RED-BILLED OXPECKER

343       RED-BILLED OXPECKER               Buphagus erythrorhynchus

South Africa      (36)

Commonly known as Tick Bird. Native to savannah of sub-Saharan Africa, from Central African Republiceast to South Sudan and south to northern and eastern South Africa. 20 cm. 

VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL

342          VERREAUX'S EAGLE-OWL          Bubo lacteus

South Africa            (35)

Also known as Milky Eagle Owl or Giant Eagle Owl. 60-66 cm, wingspan 140 cm. Range through most of sub-Saharan Africa, also found in Middle East. Found in semi-desert or dry savanna with scattered trees and thorny vegetation, riverine forests adjacent to savanna and small, semi-open woodland surrounded by open country, not found in deep rainforests. 

MALACHITE KINGFISHER

341           MALACHITE KINGFISHER            Alcedo cristata

South Africa        (34)

Ranges widely across Africa south of Sahara. 13 cm. River kingfisher, common in reeds and aquatic vegetation near slow moving water or ponds.

RED-VENTED BULBUL

340           RED-VENTED BULBUL           Pycnonotus leucogenys

Nepal       (17)

Native of Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka, Burma and parts of Tibet, it has established itself in many parts of the world and is listed on the world's 100 worst invasive alien species. 20 cm. Habitat includes dry scrub, open forest, plains and cultivated lands.

HOUSE CROW

339         HOUSE CROW           Corvus splendens

Nepal         (16)

Also known as Indian Crow, Greynecked Crow, Ceylon Crow or Colombo Crow. Range India, Nepal and Bangladesh, but although Asian in origin it has now spread to many parts of the world. Arrived in Australia by ship but has been exterminated. Populations always associated with humans, living largely off human refuse.

BLACK DRONGO

338           BLACK DRONGO              Dicrurus macrocercus

Nepal          (15)

28 cm. Range from sw Iran through India and Sri Lanka to southern China and Indonesia. Common in open agricultural districts and light forest. While bee keepers don't like them, because they eat the bees, farmers sometimes erect artificial perches to attract them to control insects.

WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN

337            WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN       Amaurornis phoenicurus

Nepal    (14)

Range across Southeast Asia and Indian subcontinent. 32 cm long. Found in marshes, usually fresh water but sometimes brackish or sea-shore.

RED-WATTLED LAPWING

Photographed in Chitwan, Nepal

336         RED-WATTLED LAPWING           Vanellus indicus

Nepal     (13)

35 cm. In Hindi known as tittibha. While it ranges from Iraq, sw Iran, eastward across South Asia, India, Kashmir and Nepal, these are made up of several sub-species. In Nepal it is the sub-species atronuchalis. Found in wetland habitats.

HIMALAYAN FLAMEBACK

Photographed in Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

335            HIMALAYAN FLAMEBACK                Dinopium shorii

Nepal          (12)

Also known as the Himalayan Goldenback. Range from Indian subcontinent, mainly in Himalayan lower-to-middle altitudes, acrossbpngadesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar and Nepal. Found in subtropical or tropical dry forest, tropical moist lowland forests. 

CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING

334           CHESTNUT-TAILED STARLING              Sturnus malabaricus

Nepal        (11)

Range from India to Southeast Asia. Found in wooded habitat open woodland and cultivated areas. 20 cm.

RED JUNGLEFOWL

333              RED JUNGLEFOWL              Gallus gallus

Nepal           (10)

Known locally in the Philippines as Labuyo. Range from Tamil Nadu, South India east across southern China and into Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Thought to be ancestor of domestic chicken.