Hebomoia glaucippe (Great Orange Tip) - Sikkim Butterfly

Scientific classification

Kingdom:        Animalia

Phylum:           Euarthropoda

Class:               Insecta

Order:              Lepidoptera

Family:            Pieridae

Genus:             Hebomoia

Species:           H. glaucippe

Binomial name: Hebomoia glaucippe (Linnaeus, 1758)

Other Names: Great Orange-Tip

Special feature: The butterfly is yellow/orange and white. This species is found in much of south and Southeast Asia

Blue-fronted redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis - female) - Sikkim Bird

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Chordata

Class:             Aves

Order:            Passeriformes

Family:           Muscicapidae

Genus:            Phoenicurus

Species:           P. frontalis

Binomial name: Phoenicurus frontalis Vigors, 1832

Other Names:  The female is brownish-grey, with paler under parts. Its range includes the northern regions of the Indian Subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. (Wikipedia)

Yellow-bellied fantail (Chelidorhynx hypoxantha) - Sikkim Bird

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Chordata

Class:              Aves

Order:            Passeriformes

Family:           Stenostiridae

Genus:            Chelidorhynx Hodgson, 1844

Species:           C. hypoxantha

Binomial name: Chelidorhynx hypoxantha Blyth, 1843

Other Names:  yellow-bellied fairy-fantail

Special feature:  It is yellow below and has a black eye-stripe, white wing-bar and broad black tail tipped white.

It used to be placed in the family of the fantails (Rhipiduridae), but DNA analysis has shown it to be a close relative of the fairy flycatcher and it has therefore been transferred to the Stenostiridae (IOC World Bird List), in the re-validated monotypic genus Chelidorhynx. (Wikipedia)

Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia) - Sikkim Flora

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Family:           Euphorbiaceae

Genus:            Euphorbia

Species:           E. pulcherrima

Binomial name: Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch

Other Names:  Poinsettia, Christmas plant, lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower

Lalupate (Nepali)

Special feature:  The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors, but are actually leaves. (Wikipedia)

Poinsettias received their name in the United States in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. He sent cuttings of the plant he had discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. The word Poinsettia is traditionally capitalized because it is named after a person. December 12th is Poinsettia Day, which marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1851. (extension.illinois.edu/)

.

Garrulax ocellatus (Spotted laughingthrush) - Sikkim Bird

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Animalia

Phylum:          Chordata

Class:             Aves

Order:            Passeriformes

Family:           Leiothrichidae

Genus:            Garrulax (disputed)

Species:          G. ocellatus

Binomial name: Garrulax ocellatus (Vigors, 1831)

Other Names: 

Special feature:  The spotted laughingthrush (Garrulax ocellatus) is a bird species in the Leiothrichidae family. In the proposed rearrangement of the laughingthrushes, it is sometimes placed in the genus Ianthocincla, as I. ocellata. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. (Wikipedia)

Euphorbia milii (Euphorbia) - Sikkim Flora

Scientific classification

Kingdom:       Plantae

Phylum:         

Class:              Magnoliopsida

Order:            Malpighiales

Family:           Euphorbiaceae
Genus:            Euphorbia

Species:          E. milii

Binomial name: Euphorbia milii Des Moul.

Other Names:  crown of thorns, Christ plant, Christ thorn

Special feature: It is a native to to Madagascar.

Euphorbus was the Greek physician of King Juba II (about 50 BC to 19 AD) of Numidia (present day Algeria).  King Juba II was the first person to find a succulent-type Euphorbia, and he named it after his physician. {Source: faculty.ucc.edu}

 

The species name commemorates Baron Milius, once Governor of Réunion, who introduced the species to France in 1821. It is suspected that the species was introduced to the Middle East in ancient times, and legend associates it with the crown of thorns worn by Christ. 

The sap is moderately poisonous, and causes irritation on contact with skin or eyes. If ingested, it causes severe stomach pain, irritation of the throat and mouth, and vomiting. (Source: Wikipedia)

Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock Thrush) - Sikkim Bird

Monticola solitarius (Blue Rock Thrush - female)

Place : Sirwani, East Sikkim
Date: February 16,  2010
Pic: Krishna Dahal

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Genus:	Monticola
Species:	M. solitarius

Binomial name: Monticola solitaries (Linnaeus, 1758)

Other Names: 

Special feature:  The blue rock thrush is Malta's national bird and is shown on the Lm 1 coin that was part of the previous currency of the country.(Wikipedia)

Buceros bicornis (Great Pied Hornbill) - Sikkim Bird

Buceros bicornis (Great Pied Hornbill)

Other name: Great Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill

Venue: Singtam, East Sikkim

Date: February 4, 2014

Pic: Krishna Dahal

Buceros bicornis (Great Pied Hornbill)

Other name: Great Hornbill, Great Indian Hornbill

Venue: Shantinagar, Singtam, East Sikkim

Date: June 8 2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	Bucerotidae
Subfamily:	Bucerotinae
Genus:	Buceros
Species:	B. bicornis

Pycnonotus leucogenys (Himalayan Bulbul) - Sikim Brd

Pycnonotus leucogenys (Himalayan Bulbul)

Venue: Sungdung, Rongli,  East Sikkim

Date: January 6, 2014

Pic: Swarup Rai

 

The Himalayan Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucogenys), also called the White-cheeked Bulbul or Himalayan Bulbul, is a small bird from the Pycnonotidae family. It belongs to the Passeriformes order (perching birds) and is part of the Pycnonotus genus.

Found in the Himalayan mountains across India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, this bird enjoys forests, gardens, and hillsides, where its chirping adds a musical note to the mountain air.

This bird is around 18 cm long and is known for its striking appearance. It features a black face and throat with a white cheek spot and a yellow vent. Its most distinctive feature is a mohawk-like crest on its head, setting it apart from other birds.

Its white-tipped tail fans out beautifully as it flies. Often found in small groups, these active birds hop around, chirping cheerfully to one another.

Besides its beauty, the Himalayan Bulbul is helpful to the environment. It eats insects and fruits and helps to keep nature in balance. This little bird truly brightens its mountain home!