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West Bengal and Sikkim, India, 2002
Jan Vermeulen

Systematic list of birds

This list follows the taxonomy, names and sequence of James F. Clements (Birds of the World, A Check List, Fifth Edition, 2000). This fifth edition is based primarily on the higher taxonomic sequence outlined in the “Handbook of the Birds of the World” series published by Lynx Edicions.

Species in brackets are the English names in "A Field Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subcontinent” by Krys Kazmierczak & Ber van Perlo, but only mentioned when these differ substantially from the Clements Check List.

The Dutch names follow the translated "Complete Checklist of Birds of the World" (Complete Checklist van Vogels van de Wereld) of Michael Walters.


Numbers quoted are estimates of the minimum numbers seen.

The following abbreviations are used:

(W)  =  West Bengal
(S)   =  Sikkim
WLS =  Wildlife Sanctuary
15+  =  a minimum of 15 birds


1.  GREAT Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo, Aalscholver
A single one along the Teesta  River (S).

2.  Great Egret, Ardea alba, Grote Zilverreiger
2 along the Teesta  River (W).

3.  Indian Pond-Heron, Ardeola grayii, Indische Ralreiger
A fairly common bird en route Bagdogra – Kalimpong (W).

4.  Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis, Koereiger
A common bird en route Bagdogra – Kalimpong (W).

5.  RED-NAPED (BLACK) IBIS, Pseudibis papillosa, Wrattenibis
6 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

6.  Lesser Adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus, Javaanse Maraboe
2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

7.  BAR-HEADED GOOSE, Anser indicus, Indische Gans
5 flying north over Lava (W).

8.  BLACK BAZA, Aviceda leuphotes, Zwarte Koekoekswouw
2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

9.  Oriental Honey-buzzard, Pernis ptilorhynchus, Aziatische Wespendief
3 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

10.   Black Kite, Milvus migrans, Zwarte Wouw
15+ en route Bagdogra – Kalimpong (W).

11.   WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE, Gyps bengalenis, Bengaalse Gier
A single bird at the Mahananda WLS (W).

12.   SLENDER-BILLED Vulture, Gyps tenuirostris, Dunsnavelgier Long-billed Vultureis now split into the above and Indian Vulture(Gyps indicus). 25+ at the Mahananda WLS (W).

13.   Crested Serpent-Eagle, Spilornis cheela, Indische Slangenarend 1 at Lava (W), 1 near Singtam (S), 1 at the lower Tholung Valley (S) and 2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

14.   Crested Goshawk, Accipiter trivirgatus, Kuifhavik
A pair at the Algarah Road near Lava (W).

15.   Shikra, Accipiter badius, Shikra
Single ones along the Teesta  River (S), at the lower Tholung Valley (S) and at the Mahananda WLS (W).

16.   Besra, Accipiter virgatus, Besrasperwer
2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

17.   EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK, Accipiter nisus, Sperwer
Singles at Lava (W) and the lower Tholung Valley (S) and 2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

18.   NORTHERN GOSHAWK, Accipiter gentilis, Havik
A single observation at the Tholung Valley (Tholung Gompa) in Sikkim.

19.   EURASIAN BUZZARD, Buteo buteo, Buizerd
Single ones at Lava (W) and Damthang Forest (S) and 2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

20.   UPLAND BUZZARD, Buteo hemilasius, Mongoolse Buizerd
A splendid observation at the upper Tholung Valley (S).

21.   Black Eagle, Ictinaetus malayensis, Indische Zwarte Arend
A single bird at Lava (W).

22.   MOUNTAIN Hawk-Eagle, Spizaetus nipalensis, Aziatische Kuifarend
4 in the Lava area (W).

23.   Eurasian Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus, Torenvalk
2 near Singtam (S) and 2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

24.   SATYR TRAGOPAN, Tragopan satyra, Rood Saterhoen
Heard at the upper Tholung Valley (S).

25.   RED JUNGLEFOWL, Gallus gallus, Bankivahoen
3 near Kalimpong (W).

26.   KALIJ PHEASANT, Lophura leucomelanos, Nepalfazant
Single ones along the Algarah road (W), at Lava (Rachet Forest) and at the Tholung Valley (S).

27.    RIVER LAPWING, Vanellus duvaucelii, Indische Sporenkievit
3 along the Teesta  River (W).

28.   Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus, Regenwulp  
Twice heard while flying over the Tholung Valley (S).

29.   Rock Dove, Columba livia, Stadsduif
Common in villages and towns.

30.   ASHY WOOD-PIGEON, Columba pulchricollis, Leigrijze Houtduif
8 at the Tholung Valley (Tholung Gompa – Hot Springs) in Sikkim.

31.   ORIENTAL TURTLE-DOVE, Streptopelia orientalis, Oosterse Tortel
Up to 4 a day; seen almost every day of the trip.

32.   SPOTTED DOVE, Streptopelia chinensis, Parelhalstortel
Only one near Algarah (W).

33.   BARRED CUCKOO-DOVE, Macropygia unchall, Gestreepte Koekoeksduif
4 near Algarah at the fort (W).

34.   RED-BREASTED PARAKEET, Psittacula alexandri, Alexanderparkiet
10+ at the Mahananda WLS (W).

35.   LARGE HAWK-CUCKOO, Cuculus sparverioides, Grote Sperwerkoekoek
Heard every day of the trip, but seen only once along the Algarah Road (W).

36.   COMMON CUCKOO, Cuculus canorus, Koekoek
Heard a few times in the Lava area (W).

37.   ORIENTAL CUCKOO, Cuculus saturatus, Boskoekoek
Heard at Paktham Forest near Lava (W).

38.   Asian Koel, Eudynamys scolopacea, Indische Koël
Heard at the lower Tholung Valley (S) and 3 seen at the Mahananda WLS (W).

39.   GREEN-BILLED Malkoha, Phaenicophaeus tristis, Grote Groensnavelmalkoha
1 at Kalimpong (W), 2 along the Teesta  River (S), 1 at Damthang Forest (S) and 3 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

40.   Greater Coucal, Centropus sinensis, Chinese Spoorkoekoek
Often heard, but seen only 2 birds at the Mahananda WLS (W).

41.   Brown Wood-Owl, Strix leptogrammica, Bruine Bosuil
1 at Kalimpong (W) and heard at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

42.   ASIAN BARRED OWLET, Glaucidium cuculoides, Koekoeksdwerguil
4 at Kalimpong (W), 1 at Lava (W) and small numbers at the Tholung Valley (S).

43.   HIMALAYAN SWIFTLET, Aerodramus brevirostris, Himalayasalangaan
Fairly common in the Lava area and in the Tholung Valley (S).

44.   FORK-TAILED SWIFT, Apus pacificus, Siberische Gierzwaluw
4 at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

45.   HOUSE SWIFT, Apus nipalensis, Aziatische Huisgierzwaluw
20+ at Kalimpong (W), common at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

46.   White-throated Kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis, Smyrnaijsvogel
Small numbers along the Teesta  River (W/S).

47.   CRESTED Kingfisher, Megaceryle lugubris, Chinese Reuzenijsvogel
A single bird along the Teesta  River (S).

48.   Pied Kingfisher, Ceryle rudis, Bonte IJsvogel
A single observation along the Teesta  River (W).

49.   Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti, Bruikopbijeneter
20+ along the Teesta  River (W/S).

50.   Indian Roller, Coracias benghalensis, Indische Scharrelaar
8 en route Bagdogra – Kalimpong (W).

51.   DOLLARBIRD, Eurystomus orientalis, Dollarvogel
2 near Singtam (S).

52.   Eurasian Hoopoe, Upupa epops, Hop
A single bird at the Mahananda WLS (W).

53.   indian Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros birostris, Wigstaarttok
A single bird at the Mahananda WLS (W).

54.   GREAT Barbet, Megalaima virens, Grote Baardvogel
A fairly common species in the visited areas, with numbers up to 8 a day.

55.   GOLDEN-THROATED BARBET, Megalaima franklinii, Goudkeelbaardvogel
1 along the Algarah Road (W) and 2 at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

56.   GREY-CAPPED WOODPECKER, Dendrocopos canicapillus, Grijskapspecht
A single one along the Algarah Road (W).

57.   RUFOUS-BELLIED WOODPECKER, Dendrocopos hyperythrus, Bruinkeelspecht
A single bird at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

58.   DARJEELING WOODPECKER, Dendrocopos darjellensis, Darjeelingspecht
4 at the Tholung Valley (Tholung Gompa) and 2 at the upper Tholung Valley in Sikkim.

59.   CRIMSON-BREASTED WOODPECKER, Dendrocopos cathpharius, Roodborstspecht
3 at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

60.   GREATER YELLOWNAPE, Picus flavinucha, Grote Geelkuifspecht
3 in the Algarah area (W) and 2 along the Teesta  River (S).

61.   BAY WOODPECKER, Blythipicus pyrrhotis, Roodoorspecht
Up to 4 a day in the Tholung Valley (S).

62.   BARN SWALLOW, Hirundo rustica, Boerenzwaluw
10+ at Kalimpong and Algarah (W).

63.   NEPAL MARTIN, Delichon nipalensis, Nepalese Huiszwaluw
10+ at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

64.   BLACK-BACKED WAGTAIL, Motacilla lugens, Zwartrugkwikstaart
A single bird along the Teesta  River (S).

65.   CITRINE WAGTAIL, Motacilla citreola, Citroenkwikstaart
A splendid observation of a bird in breeding plumage at the Tholung Valley (Tholung Gompa) in Sikkim.

66.   GREY WAGTAIL, Motacilla cinerea, Grote Gele Kwikstaart
2 along the Algarah Road (W).

67.   OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, Anthus hodgsoni, Siberische Boompieper
A common and widespread species.

68.   ROSY PIPIT, Anthus roseatus, Wijnborstpieper
Up to 50 a day in the Tholung Valley (S).

69.   Large Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina macei, Grote Rupsvogel
2 at the Mahananda WLS (W).

70.   Black-WINGed Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina melaschistos, Rouwrupsvogel
1 along the Algarah Road (W), 1 at Damthang Forest (S) and 5 at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

71.   Small Minivet, Pericrocotus cinnamomeus, Kleine Menievogel
2 along the Teesta  River (S).

72.   SHORT-BILLED MINIVET, Pericrocotus brevirostris, Kortsnavelmenievogel
A common species in the mountains.

73.   Scarlet Minivet, Pericrocotus flammeus, Scharlaken Menievogel
2 at the Mahananda WLS (W) and 2 along the Teesta  River (S).

74.   STRIATED BULBUL, Pycnonotus striatus, Gestreepte Buulbuul
Up to 10 a day in the Lava area (W) and at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

75.   BLACK-CRESTED BULBUL, Pycnonotus melanicterus, Goudborstbuulbuul
7 along the Teesta  River (S).

76.   WHITE-CHEEKED (HIMALAYAN) BULBUL, Pycnonotus leucogenys, Witwangbuulbuul
A few in Kalimpong and at Lava (W) and a few at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

77.   RED-VENTED BULBUL, Pycnonotus cafer, Roodbuikbuulbuul
A very common and widespread species in the lower areas.

78.   BLACK BULBUL, Hypsipetes leucocephalus, Zwarte Buulbuul
4 at Lava (W), up to 15 a day at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

79.   Golden-fronted Leafbird, Chloropsis aurifrons, Goudvoorhoofdbladvogel
3 along the Teesta  River (S).

80.   ORANGE-BELLIED LEAFBIRD, Chloropsis hardwickii, Oranjebuikbladvogel
2 along the Teesta River (S) and up to 4 a day at the lower Tholung Valley (S).

81.   Common Iora, Aegithina tiphia, Gewone Iora
2 in the trees along the Teesta  River (S).

82.   WINTER WREN, Troglodytes troglodytes, Winterkoning
4 at the upper Tholung Valley (S).

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