Tripura is a state in northeastern India, and it is home to a wide variety of bird species. From the dense forests of the hill ranges to the wetlands and grasslands, the state provides an ideal habitat for numerous resident and migratory birds.
The varied topography of Tripura makes it a perfect location for bird enthusiasts and ornithologists to study and observe avian behavior. A diverse species found their home here having the weather and food supply.
This article will delve into the birds that commonly live in Tripura, detailing their characteristics and habitats.
1. Macronus Gularis
The Macronus gularis bird, commonly known as the Pin-Striped Tit-Babbler or Yellow-Breasted Babbler, is a species of Old World babbler found in South and Southeast Asia.
It was first described by American naturalist Thomas Horsfield in 1822 based on specimens collected from Sumatra.
The name ‘Macronus’ comes from the Greek words for “long” and “nose”, referring to its long beak.
They have brownish gray upperparts with paler underparts covered with bold black streaks along their sides and wings; they also have yellow throats which make them easily recognizable at a distance.
Macronus gularis are social birds that live in small groups of 3-10 individuals and communicate through loud calls such as chirps or trills but also use contact calls like whistles when separated from other members of their group.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, fruits, seeds, flowers buds – making them important pollinators.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Timaliidae |
| Genus | Mixornis |
| Species | M. gularis |
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2. Green Imperial Pigeon
The Green Imperial Pigeon is a majestic bird found in the forests of Nepal, Southern India and Sri Lanka eastwards to southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Measuring at around 37–44 cm long with an average wingspan of 63-71cm, this beautiful creature has deep green plumage on its body along with white patches underneath both wings which make it easily distinguishable from other birds.
In 1760 Mathurin Jacques Brisson described this species as “Le pigeon ramier des Moluques” or “P”. It feeds mainly on fruits like those from fig trees but also eats buds, flowers and arthropods when available.
The Green Imperial Pigeon builds nests mostly high up in tree hollows for protection against predators.
These pigeons are pretty shy animals so it’s important that we do our best not to disturb them while trying to observe their beauty.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Species | D. aenea |
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3. Little Spiderhunter
The Little spiderhunter is a bird that belongs to the family Nectariniidae and is found in the moist forests of South and Southeast Asia.
This species of long-billed nectar-feeding bird is very similar in plumage for males and females, unlike typical sunbirds.
The Little spiderhunter is usually seen alone or in pairs and frequently makes a tzeck call. They are commonly spotted near flowering plants where they obtain nectar.
This bird is a small and agile species that feeds on nectar and insects. They have long bills that allow them to extract nectar from flowers with ease.
The Little spiderhunter is an important species for maintaining the balance of the forest ecosystem as they help in the pollination of flowers while feeding on nectar.
Overall, the Little spiderhunter is an interesting and important bird species that can be observed in the tropical forests of Asia.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Nectariniidae |
| Genus | Arachnothera |
| Species | A. longirostra |
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4. Puff-Throated Babbler
The Puff-throated babbler, also known as the spotted babbler, is a passerine bird commonly found in Asia. This species is generally found in scrub and moist forests, particularly in hilly areas.
Puff-throated babblers forage in small groups on the forest floor, often turning over leaf litter to find food. Their preferred habitat makes them difficult to spot because they tend to stay low in the undergrowth.
Despite this, puff-throated babblers have distinct and loud calls that help draw attention to their presence. This bird is known for having a red-crowned head and a puffy throat which looks like a brown necklace.
Being part of a small group allows them to defend territories and find food more efficiently.
The puff-throated babbler has become a popular bird for birdwatchers visiting Asia.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pellorneidae |
| Genus | Pellorneum |
| Species | P. ruficeps |
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5. Taiga Flycatcher
The Taiga flycatcher, also known as the red-throated flycatcher, is a migratory bird that belongs to the family Muscicapidae. It was first identified by Peter Simon Pallas in 1811.
The female has brown upper parts with a blackish tail bordered by white. Her breast is buffish, while her underparts are predominantly white.
The male, on the other hand, has ear coverts and sides of the neck that are gray tinged with blue.
Breeding males exhibit orange on their throats. The Taiga flycatcher is known for its magnificent plumage, which is a sight to behold.
It is a highly migratory bird that is highly sought after by bird enthusiasts for its stunning colors and unique appearance.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Ficedula |
| Species | F. albicilla |
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6. Oriental Scops Owl
The Oriental scops owl is a small and colorful bird species that can be found in eastern and southern parts of Asia. It has yellow eyes and ear-tufts that are not always upright.
This species can be differentiated from the collared scops owl by its whitish scapular stripe, well-defined underparts, and absence of a pale collar.
The Oriental scops owl has two color variations, which are grey and rufous, with intermediate forms also existing.
Despite being small in size, this owl species is often spotted in its natural habitat and is admired for its beauty.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Otus |
| Species | O. sunia |
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7. Pale-Chinned Blue Flycatcher
The Pale-chinned blue flycatcher, also known as Brook’s flycatcher, is a small bird belonging to the Muscicapidae family.
It has a sparrow-sized body and is bluish-grey in color with a rufous throat and white underparts.
During nesting season, which occurs from April to June, the bird’s natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
The bird can be found in countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
The male of the species has distinct coloring, while the female is generally duller in color.
Despite its small size, the Pale-chinned blue flycatcher is an important species in the ecosystem and plays a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal in its habitat.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Cyornis |
| Species | C. poliogenys |