not been for Narbir and Rima - I might have named and recored it as some other exotic species. As we came back for lunch there we had again a big mixed hunting flock lead by the Black-throated Parrotbills. There was a sighting of a wren babbler too - but it disappeared - never to be seen again so the exact identity remained a mystery. Another notable bird the we came across was the single Maroon-backed Accentor. There were many laughing thrushes but I fail to understand why they could not take out a moment to pause and show themselves in the open. Not one good shot recorded that day. By the time we were back - very very unfortunate for me - I started running a high fever and had to go back to the room for a nap. I did miss a lot of fun - with the three of them - Narbir, Rima and Alpana walking to the gate and back two odd times and showing off the great shots they got there.

 

Russet Sparrow and two Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush

Himalayan Bluetail (Female)

Striated Laughingthrush

Dark-breasted Rosefinch

Long-tailed Shrike

Same Long-tailed Shrike pictured above...

Red-vented Bulbul - definately darker and brighter than one found in North India

 

 

20 Feb 2016: The morning did not get me too much relief but there was no way that I was missing the fun so after a quick breakfast we were in the vehicle and heading for Chenwang Bonpa’s Bon Farm House. I am sure that after reading the time we took for covering 10 km on the day two you can easily guess - Yes we took the entire bloody day to cover the 100 odd km from the Jungle Valley camp to Bon Farmhouse. The birding enroute too was fabulous. We were looking forward to the famous - birding at the first mile - unfortunately road repair/widening seemed to have taken the toll. The entire roadside was covered with dust and hardly and birds. Enroute we had such at Rangpo - crossed the Teesta river and entered West Sikkim. Once again the birding started with earnest - one tree with Ha-rcrested Drongos, Great Barbets, Red-vented Bulbuls to name a few. As we again had a fair idea that we are going to run late - we yet once again decided not to stop till we see something out of the ordinary for all of us. I might have uttered these words and there we were - yet again stopping and admiring another set of birds like never before - here we had Ashy Bulbul, Maroon Oriole and dozens of warblers flirting all around us. Then there was Plumbous Water Redstart that gave us a great pose - since it is a fairly common bird towards western Himalayas - we stopped click, click and moved on. We would have moved just a couple of yards away when in the distance we saw- what appeared like doves on a tree in a distance. We moved on, but somehow some better sense prevailed when we stopped again - peered through binoculars and cameras - Vola - there were no less than 20 Barred Cuckoo Doves. It was a sight to behold - and we were fortunate to come across another three four groups of these doves that day and the next. Then there were these laughing thrushes that just plain and simply refused to get photographed. We reached finally with the failing light and Mr Chewang Bonpa was there to greet us. We had a cup of tea, a quick shower and were ready for dinner. During dinner we had the anticipated excited discussions of the sightings of the day and though the aching bodies were ready to fall of to sleep - there was one more thing to be discussed. The next day birding plans with Mr Bonpo. Mr Bonpo did one grave mistake of asking - what birds would you like to target and in a millisecond Narbir fished out a list of 200 odd birds and put it in his hand. I burst out laughing and there were grins on the faces of the ladies - Mr Bonpo however stood fast with his poker face and poured over the list. After a few moments of deliberations - he replied in a tone of a true monk - Ah this list I can do - but you will have to spend a month here. There was once again a fiery attempt by Narbir to now shortlist the must see birds. There was no way we could have remained awake any longer - atleast I can speak for myself as my aching body just wanted to sleep. The fever was just in control for the time I was popping in medicines. I would have hit the bed and fell asleep in a moment. There were no dreams that night. 

Dark-breasted Rosefinches near the village (Male to right and Female to left)

Dark-breasted Rosefinch

Rufous-breasted Bush Robin (was earlier incorrectly identified as Rufous-bellied Niltava)

Golden Fronted Barbet

Blue-throated Barbet

You will have to take my word for it - this bird is the Ashy Bulbul. Unfortunately the distance, and the bird just gave me this one shot before it flew off.

Spangled Drongo

White-crested Laughingthrush

Barred Cuckoo Doves

Black-throated Prinia

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Stripe-throated Yuhina

Yellow-throated Fulvetta

Darjeeling Woodpecker

Maroon-backed Accentor

Rusty-fronted Barwing

Black-faced Laughingthrush

Bay Woodpecker

Himalayan Bluetail

Same Himalayan Bluetail as above

Maroon Oriole

 

21 Feb 2016: We all were up at 4 am in the morning. A quick shower and we were out with our guide to area around Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary. Birdwatching with a guide who has the local knowledge is a great experience. Mr Bonpo on top of it was aware of behaviour, sounds, movements of a great variety of birds. He could single out a call and whistle the bird to him. The day was as great as we expected it to be. We saw Fire-tailed Myzorins (no pictures - bloody birds were too fast, too small and in the darkest of thickets) The a good look at huge Bay woodpeckers, the brilliant Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Maroon-backed Accentors, Black-faced Laughing thrushes, Rufous-winged Fulvetta, Yellow-throated Fulvetta to name a few. The Rufous-throated wren babbler responded to a call by Mr Bonpo but was too shy to show itself. Then there was Shikra, Mountain Hawk Eagle and Mountain Imperial Pigeon. We had to stop birding because of our collectively grumbling stomachs and after a short break for a quick lunch we were on the road again. This time we were in luck to get good sightings of Sikkim Treecreeper (Brow-throated Treecreeper), red-tailed and Blue-tailed Minlas and Rufous-faced Warbler. We heard a Hill Prinia, and we stood there some time waiting for it but after a while we just decided to move on. The sun was setting - and the hill sides were getting dark - I cursed - as to why the day could not have been longer - went back and dropped dead asleep. Ofcourse who told you I did not have dinner - I did have dinner and it was only after that we passed out. The day was fabulous to say the least. That day we faced another great problem with the Jat Agitation getting out of control and our Taxi refused to position the cab next day for out travel from Delhi to Chandigarh. Because of that the cost of air travel in the sector shot skywards. Unfortunately we had to make do with it and Mr Narbirs better half proved invaluable - sitting in Chandigarh to plan and book our air tickets to reach back.

Outside Bon Farm House, Left to Right: Narbir, Alpana, Rima, Bonpo and me

White-tailed Nuthatch

 

Could not really identify the minivet. The bird gave opportunity for this sot only

The Parrotbill that showed its face...

 

22 Feb 2016: We had another problem that required a great deal of planning and promises to be made by all four of us. See - the Bagdogra Airport is 130 odd km from the Bon farmhouse - considering our past speeds while birding - there was all the chance that we will miss our flight if we don’t throttle down whenever we see any bird. Pledges made and we were up and ready - on the road before sunrise. The road back could not have done better and we had all forgotten our pledges at the first sightings we had. Green-Magpie, Slaty-backed Forktails, Eastern Imperial Pegion, Barred Cuckoo Doves, Grey Treepies, Lesser-necklaced Laughing-thrushes. At a small Dhaba we got down for a cup of tea and before the tea was even served all four of us disappeared chasing birds. As the tea got cold we split up - me chasing up the road and Rima, Narbir Alpana going down along the stream. When we got back for the forgotten cup of tea - both were cursing each other. While I missed White-browed Shorting, they missed great sightings of Long-billed thrush. You would have guessed by now that we were in no condition to catch our flight. Another set of promise - only to be broken a few km down the road. Here we had no choice but to stop for Ashy Bulbuls, Hill Mynas and Black-crested Bulbuls by the road side. We there after did not stop - reached the plains - and were in the dirt and chaos of overcrowded roads and cities. We checked in and were off to Delhi. On board I requested the Spicejet pilot to point out Mt Everest - he announced it a little later with the highest mountain peaking above the clouds. Oh what a treat it was.

Kalij Pheasant (Subspecies melanota)

Black-crested Bulbul

Common Hill Myna

Okay the reason I am including the picture of this crow is - because this is the first correctly exposed picture I have ever clicked of a black bird. Large-billed Crow

 

Conclusion: We had a wonderful birding trip - barring the experience dealing with Going Wild. We promised ourselves to return again the first opportunity we get. I do not know about others - I had just one regret - the trip was too short - but then the job dictates, and so does those waiting for you back home. East India presents a great birdwatching opportunities and Sikkim is one of those great spots of India where one can loose the sense of time. All in all we walked out with 50 plus minus a few lifers for each one of us.

The impressive Lord Buddha Statue at Rabong Valley

My Reference Book for the Visit

eBird list of birds recorded

East Sikkim, Sikkim, IN
Feb 18, 2016 7:48 AM - 2:28 PM
Protocol: Traveling
49.999 mile(s)
Comments:     Zuluk. Self, Narbir, Rima and Alpana
45 species

Himalayan Griffon (Himalayan Vulture) (Gyps himalayensis)  2     10:06, (27.26607, 88.78535)
Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) (Columba livia (Feral Pigeon))  8     14:13, (27.23771, 88.76832)
Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota)  25     07:48, (27.28228, 88.80593)
Oriental Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia orientalis)  5     14:42, (27.23582, 88.76790)
Eurasian Kestrel (Common Kestrel) (Falco tinnunculus)  2     09:21, (27.28620, 88.80909)
Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)  1     16:47, (27.22235, 88.73605)
Common Green-Magpie (Cissa chinensis)  3     16:30, (27.22773, 88.75134)
Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae)  4     14:25, (27.23639, 88.76784)
House Crow (Corvus splendens)  6     16:44, (27.22433, 88.73837)
Large-billed Crow (Large-billed) (Corvus macrorhynchos [macrorhynchos Group])  2     07:57, (27.29435, 88.82590)
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)  5     17:45, (27.20316, 88.70061)
Rufous-vented Tit (Periparus rubidiventris)  6     07:48, (27.28121, 88.80531)
Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)  3     14:12, (27.23773, 88.76818)
Sikkim Treecreeper (Brown-throated Treecreeper) (Certhia discolor)  1     16:49, (27.22131, 88.73561)
Eurasian Wren (Winter Wren) (Troglodytes troglodytes)  2     07:48, (27.28185, 88.80551)
Black-throated Parrotbill (Suthora nipalensis)  20     13:41, (27.24273, 88.77181)
Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis)  21     11:46, (27.24568, 88.77110)
Rufous-vented Yuhina (Yuhina occipitalis)  20     13:40, (27.24225, 88.77245)
White-browed Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus schisticeps)  1     14:59, (27.23362, 88.76581)
Striated Laughingthrush (Grammatoptila striata)  10     16:09, (27.23088, 88.76020)
White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus)  2     16:31, (27.22784, 88.75144)
Black-faced Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron affine)  15     13:38, (27.24417, 88.76924)
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron erythrocephalum)  2     13:38, (27.24459, 88.76899)
Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)  3     14:23, (27.23620, 88.76804)
Red-tailed Minla (Minla ignotincta)  10     14:56, (27.23347, 88.76564)
Hoary-throated Barwing (Actinodura nipalensis)  4     13:42, (27.24359, 88.76831)
Large Niltava (Niltava grandis)  1     14:23, (27.23607, 88.76730)
Rufous-bellied Niltava (Niltava sundara)  1     14:30, (27.23638, 88.76915)
Blue Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)  3     13:06, (27.24378, 88.77036)
Little Forktail (Enicurus scouleri)  1     16:20, (27.23594, 88.75726)
Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus)  2     16:10, (27.23166, 88.75922)
Himalayan Bluetail (Orange-flanked Bush-Robin) (Tarsiger rufilatus)  1     15:25, (27.23336, 88.76453)
Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis)  1     14:12, (27.23768, 88.76817)
Plumbeous Redstart (Phoenicurus fuliginosus)  3     16:20, (27.23597, 88.75725)
Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush (Monticola rufiventris)  1     14:23, (27.23622, 88.76776)
Grey Bushchat (Saxicola ferreus)  2     14:12, (27.23768, 88.76817)
Scaly Thrush (Zoothera dauma)  1     16:00, (27.23063, 88.76134)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)  6     16:44, (27.22417, 88.73832)
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus)  1     16:08, (27.23094, 88.76035)
Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)  5     09:38, (27.27839, 88.79935)
Himalayan White-browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus thura)  5     07:57, (27.29462, 88.82307)
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)  4     17:46, (27.20369, 88.69973)
Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans)  7     14:13, (27.23772, 88.76835)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)  4     17:45, (27.20316, 88.70061)
White-rumped Snowfinch (Montifringilla taczanowskii)  15     10:06, (27.26606, 88.78536)

Darjiling, West Bengal, IN
Feb 19, 2016 6:31 AM - 2:01 PM
Protocol: Traveling
10.0 mile(s)
Comments:     Neora valley and Lava. Self, Narbir, Rima and Alpana
38 species

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis)  3     10:18, (27.09865, 88.68034)
Great Barbet (Psilopogon virens)  2     10:57, (27.10171, 88.67805)
Golden-throated Barbet (Psilopogon franklinii)  1     10:57, (27.10171, 88.67805)
Speckled Piculet (Picumnus innominatus)  1     15:41, (27.10245, 88.67648)
Short-billed Minivet (Pericrocotus brevirostris)  1     15:19, (27.09948, 88.67667)
Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)  2     10:52, (27.10161, 88.67863)
Maroon Oriole (Oriolus traillii)  1     10:07, (27.09661, 88.68159)
Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)  1     11:22, (27.10119, 88.67648)
Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae)  1     06:31, (27.09634, 88.68147)
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis)  2     14:59, (27.10481, 88.67702)
Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)  2     08:38, (27.10090, 88.68025)
White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis)  1     14:59, (27.10479, 88.67699)
Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus flaviventris)  1     11:08, (27.10627, 88.68170)
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)  2     10:52, (27.10165, 88.67872)
Himalayan Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)  4     10:07, (27.09656, 88.68159)
Mountain Bulbul (Ixos mcclellandii)  8     10:28, (27.09925, 88.67928)
Grey-hooded Warbler (Phylloscopus xanthoschistos)  3     10:23, (27.09932, 88.67948)
White-spectacled Warbler (Seicercus affinis)  3     12:07, (27.10980, 88.67727)
Whiskered Yuhina (Yuhina flavicollis)  6     07:34, (27.09772, 88.68112)
Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis)  15     07:25, (27.09769, 88.68124)
Rufous-vented Yuhina (Yuhina occipitalis)  11     09:32, (27.09591, 88.68163)
Black-chinned Yuhina (Yuhina nigrimenta)  12     14:40, (27.11163, 88.68281)
Striated Laughingthrush (Grammatoptila striata)  4     07:00, (27.09774, 88.68163)
Black-faced Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron affine)  10     10:09, (27.09701, 88.68134)
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron erythrocephalum)  8     07:58, (27.09943, 88.68055)
Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)  3     06:52, (27.09932, 88.68078)
Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea)  10     10:15, (27.09801, 88.68004)
Red-tailed Minla (Minla ignotincta)  4     15:29, (27.10091, 88.67649)
Large Niltava (Niltava grandis)  1     11:07, (27.10648, 88.68198)
Small Niltava (Niltava macgrigoriae)  2     07:57, (27.09946, 88.68067)
Blue Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)  1     12:10, (27.11542, 88.67904)
Himalayan Bluetail (Orange-flanked Bush-Robin) (Tarsiger rufilatus)  1     08:39, (27.10146, 88.68067)
White-capped Redstart (Phoenicurus leucocephalus)  1     13:06, (27.11283, 88.67856)
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)  1     11:07, (27.10622, 88.68164)
Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush (Monticola rufiventris)  1     07:15, (27.09778, 88.68127)
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus)  3     10:29, (27.09971, 88.67988)
Fire-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga ignicauda)  1     08:06, (27.10054, 88.68037)
Dark-breasted Rosefinch (Carpodacus nipalensis)  10     10:07, (27.09668, 88.68159)

Darjiling, West Bengal, IN
Feb 20, 2016 8:21 AM - 2:21 PM
Protocol: Traveling
49.999 mile(s)
Comments:     Neora valley and Lava to Bon Farmhouse. Self, Narbir, Rima and Alpana
43 species

Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)  1     08:28, (27.09425, 88.68398)
Indian Cormorant (Indian Shag) (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)  2     14:15, (27.22518, 88.49335)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)  7     14:15, (27.22567, 88.49326)
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)  1     14:27, (27.24178, 88.48335)
Barred Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia unchall)  15     15:15, (27.25153, 88.44124)
Great Barbet (Psilopogon virens)  10     11:01, (27.09799, 88.62232)
Golden-throated Barbet (Psilopogon franklinii)  2     15:37, (27.25015, 88.42922)
Blue-throated Barbet (Psilopogon asiaticus)  3     12:27, (27.17645, 88.56004)
Maroon Oriole (Oriolus traillii)  1     12:57, (27.17521, 88.55151)
Hair-crested Drongo (Spangled Drongo) (Dicrurus hottentottus)  2     14:38, (27.24359, 88.46885)
Red-billed Blue-Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha)  4     08:41, (27.08928, 88.68774)
Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica)  5     14:26, (27.24117, 88.48429)
Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)  2     08:23, (27.09460, 88.68292)
Black-throated Tit (Black-throated) (Aegithalos concinnus [concinnus Group])  10     09:29, (27.08518, 88.67755)
White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis)  1     08:21, (27.09666, 88.68332)
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)  4     11:45, (27.10649, 88.55966)
Himalayan Bulbul (White-cheeked Bulbul) (Pycnonotus leucogenys)  1     13:01, (27.17716, 88.54586)
Himalayan Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)  1     12:35, (27.17563, 88.55402)
Ashy Bulbul (Hemixos flavala)  1     13:02, (27.17728, 88.54428)
Mountain Bulbul (Ixos mcclellandii)  3     13:01, (27.17702, 88.54562)
Ashy-throated Warbler (Phylloscopus maculipennis)  3     10:41, (27.09888, 88.64053)
Black-throated Parrotbill (Suthora nipalensis)  15     08:23, (27.09376, 88.68217)
Whiskered Yuhina (Yuhina flavicollis)  5     08:21, (27.09691, 88.68376)
Rufous-vented Yuhina (Yuhina occipitalis)  10     08:21, (27.09689, 88.68370)
White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus)  4     14:54, (27.24392, 88.44882)
Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron erythrocephalum)  5     08:22, (27.09532, 88.68285)
Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)  8     08:24, (27.09513, 88.68337)
Red-tailed Minla (Minla ignotincta)  22     08:23, (27.09401, 88.68240)
Rusty-fronted Barwing (Actinodura egertoni)  20     10:29, (27.09926, 88.63974)
Blue Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)  5     11:01, (27.09818, 88.62227)
Himalayan Bluetail (Orange-flanked Bush-Robin) (Tarsiger rufilatus)  1     08:28, (27.09386, 88.68414)
Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis)  3     08:29, (27.09383, 88.68440)
Plumbeous Redstart (Phoenicurus fuliginosus)  1     12:15, (27.15938, 88.57643)
Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)  2     10:06, (27.08567, 88.65614)
Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush (Monticola rufiventris)  2     12:08, (27.15442, 88.57878)
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)  2     11:46, (27.10593, 88.55687)
Fire-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga ignicauda)  6     08:21, (27.09600, 88.68295)
Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis)  3     09:55, (27.08545, 88.67174)
Maroon-backed Accentor (Prunella immaculata)  2     09:40, (27.08557, 88.67550)
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)  1     10:01, (27.08531, 88.65970)
Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)  20     10:30, (27.09928, 88.63976)
Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans)  4     11:45, (27.10721, 88.56183)
Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)  8     15:27, (27.24203, 88.43639)

South Sikkim, Sikkim, IN
Feb 21, 2016 6:13 AM - 12:13 PM
Protocol: Traveling
49.999 mile(s)
Comments:     Bon Farmhouse. Self, Narbir, Rima and Alpana
43 species

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus nipalensis)  1     11:22, (27.25354, 88.35840)
Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis)  1     11:19, (27.25348, 88.35836)
Barred Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia unchall)  5     16:31, (27.28115, 88.32076)
Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium cuculoides)  1     06:13, (27.28447, 88.32423)
Great Barbet (Psilopogon virens)  1     13:26, (27.28475, 88.32429)
Golden-throated Barbet (Psilopogon franklinii)  1     16:38, (27.28196, 88.32164)
Darjeeling Woodpecker (Dendrocopos darjellensis)  3     07:48, (27.32764, 88.36107)
Bay Woodpecker (Blythipicus pyrrhotis)  1     11:27, (27.25312, 88.35849)
Large-billed Crow (Large-billed) (Corvus macrorhynchos [macrorhynchos Group])  2     17:35, (27.28473, 88.32428)
Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis)  1     07:00, (27.32721, 88.36359)
Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)  5     08:15, (27.32788, 88.35908)
White-tailed Nuthatch (Sitta himalayensis)  3     06:52, (27.32659, 88.36437)
Sikkim Treecreeper (Brown-throated Treecreeper) (Certhia discolor)  2     17:28, (27.28467, 88.32459)
Striated Bulbul (Pycnonotus striatus)  5     16:43, (27.28200, 88.32200)
Ashy-throated Warbler (Phylloscopus maculipennis)  2     15:41, (27.28892, 88.34853)
Grey-hooded Warbler (Phylloscopus xanthoschistos)  2     17:34, (27.28482, 88.32420)
Black-throated Prinia (Prinia atrogularis)  1     17:34, (27.28478, 88.32429)
Whiskered Yuhina (Yuhina flavicollis)  4     17:45, (27.28476, 88.32450)
Stripe-throated Yuhina (Yuhina gularis)  8     06:55, (27.32677, 88.36406)
Rufous-vented Yuhina (Yuhina occipitalis)  4     17:45, (27.28477, 88.32448)
Yellow-throated Fulvetta (Schoeniparus cinereus)  15     07:44, (27.32776, 88.36166)
Rufous-winged Fulvetta (Schoeniparus castaneceps)  6     14:48, (27.28556, 88.34358)
Striated Laughingthrush (Grammatoptila striata)  2     08:21, (27.32790, 88.35874)
Black-faced Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron affine)  7     08:52, (27.33013, 88.35271)
Rufous Sibia (Heterophasia capistrata)  9     06:50, (27.32662, 88.36443)
Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea)  10     14:38, (27.28540, 88.34327)
Red-tailed Minla (Minla ignotincta)  2     14:38, (27.28540, 88.34347)
Hoary-throated Barwing (Actinodura nipalensis)  2     07:26, (27.32783, 88.36191)
Rusty-fronted Barwing (Actinodura egertoni)  10     09:52, (27.32966, 88.35202)
Blue-winged Minla (Actinodura cyanouroptera)  3     14:38, (27.28540, 88.34346)
Large Niltava (Niltava grandis)  1     17:33, (27.28477, 88.32440)
Blue Whistling-Thrush (Myophonus caeruleus)  2     08:15, (27.32792, 88.35899)
Himalayan Bluetail (Orange-flanked Bush-Robin) (Tarsiger rufilatus)  2     11:14, (27.25371, 88.35794)
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata)  1     13:48, (27.28468, 88.32446)
Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis)  1     15:48, (27.29057, 88.35031)
Grey Bushchat (Saxicola ferreus)  2     16:55, (27.28440, 88.32391)
Grey-winged Blackbird (Turdus boulboul)  6     17:31, (27.28473, 88.32462)
Orange-bellied Leafbird (Orange-bellied Chloropsis) (Chloropsis hardwickii)  2     15:13, (27.28658, 88.34456)
Plain Flowerpecker (Dicaeum minullum)  1     17:36, (27.28474, 88.32437)
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus)  3     06:53, (27.32659, 88.36437)
Fire-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga ignicauda)  3     08:16, (27.32780, 88.35906)
Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis)  5     06:54, (27.32674, 88.36443)
Maroon-backed Accentor (Prunella immaculata)  6     08:52, (27.33010, 88.35270)

Pemayangtse Monastery area, Pelling, West Sikkim, Sikkim, IN
Feb 22, 2016 5:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Protocol: Traveling
49.999 mile(s)
Comments:     Bon Farmhouse to Bagdogra. Self, Narbir, Rima and Alpana
19 species

Barred Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia unchall)  X     19:46, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Mountain Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula badia)  X     19:49, (17.43735, 78.45472)
Golden-throated Barbet (Psilopogon franklinii)  X     19:45, (17.43735, 78.45474)
Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus)  X     19:48, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Hair-crested Drongo (Spangled Drongo) (Dicrurus hottentottus)  X     19:49, (17.43735, 78.45472)
Common Green-Magpie (Cissa chinensis)  X     19:47, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)  X     19:47, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Grey Treepie (Dendrocitta formosae)  X     19:47, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus flaviventris)  X     19:48, (17.43735, 78.45472)
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)  X     19:48, (17.43735, 78.45472)
Himalayan Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus)  X     19:48, (17.43735, 78.45472)
Ashy Bulbul (Hemixos flavala)  X     19:49, (17.43735, 78.45472)
White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus)  X     19:47, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (Garrulax monileger)  X     19:48, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Lesser Shortwing (Brachypteryx leucophrys)  X     19:48, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schistaceus)  X     19:48, (17.43734, 78.45472)
Long-billed Thrush (Zoothera monticola)  X
Grey-winged Blackbird (Turdus boulboul)  X     19:45, (17.43735, 78.45473)
Common Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa)  X     19:49, (17.43735, 78.45472)