A Checklist of the Birds of
Ponmudi, Kerala
by C. Sushant Kumar - February 2004

Old names in brackets ()

ORDER: GALLIFORMES

Family: Phasianidae

Jungle Bush Quail Perdicula asiatica
Painted Bush Quail Perdicula erythrorhyncha
Red Spurfowl Galloperdix spadicea
Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii

Family: Picidae

Speckled Piculet (Spotted Piculet) Picumnus innominatus
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos nanus
(Brown-crowned Pigmy Woodpecker)
Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Dendrocopos mahrattensis
(Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker)
Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus
White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis
(Indian Great Black Woodpecker)
Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
(Lesser Yellow-naped Woodpecker)
Streak-throated Woodpecker Picus xanthopygaeus
(Little Scaly-bellied Green Woodpecker)
Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes lucidus
(Larger Golden-backed Woodpecker)
White-naped Woodpecker Chrysocolaptes festivus
(Black-backed Woodpecker)
Heart-spotted Woodpecker Hemicircus canente

Family: Megalaimidae

White-cheeked Barbet (Small Green) Megalaima viridis
Crimson-fronted Barbet Megalaima rubricapilla
(Crimson-throated Barbet)
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala
(Crimson-breasted Barbet)

ORDER: BUCEROTIFORMES

Family: Bucerotidae

Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus
Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis
(Great Pied Hornbill, Giant Hornbill)

ORDER: UPUPIFORMES

Family: Upupidae

Common Hoopoe (Hoopoe) Upupa epops

ORDER: TROGONIFORMES

Family: Trogonidae

Malabar Trogon (Ceylon Trogon) Harpactes fasciatus

ORDER: CORACIIFORMES

Family: Coraciidae

Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis
(Broad-billed Roller)

Family: Alcedinidae

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
(Small Blue Kingfisher, Eurasian Kingfisher)
Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting

Family: Halcyonidae

Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon capensis
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
(White-breasted Kingfisher)
Black-capped Kingfisher Halcyon pileata
(Black-capped Purple Kingfisher)

Family: Cerylidae

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
(Lesser Pied Kingfisher)

Family: Meropidae

Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
(Little Green Bee-eater)
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti

ORDER: CUCULIFORMES

Family: Cuculidae

Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus
(Pied Crested Cuckoo, Jacobin Cuckoo)
Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx varius
Indian Cuckoo Cuculus micropterus
Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
(The Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo)
Lesser Cuckoo (Small Cuckoo) Cuculus poliocephalus
Grey-bellied Cuckoo Cacomantis passerinus
(Indian Plaintive Cuckoo)
Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea
(Koel, Common Koel)
Blue-faced Malkoha Phaenicophaeus viridirostris
(Small Green-billed Malkoha)
Sirkeer Malkoha Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii
(Sirkeer Cuckoo, Sirkeer)

Family: Centropodidae

Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
(Crow-pheasant)
Lesser Coucal (Small Coucal) Centropus bengalensis

ORDER: PSITTACIFORMES

Family: Psittacidae

Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis
(Indian Lorikeet)
Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri
Plum-headed Parakeet Psittacula cyanocephala
(Blossom-headed Parakeet)
Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides
(Blue-winged Parakeet)

ORDER: APODIFORMES

Family: Apodidae

Indian Swiftlet Collocalia unicolor
(Indian Edible-nest Swiftlet)
White-rumped Needletail Zoonavena sylvatica
(White-rumped Spinetail)
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus
(Large Brown-throated Spinetail Swiftt)
Asian Palm Swift (Palm Swift) Cypsiurus balasiensis
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba

Family: Hemiprocnidae

Crested Treeswift (Crested Swift) Hemiprocne coronata

ORDER: STRIGIFORMES

Family: Strigidae

Eurasian Scops Owl Otus scops
(European Scops Owl)
Collared Scops Owl Otus bakkamoena
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl Bubo nipalensis
(Forest Eagle Owl)
Brown Fish Owl Ketupa zeylonensis
Brown Wood Owl Strix leptogrammica
Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiatum
(Barred Jungle Owlet)
Spotted Owlet Athene brama
Brown Hawk Owl (Brown Boobook) Ninox scutulata
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus

Family: Eurostopodidae

Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis

Family: Caprimulgidae

Grey Nightjar Caprimulgus indicus
(Indian Jungle Nightjar)
Jerdon’s Nightjar Caprimulgus atripennis
Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus
(Common Indian Nightjar)
Savanna Nightjar (Franklin’s) Caprimulgus affinis

ORDER:COLUMBIFORMES

Family:Columbidae

Rock pigeon (Blue Rock Pigeon) Columba livia
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
(Bronze-winged Dove)
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicincta
(Orange-breasted Pigeon)
Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron pompadora
(Pompadour Pigeon)
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicoptera
(Yellow-legged Green or Bengal)
Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea
Mountain Imperial Pigeon (Imperial) Ducula badia

ORDER: GRUIFORMES

Family: Rallidae

White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus

ORDER: CICONIIFORMES

Tringinae

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

Charadriinae

Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malarbaricus
Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus

Family: Accipitridae

Accipitrinae

Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhyncus
(Honey Buzzard)
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
(Black-winged Kite)
Black Kite Milvus migrans
(Pariah Kite, Dark Kite, Black-eared Kite)
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus
Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus
(Himalayan, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle)
Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus
(Short-toed Eagle)
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus
(Pale Harrier)
Pied Harrier Circus melanoleucos
Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus
Shikra Accipiter badius
Besra Accipiter virgatus
(Besra Sparrow-hawk)
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
(Sparrow Hawk, Northern Sparrowhawk)
Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis
Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax
(Eurasian Tawny Eagle)
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
(Booed Hawk Eagle)
Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii
(Rufous-bellied Hawk Eagle)
Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus
(Crested Hawk Eagle)

Family: Falconidae

Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
(Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
(Red-capped Falcon, Barbary Falcon)

Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger

Family: Ardeidae

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia
(Smaller Egret, Plumed Egret)
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii
(Pond Heron)
Little Heron Butorides striatus
(Little Green Heron, Striated Heron)
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
(Night Heron)
Malayan Night Heron Gorsachius melanolophus
(Malay Bittern, Malay Night Heron)
Cinnamon Bittern (Chestnut Bittern) Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis


ORDER: PASSERIFORMES

Family: Pittidae

Indian Pitta Pitta brachyura

Family: Irenidae

Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella
(Fairy Bluebird)
Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis
(Gold-mantled /Jerdon’s Chloropsis)
Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons

Family: Laniidae

Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach
(Rufous-backed Shrike)

Family: Corvidae

Corvini

Rufous Treepie (Indian Treepie) Dendrocitta vagabunda
White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra
(Southern Tree Pie)
(Jackdaw, Common Jackdaw)
House Crow Corvus splendens
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
(Jungle/Black Crow)

Artamini

Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus
(Ashy Swallow-shrike)

Oriolini

Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
(Golden Oriole)
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis
Black-hooded Oriole (Black-headed) Oriolus xanthornus
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
Black-headed Cuckooshrike Coracina melanoptera
Small Minivet (Little Minivet) Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus
(Orange Minivet)
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus
(Pied Flycatcher-shrike)

Dicrurinae

Rhipidurini

White-browed Fantail (Flycatcher) Rhipidura aureola
(White-breasted Fantail Flycatcher)

Dicrurini

Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo (Grey) Dicrurus leucophaeus
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus
(Little Bronzed Drongo)
Spangled Drongo (Hair-crested) Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus
(Racket-tailed Drongo)

Monarchini

Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
(Black-naped Flycatcher, Azure Flycatcher)
Asian Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi
(Paradise-flycatcher)

Aegithininae

Common Iora (Iora) Aegithina tiphia

Malaconotinae

Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis gularis
Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus
(Woodshrike, Lesser Wood-shrike)

Family: Muscicapidae

Turdinae

Blue-capped Rock Thrush Monticola cinclorhynchus
(Blue-headed Rock Thrush)
Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius
Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii
Pied Thrush (Pied Ground Thrush) Zoothera wardii
Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina
White-throated Thrush Zoothera citrina cyanotus
(Orange-headed Ground Thrush)
Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula
White-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx major

Muscicapinae

Muscicapini

Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
(Brown Flycatcher)
Rusty-tailed Flycatcher Muscicapa ruficauda
(Rufous-tailed Flycatcher)
Brown-breasted Flycatcher Muscicapa muttui
(Layard’s)
Red-throated Flycatcher Ficedula parva
(Red-breasted Flycatcher)
Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa
(Black-and-rufous Flycatcher)
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina
Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudata
Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
(Grey-headed Flycatcher)

Saxicolini
Indian Blue Robin (Blue Chat) Luscinia brunnea
Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
(Magpie Robin Dayal)

Family: Sturnidae

Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnus malabaricus
(Grey-headed Myna)
Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum
(Black-headed /Brahminy Myna)
Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus
(Rosy Pastor, Rose-coloured Starling)
Common Myna (Mynah) Acridotheres tristis
Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus
Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
(Grackle, Common Hill Myna, Talking Myna)

Family: Sittidae

Sittinae

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
(Velvet-fronted Blue Nuthatch)

Family: Paridae

Parinae

Great Tit (Grey Tit) Parus major
Black-lored Tit Parus xanthogenys
(Yellow-cheeked Tit)

Family: Hirundinidae

Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
(Swallow, Common Swallow)
Pacific Swallow (House, Hill) Hirundo tahitica
Red-rumped Swallow (Striated) Hirundo daurica
Streak-throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola
(Indian Cliff Swallow)

Family: Pycnonotidae

Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus
Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus melanicterus
(Black-headed Yellow Bulbul)
Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
White-browed Bulbul Pycnonotus luteolus
Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica
Black Bulbul (Gray) Hypsipetes leucocephalus

Family: Cisticolidae

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
(Streaked Fantail Warbler)
Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii
(Franklin’s Wren Warbler)
Jungle Prinia Prinia sylvatica
(Jungle Wren-Warbler, Large Prinia)
Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis
(Ashy Wren Warbler)
Plain Prinia Prinia inornata
(Plain Wren-Warbler, White-browed Prinia)

Family: Zosteropidae

Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
(White-eye, Small White-eye)

Family: Sylviidae

Acrocephalinae

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
(Common Grasshopper Warbler)
Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus dumetorum
Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus
(Indian Great Reed Warbler)
Booted Warbler Hippolais caligata
(Booted Tree Warbler)
Common Tailorbird (Tailorbird) Orthotomus sutorius
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus affinis
(Tickell’s Warbler)
Greenish Warbler Phylloscopus trochiloides
(Dull Green Leaf Warbler)
Western Crowned Warbler Phylloscopus occipitalis
(Large Crowned Leaf Warbler)

Megalurinae

Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyura
(Broad-tailed Grass Warbler)

Garrulacinae

Wynaad Laughingthrush Garrulax delesserti
Grey-breasted Laughingthrush Garrulax jerdoni
(White-breasted Laughingthrush)

Sylviinae

Timaliini

Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps
(Spotted Babbler)
Indian Scimitar Babbler Pomatorhinus horsfieldii
Tawny-bellied Babbler Dumetia hyperythra
(Rufous-bellied Babbler)
Dark-fronted Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps
(Black-headed Babbler)
Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufus
Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus
Yellow-billed Babbler Turdoides affinis
(White-headed Babbler)
Brown-cheeked Fulvetta Alcippe poioicephala
(Quaker Babbler)

Sylviini

Family: Alaudidae

Bengal Bushlark Mirafra assamica
Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla
(Short-toed lark)
Oriental Skylark Alauda gulgula
(Eastern Skylark, Oriental Lark)

Family: Nectariniidae

Nectariniinae

Dicaeini

Thick-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum agile
Pale-billed Flowerpecker Dicaeum erythrorynchos
(Tickell’s / Small Flowerpecker)
Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor
(Plain-colored Flowerpecker)

Nectariniini

Purple-rumped Sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica
Crimson-backed Sunbird Nectarinia minima
(Small Sunbird)
Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica
Loten’s Sunbird Nectarinia lotenia
(Long-billed Sunbird)
Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra

Family:Passeridae

Passerinae

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Chestnut-shouldered Petronia Petronia xanthocollis
(Yellow-throated Sparrow)

Motacillinae

Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
White Wagtail (Pied Wagtail) Motacilla alba
White-browed Wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis
(Large Pied Wagtail)
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus
(Indian Pipit)
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni
(Indian Tree Pipit, Olive Tree Pipit)
Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis

Ploceinae

Baya Weaver (Baya) Ploceus philippinus

Estrildinae

Red Avadavat (Red Munia) Amandava amandava
Indian Silverbill Lonchura malabarica
(White-throated Munia/Silverbill)
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
(White-backed Munia, Striated Munia)
Black-throated Munia Lonchura kelaarti
(Rufous-bellied Munia, Ceylon Hill Munia)
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
(Spotted Munia, Nutmeg Mannikin)
Black-headed Munia Lonchura malacca
(Chestnut Munia)