SCHOLAR / DEVIL’S TREE
ABOUT BIRDS
BIRDS play crucial role in the survival of a human being. The statement isn’t an exaggeration but the truth as every bird throughout its life cycle helps to maintain the healthy environment by maintaining the health of the trees. They act as destroyer of insects which are pest for plants and trees. Birds prey on the variety of insects which are ever multiplying and keep consuming various living being and plants as food. A bird is the ultimate solution to keep check on the growth of the voracious life forms like bugs, beetles, caterpillars and locusts e.g. Birds also play important role as destroyers of vermin, as a scavenger, as flower-pollinating agents and seed dispersers. Thus, birds help to maintain the balance in nature.
Apart from their above usefulness the birds offer something more as their activities of song and play and display of various striking beautiful colors and features creates a lively environment and source of boundless pleasure, fulfilling the need of human character of appreciating the beauty and awe of nature.
Birds occupy certain type of habitat and each group of plants has certain predictable assortment of birds. Some occur in gardens, some only occur in grasslands while some require water habitat like lakes, marshes for the survival. Thus depending on the environment the number and variety of species of birds can vary. However, whatever is the number of birds or type of species, small or large, each bird counts when it comes to the survival of nature and man!
Birds in SIEMEN’S LTD, Kalwe Plant
The factory compound is full of variety of trees and garden plants and hence providing the habitat suitable for most of the garden species like Tailorbirds, Sunbirds, Warblers, Orioles, Robins and Bulbuls. However the tall trees in the premises offer a safe roosting place for the most of the common water birds from the nearby creek like cormorants, heron and egrets. Also birds like Crows, common mynas, pied starlings, sparrows roost on the trees here. One can see large congregations of water birds and crows and mynas gathering over the trees at dusk for roosting.
Here is the checklist describing the species of the birds seen in the campus
2. Baya Weaver Bird
3. Asian Koel
4. Common Tailor Bird
5. Spotted Dove
6. Laughing Dove
7. Greenish Leaf Warbler
8. Common Iora
9. Little Cormorant
10. Indian Cormorant
11. Little Egret
12. Indian Pond Heron
13. Cattle Egret
14. Common Kite
15. House Crow
16. Large Billed Crow
17. House Sparrow
18. Eurasian Golden Oriole
19. Common Myna
20. Asian Pied Starling
21. Black Crowned Night Heron
22. Red Vented Bulbul
23. Shikra
24. Green Bee Eater
25. Plain Prinia
26. Ashy Prinia
27. Coppersmith Barbet
28. Greater Coucal
29. Black Drongo
30. Purple Rumped Sunbird
31. White Throated Kingfisher
32. Spotted Munia
33. Rose Ringed Parakeet
34. Blue Rock Pigeon
35. Long Tailed Shrike
36. Crimson Sunbird
37. White Wagtail
38. Chestnut Tailed Starling
39. Barn Swallow
40. Fantail Flycatcher
41. Asian palm swift
Description of the Birds
1. Oriental Magpie Robin
2. Baya Weaverbird
This is the famous and phenomenally skilled bird that is known for its peculiar nest using grass blades, the nest is usually seen hanging over safe, top branches of trees. Few Nests have been located hanging on the top of Palms in the compound, near the canteen. The male birds are bright yellow, black and brown and are polygamous. As it builds a nest, a troupe of Sparrow like females come and inspects the half built nest. If a female is satisfied as to the quality of construction, she accepts the nest and mates with the male. The male then finishes building the nest and starts to build the next nest and the same is repeated as many as 4 to 5 times a season.
3. Asian Koel
This bird is from the Cuckoo family and is often heard than seen. It has a melodious "Kuhoo kuhoo" calls particularly during the breeding season that keeps the environment lively. The males are black and the females are brownish with white spots. Does not build its own nests but lays its eggs in Crows nest.
4. Common Tailor Bird/ Shimpi
The afternoon silence is sometimes filled with a "Tweet tweet" calls of this tiny cute bird famous for its nest building skill. It is a small olive green bird with a rufous (Reddish brown) cap and keeps on flitting from tree to tree in search of tiny insects. It builds its nest by stitching two leaves with the help of strings made up of cobwebs, and then lines it with soft material, hence the name Tailor bird.
5. Spotted Dove
A pigeon like bird with brown coloured body and a prominent chessboard on its hind neck. This is one of the common birds of countryside, but is regularly sighted in the Siemens’s compound. It nests in bushes by just arranging few sticks to lay its 2 pure white eggs.
6. Laughing Dove
A slim dove, pinkish brown with some grey on the wings. The call resembles as if some one is laughing, hence the name. It has a similar appearance and habits as that of the spotted dove.
7. Greenish Leaf Warbler
A tiny bird that breeds in the
8. Common Iora
This bird is very beautiful. It is a tiny yellow and black bird with a very melodious call. Aptly called as "Subhag" in Marathi. It is particularly vocal during the breeding season in Monsoon, when it builds an equally cup shaped nest lined with cobwebs. The display of the male is a spectacular show, where in it jumps from the perch and comes down to settle on the branch like a helicopter. Watch out for this cute little bird in the leafy trees.
9. Little Cormorant/Pan-kawla
A crow like bird, an expert diver and underwater swimmer. This black and slender bird is often seen drying its wings after a dive for catching fish. It cashes the fish underwater like a torpedo. They often fly in a unique “V” formation when going or coming towards roosts. They collect in huge congregations for roosting in the siemens campus. Builds nests on trees near Canopy gate.
10. Indian Cormorant
Similar to Little Cormorant in appearance and colour, but larger and with emerald green eyes. Siemens’s campus is one of the few sites in Mumbai region, where this species roost in huge numbers.
11. Little Egret
A snow white bird from the “Egret” family, identified with its black beak and black legs ending in yellow toes. It builds it nests near the trees next to central building. This bird exclusively feeds on Fish with the help of its dart like beak and hence seen near water.
12. Indian Pond Heron
One of the most common water birds of
13. Cattle Egret/Bagla
A white and yellow bird raises its young ones near Canopy gate. It is so called because of its habit of following cattle for the insects that are disturbed by them. During the breeding season (Monsoon), this bird moults in a beautiful attire. The head and neck portion becomes yellow and the beak has a pinkish shade. It is one of the most conspicuous bird (Due to its white coloration) of the nearby countryside.
14 Common Kite/Ghar
Seen soaring high above, a large bird of prey, this is the only Indian raptor (Bird of prey) with a prominent forked tail. Helps to clean up the city garbage. It is famously called “Cheel” in Hindi and often mistakenly termed as “eagle”. This bird nests in winter of tall / large trees or on the electric poles. The nest is like crows nest, but larger and consists of twigs and wires and all sorts of rubbish collected from the nearby garbage bins.
15. House Crow
The one bird that is known by everyone is this grey and black bird, but intelligent and inquisitive. Helps keep our city clean. These congregate in huge nos. around the canopy trees near the gate and many a times create quite a raucous in early mornings and late evenings. The ramblings of this bird is very well depicted in various mythological as well as modern tales. A very opportunistic bird and will not hesitate to steal a morsel or two from the canteen or even from your
16. Large Billed Crow
This Jet black bird, larger than a crow bird is also commonly called as Jungle crow. It used to be only restricted in well wooded forest habitat, but has now well established its abode in the city environment due to the increasing garbage that act as a major lure. This bird is also an active scavenger and plays a major role in keeping the city clean.
17. House Sparrow
Sparrow (male)
All of us have grown by hearing the chirping calls and stories of these tiny conspicuous birds. Males are brown, white and black. Females are light brown. These tiny birds are fast loosing hold in most of the cities around the world, however, the Siemens campus provides them with a safe abode for feeding, resting and roosting.
18. Eurasian Golden Oriole
A brightly golden yellow colored bird with a melodious call. It is aptly called as "Haldu" (Turmeric) in Marathi & Hindi. This is a migratory bird and is seen between Oct-Mar in the campus. It has both – a harsh note and a melodious call that resembles “Oriole”, hence the English common name. It is one of the most beautiful bird in the campus. Hunts insects and caterpillars in leafy trees.
19. Common Myna
A common black, brown and white bird with a yellow bare skin around its eyes. Very noisy. This bird also roosts in the campus in huge numbers. Interestingly this native bird has been introduced to other parts of the world where it has turned to pest, owing to its remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in any conditions.
20. Asian Pied Starling
A black and white bird similar in size to Common Myna, but with
21. Black Crowned Night Heron
A large grey and black bird with ruby red eyes and a black plume on its head. This bird is nocturnal unlike all the other heron species. It rests all day and actively feeds at night. When flying, its “Quak Quak” call is distinguishable.
22. Red Vented Bulbul
Everyone is familiar with this common garden bird. This greyish black bird has a red on its vent. It has a very melodious call and nests in low bushes within the campus, often seen near the canteen for a morsel of food.
23. Shikra
24. Small Green Bee Eater
This is a beautiful, small green bird with a black necklace and a pointed tail. It keeps on flitting thro' the air for hawking bees and other winged insects. In Marathi it has a very interesting name – “Veda raghu” meaning a “Mad Parrot”, owing to its habit of returning to the same perch even after it is disturbed. The “tree tree tree “calls of this bird can sometimes be faintly heard if you are alert.
25. Plain Prinia/Wat-watya
A tiny light brown bird seen mostly in bushes and grass. Its tail resembles as if just loosely attached to its body. It is mostly found along the edges of the campus. During monsoons it builds a delicate nest resembling a pouch made up of grass twigs.
26. Ashy Prinia
Similar to Plain Prinia but with ashy upperparts and yellowish white underparts. It is very noisy in the breeding season (Monsoon) and keeps to the bushes & reeds around water. This bird has a similar habits and nesting behavior as that of a plain prinia. The eggs are beautiful brick red colour.
27. Coppersmith Barbet/Tuk-tukya
The afternoon silence is often broken by the call of this bird. Often heard then seen owing to its brilliant camouflaging green colour with red on its forehead and breast. It keeps continuously calling with a resonating “Tuk tuk tuk” calls. It Feeds on the many fig , Banyan & Peepul trees in the factory compound and nests in trees holes made by chiseling the wood similar to woodpeckers.
28. Greater Coucal/Kukudkombda/Bharadwaj
In mythology, this bird is said to bring good luck, if seen in the morning. It belongs to the cuckoo family and is large glossy black and chestnut bird with long black tail. Though from a cuckoo family, it is a non-parasitic in nature i.e. it builds its own nest. However, it is a mean bird, often preying on small nestlings of other birds.
29. Black Drongo/Kotwal
This aggressive black bird with long forked tail is often referred to as “Kotwal” in Marathi, because of its habit of aggressively defending its nest and territory, as a result other timid birds nest nearby who feel a sense of security. It is said that the meat of this bird is unpalatable to the birds of prey and hence, this bird takes an advantage. The nest is made up of twigs in the form of a cup, usually placed in a fork of tree about 10-15 feet up.
30. Purple Rumped Sunbird
The numerous garden flowers are a heaven for this beautiful bird. A yellow, green and purple tiny bird with a conspicuous downward curved beak flits around the flowers for nectar and spiders. It nest in low bushes and makes a hanging nest that resembles as if some rubbish is hanging, a perfect example of camouflage.
31. White Throated Kingfisher
Ever seen a bird, perched on wires having a red dagger like beak? This is the White-throated kingfisher. A blue and brown bird with large red beak. Throat and upper abdomen white. Contrary to its name, this bird is also found away from water and thrives on insects, rather than fish.
32. Spotted Munia
A very familiar cage bird in
33. Rose Ringed Parakeet
One of the most familiar cage birds, this green bird with a long tail is a parakeet. Not many know that in
34. Blue Rock Pigeon
This is a familiar grey and black bird with metallic green, purple and dark pink neck and breast feathers. This species has become pest in some areas because of the feeding offered by some religious people. It nests in parapets in the campus.
35. Long Tailed Shrike
This bird has many names such as “Butcher” bird, due to its habit of impaling insects on the thorny trees like a butcher, to be eaten in leisure. It also has various other vernacular and English names, like “Gandhari”, “Dacoit”, and “Bandit” owing to a black band around its eyes. This brown, black and grey bird is a winter visitor, from
36. Crimson Sunbird
This bird is similar to the Purple rumped sunbird in habits, but much more beautiful in terms of colours. It has a brilliantly colored purple, green and crimson body with a long pointed tail. One of the most beautiful sunbirds of
37. White Wagtail
There are birds that breed and migrate from Leh & Ladakh. One such bird found in the Siemens’s campus is the White wagtail. This is a black and white bird with a long tail that it keeps on wagging continuously, hence the name. This bird is usually seen running around the grassy lawns, particularly near water, where it feeds on insects.
38. Chestnut Tailed Starling
Another local migrant to the campus is the Grey headed Myna, also called as Chestnut tailed starling. This predominantly grey and brown bird, looks like a common myna, but usually keeps in small groups feeding on the Banyan & Peepul trees that dot the campus.
39. Barn Swallow
Not just the trees, but also the open air spaces are filled with different kind of birds. The Barn swallow is a migratory bird and is seen relentlessly hawking insects in mid-air. In Marathi it is aptly called “Bhingri” for its ability to fly fast in twists and turns. It has shiny bluish upperparts and whitish pale underparts with a reddish brown throat. The deeply forked tail of this bird is the first thing that comes to notice.
40. Asian Palm Swift
Swifts are one of the fastest flying bird group and palm swifts found in
41. Fantail Flycatcher
This black & white, yet beautiful bird is aptly called “Fantail” owing to fanning up its tail continuously. It is a restless bird seen dancing all the time and uttering melodious call notes. This cute bird is no less aggressive, warding off any large bird that intrudes its domain. The nesting season is in summers, when it builds a nice deep cup shaped nest neatly lined with cobwebs in a fork of a low bush.
Butterflies of SIEMEN'S LTD. Kalwe plant
ABOUT BUTTERFLIES:
Despite their small size, butterflies and moths are some of the World's most wondrous animals. Their beauty, seemingly miraculous metamorphosis, and apparently carefree flight all spark our imaginations.
Butterflies and moths are a group of insects called Lepidoptera. Like all insects, butterflies and moths have a head, thorax, abdomen, two antennae, and six legs. Additionally, moths and butterflies have four wings that are almost always covered by colored scales, and a coiled proboscis for drinking liquids such as flower nectar. Lepidoptera is derived from the Latin "lepido"= scale + "ptera" = wing.
Some are known to migrate over large distances. Some butterflies have evolved symbiotic and parasitic relationships with social insects such as ants. Butterflies are important economically as one of the major agents of pollination. In addition, a number of species are pests, because they can damage domestic crops and trees Culturally, butterflies are a popular motif in the visual and literary arts
Butterflies and moths are found on all continents except Antarctica, and scientists estimate that there are approximately 12-15,000 species of butterflies and 150-250,000 species of moths
Butterflies can only fly if their body temperature is above 86 degrees. Butterflies sun themselves to warm up in cool weather. As butterflies age, the color of the wings fades and the wings become ragged.
The speed varies among butterfly species (the poisonous varieties are slower than non-poisonous varieties). The fastest butterflies (some skippers) can fly at about 30 mile per hour or faster. Slow flying butterflies fly about 5 mph.
Butterflies are characterized by their scale-covered wings. The coloration of butterfly wings is created by minute scales. These scales are pigmented with melanins that give them blacks and browns, but blues, greens, reds and iridescence are usually created not by pigments but the microstructure of the scales. This structural coloration is the result of coherent scattering of light by the photonic crystal nature of the scales.
Both larval and adult butterflies and moths are often highly colored. Sometimes the colors are bright and are intended to warn away potential predators. Often, this indicates that they taste bad to a predator. Other times the bright colors are meant to attract mates. Some are colored to look very much like a food plant in order to help the insect hide.
BUTTERFLIES OF SIEMEN’S :
The abundance of butterflies depends not only on the number of flowering plants but also the Number of host plants for caterpillars. Many butterflies lay their eggs only on certain plants that feed their caterpillars. These plants are called host plants. Apart from the vast variety of flowering plants that are found in Siemen’s campus, it also offers a variety of host plants for the butterflies to thrive.
Some of the Butterfly species that are recorded from the campus are given below:
| 1) COMMON MORMON |
| 2) PSYCHE |
| 3) YELLOW ORANGE TIP |
| 4) GREAT ORANGE TIP |
| 5) WHITE ORANGE TIP |
| 6) COMMON EMIGRENT |
| 7) ANGLED PIERROT |
| 8) COMMON CROW |
| 9) COMMON TREE BROWN |
| 10) COMMON BUSH BROWN |
| 11) COMMONN CASTOR |
| 12) LEMON PANSY |
| 13) GREY PANSY |
| 14) CHOCLATE PANSY |
| 15) PEACOCK PANSY |
| 16) GREAT EGGFLY |
| 17) DANIED EGGFLY |
| 18) COMMON SAILOR |
| 19) COMMONN GRASS YELLOW |
| 20) TAILED JAY |
| 21) BLUE TIGER |
| 22) GLASSY TIGER |
| 23) STRIPPED TIGER (1000s) |
| 24) PLUM JUDY |
| 25) COMMON LEOPARD |
| 26) BARONET |
| 27) COMMON BARON |
| 28) YELLOW PANSY |
| 29) RICE SWIFT |
| 30) CHESTNUT BOB |
| 31) DARK PALM DART |
| 32) COMMON WANDERER |
| 33) BLUE BOTTLE |
| 34) COMMANDER |
| 35) DARK GRASS BLUE |
| 36) COMMON CERULEAN |
| 37) SHOT BANDED SAILER |
| 38) COMMON JEZEBEL |
| 39) PALE GRASS YELLOW |
| 40) SPOTLESS GRASS YELLOW |
| 41) SMALL GRASS YELLOW |
| 42) SALMON ARAB |
| 43) GAUDY BARON |
| 44) PLAIN TIGER |
| 45) DARK CERULEAN |
| 46) RED PIERROT |
| 47) COMMON NAWAB |
| 48) TAWNY COASTER |
| 49) COMMON PIERROT 50) COMMON ROSE 51) CRIMSON ROSE 52) LIME BUTTERFLY |
The Green Avenue inside the campus
Roosting place for Bats
Patterns of Nature
Patterns of Nature
Mushroom
Hibiscus Flower
Flowers of Scholar's Tree (Devil's Tree)
Flowers of Scholar's Tree (Devil's Tree)
Canon Ball
