Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Black drongo



Black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus).

They feed on insects and other small animals.

Habitat: They are found in open forests, lightly wooded habitats, and farmland.

Magpie Robin



Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis). This is the male bird.

They are insectivorous.

Habitat: They are found in open woodlands and cultivated areas.

Indian Palm Squirrell



Three striped palm squirrell (Funambulus palmarum).

They are associated with Lord Rama and are considered sacred in India.

Pheasant tailed jacana



Pheasant tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus). This photo was taken in Osuteri Lake, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, in May 2007.

They feed on insects and other invertebrates picked from the floating vegetation or the water's surface.

Habitat: They prefer shallow lakes.

Common mongoose



Common mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi).

They feed on mice, rats, lizards, snakes, beetles, bird eggs, fruits, berries, and roots, grasshoppers, scorpions, centipedes, frogs, crabs, and fish.

Habitat: They can be seen in cultivated fields or in broken, bushy vegetation, open areas, grasslands, and scrub.