Raniban
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis
Nepali Name: चञ्चले अर्जुनक (Chanchale Arjunak)
Notes:
1. It will more likely than not return to the exact same spot after sweeping in the air for flies just like most other flycatchers. Something to keep in mind while shooting this bird.
Grey-winged Blackbird
Turdus boulboul
Nepali Name: मदना चाँचर Madana Chaanchar
Notes:
1. The males sing beautifully during the breeding season in May-June. It is sought after as a cage bird because of its melodious song. You can hear it here: http://www.xeno-canto.org/19718
2. Coexists with the White-collared Blackbird.
3. Doesn’t seem to react to playback outside of the breeding season.
Long-tailed Broadbill
Psarisomus dalhousiae
Nepali Name: चित्रकुट Chitrakoot
Notes:
1. The species that makes a bird trip in Nepal awesome, first because of its scarce and local status and second well its really pretty.
2. Goes around in flocks, well at least during the winter at Nagarjun it does.
3. Reacts to playback, but doesn’t approach, keeping close to the forest canopy.
4. Supposedly, Chitwan in the Central Nepal lowlands is the best place to see these birds.
Hair-crested Drongo
Dicrurus hottentotus
Nepali Name: केशराज चिबे Keshraj Chibe
Notes:
1. Its scientific name reminds me of a tongue twister:
If a Hottentot tutor taught a Hottentot tot
to talk ‘ere the tot could totter,
Ought the Hottentot be taught to say aught?
Or, what ought to be taught her?
If to hoot and toot a Hottentot tot
Be taught by a Hottentot tutor,
Should the tutor get hot if the Hottentot tot
Hoots and toots at the Hottentot tutor?
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/hi/funnyspring/page3.html
2. The bird was aggressively guarding the silk-cotton tree it was feeding on, letting only other hair-crested drongos to share it. Parakeets and Mynahs were mercilessly chased away.
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula krameri
Nepali Name: कण्ठे सुगा Kanthe Suga
Notes:
1. Rather common in the Terai. The population in Kathmandu is largely due to escaped birds.
2. Breeds February to May. The bird in the picture is standing at the entrance of its nest.
3. Outside the breeding season lives in large groups.
4. Very similar to Alexendrine Parakeet except for smaller size and lack of crimson shoulder patch.