Bhutan– Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon 

22nd March – 7th April 2008

by Eustace Barnes

Part 3  

SPECIES LIST

GREBES (PODICICEPTIDAE)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Several seen at Deepor Jheel

CORMORANTS (PHALACROCORACIDAE)

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) Small numbers seen along the larger rivers.

Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) Seen at Deepor Jheel in Assam.

WILDFOWL (ANATIDAE).

Lesser Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna javanica) Common at Deepor Jheel.

Pochard (Aythya ferina) 1 seen Thimphu sewage ponds.

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) 1 seen at Thimphu sewage ponds. 3 seen near Punakha.

Gadwall (Anus strepera) Several seen near Thimphu, near Punakha and at Deepor Jheel.

Goosander (Mergus merganser) Up to five along the river near Thimphu.

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) 15 at Thimphu sewage ponds.

HERONS (ARDEIDAE)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) 1 seen near Samdrup Jongkhar and also noted in Assam

Great Egret (Egretta alba) Common at Deepor Jheel

Intermediate Egret (Egretta intermedia) Seen at Deepor Jheel.

Eastern Cattle Egret (Bubulcus coromandus) Common in Assam.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) Several seen at Deepor Jheel.

Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) Seen at Samdrup Jongkhar and common in Assam.  

STORKS (CICONIDAE)

Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) Common in Assam.

Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) 1 seen near Samdrup Jongkhar.

Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) Common in Assam.

Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) Up to 15 seen at Deepor Jheel. An increasingly rare species in this region.

VULTURES (GYPS)

White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) 1 seen near Samdrup Jongkhar.

Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) 9 seen around Guwahati.

Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayanensis) At least 25 seen below Pele La. 1 seen at Bumthang and six others seen near Narphung.

RAPTORS (ACCIPITRIDAE)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) 1 seen near Wangdi.

Black Kite (Milvus migrants) Seen Delhi and in Assam.

Besra (Accipiter virgatus) 1 seen above Tingtibee.

Shikra (Accipiter badius) A single bird seen in pine forest near Trashigang.

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) Commonly seen throughout trip.

Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgatus) A somewhat distant bird seen at Samdrup Jongkhar

Common (Himalayan) Buzzard (Buteo buteo) Singles seen throughout.

Oriental Honey buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) Seen near Dochu La and Narphung. Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) Seen in several places. A fairly common raptor.

Rufous –bellied Eagle (Hieraaetus kiernrii) 1 adult seen at Trongsa, 1 immature seen at Bubja and a pair seen near Zhemgang.

Booted Eagle (Hieraatus pennatus) At least two seen at widely spaced sites.

Mountain Hawk-Eagle (Spizaetuas nipalensis) Seen at numerous sites along our route.

Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malayensis) Seen at numerous locations. Most seen along the road to Tingtibee from Trongsa.

Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata) An adult seen Deepor Jheel.

Steppe Eagle (Aquiola nipalensis) 1 seen near Tingtibee.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) 1 seen Chele La.

Pallas Fish Eagle (Haliaetus leucoryphua) 1 adult seen at Punakha.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) Seen in Assam.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) Several seen in the Phobjika valley and one near Yongkola.

FALCONS (FALCONIDAE)

Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Commonly seen

GAMEBIRDS (PHASIANIDAE)

Common Hill Partridge (Arborohila torqueola) Commonly heard. 1 seen with some effort at Dochu La.

Chestnut-breasted Hill Partridge (Arborophila mandelli) Commonly heard at Yongkola and Narphung.

Rufous-throated Hill Partridge (Arborphila rufogularis) Several heard near Tingtibee.

Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) Fairly common Chele La.

Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra) A single female seen near Sengor. A rather disappointing result. It was snowing hard at higher altitudes and raining hard below on the day we were looking for this species.

Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) Good numbers seen Chele La. A really stunning bird.

Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) A superb pair near Tingtibee watched at length.

Grey Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) A single bird heard calling on two consecutive days near Samdrup Jongkhar

Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) 2 birds seen above Tingtibee, 1 near Zhemgang, 1 near Yongkola and two en route to Trashigang.

CRANES (GRUIDAE)

Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) 3 seen in the Phobjika valley. A really special moment on a fantastic tour.

RAILS (RALLIDAE)

Black-tailed Crake (Porzana bicolor) Several obliging birds seen in the open in roadside marsh near Paro. An excellent bird.

White-breasted Waterhen (Amauornis phoenicurus) 1 seen near Guwahati.

Common Moorhen (Gallinula chlorops)Seen near Guwahati.

WADERS (CHARADRIIFORMES)

Ibisbill (Ibidorhynchus struthersii) 1 at Paro along the river. 5 together near Thimphu and several along the Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers near Punakha

River Lapwing (Vanellus duvacelii) Fairly common along the larger rivers.

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus) A pair near Punakha and common in Assam.

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) A pair near Thimphu.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochrops) A single bird near Punakha and a pair near Samdrup Jongkhar

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) Several seen along the major rivers.

Bronze-winged Jacana (Metopidius indicus) Seen in Assam.

GULLS (LARIDAE)

Whiskered Tern (Chlidonius hybrida) Common at Deepor Jheel.

PIGEONS (COLUMBIDAE)

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) Common

Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota) A flock of 18 at Pele La, 35 near Trongsa and 40 near Ura.

Mountain Imperial Pigeon (Ducula badia) A flock of six seen near Samdrup Jongkhar

Speckled Woodpigeon (Columba hodgsoni) A flock of 45 seen nesar Zhemgang, a single bird seen above Tingtibee and a flock of 40 near Yongkola.

Oriental Turtle Dove (Turtur orientalis) The commonest columbid

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) Widespread in lower elevations.

Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) 1 seen in Samdrup Jongkhar.

Red-collared Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) Seen in Samdrup Jongkhar and Assam.

Barred Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia unchall) Fairly common, especially at Tingtibee and Yongkola.

Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) Seen at Tingtibee and Samdrup Jongkhar.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostris) Several pairs seen at Samdrup Jongkhar.

Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon (Treron sphenurus) A pair seen at Samdrup Jongkhar

Pin-tailed Green Pigeon (Treron apicauda) Commonly seen around Samdrup Jongkhar.

PARROTS (PSITTIDAE)

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula finschii) Seen at Guwahati airport.

Finsch’s Parakeet (Psittacla finschii) 1 seen at Deepor Jheel. An uncommon bird Leader only.  

CUCKOOS (CUCULIDAE)

Fork-tailed Drongo-Cuckoo (Surniculus dicruroides) Seen at Samdrup Jongkhar.

Indian Cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus) Heard at Guwahati.

Large Hawk-Cuckoo(Hierococcyx sparveroides) Commonly heard. 2 seen.

Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) Several heard but none seen.

OWLS (STRIGIDAE)

Tawny Wood Owl (Strix nivicola) A single heard at Phobjika valley.

Mountain Scops Owl (Otus spiliocephalus) Several heard but none responded to tape.

Asian Barred Owlet (Glaucidium castanonotum) Several birds heard and one seen.

Collared Owlet (Glaucidium brodei) The bird-hunting Glaucidium in the Himalayas. Several seen and many more heard.

NIGHTJARS (CAPRIMULGIDAE)

Grey Nightjar (Caprimulgus jokarta) 1 seen en route to Chele La. Heard near Narphung.

Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus) A pair at Tingtibee

SWIFTS (APODIDAE)

Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis) Common near Samdrup Jongkhar.

Himalayan Swiftlet (Aerodramus brevirostris) Common.

Pacific Swift (Apus pacificus) Fairly common.

Little Swift (Apus affinus) Seen throughout lower-lying areas.

Dark-rumped Swift (Apus acuticauda) Seen near Samdrup Jongkhar.

HOOPOES (UPUPIDAE)

Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops) Singles seen throughout.

KINGFISHERS (ALCEDINIDAE)

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) Several pairs noted throughout.

Himalayan Pied (Crested) Kingfisher (Megaceryle lugubris) Pairs noted at Punakha and near Samdrup Jongkhar.

Lesser Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) A single at Deepor Jheel.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) Seen at sites throughout.

BEE-EATERS (MEROPIDAE)

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Merops phillipinus) Up to 7 seen at Deepor Jheel.

Blue-bearded Bee-eater (Nytiornis athertoni) 1 seen near Tingtibee and another near Samdrup Jongkhar

HORNBILLS (BUCEROTIDAE)

Rufous-necked Hornbill (Aceriosus nipalensis) Good numbers seen Tingtibee, Yongkola and below Narphung.

Great Pied Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) A pair at Tingtibee and another near Samdrup Jongkhar.

Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros undulatus) Up to six seen near Samdrup Jongkhar. 2 birds watched at length feeding in a fruiting tree with the above species.

BARBETS (MEGLAIMA)

Coppersmith Barbet (Meglaima haemacephala) Found at Samdrup Jongkhar and in Assam.

Blue-throated Barbet (Meglaima asiatica) Common at lower elevations.

Blue-eared Barbet (Meglaima australis) Heard in Assam.

Golden-throated Barbet (Meglaima franklinii) Common.

Great Barbet (Meglaima virens) Abundant.

HONEYGUIDES (INDICATORIDAE)

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (Indicator xanthonotus) Although rare, not hard to find. A pair seen above Punakha at Khelakha and others above Namling.

WOODPECKERS (PICIDAE)

Speckled Piculet (Sasia innomiatus) 1 seen near Trongsa.

Grey-capped Pygmy-Woodpecker (Dendrocopus canicapillus) Several found above Samdrup Jonkhar.

Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus macei) A single bird found above Tingtibee.

Rufous-bellied Woodpecker (Dendrocopus hyperythrus) Several noted. A beautiful species.

Crimson-breasted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus cathpharius) Several pairs noted. The form found here does not have a red nape but instead had a more orange nape.

Darjeeling Woodpecker (Dendrocopus darjeelensis) First encountered at Chele La. Thereafter several others noted.

Grey-faced (headed) Woodpecker (Picus canus) A few seen and heard.

Greater Yellownape (Picus flavinucha) A pair near Yongkola watched at length through the telescope.

Rufous Woodpecker (Micropternus brachyurus) Several pairs found near Samdrup Jongkhar.

Bay Woodpecker (Blythipicus pyrrhotis) A couple seen but many heard throughout. A rather elusive species which proved not easy to see well.

Greater Flameback (Chrysocolaptes lucidus) A single bird seen at Samdrup Jongkhar. Leader only.

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium Bengalense) Seen at Deepor Jheel in Guwahati.

LARKS (ALAUDIDAE)

Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula) Fairly common near Phobjika and Gaytsa.

Bengal Bushlark (Mirafra assamica) Seen at Deepor Jheel.

MARTINS AND SWALLOWS (HIRUNDINIDAE)

Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) Several small groups seen throughout.

Asian House Martin (Delichon dasypus) A small flock seen near Thimphu.

Nepal House Martin (Delichon nipalensis) Common.

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) A few seen near Thimphu and Trasgigang.

Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica) A few seen at Samdrup Jongkhar.

Striated Swallow (Hirundo striata) Several pairs seen around Guwahati.

PIPITS AND WAGTAILS (MOTACILLIDAE)

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) 1 seen near Paro and others seen at Deepor Jheel.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) Seen near Trashigang and along the stream by camp near Samdrup Jongkhar

Himalayan (White) Wagtail (Motacilla (alba) alboides) A few seen along the larger rivers of this highly distinctive form.

Amur (White) Wagtail (Motacilla (alba) leucopsis) Seen at Wangdi and Phobjika. Another distinctive form.

Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni) Common.

Rosy Pipit (Anthus roseatus) Several small groups seen near Paro.

Paddyfield Pipit (Anthus godlewskii) Seen in rice fields near Wangdi and in Assam.

WOOD SWALLOWS (ARTAMIS ).

Ashy Woodswallow (Artamus fuscus) Several pairs near Samdrup Jongkhar.

CUCKOO-SHRIKES (CAMPEPHAGIDAE)

Pied Flycatcher-Shrike (Hemipicus picatus) Several seen at Tingtibee and Sandrup Jongkhar

Black-winged Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina melashistos) Seen at Tingtibee and above Yongkola.

Long-tailed Minivet (Pericrocrotus ethologus) Fairly common.

Short-billed Minivet (Pericrocrotus brevirostris) Seen at Yongkola and Sandrup Jongkhar.

Scarlet Minivet (Pericrocotus speciosus) Least common of the Minivets.

Grey-chinned Minivet (Pericrocotus solaris) Seen at many sites throughout.

BULBULS (PYCNONOTIDAE)

Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) Common throughout.

Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) Seen above Samdrup Jongkhar

Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys) Seen en-route to and at Trashigang.  

Himalayan Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus) Abundant.

Ashy Bulbul (Hemixsos flavala) Several seen near Tingtibee and Samdrup Jongkhar in humid subtropics..

Mountain Bulbul (Hypsipetes mcclellandii) Several pairs noted in evergreen subtropics at Tashitang, Tingtibee and Yongkola.

White-throated Bulbul (Alophoixus flaveolus) A few seen at Tingtibee and Samdrup Jongkhar.

Black-crested Bulbul (Pycnonotus flaviventris) Common at Samdrup Jongkhar.

Striated Bulbul (Pycnonotus striatus) Common at Tingtibee and Narphung.

IORAS (AEGITHINA)

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia) Just one seen near Samdrup Jongkhar.

LEAFBIRDS (CHLOROPSIS)

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) Fairly common in drier deciduous woodlands.

Gold-fronted Leafbird (Chloropsis aurifrons) Several pairs seen above Samdrup Jongkhar.

FAIRY BLUE-BIRDS (IRENA)

Asian Fairy Bluebird (Irena puella) Common above Samdrup Jongkhar.

SHRIKES (LANIIDAE)

Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach tricolor) A fairly common species. This is the rather striking form tricolor with black crown and face.

Grey-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus) Seen in open areas throughout.

Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) Seen at Samdrup Jongkhar and in Assam.

MONARCHS (HYPOTHYMIS)

Black-naped Blue Monarch (Hypothymis azurea) One at Zhemgang and also seen above Samdrup Jongkhar.

FANTAILS (RHIPHIDURA)

Yellow-bellied Fantail (Chelidorhynx hypoxantha) Fairly common in humid evergreen forest.

White-throated Fantail (Rhiphidura albicollis) Small numbers seen throughout.

DIPPERS (CINCLIDAE)

Brown Dipper (Cinclus palasii) Seen on all larger rivers from Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar.

THRUSHES and CHATS (TURDIDAE)

Chestnut-bellied Rock Thrush (Monticola rufiventris) Small numbers seen throughout.

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) A few pairs seen.

Blue-headed Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhynchus) Commonly seen.

Blue whistling Thrush (Myophonus blighi) Abundant.

Black-throated Thrush (Turdus atrogularis) Up to 4 seen on Chele La and others seen at Pele La.

White-collared Blackbird (Turdus albocinctus) Seen at most higher elevation sites visited.

Grey-winged Blackbird (Turdus bouboul) Seen at Yongkola.

Plain-backed Thrush (Zoothera mollissima) Several seen throughout.

Lesser Shortwing (Brachypterus leucophrys) Heard and seen by all at length above Tingtibee.

Himalayan Rufous-flanked Bush Robin (Tarsiger rifilatus) A few seen throughout.

Rufous-breasted Bush Robin (Tarsiger hyperythra) A single bird seen near Tashitang.

Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saulris) Seen in small numbers throughout.

Little Forktail (Enicurus scouleri) 1 pair above Namling.

Slaty-backed Forktail (Enicurus schiastaceus) Singles near Tashitang and above Samdrup Jongkhar.

Black-backed Forktail (Enicurus immaculatus) Up to 4 seen above Samdrup Jongkhar.

Spotted Forktail (Enicurus maculatus) A pair seen near Trongsa and another seen in Trongsa.

Hodgson’s Redstart (Phoenicurus hodgsoni) Common.

Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis) Small numbers throughout.

White-throated Redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps) Seen at several sites throughout the highlands.

Plumbeous Waterstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosa) Common on all rivers and streams.

White-capped Riverchat (Chaimarrhornis leucocephala) Easily located on all suitable stretches of water.

Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) A few seen near Punakha and at Deepor Jeel.

Grey Bushchat (Saxicola ferreus) Several pairs noted throughout in open and scrubby areas.

Brown Rock-Chat (Cercomela fusca) A single bird seen at Delhi airport on departing for Paro.

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