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By
Mike Prince on
31 December 2002
SYSTEMATIC LIST
The taxonomy, sequence and nomenclature in this report follow Grimmett,
Inskipp & Inskipp. Note that where estimates of numbers of birds seen are
given, these are largely based on personal observations. Hence the actual
numbers seen on the trip by the group is likely to be greater in many
instances. In addition, where a species was only seen by one member of the
group (which, typically for forest birding, happened on a number of times)
this is usually indicated in the text below. Species included in brackets
were not confirmed, but have been included in the list as probables, or (in
the case of Barn Swallow) on the basis of an interesting observation.
1. Hill Partridge Arborophila torqueola Calling birds heard at both Lulagaon and on the Sandakphu trek.
2. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus One male seen from the Gorumara viewpoint.
3. Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana Seen on two occasions at Lulagaon and once on the Sandakphu trek. Unfortunately not seen well enough to determine the subspecies but likely to have been lathami based on range.
4. Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Only recorded in the Gorumara area where small numbers (up to about 20) were common.
5. Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica One seen on a small pond en-route from Bagdogra airport to Gorumara and also recorded at Phulbari Barrage.
6. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea Three seen in flight at Gorumara, also recorded at Phulbari Barrage.
7. Gadwall Anas strepera Phulbari Barrage.
8. Northern Pintail Anas acuta Phulbari Barrage.
9. Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus Two recorded in the Gorumara National Park and also seen on the nearby Mahakal trail, plus at Lulagaon. A male seen at Gorumara showed considerable red at the sides of the crown and was presumably of the subspecies semicoronatus.
10. Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker Dendrocopos macei Two or three seen at Gorumara and on the Mahakal trail.
11. [Darjeeling Woodpecker Dendrocopus darjellensis ] A woodpecker seen briefly in flight over the village of Manebhanjang showed large white oval wing patches and can only really have been this species.
12. Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus About four seen at Gorumara and also seen on the Mahakal trail nearby. Subspecies not determinable between the nominate and simlae.
13. Greater Yellownape Picus flavinucha Singles in the lowlands at Gorumara, the Mahakal trail and Bamunpokhri.
14. Himalayan Flameback Dinopium shorii Seen at Gorumara with two on the Mahakal trail and two at Bamunpokhri. Difficult to distinguish from Common Flameback D. javanense (which is not likely to occur in the area) other than the fact that they appeared fairly large-billed and to approach Greater Flameback in size.
15. Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus Four seen at Gorumara and also recorded on the Mahakal Trail.
16. Great Barbet Megalaima virens Common in the hill areas: recorded at Lulagaon (where about 100 seen), Rishyap, Neora Valley NP, Lava, Darjeeling (about 50 at Darjeeling Zoo) and Sandakphu.
17. Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineate Only seen at Gorumara and Chapramari, with four at the latter site.
18. Golden-throated Barbet Megalaima franklinii At least five seen very well at Lulagaon on 23/11 with a few also seen there the following day.
19. Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica Singles at Gorumara and on the Mahakal Trail.
20. Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris A few (about six) noted at both Gorumara, where they often sat in the open enjoying the early morning sun, and Chapramari.