MOUNT ABU BIRDS MY PERSONAL COLLECTION

As a nature lover, bird watching has always fascinated me. I’ve been taking pictures of birds since I was in school in Mount Abu, where I learned about the local birds and their nesting habits. I learned to identify birds chiefly by their calls. I’ve been taking pictures in the wild for several years."Explore the diverse bird life of Mt.Abu with my detailed blog post: See the rare species in their NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. Experience the ecosystem of this INCREDIBLE MONTAINOUS region" Welcome to Abu.

Showing posts sorted by date for query checklist. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Checklist of the Birds of Mount Abu

Checklist of the Birds of Mount Abu
Location: Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India

Total Species: 195.

Birds.

"I’ve been photographing the birds of Mount Abu for as long as I can remember. Along the way, I’ve noticed that many existing checklists for the area contain questionable sightings. To set the record straight, I’ve put together this list based solely on my documented observations in the Sirohi district. I hope this serves as a helpful guide for your next birding trip! If you spot an error or have an update, please leave a comment on the blog."

Checklist of the Birds of Mount Abu:

To view the Species, click on the bird's name.

"To view my full collection of sightings and photographs, you can visit my . "While you can view my checklists publicly, I recommend creating a free to view the high-resolution photo gallery and track your own sightings."

Waterfowl (Anatidae)

Gadwall (Mareca strepera)

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Indian Spot-billed Duck (Anas poecilorhyncha)

Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)

Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) — Recorded in Abu; documented in recent photographic sessions.

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Pheasants & Allies (Phasianidae)

Gray Junglefowl (Gallus sonneratii)

Red Spurfowl (Galloperdix spadicea)

Jungle Bush-Quail (Perdicula asiatica)

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)

Grebes (Podicipedidae)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Pigeons & Doves (Columbidae)

Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

Oriental Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia orientalis)

Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) — [Field Note: 08/01/2024] Rare visitors to Mount Abu; likely stragglers and not commonly recorded here.

Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)

Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis)

Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon (Treron phoenicopterus)

Cuckoos (Cuculidae)

Greater Coucal (Centropus sinensis)

Sirkeer Malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii) uncommon /Rare

Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus)

Common Hawk-Cuckoo (Hierococcyx varius)

Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) — [Field Note: 13/09/2025] Recent photographic record.

Swifts (Apodidae)

Alpine Swift (Apus melba)

Little Swift (Apus affinis)

Rails, Gallinules & Coots (Rallidae)

White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)

Eurasian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Shorebirds (Waders)

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) uncommon / rare

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii) uncommon

Gulls & Terns (Laridae)

River Tern (Sterna aurantia)

Storks, Cormorants & Herons

Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)

Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) — Recently documented via photography

Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)

Indian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis)

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Black Bittern (Botaurus flavicollis) — First for Abu (May 2025).

Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea) uncommon

Great Egret (Ardea alba) — Recently documented via photography.

Medium Egret (Ardea intermedia)

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Eastern Cattle-Egret - Ardea coromanda

Indian Pond-Heron (Ardeola grayii)

Little Heron (Butorides atricapilla)

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) flyover

Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) — Recently added to the photographic checklist.

RAPTORS
(Accipitriformes & Falconiformes)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) rare

Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus)

Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was once common

White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)

Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus)

Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis)

Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) — Recently documented via photography.

Crested Serpent-Eagle (Spilornis cheela)

Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Changeable Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)

Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata)

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga) — Recently documented via photography.

Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus)

Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax)

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)

Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) — [First District Record: 12/11/2022] A personal lifer and the first officially recorded sighting for Mount Abu.

Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata)

Black Eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis)

Western Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus

Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)

Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

Shikra (Accipiter badius)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

Black Kite (Milvus migrans) — Recently added to the checklist.

White-eyed Buzzard (Butastur teesa)

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Himalayan Buzzard (Buteo refectus) — [Field Note: 01/11/2025] Recent photographic record.

Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) — Including Shaheen subspecies.

Owls (Strigiformes)

Indian Scops-Owl (Otus bakkamoena)

Spotted Owlet (Athene brama)

Jungle Owlet (Glaucidium radiatum) — [Field Note: 11/06/2025 & 11/09/2025] Multiple recent sightings documented.

Hoopoes, Kingfishers & Bee-eaters

Common Hoopoe - Upupa epops

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

Asian Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)

Barbets & Woodpeckers (Piciformes)

Brown-headed Barbet (Psilopogon zeylanicus)

Coppersmith Barbet (Psilopogon haemacephalus)

Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (Yungipicus nanus) — Recently documented via photography.

Yellow-crowned Woodpecker (Leiopicus mahrattensis)

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

White-naped Woodpecker (Chrysocolaptes festivus)

Parrots (Psittaculidae)

Plum-headed Parakeet (Psittacula cyanocephala)

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatri)

Passerines (Songbirds)

Minivets, Woodshrikes & Orioles

Small Minivet (Pericrocotus cinnamomeus)

Common Woodshrike (Tephrodornis pondicerianus) — [Field Note] A personal first for Mount Abu; recently added to the checklist.

Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia)

Indian Golden Oriole (Oriolus kundoo)

Drongos & Fantails

Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus)

Ashy Drongo (Dicrurus leucophaeus)

White-bellied Drongo (Dicrurus caerulescens)

Spot-breasted Fantail (Rhipidura albogularis)

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

Crows & Shrikes

Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)

Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda)

Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

Larks & Tits

Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark (Eremopterix griseus) — [First Record: 24/09/2024] Sighted on Achalgarh Road; likely a vagrant and the first recorded sighting for the area.

Cinereous Tit (Parus cinereus)

Indian Yellow Tit (Machlolophus aplonotus)

Bulbuls

Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)

White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis)

Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

Swallows & Martins

Dusky Crag-Martin (Ptyonoprogne concolor)

Eurasian Crag-Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Streak-throated Swallow (Petrochelidon fluvicola) — [Field Note: 26/08/2022] Recent photographic record.

Eastern Red-rumped Swallow ( Cecropis daurica)

Western House-Martin (Delichon urbicum)

Leaf Warblers (Phylloscopidae)

Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

Hume's Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)

Sulphur-bellied Warbler (Phylloscopus griseolus)

Green Warbler (Phylloscopus nitidus) — Recently added to the checklist

Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides)

Large-billed Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus magnirostris) — Recently documented via photography.

Western Crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus occipitalis) — [Field Note: 28/08/2025 & 13/09/2025] Recent photographic records.

Reed Warblers & Sylviids

Clamorous Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus stentoreus) — Recently documented via photography.

Blyth's Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus dumetorum)

Paddyfield Warbler (Acrocephalus agricola) — Recently documented via photography.

Booted Warbler (Iduna caligata)

Sykes's Warbler (Iduna rama) — Recently documented via photography.

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Greater Whitethroat (Curruca communis) — [Potential First Record: 10/09/2023] A personal lifer; currently investigating if this is the first formal record for Mount Abu

Babblers & White-eyes

Yellow-eyed Babbler (Chrysomma sinense)

Indian White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus)

Indian Scimitar-Babbler (Pomatorhinus horsfieldii)

Tawny-bellied Babbler (Dumetia hyperythra)

Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striata)

Large Gray Babbler (Turdoides malcolmi)

Starlings & Thrushes

Brahminy Starling (Sturnia pagodarum)

Rosy Starling (Pastor roseus)

Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)

Indian Blackbird (Turdus simillimus)

Chats & Flycatchers

Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)

Indian Robin (Copsychus fulicatus)

Asian Brown Flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica) — [Field Note: 26/09/2022 & 02/10/2022] Awaiting formal confirmation via eBird data review.

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliae)

Verditer Flycatcher (Eumyias thalassinus)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

Taiga Flycatcher (Ficedula albicilla)

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius)

Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus)

Brown Rock Chat (Oenanthe fusca)

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis)

Sunbirds, Munias & Sparrows

Purple Sunbird (Cinnyris asiaticus)

Thick-billed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum agile)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

Baya Weaver (Ploceus philippinus)

Indian Silverbill (Euodice malabarica)

Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

Green Avadavat (Sporaeginthus formosus)

Wagtails & Pipits

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)

Gray Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

White-browed Wagtail (Motacilla maderaspatensis)

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni)

Buntings & Rosefinches

Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Crested Bunting (Emberiza lathami)

White-capped Bunting (Emberiza stewarti)

Gray-necked Bunting (Emberiza buchanani)

To view my collection on eBird, click the link below

Ains Priestman's contribution to eBird

"I share my documented sightings through eBird, the world's largest birding database. "While you can view my checklists publicly, I recommend creating a free eBird account to view the high-resolution photo gallery and track your own sightings."

Getting started is easy: just head over to eBird.org and click 'Get Started' to create your account. If you’re new to birding apps, they offer a fantastic, free eBird Essentials course that walks you through everything. Use the link below to join the community and see what we’ve been spotting in Mount Abu!

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Birding in November 2025:Mount Abu.

Raptors, Warblers, and an Unexpected Lifer.

The unseasonal spell of rain that swept across Mount Abu in the last days of October lingered well into the first week of November. Overcast skies hung low, and each morning carried a faint threat of more rain. But in those brief windows when the weather cleared, I made the most of every opportunity to step out and observe .

As the nights grew cooler and the days turned pleasant, our and arrived in full swing. November has always been a rewarding month for in Mount Abu, but this week felt especially vibrant.

I’ve put together a small collection of the birds I spotted and photographed during this period—and what a satisfying week it turned out to be. The biggest highlight was a : the , a brand-new addition to my Mount Abu checklist and a thrilling encounter I hadn’t expected.

Alongside this special sighting came a steady parade of raptors—

, and

—each offering memorable moments in the field.

The skies and forest were alive with a mix of winter and passage migrants: , , , , and the ever-charming . Two more delightful additions to the week’s list were the elegant and the .

November 2025 reminded me once again why Mount Abu remains such a rewarding birding destination—even when the weather plays its own games.

My next blog will feature the birds of , so keep coming back for more avian beauties from our corner of the .

Bird of the Week.

Himalayan Buzzard - A lifer for me

Himalayan Buzzard November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Barn Swallow - winter visitor

Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica Nov 2025 Mt Abu

Black Eagle -

Black Eagle November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Booted Eagle -

Booted Eagle - Hieraaetus pennatus

Common Chiffchaff -

Common Chiffchaff November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Common Tailorbird - Orthotomus sutorius

Eurasian Crag-Martin - winter visitor

Eurasian Crag-Martin - November 2025 Mt Abu

Gray Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea winter visitor

Gray Wagtail - November 2025 Mount Abu.m4v

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher -

Gray-headed Canary-Flycatcher - Culicicapa ceylonensis

Greenish Warbler -

House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Lesser Whitethroat -

Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca

Long-legged Buzzard -

Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus

Long-tailed Shrike - Lanius schach

Purple Sunbird - Cinnyris asiaticus

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

Spot-breasted Fantail - Rhipidura albogularis

Sulphur-bellied Warbler -

Sulphur-bellied Warbler November 2025 Mt Abu.m4v

My personal Mount Abu checklist compiled over the years.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Birding in May on Mount Abu \[May 2025]

A Collection of May’s Avian Wonders

The month of May in Mount Abu brought with it a variety of challenges and rewards for birding enthusiasts. A ten-day cool-down ended abruptly with a surge in summer heat, forcing even avid bird watchers to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day. However, for those who ventured out in the early mornings and late evenings, May 2025 proved to be an extraordinary time to connect with the region’s avian life.

Between May 11 and May 31, 2025, I observed many impressive bird species, including some unforgettable ones:

#### 1. Black Bittern

* *A Lifelong Memory*: Spotting the elusive Black Bittern was not only a lifer for me, but also a significant record for Mount Abu. The surprising appearance of this secretive species, with its beautiful feathers and love for waterside habitats, was a breathtaking sight.

#### 2. Indian Paradise-Flycatcher

* *An Icon of Elegance*: The male’s long, ribbon-like tail feathers shimmered as it flitted among the trees. This species, with its ethereal beauty, symbolizes the charm of birding in Mount Abu during May.

#### 3. Common Iora

*A Burst of Color*: A flash of vibrant yellow and black – the Common Iora – punctuated the green landscape, showcasing nature’s vibrancy even in the harsh summer heat.

#### 4. Green Avadavat

* *A Rare Jewel*: This endangered species, often sought after by birdwatchers, was a delightful surprise. Its green and yellow hues contrasted against the sunburnt terrain, making every sighting feel like a treasure hunt.

#### 5. Peregrine Falcon (Shaheen)

* *A Master of the Skies*: The Peregrine Falcon, known as the Shaheen, soared over the rugged cliffs of Mount Abu. Witnessing its incredible speed and precision was a thrilling reminder of the apex predators that grace the skies.

Reflections on May Birding

Birdwatchers saw lots of amazing birds in May, despite the heat. The early mornings, filled with the melody of birdsong, and the tranquil evenings under the crimson sky, offered moments of pure magic. Each sighting was a story, a memory etched in time, and a reason to keep exploring.

Birders visiting Mount Abu in May should be prepared for challenges, but the birding is rewarding. Here’s to many more such adventures in the months and years to come!

Bird of May 2025.