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| Black-necked Stork
The black-necked stork (Xenorhynchus
asiaticus asiaticus) is distinguished from the other Indian species of storks by its enormous
black bill, glistening black head and neck and white lower plumage. The wings are pied with
black and white markings. It is found singly along the banks of rivers and on marshes, wading
in shallow water. It feeds on fishes frogs, reptiles, crabs, molluscs, etc. It builds its
nest, which consists of an enormous platform of sticks, on large trees.
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Egrets and Grey Herons
The common grey heron is a large,
stork-like bird with an ashy grey upper plumage, white crown and neck and greyish white under
parts. The neck is long, slender and S-shaped, with a prominent, black dotted line running
down the middle of the neck on its under side. The head bears a long black crest. It is found
throughout India, Burma and Sri Lanka and usually occurs on the margins of lakes and tanks,
estuaries and marshes. Its flight is very powerful and its call consists of a deep, harsh,
croaking sound uttered during flight. These birds nest gregariously in trees.
The large egret is a winter visitor
to India. Its bill is black; in the non-breeding phase, the dorsal plumes are dropped and the
bill is yellow. It feeds on fish, frogs, tadpoles, fresh water molluscs and also on large
insects.
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Night Heron
The night heron (Nycticorax
nycticorax nycticorax) more or less resembles the paddy bird or pond heron in size and
appearance, but has a stouter bill. It is found throughout India, Burma and Sri Lanka,
commonly in all the better-watered tracts, both inland and along the seacoast. They feed
mostly at night and during the evening and morning twilight. Their food consists of fishes,
frogs, aquatic insects, dragonflies, etc. The breeding season ranges from April to September.
Their nest is composed of twigs placed in trees gregariously and their nesting colonies may
extend to several adjacent trees. |
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