Ebird Checklist: I birded in India near Rajakizhpakkam Lake, which is close to my grandparents’ house. But the problem was I had no service, internet, or anything for my phone, so I could not record an E-Bird checklist then!

Date: November 1, 2022

Location: Near Rajakizhpakkam Lake

Latitude, Longitude: 12.9193° N, 80.1516° E

Elevation: 68.9 ft (21 m)

Site Description: This is a small waterbody just off of the Tambaram – Velachery main road. Although the lake used to be beautiful and clean, it is now being badly encroached upon by development. Similarly, the water from the lake is being let out as it apparently enters the houses that are built on the lake. Especially during monsoon season, this lake is badly cared for. But despite all of this, there are still a couple species of birds that can be seen and that are flitting about the area.

Species Account: Common Myna – Acridotheres tristis (Species name), Piciformes (Order) > Picidae (Family). These birds are native to southern Asia and have been sold as cage birds worldwide. Birds that have escaped captivity have managed feral populations in many regions around the world, including southern Florida, for example, where the species is now thriving in cities and suburbs.² But it can actually be found just about anywhere but in extremely dense forests. They are large and colored black and brown with white wing patches, a yellow bill, and yellow legs. They are often found in noisy flocks and are aggressive, which explains how they managed to grow in several areas around the world.³

 ^{Picture from e-bird.}

 ^{Picture from e-bird of the flying bird.}

Narrative: This lake area was close to my grandparents’ house, so I walked there with a couple of my cousins and stayed for almost 3 hours. The lake wasn’t extremely clean, so it was difficult to walk around in the mud and adequately be able to survey the area. Instead, I picked a relatively dry area to stand and bird from. I could see quite a few birds, although I couldn’t ID them until later.

Additional photos or media: 

Sources:

¹ Rajakilpakkam Lake – Wikimapia. Rajakilpakkam lake – Chennai. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2022, from http://wikimapia.org/1731863/Rajakilpakkam-lake

² Common myna. Audubon. (2021, October 20). Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-myna

³ Common myna – ebird. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2022, from https://ebird.org/species/commyn