Bangladeshi birds are coded for abundance, breeding, wintering, migration, endemic, rare,
etc.; Two thousands pages on birds, nature, bird seeing, where to go birding, birds and nature images, nature conservation, equipment, bird feeding, etc.
This country is the home to a huge number of species of birds that vary from residents, that stay total year around, to breeding birds, that spend a well part of the growing season
in Bangladesh to raise their young, migrants who pass through
Bangladesh with the seasons, to wintering birds who like to spend most
part of the winter in Bangladesh to escape colder conditions up north.
While many kinds of birds are relatively common such they are part of the
ecosystems of the country, it is always a thrill to stumble upon a rare bird
or vagrant, that does not really form part of any the Bangladesh ecosystems.
Maybe it got lost during its travels between its summer and winter residence or
it got displaced by bad weather.
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| The national bird of Bangladesh |
Among the kinds of the checklist of
the birds of this country you can search waterfowl and wading birds,
a huge suite of song birds, raptors, game birds, swifts and
nighthawks, etc., many of which occupy several ecosystems simultaneously, as
they fly to and from forests, meadows, shorelines of waters, cities and and
urban green spaces. At Birdlist, we have developed a coding system that can help
you predict when you may expect a certain species, with a code for seasonality,
such as resident, nesting, wintering, etc. A code for abundance will give you a
clue on the likelihood that you may actually see a certain species of bird.
As we progressed with the coding, we realized that there should be a
differentiation in the coding for "common", such as less common,
common and very common birds. However, this would require reliable
quantative data, which for most states, are not revealed by the commission of bird
records. We hope to provide those in the future. In the meantime, enjoy the
current checklist of the birds of Bangladesh.
There are different types of birds in our country. They are different
in colour , size and habit. They eat different kinds of food. Some
birds eat fish and flesh, some live on warms and insects, some on fruits
and grains some on filth and grains, some on filth and garbage’s .
birds are divided into many classes. They are teasing birds, song birds,
rapacious birds. Game birds, migratory birds and tailor birds.
There are some great locations for bird watching in Bangladesh:
forests, mountains, and even choice areas in and around most of the
lakes. However, if you don't know what you're looking for then you might
as well sleep in or go searching for Bengal Tigers.
The Doel or the magpie robin is the national bird of Bangladesh. One of the more familiar birds
about towns and villages. Shy, silent and unobtrusive during
non-breeding season, but known to pull a complete change of character
that more often than not sees it skulking about in the bushes and trees,
subtly cooing in hopes of attracting a mate.
Conspicuous during breeding season when the male Doel sings lustily
(chirping the bird equivalent of Barry White) from its favorite treetop
or post, specifically during early mornings and late afternoons. The
doel's chirping is accentuated by upward jerks of its white fringed
tail. The Doel also happens to be a very good mimic of other birds'
calls (which is a good trick to know when you're out searching for a
mate). It jealously guards its breeding territory, and intruding males
are regaled with all sorts of bird machismo including a puffed out
chest, strutting about a general display of arrogance (much like you
would expect to find in Naples, Italy - only there we're not talking about birds).
The Shalik or myna bird is a very common bird species
in Bangladesh. A common myna is about the size of an American robin.
Its colors range from rich wine-brown on the lower breast to deep black
on the head, neck, and upper breast. It has a splash of white on the
lower edge of its wings, and its bill and legs are a bright yellow. This
myna feeds on plants, insects, and worms. It often builds its nest in
crevices of buildings. It is a noisy bird that is common about yards and
buildings. Thus, you don't need to travel far to find a myna staring
back at you within your binoculars range of vision. It is often seen
among chickens or perched on the backs of cattle.
Just like back in the United States, mynas are easily taught to imitate the human voice and can talk, sing, and whistle.
Meanwhile, the Machhhranga or the kingfisher is very common in the
Bangladesh river delta. Twelve varieties of kingfishers have been
recorded in Bang including the brown-winged, white-collard, black-capped
and the rare ruddy kingfisher.
The Kaththokra or the woodpecker boasts an incredible 22 different in the country, especially in the Sundarbans.
And finally, the red-cockaded woodpecker is becoming rarer and
identified as a vulnerable species in Bang, its classification being
listed just under endangered.
It doesn't take much too really get sucked into the joy of bird
watching. A field guide, a sturdy pair of binoculars and a little
patience. Check out the Travel link on Bangladesh.com for reliable points-of-contact for tour agencies that can provide transport to the best bird watching areas in the region.
The Doel or the magpie robin
is the national bird of Bangladesh. One of the more familiar birds about
towns and villages. Shy, silent and unobtrusive during non-breeding
season, then skulking in shrubbery and only uttering plaintive swee-ee
and harsh chur-r. Conspicuous during breeding season when male sings
lustily from favourite tree-top or post, chiefly early mornings and late
afternoons. Song punctuated by upward jerks of white fringed tail. Also
very good mimic of other birds' calls. Breeding territories jealously
guarded, and intruding males defied with puffing- out, strutting and
much show of pugnacity.
The Machhhranga or the
kingfisher is very common in riverine Bangladesh. Twelve varieties of
kingfishers have been recorded here including the brown-winged,
white-collard, black-capped and the rare ruddy kingfisher.
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| Kingfisher on Action |
The Shalik (myna) is a very
common bird in Bangladesh. The common myna is about the size of an
American robin. Its colors range from rich wine-brown on the lower
breast to deep black on the head, neck, and upper breast. It has a
splash of white on the lower edge of its wings, and its bill and legs
are a bright yellow. This myna feeds on plants, insects, and worms. It
often builds its nest in crevices of buildings. It is a noisy bird that
is common about yards and buildings. It is often seen among chickens or
perched on the backs of cattle. People have released the common myna
into the wild in many tropical Pacific islands, including Hawaii, where
the bird is now abundant. Talking mynas are sometimes kept as pets. Many
imitate the human voice and can talk, sing, and whistle.
Herons are carnivorous and
largely eat fishes and frogs. Usually the birds stand still in or near
the water or on some objects floating or emergent in the water, and
suddenly strike at the passing prey either impaling or killing it
instantly. Cattle Egrets often follow grazing cattle and catch insects,
frogs and small reptiles disturbed by them.
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| Herons bird of Bangladesh |
Common
Bangladeshi herons are Pond Heron or Paddybird (Kani or Kana Bok),
Ardeola grayii; Cattle Egret (Go-bok), Bubulcus ibis; Little Egret
(Choto Sada Bok), Egretta garzetta; Median/Intermediate Egret (Majhari
Sada Bok), Egretta (new name: Mesophyox) intermedia; Large Egret (Bora
or Jathua Bok), Egretta alba (new name: Casmerodius albus); Grey Heron
(Dhushar Bok), Ardea cinerea; Purple Heron (Beguni Bok), Ardea purpurea;
Giant or Goliath Heron (Brihat or Mohakai Bok), Ardea goliath;
Black-crowned Night Heron (Wak or Nishi Bok), Nycticorax nycticorax and
Tiger Bittern (Bagha Bok), Gorsachius melanolopus. All but the night and
tiger herons are diurnal while these two species are nocturnal or
crepuscular. Goliath Heron is either migratory or vagrant in the country
and there have been only a few records of sightings during past few
decades. Pond Heron, Little Egret and Cattle Egret are the most common
and widespread herons in the country. Tiger Bittern is less common and
secretive than the Night Heron.
