Sikkim Biodiversity: Where nature smiles: November 2014

Saturday, 29 November 2014

Actitis hypoleucos (Common Sandpiper) - Sikkim Bird

Actitis hypoleucos (Common Sandpiper)

Venue: Sirwani, Singtam, South Sikkim

Date: February 16 2014

Pic: Shital Pradhan

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Subclass: Neornithes

Infraclass: Neognathae

Superorder: Neoaves

Order: Charadriiformes

Superorder: Neoaves

Family: Scolopacidae

Genus: Actitis

Species: A. hypoleucos

Binomial name: Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758)

Other Names: Common Sandpiper

Special feature: This bird and its American sister species, the Spotted Sandpiper, make up the genus Actitis.

In the Nukumanu language of the Nukumanu Islands (Papua New Guinea), this species is usually called tiritavoi. Another Nukumanu name for it, matakakoni, exists, but this is considered somewhat taboo and not used when children and women are around. The reason for this is that matakakoni means "bird that walks a little, then copulates", in reference to the pumping tail and thrusting head movements the Actitis species characteristically perform during foraging. (Source: Wikipedia)

Spilornis cheela (Crested Serpent Eagle) - Sikkim Bird

Spilornis cheela (Crested Serpent Eagle),

Venue: Sirwani, Singtam, South Sikkim,

Date: February 16 2014,

Pic: Shital Pradhan

The Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela) is an amazing bird of prey many people love to see! This bird is not very big, but it is very strong. Its wings can stretch out about 120 to 140 centimetres wide. One cool thing about this eagle is its special crest of feathers on its head that can stand up or lay flat, making it look like a little king of the sky!

The eagle has dark brown feathers with lighter spots on its wings and a pretty white band on its tail. This helps it blend in with the trees to hide from its prey. Its sharp yellow eyes help it see well, so it can find snakes and small animals to eat.

The Crested Serpent Eagle can be found in places like South and Southeast Asia. Its specific name, cheela, comes from the Hindi word for kites, which are another type of bird. This eagle likes to sit on tall trees and look around for food.