Some of the common birds found in Satpura National Park: the white-breasted kingfisher, little ringed plover, pied wagtail and brahminy duck, also known as the ruddy sheldrake or surkhaab.

The White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) also known as the White-breasted Kingfisher or Smyrna Kingfisher, is a tree kingfisher, widely distributed in Eurasia from Bulgaria, Turkey, West Asia and east through the Indian Subcontinent to the Philippines. This kingfisher is a resident over much of its range, although some populations may make short distance movements. It can often be found well away from water where it feeds on a wide range of prey that includes small reptiles, amphibians, crabs, small rodents and even birds. During the breeding season they call loudly in the mornings from prominent perches including the tops of buildings in urban areas or on wires.

The Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) is a small plover. Adults have a grey-brown back and wings, a white belly, and a white breast with one black neckband. They have a brown cap, a white forehead, a black mask around the eyes with white above and a short dark bill. The legs are flesh-coloured and the toes are all webbed. This species differs from the larger Ringed Plover in leg colour, head pattern, and the presence of a clear yellow eye-ring. Their breeding habitat is open gravel areas near freshwater, including gravel pits, islands and river edges in Europe and Western Asia. They nest on the ground on stones with little or no plant growth. Both males and females take turn to incubate the eggs. They are migratory and winter in Africa. These birds forage for food on muddy areas, usually by sight. They eat insects and worms.

The White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) is a small passerine bird in the wagtail family Motacillidae, which also includes pipits and longclaws. This species breeds in much of Europe and Asia and parts of North Africa. It is resident in the mildest parts of its range, but otherwise migrates to Africa. It has a toehold in Alaska as a scarce breeder. In the British Isles the darker sub-species the Pied Wagtail (M. a. yarrellii) predominates. The White Wagtail is an insectivorous bird of open country, often near habitation and water. It prefers bare areas for feeding, where it can see and pursue its prey. In urban areas it has adapted to foraging on paved areas such as car parks. It nests in crevices in stone walls and similar natural and man-made structures. The White Wagtail is the national bird of Latvia.

The Brahminy Duck (Tadorna ferruginea), as it is known in India, is a member of the duck, goose and swan family, Tadorninae. It is widely recognized as the Ruddy Shelduck. It is a migratory bird and is widely distributed. The Brahminy Duck is considered sacred in Tibet and Mongolia by Buddhists and in Slavic mythology.

Source : Wikipedia & http://www.planetwildlife.com/information/species/brahminy-duck

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