Sarus Crane

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order :	Gruiformes
Family :	Gruidae
Genus :	Grus
Species :	G. antigone
Zoological name :	Grus antigone
Found In	Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Madhav National Park, Kerala Bustard Sanctuary and Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary

Physical appearance : Sarus Crane reaches to the height of 200 cm with the wingspan of eight feet and weigh around 7.3 kg. This bird stands as tall as the man. It has long red legs. It's head and upper neck are also red in colour. It is highlighted with the white crown, which is covered with the green skin. It has a dark long pointed bill. Black hair like bristles cover the upper throat and neck. They have gray feathers over the ears. Females are shorter than the males. It is the world's tallest flying bird.

Presence in India : Sarus Crane is found in the northern, central and north-eastern pars of India. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Madhav National Park, Kerala Bustard Sanctuary and Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary.

Subspecies : There are three subspecies of Sarus Crane namely Grus antigone antigone, Grus antigone sharpii and Grus antigone gilli

Habitat : Sarus Crane prefers wetlands, cultivated fields to live.
Diet : Sarus Crane is omnivorous. It feeds on he diet includes frogs, reptiles, eggs of birds, turtles eggs, invertebrates, butterflies, grasshoppers, tubers of aquatic plants, cereals, potatoes, peas, berries and seeds.

Reproduction : Sarus Crane reach the level of sexual maturity at 5-6 years of age. It usually breeds during the monsoon season. During the mating season both male and female dance around each other. Incubation takes 27 -35 days. Only two eggs are laid at a time. Nests are made (on the ground) in the fields near the ponds or canals. Both male and females take care of the nests. Chicks fledging takes 55 -65 days. It is the only resident breeding crane in India.

Conservation status : Sarus Crane is regarded as the threatened species. It is currently listed in the Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. IUCN (Red List) classifies Sarus Crane as vulnerable. The total population of Sarus Crane approximately lies between 13,500 to 15,500. Loss of wetland areas, egg damage by the humans and heavy use of pesticides has seriously declined the population of Sarus Crane. It is widely haunted by the villagers and is also used for the trade purpose in many countries.

Lifespan : Longevity of Sarus Crane exceeds up to 15- 20 years in the wild and for 40 years in captivity.

White Rumped Shama

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order :	Passeriformes
Family :	Muscicapidae
Species :	C. malabaricus
Zoological name :	Copsychus malabaricus
Found In	Corbett National Park, Royal Chitwan National Park, Sundarbans National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park in India.

Physical appearance : White Rumped Shama is a famous song bird. It is medium in size. It is approximately 27 cm long and weighs around 32 grams. It has a round head, long legs and slender bills. The male is shiny dark in colour. Its head, neck and back are black bullish in colour, wings are dull black in colour, legs are pink in colour and the belly is pale orange in colour. It has along tail and broad wings. They have white feathers on the rump. Females are smaller than the males. Females are brown grayish in colour, with the white coloured belly. They have black bills.

Presence in India : White Rumped Shama is found in almost all the parts of India but are they are mostly found in Northern India. It is also spotted in the Corbett National Park, Royal Chitwan National Park, Sunderbans National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park in India.

Habitat : White Rumped Shama prefers dense jungles and lowlands up to 1500 m.

Diet : White Rumped Shama is a insectivore. It mainly feeds on insects like grasshoppers, termites and caterpillars. They also favour small intvertebrates, maggots, berries and fruits.

Reproduction : Incubation lasts for 12 –15 days. Males are generally aggressive during the breeding season. One egg is laid per day. The egg is white in colour with the reddish brown spots. Both males and females take care of the young ones. Young ones are born blind and featherless. They open their eyes in six days. Their feathers are completely developed in eleven days. They start flying in 14 days. They are sexually mature in 3- 4 months. Their nests are cup shaped, made of mud and leaves. Young ones feed on insects and earthworms.

Conservation status : Least concern. White Rumped Shama is present in large numbers.

Lifespan : White Rumped Shama generally lives for 10- 15 years.

Lammergeier

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order :	Falconiformes
Family :	Accipitridae
Genus :	Gypaetus
Zoological name :	Gypaetus barbatus
Found In :	Dachigam National Park , Ranthambore National Park, Valley of Flowers, Khangchendzonga National Park in India

Physical appearance : Lammergeier are also called Bearded Vulture. It is 108 cm long and weighs around 5- 7 kg. Its wings are three meter long. They do-not have a bald head. Its tail and wings are gray in colour. They have gray blackish hair on their back, wings and tail. They have long, pointed wings and wedged tail. Its eyes are covered with the dark feathers. Its chest is reddish brown in colour. It has spots on the breast and have black and white stripes on the head. Its underparts are pale brown in colour.

Presence in India : It is wide spread in the Indian Himalayas. Dachigam National Park , Ranthambore National Park, Valley of Flowers, Khangchendzonga National Park in India.

Habitat : Lammergeier prefers high mountainous regions, cliffs and gorges, it lives up to an altitude of 25, 500 feet.

Diet : It mainly feeds on dead animals, small mammals, small birds, turtles and carrion. It is the only bone eating bird in the world.

Reproduction : Lammergeier attains sexual maturity at 5 years of age. They breed from January to July. Incubation takes 53 days. Mostly one or two eggs are laid, which are hatched in 58 days. Both males and females take care of the young ones. It breeds on hollow or crags in high mountainous areas. Young ones take 107 to 117 days to fly.

Conservation status : Least concern. This species now survives in only few areas. Lammergeier are mostly poisoned by the humans. Poaching, destruction of natural habitat and lack of food has seriously affected the population of Lammergeier. Many countries have already started the operation of breeding this species.

Lifespan : Lammergeier can live up to 40 years of age.

Great Indian Bustard

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order :	Gruiformes
Family :	Otididae
Genus :	Ardeotis
Species :	A. nigriceps
Zoological name :	Ardeotis nigriceps
Found In	Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary (Gurgaon), Desert National Park (Rajasthan) and the Lala-Parjau sanctuary in western Kutch (Gujarat)

Physical appearance : Males are 120 cm long and weigh around 18 kg. Females are generally 92 cm longand weigh around 6 kg. Males weigh around three times more than the females. Its underparts and neck is white in colour, it has a black clown on its forehead and and its upperparts are brown in colour. Males have larger crown as compared to the females. It is tall long legged bird. Its wings are black, brown and gray in colour. Both males and females are similar in appearance.

Presence in India : Great Indian Bustard is mostly found in the Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Rajasthan. It is mainly spotted in the the Desert National Park (Rajasthan) and the Lala-Parjau sanctuary in western Kutch (Gujarat).

Habitat : Great Indian Bustard prefers short grass plains, desert plains and semi arid regions.

Diet : Great Indian Bustard is omnivorous and feeds on beetles, grasshoppers, seeds and groundnuts.

Reproduction : It makes nest in the open ground, where incubated by female for about 25 days; fledging period 30–35 days. It usually lay single egg in an year. First breeding occurs at 5–6 years in males and 2–3 years in females. Males take no part in nourishing the young ones.

Conservation status : (Vulnerable) Great Indian Bustard has been declared as the endangered species, as its population is very less in number. Due to haunting and greater use of pesticides, the population of Great Indian Bustard is continuously declining. As these birds do not live in birds, so there is greater risk of their eggs destruction. The largest protected area of the Great Indian Bustard is the Desert National Park in India.

Lifespan : Unknown

Indian Roller

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order :	Coraciiformes
Family :	Coraciidae
Genus :	Coracias
Species :	C. benghalensis
Zoological name :	Coracias benghalensis
Found In	Corbett National Park, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajaji National Park, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park and Kanha National Park in India.

Physical appearance : Indian Roller is also called Blue Jay. It is 13 inch long and is striking blue in colour. Indian Roller weighs around 80 -100 g. It's eyes and bill are black. It has a large head and short neck. Its crown, lower wings and tail are blue green in colour. The throat and upper breast are purple in colour. The back and abdomen are gray in colour. Males and females are similar in appearance.

Presence in India : Indian Roller is found in the foot hills of the Himalayas, Southern India and Western India. It can also be spotted in the Corbett National Park, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajaji National Park, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park and Kanha National Park in India.

Species : The other two species of Indian Roller include European Roller (Coracias garrulus), and Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

Habitat : Indian Roller prefers open ground, cultivated fields, local parks and cities at lower elevation.

Diet : Indian Roller is omnivorous. It mainly feeds on frogs. It also favours lizards, acorns, grasshoppers, crickets, Butterflies and moths.

Reproduction : Incubation takes 18 – 20 days. It lays 4- 5 eggs in the month of March or April. . Males perform ornate sexual displays during the mating season. The eggs are white in colour. It lay eggs in hole in the trees. The Young are fledged between 17 -20 days. Both the males and females take care of the young ones.

Conservation status : Indian Roller is considered as sacred among the Hindus. It has been given the status of State Bird of Karnataka in India. They are sometimes haunted for sports and food.

Lifespan : The longevity of Indian Roller exceeds up to 17 years of age.

Indian Peafowl

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order :	Galliformes
Family :	Phasianidae
Genus :	Pavo
Species :	P. cristatus
Zoological name :	Pavo cristatus
Found In	Sariska Tiger Reserve, Kanha National Park and Ranthambore National Park

Physical appearance : Males are about 107 cm long and females are about 86 cm long. Males weigh around 5 kg and the females weigh around 3.4 kg. Both have fan shaped crest on their head. Three toes face forward and one backward. The most attracting part of the peacock is the fan or train of feathers that grow from its shimmering blue back. The train is approximately 1.6 m in length. It can also raise its train of feathers. The peahens do not have train, her plumage is brown, white and black in colour. They have royal blue neck and breast. Indian Peafowl is one of the most colorful bird. It is the largest member of pheasant and turkey family.

Presence in India : Peafowls are found all over India. In Haryana they are found in almost every village. They can be spotted in Sariska Tiger reserve, Kanha National Park and Ranthambore National Park. It is the National Bird of India.

Habitat : Peafowls prefers semi- desert grasslands, shrub, cultivated fields, open forests, orchards and deciduous forests.

Diet : Peafowls are omnivorous and feed on the ground. They eat seeds, grains, insects, berries, plants, fruits, reptiles, arthropods and amphibians. They mostly search for food in early morning hours or before the sunset.

Reproduction : Males attract the females with the fan dance. They lay 4- 8 eggs which are hatched within 28 days. The eggs are light brown in colour. The young ones are known as peachicks. Breading season varies geographically. Males usually mates with 2- 5 females.

Conservation status : Not endangered. They are protected throughout the country, especially under Indian wildlife protection Act 1972. Indian Peafowls are also kept as a pet. It is considered as sacred among the Hindus.

Lifespan : The average lifespan of the Indian Peafowls is about 20 years of age.

Indian Animals

Meet the Indian Animals

Bengal Tiger Tiger is the largest living member of the big cat family. It has a graceful built. The reddish yellow coat with black stripes gives it a royal look ....

Indian Rhino The Indian Rhinoceros, internationally known as the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros is a colossally built beast of truly mammoth proportions....

Indian Elephant The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is a one of three subspecies of the Asian elephant "Elephas maximus". ....

Lion Asiatic lions are seriously endangered. The Indian lion is another name for the Asiatic lion, Panthera leo persica, the sub-species that once ranged from Greece ....

Cobra The King Cobra, found in India is the largest venomous snake in the world. In a single bite it can inject enough venom to kill an elephant....

Peacock Peacocks, commonly called peafowl (peacock refers to the male), are large pheasants, family Phasianidae, of the Indian-Asian region ....

White Tiger Tigers in general are the biggest cats in the world. They live in steamy hot jungles as well as icy cold forests. There are five different ....

Snow Leopard Even though sharing its name with the common leopard, the snow leopard is not believed to be closely associated to the Leopard or the other members of the Pantherine Family and is classified as the only member of the genus Uncia uncia.....

Black Buck Kala Hiran also called Indian Black Buck Antelope (Antelope cervicapra L.) is an exclusively Indian animal, which is perhaps the most graceful and beautiful of its kind...

TURTLE

LEATHERBACK TURTLE

    Leatherback Turtles are found in most warm seas, often migrating from one continent to another. They are the largest of all turtles, sometimes weighing more than 1500 pounds. Their shells are covered by a thick layer of smooth leathery skin, instead of scales. Unlike other turtles, their ribs and backbones are not joined to the shell. These turtles have huge strong front flippers which can propel them in the water at high speeds.
    Leatherback Turtles have a very unique way of laying their eggs. From August to September, female turtles travel vast distances just to lay their eggs on the exact spot where they had laid their eggs previously. Without fail, their homing instincts are always right and rarely do they lose their way to their nesting site. As soon as they reach the shore, they will not rest until they have arrived at their nesting grounds. By using their giant flippers, they heave themselves up towards the spot and dig a deep hole in the sand. In this hole, they will lay about 100 to 200 soft rubbery eggs at one time. While they are laying the eggs, they will start shedding tears to excrete the excess salt from their bodies while swimming in the sea water. Once they are finished, the turtles will cover up the hole with sand and return to the sea, only coming next year to the same spot to dig another hole to lay eggs.
    The heat of the sun will warm the eggs and after a period of time, the hatchlings will climb out of the sand and crawl towards the sea. Even though many turtles are hatched, many do not survive the first few weeks of their lives. There are many predators such as seagulls who prey on the young turtles. The baby turtle's hard shell has not yet formed and has no hardened defence against the attackers. Some turtles are caught in fishermen's nets and left out to die. Other turtles are caught between the wastes man created such as plastic bags and eventually die of suffocation and strangulation.
    To make matters worse, Leatherback Turtles are hunted for their ornamental shell while their eggs are considered delicacies. Illegal gathering for eggs to be sold in markets also helps in the decline of these turtles.
    The coming ashore of the Leatherback Turtles to lay their eggs have become quite a spectacle and have drawn large crowds to witness this event. Unfortunately, the crowds created a large amount of noise and drove many turtles away. They also made campfires which scared them away.
    In order to protect them, the Malaysian government has declared it as a protected animal. Various rules and regulations have been made and huge fines imposed on those who break the law

leopard

LEOPARD     Leopards are mainly found over nearly the whole of Africa, south of the Sahara, northeast and Asia. They are well known for their dark spots arranged in rosettes over much of their body without the central spot as found in jaguars.     Besides being known for their spots, they are also known for running very fast with up to speeds of about one hundred kilometres per hour. They also have the agility to climb trees as well as swim.
    Their diet consist of antelope, wild pigs, monkeys, porcupines, birds and domestic livestock. They favour dogs as a meal. If they are unable to lure a dog out of the village, leopards are known to go right into the village to get the dog they want. They frequently store the remains of their kill up on trees for protection among the branches while they eat or rest.
    In the past, leopards were considered a nuisance to cattle and were frequently shot or hunted. But as man destroyed their habitat for cattle, farming and other human activities, the leopards had no where to survive and their prey decreased due to immigration and lack of food. Therefore leopards had no choice but to kill cattle and domestic livestock. As a result, man killed them to protect their livestock. This caused the leopards to decrease drastically.
    Besides that, the leopards were poached illegally for their valuable skin and body parts. In the 1980s and 1990s, the demand for their skins increased sharply due the furs’ popularity in fashion.
    Due the conservation efforts, these leopards are now a protected species in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and most parts of the world. Efforts also have been made to hand breed them and then be released in the wild or enclosures are being made.

Tigers

Royal Bengal Tiger

Classification

Kingdom :	Animalia
Phylum :	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order :	Carnivora
Family :	Felidae
Genus :	Panthera
Subspecies:	P. t. tigris
Species:	P.tigris
Zoological name :	Panthera tigris tigris
Found In :	Corbett, Manas, Bandipur, Sariska, Kanha, Ranthambore and Sundarbans National Park.

Physical appearance : Royal Bengal Tigers are 6 - 9 feet long and weigh around 400- 600 pounds. They have large head, big ears and thick whickers. Its fur are reddish gold in colour. They have stripes all over their body. Males are usually larger than the females. Their tail is 3 feet long. They have large padded paws with retractable claws. They have white spot on the back of their ears, which looks like eyes. Bengal Tigers have great vision and strong sense of smell.

Presence in India : Royal Bengal Tigers are easily found in the jungles of West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They are also spotted in some of the major National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of India such as Corbett, Manas, Bandipur, Sariska, Kanha, Ranthambore and Sundarbans National Park.

Habitat : Royal Bengal Tigers prefers dense forests and lush grasslands.

Diet : Bengal Tigers are carnivorous. They feed on large variety of mammals such as deer, antelope, pigs, buffaloes, humans, wild boars, gaurs, hares, monkeys, wild ox, langur, peacocks, wolves, crocodiles, dholes and many more.

Reproduction :Bengal Tiger reach the level of sexual maturity in 3- 4 years of age. They usually mate during the spring season. Gestation period rests for 95 -112days after which the tigress give birth to two to four cubs.

Conservation status : Highly endangered

Lifespan : Lifespan of the Royal Bengal Tigers exceeds up to the 15 years of age.