Birds are a class of warm-blooded vertebrates known as Aves. They share several unique characteristics, including feathers, beaks without teeth, hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight yet robust skeleton. These features make them a diverse and fascinating group of animals.
Types of Birds
Bird Diversity: Birds inhabit various ecosystems worldwide, from the tiny bee hummingbird, measuring 5.5 cm (2.2 in), to the towering ostrich, which can reach lengths of 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in). There are approximately 10,000 bird species globally, with over half of them belonging to the passerine, or “perching,” group.
Wings and Flight: Birds’ wings are modified forelimbs that enable them to fly. However, not all birds have the ability to fly. For instance, ratites, penguins, and some island species have lost their flight capabilities during evolution. Some bird species have also adapted to excel at swimming.
Kind of Birds
- Wings: All birds have wings, but only a small number of them can fly. The different kinds of birds are made so that their arms are bent and their chests are strong.
- Quills: Quills are made of keratin, and they are made from things like nails and hair. They are also used to keep us warm, and women use them to attract their mates.
- Bird Nose: Birds don’t really have teeth, but the edges of their mouths are sharp. The hard structure at the center of a bird’s body is called the mandibles, which are also called the bills.
- Eggs: Birds have babies inside eggs, which can be different colors depending on the species. Birds build nests to protect their eggs, which are mostly made of a calcium shell with a layer of body fluid.
- Skeleton: Birds have hollow bones along their edges that are light and help them fly quickly because they are light. Compared to other well-evolved animals, birds have bones that can’t bend.
Birds with Name
Habitats and Range: India, one of the world’s most biodiverse regions, boasts a rich array of ecosystems, including islands. The country can be divided into four biodiversity hotspots, each with its own unique plant and animal life. These include deserts, high mountains, highlands, tropical and temperate forests, wetlands, grasslands, and riverine landscapes.
India is home to several notable biodiversity hotspots, including the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland (including the Nicobar Islands). These areas are characterized by high levels of endemism, with numerous species found nowhere else.
Birds with Pictures
Conservation and Protection: India recognizes the importance of preserving its rich biodiversity. Approximately 5% of the country’s total land area falls under “protected areas.” Conservation efforts have been ongoing for centuries, with early regulations dating back to the third century BC.
Biodiversity in India: India’s biodiversity is remarkable, with 7.6% of all mammal species, 12.6% of all bird species, 6.2% of all reptile species, 4.4% of amphibians, 11.7% of fish species, and 6.0% of flowering plant species found in the country. The diversity encompasses land animals, marine life, reptiles, birds, and spineless creatures. India is one of the seventeen most biodiverse countries globally, highlighting its significance in the global conservation context.
Indian Birds
The diverse birdlife in India includes approximately 1,03,258 species, with 81 of them being exclusive to the country. Notably, 212 bird species are considered endangered worldwide. The Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is the national bird of India, symbolizing the nation’s rich avian heritage.
Colorful Birds
India’s remarkable biodiversity encompasses a wide range of ecosystems and species, making it one of the most biodiverse countries globally. Its conservation efforts and unique habitats have contributed to the survival of numerous bird species and other forms of wildlife. Explore the various bird species, many of which I’ve photographed over the past decade, that may pique your interest.
While these numbers are subject to frequent updates, they warrant a dedicated article of their own. Please note that this compilation does not encompass species found in Indian ward regions, such as “Dakshin Gangotri,” or those residing exclusively in aquatic environments. Additionally, it excludes ancient bird species and individuals that have escaped captivity. Here are some of them:
Different Types of Indian Birds with Pictures and Names
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Information
The Yellow-footed Green Pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus), alternatively referred to as the Yellow-legged Green Pigeon, is a striking pigeon species native to certain regions of South Asia. It is among the commonly found species of green pigeons within the Indian subcontinent. In local parlance, it is known as "Hariyal" and holds the honor of being designated as the state bird of Maharashtra. The Yellow-footed Green Pigeon is known to inhabit a wide variety of wooded environments, including dry and wet deciduous forests, secondary growth areas, scrublands, tree groves in open landscapes, agricultural land, villages, overgrown gardens, and tree-lined roads. These pigeons ...
Rose-ringed Parakeet
The Rose-ringed Parakeet, alternatively known as the ringneck parrot in aviculture or the Kramer parrot, is a medium-sized parrot belonging to the Psittacula genus within the Psittacidae family. Its natural habitat is fragmented, spanning regions in both Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. The rose-ringed parakeet, scientifically known as Psittacula krameri, is a colorful and charismatic bird species known for its vibrant plumage and distinctive ring around its neck. Notably, it has been introduced to various other parts of the world, where feral populations have established themselves, often driven by the exotic pet trade. This parrot species stands out as one ...
Indian Peafowl Information
The Indian Peafowl, scientifically known as Pavo cristatus, also called the common peafowl or Blue Peafowl, is a magnificent and iconic bird species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is a magnificent bird and the national bird of India. Indian peafowls, also known as peacocks (males) and peahens (females), are a notable avian species characterized by their size and vibrant plumage. Peafowl are some of the biggest flying birds. Emus, ostriches, and other big birds are bigger than chickens, but they can’t fly. They are among the largest birds in the Phasianidae family, second in size only to the wild ...
Great Cormorant
The great cormorant, scientifically identified as Phalacrocorax carbo, is a prominent aquatic bird belonging to the Phalacrocoracidae family. Known by various names, such as the black shag or kawau in New Zealand, the great black cormorant in the Northern Hemisphere, the black cormorant in Australia, and the large cormorant in India, this species is widely distributed among the seabirds in the cormorant family. The great cormorant is an abundant and widely distributed bird species. Its habitat includes marine environments, estuaries, as well as freshwater lakes and rivers. Northern populations engage in migratory movements, relocating to southern regions during the winter ...
Black-rumped Flameback
The Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense), also known as the Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker, is a striking and medium-sized woodpecker species found in South Asia and widely distributed in the Indian subcontinent. Here's a detailed overview of its description, habitat, behavior, ecology, and taxonomy: Black-rumped Flameback Description 1. Size: The Black-rumped Flameback measures about 23 to 26 centimeters (approximately 9 to 10 inches) in length, including its tail. 2. Plumage and Features: Juvenile birds have a more subdued appearance with less distinct red or black markings, which develop as they mature. 3. Head: The adult male Black-rumped Flameback has a striking red ...
Great Hornbill Buceros Bicornis
The Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) is one of the most majestic and iconic bird species found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. This large and impressive bird, also called the concave-casqued hornbill, great Indian hornbill, or great pied hornbill, is one of the largest hornbills. Great Hornbill Distribution It mostly eats fruit, but it will also eat small mammals, reptiles, and birds. It is known to have lived in a zoo for almost 50 years. It is important in many tribal cultures and rituals because of its size and color. Here's an overview of its distribution, habitat, behavior, and ...
Black Drongo
The Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus) is a small passerine bird from Asia that belongs to the Dicruridae family of drongos. It is a common breeder in a lot of tropical southern Asia, from southwest Iran east through India, Sri Lanka, southern China, and Indonesia. It has also been seen in Japan by accident. It is a black bird with a forked tail that makes it stand out. It is 28 cm (11 in) long. It eats insects and can be found all over its range in open farmland and light forest, perching in plain sight on a bare perch or along power or ...
Kingfisher Bird
Kingfishers or Alcedinidae are a group of little to medium-sized, brilliantly hued birds in the request Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan appropriation, with most species found in the tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The family contains 114 species and is partitioned into three subfamilies and 19 genera. All kingfishers have enormous heads, long, sharp, pointed bills, short legs, and thickset tails. Most species have dazzling plumage with just little contrasts between the genders. Most species are tropical in circulation, and a slight larger part are found distinctly in woodlands. They burn-through a wide scope of prey for the ...
Coppersmith Barbet
The coppersmith barbet, whose scientific name is Psilopogon Haemacephalus and other names include "crimson-breasted barbet" and coppersmith, is an Asian barbet with a red forehead and throat. It is known for its rhythmic call, which sounds like a coppersmith hitting metal with a hammer. The Indian subcontinent and some parts of Southeast Asia are home to this bird. It makes its nest by making holes in a tree. Coppersmith Barbet It mostly eats fruit but has been seen eating insects, especially termites with wings. Coppersmith barbet's Bengali name is Basanta Bauri/বসন্ত বাউরি. The coppersmith barbet's head is red, its cheeks ...
Purple Rumped Sunbird
The purple rumped sunbird, or Leptocoma zeylonica, or Moutusi Bird in Bengali, is a type of sunbird that is only found in the Indian Subcontinent. Like other sunbirds, they are small and mostly eat nectar, but they do sometimes eat insects, especially when they are feeding their young. These Indian birds can fly for short periods, but most of the time they sit on something to sip nectar from flowers. They use spider webs, lichens, and plant parts to make a hanging bag nest. Purple Rumped Sunbird Males are colorful, but females are green on top and yellow to buff ...
Purple Sunbird
The purple sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus) is a small bird that, like other sunbirds, primarily feeds on nectar but will also eat insects, particularly when nourishing its young. They can fly like hummingbirds to get nectar, but most of the time they sit at the bottom of flowers. Males appear black, but under certain lighting conditions, a purple iridescence is visible. Females have an olive-colored top and a yellowish bottom. This small bird has a short beak and a dark, short tail that ends in a square and males and females look very different. Purple Sunbird Purple sunbirds are less than ...
Green Bee Eater
The Green bee-eater is now three different kinds of birds. These are the Asian green bee-eater (Merops orientalis), African green bee-eater (Merops viridissimus), and Arabian green bee-eater (Merops cyanophrys). I have only taken photos of one of them, "Merops orientalis". So I will only write about the Asian green bee-eater (Merops orientalis) in this article. Please leave a comment or send me an email if you want to know about the other two bird species. So let's start. বাংলা নাম:- সুঁইচোরা /বাঁশপাতি Green Bee Eater The Asian Green bee-eater (Merops orientalis), formerly called the Green Bee-eater and also called the ...
Asian Koel Bird
The Asian Koel belongs to the order of cuckoo birds known as Cuculiformes. Its habitat includes the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Southeast Asia. Taxonomically, it shares a close relationship with black-billed koels and Pacific koels, often regarded as subspecies within the same superspecies. Unlike many of its cuckoo relatives, the Asian koel is a brood parasite, depositing its eggs in the nests of crows and other host birds that care for its offspring. A distinctive feature is their preference for a mostly fruit-based diet during adulthood. The term “koel” is onomatopoeic, with variations in different languages. This bird holds significant ...
Indian Pond Heron
The Indian pond heron, scientifically known as Ardeola grayii, is a petite heron species with origins in the Old World, spanning Africa, Europe, and Asia within the Eastern Hemisphere. These birds breed in regions extending from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, Burma, and Sri Lanka. Despite their widespread presence, they can be inconspicuous as they hunt for prey along the edges of small water bodies or roost near human settlements. Indian pond herons exhibit a stocky build with short necks, stout bills, and buff-brown backs. During the breeding season, adults develop long neck feathers, further altering their appearance. They ...
Black-hooded Oriole
The black-hooded oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) is a member of the oriole family of passerine birds and is a permanent resident breeder across tropical southern Asia, spanning from India and Sri Lanka to Indonesia. This bird predominantly inhabits open woodlands and cultivated areas. Their nests are intricately woven into trees and typically contain two eggs. Their diet mainly comprises insects and fruits, with figs being a particular favorite, often found in the treetop canopies where they spend a significant portion of their time. The male black-hooded oriole is visually striking, boasting the typical black and yellow oriole coloration. Its plumage is ...
Red-wattled Lapwing
The red-wattled lapwing (Vanellus indicus) is a distinctive bird species belonging to the lapwing family, Charadriidae. It is found across a wide geographic range, including South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East. They are medium-sized birds, measuring around 28 to 33 centimeters (11 to 13 inches) in length. This bird has a striking appearance. It features a combination of black, white, and brown plumage. The head, neck, and breast are black, and there’s a prominent white patch on its belly. The wings are brown with white wingbars. The base of its bill is adorned with bright red ...
Red Vented Bulbul
Bulbul bird. Bull bull bird. Bulbul birds. Bulbul. Red vented bulbul. Indian bulbul. Bulbul nesting habits. Red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) is an individual from the Bulbul group of passerines. It is an occupant raiser across the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka stretching out east to Burma and portions of Tibet. Bulbul has been presented in numerous different regions of the planet and has laid down a good foundation for itself in the wild on a few Pacific islands including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Hawaii. It has likewise set up a good foundation for itself in pieces of the United Arab ...
Little Egret
Little egret (Egretta garzetta) is a species of small heron in the Bird family Ardeidae. It is a white bird with a slender black beak, long black legs and, in the western race, yellow feet. As an aquatic bird, it feeds in shallow water and on land, consuming a variety of small creatures. It breeds colonially, often with other species of water birds, making a platform nest of sticks in a tree, bush or reed bed. A clutch of bluish-green eggs is laid and incubated by both parents. The young fledged at about six weeks of age. Little egret breeding ...
Grey Pelican
Grey pelican, also called the spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), is a member of the pelican birds family. It lives and breeds in southern Asia, from the southern part of Iran to the eastern part of Indonesia. It is a bird of big bodies of water, especially large lakes, both inland and on the coast. Even though they are smaller, they are hard to tell apart from other pelicans in the area from a distance. Up close, the spots on the upper mandible, the lack of bright colors, and the greyer feathers make them easy to spot. In some places, these ...
Asian Openbill Stork
Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans) or Asian openbill, is a huge swimming bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. This unmistakable stork is discovered basically in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is grayish or white with polished dark wings and tail and the grown-ups have a hole between the angled upper mandible and re-bended lower mandible. Youthful birds are brought into the world without this hole which is believed to be a transformation that guides in the treatment of snails, their primary prey. Albeit occupant inside their reach, they make significant distance developments in light of climate and food ...
