Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous wildlife
destinations in Northeast India. It is well-known all over for its flora and
fauna as well as for being the home of many migratory birds. Located at a
distance of around 60 km from Guwahati, the Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary is mostly known for its large population of the
one-horned rhinoceros. However, to say that that is the only thing the place is
worth visiting for would be unjust.
For people who are interested in birding or bird watching,
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed a heavenly abode. There are over 375
species of birds found here. Birders from all over the world visit this place and
are often left spellbound with the mesmerizing beauty of the birds.
So, let us know more about some of those birds found in the Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary!
Common Kingfisher
The common kingfisher is a colourful bird that belongs to the
family of Alcedinidae. Its binomial name is Alcedo atthis. It is one of the
brightest looking birds you will see out there, with its wings being bluish
green and the rest of the upper parts being vivid blue. In
contrast, its underbody is orange in colour. Being so brightly coloured, the
common kingfisher is one of the most beautiful birds to look at. They are
generally 17-19 cm long and have a weight of around 34-46 gms. They are found
in places with or near flowing water such as rivers and lakes. They also eat
insects found in water. The common kingfishers are known for their sharp
eyesight.
Blue-winged Leafbird
The blue-winged leafbird comes from the family of Chloropseidae.
Its binomial name is Chloropsis cochinchinensis. Some of their other names are
blue-winged chloropsis and golden-mantled leafbird. They are generally 5.5 to
8.3 inches long and weigh around 0.53 to 1.60 oz. They get their name ‘blue-winged
leafbird’ because of having blue wings, while almost the rest of their body is
green in colour. The males have a more yellowish head, while that of the
females is greener. The males also have a black face and throat while the
females have a blue throat. They are found in humid and evergreen forests. One
of the notable qualities of these birds is that they can pick up the sounds of
other birds.
Northern Shoveler
The northern shoveler is a bird species from the family of
Anatidae. Its binomial name is Spatula clypeata. It is known as just shoveler
in Britain. It gets this name because of having a shovel-shaped bill. The
northern shovelers are around 44-51 cm long and weigh about 400-820 g. The
males are very colourful with their neck and head being green, and the rest of
the body being a combination of white, blue and rust. The females are mostly
brown in colour, with an orange bill. They are found in wet grasslands and
coastal marshes. They mostly feed on aquatic invertebrates.
Common Iora
The common iora is a bird that belongs to the family of
Aeigithinidae. Its binomial name is Aeigithina tiphia. These birds are
extremely bright and easily recognisable because of that. There is a difference
in the look of adult breeding males and non-breeding males. The adult breeding
males have dark green, almost black upperparts, the underbody being bright
yellow. The non-breeding males have green upperparts, and the underbody is dull
yellow in colour. The non-breeding males and females look quite similar. They
are found in forests and they mostly feed on insects. The male birds are known
to do dazzling acrobatic displays in the air to attract the female birds during
the breeding season.
Little Egret
The little egret comes from the family of Ardeidae. Its binomial
name is Egretta garzetta. It is a small heron with a white body, long black
bill and black legs. The length of an adult egret is around 55-65 cm and its
weight is 350-550 g. They are found in wetlands and they mostly feed on aquatic
creatures. Their eggs are bluish green in colour and both the parents take
turns to incubate them. Their breeding season is generally between March and
June.
Barn Wallow
The barn swallow is a bird that belongs to the family of
Hirundinidae. Its binomial name is Hirundo rustica. These birds are around
17-19 cm long and their weight is approximately 16-22 g. Their upperparts are
blue, with the forehead, throat and chin being rufous coloured and the
underbody is off white. They are mostly found in open countries with not so
much vegetation around. They feed on flies and other insects. They prefer to
build their nests in stables and barns. Their breeding season is at its peak
between February to September and in some cases, till October. Their nest is
defended by both males and females.
Eurasian collared Dove
The Eurasian collared dove belongs to the family of Columbidae.
Its binomial name is Streptopelia decaocto. They are medium-sized birds,
neither too big nor too small and are greyish in colour. They are around 32 cm
long and their weight is 125-240 g. Males and females are similar in looks.
They lay around two eggs at the same time and then the male and the female
birds take turns with incubating the eggs. As far as their diet is concerned,
they feed on berries, seeds and some insects.
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