View allAll Photos Tagged javanicus
Giant moray eel, Gymnothorax javanicus, Indonesia with cleaner wrasse. Nikon D700, 2,8f, 60mm, Aquatech housing.
Recently cleared and outplanted site with Josh and Bret at Kealia Pond, Maui, Hawaii.
March 28, 2023
#230328-0356 - Image Use Policy
Also known as Mariscus javanicus.
(Bos javanicus) The banteng (Bos javanicus), is a species of wild cattle found in Southeast Asia.
Banteng have also been introduced to Northern Australia, where they have established stable feral populations
(Bos javanicus) The banteng (Bos javanicus), is a species of wild cattle found in Southeast Asia.Banteng have also been introduced to Northern Australia, where they have established stable feral populations
WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN :
The White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus) is a waterbird of the rail and crake family Rallidae that is widely distributed across Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. They are dark slaty birds with a clean white face, breast and belly. They are somewhat bolder than most other rails and are often seen stepping slowly with their tail cocked upright in open marshes or even drains near busy roads. They are largely crepuscular in activity and during the breeding season, just after the first rains, make loud and repetitive croaking calls.
> Description
Adult White-breasted Waterhens have mainly dark grey upperparts and flanks, and a white face, neck and breast. The lower belly and undertail are cinnamon coloured. The body is flattened laterally to allow easier passage through the reeds or undergrowth. They have long toes, a short tail and a yellow bill and legs. Sexes are similar but females measure slightly smaller. Immature birds are much duller versions of the adults. The downy chicks are black, as with all rails.
Several subspecies are named for the populations that are widely distributed. The nominate subspecies is described from Sri Lanka but is often widened to include chinensis of mainland India and adjoining regions in Asia, west to Arabia and east nearly to Japan. The remaining subspecies are those from islands and include insularis of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, midnicobaricus of the central Nicobars, leucocephala of Car Nicobar, maldivus of the Maldives, javanicus of Java and leucomelanus of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas.
> Distribution and habitat
Their breeding habitat is marshes across south Asia from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka to south China and Indonesia. They are mainly seen in the plains but have been known from the higher hills such as in Nainital (1300m) and the High Range (1500m) in Kerala. These large 32 cm long rails are permanent residents throughout their range. They make short distance movements and are known to colonize new areas. They have been noted as some of the early colonizers on the volcanic island of Rakata. Although most often found near freshwater, they are also found near brackish water and even the seashore when there is no freshwater as on the volcanic Barren Island in the Andamans.
> Behaviour and ecology
These birds are usually seen singly or in pairs as they forage slowly along the edge of a waterbody mainly on the ground but sometimes clambering up low vegetation. The tail is held up and jerked as they walk. They probe with their bill in mud or shallow water, also picking up food by sight. They mainly eat insects (large numbers of beetles have been recorded), small fish, aquatic invertebrates and seeds such as those of Pithecolobium dulce. They may sometimes feed in deeper water in the manner of a moorhen.
The nesting season is mainly June to October but varies locally. They nest in a dry location on the ground in marsh vegetation, laying 6-7 eggs. Courtship involves bowing, billing and nibbling. The eggs hatch in about 19 days. Both sexes incubate the eggs and take care of the chicks. Chicks often dive underwater to escape predation. Adults are said to build a roost or brood nest where young chicks and the adults roost.
Many rails are very secretive, but White-breasted Waterhens are often seen out in the open. They can be noisy especially at dawn and dusk, with loud croaky calls. The Andamans population insularis is said to make duck like quack calls.
PHOTOGRAPHY : KAUSHIK SINGHA ROY
(Bos javanicus) The banteng (Bos javanicus), is a species of wild cattle found in Southeast Asia.Banteng have also been introduced to Northern Australia, where they have established stable feral populations
Javan Myna / Mynah (Acridotheres javanicus) which is in Java island better known as Jalak Kebo / Kerbau (Buffalo Starling) is the most common bird in Singapore according birds census at early 2000 and I think it still quite common at nowadays.
I don't know the bird census in Java island but I belief this kind of bird was quite difficult to find in most Java's cities
Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanica)
The lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Like other members of its genus, it has a bare neck and head. It is however more closely associated with wetland habitats where it is solitary and is less likely to scavenge than the related greater adjutant. It is a widespread species found from India through Southeast Asia to Java.
Description
A large stork with an upright stance, a bare head and neck without a pendant pouch, it has a length of 87–93 cm (34–37 in) (outstretched from bill-to-tail measurement), weighs from 4 to 5.71 kg (8.8 to 12.6 lb) and stands about 110–120 cm (43–47 in) tall. The only confusable species is the greater adjutant, but this species is generally smaller and has a straight upper bill edge (culmen), measuring 25.8–30.8 cm (10.2–12.1 in) in length, with a paler base and appears slightly trimmer and less hunch-backed. The skullcap is paler and the upper plumage is uniformly dark, appearing almost all black. The nearly naked head and neck have a few scattered hair-like feathers. The upper shank or tibia is grey rather than pink, the tarsus measures 22.5–26.8 cm (8.9–10.6 in). The belly and undertail are white. Juveniles are a duller version of the adult but have more feathers on the nape. During the breeding season, the face is reddish and the neck is orange. The larger median wing coverts are tipped with copper spots and the inner secondary coverts and tertials have narrow white edging. The wing chord measures 57.5–66 cm (22.6–26.0 in) in length. Like others in the genus, they retract their necks in flight. In flight, the folded neck can appear like the pouch of the greater adjutant. Males and females appear similar in plumage but males tend to be larger and heavier billed.
Distribution and habitat
The lesser adjutant tends to be widely dispersed and is very local. It is often found in large rivers and lakes inside well wooded regions. It is found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (A colony with about 6 nests and 20 individuals was discovered near Thakurgaon in 2011.), Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia. The greatest populations are in Cambodia. In India they are mainly distributed in the eastern states of Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. It may occur as a vagrant on the southern edge of Bhutan. They are extremely rare in southern India.
Behaviour and ecology
The lesser adjutant stalks around wetlands feeding mainly on fish, frogs, reptiles and large invertebrates. They rarely feed on carrion. They may also take small birds and rodents particularly during the breeding season. They are solitary except during the breeding season when they form loose colonies. The breeding season is February to May in southern India and November to January in north-eastern India. The nest is a large platform of sticks placed on a tall tree. The nest diameter is more than a metre and up to a metre deep. The clutch consists of three to four eggs. They are silent but have been noted to clatter their bill, hiss and moan at the nest.
[Credit: en.wikipedia.org]
Once a widespread and common species, the lesser adjutant has undergone a rapid decline in numbers recently, and is now rare throughout its range.
Continuing destruction of wetlands and the felling of trees suitable as nesting sites has resulted in the rapid decline of this species. Foraging areas are being lost to urban and industrial expansion and hunting and capture for the pet trade are contributing to the ongoing population reduction.
Found in India and Southeast Asia, but no longer found in China.
Check out the: Mirrored Image ;)
From my old album.
SUNDARBANS:
The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sunderbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most of which situated in Bangladesh and the remaining in India.
The Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sundarbans South, East and West are three protected forests in Bangladesh. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.
Geography
The Sundarban forest lies in the vast delta on the Bay of Bengal formed by the super confluence of the Padma, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers across southern Bangladesh. The seasonally flooded Sundarbans freshwater swamp forests lie inland from the mangrove forests on the coastal fringe. The forest covers 10,000 km2. of which about 6,000 are in Bangladesh. It became inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. The Sundarbans is estimated to be about 4,110 km², of which about 1,700 km² is occupied by waterbodies in the forms of river, canals and creeks of width varying from a few meters to several kilometres.
Flora
A total 245 genera and 334 plant species were recorded by David Prain in 1903. The Sundarbans flora is characterised by the abundance of sundari (Heritiera fomes), gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), goran (Ceriops decandra) and keora (Sonneratia apetala) all of which occur prominently throughout the area. The characteristic tree of the forest is the sundari (Heritiera littoralis), from which the name of the forest had probably been derived. It yields a hard wood, used for building houses and making boats, furniture and other things. New forest accretions is often conspicuously dominated by keora (Sonneratia apetala) and tidal forests. It is an indicator species for newly accreted mudbanks and is an important species for wildlife, especially spotted deer (Axis axis). There is abundance of dhundul or passur (Xylocarpus granatum) and kankra (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) though distribution is discontinuous. Among palms, Poresia coaractata, Myriostachya wightiana and golpata (Nypa fruticans), and among grasses spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) and khagra (Phragmites karka) are well distributed.
Fauna
The Sundarbans provides a unique ecosystem and a rich wildlife habitat. According to the 2011 tiger census, the Sundarbans have about 270 tigers. Although previous rough estimates had suggested much higher figures close to 300, the 2011 census provided the first ever scientific estimate of tigers from the area. Tiger attacks are frequent in the Sundarbans. Between 100 and 250 people are killed per year.
There is much more wildlife here than just the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Most importantly, mangroves are a transition from the marine to freshwater and terrestrial systems, and provide critical habitat for numerous species of small fish, crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans that adapt to feed and shelter, and reproduce among the tangled mass of roots, known as pneumatophores, which grow upward from the anaerobic mud to get the supply of oxygen. Fishing Cats, Macaques, wild boars, Common Grey Mongooses, Foxes, Jungle Cats,Flying Foxes, Pangolins, and spotted deer are also found in abundance in the Sundarbans.
A 1991 study has revealed that the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans supports diverse biological resources including at least 150 species of commercially important fish, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and 8 amphibian species.
The Sundarbans is an important wintering area for migrant water birds and is an area suitable for watching and studying avifauna. The management of wildlife is presently restricted to, firstly, the protection of fauna from poaching, and, secondly, designation of some areas as wildlife sanctuaries where no extraction of forest produce is allowed and where the wildlife face few disturbances. Although the fauna of Bangladesh have diminished in recent times and the Sundarbans has not been spared from this decline, the mangrove forest retains several good wildlife habitats and their associated fauna. Of these, the tiger and dolphin are target species for planning wildlife management and tourism development.
Avifauna
The forest is also rich in bird life, with 170 species including the endemic Brown-winged Kingfishers (Pelargopsis amauroptera) and the globally threatened Lesser Adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Masked Finfoots (Heliopais personata) and birds of prey such as the ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), White-bellied Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Grey-headed Fish-eagles (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus). The Sundarbans was designated a Ramsar siteon 21 May 1992. Some of the more popular birds found in this region are Open Billed Storks, Black-headed Ibis,Water Hens, Coots, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Pariah Kites, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Swamp Partridges, Red Junglefowls, Spotted Doves, Common Mynahs, Jungle Crows, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, Gray Herons, Brahminy Ducks, Spot-billed Pelicans, great Egrets, Night Herons, Common Snipes, Wood Sandpipers, Green pigeons, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Paradise Flycatchers, Cormorants, White-bellied Sea Eagles,Seagulls, Common Kingfishers, Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers, Whimbrels, Black-tailed Godwits, Little Stints,Eastern knots, Curlews, Golden Plovers, Pintails, White eyed pochards and Lesser Whistling Ducks.
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Anguilliformes
Family:Muraenidae
Genus:Gymnothorax
Species:G. javanicus
Nikon D500 - AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60 mm 1:2,8 G ED - Ikelite 200DL
Depth: 30 meters
[syn. Mariscus javanicus]
Polynesian Names: ʻAhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi); ʻEhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi), Mahele (ʻUvea); Māhelehele (Tonga); Māselehele (Futuna); Mauku tatau tai (Cook Islands); Moʻu haʻari (Society Islands); Mouku (Marquesas); Mouʻu (Austral Islands, Marquesas); Selesele (Samoa)
Cyperaceae
Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands
Oʻahu (Cultivated))
Early Hawaiians pounded stems of ʻahuʻawa until they were only fibers and used them as strainers for ʻawa or niu (coconut), and as cordage. Fibers soaked for a few hours to free pulp, dried in the sun for a day or two, and then could be used. The fibers were very durable lasting two years or more. The cordage was used for cords (hāwele) or nets (kōkō puʻupuʻu) designed to carry ʻumeke (food or water containers).
The stringy fibers were also made into brushes to paint color onto tapa.
The leaves and seed/fruit were used in lei.
Celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2012
Migratory birds and people - together through time
An Event Report
of
Himalayan Nature
Background
Birds have always been a great source of inspiration for people all over the world and throughout time. They have fascinated all kinds of people from passionate naturalist, artist, writers and even kids as well. Different aspects of birds such as colourful feathers, brilliant songs and their ability to fly across the globe are all incredible to the earth. For many bird species migration is an essence to survive although its a terrifying journey with wide range of threats. In comparison to the natural threats, human derived activities are the major source for most dangers migrating birds are exposed to.
Nepal has long been known as a home for a wide variety of birds and so far a total of 871 species have been recorded so far. A large number of these are resident but there are also many that migrate over and through the Himalayas. Nepal is enriched by both long distance and altitudinal migrants. Birds in Nepal are facing several threats namely exploitation caused by encroachment for settlement, agriculture, grazing, poaching. Poaching remains widely practiced in the country since the people are highly dependent on biodiversity for their livelihoods.
World Migratory Bird Day is a global annual initiative to celebrate migratory birds and to promote their conservation worldwide. As its regular event celebrations, Himalayan Nature (HN) celebrated the global awareness campaign from 12th to 19th May 2012 for the continuing relationship between migratory birds and people. HN organized bird watching programs and conducting school awareness programs with the theme Migratory birds and people - together through time. During education awareness programme, our team shared knowledge on birds with the highlight on the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.
Program localities
Kosi Bird Observatory (KBO), Koshi, east Nepal, the First Bird Observatory and Field Education Centre in Nepal
Himalayan Nature has set up Nepal's first bird observatory Kosi Bird Observatory, the first Bird Observatory and Field Education Centre in Nepal, is situated to the north of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. KBO acts as a training and research center for wetland and grassland studies. It is flanked by two Important Bird Areas, Dharan Forests to the east and Koshi Tappu and Koshi Barrage to the south. Most importantly it lies in an ideal place for studying Nepal's birds at a point where the mighty Koshi river finally opens out after completing many meanders through the high mountains and hills of Nepal. The site is now, in essence, a mini bird reserve complementing the conservation efforts achieved by the Government of Nepal when Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established to protect the rich natural heritage further down river. The team at KBO led by Mr Sanjiv Acharya, field assistant undertook bird watching and education awareness programme in and around Dharan forest and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Lumbini, Central Nepal
As in the previous year's celebration, bird watching and bird count were organized in the sacred pond around Maya Devi Temple, along the north of Tellar River and Gaidahawa Lake of Lumbini. HN team at Lumbini conducted bird watching activities in Lumbini including Gaidahawa Lake, a key biodiversity area (KBA). Gaidahawa Lake is an important breeding site for Sarus Crane Grus antigone and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and also serves as a habitat for a small resident and wintering population of several species of water birds. Besides bird watching activities, our field ornothologist, Mr Dinesh Giri conducted awareness activities on birds and their habitat conservation among the students of local private and government schools.
Results
A total of 48 species were recorded during the program period that was started from 7 am to 11 am in the morning.
The most abundant species was Blue-tailed Bee-eater followed by Common Coot, Intermediate Egret, Green Bee-eater and Asian Openbill.( Fig: 1)
Fig: 1. Top five bird species recorded in Lumbini
A total of 16 species birds were recorded with the most abundant Tufted Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Little Tern and Northern Pintail.
Fig: 2. Top five species in Koshi area
Some glimpse of the programme
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Tufted duck
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge with gratitude to all the conservation partners and all passionate students along with the local people of Koshi and Lumbini in making World Migratory Bird Day a success. Special thanks to the all the following:
Dr Hem Sagar Baral
Mr Dinesh Giri
Mr Asok Kumar Ram
Mr Sharad Singh
Mr Sanjiv Acharya
Mr Suman Acharya
Mr Dhan Bahadur Karki
Mr Buddhi Timsina
Mr Tikaram Tamang
Mr Dinesh Ghimire
Mr Anish Timsina
Mrs Prava Pandey
WMBD Program Coordinator
Prativa Kaspal
Conservation Officer
Himalayan Nature
Annex: 1 Checklist from Lumbini
Bird Species
Count
Bird Species
Count
Ashy Prinia
9
Lesser Adjutant
2
Asian Koel
4
Lesser Whistling Duck
1
Asian Openbill
15
Little cormorant
1
Black Drongo
2
Little Egret
1
Black Kite
7
Little Grebe
3
Black-shoudered Kite
1
Long-tailed Shrike
2
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
100
Oriental Turttle Dove
2
Bronze-winged Jacana
3
Paddy Field Pipit
3
Brown Crake
3
Pied Bushchat
10
Cattle Egret
5
Pied Bushchat
3
Common Coot
30
Plain Prinia
1
Common Kestrel
7
Purple Heron
2
Common Moorhen
2
Red-collard Dove
8
Cotton Pigmy Goose
1
Red-wattled Lapwing
2
Eurasian Collared Dove
5
Sarus Crane
9
Greater Coucal
8
Scaly-breasted Munia
6
Green Bee-eater
16
Spotted Dove
1
Green Sand piper
3
Stork billed Kingfisher
10
Grey Francolin
1
White- eyed Buzard
2
Grey Heron
10
White-breasted Waterhen
6
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
2
White-browed Wagtail
1
Indian Pond Heron
2
White-throated Kingfisher
1
Intermediate Egret
19
Yellow-footed green Pigeon
1
Large Egret
2
Zitting cisticola
2
Annex: 2. Checklist from Koshi
Bird Species
Count
Asian Openbill
1
Black-bellied Tern
18
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
2
Common Pochard
31
Cotton Pygmy-goose
8
Eurasian Wigeon
26
Gadwall
12
Greater Painted-snipe
8
Lesser Sand Plover
8
Little Grebe
3
Little Ringed Plover
2
Little Tern
25
Northern Pintail
21
Red- crested Pochard
2
River Tern
18
Tufted Duck
32
Thank you.
Prativa Kaspal
Conservation Officer
PO Box 10918, Lazimpat
Kathmandu Nepal
Tel 977 1 4439042, F 977 1 4444527
Conserving Biodiversity for People
Member of the IUCN, the world's largest network of conservation organisations www.iucn.org
Moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus). Red Sea, Egypt. 1985. Shot on film with Rolleymarin, 3.5. F. Single flash.
Name: Lesser adjutant
Scientific: Leptoptilos javanicus
Malay: Botak Kecil / Burung Botak / Upih Botak
Family: Ciconiidae
IUCN Red List (v3.1, 2017): Vulnerable
Gear: SONY a9II + SEL200600G + SEL14TC.
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is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Like other members of its genus, it has a bare neck and head. It is however more closely associated with wetland habitats where it is solitary and is less likely to scavenge than the related greater adjutant. It is a widespread species found from India through Southeast Asia to Java. IUCN: VU
Meloncillo chico (Herpestes auropunctatus).
Especie introducida erradamente en La Española y otras islas del Caribe para combatir la proliferación de ratones. Prefirieron alimentarse de aves y sus huevos.
SUNDARBANS:
The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The Sunderbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most of which situated in Bangladesh and the remaining in India.
The Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal. Sundarbans South, East and West are three protected forests in Bangladesh. This region is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.
Geography
The Sundarban forest lies in the vast delta on the Bay of Bengal formed by the super confluence of the Padma, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers across southern Bangladesh. The seasonally flooded Sundarbans freshwater swamp forests lie inland from the mangrove forests on the coastal fringe. The forest covers 10,000 km2. of which about 6,000 are in Bangladesh. It became inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997. The Sundarbans is estimated to be about 4,110 km², of which about 1,700 km² is occupied by waterbodies in the forms of river, canals and creeks of width varying from a few meters to several kilometres.
Flora
A total 245 genera and 334 plant species were recorded by David Prain in 1903. The Sundarbans flora is characterised by the abundance of sundari (Heritiera fomes), gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), goran (Ceriops decandra) and keora (Sonneratia apetala) all of which occur prominently throughout the area. The characteristic tree of the forest is the sundari (Heritiera littoralis), from which the name of the forest had probably been derived. It yields a hard wood, used for building houses and making boats, furniture and other things. New forest accretions is often conspicuously dominated by keora (Sonneratia apetala) and tidal forests. It is an indicator species for newly accreted mudbanks and is an important species for wildlife, especially spotted deer (Axis axis). There is abundance of dhundul or passur (Xylocarpus granatum) and kankra (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) though distribution is discontinuous. Among palms, Poresia coaractata, Myriostachya wightiana and golpata (Nypa fruticans), and among grasses spear grass (Imperata cylindrica) and khagra (Phragmites karka) are well distributed.
Fauna
The Sundarbans provides a unique ecosystem and a rich wildlife habitat. According to the 2011 tiger census, the Sundarbans have about 270 tigers. Although previous rough estimates had suggested much higher figures close to 300, the 2011 census provided the first ever scientific estimate of tigers from the area. Tiger attacks are frequent in the Sundarbans. Between 100 and 250 people are killed per year.
There is much more wildlife here than just the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Most importantly, mangroves are a transition from the marine to freshwater and terrestrial systems, and provide critical habitat for numerous species of small fish, crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans that adapt to feed and shelter, and reproduce among the tangled mass of roots, known as pneumatophores, which grow upward from the anaerobic mud to get the supply of oxygen. Fishing Cats, Macaques, wild boars, Common Grey Mongooses, Foxes, Jungle Cats,Flying Foxes, Pangolins, and spotted deer are also found in abundance in the Sundarbans.
A 1991 study has revealed that the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans supports diverse biological resources including at least 150 species of commercially important fish, 270 species of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and 8 amphibian species.
The Sundarbans is an important wintering area for migrant water birds and is an area suitable for watching and studying avifauna. The management of wildlife is presently restricted to, firstly, the protection of fauna from poaching, and, secondly, designation of some areas as wildlife sanctuaries where no extraction of forest produce is allowed and where the wildlife face few disturbances. Although the fauna of Bangladesh have diminished in recent times and the Sundarbans has not been spared from this decline, the mangrove forest retains several good wildlife habitats and their associated fauna. Of these, the tiger and dolphin are target species for planning wildlife management and tourism development.
Avifauna
The forest is also rich in bird life, with 170 species including the endemic Brown-winged Kingfishers (Pelargopsis amauroptera) and the globally threatened Lesser Adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Masked Finfoots (Heliopais personata) and birds of prey such as the ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), White-bellied Sea Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and Grey-headed Fish-eagles (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus). The Sundarbans was designated a Ramsar siteon 21 May 1992. Some of the more popular birds found in this region are Open Billed Storks, Black-headed Ibis,Water Hens, Coots, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Pariah Kites, Brahminy Kites, Marsh Harriers, Swamp Partridges, Red Junglefowls, Spotted Doves, Common Mynahs, Jungle Crows, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Caspian Terns, Gray Herons, Brahminy Ducks, Spot-billed Pelicans, great Egrets, Night Herons, Common Snipes, Wood Sandpipers, Green pigeons, Rose Ringed Parakeets, Paradise Flycatchers, Cormorants, White-bellied Sea Eagles,Seagulls, Common Kingfishers, Peregrine falcons, Woodpeckers, Whimbrels, Black-tailed Godwits, Little Stints,Eastern knots, Curlews, Golden Plovers, Pintails, White eyed pochards and Lesser Whistling Ducks.
Habit and wetland at Kanaha Beach, Maui, Hawaii.
February 05, 2009
#090205-2343 - Image Use Policy
Also known as Mariscus javanicus.
Celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2012
Migratory birds and people - together through time
An Event Report
of
Himalayan Nature
Background
Birds have always been a great source of inspiration for people all over the world and throughout time. They have fascinated all kinds of people from passionate naturalist, artist, writers and even kids as well. Different aspects of birds such as colourful feathers, brilliant songs and their ability to fly across the globe are all incredible to the earth. For many bird species migration is an essence to survive although its a terrifying journey with wide range of threats. In comparison to the natural threats, human derived activities are the major source for most dangers migrating birds are exposed to.
Nepal has long been known as a home for a wide variety of birds and so far a total of 871 species have been recorded so far. A large number of these are resident but there are also many that migrate over and through the Himalayas. Nepal is enriched by both long distance and altitudinal migrants. Birds in Nepal are facing several threats namely exploitation caused by encroachment for settlement, agriculture, grazing, poaching. Poaching remains widely practiced in the country since the people are highly dependent on biodiversity for their livelihoods.
World Migratory Bird Day is a global annual initiative to celebrate migratory birds and to promote their conservation worldwide. As its regular event celebrations, Himalayan Nature (HN) celebrated the global awareness campaign from 12th to 19th May 2012 for the continuing relationship between migratory birds and people. HN organized bird watching programs and conducting school awareness programs with the theme Migratory birds and people - together through time. During education awareness programme, our team shared knowledge on birds with the highlight on the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.
Program localities
Kosi Bird Observatory (KBO), Koshi, east Nepal, the First Bird Observatory and Field Education Centre in Nepal
Himalayan Nature has set up Nepal's first bird observatory Kosi Bird Observatory, the first Bird Observatory and Field Education Centre in Nepal, is situated to the north of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. KBO acts as a training and research center for wetland and grassland studies. It is flanked by two Important Bird Areas, Dharan Forests to the east and Koshi Tappu and Koshi Barrage to the south. Most importantly it lies in an ideal place for studying Nepal's birds at a point where the mighty Koshi river finally opens out after completing many meanders through the high mountains and hills of Nepal. The site is now, in essence, a mini bird reserve complementing the conservation efforts achieved by the Government of Nepal when Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established to protect the rich natural heritage further down river. The team at KBO led by Mr Sanjiv Acharya, field assistant undertook bird watching and education awareness programme in and around Dharan forest and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Lumbini, Central Nepal
As in the previous year's celebration, bird watching and bird count were organized in the sacred pond around Maya Devi Temple, along the north of Tellar River and Gaidahawa Lake of Lumbini. HN team at Lumbini conducted bird watching activities in Lumbini including Gaidahawa Lake, a key biodiversity area (KBA). Gaidahawa Lake is an important breeding site for Sarus Crane Grus antigone and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and also serves as a habitat for a small resident and wintering population of several species of water birds. Besides bird watching activities, our field ornothologist, Mr Dinesh Giri conducted awareness activities on birds and their habitat conservation among the students of local private and government schools.
Results
A total of 48 species were recorded during the program period that was started from 7 am to 11 am in the morning.
The most abundant species was Blue-tailed Bee-eater followed by Common Coot, Intermediate Egret, Green Bee-eater and Asian Openbill.( Fig: 1)
Fig: 1. Top five bird species recorded in Lumbini
A total of 16 species birds were recorded with the most abundant Tufted Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Little Tern and Northern Pintail.
Fig: 2. Top five species in Koshi area
Some glimpse of the programme
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Tufted duck
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge with gratitude to all the conservation partners and all passionate students along with the local people of Koshi and Lumbini in making World Migratory Bird Day a success. Special thanks to the all the following:
Dr Hem Sagar Baral
Mr Dinesh Giri
Mr Asok Kumar Ram
Mr Sharad Singh
Mr Sanjiv Acharya
Mr Suman Acharya
Mr Dhan Bahadur Karki
Mr Buddhi Timsina
Mr Tikaram Tamang
Mr Dinesh Ghimire
Mr Anish Timsina
Mrs Prava Pandey
WMBD Program Coordinator
Prativa Kaspal
Conservation Officer
Himalayan Nature
Annex: 1 Checklist from Lumbini
Bird Species
Count
Bird Species
Count
Ashy Prinia
9
Lesser Adjutant
2
Asian Koel
4
Lesser Whistling Duck
1
Asian Openbill
15
Little cormorant
1
Black Drongo
2
Little Egret
1
Black Kite
7
Little Grebe
3
Black-shoudered Kite
1
Long-tailed Shrike
2
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
100
Oriental Turttle Dove
2
Bronze-winged Jacana
3
Paddy Field Pipit
3
Brown Crake
3
Pied Bushchat
10
Cattle Egret
5
Pied Bushchat
3
Common Coot
30
Plain Prinia
1
Common Kestrel
7
Purple Heron
2
Common Moorhen
2
Red-collard Dove
8
Cotton Pigmy Goose
1
Red-wattled Lapwing
2
Eurasian Collared Dove
5
Sarus Crane
9
Greater Coucal
8
Scaly-breasted Munia
6
Green Bee-eater
16
Spotted Dove
1
Green Sand piper
3
Stork billed Kingfisher
10
Grey Francolin
1
White- eyed Buzard
2
Grey Heron
10
White-breasted Waterhen
6
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
2
White-browed Wagtail
1
Indian Pond Heron
2
White-throated Kingfisher
1
Intermediate Egret
19
Yellow-footed green Pigeon
1
Large Egret
2
Zitting cisticola
2
Annex: 2. Checklist from Koshi
Bird Species
Count
Asian Openbill
1
Black-bellied Tern
18
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
2
Common Pochard
31
Cotton Pygmy-goose
8
Eurasian Wigeon
26
Gadwall
12
Greater Painted-snipe
8
Lesser Sand Plover
8
Little Grebe
3
Little Ringed Plover
2
Little Tern
25
Northern Pintail
21
Red- crested Pochard
2
River Tern
18
Tufted Duck
32
Thank you.
Prativa Kaspal
Conservation Officer
PO Box 10918, Lazimpat
Kathmandu Nepal
Tel 977 1 4439042, F 977 1 4444527
Conserving Biodiversity for People
Member of the IUCN, the world's largest network of conservation organisations www.iucn.org
The mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) was introduced to Okinawa in 1910 in an attempt to control the population of venomous snakes and other pests. Like anything introduced it seems to take over and do more damage.
Canon 70d -Ef100-400 IS11
Celebration of World Migratory Bird Day 2012
Migratory birds and people - together through time
An Event Report
of
Himalayan Nature
Background
Birds have always been a great source of inspiration for people all over the world and throughout time. They have fascinated all kinds of people from passionate naturalist, artist, writers and even kids as well. Different aspects of birds such as colourful feathers, brilliant songs and their ability to fly across the globe are all incredible to the earth. For many bird species migration is an essence to survive although its a terrifying journey with wide range of threats. In comparison to the natural threats, human derived activities are the major source for most dangers migrating birds are exposed to.
Nepal has long been known as a home for a wide variety of birds and so far a total of 871 species have been recorded so far. A large number of these are resident but there are also many that migrate over and through the Himalayas. Nepal is enriched by both long distance and altitudinal migrants. Birds in Nepal are facing several threats namely exploitation caused by encroachment for settlement, agriculture, grazing, poaching. Poaching remains widely practiced in the country since the people are highly dependent on biodiversity for their livelihoods.
World Migratory Bird Day is a global annual initiative to celebrate migratory birds and to promote their conservation worldwide. As its regular event celebrations, Himalayan Nature (HN) celebrated the global awareness campaign from 12th to 19th May 2012 for the continuing relationship between migratory birds and people. HN organized bird watching programs and conducting school awareness programs with the theme Migratory birds and people - together through time. During education awareness programme, our team shared knowledge on birds with the highlight on the need for the protection of migratory birds and their habitats.
Program localities
Kosi Bird Observatory (KBO), Koshi, east Nepal, the First Bird Observatory and Field Education Centre in Nepal
Himalayan Nature has set up Nepal's first bird observatory Kosi Bird Observatory, the first Bird Observatory and Field Education Centre in Nepal, is situated to the north of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. KBO acts as a training and research center for wetland and grassland studies. It is flanked by two Important Bird Areas, Dharan Forests to the east and Koshi Tappu and Koshi Barrage to the south. Most importantly it lies in an ideal place for studying Nepal's birds at a point where the mighty Koshi river finally opens out after completing many meanders through the high mountains and hills of Nepal. The site is now, in essence, a mini bird reserve complementing the conservation efforts achieved by the Government of Nepal when Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was established to protect the rich natural heritage further down river. The team at KBO led by Mr Sanjiv Acharya, field assistant undertook bird watching and education awareness programme in and around Dharan forest and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve.
Lumbini, Central Nepal
As in the previous year's celebration, bird watching and bird count were organized in the sacred pond around Maya Devi Temple, along the north of Tellar River and Gaidahawa Lake of Lumbini. HN team at Lumbini conducted bird watching activities in Lumbini including Gaidahawa Lake, a key biodiversity area (KBA). Gaidahawa Lake is an important breeding site for Sarus Crane Grus antigone and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and also serves as a habitat for a small resident and wintering population of several species of water birds. Besides bird watching activities, our field ornothologist, Mr Dinesh Giri conducted awareness activities on birds and their habitat conservation among the students of local private and government schools.
Results
A total of 48 species were recorded during the program period that was started from 7 am to 11 am in the morning.
The most abundant species was Blue-tailed Bee-eater followed by Common Coot, Intermediate Egret, Green Bee-eater and Asian Openbill.( Fig: 1)
Fig: 1. Top five bird species recorded in Lumbini
A total of 16 species birds were recorded with the most abundant Tufted Duck, Eurasian Wigeon, Little Tern and Northern Pintail.
Fig: 2. Top five species in Koshi area
Some glimpse of the programme
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Tufted duck
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge with gratitude to all the conservation partners and all passionate students along with the local people of Koshi and Lumbini in making World Migratory Bird Day a success. Special thanks to the all the following:
Dr Hem Sagar Baral
Mr Dinesh Giri
Mr Asok Kumar Ram
Mr Sharad Singh
Mr Sanjiv Acharya
Mr Suman Acharya
Mr Dhan Bahadur Karki
Mr Buddhi Timsina
Mr Tikaram Tamang
Mr Dinesh Ghimire
Mr Anish Timsina
Mrs Prava Pandey
WMBD Program Coordinator
Prativa Kaspal
Conservation Officer
Himalayan Nature
Annex: 1 Checklist from Lumbini
Bird Species
Count
Bird Species
Count
Ashy Prinia
9
Lesser Adjutant
2
Asian Koel
4
Lesser Whistling Duck
1
Asian Openbill
15
Little cormorant
1
Black Drongo
2
Little Egret
1
Black Kite
7
Little Grebe
3
Black-shoudered Kite
1
Long-tailed Shrike
2
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
100
Oriental Turttle Dove
2
Bronze-winged Jacana
3
Paddy Field Pipit
3
Brown Crake
3
Pied Bushchat
10
Cattle Egret
5
Pied Bushchat
3
Common Coot
30
Plain Prinia
1
Common Kestrel
7
Purple Heron
2
Common Moorhen
2
Red-collard Dove
8
Cotton Pigmy Goose
1
Red-wattled Lapwing
2
Eurasian Collared Dove
5
Sarus Crane
9
Greater Coucal
8
Scaly-breasted Munia
6
Green Bee-eater
16
Spotted Dove
1
Green Sand piper
3
Stork billed Kingfisher
10
Grey Francolin
1
White- eyed Buzard
2
Grey Heron
10
White-breasted Waterhen
6
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
2
White-browed Wagtail
1
Indian Pond Heron
2
White-throated Kingfisher
1
Intermediate Egret
19
Yellow-footed green Pigeon
1
Large Egret
2
Zitting cisticola
2
Annex: 2. Checklist from Koshi
Bird Species
Count
Asian Openbill
1
Black-bellied Tern
18
Blue-tailed Bee-eater
2
Common Pochard
31
Cotton Pygmy-goose
8
Eurasian Wigeon
26
Gadwall
12
Greater Painted-snipe
8
Lesser Sand Plover
8
Little Grebe
3
Little Ringed Plover
2
Little Tern
25
Northern Pintail
21
Red- crested Pochard
2
River Tern
18
Tufted Duck
32
Thank you.
Prativa Kaspal
Conservation Officer
PO Box 10918, Lazimpat
Kathmandu Nepal
Tel 977 1 4439042, F 977 1 4444527
Conserving Biodiversity for People
Member of the IUCN, the world's largest network of conservation organisations www.iucn.org
Bos javanicus javanicus
The handsome banteng largely resembles domestic cattle both in size and colour, but also demonstrates considerable sexual dimorphism, allowing the sexes to be readily distinguished. Mature males have a dark, chestnut-brown coat, more blue-black in the Javan and Bornean individuals, while females and juveniles are reddish brown, with a dark dorsal stripe. The horns of females are short, tightly curved and point inward at the tips, whereas those of males are long, upwardly arching and connected by a horn-like bald patch on the forehead. Both sexes have the characteristic white ‘stockings’ on their lower legs, a white rump and muzzle, and white spots above the eyes. A gentle hump exists above the shoulders, and a slight ridge runs along the back .
Range
The South and Southeast Asian distribution includes the countries of Cambodia, Indonesia (Kalimantan; Java; Bali), Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. Until recently, it also included Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India and Peninsular Malaysia. There is also a fairly large introduced population of banteng in Northern Australia, which are currently thought to number up to 400 animals.
Wild Animal Park Escondido Ca.
Moray eels are cosmopolitan eels of the family Muraenidae. The approximately 200 species in 15 genera are almost exclusively marine, but several species are regularly seen in brackish water and a few, for example the freshwater moray (Gymnothorax polyuranodon) can sometimes be found in freshwater.[2] With a maximum length of 11.5 centimetres (4.5 in), the smallest moray is likely the Snyder's moray (Anarchias leucurus),[3] while the longest species, the slender giant moray (Strophidon sathete) reaches up to 4 metres (13 ft).[4] The largest in terms of total mass is the giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus), which reaches almost 3 metres (9.8 ft) and can weigh over 36 kilograms (79 lb).
The Morays are frequently thought of as particularly vicious or ill-tempered animals. In truth, morays hide from humans in crevices and would rather flee than fight. Morays are shy and secretive, and attack humans only in self-defence or mistaken identity. Most attacks stem from disruption of a moray's burrow (to which they do react strongly), but an increasing number also occur during hand-feeding of morays by divers, an activity often used by dive companies to attract tourists. Morays have poor vision and rely mostly on their acute sense of smell, making distinguishing between fingers and held food difficult; numerous divers have lost fingers while attempting hand feedings. For this reason the hand feeding of moray eels has been banned in some locations, including the Great Barrier Reef. The moray's rear-hooked teeth and primitive but strong bite mechanism also makes bites on humans more severe, as the eel cannot release its grip even in death and must be manually pried off. While the majority are not believed to be venomous, circumstantial evidence suggests that a few species may be.
Eels that have eaten certain types of toxic algae, or more frequently that have eaten fishes that have eaten some of these algae, can cause ciguatera fish poisoning if eaten. Morays rest in crevices during the day and hunt nocturnally, although they may ensnare small fish and crustaceans that pass near them during the day.
Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanica)
The lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Like other members of its genus, it has a bare neck and head. It is however more closely associated with wetland habitats where it is solitary and is less likely to scavenge than the related greater adjutant. It is a widespread species found from India through Southeast Asia to Java.
Description
A large stork with an upright stance, a bare head and neck without a pendant pouch, it has a length of 87–93 cm (34–37 in) (outstretched from bill-to-tail measurement), weighs from 4 to 5.71 kg (8.8 to 12.6 lb) and stands about 110–120 cm (43–47 in) tall. The only confusable species is the greater adjutant, but this species is generally smaller and has a straight upper bill edge (culmen), measuring 25.8–30.8 cm (10.2–12.1 in) in length, with a paler base and appears slightly trimmer and less hunch-backed. The skullcap is paler and the upper plumage is uniformly dark, appearing almost all black. The nearly naked head and neck have a few scattered hair-like feathers. The upper shank or tibia is grey rather than pink, the tarsus measures 22.5–26.8 cm (8.9–10.6 in). The belly and undertail are white. Juveniles are a duller version of the adult but have more feathers on the nape. During the breeding season, the face is reddish and the neck is orange. The larger median wing coverts are tipped with copper spots and the inner secondary coverts and tertials have narrow white edging. The wing chord measures 57.5–66 cm (22.6–26.0 in) in length. Like others in the genus, they retract their necks in flight. In flight, the folded neck can appear like the pouch of the greater adjutant. Males and females appear similar in plumage but males tend to be larger and heavier billed.
Distribution and habitat
The lesser adjutant tends to be widely dispersed and is very local. It is often found in large rivers and lakes inside well wooded regions. It is found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh (A colony with about 6 nests and 20 individuals was discovered near Thakurgaon in 2011.), Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore, Indonesia and Cambodia. The greatest populations are in Cambodia. In India they are mainly distributed in the eastern states of Assam, West Bengal and Bihar. It may occur as a vagrant on the southern edge of Bhutan. They are extremely rare in southern India.
Behaviour and ecology
The lesser adjutant stalks around wetlands feeding mainly on fish, frogs, reptiles and large invertebrates. They rarely feed on carrion. They may also take small birds and rodents particularly during the breeding season. They are solitary except during the breeding season when they form loose colonies. The breeding season is February to May in southern India and November to January in north-eastern India. The nest is a large platform of sticks placed on a tall tree. The nest diameter is more than a metre and up to a metre deep. The clutch consists of three to four eggs. They are silent but have been noted to clatter their bill, hiss and moan at the nest.
[Credit: en.wikipedia.org]
[syn. Mariscus javanicus]
Polynesian Names: ʻAhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi); ʻEhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi), Mahele (ʻUvea); Māhelehele (Tonga); Māselehele (Futuna); Mauku tatau tai (Cook Islands); Moʻu haʻari (Society Islands); Mouku (Marquesas); Mouʻu (Austral Islands, Marquesas); Selesele (Samoa)
Cyperaceae
Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands
Oʻahu (Cultivated)
Early Hawaiians pounded stems of ʻahuʻawa until they were only fibers and used them as strainers for ʻawa or niu (coconut), and as cordage. Fibers soaked for a few hours to free pulp, dried in the sun for a day or two, and then could be used. The fibers were very durable lasting two years or more. The cordage was used for cords (hāwele) or nets (kōkō puʻupuʻu) designed to carry ʻumeke (food or water containers).
The stringy fibers were also made into brushes to paint color onto tapa.
The leaves and seed/fruit were used in lei.
www.messersmith.name/wordpress/2010/02/09/a-good-spotter-...
Since my good dive buddy Richard Jones got bent a while back he has not been able to dive, until recently. He finally got an insurance company to cover him up to 18 metres. So, when we go diving, we stay shallow and enjoy the best that the reefs have to offer. This is good news all around. Rich is back in the water, we are more or less confined to the best part of the reef for photography and Rich has eyes like an eagle.
Rich and I have had some great diving adventures together and I'm so glad to have him back on Faded Glory. He also has just purchased a Canon G11 and housing, so I'm expecting that a competition will soon begin. He is a nudibranch freak. Get ready for a steady diet of rare nudis. Yum, yum.
Here's a shot of Rich on our first cooperative, "I spot, you shoot." dive:
Notice him giving me the "come hither" signal.
The first thing that we saw when we got off of the boat in pretty miserable conditions, with dirty fresh water from the Gol Gol River over us was this lumbering Sea Cucumber (Thelenota ananas): Pretty is not a word that I would use to describe these alien critters.
I think that this must be some kind of algae, although the colour looks highly improbable: It really is as purple as it looks. It waves around in the current like silky hair. I thought that there was a slim possibility that it was a clutch of nudibranch eggs, but nothing that I can find matches it. After Googling for a few minutes, I gave up. Anybody have a better idea? I also tried "purple marine algae", but no luck.
We see giant Barrel Sponges all the time. However, we seldom see small ones. It's the old, "Where are the baby pigeons?" question. Here is a shot of a very young Barrel Sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria): It is only about the size of your fist. The big ones can be the size and weight of a Volkswagen. There is a Squirrelfish or Soldierfish of some kind peeking at me from below the ledge. I can't see enough of the body to identify it.
This poor crab was somebody's dinner. All that's left of him is one claw: It's amazing that we see so little evidence of the nightly carnage on the reef.
I snapped this quick shot as a school of Narrow-Stripe Fusiliers (Pterocaesio tessellata) with one Blue and Yellow Fusilier (Caesio teres) flashed past me. It's a credit to the G11, not to me, that the image came out looking as good as it does: Not a wall hanger, but you can identify the fish.
Finally, here is a nasty-tempered Moray Eel (Gymnothorax javanicus): This grumpy customer kept sticking his toothy face right out at me. If he looked as if he were going to bite, I'd just bump his nose with my camera, not hard, just enough to make his teensy-weensy brain reboot. He's pull back in his hole and sulk for a few seconds and then peek out again. No harm - no foul.
I know that I'm going to get bit some day. Ah, well, a few more scars. It just adds to the legend (in my head).
[syn. Mariscus javanicus]
Polynesian Names: ʻAhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi); ʻEhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi), Mahele (ʻUvea); Māhelehele (Tonga); Māselehele (Futuna); Mauku tatau tai (Cook Islands); Moʻu haʻari (Society Islands); Mouku (Marquesas); Mouʻu (Austral Islands, Marquesas); Selesele (Samoa)
Cyperaceae
Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands
Oʻahu (Cultivated)
Early Hawaiians pounded stems of ʻahuʻawa until they were only fibers and used them as strainers for ʻawa or niu (coconut), and as cordage. Fibers soaked for a few hours to free pulp, dried in the sun for a day or two, and then could be used. The fibers were very durable lasting two years or more. The cordage was used for cords (hāwele) or nets (kōkō puʻupuʻu) designed to carry ʻumeke (food or water containers).
The stringy fibers were also made into brushes to paint color onto tapa.
The leaves and seed/fruit were used in lei.
The whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a number of geographical races, differing mainly in size and minor plumage details.
C. h. hybrida breeds in warmer parts of Europe and Asia. The smaller-billed and darker C. h. delalandii is found in east and south Africa, and the paler C. h. javanicus from Java to Australia.
The tropical forms are resident, but European and Asian birds winter south to Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.
This species breeds in colonies on inland marshes, sometimes amongst black-headed gulls, which provide some protection. The scientific name arises from the fact that this, the largest marsh tern, show similarities in appearance to both the white Sterna terns and to Black Tern.