This document provides information on the common characteristics and traits of 8 different bird species found in India: Common Myna, Black Kite, Rock Pigeon, Rose-ringed Parakeet, House Crow, Indian Pond Heron. For each species it lists their scientific name, size, description, habits, habitat, and range within India. The species described include omnivorous and opportunistic birds that congregate near human settlements like the House Crow, as well as aquatic birds like the Indian Pond Heron that hunt from water's edge.

1. CommonMyna
Scientificname:Acridotherestristis
Size:26cms
Description:Vinous-brownbody,blackheadandyellow orbitalarea.
Sexesalike.
Habits:Boldand aggressive,noisy.Usuallyin pairs.Oftenfeedsonthe
groundand has a varieddietwhichincludeskitchenwaste.Roosts
communallyingreatnumbers.Nestsinabandonedtree holesor
buildings.
Habitat:Foundaround humanhabitation.Opencountry,farmlands,
citiesandhillsupto 3100m
Range:Widespreadresidentacrossthe country
Black Kite
Scientificname:Milvusmigrans
Size:40 to 60cms.
Description:Darkbrownplumage withaforkedtail.Inflightforkedtail
and longangledwingsare noticeable.Sexesalike.
Habits:Scavengerfoundaroundhumansettlements.Commonestbird
of preythat we getto see today.Circlesinthe skyfor hoursand often
seeninthe hundredsatroost or neara preferredfeedingarea.partial
to feedingonearthworms.Nestsintall trees.
Habitat:Openwoodland,forestedge,farms,townsandcities
Range:Widespreadresidentacrossthe country
Rock Pigeon
Scientificname:Columbalivia
Size:33cms
Description:Steelblue-greywith2broadwingbars, broadblackish
bandat tipof tail.Feetred.Feral birdswidelyoccurincitiesandcome
invariedplumagesincludingverydarkbirds.Sexessimilar.
Habits:Gregariousand bold.Large flocksattendfavouredfeedingareas
whichinclude granariesandcultivation.Feedsonseedsandshoots.
Much givento aggressive courtshipdisplay.Nestsonledges/holes.
Habitat:The natural habitatconsistsof rock facesbut feral birdsoccupy
humansconstructions.Foundatelevationsupto3400m.
Range:Widespreadresidentacrossthe country - one of the most
commonlymetbirdanywhere inIndia.

2. Rose-ringedParakeet
Scientificname:Psittaculakrameri
Size:41cms
Description:Slimgreenparakeetwithabrightredbeakandgreenish
greyfeet.Lacksmaroon shoulderpatch.Maleshave a blackand rose
collarwhichthe female lacks.
Habits:Noisyandgregarious,the speciesmovesinfastmovingflocksto
feedona varietyof plantmatterincludingfruitsandcrops.Well
adaptedto citylife,Rose-ringsare alsopopularinthe cage-birdtrade.
Roostscommunallyinhuge numbersandnestsintree holes.
Habitat:Woodlands,mangroves,grassland,openfarmland,parks,
gardensand humanvicinity.
Range:Widespreadresidentacrossthe countryandup to 1600m inthe
hills.
House Crow
Anotherimage
Scientificname:Corvussplendens
Size:43cms
Description:Unmistakable.Note greyishcollaronblackplumage.Sexes
alike.
Habits:Bold,smart and veryadaptive,thisgregariousspeciesisan
omnivorousandopportunisticfeeder. Manyroostislarge colonies
thoughbreedingpairsroosttogetherintheirterritory.Pairbondingis
strong.Nestsintreesandis brood-paracitizedbythe AsianKoel.
Habitat:Near humanhabitationincludingverysmall settlements.
Range:Widespreadresidentacrossthe countryandup to 2000m inthe
hills.
IndianPondHeron
Non-breeding- flight
Scientificname:Ardeolagrayii
Size:47cms
Description:Thisoverall drabbirdsportsabrownishbuff headand
neck,buff brownbreast,maroonback andwhite wingsduringthe
breedingphase.The non-breedingcoloursare a stripeddull earthy-
brownbut the wingsare conspicuouslywhiteinflight.Sexesalike.
Habits:Affectsanystretchof waterwhichmaycontainfood.Patiently
stalksand huntspreywhichrange frominsectsto fishfromthe waters
edge.Usuallywary.Roostsandnestscommunallyintrees.
Habitat:Lakes,jheels,rivers,floodedfields,swamps,mudflats,
mangrovesetc.
Range:Widespreadresident.Absentfromthe drywest.