Birds of Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India

2004·11.7 MB·

by  C Srinivasulu

;
Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 3-25
BIRDS OF KAWALWILDLIFE SANCTUARY, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA1
C. Srinivasulu2
'Accepted July, 2001
2Wildlife Biology Section. DepartmentofZoology, OsmaniaUniversity, Hyderabad 500007, AndhraPradesh, India.
Emai hyd2_masawa@sancharnet. n
1: i
Beingapartofalarge andcontiguousforesttractinthe Deccan Plateau,the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary isan
important Protected Area with high avian diversity. Altogether, 294 species belongingto 53 families were
recorded during atwo-yearperiod between 1997 and 1999. Historical comparisons have also been drawn,
andsomespeciesthatwerenotrecordedduringthissurveyarediscussed. ThestatusoftheBlack-shouldered
Woodpecker, Spotted Creeperand Little Spiderhunter is also discussed. It is proposed that furthersurveys
in adjacent areas will yield interesting results and will be ofconsiderable importance in recognizing this
region as an Important Bird Area in Andhra Pradesh.
Keywords: Kawal WildlifeSanctuary,Adilabaddistrict,avifauna,AndhraPradesh
INTRODUCTION few waterbodies dot the area, the major ones being
restricted to the northern region of the Sanctuary
Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary isoneofthe oldestand between Birsaipet and Utnoor. On the southern side,
faunistically most diverse Protected Areas in Andhra the Kadam Reservoirand the associated canal network
Pradesh.Thefirstdocumentationofavian diversityfrom formsthe lifeline ofthe Sanctuary. There are a number
the Utnoor Forest was done in 1930-31 by Salim Ali oflargeandsmallshallowwaterbodiesalongthesouthern
duringthe Hyderabad StateOrnithological Survey(Ali boundary,though notstrictlywithintheSanctuary limits.
and Whistler 1933a, b, c; 1934a, b). In early 1978, a A few seasonal streams also crisscross the Sanctuary.
party ofthe Zoological Survey ofIndia collected birds The forest is ofSouthern Tropical Dry Deciduous
from four different sites in Adilabad district, ofwhich type with Tectona grandis, Terminalia tomentosa
,
three, namely Birsaipet, Itikyal, and Kadam are within Terminalia arjuna, Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia
the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary (Majumdar 1984). serrata, Cleisanthus collinus Lannea Coromandelica
, ,
Although the Forest Department staff and some Diospyros melanoxylon and Bombay, ceiba being
,
members of the Birdwatchers’ Society of Andhra predominant(ChampionandSeth 1968).Patchesofnatural
Pradesh have documented birds from this region, the clumpsofbambooDendrocalamusstrictusarealsofound
lack of a comprehensive checklist is quite evident. in the Sanctuary. Three reserve forests, namely Itikyal,
Keeping this in view, I maintained a record of bird KadamandKawalfallingunderNirmalandJanaramForest
sightingsduringfieldtripscarriedoutwhilestudyingwild Divisions comprisethe Sanctuary. The majorvegetation
cervids for my doctoral research. This paper presents compositions in these reserve forests are teak mixed
thefirstdetailedsystematicaccountoftheaviandiversity miscellaneousforestandteakmixed bambooforest.Teak
ofKawal Wildlife Sanctuary. mixed bamboo forest is more dominant (55%) than the
teakmixedmiscellaneousforest(40%)whiletheremaining
STUDY AREA
areasareteakplantations,scrubareasorvillageenclosures.
A
roadconnectingMancherialwithNirmaland Adilabad
Established in 1965, Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary divides the Sanctuary into three zones. Cultivated areas
(19° 05'-19° 20' N and 78° 32'-79° 12' E) covers an area and human habitation are found in the villages named in
of 893 sq. km, making it one of the largest and oldest theMethodologysection, inandaroundtheSanctuary.
gazettedwildlifesanctuariesinAndhraPradesh. Located
inAdilabaddistrict, it issituated45 km fromMancherial, METHODOLOGY
70 km from Nirmal and 260 km from Hyderabad. The
generaltopographyoftheareaisundulating,with hillson Regularmonthlysurveysfollowingthe imaginary
the northern boundary and a gentle slope towards the gridmethodand linetransectmethod byGaston (1973)
Godavaririverflowing6-12kmfromthesouthernboundary were carried out from March 1997 to March 1999, and
ofthe Sanctuary(Fig. 1). bird recordsweremaintained forthefollowingselected
The major peaks are Mamidepalligutta (664 m), areas of the Sanctuary: Utnoor, Birsaipet, Rampur,
Mysemgutta (553 m) and Thattlakonda (443 m). Very Udhumpur, Laxmipur, Dosthnagar, Kadam, Itikyal,
BIRDS OF KAWALWILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Kalleda, Narlapur, Indhanpally, Janaram, Kawal, no breeding records, 12% (17 species) are winter
Alinagar,Dongapally,TapalapurandTadlapet. Forested migrants,6% (9 species)areprobablyresidentsorlocal
tracts within a radius of 2 to 8 km from these areas migrants, and 0.69% (1 species) of undetermined
wereselected forobservations. Identification wasbased resident status. Of the uncommon species,
on Ali and Ripley (1983) and Ali (1996). Based on the 28% (27 species) are resident breeders,
numberofsightingsandoccurrence,thestatusofagiven 21% (21 species) are those that probably breed,
specieswasassignedascommon (encountereddaily in 9% (9 species) are resident with no breeding records,
relativelylargenumbers), uncommon(encountereddaily 26% (26 species) are winter migrants, and
but in small numbers) and rare (encountered less than 15% (15 species) are eitherseasonal or local migrants.
15 times a year). Among the rare species, 56% (29 species) are of
undetermined rare status, 17% (9 species) winter
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION migrants, 6% (3 species) either seasonal or local
migrants, 10% (5 species) stragglers, 1.0% (5 species)
A total of 294 species belonging to 185 genera, probable resident breeders, and one species (2%) that
53 families and 17 orders were recorded (Table 1). Of is, Black-shouldered Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes
these49% (144 species)arecommon,33% (98 species) festivus) is a rare resident breeder.
are uncommon and 18% (52 species)are rare. Ofthese Intheannotated checklistthatfollows, systematic
45% ( 1 33 species) are resident breeders, listing is based on the Synopsis (Ripley 1982) and the
17% (49 species)areresidentsthatpossiblybreedwithin common and scientific names follow Manakadan and
the Sanctuary, 17% (49 species) are winter migrants, Pittie(2001).
8% (23 species) are seasonal or local migrants,
12% (36 species) are rare, while the rest are stragglers 1. Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas)
(4 species contributing 1%). Significant sight records Common. Resident breeder. Affects shallow
were Jerdon’s Baza Avicedajerdoni), Great Black waterbodies near human settlements and near Kadam
(
Woodpecker (Dryocopus javensis). Spotted Creeper Reservoir.AliandWhistler(1934b)recordedthisspecies
(Salpornis spilonotus) and Little Spiderhunter from Utnoor.
(Arachnothera longirostra).
Among the common species, 75% (108 species) 2. Great Cormorant
are resident breeders, 3% (5 species) probably breed Phalacrocorax carbo (Linne)
within the Sanctuary, 3% (4 species) are resident with Rare. Two records near Kadam Reservoir.
4 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Table 1: Avian diversity of Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, 3. Indian Shag Phalacrocorax
Adilabad district, Andhra Pradesh fuscicollis Stephens
Order Family No of No. of Rare. Recorded twice during the study period.
Genera Species Once each from the vicinity ofKadam Reservoir and
Podicipediformes Podicipedidae 1 1 IndhanpallyTank.
Pelecaniformes Phalacrocoracidae 1 3
Ciconiiformes Ardeidae 8 10 4. Little Cormorant
Ciconiidae 3 3 Phalacrocorax itiger (VieiSlot)
Threskiornithidae 4 4 Common. Recorded in fair numbers near Kadam
Anseriformes Anatidae 9 17
Falconiformes Accipitiridae 18 27 Reservoir and its associated canal network, and also
from smaller pools inside the Sanctuary. Breeding not
Falconidae 1 4
Galliformes Phasianidae 6 12 recorded.
Gruiformes Turnicidae 1 3
Rallidae 6 6 5. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Linne
Charadriiformes Jacanidae 2 2 Uncommon. Probablyaresident,though breeding
Charadriidae 9 17 notrecorded withinthe Sanctuary. Regularlyseen along
Rostratulidae 1 1 the shallow waterbodies between Janaram and Kadam.
Recurvirostridae 1 1 Ali and Whistler (1934b) recorded this species from
Burhinidae 2 2
Utnoor.
Glareolidae 2 2
Laridae 3 4
Columbiformes Pteroclididae 1 2 6. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Linne
Columbidae 4 8 Uncommon. Probablyaresident,thoughbreeding
Psittaciformes Psittacidae 1 3 not recorded within the Sanctuary. A few individuals
Cuculiformes Cuculidae 8 9 regularly recorded along the shallow waterbodies
Strigiformes Strigidae 8 8 between Indhanpallyand Kadam. Salim Ali collecteda
Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgidae 1 3 femalespecimen fromUtnoor(Aliand Whistler 1934b).
Apodiformes Apodidae 4 4
Coraciiformes Alcedinidae 3 3
Meropidae 1 3 7. Large Egret Casmerodius albus (Linne)
Coraciidae 1 1 Uncommon. Affects shallow waterbodies
Upupidae 1 1 between Indhanpallyand Kadam, andtoa lesserextent
Bucerotidae 1 1 those between Janaram and Tadlapet. Totally absent
Piciformes Capitonidae 1 2 fromJulyto September-October. Breedingnotrecorded
Picidae 7 8 from or around the Sanctuary.
Passeriformes Pittidae 1 1
Alaudidae 6 8
Hirundinidae 1 5 8. Indian Pond-heron Ardeola grayii (Sykes)
Laniidae 4 Common. Resident breeder. Affects wateredges,
1
Oriolidae 1 3 paddy fields, small streams and canals inside the
Dicruridae 1 4 Sanctuary. Breedingcoloniesrecorded inthegroveson
Artamidae 1 1 fringevillagesofJanaram, Indhanpally, Kadam,Utnoor,
Sturnidae 2 7 and Itikyal. Shares nesting trees with Little Egret and
Corvidae 2 3 CattleEgret. Ali and Whistler(1934b)recorded itfrom
Campephagidae 3 6 Utnoor. Majumdar (1984) found it to be common and
Irenidae 2 3
collected a male from Kadam.
Pycnonotidae 1 3
Muscicapidae 27 42
Paridae 1 2 9. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Linne)
Sittidae 2 3 Common. Residentbreeder. Large numbersaffect
Motacillidae 3 8 the agro-ecosystem along the fringe villages. Seen
Dicaeidae 1 2 following livestock that graze within the Sanctuary.
Nectariniidae 2 3 Localsreportthat itfollowstheIndianGaur(Bosgaur '
Zosteropidae
1 1 too. Breedingcolonies recorded in the groves offringe
Ploceidae 3 4
villages ofJanaram, Indhanpally, Kadam, Utnoor, and
Estrildidae 2 5
Fringillidae 1 1 Tadlapet. Ali and Whistler(1934b)recordedthisspecies
from Utnoor.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 5
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
10. Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia (Wagler) regularlyobservedinteakplantationsbetweenIndhanpally,
Common. Seen along with the Little Egret Narlapurand Kalleda from Octoberto February.
affectingwaterbodiesbetween IndhanpallyandKadam.
Probably a local migrant, observed in good numbers 18. Oriental White Ibis
between September and February, up to March. Threskiornis melanocephalus (Latham)
Uncommon. Recorded between July and
11. Little Egret Egretta garzetta (Linne) September along large shallow waterbodies between
Common. Resident breeder. As numerous as Indhanpallyand Kadam.
Cattle Egret. Affects all waterbodies near human
settlements as well as in forested tracts. Breeding 19. Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck)
colonies recorded in the groves of fringe villages of Common. Regularly recorded in good numbers in
Janaram, Indhanpally, Kadam, Utnoor,Tadlapet, Itikyal paddy fields along the southern boundary of the
and Birsaipet. Sanctuary, and also between Birsaipet and Utnoor. No
breeding colony was recorded within or along the
12. Black-crowned Night-heron boundary ofthe Sanctuary.
Nycticorax nycticorax (Linne)
Uncommon. Very few individuals have been 20. Glossy Ibis Plegadisfalcinellus (Linne)
recorded in waterbodies along the Kadam Reservoir Rare; Two records (3 and 8 individuals each),
and associated canals. Although breeding was not between Indhanpally and Kadam.
recorded within the Sanctuary, subadult birds were
regularly encountered. Ali and Whistler (1934b) 21. Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Linne
recorded this species from Utnoor. Uncommon. Recorded from September to
February along large shallow waterbodies between
13. Chestnut Bittern Indhanpallyand Kadam.
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus (Gmelin)
Rare. Recorded thrice in the vegetation on the 22. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus (Latham)
southwestern edge of Kadam Reservoir. Rare. Two records on the edge of the Kadam
Reservoir.
14. Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis (Gmelin)
Uncommon. Infrequently observed near Kadam 23. Lesser Whistling-duck
Reservoir and large shallow waterbodies along the Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield)
southern boundary of the Sanctuary. Breeding not Common and resident. Affects all shallow
observed. waterbodies along the southern boundary of the
Sanctuary, and has also been recorded from small
15. Painted StorkMycteria leucocephala (Pennant) rainwater inundated pools within the forest. Although
Uncommon. About 4-10 birds observed feeding no nests were recorded, it probably breeds within the
busilyin IndhanpallyTankbetweenJulyand September. Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler (1934b) report its
Sightings ofjuvenile individuals may indicate the occurrence in Utnoor. Majumdar (1984) found itto be
presenceofabreedingcolonywithin 50-200 kmradius not very common and collected two females from
1
ofthe Sanctuary. Birsaipet.
16. Asian Openbill-Stork Anastomus oscitans 24. Large Whistling-duck
(Boddaert) Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot)
Common. Regularly seen in large numbers (up to Rare. Recorded once(6 individuals) inNovember
70-80individuals)inIndhanpallyTank.Nobreedingrecords 1998 from IndhanpallyTank.
within the Sanctuary, although juveniles were regularly
sighted,indicatingthepresenceofabreedingcolonynearby. 25. Brahminy Shelduck Tadornaferruginea(Pallas)
Majumdar(1984) collected a female from Kadam. Uncommon. Migratory. 2 to 6 individuals from
Kadam riverdownstreamfromKadam Dam. Majumdar
17. White-necked Stork (1984) collected a pair ofthese birds from Kadam.
Ciconia episcopus (Boddaert)
Uncommon. Five records along the Kadam river 26. Northern Pintail Anas acuta Linne
downstreamfrom Kadam Dam,otherthanapairthatwas Common.Migratory.About 15 individualsregularly
6 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
recorded affecting large shallowwaterbodies alongthe 35. Ferruginous Pochard
southern boundary ofthe Sanctuary. Aythya nyroca (Giildenstadt)
Rare. Migratory. Recorded once (a pair) in
27. Common Teal Anas crecca Linne November 1998 at Indhanpally Tank.
Common. Migratory. About 10 individuals
recorded during winters of 1997 and 1999 in the 36. Tufted Pochard Aythyafidigula (Linne)
indhanpallyTank. Rare. Migratory. Recorded once(5 individuals) in
December 1998 at Indhanpally Tank.
28. Spot-billed Duck
Anas poecilorhyncha J. R. Forester 37. Cotton TealNettapuscoromandelianus(Gmelin)
Common. Resident breeder. Over 20 individuals Common. Local migrant.Observed(at leastapair)
regularlyrecorded affecting large shallowwaterbodies in all large shallow waterbodies of the Sanctuary.
alongthesouthern boundaryofthe Sanctuary. Regularly Maximum number recorded at any given time were 27
recorded breeding in a tankjust outside Janaram and individuals. Ali and Whistler (1934b) recorded this
alsoat IndhanpallyTank. Majumdar(1984) found itto species from Utnoor.
be common and collected a male specimen from
Kadam. 38. Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos (Pennant)
Uncommon. Local migrant. Regularly recorded
29. Gadwall Anas strepera Linne from 2 to 28 individuals in all the study years at
Rare. Migratory. Recorded once (2 individuals) Indhanpally Tank. Ali and Whistler (1934b) recorded
fromthe IndhanpallyTankduringNovember 1997. this species from Utnoor.
30. Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope Linne 39. Black-shouldered Kite
Rare. Migratory. Recorded twice (one and two Elanus caeru/etis (Desfontaines)
individuals, respectively) from the Indhanpally Tank Common. Resident breeder. Affects open patches
duringNovember 1997. ofthe forest and also along the agricultural lands ofthe
fringe villages. Majumdar (1984) found it to be very
31. Garganey Anas querquedula Linne common and collected a male, a female and two female
Common. Migratory. Over20 individualsregularly specimensfrom Kadam,Itikyal,andBirsaipetrespectively.
recorded affecting the large shallow waterbodies
along the southern boundary of the Sanctuary and 40. Jerdon’s Baza Avicedajerdoni (Blyth)
also between Rampur and Utnoor. Ali and Whistler Rare. Once sighted nearAlinagarexclosure in the
(1934b) recorded this species from Utnoor. Majumdar core area ofthe Sanctuary.
(1984) reported it to be very common near Birsaipet
where he collected two male and three female 41. Oriental Honey-buzzard
specimens. Pernis ptilorhynchus (Ternminek)
Uncommon. Affectsopen forest patches. Number
32. Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata Linne ofsightings less in summerandmonsoon than in winter
Uncommon. Migratory. Recorded throughout when it was frequently observed. No records of
the winter of 1998-99 ranging from 3-18 individuals breedingwithin the Sanctuary.
at Indhanpally Tank. Salim Ali mentions having
observed it on 15.x.1924 at Utnoor (Ali and Whistler 42. Black Kite Milvus ntigrans (Boddaert)
1934b). Common. Resident breeder. Recorded in good
numbers, and nests were recorded in the vicinity of
33. Red-crested Pochard human settlements.
Rhodonessa rufina (Pallas)
Uncommon. Migratory. Recordedthroughoutthe 43. Brahminy Kite Haliastur indns (Boddaert)
winter of 1997-98 and 1998-99, ranging from 2-6 Common.Residentbreeder. Restrictedindistribution
individualsat IndhanpallyTank. to Kadam Reservoir area. Occasionally also recorded
along the canal and natural streams criss-crossing the
34. Common Pochard Aythyaferina (Linne) Sanctuary. Nests were observed near the Reservoir area
Rare. Migratory. Recorded once (a pair) in andyoungwererecordedfromJuly-Augustonwards. Ali
December 1998 at Indhanpally Tank. and Whistler(1934b)recordedthisspeciesfrom Utnoor.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 7
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
44. Shikra Accipiter badius (Gindin) 53. Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis (Temminck)
Common. Residentbreeder. Affectsopen wooded Rare. Once sighted near Kalleda Vagu (Pedda
areas of the Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler (1934b) Vagu) in May 1998.
recorded this species from Utnoor. Majumdar (1984)
found it to be common in certain areas and collected a 54. Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus (Scopoli)
male specimen from Itikyal, and a pair from Kadam. Rare. Six individuals sighted feeding on carcass
ofcow along with other vulture species on the edge of
45. Crested Goshawk Kadam Reservoir in January 1998.
Accipiter trivirgatus (Temniinck)
Rare. Twice sighted in teakmixed bamboo forest 55. Eurasian Griffon Gypsfulvus (Hablizl)
nearRampurduringwinterof 998. Uncommon. Twenty-one individuals have been
1
recorded in3 sightingsontheedgesofKadamReservoir.
46. Besra Sparrow-hawk AliandWhistler(1934b)recordedthisspeciesfromUtnoor.
Accipiter virgatus (Temniinck)
Rare. One bird sighted nearKalleda inNovember 56. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus (Scopoli)
1998. Uncommon. Thirty-eight individuals have been
recorded in 3 sightingsontheedgeofKadamReservoir
47. Long-legged Buzzard and one near Tadlapet. Ali and Whistler (1934b)
Buteo ruftnus (Cretzschmar) recorded this species from Utnoor.
Rare. One bird sighted in December 1997
near the teak plantation area adjacent to Laxmipur 57 Indian White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis
exclosure. (Gmelin)
Uncommon. Not frequently seen, probable
48. White-eyed Buzzard resident. Thirty-two to forty birds have been
Butastiir teesa (Franklin) recorded inatotal ofsevensightingsallalongthefringes
Rare. Once sighted in February 1999 near ofthe Sanctuary. No sightings since August 1999. Ali
Nalakonda, Shivar Pedda Vagu area. Ali and Whistler and Whistler (1934b) recorded this species from
(1934b) recorded this species from Utnoor. Majumdar Utnoor.
(1984)found ittobecommon nearItikyal andcollected
3 male specimens from the same area. 58. Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus (Linne)
49. Changeable Hawk-eagle Uncommon. A pair was frequently seen near
Spizaetus cirrhatus (Gmelin) Kadam Reservoirareatill August 1999.
Common. Frequently seen alongthe gapscreated
byroadscriss-crossingtheSanctuary. Although nonests 59. Pallid Harrier
weresighted itpresumably breedswithinthe Sanctuary, Circus macrourus (S. G. Gmelin)
as it isseenall yearround. Majumdar( 1984)found itto Uncommon. Regularly seen affectingopenforests
becommon near Birsaipet, where hecollected afemale andagriculturefields.
specimen.
60. Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus (Linne)
50. Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax Temniinck Rare. Pair seen in January 1999, near a check-
Common. Seen in good numbers throughout the dam near Udhumpur.
Sanctuary. No breeding was recorded.
61. Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos (Pennant)
51. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga Pallas Uncommon.Regularlyseenalongagriculturefields
Rare. Once sighted near the southern edge ofthe downstream of Kadam Dam and twice sighted in the
Kadam Reservoir in January 1999. open valley near Rampur.
52 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Brehm 62. Western Marsh-harrier
.
Rare. Two sightings, first near northern edge of Circus aeruginosus (Linne)
the Dam on the Kadam Reservoir in November 1998, Rare. Recorded twice in the agriculture fields
and another alongthe main canal ofKadam Reservoir downstream ofthe Kadam Dam during the winter of
inJanuary 1999. 1998-99.
8 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004
.
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
63. Short-toed Snake-eagle 72. Common Quail Coturnix coturnix (Linne)
Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin) Common. Resident breeder. Recorded along the
Common. Regularly seen affecting open forests scrub, agriculture fieldsand forestedgethroughoutthe
and also cultivated fields. Probably a breeder, though Sanctuary.
no nests were recorded.
73. Rain Quail Coturnix coromandelica (Gmelin)
64. Crested Serpent-eagle Common. Resident breeder. Recorded to affect
Spilornis cheela (Latham) scrub, fallow and cultivated fields, and forest edge
Common. Seen in fairly good numbers affecting especially alongthe human settlementsthroughoutthe
teak plantations and natural teak mixed miscellaneous Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler (1934b) recorded this
forests. Although no nests were recorded, it probably species from Utnoor.
breedswithin theSanctuary. Majumdar(1984)reported
it to be widely distributed and collected a female 74. Blue-breasted Quail Coturnixchinensis (Linne)
specimen from Birsaipet. Uncommon. Residentbreeder. Recorded in small
numbersaffectingfallowand scrublandthroughoutthe
65. Osprey Pandion haliaetus (Linne) fringe areas ofthe Sanctuary.
Rare. Recorded twice (December 1997 and
February 1998) fishing onthe Kadam Reservoir. 75. Jungle Bush-quail Perdicula asiatica (Latham)
Common. Resident breeder. Recorded in good
66. Laggar Falcojugger J. E. Gray numbers alongtheopen scrub, agriculturefieldsand in
Rare. Once sighted near the village enclosure of the rocky habitat in the vicinity ofvillage enclosures.
Laxmipur. Salim Ali collected a couple ofmale specimens from
Utnoor (Ali and Whistler 1934b). Majumdar (1984)
67. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Tunstall collected a male specimen from Itikyal.
Rare. Three records during winter in the vicinity
ofKadam Reservoir. 76. Rock Bush-quail Perdicula argoondalt (Sykes)
Uncommon. Residentbreeder. Recorded in small
68. Red-headed Falcon Falco chicquera Daudin numbers along the northern areas ofthe Sanctuary.
Common. Regularly seen affecting open forests
and cultivated fields, especially along the village 77. Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea (Gmelin)
enclosures between Indhanpally and Kadam on the Common. Resident breeder. Females on nests
southern boundary, and Birsaipet and Utnoor on the were observed in teak mixed bamboo forest patches
northern side ofthe Sanctuary. Breeding not recorded. between January and March. Fairly well represented
throughout the Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler (1934b)
69. Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Linne recorded this species from Utnoor.
Common. Regularly seen affecting open forests,
teak plantations and village enclosures within the 78. Painted Spurfowl
Sanctuary. Majumdar (1984) reported it to be rare and Galloperdix lunulata (Valenciennes)
collected a female specimen from Itikyal. Uncommon. Resident breeder. Frequently met
with in teak mixed miscellaneous and teak mixed
70. Painted Francolin bamboo forest patches within the Sanctuary.
&
Francolinus pictus (Jardine Selby)
Common. Resident breeder. Recorded along the 79. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (Linne)
scrub and forest edge mainly near Birsaipet, Kalleda Uncommon. Residentbreeder. A few individuals
and Itikyal. Ali and Whistler (1934b) recorded this noted in teak mixed miscellaneous forests near
species from Utnoor. Dongapally, Rampurand Alampally areas.
71 Grey Francolin 80. Grey Junglefowl
Francolinus pondicerianus (Gmelin) Gallus sonneratii (Temminck)
Common. Resident breeder. Recorded along the Common. Resident breeder. Found in good
scrub, agriculturefields andforestedgethroughoutthe numbers throughout the undisturbed or less disturbed
Sanctuary.AliandWhistler(1934b)reportedthisspecies areas of the Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler (1934b)
to be absent from Utnoor. recorded this species from Utnoor.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 9
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
81. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Linne 90. Common Coot Fulica atra Linne
Common. Residentbreeder. Fairlygood numbers Common. Residentbreeder. Afew individualshave
throughout the Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler (1934b) been recorded throughout the year from large shallow
recorded this species from Utnoor. waterbodies and Kadam Reservoir. Populations increase
considerablyduringwinter. Majumdar(1984)found itto
82. SmallButtonquail Turnixsylvatica(Desfontaines) becommonandcollectedamalespecimenfromBirsaipet.
Rare. Twice sighted between Birsaipet and
Utnoor. Probably a resident breeder. 91. Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Hydrophasianus c/tirurgus (Scopoli)
83. Yellow-legged Buttonquail Turnix tanki Blyth Uncommon within the Sanctuary limits, but a
Uncommon. Occasional sightings along common resident breeder recorded in good numbers
agriculturefieldsandscrubopenings. Itprobablybreeds fromthesmallershallowwaterbodiesscatteredbetween
withinthe Sanctuary. Indhanpally and Kadam. Ali and Whistler (1934b)
recorded this species from Utnoor.
84. Common Buttonquail Turnixsuscitator(Gnielin)
Uncommon.Occasionallysightedinafewlocalities 92 Bronze-winged Jacana
between Rampur and Utnoor, and between Indhanpally Metopidius indicus (Latham)
and Kadam. It probably breeds within the Sanctuary. More common than the Pheasant-tailed Jacana.
Majumdar(1984) reported itto be notvery common and Resident breeder, very frequently seen on all the
collecteda female specimen from Birsaipet. waterbodies within the Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler
934b) recorded this species from Utnoor.
(1
85. Spotted Crake Porznnafused (Linne)
Rare. Once sighted near Kadam Reservoir. 93. Greater Painted-snipe
Probably a straggler or has been overlooked due to its Rostratula benghalensis (Linne)
secretive nature. Rare. A single male was observed in February
998 near Indhanpally tank. Ali and Whistler 934b)
1 (1
86. White-breasted Waterhen recorded this species from Utnoor.
Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant)
Common. Resident breeder. Affects stream beds, 94 Red-wattled Lapwing
canals, shallow waterbodies, and the vicinity of the Vanellus indicus (Boddaert)
Kadam Reservoir. Common. Resident breeder. Frequently observed
in scrub forest areas and adjacent village enclo-
87. Watercock Gallicrex cinerea (Gmelin) sures. Ali and Whistler (1934b) recorded this species
Common. Resident breederbut recorded in small from Utnoor. Majumdar (1984) found it to be very
numbers. Observed from Kadam Reservoir and its common and collected a female specimen from
adjoining area, from all shallow waterbodies scattered Itikyal.
alongthesouthern boundary,andfromaseasonalstream
between Birsaipet and Utnoor. 95. River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii (Lesson)
Uncommon. Frequently observed along Kadam
88. Common Moorhen GaUinula cliloropus (Linne) and its network ofcanals.
Common. Resident breeder. Recorded in
moderatenumbersall through theyear in large shallow 96. Yellow-wattled Lapwing
waterbodies along the southern boundary. Numbers Vanellus nudabaricus (Boddaert)
increase during the winter season. Ali and Whistler Common. Resident breeder. Affects open scrub
(1934b) recorded this species from Utnoor. forestand adjacentvillageenclosures. Ali and Whistler
(1934b) recorded this species from Utnoor.
89. Purple Moorhen Porphyria porphyria (Linne)
Common. Resident breeder. Fewerin numberthan 97. Pacific Golden Plover
the Common Moorhen. Recorded from all shallow Pluvialisfulva (Gmelin)
waterbodies scattered along the southern boundary. Rare. Once sighted (6 individuals)downstreamof
Numbers increase during the winter season. Ali and theKadam Dam in December 1998. Probablystragglers.
Whistler(1934b)reportedthisspeciesasnot uncommon Ali and Whistler (1934b) reported it to be absent from
in Utnoor. Utnoor.
l 0 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004
a
1
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
98. Greater Sand Plover 108. Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago (Linne)
Charadrius leschenaultii Lesson Uncommon. Wintermigrant. Frequentlyobserved
Rare. Once seen in November 1998 near in small numbers at Indhanpally Tank and Kadam
IndhanpallyTank. Probably a straggler. Reservoir. Salim Ali reports flushinga pairon April 8,
1932 among reeds bordering a tank at Utnoor (Ali and
99. Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Scopoli Whistler 1934b).
Common. Winter migrant. Recorded from all the
waterbodieswithin the Sanctuary, morecommon along 109. Little Stint Calidris minuta (Leisler)
the Kadam and associated canals. Majumdar (1984) Common. Regularly seen in fairly good numbers
reported ittobenotverycommonandcollectedafemale affecting largewaterbodieswithin the Sanctuary. Along
specimen from Itikyal. smallerwaterbodiesupto 12 individualswereobserved.
100. Kentish Plover CharadriusalexandrinusLinne 1 10. Temminck’s Stint Calidristemminckii(Leisler)
Uncommon.Wintermigrant. Infrequentlyrecorded Common. Regularlyseen inmixedflockswith little
from large shallow waterbodies along the southern stint.Confinedtolargewaterbodies. Veryfewindividuals
boundaryofthe Sanctuary. Majumdar(1984)collected were sighted along smallerwaterbodies.
a pair from Kadam.
111. Black-winged Stilt
101. Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (Linne) Himantopus himantopus (Linne)
Rare. One pair sighted in flight near Kadam Common. Winter migrant. Regularly recorded in
Reservoir in December 1998. Probably stragglers. flocks up to 76 individuals affecting large shallow
waterbodies and paddy fields between Janaram and
102. Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa (Linne) Kadam, and also in the vicinity of Utnoor. Ali and
Rare. Two individuals sighted near paddy fields Whistler (1934b) did not record this species from
near the Kadam Reservoir in November 1998. No Utnoor.
sightingswithintheSanctuary limits.
112. Stone Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus (Linne)
103. Common Redshank Tringa totanus (Linne) Uncommon. Resident breeder. Affectsopen scrub
Common. Winter migrant. Seen along all larger strewn with boulders. Young ones were observed
shallowwaterbodieswithinthe Sanctuary. between March and May.
104. Marsh Sandpiper 113. Great Stone-plover
Tringa stagnatilis (Bechstein) Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier)
Common. Winter migrant. Seen along larger Uncommon. One pair regularly noted along the
shallow waterbodies near Tadlapet, Indhanpally to Kadam riverdownstream ofthe Kadam Dam. Possibly
Kadam, and Utnoor. breeds within the Sanctuary. Ali and Whistler 1934b)
(
recorded this species from Utnoor and its environs.
105. Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia (Gunner) 114. Indian Courser
Uncommon. Winter migrant. Seen in small Cursorius coromandelicus (Gmelin)
numbers along shallow waterbodies between Kadam Uncommon. Regularly seen in small flocks up to
and Indhanpally. Majumdar(1984)collectedonefemale six individuals affecting scrub areas ofthe Sanctuary.
specimen each from Itikyal and Birsaipet.
1 1 5. Small Pratincole
106. Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola Linne Glareola lacte (Temminck)
Common. Wintermigrant. Seenalonglargeshallow Rare. Twice recorded in flocks of 8 and
1
waterbodies between Kadam and Indhanpally. Ali and individuals in November 1998. Majumdar (1984)
Whistler(1934b)recordedthisspeciesfromUtnoorand collected a pair ofspecimens from Kadam.
itsadjoiningarea.
116. Brown-headed Gull
107. Common Sandpiper Actitis liypoleucos Linne Larus brunniceplialus Jerdon
Common. Winter migrant. Seen in fairly good Rare. Thrice sighted between October and
numbersaffectingall waterbodieswithintheSanctuary. December 1998 near Kadam Reservoir.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004 11
BIRDS OF KAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
117. Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus (Pallas) 126. Eurasian Collared-dove
Uncommon.Onetosixindividualsregularlysighted Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky)
near Kadam Reservoir. Common.Residentbreeder. Ubiquitousinvillages,
cultivated and fallow fields. Ali and Whistler (1934b)
118. River Tern Sterna aurantia J.E. Gray recorded this species from Utnoor. Majumdar (1984)
Common. Regularly sighted near Kadam found it to be very common and collected a pair of
Reservoirandallalongthemajorcanals intheSanctuary. specimensfrom Itikyal.
19. Little Tern Sterna albifrons Pallas 127. Red Collared-dove
1
Rare. Once sighted in March 1998 near Kadam Streptopelia tranquebarica (Hermann)
Reservoir. Identified by its small size, black cap and Common. Resident breeder. Regularly seen
orangebill. around villages and fallow fields. Salim Ali reports
sighting ofthis species from Nirmal in 1925 (Ali and
120. Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Whistler 1934b).
Pterodes exnstus Temminck
Uncommon. A few individuals regularly sighted 128. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli)
alongthecultivatedorfallowtractsofvillageenclosures Common.Residentbreeder.Regularlyseenaffecting
within the Sanctuary. Probably a breeder within the cultivatedorfallowfields,andaroundvillageenclosures.
Sanctuary. AliandWhistler(1934b)recordedthisspeciesfromUtnoor.
Majumdar(1984)foundittobeverycommonandcollected
121. Painted SandgrousePteroclesindicus(Gmelin) a female specimen from Kadam.
Rare. Twicesighted in flight, identifiedbythe lack
ofpin feathers. Ali and Whistler(1934b) recorded this 129. Little Brown Dove
species from Utnoor. Majumdar (1984) found it to be Streptopelia senegalensis (Linne)
not very common and collected a pair from Itikyal. Common. Resident breeder. Regularly seen near
cultivated or fallow fields, open scrub and teak mixed
122. Orange-breasted Green-pigeon miscellaneous forests. Majumdar (1984) reported it to
Treron bicincta (Jerdon) beverycommon and collected afemalespecimen from
Uncommon. Resident breeder. Regularly seen in Kadam.
small flocks affectingteak mixed miscellaneous forest
andteakmixedbamboo forestpatches between Rampur 130. Alexandrine Parakeet
and Birsaipet. Majumdar (1984) reported it to be very Psittacula eupatria (Linne)
common and collected two male specimens from Uncommon. Residentbreeder. Regularlyobserved
Birsaipet. in largeflocksaffectingjowarandmaizecropsespecially
areas between Rampur and Utnoor. Ali and Whistler
123. Yellow-legged Green-pigeon (1934a) recorded this species from Utnoor. Majumdar
Treron pboenicoptera (Latham) (1984) found it to be common and collected a female
Uncommon. Resident breeder. Regularly seen in specimen from Itikyal.
small flocks of2 to 8 individuals affecting teak mixed
miscellaneous forest patches. Majumdar (1984) found 131. Rose-ringed Parakeet
itto be common and collected a male and three female Psittacula krameri (Scopoli)
specimens from Kadam, and a female specimen from Common. Residentbreeder. Regularlyseen in large
Birsaipet. flocks affectingjowar, bajra and maize crops grown in
cultivated tracts of village enclosures. Up to 10,000
124. Green Imperial-pigeon Ducula aenea (Linne) individualsroost in 5 hateakplantation nearDosthnagar.
Uncommon. Resident breeder. Regularly seen in AliandWhistler(1934a)recordedthisspeciesfromUtnoor.
small flocks of2 to 6 individuals all along the thick, Majumdar (1984) found it to be common and collected
forested tracts. twopairsofspecimens from Itikyal.
125 Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia Gmelin 132. Plum-headed Parakeet
.
Common. Resident breeder. Regularly seen Psittacula cyanocephala (Linne)
around villages and fallow fields. Nests observed in Uncommon. Residentbreeder. Frequentlysighted
towns. in goodnumbersaffectingmaize,jowarand bajrafields
1 2 1 Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (1), Jan.-Apr. 2004