Winter Guests Of India: The Migratory Birds

India hosts several exotic species of migratory birds in summer as well as in winter season. Here's a list of exotic migratory birds that grace our land in Winter season.

1. The Siberian crane

Also known as the Siberian white crane or the snow crane. Adults are nearly all snowy white, except for their black primary feathers that are visible in flight. They breed in 2 regions in the arctic tundra of Russia.

The eastern population winters in china, the western population in Iran.
The Central population wintered in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur India. The species is now extinct.

2. The Ruff Bird ( Calidris Pugnax)

A long-necked, pot- bellied bird. They searches for edible items in wet grassland & soft mud, but consumes rice & maize on migration and in winter.

During the non-breeding season they are found mostly in Africa, the Indian subcontinent and southern Europe.

Found in terrestrial wetlands including lakes, swamps, pools, lagoons, etc & occasionally seen on sheltered coasts, in harbours, seashores.

They are widespread in India and is found in the east from the Bay of Bengal, Indochina and south-east China.

3. The Pintail or Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

A large duck that breeds in the northern areas of Europe, Asia and North America. Migratory and winters south of its breeding range to the equator. The northern pintail ducks inhabit wetlands, agricultural fields, lakesides & lagoons.

Both sexes have blue-grey bills and grey legs and feet. The drake is more striking & has attractive grey, brown, and black patterning on its back and sides. The hen's plumage is more subtle and subdued.

The wintering pintail ducks move to Africa, South America & Asia, including India.

4. The Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

A small passerine in the wagtail family. This species breeds in much of temperate Europe and Asia. Northern and eastern populations migrate to Africa and south Asia. A long bird with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail. The call is a characteristic high-pitched jeet.

Migrates & breeds in North of lutea, east to Ladakh in winter.

5. The Northern Shoveler

Also known as the shoveler, is a common and widespread duck.
It breeds in northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America. Strongly migratory and winters further south than its breeding range.

They winters in the India making the taxing journey over the Himalayas, often taking a break in wetlands, south of the Himalayas before continuing further south to warmer regions.

6.The Rosy Starling

Also known as the rose-coloured starling or rose-coloured pastor. They migrate from Eastern Europe across Southern Asia. Adult has pink body, pale orange legs and bill with glossy black head, wings and tail. Their song is a typical mixture of squeaks and rattles, given with much wing trembling.

The bird is strong migrant that travels in winter to India including the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and the rest of Andhra.