Sunday, January 31, 2016

BIRDS @ RCET-BHILAI

Birds@ RCET-B
This is a narrative of birds commonly encountered at Rungta College of Engineering & Technology, Bhilai(RCET-B). The campus may be particularly attractive for birds since it is a virtual oasis of green amid the surrounding urban land; this checklist lists about more than 25 bird species that have been sighted around here. While most of the images are procured from Google and birding sites, they resembles the same species of birds from in and near about the RCET-B campus, majority of  birds are actually common across most of Chhattisgarh and some are common much beyond.
The avifauna of India includes a large variety of unique and rare species of birds including Great Indian Hornbill, Great Indian Bustard, Green Avadavat and Sunbird’s. Total of around 1301 species of bird found in India out 42 are endemic to Indian subcontinent and rest of others are Introduced and accidental species. Out of which 400-425 bird species has been recorded in Chhattisgarh. The Species of avifauna include partridges (which nest in shrubs outside cities and run almost as fast as they fly), cattle egret, pond heron, babblers, parrots and parakeets, blue jay, wagtails, quails (both black and grey varieties), bulbul , koel ,fly catchers, woodpeckers, sun bird and weaver bird
I am no bird expert. Until some years ago, I didn't know a cattle egret from a little green bee-eater. The birds shown here are not rare or special - they are just everyday birds, birds that may drop in at your lawn.
In my article on Birds found in RCET- B campus, I have tried to locate their actual spots in college campus where you can have a glimpse at some or another time as I have watched these Birds at these location in RCET-B campus.
List of Birds with their Common names recorded or we can say that they have now a permanent residence or home at RCET-B are as:
1. SPOTTED MUNIA:  Scaly Breasted Munia
                                                                           They are in large number of about 15-20 can be seen in A block’s Ashoka Trees and can be seen resting on wires in flock above A Block. This bird is one. These are  known in the pet trade as nutmeg mannikin or spice finch, is a sparrow-sized  finch native to tropical Asia. This munia eats mainly on grass seeds apart from berries and small insects. They forage in flocks and communicate with soft calls and whistles. The species is highly social and may sometimes roost with other species of munias



2. Weaver Bird/ Baya :                                  
 
                     

Seeing their nest one can easily say they are very good weavers. These birds can be seen with their nest in large number above on the porch of A Block, near server room on big Palm Trees.






3.Common Swift/ Black Swift:

                            These swift birds are small in size and can be seen hovering frequently near and above the A block fountain, whole area above A Block Lawn and are having their nest on Second floor corridors windows.







4. INDIAN SILVERBILL:  White Throated Munia

                                                               Another bird from Munia Family, Along with scaly breasted Munia’s, they are in large number of about 15-20 can be seen in A block’s Ashoka Trees, can be seen resting on wires in flock above A Block and garden behind Exam Section. The birds listed above 1-4 are permanent residents of RCET-B






5.Spotted Owlet
                                                          







I was surprised to see three Spotted owlets one day in the one of the palm trees at the entrance of A Block right side during noon time by chance. They are small owls resting or sleeping with their eyes closed side by side all three on one of the palm tree upper branch.They may or may not be permanent residence there. They are extremely difficult to find during day times

 These light brown energetic birds have beady eyes that look perpetually angry. You see them everyday, flying off into the low branches at garden behind Exam Section, A Block. Yet I didn't know its name for nearly a quarter  at RCET-B. Hindi legend has it that the babbler flocks are mostly females - which is why they are known as sAt bahin (seven sisters).
They'll often be sitting on the wires, sitting on wires above A Block, on  wires Between A Block and B Block their tail having the distinctive thin wire-like bit coming out in the middle. They are amazingly acrobatic, catching insects on the wing. They'll often be sitting on the wires.
    
Red-vented Bulbul. The "vent" is that red tuft at the bottom of the tail can be seen  anywhere in Lush green gardens around RCET-B campus
    
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Brown Rock Chat
The Brown Rock Chat (also called the Indian Chat) is a fairly common bird on campus, frequently seen trilling away from the roof corners of the lecture hall complex or other buildings. A pair of rock chat I have seen singing away in solitary splendour. It is  often be seen on prominent roof corners of A block and B Block  roof top  entrances, and are well-known for their  ability to mimic the songs of several species. It is a permanent resident here at RCET-B.
        

Crow Pheasant (Greater Coucal):
 The crow pheasant or the Greater Coucal is a large brown and black crow-like bird - often seen walking around on open fruit  garden back of A Block, one cane hear song or his voice khu- khu clearly some times during mango season. 



House Crow:







These glossy black birds with a distinctive forked tail are fairly common in RCET-B; Can be seen seating on wires at evening time near Light lamps waiting for insects to fly out.
   







We have all seen these large snow-white birds hopping around in an ungainly manner near fields in and around College campus  or even sitting on buffaloes grazing  in  Bhilai along road side of township also . Mostly they are looking for insects turned over by the buffalo feet.
     
Large brownish kite, matched most features of Pariah Kite, which is the most common raptor in urban areas. Sometimes the feathers may separate in flight seeming like a tear (they are attached to the bone at the front of the wing). Some times seen resting of flewing on Buildings of RCET-B campus.
You often see them in flight:
 

Although this bird is quite common, and sports such brilliant colours, it is relatively less known, being often mistaken for the common myna. Can be Seen permanently on trees near Transformer or Power sub station  near parking of BBlock
 
Pied Myna

Common Myna
These are most common bird found in and around College campus and need no introduction , all we know by name Myna .


 





Rose-ringed Parakeet
The totA or the parrot is often seen flying by noisily and fast.. Occasionaly  can  be seen on  the top of building of RCET-B  in noisy groups
This is one of the permanent resident in the campus can be seen moving pedestal on concrete road between building and garden through out the campus This dove, also known as the Little Brown Dove, has what Salim Ali calls "a miniature chessboard" in brown or black on both sides of the neck
   

Blue Rock Pigeon:
                                                                          Have you noticed how it prefers to be at the very edge, on the precipice, rather than in safer spots? That's because it's natural habitat used to be cliffs and coastal crags. Can be seen on building near Main gate of RCET-B. 













It is especially visible in the springtime, seen such one  in Lawn of A Block and gardens behind and front of  A Block  at one or two times only
   
Indian Robin
This is one of the permanent resident in the campus can be seen of A  and B Block grass lawns and gardens behind and front of  A  and B Block  building and garden throughout the campus
   

One of the most common and a permanent resident of RCET-B, They are present all over the campus , can be seen in large no. with their nest as well.
   
Purple Sunbird
These had me foxed for a long time. Though these birds look like several different species, it turns out that the male Purple Sunbird changes its plumage dramatically over the year. Purple Sunbird – Female-light green while male is dark shiny purple in colour.This bird is also a permanent resident of College campus , can be seen during befor and after noon on trees with fruits eating nectors of flower and sprouted fruits
   
Common Tailorbird
 Sparrow size, brownish colour, tiny tail, often lifted up. The tailorbird makes its nest by stitching two or three leaves together, somewhat off the ground. It is smallest of all birds found in RCET-B campus. It will not stay at a place more than 2-3 seconds.



White Wagtail:
In last I would like to introduce a Bird a guest to our campus during rise of winters  , not native to India, They come from area above and around Afghanistan it is from wagtail family , a White Wagtail, I had seen this bird in 5-10 numbers in grass lawn of B Block during morning time. Very beautiful to watch eating seeds and  insects of grass.






There are so many other bird species also resides at our college campus. The  purpose of  this Article on “ Birds @ RCET-B” is to create general awareness about birds found in Bhilai of Chhattisgarh State. Proper awareness regarding the importance of birds and vital role in daily life will ultimately help the protection of birds of this region, checklist of all common birds of Bhilai can be seen on http://bhilaibirdsbhilaiexpress.blogspot.in.
Disclaimer: Most of the pics used in this article are procured from Birds Sites @ google.  I am thankfull to all for their nice photographs. They have their own copyright. Some References are: ebirds, delhi birds Nagpur birds, Indian birds, bird@various places. Whole sole this article has been produced for general awareness among the reader about birds in and around Bhilai.
Being this area is one the greenest and forested urban part of Central India, habitat of these birds should be protected. In this regard the lush green campus of RCET-BHILAI is playing a vital role for the existence of these so called jewels of nature to us as it has  done a wonderful job by planting indigenous herbs, shrubs and trees spreaded all through the campus. They attract a lot birds and other small creatures. Conservation has to be brought to the cities. We have to adopt a green lifestyle. Preserve and maintain home gardens and reduce carbon footprint by using fewer vehicles. The gradual disappearance of sparrows indicate the seriousness of the situation. At last the green environment of Our college campus is Symbol or model of such a Conservation.

Compiled by/Author:
PRADEEP KUMAR
ASSISTANT PROF.

ET DEPT. , RCET-Bhilai

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for informative post Professor! I reached your blog while searching for the spotted munia, which came to visit our garden in Talpuri few minutes back.

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    Replies
    1. Nice to hear from you sir.
      Spotted Munia are in good number in Bhilai. They share their playground with Indian silver bill sometimes.

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  2. nice informative post for birds.

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