Loten's Sunbird

Small, active bird, with a slender curved bill, well adapted for collecting nectar from flowers.

It is differs from the more common Purple Sunbird, chiefly in size (slightly bigger) and the maroon chest parts. Its abdomen parts are dark brown, whereas the purple sunbird is purple-blue. Another differentiating feature is its bill, which is longer than that of the Purple Sunbird.

Females of both species are pale yellow below and dull brown above.

Location: Uran

Save electricity; switch off if you leave the room

Jacana

Uran is a small town located off the Mumbai-Pune highway. As you proceed along the Palm-beach road, notorious for its high number of accidents, you notice that large parts of its surroundings comprise of wetlands, marshes and creeks. The traffic encountered is mostly large container trucks on their way towards the Nhava-Sheva port or oil tankers carrying fuel from public-sector oil companies in Uran.

Off the main road, several small roads connect the interior region of Uran; many small industries and housing colonies can be seen in this region, quite a few of these lie abandoned. We were surprised to note that a railway line connects the port to the main land.  

As the winter approaches, migratory birds wing their way to these wetlands and several species can be easily spotted during this period. 

Indian Roller

Yellow-throated sparrow

Common Coot

Spot-billed Duck

 Bronze-winged Jacana 

Name	Bronze-winged Jacana
Alternate name(s)	Not known
Size	Common crow
Occurrence	Wetlands and ponds, singly or in pairs
Status	Uncommon
Distinct features	Black head and neck; bronze wings and body parts with black short tail. Extremely large toes, convenient for movement over thickly covered wetland
Sexes	Alike

Purple Moorhen

Open-billed Stork

Over the years, there has been much destruction of the bird habitat and human encroachment in the form of reclamation of marshes and small water bodies. Also, clearing of large tracts of mangroves and forest land for unauthorized construction has been overlooked by the local authorities. This problem is common throughout India, chiefly due to lack of proper records in the revenue department. Until land ownership details are computerized and easily available for inspection, it will be impossible for the government to trace such activities and prevent further destruction of the environment.

Save water, save life

Minivet

Small Minivet

Relatively more common than the much rarer and better known Scarlet Minivet, the Small Minivet can be spotted in open forests, feeding on insects and bees, chiefly on flowering plants. Often seen in large flocks in the company of other birds.

The male is dark gray with black throat and chin. The chest and outer wings are orange, with yellow abdomen parts. Female is dull gray with white chest, abdomen and yellow-orange rump.

Location: Nannaj

Name	Small Minivet
Alternate name(s)	Not known
Size	Smaller than common sparrow
Occurrence	Arboreal bird, found in open forests near cultivation
Status	Uncommon
Distinct features	Dark gray head, and upper body; black chin and throat. Chest is orange with yellow abdomen parts.
Sexes	Different; female has dull gray upper body, with white chest and abdomen; orange-yellow rump.

Shrikes

Several species of shrikes are known, common amongst them being the Baybacked Shrike, the Longtailed Shrike and the Grey Shrike.

At first glance, it is possible to mistake the Baybacked for the Longtailed Shrike. But, there are noticeable differences, mainly in the size of the tail. The Longtailed shrike has a long brownish colored tail, whereas the Baybacked's tail is shorter and darker. The black band, which common to all three species, also covers a large part of the Bayback's forehead, whereas it only extends across the eyes of the Longtailed and Grey Shrikes.

The upper body parts are dark chestnut colored and the head parts are greyish-white. Mainly found in lightly wooded forest, in arid parts of the country, while the Longtailed Shrike prefers slightly less arid regions.

Location:  Nannaj

Longtailed Shrike (also see post Rufuousbacked Shrike)

Location:  Bhandup

The Grey Shrike is bigger than the other two, with white and grey body and a thick bill, suitable for feeding on grasshoppers, lizards and small rats. It inhabits dry and open scrub-land forests.

It is grey headed with brown upper body and white chest and abdomen parts.

Location:  Nannaj