CHAPTER - III

SPECIES
BIRDS
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK

Sharp-shinned Hawks are small, long-tailed hawks with short, rounded wings. They have
small heads that in flight do not always project beyond the “wrists” of the wings. The tail
tends to be square-tipped and may show a notch at the tip. Females are considerably
larger than malesAdults are slaty blue-gray above, with narrow, horizontal red-orange
bars on the breast. Immature birds are mostly brown, with coarse vertical streaks on
white underparts. Adults and young have broad dark bands across their long tails.

Sharp-shinned Hawks are agile fliers that speed through dense woods to surprise their
prey, typically songbirds. They do not stoop on prey from high overhead. They may also
pounce from low perches. When flying across open areas they have a distinctive flap-
and-glide flight style.Sharp-shinned Hawks breed in deep forests. During migration, look
for them in open habitats or high in the sky, migrating along ridgelines. During the
nonbreeding season they hunt small birds and mammals along forest edges and
sometimes at backyard bird feeders, causing a wave of high-pitched alarm calls among
the gathered songbirds.
HONEY BUZZARD

The 52–60-centimetre (20–24 in)-long honey buzzard is larger and longer winged, with
a 135–150-centimetre (53–59 in) wingspan, when compared to the smaller common
buzzard (Buteo buteo). It appears longer necked with a small head, and soars on flat
wings. It has a longer tail, which has fewer bars than the Buteo buzzard, usually with
two narrow dark bars and a broad dark subterminal bar. The sexes can be distinguished
on plumage, which is unusual for a large bird of prey. The male has a blue-grey head,
while the female's head is brown. The female is slightly larger and darker than the
maleThe European honey buzzard is a summer migrant to most of Europe and western
Asia, wintering in tropical Africa. It is seen in a wide range of habitats, but generally
prefers woodland and exotic plantations..It is sometimes seen soaring in thermals. When
flying in wooded vegetation, honey buzzards usually fly quite low and perch in
midcanopy, holding the body relatively horizontal with its tail drooping. The bird also
hops from branch to branch, each time flapping its wings once, and so emitting a loud
clap. The bird often appears restless with much ruffling of the wings and shifting around
on its perch. The honey buzzard often inspects possible locations of food from its perch,
cocking its head this way and that to get a good look at possible food locations. This
behaviour is reminiscent of an inquisitive parrot.The honey buzzard breeds in woodland,
and is inconspicuous except in the spring, when the mating display includes wing-
clapping. Breeding males are fiercely territorial. The clutch typically consists of two
eggs, less often one or three. Siblicide is rarely observed
RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD

The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a species of

hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and
Florida, and migrates to Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by
far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North
America.The species is sexually dimorphicThe adult male has a gorget (throat
patch) of iridescent ruby red bordered narrowly with velvety black on the upper
margin and a forked black tail with a faint violet sheen. The red iridescence is
highly directional and appears dull black from many angles. The female has a
notched tail with outer feathers banded in green, black, and white and a white
throat that may be plain or lightly marked with dusky streaks or stipples. Males
are smaller than females and have sligh Juvenile males resemble adult females,
though usually with heavier throat markingstly shorter bills.The plumage is
molted once a year on the wintering grounds, beginning in early fall and ending
by late winter
FLAMINGO

Flamingos or flamingoesare a type of wading bird in the family Phoenicopteridae, the

only bird family in the order Phoenicopteriformes. Four flamingo species are
distributed throughout the Americas, including the Caribbean, and two species are
native to Africa, Asia, and Europe.Traditionally, the long-legged Ciconiiformes,
probably a paraphyletic assemblage, have been considered the flamingos' closest
relatives and the family was included in the order. Usually, the ibises and spoonbills of
the Threskiornithidae were considered their closest relatives within this order. Young
flamingos hatch with grayish-red plumage, but adults range from light pink to bright
red due to aqueous bacteria and beta-carotene obtained from their food supply. A well-
fed, healthy flamingo is more vibrantly colored, thus a more desirable mate; a white or
pale flamingo, however, is usually unhealthy or malnourished. Captive flamingos are a
notable exception; they may turn a pale pink if they are not fed carotene at levels
comparable to the wildFlamingos usually stand on one leg while the other is tucked
beneath their bodies. The reason for this behaviour is not fully understood. One theory
is that standing on one leg allows the birds to conserve more body heat, given that they
spend a significant amount of time wading in cold water.
COMMON BUTTON QUAIL

The common buttonquail, Kurrichane buttonquail, small buttonquail, or Andalusian

hemipode (Turnix sylvaticus) is a buttonquail, one of a small family of birds which
resemble, but are unrelated to, the true quails. This species is resident from southern
Spain and Africa through India and tropical Asia to Indonesia.This tiny buttonquail is
notoriously difficult to see. It is a small, 15 cm (5.9 in) long drab running bird, which
avoids flying. It inhabits warm grasslands or scrub jungle and feeds on insects and
seeds. This species avoids thick forest and hilly country, and lives by preference in
cornfields and stretches of grassy plain though it may also be found in any type of
low herbage and open scrub jungle. It skulks and is flushed with difficulty, rising
often close by one's feet. When flushed it flies low over the ground and soon settles
again, after which it is very difficult to put up a second time.The common buttonquail
resembles the common quail. It has streaked sandy brown upperparts, buff underparts
with black flank markings, and a plain face. In flight, a whitish wingbar contrasts
with the grey wing. Sexes are similar, but immature birds are more spotted below.The
female initiates courtship and builds the ground nest. The male incubates the
normally four speckled greyish eggs, and tends the young, which can run as soon as
they are hatched. The nesting season is June to September. The nest is a slight pad of
grass placed in a natural hollow in the ground where it is usually tucked away
amongst the stems of a tuft of grass. Very occasionally the grass is bent over it in a
sort of canopy.
REPTILES
 ECHIS

Echiss a genus of venomous vipers found in the dry regions of Africa, the
Middle East, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. They have a characteristic threat
display, rubbing sections of their body together to produce a "sizzling" warning
sound.[3] The name Echis is the Latin transliteration of the Greek word for
"viper" Their common name is "saw-scaled vipers" and they include some of the
species responsible for causing the most snakebite cases and deaths in the world
.Twelve species are currently recognized The head is relatively small and is
short, wide, pear-shaped and distinct from the neck. The snout is short and
rounded, while the eyes are relatively large and the body is moderately slender
and cylindrical. The dorsal scales are mostly keeled. However, the scales on the
lower flanks stick out at a distinct 45° angle and have a central ridge, or keel,
that is serrated (hence the common name). The tail is short and the subcaudals
are single. Most Echis species, such as those found in Africa, are oviparous,
while others, such as those in India, are viviparLittle is known about the diets of
some Echis species. For others, their diets are reported to be extremely varied,
and may include items such as locusts, beetles, worms, slugs, spiders, scorpions,
centipedes, solifugids, frogs, toads, reptiles ous The snake venom of Echis
species consists mostly of four types of toxins: neurotoxins, cardiotoxins,
hemotoxins, and cytotoxins. The genus is recognized as medically significant in
many tropical rural areas. They are widespread and live in areas lacking modern
medical facilities. Most victims are bitten after dark when these snakes are
active
CROTALINAE

The Crotalinae, commonly known as pit vipers These snakes range in size from the
diminutive hump-nosed viper, Hypnale hypnale, that grows to an average total
length (including tail) of only 30–45 cm (12–18 in), to the bushmaster, Lachesis
muta, a species known to reach a maximum total length of 3.65 m (12.0 ft) in
length. What makes this subfamily unique is that all member species share a
common characteristic: a deep pit, or fossa, in the loreal area between the eye and
the nostril on either side of the head. These loreal pits are the external openings to a
pair of extremely sensitive infrared-detecting organs, which in effect give the snakes
a sixth sense to help them find and perhaps even judge the size of the small, warm-
blooded prey on which they feed The subfamily Crotalinae is found in the Old
World from eastern Europe eastward through Asia to Japan, China, Indonesia,
peninsular India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In the Americas, they range from southern
Canada southward to Central America to southern South America Crotalines are a
versatile subfamily, with members found in habitats ranging from parched desert
(e.g., the sidewinder, Crotalus cerastes) to rainforests (e.g., the bushmaster, Lachesis
muta). They may be either arboreal or terrestrial, and one species is even
semiaquatic: the cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus. The altitude record is held
jointly by Crotalus triseriatus in Mexico and Gloydius strauchi in China, both of
which have been found above the treeline at over 4,000 m elevation
INDIAN CHAMELEON

The Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus) is a species of chameleon found in Sri Lanka,
India, and other parts of South Asia. Like other chameleons, this species has a long tongue,
feet that are shaped into bifid claspers, a prehensile tail, independent eye movement, and the
ability to change skin colour. They move slowly with a bobbing or swaying movement and are
usually arboreal. Strangely, they do not choose the background colour and may not even be
able to perceive colour differences. They are usually in shades of green or brown or with
bands. They can change colour rapidly and the primary purpose of colour change is for
communication with other chameleons and for controlling body temperature by changing to
dark colours to absorb heat The head has a bony casque, ornamented with crests or
tubercles. A separation between the eyes, the interorbital septum, is present. Its dentition is
acrodont; the teeth are compressed, triangular, and more or less distinctly tricuspid. The
palate is toothless. The eyes are large, covered by a thick, granular lids pierced with a small
central opening for the pupil. No tympanum or external ear is present. The body is
compressed, and the neck is very short. The vertebrae are procoelian; abdominal ribs are
present. The limbs are long, raising the body. The digits are arranged in bundles of two and
three; in the hand, the inner bundle is formed of three, the outer of two digits; it is the reverse
in the foot. The tail is prehensile. The head and body are covered with granules or tubercles.
The casque is much elevated posteriorly, with a strong curved parietal crest; the distance
between the commissure of the mouth and the extremity of the casque equals or nearly
equals the distance between the end of the snout and the hinder extremity of the mandible;
no rostral appendages occur; a strong lateral crest, not reaching the end of the parietal crest,
is present; an indication of a dermal occipital lobe is found on each side, not reaching the
parietal crest. No enlarged tubercles occur on the body; a feebly serrated dorsal crest is
present; a series of conical tubercles form a very distinct crest along the throat and belly.
Males have a tarsal process or spur, the tail is longer than head and body. The gular-ventral
crest and the commissure of the mouth are white.
KING SNAKE

Kingsnakes are colubrid New World constrictors, members of the genus

Lampropeltis, which include milk snakes and four other species. Among these,
about 45 subspecies are recognized. Kingsnake species inhabit the Americas from
southeastern Canada to southern Ecuador. The several species vary widely in size
and coloration. Adult scarlet kingsnakes are typically 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) in
length, while the common kingsnake can grow to 1.8 m (6 ft). Some kingsnakes
are colored in muted browns to black, while others are brightly marked in white,
reds, yellows, grays, and lavenders that form rings, longitudinal stripes, speckles,
and saddle-shaped bands Kingsnakes such as the California kingsnake can exert
twice as much constriction force relative to body size as ratsnakes and pythons.
Scientists believe such strong coils may be an adaptation to snake and other reptile
prey, which can sustain lower blood-oxygen levels before asphyxiating. Most
kingsnakes have quite vibrant patterns on their skins. Some species, such as the
scarlet kingsnake, Mexican milk snake, and red milk snake, have coloration and
patterning that can cause them to be confused with the highly venomous coral
snakes. Coral snakes found in other parts of the world can have distinctly different
patterns, have red bands touching black bands, have only pink and blue banding, or
have no banding at all.
 GREEN VINE SNAKE

Ahaetulla nasuta, also known as common vine snake and long-nosed whip snake, is
a slender green tree snake found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand,
Cambodia and Vietnam The green vine snake is diurnal and mildly venomous.
This arboreal snake normally feeds on frogs and lizards using its binocular vision
to hunt. They are slow moving, relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage. The
snake expands its body when disturbed to show a black and white scale marking.
Also, they may open their mouth in threat display and point their head in the
direction of the perceived threat . Found in low bushes, shrubs and trees in lowland
forest terrain at elevations up to about 1000 metres, particularly near streams and
often found near human settlements The ingredients of the venom are unknown.
The venom is moderately potent and can cause swelling, pain, bruising, numbness
and other local symptoms, which will subside within three days. Bites close to the
head, eyes and other vital areas could be severe. Formerly treated as a subspecies
Ahaetulla nasuta anomala is now regarded as a distinct species, Ahaetulla anomala.
The name Ahaetulla in Sinhala means 'eye plucker'. It earned this name, and
similar ones in Tamil and Indian vernaculars, due to the mistaken belief that it
strikes at the eyes. The species is viviparous, giving birth to young that grow
within the body of the mother, enclosed within the egg membrane.
CHAPTER - IV
 ANALYSIS
AND
INTERPRETATION
ANALYSIS

STATISTICAL DATA SHOWING THE NUMBER OF BIRD SPECIES IN

INDIA AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE TABULATED AS OF RECENT
STUDIES.

SPECIES NUMBER OF NUMBER OF PERCENTAG

BIRD BIRD E OF
SPECIES IN SPECIES IN WORLDS
INDIA WORLD BIRD
SPECIES
OCCURING
IN INDIA

BIRDS 1250 10417 12

 STATISTICS

SPECIES IN INDIA AND IN WORLD

INTERPRETATION

• FROM THE STATISTICS IT IS CLEAR THAT ONLY 12 PERCENTAGE OF

WORLDS BIRD SPECIES EXISTS IN INDIA .
• ANIMALS IN INDIA CONSTITUTE A PERCENTAGE OF 8.86 PERCENTAGE
WHEN COMPARED WITH THE WHOLE WORLDS SPECIES NUMBERS .
• IT IS EVIDENT FROM THE STATISTCS THAT BUTTERFLIES AND
REPTILES HAVE APPROXIMATELY THE SAME PERCENTAGE OF
WORLDS SPECIES OCCURING IN INDIA
CHAPTER - V
 FINDINGS
AND
SUGGESTIONS
 FINDINGS

The term fauna is basically used for animal life. faunal wealth of india is also very diverse
and rich . the total number of animals at 81000 representing about 6.4 percent of worlds
faunal wealth.

There are about 1250 species of birds from india , with some variations depending on
taxonomic treatments accounting for about 12 percentage of the world species.

The worls conservation monitoring centre gives an estimate of about 15000 species of
flowering plants in India

Degradation of forests and other natural resources in India has put various species under
varying degrees of threats . About 86 mammalian species , 70 Bird species and 25species of
reptiles are facing threat of extinction .

Very little is known about the extent of diversity of micro-organisms , paticularly the
bacteria and virus .

70 Bird species and also amphibians and fish are under threat .
 Suggestions

An ecosystem compromises of all plants , animals and microorgansms of an area along with
non living components like climate, soil , rivers , etc. In an ecosystem , all the components
depend on each other for survival . BIRDS and ANIMALS whose numBer are diminishing to
a level that they might face extinction are called as endangered species . survival of these
endangered species has become difficult due to the disturbances in their natural habitat . there
are simple ways in which we can contribute to the conservation of forests and the flora and
fauna of that region .

RECYCLING OF PAPER - Huge quantity of wood is required to make paper . trees are
being cut to obtain wood from which paper can be made. so , to save trees, we should save
paper , we should save paper and recycle it . paper can be recycled 5 to 7 times .

REFORESTATION - It is restocking of the destroyed forests by planting new trees.

Reforestation can be done by man as well as it can happen on its own if the deforested area is
left undisturbed .
CONCLUSION

PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE IS POSSIBLE NOT ONLY BY LAWS AND THE

GOVERNMENT .DESPITE ALL OF THESE LAWS AND EFFORTS , DESTRUCTION OF
WILDLIFE , ILLEGAL TRADING AND POACHING CONTINUES . ACTIVE
COOPERATION FROM THE COMMON PUBLIC IS ALSO VERY NECESSARY .IT IS
NOW HIGH TIME FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION
AND ACT ON BEHALF . THIS CAN ONLY BE ACHEIVED BY OUR AWARENESS AND
BY FURTHER STRINGENT LAWS BY THE GOVERNMENT .

THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS IS THE MODAL AGENCY FOR

THESE CONVENTIONS .

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION HAS BECOME AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT

PRACTICE DUE TO THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY ON
WILDLIFE.

WE MUST NOT LOSE THE NATIONAL TREASURES IN OUR RACE OF

URBANIZATION AND MODERNIZATION .