Wednesday, June 3, 2009

White Browed Bulbul - Jabalpur Birds

In my recent birding at Barha Reserve Forest in Jabalpur we were surprised to discover White-browed bulbul (Pycnonotus luteolus) in the canopy. This bird has not been recorded in my checklist of Jabalpur Birds in Madhya Pradesh. According to distribution maps its spread is shown much below Jabalpur region.

Similarly Red whiskered-bulbul (Pycnonotus jocusus) is now much less seen in Jabalpur and that too in gardens and not in the wild. From my discussion with the residents the number has gone down?

I have recorded more than 270 + bird species in Jabalpur. I have been surprised by the fact that this is the number that exists in birds of Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Park. In fact the checklists of birds in Kanha and Bandhavgarh show about 250 + species. More species are recorded in Jabalpur in MP Central India.

The reason for such large numbers of bird being sighted in different areas of Jabalpur is the diversity of habitat which ranges from extensive wetlands, scrub, dense forests and drier areas along with agriculture fields. levation also shifts mildly resulting in vast number of species that prefer to spend winters here along with resident birds.

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