List of birds of India

This is a list of the bird species recorded in India. The avifauna of India includes a total of 1301 species, of which 42 are endemic, 1 has been introduced by humans, and 26 are rare or accidental. One species has been extirpated in India and 82 species are globally threatened. [cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=in&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of India
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 2 December
accessyear = 2007] The Indian Peacock ("Pavo cristatus") is the national bird of India. [cite web
last = Govt. of India
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://india.gov.in/knowindia/national_bird.php
title = National bird of India
format =
work = National bird
publisher = Govt. of India
accessdate = 2 December
accessyear = 2007]

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) are based on Clements's 5th edition but include more recent revisions. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

* (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in India.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to India.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to India as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
* (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in India although populations exist elsewhere.

__NOTOC__

Loons

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae

Loons, known as "divers", in Europe, are group of aquatic birds found in northern North America and northern Eurasia. They are the size of a large duck or small goose, which they somewhat resembles in shape when swimming, but they are completely unrelated to these waterfowl. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Arctic Loon "Gavia arctica"

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in India.

*Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Red-necked Grebe "Podiceps grisegena"
*Great Crested Grebe "Podiceps cristatus"
*Horned Grebe "Podiceps auritus"
*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis"

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in India.

*Cape Petrel "Daption capense"
*Mascarene Petrel "Pterodroma aterrima" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen & Anderton (2005))
*Barau's Petrel "Pterodroma baraui"
*Bulwer's Petrel "Bulweria bulwerii"
*Jouanin's Petrel "Bulweria fallax"
*Streaked Shearwater "Calonectris leucomelas"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Short-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus tenuirostris"
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri"
*Persian Shearwater "Puffinus persicus"

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in India.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus"
*White-faced Storm-Petrel "Pelagodroma marina"
*Black-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta tropica"
*White-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta grallaria" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen & Anderton 2006)
*Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma monorhis"
*Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma matsudairae" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen & Anderton 2006)

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Red-billed Tropicbird "Phaethon aethereus"
*Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda"
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Great White Pelican "Pelecanus onocrotalus"
*Spot-billed Pelican "Pelecanus philippensis"
*Dalmatian Pelican "Pelecanus crispus"

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in India.

*Abbott's Booby "Sula abbotti" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen & Anderton 2006)
*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Indian Cormorant "Phalacrocorax fuscicollis"
*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*Little Cormorant "Phalacrocorax niger"

Darters

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Anhingidae

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Oriental Darter "Anhinga melanogaster"

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Christmas Island Frigatebird "Fregata andrewsi"
*Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor"
*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in India.
*Grey Heron "Ardea cinerea"
*White-bellied Heron "Ardea insignis"
*Great-billed Heron "Ardea sumatrana" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Goliath Heron "Ardea goliath" (A)
*Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia"
*Western Reef-Heron "Egretta gularis"
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta"
*Pacific Reef-Heron "Egretta sacra"
*Indian Pond-Heron "Ardeola grayii"
*Chinese Pond-Heron "Ardeola bacchus"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis coromandus" (Treated as "Bubulcus coromandus" by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax"
*Malayan Night-Heron "Gorsachius melanolophus"
*Yellow Bittern "Ixobrychus sinensis"
*Little Bittern "Ixobrychus minutus"
*Cinnamon Bittern "Ixobrychus cinnamomeus"
*Black Bittern "Ixobrychus flavicollis"
*Great Bittern "Botaurus stellaris"

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.

*Painted Stork "Mycteria leucocephala"
*Asian Openbill "Anastomus oscitans"
*Black Stork "Ciconia nigra"
*Woolly-necked Stork "Ciconia episcopus"
*White Stork "Ciconia ciconia"
*Oriental Stork "Ciconia boyciana" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton 2005)
*Black-necked Stork "Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus"
*Lesser Adjutant "Leptoptilos javanicus"
*Greater Adjutant "Leptoptilos dubius"

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in India.

*Black-headed Ibis "Threskiornis melanocephalus"
*Black Ibis "Pseudibis papillosa"
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus"
*Eurasian Spoonbill "Platalea leucorodia"

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Greater Flamingo "Phoenicopterus roseus"
*Lesser Flamingo "Phoenicopterus minor"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 45 species which occur in India.
*Fulvous Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna bicolor"
*Lesser Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna javanica"
*White-headed Duck "Oxyura leucocephala"
*Mute Swan "Cygnus olor"
*Whooper Swan "Cygnus cygnus"
*Tundra Swan "Cygnus columbianus" (race "bewickii" sometimes treated as a species)
*Bean Goose "Anser fabalis"
*Greater White-fronted Goose "Anser albifrons"
*Lesser White-fronted Goose "Anser erythropus"
*Greylag Goose "Anser anser"
*Bar-headed Goose "Anser indicus"
*Snow Goose "Chen caerulescens" (A) (Vagrant recorded once)
*Red-breasted Goose "Branta ruficollis" (Hypothetical)
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea"
*Common Shelduck "Tadorna tadorna"
*White-winged Duck "Cairina scutulata"
*Comb Duck "Sarkidiornis melanotos"
*Cotton Pygmy-goose "Nettapus coromandelianus"
*Mandarin Duck "Aix galericulata" (A)
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope"
*Falcated Duck "Anas falcata"
*Gadwall "Anas strepera"
*Baikal Teal "Anas formosa"
*Eurasian Teal "Anas crecca"
*Sunda Teal "Anas gibberifrons"
*Andaman Teal "Anas albogularis"
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos"
*Spot-billed Duck "Anas poecilorhyncha"
*Chinese Spot-billed Duck "Anas zonorhyncha"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"
*Marbled Teal "Marmaronetta angustirostris"
*Red-crested Pochard "Netta rufina"
*Pink-headed Duck "Netta caryophyllacea" (Ex)
*Common Pochard "Aythya ferina"
*Ferruginous Pochard "Aythya nyroca"
*Baer's Pochard "Aythya baeri"
*Tufted Duck "Aythya fuligula"
*Greater Scaup "Aythya marila"
*Long-tailed Duck "Clangula hyemalis" (A)
*Common Goldeneye "Bucephala clangula"
*Smew "Mergellus albellus"
*Red-breasted Merganser "Mergus serrator" (A)
*Common Merganser "Mergus merganser"

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 57 species which occur in India.

*Jerdon's Baza "Aviceda jerdoni"
*Black Baza "Aviceda leuphotes"
*Oriental Honey-buzzard "Pernis ptilorhynchus"
*Black-shouldered Kite "Elanus caeruleus"
*Red Kite "Milvus milvus" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton 2005)
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans"
** Black-eared Kite "Milvus migrans lineatus"
*Brahminy Kite "Haliastur indus"
*White-bellied Sea-Eagle "Haliaeetus leucogaster"
*Pallas's Fish-Eagle "Haliaeetus leucoryphus"
*White-tailed Eagle "Haliaeetus albicilla"
*Lesser Fish-Eagle "Ichthyophaga humilis"
*Grey-headed Fish-Eagle "Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus"
*Lammergeier "Gypaetus barbatus"
*Egyptian Vulture "Neophron percnopterus"
*White-rumped Vulture "Gyps bengalensis"
*Indian Vulture "Gyps indicus"
*Slender-billed Vulture "Gyps tenuirostris"
*Himalayan Griffon "Gyps himalayensis"
*Eurasian Griffon "Gyps fulvus"
*Cinereous Vulture "Aegypius monachus"
*Red-headed Vulture "Sarcogyps calvus"
*Short-toed Eagle "Circaetus gallicus"
*Nicobar Serpent-Eagle "Spilornis klossi"
*Crested Serpent-Eagle "Spilornis cheela"
*Andaman Serpent-Eagle "Spilornis elgini"
*Western Marsh-Harrier "Circus aeruginosus"
*Eastern Marsh-Harrier "Circus spilonotus" (A) (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Northern Harrier "Circus cyaneus"
*Pallid Harrier "Circus macrourus"
*Pied Harrier "Circus melanoleucos"
*Montagu's Harrier "Circus pygargus"
*Crested Goshawk "Accipiter trivirgatus"
*Shikra "Accipiter badius"
*Nicobar Sparrowhawk "Accipiter butleri"
*Chinese Goshawk "Accipiter soloensis"
*Japanese Sparrowhawk "Accipiter gularis"
*Besra "Accipiter virgatus"
*Eurasian Sparrowhawk "Accipiter nisus"
*Northern Goshawk "Accipiter gentilis"
*White-eyed Buzzard "Butastur teesa"
*Eurasian Buzzard "Buteo buteo" (race "vulpinus")
*Himalayan Buzzard "Buteo burmanicus (earlier grouped into "Buteo japonicus")
*Long-legged Buzzard "Buteo rufinus"
*Upland Buzzard "Buteo hemilasius"
*Black Eagle "Ictinaetus malayensis"
*Lesser Spotted Eagle "Aquila pomarina" (Possible according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Indian Spotted Eagle "Aquila hastata" (earlier treated as "A. pomarina hastata")
*Greater Spotted Eagle "Aquila clanga"
*Tawny Eagle "Aquila rapax"
*Steppe Eagle "Aquila nipalensis"
*Eastern Imperial Eagle "Aquila heliaca"
*Golden Eagle "Aquila chrysaetos"
*Bonelli's Eagle "Aquila fasciatus"
*Booted Eagle "Aquila pennata"
*Rufous-bellied Eagle "Aquila kienerii"
*Changeable Hawk-Eagle "Nisaetus cirrhatus" ("Spizaetus" restricted to the neotropics by Gjershaug "et al.", 2008)
**"Nisaetus limnaetus" (split from "cirrhatus" by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Mountain Hawk-Eagle "Nisaetus nipalensis"
** Legge's Hawk-Eagle "Nisaetus kelaarti"

Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in India.
*Collared Falconet "Microhierax caerulescens"
*Pied Falconet "Microhierax melanoleucus"
*Lesser Kestrel "Falco naumanni"
*Eurasian Kestrel "Falco tinnunculus"
*Red-necked Falcon "Falco chicquera"
*Red-footed Falcon "Falco vespertinus" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Amur Falcon "Falco amurensis"
*Merlin "Falco columbarius"
*Eurasian Hobby "Falco subbuteo"
*Oriental Hobby "Falco severus"
*Lanner Falcon "Falco biarmicus"
*Laggar Falcon "Falco jugger"
*Saker Falcon "Falco cherrug"
*Barbary Falcon "Falco pelegrinoides" (Specifically "F. peregrinus babylonicus" according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Megapodes

Order: GalliformesFamily: Megapodiidae

The Megapodiidae are stocky, medium-large chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet. All but the Malleefowl occupy jungle habitats, and most have brown or black colouring. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Nicobar Scrubfowl "Megapodius nicobariensis"

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 46 species which occur in India.

*Snow Partridge "Lerwa lerwa"
*Szecheny's Partridge "Tetraophasis szechenyii" (Hypothetical per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Tibetan Snowcock "Tetraogallus tibetanus"
*Himalayan Snowcock "Tetraogallus himalayensis"
*Chukar "Alectoris chukar"
*See-see Partridge "Ammoperdix griseogularis"
*Black Francolin "Francolinus francolinus"
*Painted Francolin "Francolinus pictus"
*Chinese Francolin "Francolinus pintadeanus"
*Grey Francolin "Francolinus pondicerianus"
*Swamp Francolin "Francolinus gularis"
*Tibetan Partridge "Perdix hodgsoniae"
*Himalayan Quail "Ophrysia superciliosa" (Ex)
*Japanese Quail "Coturnix japonica"
*Common Quail "Coturnix coturnix"
*Rain Quail "Coturnix coromandelica"
*Blue-breasted Quail "Coturnix chinensis"
*Jungle Bush-Quail "Perdicula asiatica"
*Rock Bush-Quail "Perdicula argoondah" (E)
*Painted Bush-Quail "Perdicula erythrorhyncha" (E)
*Manipur Bush-Quail "Perdicula manipurensis" (E)
*Hill Partridge "Arborophila torqueola"
*Chestnut-breasted Partridge "Arborophila mandellii"
*Rufous-throated Partridge "Arborophila rufogularis"
*White-cheeked Partridge "Arborophila atrogularis"
*Mountain Bamboo-Partridge "Bambusicola fytchii"
*Red Spurfowl "Galloperdix spadicea" (E)
*Painted Spurfowl "Galloperdix lunulata" (E)
*Blood Pheasant "Ithaginis cruentus"
*Western Tragopan "Tragopan melanocephalus"
*Satyr Tragopan "Tragopan satyra"
*Blyth's Tragopan "Tragopan blythii"
*Temminck's Tragopan "Tragopan temminckii"
*Koklass Pheasant "Pucrasia macrolopha"
*Himalayan Monal "Lophophorus impejanus"
*Sclater's Monal "Lophophorus sclateri"
*Red Junglefowl "Gallus gallus"
*Grey Junglefowl "Gallus sonneratii" (E)
*Kalij Pheasant "Lophura leucomelanos"
*White Eared-Pheasant "Crossoptilon crossoptilon" (Possible according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Cheer Pheasant "Catreus wallichi"
*Mrs. Hume's Pheasant "Syrmaticus humiae"
*Grey Peacock-Pheasant "Polyplectron bicalcaratum"
*Indian Peafowl "Pavo cristatus"
*Green Peafowl "Pavo muticus" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)

Buttonquails

Order: GruiformesFamily: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Small Buttonquail "Turnix sylvatica"
*Yellow-legged Buttonquail "Turnix tanki"
*Barred Buttonquail "Turnix suscitator"

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in India.

*Demoiselle Crane "Anthropoides virgo"
*Siberian Crane "Grus leucogeranus"
*Sarus Crane "Grus antigone"
*Common Crane "Grus grus"
*Hooded Crane "Grus monacha" (A) (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Black-necked Crane "Grus nigricollis"

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in India.

*Andaman Crake "Rallina canningi"
*Red-legged Crake "Rallina fasciata" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Slaty-legged Crake "Rallina eurizonoides"
*Slaty-breasted Rail "Gallirallus striatus"
*Water Rail "Rallus aquaticus"
*Corn Crake "Crex crex" (A)
*Brown Crake "Amaurornis akool"
*White-breasted Waterhen "Amaurornis phoenicurus"
*Black-tailed Crake "Amaurornis bicolor"
*Little Crake "Porzana parva"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla"
*Spotted Crake "Porzana porzana"
*Ruddy-breasted Crake "Porzana fusca"
*Watercock "Gallicrex cinerea"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio" (ssp. "P. p. poliocephalus" raised to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*Eurasian Coot "Fulica atra"

Finfoot

Order: GruiformesFamily: Heliornithidae

The Heliornithidae are small family of tropical birds with webbed lobes on their feet similar to those of grebes and coots. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Masked Finfoot "Heliopais personata"

Bustards

Order: GruiformesFamily: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in India.

*Great Bustard "Otis tarda" (Recorded only in NW Pakistan, Afghanistan)
*Indian Bustard "Ardeotis nigriceps" (E)
*Houbara Bustard "Chlamydotis undulata" (race "macqueeni" raised to full species and not found in region)
*Bengal Florican "Houbaropsis bengalensis"
*Lesser Florican "Sypheotides indicus" (syn. "Eupodotis indica")
*Little Bustard "Tetrax tetrax"

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Pheasant-tailed Jacana "Hydrophasianus chirurgus"
*Bronze-winged Jacana "Metopidius indicus"

Painted snipe

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae

Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Greater Painted-snipe "Rostratula benghalensis"

Crab Plover

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Dromadidae

The Crab Plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.

*Crab Plover "Dromas ardeola"

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus"

Ibisbill

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Ibidorhynchidae

The Ibisbill is a bird related to the waders, but sufficiently distinctive to merit its own family. The adult is grey with a white belly, red legs and long down curved bill, and a black face and black breast band.

*Ibisbill "Ibidorhyncha struthersii"

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Black-winged Stilt "Himantopus himantopus"
*Pied Avocet "Recurvirostra avosetta"

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Eurasian Thick-knee "Burhinus oedicnemus"
*Great Thick-knee "Burhinus recurvirostris"
*Beach Thick-knee "Burhinus magnirostris"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in India.

*Cream-colored Courser "Cursorius cursor"
*Indian Courser "Cursorius coromandelicus"
*Jerdon's Courser "Rhinoptilus bitorquatus" (E)
*Collared Pratincole "Glareola pratincola"
*Oriental Pratincole "Glareola maldivarum"
*Small Pratincole "Glareola lactea"

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in India.

*Northern Lapwing "Vanellus vanellus"
*River Lapwing "Vanellus duvaucelii"
*Yellow-wattled Lapwing "Vanellus malabaricus"
*Grey-headed Lapwing "Vanellus cinereus"
*Red-wattled Lapwing "Vanellus indicus"
*Sociable Lapwing "Vanellus gregarius"
*White-tailed Lapwing "Vanellus leucurus"
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*American Golden-Plover "Pluvialis dominica"
*European Golden-Plover "Pluvialis apricaria"
*Grey Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Long-billed Plover "Charadrius placidus"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius"
*Kentish Plover "Charadrius alexandrinus"
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Caspian Plover "Charadrius asiaticus"
*Oriental Plover "Charadrius veredus"
*Black-fronted Dotterel "Elseyornis melanops" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 43 species which occur in India.
*Eurasian Woodcock "Scolopax rusticola"
*Jack Snipe "Lymnocryptes minimus"
*Solitary Snipe "Gallinago solitaria"
*Wood Snipe "Gallinago nemoricola"
*Pintail Snipe "Gallinago stenura"
*Swinhoe's Snipe "Gallinago megala"
*Great Snipe "Gallinago media"
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago"
*Long-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus scolopaceus" (A)
*Asian Dowitcher "Limnodromus semipalmatus"
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
** Also "Limosa limosa melanuroides" (coastal and possibly a full species according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Far Eastern Curlew "Numenius madagascariensis" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Spotted Redshank "Tringa erythropus"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Nordmann's Greenshank "Tringa guttifer"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus"
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola"
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Grey-tailed Tattler "Heterosceles brevipes" (A)
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Great Knot "Calidris tenuirostris"
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus" (A)
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Red-necked Stint "Calidris ruficollis"
*Little Stint "Calidris minuta"
*Temminck's Stint "Calidris temminckii"
*Long-toed Stint "Calidris subminuta"
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Sharp-tailed Sandpiper "Calidris acuminata" (A)
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Dunlin "Calidris alpina"
*Spoon-billed Sandpiper "Eurynorhynchus pygmeus" (A)
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus"
*Buff-breasted Sandpiper "Tryngites subruficollis" (A)
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax"
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus"
*Red Phalarope "Phalaropus fulicarius" (A)

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in India.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki"
*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus"
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus"
*Brown Skua "Catharcta antarctica"

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and around 11 species which occur in India. The identity of some species earlier included under Herring Gull are now questioned.

*Sooty Gull "Larus hemprichii"
*Mew Gull "Larus canus"
*Herring Gull "Larus argentatus" (Species boundary not well defined and is part of a complex)
*Heuglin's Gull "Larus heuglini"
**Steppe Gull "Larus heuglini barabensis"
*Caspian Gull "Larus cachinnans" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Great Black-headed Gull "Larus ichthyaetus"
*Lesser Black-backed Gull "Larus fuscus" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Relict Gull "Larus relictus" (Possible according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Brown-headed Gull "Larus brunnicephalus"
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"
*Slender-billed Gull "Larus genei"
*Little Gull "Larus minutus"
*Black-legged Kittiwake "Rissa tridactyla"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in India.
*Gull-billed Tern "Gelochelidon nilotica"
*Caspian Tern "Hydroprogne caspia"
*Lesser Crested Tern "Thalasseus bengalensis"
*Sandwich Tern "Thalasseus sandvicensis"
*Great Crested Tern "Thalasseus bergii"
*River Tern "Sterna aurantia"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Black-naped Tern "Sterna sumatrana"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Arctic Tern "Sterna paradisaea"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Saunders's Tern "Sterna saundersi"
*White-cheeked Tern "Sterna repressa"
*Black-bellied Tern "Sterna acuticauda"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybrida"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*Black Tern "Chlidonias niger" (Hypothetical according to Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Lesser Noddy "Anous tenuirostris"
*Black Noddy "Anous minutus"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*White Tern "Gygis alba"

kimmers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rynchopidae

Skimmers are a small family of tropical tern-like birds. They have an elongated lower mandible which they use to feed by flying low over the water surface and skimming the water for small fish. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Indian Skimmer "Rynchops albicollis"

andgrouse

Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India. India has the largest number of sandgrouse of any country.

*Tibetan Sandgrouse "Syrrhaptes tibetanus"
*Pallas's Sandgrouse "Syrrhaptes paradoxus"
*Pin-tailed Sandgrouse "Pterocles alchata"
*Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse "Pterocles exustus"
*Spotted Sandgrouse "Pterocles senegallus"
*Black-bellied Sandgrouse "Pterocles orientalis"
*Crowned Sandgrouse "Pterocles coronatus"
*Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse "Pterocles lichtensteinii"
*Painted Sandgrouse "Pterocles indicus"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 28 species which occur in India.
*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Hill Pigeon "Columba rupestris"
*Snow Pigeon "Columba leuconota"
*Pale-backed Pigeon "Columba eversmanni"
*Common Wood-Pigeon "Columba palumbus"
*Speckled Wood-Pigeon "Columba hodgsonii"
*Ashy Wood-Pigeon "Columba pulchricollis"
*Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon "Columba elphinstonii" (E)
*Pale-capped Pigeon "Columba punicea"
*Andaman Wood-Pigeon "Columba palumboides"
*Oriental Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia orientalis"
*Eurasian Collared-Dove "Streptopelia decaocto"
*Red Collared-Dove "Streptopelia tranquebarica"
*Spotted Dove "Streptopelia chinensis"
*Laughing Dove "Streptopelia senegalensis"
*Barred Cuckoo-Dove "Macropygia unchall"
*Andaman Cuckoo-Dove "Macropygia rufipennis"
*Emerald Dove "Chalcophaps indica"
*Nicobar Pigeon "Caloenas nicobarica"
*Orange-breasted Pigeon "Treron bicinctus"
*Grey-fronted Green-Pigeon "Treron affinis" (split from "Treron pompadora" which is resident in Sri Lanka)
** Ashy-headed Green-Pigeon "Treron phayrei" (raised to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Thick-billed Pigeon "Treron curvirostra"
*Yellow-footed Pigeon "Treron phoenicopterus"
*Pin-tailed Pigeon "Treron apicauda"
*Wedge-tailed Pigeon "Treron sphenurus"
*Green Imperial-Pigeon "Ducula aenea"
** Nicobar Imperial Pigeon "Ducula nicobarica" (raised to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Mountain Imperial-Pigeon "Ducula badia"
*Pied Imperial-Pigeon "Ducula bicolor"

Parrots and allies

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in India.

*Alexandrine Parakeet "Psittacula eupatria"
*Rose-ringed Parakeet "Psittacula krameri"
*Slaty-headed Parakeet "Psittacula himalayana"
*Grey-headed Parakeet "Psittacula finschii"
*Plum-headed Parakeet "Psittacula cyanocephala"
*Blossom-headed Parakeet "Psittacula roseata"
*Malabar Parakeet "Psittacula columboides" (E)
*Red-breasted Parakeet "Psittacula alexandri"
*Nicobar Parakeet "Psittacula caniceps"
*Long-tailed Parakeet "Psittacula longicauda"
*Vernal Hanging-Parrot "Loriculus vernalis"

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Many are brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 21 species which occur in India.
*Pied Cuckoo "Clamator jacobinus"
*Chestnut-winged Cuckoo "Clamator coromandus"
*Large Hawk-Cuckoo "Hierococcyx sparverioides"
*Common Hawk-Cuckoo "Hieroccycx varius"
*Hodgson's Hawk-Cuckoo "Hierococcyx nisicolor" (also called Whistling Hawk-Cuckoo)
*Indian Cuckoo "Cuculus micropterus"
*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus"
*Oriental Cuckoo "Cuculus saturatus"
*Lesser Cuckoo "Cuculus poliocephalus"
*Banded Bay Cuckoo "Cacomantis sonneratii"
*Plaintive Cuckoo "Cacomantis merulinus"
*Grey-bellied Cuckoo "Cacomantis passerinus"
*Asian Emerald Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx maculatus"
*Violet Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus"
*Asian Drongo-Cuckoo "Surniculus lugubris"
** "Surniculus dicruroides" (Fork-tailed race of Drongo-Cuckoo)
*Asian Koel "Eudynamys scolopaceus"
*Blue-faced Malkoha "Phaenicophaeus viridirostris"
*Green-billed Malkoha "Phaenicophaeus tristis"
*Sirkeer Malkoha "Taccocua leschenaultii"
*Greater Coucal "Centropus sinensis"
*Andaman Coucal "Centropus andamanensis"
*Lesser Coucal "Centropus bengalensis"

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Australasian Grass-Owl "Tyto longimembris"
*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"
** Andaman Barn Owl "Tyto deroepstorffi" (raised to full species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Oriental Bay-Owl "Phodilus badius" (Eastern Himalayas)
**Ceylon Bay-Owl "Phodilus assimilis" (Western Ghats race "ripleyi" and Sri Lankan race "assimilis" included here by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 33 species which occur in India.

*Andaman Scops-Owl "Otus balli"
*Mountain Scops-Owl "Otus spilocephalus"
*Indian Scops-Owl "Otus bakkamoena"
*Collared Scops-Owl "Otus lettia"
*Pallid Scops-Owl "Otus brucei"
*Oriental Scops-Owl "Otus sunia"
*Nicobar Scops-Owl "Otus alius"
*Eurasian Eagle-Owl "Bubo bubo"
*Rock Eagle-Owl "Bubo bengalensis"
*Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl "Bubo nipalensis"
*Dusky Eagle-Owl "Bubo coromandus"
*Brown Fish-Owl "Ketupa zeylonensis"
*Tawny Fish-Owl "Ketupa flavipes"
*Buffy Fish-Owl "Ketupa ketupu"
*Mottled Wood-Owl "Strix ocellata"
*Brown Wood-Owl "Strix leptogrammica"
*Tawny Owl "Strix aluco"
**Himalayan Wood-Owl "Strix nivicola" (Elevated to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Collared Owlet "Glaucidium brodiei"
*Asian Barred Owlet "Glaucidium cuculoides"
*Jungle Owlet "Glaucidium radiatum"
*Spotted Owlet "Athene brama"
*Forest Owlet "Athene blewitti" (E)
*Little Owl "Athene noctua"
*Boreal Owl "Aegolius funereus"
*Andaman Hawk-Owl "Ninox affinis"
*Brown Hawk-Owl "Ninox scutulata"
**Hume's Hawk-Owl "Ninox obscura" (Elevated to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Long-eared Owl "Asio otus"
*Short-eared Owl "Asio flammeus"

Frogmouths

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae

The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bills and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects. There are 12 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Ceylon Frogmouth "Batrachostomus moniliger"
*Hodgson's Frogmouth "Batrachostomus hodgsoni"

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.
*Great Eared-Nightjar "Eurostopodus macrotis"
*Indian Jungle Nightjar "Caprimulgus indicus"
** Grey Nightjar "Caprimulgus jotaka" (Elevated to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Eurasian Nightjar "Caprimulgus europaeus"
*Sykes's Nightjar "Caprimulgus mahrattensis"
*Large-tailed Nightjar "Caprimulgus macrurus"
*Andaman Nightjar "Caprimulgus andamanicus" (E)
*Jerdon's Nightjar "Caprimulgus atripennis"
*Indian Nightjar "Caprimulgus asiaticus"
*Savanna Nightjar "Caprimulgus affinis"

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in India.
*Glossy Swiftlet "Collocalia esculenta"
*Indian Swiftlet "Aerodramus unicolor"
*Himalayan Swiftlet "Aerodramus brevirostris"
*Black-nest Swiftlet "Aerodramus maximus"
*Edible-nest Swiftlet "Aerodramus fuciphagus"
*White-rumped Needletail "Zoonavena sylvatica"
*White-throated Needletail "Hirundapus caudacutus"
*Silver-backed Needletail "Hirundapus cochinchinensis"
*Brown-backed Needletail "Hirundapus giganteus"
*Asian Palm-Swift "Cypsiurus balasiensis"
*Alpine Swift "Tachymarptis melba"
*Common Swift "Apus apus"
*Pallid Swift "Apus pallidus"
*Fork-tailed Swift "Apus pacificus"
*Dark-rumped Swift "Apus acuticauda"
*Little Swift "Apus affinis" (House Swift "Apus nipalensis" needs study per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)

Treeswifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae

The treeswifts or crested swifts are aerial near passerine birds, closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Crested Treeswift "Hemiprocne coronata"

Trogons

Order: TrogoniformesFamily: Trogonidae

The family Trogonidae includes trogons and quetzals. Found in tropical woodlands worldwide, they feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. There are 33 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Malabar Trogon "Harpactes fasciatus"
*Red-headed Trogon "Harpactes erythrocephalus"
*Ward's Trogon "Harpactes wardi"

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in India.
*Blyth's Kingfisher "Alcedo hercules"
*Common Kingfisher "Alcedo atthis"
*Blue-eared Kingfisher "Alcedo meninting"
*Black-backed Kingfisher "Ceyx erithaca"
*Rufous-backed Kingfisher "Ceyx rufidorsa" (Accidental from 'Sikkim terai' - included by Rasmussen and Anderton,2005)
*Brown-winged Kingfisher "Pelargopsis amauroptera"
*Stork-billed Kingfisher "Pelargopsis capensis"
*Ruddy Kingfisher "Halcyon coromanda"
*White-throated Kingfisher "Halcyon smyrnensis"
*Black-capped Kingfisher "Halcyon pileata"
*Collared Kingfisher "Todirhamphus chloris"
*Crested Kingfisher "Ceryle lugubris"
*Pied Kingfisher "Ceryle rudis"

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in India.

*Blue-bearded Bee-eater "Nyctyornis athertoni"
*Green Bee-eater "Merops orientalis"
*Blue-cheeked Bee-eater "Merops persicus"
*Blue-tailed Bee-eater "Merops philippinus"
*European Bee-eater "Merops apiaster"
*Chestnut-headed Bee-eater "Merops leschenaulti"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*European Roller "Coracias garrulus"
*Indian Roller "Coracias benghalensis"
*Dollarbird "Eurystomus orientalis"

Hoopoes

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Hoopoe "Upupa epops"

Hornbills

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Bucerotidae

Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in India.

*Malabar Grey Hornbill "Ocyceros griseus" (E)
*Indian Grey Hornbill "Ocyceros birostris"
*Malabar Pied Hornbill "Anthracoceros coronatus"
*Oriental Pied Hornbill "Anthracoceros albirostris"
*Great Hornbill "Buceros bicornis"
*Brown Hornbill "Anorrhinus austeni"
*Rufous-necked Hornbill "Aceros nipalensis"
*Wreathed Hornbill "Aceros undulatus"
*Narcondam Hornbill "Aceros narcondami"

Barbets

Order: PiciformesFamily: Capitonidae

The barbets are plump birds, with short necks and large heads. They get their name from the bristles which fringe their heavy bills. Most species are brightly coloured. There are 84 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.

*Great Barbet "Megalaima virens"
*Brown-headed Barbet "Megalaima zeylanica"
*Lineated Barbet "Megalaima lineata"
*White-cheeked Barbet "Megalaima viridis" (E)
*Golden-throated Barbet "Megalaima franklinii"
*Blue-throated Barbet "Megalaima asiatica"
*Blue-eared Barbet "Megalaima australis"
* Malabar Barbet "Megalaima malabarica" (Western Ghats only, elevated from a race of "Megalaima rubricapilla" to full species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
** (Former Crimson-fronted Barbet "Megalaima rubricapillus" now endemic to Sri Lanka)
*Coppersmith Barbet "Megalaima haemacephala"

Honeyguides

Order: PiciformesFamily: Indicatoridae

Honeyguides are among the few birds that feed on wax. They are named for the behaviour of the Greater Honeyguide which leads large animals to bees' nests and then feeds on the wax once the animal has broken the nest open to get at the honey. There are 17 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Yellow-rumped Honeyguide "Indicator xanthonotus"

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: PiciformesFamily: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium sized birds with chisel like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward, and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks. There are 218 species worldwide and 33 species which occur in India.
*Eurasian Wryneck "Jynx torquilla"
*Speckled Piculet "Picumnus innominatus"
*White-browed Piculet "Sasia ochracea"
*Brown-capped Woodpecker "Dendrocopos nanus"
*Grey-capped Woodpecker "Dendrocopos canicapillus"
*Brown-fronted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos auriceps"
*Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos macei"
** Spot-breasted Pied Woodpecker "Dendrocopos analis" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Stripe-breasted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos atratus"
*Yellow-crowned Woodpecker "Dendrocopos mahrattensis"
*Darjeeling Woodpecker "Dendrocopos darjellensis"
*Crimson-breasted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos cathpharius"
*Great Spotted Woodpecker "Dendrocopos major"
*Sind Woodpecker "Dendrocopos assimilis"
*Himalayan Woodpecker "Dendrocopos himalayensis"
*Rufous Woodpecker "Celeus brachyurus"
*White-bellied Woodpecker "Dryocopus javensis"
*Andaman Woodpecker "Dryocopus hodgei"
*Rufous-bellied Woodpecker "Hypopicus hyperythrus"
*Lesser Yellownape "Picus chlorolophus"
*Greater Yellownape "Picus flavinucha"
*Laced Woodpecker "Picus vittatus"
** Streak-breasted Woodpecker "Picus viridanus" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Streak-throated Woodpecker "Picus xanthopygaeus"
*Scaly-bellied Woodpecker "Picus squamatus"
*Grey-faced Woodpecker "Picus canus"
*Himalayan Flameback "Dinopium shorii"
*Common Flameback "Dinopium javanense"
*Black-rumped Flameback "Dinopium benghalense"
*White-naped Woodpecker "Chrysocolaptes festivus"
*Greater Flameback "Chrysocolaptes lucidus"
*Pale-headed Woodpecker "Gecinulus grantia"
*Bay Woodpecker "Blythipicus pyrrhotis"
*Heart-spotted Woodpecker "Hemicircus canente"
*Great Slaty Woodpecker "Mulleripicus pulverulentus"

Broadbills

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Eurylaimidae

The broadbills are small, brightly coloured birds that feed on fruit and also take insects in flycatcher fashion, snapping their broad bills. Their habitat is canopies of wet forests. There are 15 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Long-tailed Broadbill "Psarisomus dalhousiae"
*Silver-breasted Broadbill "Serilophus lunatus"

Pittas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae

Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in India.

*Blue-naped Pitta "Pitta nipalensis"
*Blue Pitta "Pitta cyanea"
*Hooded Pitta "Pitta sordida"
*Indian Pitta "Pitta brachyura"
*Mangrove Pitta "Pitta megarhyncha" (A)

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in India.

*Singing Bushlark "Mirafra cantillans"
*Indian Bushlark "Mirafra erythroptera"
*Bengal Bushlark "Mirafra assamica"
*Jerdon's Bushlark "Mirafra affinis"
*Black-crowned Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix nigriceps"
*Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark "Eremopterix griseus"
*Rufous-tailed Lark "Ammomanes phoenicura" (E)
** Bar-tailed Lark "Ammomanes cinctura" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Desert Lark "Ammomanes deserti"
*Bimaculated Lark "Melanocorypha bimaculata"
*Tibetan Lark "Melanocorypha maxima"
*Greater Short-toed Lark "Calandrella brachydactyla"
*Hume's Short-toed Lark "Calandrella acutirostris"
*Lesser Short-toed Lark "Calandrella rufescens"
*Sand Lark "Calandrella raytal"
*Crested Lark "Galerida cristata"
*Malabar Lark "Galerida malabarica" (E)
*Sykes's Lark "Galerida deva" (E)
*Eurasian Skylark "Alauda arvensis"
*Oriental Skylark "Alauda gulgula"
*Horned Lark "Eremophila alpestris"
*Greater Hoopoe-Lark "Alaemon alaudipes"

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in India.
*Sand Martin "Riparia riparia"
*Pale Sand Martin "Riparia diluta"
*Grey-throated Sand Martin "Riparia chinensis" usually treated under Plain Martin "Riparia paludicola"
*Eurasian Crag-Martin "Ptyonoprogne rupestris"
*Pale Crag-Martin "Ptyonoprogne obsoleta" (usually treated under Rock Martin "Ptyonoprogne fuligula" )
*Dusky Crag-Martin "Ptyonoprogne concolor"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Pacific Swallow "Hirundo tahitica"
**Hill Swallow "Hirundo domicola" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Wire-tailed Swallow "Hirundo smithii"
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Striated Swallow "Cecropis striolata"
*Streak-throated Swallow "Hirundo fluvicola"
*House Martin "Delichon urbicum"
*Asian Martin "Delichon dasypus"
*Nepal Martin "Delichon nipalense"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in India.

*Forest Wagtail "Dendronanthus indicus"
*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba"
*White-browed Wagtail "Motacilla maderaspatensis"
*Citrine Wagtail "Motacilla citreola"
*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava"
*Grey Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea"
*Oriental Pipit "Anthus rufulus"
*Tawny Pipit "Anthus campestris"
*Blyth's Pipit "Anthus godlewskii"
*Richard's Pipit "Anthus richardi"
*Long-billed Pipit "Anthus similis"
*Tree Pipit "Anthus trivialis"
*Olive-backed Pipit "Anthus hodgsoni"
*Meadow Pipit "Anthus pratensis"
*Red-throated Pipit "Anthus cervinus"
*Rosy Pipit "Anthus roseatus"
*Water Pipit "Anthus spinoletta"
*Upland Pipit "Anthus sylvanus"
*American Pipit "Anthus rubescens"
*Nilgiri Pipit "Anthus nilghiriensis" (E)

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in India.

*Large Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina macei"
* Andaman Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina dobsoni" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005 from Bar-bellied Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina striata")
*Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina melaschistos"
*Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina melanoptera"
*Pied Triller "Lalage nigra"
*Rosy Minivet "Pericrocotus roseus"
*Ashy Minivet "Pericrocotus divaricatus"
*Small Minivet "Pericrocotus cinnamomeus"
*White-bellied Minivet "Pericrocotus erythropygius"
*Long-tailed Minivet "Pericrocotus ethologus"
*Short-billed Minivet "Pericrocotus brevirostris"
*Orange Minivet "Pericrocotus flammeus"
** Scarlet Minivet "Pericrocotus speciosus" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Grey-chinned Minivet "Pericrocotus solaris"
*Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike "Hemipus picatus"

Woodshrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Prionopidae

The woodshrikes are similar in build to the shrikes. There are 12 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Large Woodshrike "Tephrodornis gularis"
** Malabar Woodshrike "Tephrodornis sylvicola" (Western Ghats race split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Common Woodshrike "Tephrodornis pondicerianus"

Waxwings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of passerine birds characterized by soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and Cedar Waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax, and give the group its name. These are arboreal birds of northern forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Bohemian Waxwing "Bombycilla garrulus"

Grey Hypocolius

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hypocoliidae

The Grey Hypocolius is a small Middle Eastern bird. They are mainly a uniform grey color, with males having a black triangular mask around the eyes, and with the shape and soft plumage of the waxwings.

*Hypocolius "Hypocolius ampelinus"

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Black-naped Monarch "Hypothymis azurea"
*Asian Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone paradisi"

Whistlers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pachycephalidae

The family Pachycephalidae includes the whistlers, shrike-thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and Crested Bellbird. There are 57 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Mangrove Whistler "Pachycephala grisola"

Fantails

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Rhipiduridae

The Fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders. There are 44 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in India.

*Yellow-bellied Fantail "Rhipidura hypoxantha"
*White-throated Fantail "Rhipidura albicollis"
*White-spotted Fantail "Rhipidura albogularis" (E)
*White-browed Fantail "Rhipidura aureola"

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are 130 species worldwide and 19 species which occur in India.

*Crested Finchbill "Spizixos canifrons"
*Striated Bulbul "Pycnonotus striatus"
*Grey-headed Bulbul "Pycnonotus priocephalus" (E)
*Black-headed Bulbul "Pycnonotus atriceps"
** Andaman Bulbul "Pycnonotus fuscoflavescens" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
* Black-crested Bulbul "Pycnonotus flaviventris" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
* Flame-throated Bulbul "Pycnonotus gularis" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
** (Black-capped Bulbul "Pycnonotus melanicterus" - refers only to former "P. m. melanicterus" endemic to Sri Lanka)
*Red-whiskered Bulbul "Pycnonotus jocosus"
*White-eared Bulbul "Pycnonotus leucotis"
*White-cheeked Bulbul "Pycnonotus leucogenys"
*Red-vented Bulbul "Pycnonotus cafer"
*Yellow-throated Bulbul "Pycnonotus xantholaemus" (E)
*Flavescent Bulbul "Pycnonotus flavescens"
*White-browed Bulbul "Pycnonotus luteolus"
*White-throated Bulbul "Alophoixus flaveolus"
*Olive Bulbul "Iole virescens"
*Yellow-browed Bulbul "Iole indica"
*Ashy Bulbul "Hemixos flavala"
*Mountain Bulbul "Hypsipetes mcclellandi"
*Black Bulbul "Hypsipetes leucocephalus"
**Square-tailed Black Bulbul "Hypsipetes ganeesa" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Nicobar Bulbul "Hypsipetes nicobariensis"

Ioras

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Aegithinidae

The ioras are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub, but whereas that group tends to be drab in coloration, ioras are sexually dimorphic, with the males being brightly plumaged in yellows and greens. There are 4 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Common Iora "Aegithina tiphia"
*White-tailed Iora "Aegithina nigrolutea"

Leafbirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Chloropseidae

The Leafbirds are small, bulbul-like birds. The males are brightly plumaged, usually in greens and yellows. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in India.

*Blue-winged Leafbird "Chloropsis cochinchinensis"
*Jerdon's Leafbird "Chloropsis jerdoni" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Golden-fronted Leafbird "Chloropsis aurifrons"
*Orange-bellied Leafbird "Chloropsis hardwickii"

hrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: LaniidaeShrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.

*Red-backed Shrike "Lanius collurio"
*Rufous-tailed Shrike "Lanius isabellinus"
** Rufous Shrike "Lanius phoenicuroides" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Brown Shrike "Lanius cristatus"
** Philippine Shrike "L. c. lucionensis"
*Burmese Shrike "Lanius collurioides"
*Bay-backed Shrike "Lanius vittatus"
*Long-tailed Shrike "Lanius schach"
*Grey-backed Shrike "Lanius tephronotus"
*Northern Shrike "Lanius excubitor"
*Southern Grey Shrike "Lanius meridionalis"

Dippers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. They are named for their bobbing or dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*White-throated Dipper "Cinclus cinclus"
*Brown Dipper "Cinclus pallasii"

Goldcrest

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Regulidae

The kinglets or crests are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Goldcrest "Regulus regulus"

Wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and a thin down-turned bill. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Winter Wren "Troglodytes troglodytes"

Accentors

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small, fairly drab species superficially similar to sparrows. There are 13 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in India.

*Alpine Accentor "Prunella collaris"
*Himalayan Accentor "Prunella himalayana"
*Robin Accentor "Prunella rubeculoides"
*Rufous-breasted Accentor "Prunella strophiata"
*Siberian Accentor "Prunella montanella"
*Brown Accentor "Prunella fulvescens"
*Black-throated Accentor "Prunella atrogularis"
*Maroon-backed Accentor "Prunella immaculata"

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 34 species which occur in India.
*Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush "Monticola saxatilis"
*Blue-capped Rock-Thrush "Monticola cinclorhynchus"
*Chestnut-bellied Rock-Thrush "Monticola rufiventris"
*Blue Rock-Thrush "Monticola solitarius"
*Pied Thrush "Zoothera wardii"
*Orange-headed Thrush "Zoothera citrina"
*Siberian Thrush "Zoothera sibirica"
*Plain-backed Thrush "Zoothera mollissima"
*Long-tailed Thrush "Zoothera dixoni"
*Scaly Thrush "Zoothera dauma"
*Long-billed Thrush "Zoothera monticola"
*Dark-sided Thrush "Zoothera marginata"
*Tickell's Thrush "Turdus unicolor"
*Black-breasted Thrush "Turdus dissimilis"
*White-collared Blackbird "Turdus albocinctus"
*Grey-winged Blackbird "Turdus boulboul"
*Eurasian Blackbird "Turdus merula"
** Indian Blackbird "Turdus simillimus" (Elevated to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Chestnut Thrush "Turdus rubrocanus"
*White-backed Thrush "Turdus kessleri"
*Grey-sided Thrush "Turdus feae"
*Eyebrowed Thrush "Turdus obscurus"
*Red-throated Thrush "Turdus ruficollis"
** Black-throated Thrush "Turdus atrogularis" (Elevated to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Dusky Thrush "Turdus euonomus" (earlier included in "Turdus naumanni" - Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Fieldfare "Turdus pilaris"
*Redwing "Turdus iliacus"
*Song Thrush "Turdus philomelos"
*Mistle Thrush "Turdus viscivorus"
*Rusty-bellied Shortwing "Brachypteryx hyperythra"
*Gould's Shortwing "Heteroxenicus stellatus" (="Brachypteryx stellatus")
*Lesser Shortwing "Brachypteryx leucophrys"
*White-browed Shortwing "Brachypteryx montana"
*(White-bellied Shortwing "Brachypteryx major" (E) Split with genus revision by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
** Nilgiri Blue Robin "Myiomela major"
** White-bellied Blue Robin "Myiomela albiventris"

Whistling thrushes

*Malabar Whistling-Thrush "Myophonus horsfieldii" (E)
*Blue Whistling-Thrush "Myophonus caeruleus"

Cochoas

*Purple Cochoa "Cochoa purpurea"
*Green Cochoa "Cochoa viridis"

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 89 species which occur in India.
*Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher "Rhinomyias brunneata"
** Nicobar Jungle-flycatcher "Rhinomyias nicobaricus" (Split by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa striata"
*Siberian Flycatcher "Muscicapa sibirica"
*Asian Brown Flycatcher "Muscicapa dauurica"
*Rusty-tailed Flycatcher "Muscicapa ruficauda"
*Brown-breasted Flycatcher "Muscicapa muttui"
*Ferruginous Flycatcher "Muscicapa ferruginea"
*Yellow-rumped Flycatcher "Ficedula zanthopygia"
*Slaty-backed Flycatcher "Ficedula hodgsonii"
*Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher "Ficedula strophiata"
*Red-breasted Flycatcher "Ficedula parva"
*Taiga Flycatcher "Ficedula albicilla"
*Kashmir Flycatcher "Ficedula subrubra"
*Snowy-browed Flycatcher "Ficedula hyperythra"
*White-gorgeted Flycatcher "Ficedula monileger"
*Little Pied Flycatcher "Ficedula westermanni"
*Ultramarine Flycatcher "Ficedula superciliaris"
*Slaty-blue Flycatcher "Ficedula tricolor"
*Black-and-rufous Flycatcher "Ficedula nigrorufa" (E)
*Sapphire Flycatcher "Ficedula sapphira"
*Verditer Flycatcher "Eumyias thalassinus"
*Nilgiri Flycatcher "Eumyias albicaudatus" (E)
*Large Niltava "Niltava grandis"
*Small Niltava "Niltava macgrigoriae"
*Rufous-bellied Niltava "Niltava sundara"
*Vivid Niltava "Niltava vivida" (Rasmussen and Anderton suggest possible elevation of "N. vivida oatesi")
*White-tailed Flycatcher "Cyornis concretus"
*White-bellied Blue Flycatcher "Cyornis pallipes" (E)
*Pale-chinned Blue Flycatcher "Cyornis poliogenys"
*Pale Blue Flycatcher "Cyornis unicolor"
*Blue-throated Flycatcher "Cyornis rubeculoides"
*Hill Blue Flycatcher "Cyornis banyumas"
** Large Blue Flycatcher "Cyornis magnirostris" (Elevated to species by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Tickell's Blue Flycatcher "Cyornis tickelliae"
*Pygmy Blue Flycatcher "Muscicapella hodgsoni"
*Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher "Culicicapa ceylonensis"
*Common Nightingale "Luscinia megarhynchos" (A? one historic specimen from Oudh)
*Siberian Rubythroat "Luscinia calliope"
*White-tailed Rubythroat "Luscinia pectoralis"
*Bluethroat "Luscinia svecica"
*Firethroat "Luscinia pectardens"
*Indian Blue Robin "Luscinia brunnea"
*Siberian Blue Robin "Luscinia cyane"
*Red-flanked Bush-Robin "Tarsiger cyanurus"
** Himalayan Red-flanked Bush-Robin "Tarsiger rufilatus" (Elevated by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Golden Bush-Robin "Tarsiger chrysaeus"
*White-browed Bush-Robin "Tarsiger indicus"
*Rufous-breasted Bush-Robin "Tarsiger hyperythrus"
*Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin "Cercotrichas galactotes"
*Oriental Magpie-Robin "Copsychus saularis"
*White-rumped Shama "Copsychus malabaricus"
** Andaman Shama "Copsychus albiventris"
*Indian Robin "Saxicoloides fulicatus"
*Rufous-backed Redstart "Phoenicurus erythronotus"
*Blue-capped Redstart "Phoenicurus caeruleocephala"
*Black Redstart "Phoenicurus ochruros"
*Hodgson's Redstart "Phoenicurus hodgsoni"
*White-throated Redstart "Phoenicurus schisticeps"
*Daurian Redstart "Phoenicurus auroreus"
*White-winged Redstart "Phoenicurus erythrogaster"
*Blue-fronted Redstart "Phoenicurus frontalis"
*White-capped Redstart "Chaimarrornis leucocephalus"
*Plumbeous Redstart "Rhyacornis fuliginosa"
*White-bellied Redstart "Hodgsonius phaenicuroides"
*White-tailed Robin "Myiomela leucura" (="Cinclidium leucurum")
*Siberian Stonechat "Saxicola maura" ("Saxicola maurus" per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Blue-fronted Robin "Cinclidium frontale"
*Grandala "Grandala coelicolor"
*Little Forktail "Enicurus scouleri"
*Black-backed Forktail "Enicurus immaculatus"
*Slaty-backed Forktail "Enicurus schistaceus"
*White-crowned Forktail "Enicurus leschenaulti"
*Spotted Forktail "Enicurus maculatus"
*White-browed Bushchat "Saxicola macrorhyncha"
*White-throated Bushchat "Saxicola insignis"
*White-tailed Stonechat "Saxicola leucura" ("leucurus" per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Pied Bushchat "Saxicola caprata"
*Jerdon's Bushchat "Saxicola jerdoni"
*Grey Bushchat "Saxicola ferrea" ("ferreus" per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Hooded Wheatear "Oenanthe monacha"
*Hume's Wheatear "Oenanthe alboniger" ("albonigra" per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe"
*Finsch's Wheatear "Oenanthe finschii"
*Variable Wheatear "Oenanthe picata"
*Pied Wheatear "Oenanthe pleschanka"
*Red-tailed Wheatear "Oenanthe chrysopygia" (Elevated from "Oenanthe xanthoprymna" race by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Desert Wheatear "Oenanthe deserti"
*Isabelline Wheatear "Oenanthe isabellina"
*Indian Chat "Cercomela fusca"

Babblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Timaliidae

The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 117 species which occur in India. India has the largest number of babblers of any country and this represents the largest bird family grouping in any country outside of South America.
*White-throated Laughingthrush "Garrulax albogularis"
*White-crested Laughingthrush "Garrulax leucolophus"
*Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush "Garrulax monileger"
*Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush "Garrulax pectoralis"
*Striated Laughingthrush "Garrulax striatus" (="Grammatoptila striata" per Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Rufous-necked Laughingthrush "Garrulax ruficollis" (="Dryonastes ruficollis")
*Chestnut-backed Laughingthrush "Garrulax nuchalis" (="Dryonastes nuchalis")
*Yellow-throated Laughingthrush "Garrulax galbanus" (="Dryonastes galbanus")
*Wynaad Laughingthrush "Garrulax delesserti" (E) (="Dryonastes delesserti")
*Rufous-vented Laughingthrush "Garrulax gularis" (="Dryonastes gularis")
*Moustached Laughingthrush "Garrulax cineraceus" (="Ianthocincla cineracea")
*Rufous-chinned Laughingthrush "Garrulax rufogularis" (="Ianthocincla rufogularis")
*Spotted Laughingthrush "Garrulax ocellatus" (="Ianthocincla ocellata")
*Grey-sided Laughingthrush "Garrulax caerulatus" (="Dryonastes caerulatus")
*Spot-breasted Laughingthrush "Garrulax merulinus" (="Stactocichla merulina")
*White-browed Laughingthrush "Garrulax sannio" (="Dryonastes sannio")
*Rufous-breasted Laughingthrush "Strophocincla cachinnans" (E) (="Trochalopteron cachinnans")
*Grey-breasted Laughingthrush "Garrulax jerdoni" (E) (="Trochalopteron fairbanki")
*Streaked Laughingthrush "Garrulax lineatus" (="Trochalopteron lineatum")
** Bhutan Laughingthrush "Trochalopteron imbricatum" (Elevated by Rasmussen and Anderton, 2005)
*Striped Laughingthrush "Garrulax virgatus" (="Trochalopteron virgatum")
*Scaly Laughingthrush "Garrulax subunicolor" (="Trochalopteron subunicolor")
*Brown-capped Laughingthrush "Garrulax austeni" (="Ianthocincla austeni")
*Blue-winged Laughingthrush "Garrulax squamatus" (="Trochalopteron squamatum")
*Variegated Laughingthrush "Garrulax variegatus" (="Trochalopteron variegatum")
*Prince Henry's Laughingthrush "Garrulax henrici" (Hypothetical per Rasmussen & Anderton, 2005)
*Black-faced Laughingthrush "Garrulax affinis" (="Trochalopteron affine")
*Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush "Garrulax erythrocephalus" (="Trochalopteron erythrocephalum")
*Red-faced Liocichla "Liocichla phoenicea"
*Bugun Liocichla "Liocichla bugunorum" [Athreya, R. 2006. A new species of Liocichla (Aves: Timaliidae) from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Indian Birds 2(4): 82-94. [http://www.indianbirds.in/images/IB%5B1%5D.2.4.Liocichla.pdf] ]
*Abbott's Babbler "Malacocincla abbotti"
*Marsh Babbler "Pellorneum palustre" (E)
*Buff-breasted Babbler "Pellorneum tickelli"
*Spot-throated Babbler "Pellorneum albiventre"
*Puff-throated Babbler "Pellorneum ruficeps"
*Large Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus hypoleucos"
*Spot-breasted Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus erythrocnemis"
*Rusty-cheeked Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus erythrogenys"
*Indian Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus horsfieldii"
*White-browed Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus schisticeps"
*Streak-breasted Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus ruficollis"
*Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps"
*Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler "Pomatorhinus ferruginosus"
*Slender-billed Scimitar-Babbler "Xiphirhynchus superciliaris"
*Long-billed Wren-babbler "Rimator malacoptilus"
*Streaked Wren-babbler "Napothera brevicaudata"
*Eyebrowed Wren-babbler "Napothera epilepidota"
*Scaly-breasted Wren-babbler "Pnoepyga albiventer"
*Immaculate Wren-babbler "Pnoepyga immaculata" (E) (also called Nepal Wren-babbler)
*Pygmy Wren-babbler "Pnoepyga pusilla"
*Rufous-throated Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis caudatus"
*Mishmi Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis badeigularis" (E)
*Bar-winged Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis troglodytoides"
*Spotted Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis formosus"
*Long-tailed Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis chocolatinus"
**Grey-bellied Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis reptatus" (Elevated by Rasmussen & Anderton 2005)
**Chin Hills Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis oatesi" (Elevated by Rasmussen & Anderton 2005)
*Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler "Spelaeornis longicaudatus" (E)
*Wedge-billed Wren-babbler "Sphenocichla humei"
** Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler "Sphenocichla roberti" (Elevated by Rasmussen & Anderton 2005)
*Buff-chested Babbler "Stachyris ambigua"
*Rufous-fronted Babbler "Stachyris rufifrons"
*Rufous-capped Babbler "Stachyris ruficeps"
*Black-chinned Babbler "Stachyris pyrrhops"
*Golden Babbler "Stachyris chrysaea"
*Grey-throated Babbler "Stachyris nigriceps"
*Snowy-throated Babbler "Stachyris oglei" (E)
*White-necked Babbler "Stachyris leucotis"
*Tawny-bellied Babbler "Dumetia hyperythra"
*Dark-fronted Babbler "Rhopocichla atriceps"
*Striped Tit-Babbler "Macronous gularis"
*Chestnut-capped Babbler "Timalia pileata"
*Yellow-eyed Babbler "Chrysomma sinense"
*Jerdon's Babbler "Chrysomma altirostre"
*Common Babbler "Turdoides caudatus" ("T. caudata" spelling emendation - Rasmussen & Anderton, 2005)
*Striated Babbler "Turdoides earlei"
*Slender-billed Babbler "Turdoides longirostris"
*Large Grey Babbler "Turdoides malcolmi"
*Rufous Babbler "Turdoides subrufus" (E) ("subrufa" per Rasmussen & Anderton, 2005)
*Jungle Babbler "Turdoides striatus" ("striata" per Rasmussen & Anderton, 2005)
*Yellow-billed Babbler "Turdoides affinis"
*Chinese Babax "Babax lanceolatus"
**Mount Victoria Babax "Babax lanceolatus woodi" (Possibly a full species to be separated from the Chinese Babax)
*Giant Babax "Babax waddelli"
*Silver-eared Mesia "Leiothrix argentauris"
*Red-billed Leiothrix "Leiothrix lutea"
*Cutia "Cutia nipalensis"
*Black-headed Shrike-babbler "Pteruthius rufiventer"
*White-browed Shrike-babbler "Pteruthius flaviscapis"
*Green Shrike-babbler "Pteruthius xanthochlorus"
*Black-eared Shrike-babbler "Pteruthius melanotis"
*Chestnut-fronted Shrike-babbler "Pteruthius aenobarbus"
*White-hooded Babbler "Gampsorhynchus rufulus"
*Rusty-fronted Barwing "Actinodura egertoni"
*Hoary-throated Barwing "Actinodura nipalensis"
*Streak-throated Barwing "Actinodura waldeni"
*Blue-winged Minla "Minla cyanouroptera"
*Chestnut-tailed Minla "Minla strigula"
*Red-tailed Minla "Minla ignotincta"
*Golden-breasted Fulvetta "Alcippe chrysotis"
*Yellow-throated Fulvetta "Alcippe cinerea"
*Rufous-winged Fulvetta "Alcippe castaneceps"
*White-browed Fulvetta "Alcippe vinipectus"
*Streak-throated Fulvetta "Alcippe cinereiceps"
**Manipur Fulvetta "Alcippe manipurensis" (Split from an extralimital species)
*Ludlow's Fulvetta "Alcippe ludlowi"
*Rufous-throated Fulvetta "Alcippe rufogularis"
*Dusky Fulvetta "Alcippe brunnea"
*Rusty-capped Fulvetta "Alcippe dubia"
*Quaker Babbler "Alcippe poioicephala"
*Nepal Fulvetta "Alcippe nipalensis"
*Rufous-backed Sibia "Heterophasia annectens"
*Rufous Sibia "Heterophasia capistrata"
*Grey Sibia "Heterophasia gracilis"
*Beautiful Sibia "Heterophasia pulchella"
*Long-tailed Sibia "Heterophasia picaoides"
*Striated Yuhina "Yuhina castaniceps"
*White-naped Yuhina "Yuhina bakeri"
*Whiskered Yuhina "Yuhina flavicollis"
*Stripe-throated Yuhina "Yuhina gularis"
*Rufous-vented Yuhina "Yuhina occipitalis"
*Black-chinned Yuhina "Yuhina nigrimenta"
*White-bellied Erpornis "Erpornis zantholeuca"
*Fire-tailed Myzornis "Myzornis pyrrhoura"

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in India.

*Zitting Cisticola "Cisticola juncidis"
*Golden-headed Cisticola "Cisticola exilis"
*Streaked Scrub-Warbler "Scotocerca inquieta"
*Rufous-vented Prinia "Prinia burnesii"
*Swamp Prinia "Prinia cinerascens"
*Striated Prinia "Prinia criniger"
*Hill Prinia "Prinia atrogularis"
*Grey-crowned Prinia "Prinia cinereocapilla"
*Rufous-fronted Prinia "Prinia buchanani"
*Rufescent Prinia "Prinia rufescens"
*Grey-breasted Prinia "Prinia hodgsonii"
*Graceful Prinia "Prinia gracilis"
*Jungle Prinia "Prinia sylvatica"
*Yellow-bellied Prinia "Prinia flaviventris"
*Ashy Prinia "Prinia socialis"
*Plain Prinia "Prinia inornata"

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 88 species which occur in India.
*Chestnut-headed Tesia "Tesia castaneocoronata"
*Slaty-bellied Tesia "Tesia olivea"
*Grey-bellied Tesia "Tesia cyaniventer"
*Manchurian Bush-Warbler "Cettia canturians"
*Pale-footed Bush-Warbler "Cettia pallidipes"
*Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler "Cettia fortipes"
*Chestnut-crowned Bush-Warbler "Cettia major"
*Aberrant Bush-Warbler "Cettia flavolivacea"
*Yellowish-bellied Bush-Warbler "Cettia acanthizoides"
*Grey-sided Bush-Warbler "Cettia brunnifrons"
*Cetti's Warbler "Cettia cetti"
*Spotted Bush-Warbler "Bradypterus thoracicus"
*Long-billed Bush-Warbler "Bradypterus major"
*Chinese Bush-Warbler "Bradypterus tacsanowskius"
*Russet Bush-Warbler "Bradypterus seebohmi"
*Brown Bush-Warbler "Bradypterus luteoventris"
*Lanceolated Warbler "Locustella lanceolata"
*Grasshopper Warbler "Locustella naevia"
*Pallas's Warbler "Locustella certhiola"
*Moustached Warbler "Acrocephalus melanopogon"
*Sedge Warbler "Acrocephalus schoenobaenus"
*Black-browed Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus bistrigiceps"
*Paddyfield Warbler "Acrocephalus agricola"
*Blunt-winged Warbler "Acrocephalus concinens"
*Blyth's Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus dumetorum"
*Great Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus arundinaceus"
*Oriental Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus orientalis" (A)
*Clamorous Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus stentoreus"
*Large-billed Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus orinus"
*Thick-billed Warbler "Acrocephalus aedon"
*Booted Warbler "Hippolais caligata"
*Sykes's Warbler "Hippolais rama"
*Eastern Olivaceous Warbler "Hippolais pallida"
*Mountain Tailorbird "Orthotomus cuculatus"
*Common Tailorbird "Orthotomus sutorius"
*Dark-necked Tailorbird "Orthotomus atrogularis"
*Crested Tit-warbler "Leptopoecile elegans" [Sangha, H. S., Naoroji, R. & Sharma, M. 2007. The Crested Tit-warbler Leptopoecile elegans in north-west Arunachal Pradesh. An addition to the Indian avifauna. Indian Birds 3 (1): 23–25. [http://www.indianbirds.in/download/IB.3.1.23-25.pdf] ]
*White-browed Tit-Warbler "Leptopoecile sophiae"
*Willow Warbler "Phylloscopus trochilus"
*Common Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus collybita"
*Mountain Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus sindianus"
*Plain Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus neglectus"
*Dusky Warbler "Phylloscopus fuscatus"
*Smoky Warbler "Phylloscopus fuligiventer"
*Tickell's Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus affinis"
*Buff-throated Warbler "Phylloscopus subaffinis" (A)
*Sulphur-bellied Warbler "Phylloscopus griseolus"
*Radde's Warbler "Phylloscopus schwarzi"
*Buff-barred Warbler "Phylloscopus pulcher"
*Ashy-throated Warbler "Phylloscopus maculipennis"
*Lemon-rumped Warbler "Phylloscopus proregulus"
*Pale-rumped Warbler "Phylloscopus chloronotus"
*Brooks's Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus subviridis"
*Yellow-browed Warbler "Phylloscopus inornatus"
*Hume's Warbler "Phylloscopus humei"
*Arctic Warbler "Phylloscopus borealis"
*Greenish Warbler "Phylloscopus trochiloides"
*Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus tenellipes"
*Large-billed Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus magnirostris"
*Tytler's Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus tytleri"
*Western Crowned Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus occipitalis"
*Eastern Crowned Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus coronatus"
*Blyth's Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus reguloides"
*Yellow-vented Warbler "Phylloscopus cantator"
*Golden-spectacled Warbler "Seicercus burkii"
*Grey-hooded Warbler "Seicercus xanthoschistos"
*White-spectacled Warbler "Seicercus affinis"
*Grey-cheeked Warbler "Seicercus poliogenys"
*Chestnut-crowned Warbler "Seicercus castaniceps"
*Rufous-faced Warbler "Abroscopus albogularis"
*Yellow-bellied Warbler "Abroscopus superciliaris"
*Black-faced Warbler "Abroscopus schisticeps"
*Broad-billed Warbler "Tickellia hodgsoni"
*Striated Grassbird "Megalurus palustris"
*Bristled Grassbird "Chaetornis striatus"
*Rufous-rumped Grassbird "Graminicola bengalensis"
*Broad-tailed Grassbird "Schoenicola platyura" (E)
*Garden Warbler "Sylvia borin"
*Greater Whitethroat "Sylvia communis"
*Lesser Whitethroat "Sylvia curruca"
*Small Whitethroat "Sylvia minula"
*Hume's Whitethroat "Sylvia althaea"
*Asian Desert Warbler "Sylvia nana"
*Barred Warbler "Sylvia nisoria"
*Eastern Orphean Warbler "Sylvia crassirostris"
*Spectacled Warbler "Sylvia conspicillata"
*Grey-crowned Warbler "Seicercus tephrocephalus"
*Whistler's Warbler "Seicercus whistleri"

Parrotbills

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paradoxornithidae

The parrotbills are a group of birds native to East and Southeast Asia, though feral populations are known from elsewhere. They are generally small, long-tailed birds which inhabit reedbeds and similar habitats. There are 20 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.

*Great Parrotbill "Conostoma oemodium"
*Brown Parrotbill "Paradoxornis unicolor"
*Grey-headed Parrotbill "Paradoxornis gularis"
*Black-breasted Parrotbill "Paradoxornis flavirostris"
*Spot-breasted Parrotbill "Paradoxornis guttaticollis"
*Fulvous Parrotbill "Paradoxornis fulvifrons"
*Black-throated Parrotbill "Paradoxornis nipalensis"
*Black-browed Parrotbill "Paradoxornis atrosuperciliaris"
*Rufous-headed Parrotbill "Paradoxornis ruficeps"

Long-tailed tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a group of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They make woven bag nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet that includes insects. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in India.

*White-cheeked Tit "Aegithalos leucogenys"
*Black-throated Tit "Aegithalos concinnus"
*White-throated Tit "Aegithalos niveogularis"
*Black-browed Tit "Aegithalos iouschistos"

Chickadees and Titmice

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small stocky woodland species with short stout bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects. There are species 59 worldwide and 14 species which occur in India.

*Coal Tit "Periparus ater"
*Black-breasted Tit "Periparus rufonuchalis"
*Rufous-vented Tit "Periparus rubidiventris"
*Black-crested Tit "Periparus melanolophus"
*Grey-crested Tit "Lophophanes dichrous"
*Great Tit "Parus major"
*Green-backed Tit "Parus monticolus"
*White-winged Tit "Parus nuchalis" (E)
*Black-lored Tit "Parus xanthogenys"
*Yellow-cheeked Tit "Parus spilonotus"
**Indian Yellow Tit "Parus aplonotus" (E) [Rasmussen, P. C. & J. C.and Anderton 2005 introduce this split]
*Yellow-breasted Tit "Cyanistes flavipectus"
*Yellow-browed Tit "Sylviparus modestus"
*Sultan Tit "Melanochlora sultanea"
*Hume's Ground Tit "Pseudopodoces humilis"

Nuthatches

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. There are 24 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in India.

*Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch "Sitta castanea"
**"Sitta castanea" (Indian Nuthatch) and "Sitta cinnamoventris" (Split by Rasmussen & Anderton, 2005)
*Chestnut-vented Nuthatch "Sitta nagaensis"
*Kashmir Nuthatch "Sitta cashmirensis"
*White-tailed Nuthatch "Sitta himalayensis"
*White-cheeked Nuthatch "Sitta leucopsis"
*Velvet-fronted Nuthatch "Sitta frontalis"
*Beautiful Nuthatch "Sitta formosa"

Wallcreeper

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Tichodromidae

The Wallcreeper is a small bird with stunning crimson, grey and black plumage, related to the nuthatch family.

*Wallcreeper "Tichodroma muraria"

Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to extricate insects from bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in India.

*Himalayan Treecreeper "Certhia himalayana"
*Nepal Treecreeper "Certhia nipalensis"
*Sikkim Treecreeper or Brown-throated Treecreeper, "Certhia discolor"
*Manipur Treecreeper, "Certhia manipurensis" [Tietze, Dieter Thomas; Martens, Jochen & Sun, Yue-Hua (2006): Molecular phylogeny of treecreepers ("Certhia") detects hidden diversity. "Ibis" 148(3): 477-488 DOI|doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00547.x (HTML abstract)]
*Spotted Creeper "Salpornis spilonotus"

Penduline tits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small passerine birds, related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in India.

*Eurasian Penduline Tit "Remiz pendulinus" (includes "macronyx")
*White-crowned Penduline Tit "Remiz coronatus"
*Fire-capped Tit "Cephalopyrus flammiceps"

unbirds and Spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in India.

*Ruby-cheeked Sunbird "Chalcoparia singalensis"
*Purple-rumped Sunbird "Leptocoma zeylonica"
*Crimson-backed Sunbird "Leptocoma minima" (E)
*Purple-throated Sunbird "Leptocoma sperata"
*Purple Sunbird "Cinnyris asiaticus"
*Olive-backed Sunbird "Cinnyris jugularis"
*Long-billed Sunbird "Cinnyris lotenius"
*Gould's Sunbird "Aethopyga gouldiae"
*Green-tailed Sunbird "Aethopyga nipalensis"
*Black-throated Sunbird "Aethopyga saturata"
*Western Crimson Sunbird "Aethopyga vigorsii" (E)
*Crimson Sunbird "Aethopyga siparaja"
*Fire-tailed Sunbird "Aethopyga ignicauda"
*Little Spiderhunter "Arachnothera longirostra"
*Streaked Spiderhunter "Arachnothera magna"

Flowerpeckers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicaeidae

The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly coloured birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues. There are 44 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in India.

*Thick-billed Flowerpecker "Dicaeum agile"
*Yellow-vented Flowerpecker "Dicaeum chrysorrheum"
*Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker "Dicaeum melanoxanthum"
*Orange-bellied Flowerpecker "Dicaeum trigonostigma"
*Pale-billed Flowerpecker "Dicaeum erythrorhynchos"
*Plain Flowerpecker "Dicaeum concolor"
*Fire-breasted Flowerpecker "Dicaeum ignipectus"
*Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker "Dicaeum cruentatum"

White-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Oriental White-eye "Zosterops palpebrosus"

Old World Orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in India.

*Eurasian Golden Oriole "Oriolus oriolus"
*Black-naped Oriole "Oriolus chinensis"
*Slender-billed Oriole "Oriolus tenuirostris"
*Black-hooded Oriole "Oriolus xanthornus"
*Maroon Oriole "Oriolus traillii"

Fairy-bluebirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Irenidae

The Fairy-bluebirds are bulbul-like birds of open forest or thorn scrub. The males are dark-blue and the females a duller green. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in India.

*Asian Fairy-bluebird "Irena puella"

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.

*Black Drongo "Dicrurus macrocercus"
*Ashy Drongo "Dicrurus leucophaeus"
*White-bellied Drongo "Dicrurus caerulescens"
*Crow-billed Drongo "Dicrurus annectans"
*Bronzed Drongo "Dicrurus aeneus"
*Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo "Dicrurus remifer"
*Hair-crested Drongo "Dicrurus hottentottus"
*Andaman Drongo "Dicrurus andamanensis"
*Greater Racket-tailed Drongo "Dicrurus paradiseus"

Woodswallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Artamidae

The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings. There are 11 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in India.

*Ashy Woodswallow "Artamus fuscus"
*White-breasted Woodswallow "Artamus leucorynchus"

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in India.

*Eurasian Jay "Garrulus glandarius"
*Black-headed Jay "Garrulus lanceolatus"
*Gold-billed Magpie "Urocissa flavirostris"
*Blue Magpie "Urocissa erythrorhyncha"
*Green Magpie "Cissa chinensis"
*Rufous Treepie "Dendrocitta vagabunda"
*Grey Treepie "Dendrocitta formosae"
*White-bellied Treepie "Dendrocitta leucogastra" (E)
*Collared Treepie "Dendrocitta frontalis"
*Andaman Treepie "Dendrocitta bayleyi"
*Eurasian Magpie "Pica pica"
*Eurasian Nutcracker "Nucifraga caryocatactes"
*Red-billed Chough "Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax"
*Yellow-billed Chough "Pyrrhocorax graculus"
*Eurasian Jackdaw "Corvus monedula"
*Daurian Jackdaw "Corvus dauuricus"
*House Crow "Corvus splendens"
*Rook "Corvus frugilegus"
*Carrion Crow "Corvus corone"
*Large-billed Crow "Corvus macrorhynchos"
*Brown-necked Raven "Corvus ruficollis"
*Common Raven "Corvus corax"

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in India.
*Asian Glossy Starling "Aplonis panayensis"
*Spot-winged Starling "Saroglossa spiloptera"
*Golden-crested Myna "Ampeliceps coronatus"
*Common Hill Myna "Gracula religiosa"
*Southern Hill Myna "Gracula indica"
*White-vented Myna "Acridotheres grandis"
*Jungle Myna "Acridotheres fuscus"
*Collared Myna "Acridotheres albocinctus"
*Bank Myna "Acridotheres ginginianus"
*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis"
*Asian Pied Starling "Gracupica contra"
*Daurian Starling "Sturnia sturnina"
*White-shouldered Starling "Sturnia sinensis" (A)
*Chestnut-tailed Starling "Temenuchus malabaricus"Lovette, I., McCleery, B., Talaba, A., & Rubenstein, D. (2008). "A complete species-level molecular phylogeny for the “Eurasian” starlings (Sturnidae: Sturnus, Acridotheres, and allies): Recent diversification in a highly social and dispersive avian group.". Molecular Phylogenetics & Evolution 47 (1): 251-260. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2008.01.020.]
*Malabar Starling "Temenuchus blythii"
*White-headed Starling "Temenuchus erythropygius"
*Brahminy Starling "Temenuchus pagodarum"
*Rosy Starling "Pastor roseus"
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris"

Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in India.

*Streaked Weaver "Ploceus manyar"
*Baya Weaver "Ploceus philippinus"
*Yellow Weaver "Ploceus megarhynchus"
*Bengal Weaver "Ploceus benghalensis"

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in India.

*Red Avadavat "Amandava amandava"
*Green Avadavat "Amandava formosa" (E)
*White-throated Munia "Lonchura malabarica" (="Euodice malabarica")
*White-rumped Munia "Lonchura striata"
*Black-throated Munia "Lonchura kelaarti"
*Scaly-breasted Munia "Lonchura punctulata"
*Tricoloured Munia "Lonchura malacca"
*Chestnut Munia "Lonchura atricapilla"
*Java Sparrow "Padda oryzivora" (I)

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are species 275 worldwide and 18 species which occur in India.
*Crested Bunting "Melophus lathami"
*Yellowhammer "Emberiza citrinella"
*Pine Bunting "Emberiza leucocephalos"
*Rock Bunting "Emberiza cia"
*Godlewski's Bunting "Emberiza godlewskii"
*Grey-hooded Bunting "Emberiza buchanani"
*Ortolan Bunting "Emberiza hortulana"
*Chestnut-breasted Bunting "Emberiza stewarti"
*House Bunting "Emberiza striolata"
*Chestnut-eared Bunting "Emberiza fucata"
*Little Bunting "Emberiza pusilla"
*Yellow-breasted Bunting "Emberiza aureola"
*Chestnut Bunting "Emberiza rutila"
*Black-headed Bunting "Emberiza melanocephala"
*Red-headed Bunting "Emberiza bruniceps"
*Black-faced Bunting "Emberiza spodocephala"
*Reed Bunting "Emberiza schoeniclus"
*Corn Bunting "Emberiza calandra" (A)

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 44 species which occur in India.

*Chaffinch "Fringilla coelebs"
*Brambling "Fringilla montifringilla"
*Plain Mountain-Finch "Leucosticte nemoricola"
*Black-headed Mountain-Finch "Leucosticte brandti"
*Tawny-headed Mountain-Finch "Leucosticte sillemi"
*Crimson-browed Finch "Pinicola subhimachalus"
*Blanford's Rosefinch "Carpodacus rubescens"
*Dark-breasted Rosefinch "Carpodacus nipalensis"
*Common Rosefinch "Carpodacus erythrinus"
*Beautiful Rosefinch "Carpodacus pulcherrimus"
*Pink-browed Rosefinch "Carpodacus rhodochrous"
*Vinaceous Rosefinch "Carpodacus vinaceus"
*Dark-rumped Rosefinch "Carpodacus edwardsii"
*Spot-winged Rosefinch "Carpodacus rhodopeplus"
*White-browed Rosefinch "Carpodacus thura"
*Red-mantled Rosefinch "Carpodacus rhodochlamys"
*Streaked Rosefinch "Carpodacus rubicilloides"
*Great Rosefinch "Carpodacus rubicilla"
*Red-fronted Rosefinch "Carpodacus puniceus"
*Red Crossbill "Loxia curvirostra"
*Yellow-breasted Greenfinch "Carduelis spinoides"
*Black-headed Greenfinch "Carduelis ambigua"
*Eurasian Siskin "Carduelis spinus"
*European Goldfinch "Carduelis carduelis"
*Twite "Carduelis flavirostris"
*Eurasian Linnet "Carduelis cannabina"
*Fire-fronted Serin "Serinus pusillus"
*Tibetan Serin "Serinus thibetanus"
*Brown Bullfinch "Pyrrhula nipalensis"
*Orange Bullfinch "Pyrrhula aurantiaca"
*Red-headed Bullfinch "Pyrrhula erythrocephala"
*Grey-headed Bullfinch "Pyrrhula erythaca"
*Hawfinch "Coccothraustes coccothraustes"
*Black-and-yellow Grosbeak "Mycerobas icterioides"
*Collared Grosbeak "Mycerobas affinis"
*Spot-winged Grosbeak "Mycerobas melanozanthos"
*White-winged Grosbeak "Mycerobas carnipes"
*Gold-naped Finch "Pyrrhoplectes epauletta"
*Spectacled Finch "Callacanthis burtoni"
*Crimson-winged Finch "Rhodopechys sanguinea"
*Mongolian Finch "Rhodopechys mongolica"
*Trumpeter Finch "Bucanetes githaginea"
*Desert Finch "Rhodospiza obsoleta"
*Scarlet Finch "Haematospiza sipahi"

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in India.
*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus"
*Spanish Sparrow "Passer hispaniolensis"
*Sind Sparrow "Passer pyrrhonotus"
*Cinnamon Sparrow "Passer rutilans"
*Eurasian Tree Sparrow "Passer montanus"
*Yellow-throated Sparrow "Petronia xanthocollis"
*Rock Sparrow "Petronia petronia"
*Black-winged Snowfinch "Montifringilla adamsi"
*White-rumped Snowfinch "Montifringilla taczanowskii"
*Pere David's Snowfinch "Montifringilla davidiana"
*Rufous-necked Snowfinch "Montifringilla ruficollis" (="Pyrgilauda ruficollis")
*Plain-backed Snowfinch "Montifringilla blanfordi" (="Pyrgilauda blanfordi")

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

Notes

References

* Gjershaug, J. O.; Diserud, O. H.; Rasmussen, P. C. & Warakagoda, D. (2008) " [http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/zt01792p066.pdf An overlooked threatened species of eagle: Legge’s Hawk Eagle "Nisaetus kelaarti" (Aves: Accipitriformes)] " (PDF) "Zootaxa" 1792: 54–66
*cite journal|title=Convergent evolution and paraphyly of the hawk-eagles of the genus Spizaetus(Aves, Accipitridae) – phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial markers|author=E. Haring1, K. Kvaløy, J.-O. Gjershaug, N. Røv and A. Gamauf|journal=J.Zool. Syst. Evol. Res.|year=2007|volume=45|issue=4|pages=353–365|doi=10.1111/j.1439-0469.2007.00410.x
*cite book
last = Rasmussen
first = Pamela C.
coauthors = J. C. Anderton
date = 2005
title = Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide.
publisher = Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880