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Checklist of Mammals, Butterflies & Birds

Birds of Bandhavgarh

jungle lodges in bandhavgarh & kanah india

Anseriforms	Gruiforms	Ciconiiforms
Anatidae: Ducks and Geese Bar-headed Goose Greylag Goose Cotton Pigmy Goose Ruddy Shelduck Comb Duck Red-crested Pochard Common Pochard Common Teal Lesser Whistling Duck Northern Pintail Garganey Mallard Duck	Rallidae White-breasted Waterhen Common Moorhen Common Coot Gruidae: Cranes Sarus Crane	Scolopacidae: Redshank, Sandpiper, Snipe, & Stint Spotted Redshank Green Shank Common Redshank Green Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Pintail Snipe Common Snipe Jack Snipe Little Stint Temminks Stint	Jacanidae: Jacana Pheasant-tailed Jacana Bronze-winged Jacana Charadridae: Lapwings & Plover Red-wattled Lapwing River Lapwing Yellow-wattled Lapwing Little Ringed Plover Lesser Sand Plover Kentish Plover	Laridae: Tern Indian River Tern Black-bellied Tern Podicipedidae: Grebes Little Grebe Anhingidae: Darters Common Darter Phalocrocoracidae: Cormorants Large Cormorant Little Cormorant Indian Cormorant
		Passeriforms
Ardeidae: Egrets, Heron, & Bittern Large Egret Intermediate Egret Little Egret Cattle Egret Grey Heron Purple Heron Pond Heron Little Green Heron Black-crowned Night Heron Black Bittern Cinnamon Bittern	Thereskiornithidae: Ibis & Spoonbills Black-headed Ibis Black Ibis Eurasian Spoonbill Ciconidae: Storks Lesser Adjutant Stork Black Stork Woolynecked Stork Asian Openbill Stork Painted Stork	Passeridae: Wagtails, Petronia, Pipit, Weaver, Avadavat, Silverbill, & Munia Forest Wagtail White Wagtail White-browed Wagtail Citrine Wagtail Yellow Wagtail Grey Wagtail House Sparrow Chestnut-shouldered Petronia	Common Rosefinch Paddy-field Pipit Tawny Pipit Blyths Pipit Olive-backed Pipit Tree Pipit Baya Weaver Red Avadavat Green Avadavat Indian Silverbill White-rumped Munia Scally-breasted Munia Black-headed Munia	Fringillidae: Buntings Crested Bunting Grey-necked Bunting Black-headed Bunting Red-headed Bunting Nectarnididae: Flowerpeckers Thick-billed Flowerpecker Pale-billed Flowerpecker Purple Sunbird

Zosteropidae: White-eye Oriental White-eye Pycnonotidae: Bulbul Red-vented Bulbul Hirundinidae : Martins & Swallow Sand Martin Pale Martin Plain Martin Dusky Craig Martin Barn Swallow Wire-tailed Swallow Red-rumped Swallow	Certhiidae: Treecreeper Spotted Treecreeper Sittidae : Nuthatch Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Velvet-fronted Nuthatch	Sturnidae: Myna & Starling Common Myna Jungle Myna Bank Myna Pied Starling Brahminy Starling Chestnut-tailed Starling Paridae: Tit Great Tit	Silvidae: Babblers, Warblers, & Cisticola Indian Scimitar Babbler Puff-throated Babbler Jungle Babbler Tawny-bellied Babbler Yellow-eyed Babbler Common Babbler Large Grey Babbler Lesser White Throat Sulfur-bellied Warbler Dusky Warbler	Booted Warbler Greenish Warbler Humes Warbler Yellow-browed Warbler Tickle’s leaf Warbler Clamorous Reed Warbler Blyths Reed Warbler Blyths Leaf Warbler Zitting Cisticol

Muscicapidae: Thrush, Flycatcher, Rubythroat, Chat, Robin, Redstart, & Shama Blue-capped Rock Thrush Blue Rock Thrush Orange-headed Ground Thrush Plain-backed Thrush Tickell’s Thrush Asian Brown Flycatcher Red-breasted Flycatcher Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher	Verditer Flycatcher Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher Slaty-blue Flycatcher Ultramarrine Flycatcher Siberian Rubythroat Common Stonechat Grey Bush Chat Pied Bush Chat Brown Rock Chat Oriental Magpie Robin Indian Robin Black Redstart White-rumped Shama	Alaudidae: Lark Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark Rufous-winged Bushlark Rufous-tailed Lark Pittidae: Pitta Indian Pitta Irenidae: Leafbird Golden-fronted Leafbird Orange-bellied Leafbird Blue-winged Leafbird Lanidae: Shrike Long-tailed Shrike Bay-backed Shrike Brown Shrike	Corvidae: Treepie, Crow, Oriole, Cuckoo Shrike, Minivet, Fantail, Drongo, & Iora Rufous Treepie Large-billed Crow House Crow Ashy Wood Swallow Golden Oriole Black-hooded Oriole Large Cuckoo Shrike Black-headed Cuckoo Shrike Black-winged Cuckoo Shrike Long-tailed Minivet Small Minivet	White-bellied Minivet Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrike White-browed Fantail White-throated Fantail Great Racket-tailed Drongo Black Drongo White-bellied Drongo Ashy-bellied Drongo Spangled Drongo Black-naped Monarch Paradise Flycatcher Common Iora Large Wood Shrike Common Wood Shrike
Galliforms	Piciforms		Bucerotiforms	Upupiforms
Megapodidae: Junglefowl, Spufowl, Francolin, & Quail Red Junglefowl Painted Spurfowl Red Spurfowl Black Francolin Grey Francolin Painted Francolin Jungle Bush Quail Turnicidae: Quail Barbutton Quail	Picidae: Wryneck, Flameback, & Woodpecker Eurasian Wryneck Black-rumped Flameback White-naped Woodpecker Brown-capped Pigmy Woodpecker Grey-capped Pigmy Woodpecker Brown-fronted Woodpecker	Yellow-crowned Woodpecker Rufous Woodpecker Streak-throated Woodpecker Megalaimidae: Barbet Brown-headed Barbet Coppersmith Barbet	Bucerotidae: Hornbill Malabar Pied Hornbill Grey Hornbill	Upupidae: Hoopoe Common Hoopoe
Coraciiforms	Apodiforms	Cuculiforms		Columbiforms
Coraciidae: Roller Indian Roller Meropidae: Bee-eater Green Bee-eater Blue-bearded Bee-eater Blue-tailed Bee-eater Alcedinidae: Kingfisher Common Kingfisher Cerylidae Stork-billed Kingfisher Small-pied Kingfisher White-throated Kingfisher	Apodidae: Needletail & Swift White-rumped Needletail House Swift Asian Palmswift Hemiprocnidae Crested Treeswift	Cuculidae: Cuckoo Pied Cuckoo Common Hawk Cuckoo Indian Cuckoo Plaintive Cuckoo Drongo Cuckoo Koel Cuckoo Eurasian Cuckoo Grey-bellied Cuckoo	Centropodidae Coucal & Malkoha Greater Coucal Sarkeer Malkoha Green-billed Malkoha Pstitaciform Psittacidae: Parakeet Alexandrine Parakeet Plum-headed Parakeet Rose-ringed Parakeet	Columbidae: Pigeon & Doves Blue Rock Pigeon Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Oriental Turtledove Laughing Dove Eurasian Collard Dove Spotted Dove Red-collard Dove Emerald Dove
Strigiform		Ciconiform
Strigidae: Owls Jungle Owlet Spotted Owlet Collared Scops Owl Brown Hawk Owl Eurasian Eagle Owl Brown Fish Owl Mottled Wood Owl	Caprimulgidae: Nightjar Grey Nightjar Indian Nightjar Savanna Nightjar	Accipitridae: Vulture, Eagle, Harrier, Buzzard, Ospery, Kite, Kestrel, Hobby, & Falcon Red-headed Vulture White-rumped Vulture Long-billed Vulture Egyptian Vulture Black Eagle Spotted Eagle Steppe Eagle Bonellis Eagle	Crested-Serpent Eagle Short-toed Snake Eagle Changeable Hawk Eagle Eurasian Marsh Harrier Pied Harrier Pallid Harrier Montagus Harrier Osprey Oriental Honey Buzzard	White-eyed Buzzard Black Kite Black-shouldered Kite Shikra Eurasian Sparrow Hawk Common Kestrel Eurasian Hobby Peregrine Falcon Burhinidae: Thickknee Eurasian Thickknee Charadriiforms Recurvirostridae: Stilt Black-winged Stilt

Mammals of Bandhavgarh Check List

CATS (FAMILY NAME: FELIDAE)

Tiger (Latin Name: Panthera tigris, Local Name: Sher/Bagh)
The tiger is undoubtedly the most charismatic of Indian animals. Once common throughout India, it was mercilessly hunted as a trophy by the Maharajas and the British. More recent threats to its survival are poaching and habitat loss. The latest tiger census in India shows the dismal state of affairs. Tigers are down to 1400 (2008) individuals as compared to 3500+ in 2002.

Equipped with keen senses, a powerful body and great camouflage, it makes for a formidable predator. Bandhavgarh is a great place to see wild Tigers. It has one of the highest densities of tigers in the world.

Leopard (Latin Name: Panthera pardus, Local Name: Tendua)
The leopard is a remarkably adaptable predator. Although much smaller than the tiger, the Leopard hunts smaller prey and hauls it up trees or high cliffs (out of reach from the tiger).This enables it to co-exist with the tiger. The leopard is very often spotted near village settlements in and around National Parks. Dogs, goats and chicken are often taken by it. It is mainly a nocturnal predator making it one of the hardest animals to spot in the wild. In Bandhavgarh National Park leopards can be found near hilly areas and on the fringes of the park.

Jungle Cat (Latin Name: Felis Chaus, Local Name: Jungli Billi)
This is the most common wildcat in India. It is slightly larger and more muscular than a domestic cat with a buff-brownish coat. The Wild Cat has been known to hunt prey much larger than itself, such as the Porcupine. Often spotted in and around the meadows of Bandhavgarh National Park. Do note that the duration of sightings are usually short due to the shy nature of this cat.

DOGS (FAMILY NAME: CANADAE)

Wolf (Latin Name: Canis Lupus, Local Name: Bhediya)
Although one of the largest of the Indian canids, it is much smaller than its European sub-species. It is best described as a small and slim Alsatian with a big head. It is also a very adaptable animal, hunting a variety of food including livestock. This characteristic brings the Wolf in direct conflict with people. Wolfs prefer dry, arid and bushy habitats. It has been spotted in the arid areas on the periphery of the park as well as the ranges that have recently opened up (suitable semi-arid habitat).

Jackal (Latin Name: Canis aureus, Local Name: Gidar)
This medium sized canid has a buffy grey coat which is not as smooth as a fox’s and not as dense as a wolf’s. It has an ungainly reputation for being a scavenger but is very efficient at hunting small prey such as Spotted deer fawns and rodents. It is very common in the National Park and can be spotted easily. In fact their eerie calls can be heard from the lodge (at night).

FOX (Latin Name: Vulpus bengalensis)
The Indian or Peninsular Fox is easily distinguishable from the Red Fox by its black tail and grayish appearance (like a small Jackal). It prefers open rocky areas and usually avoids thick forests. It is a rare sight in Bandhavgarh as it is a shy animal that gets disturbed very easily.

Dhole/Indian Wild Dog (Latin Name: Cuon Alpinus, Local Name: Dhole)
The Dhole is a uniquely Asian reddish brown dog that has shorter legs, a bushy tail and a thicker muzzle than both the Jackal and the wolf. Its habitat consists of open woodland interspersed with meadows. They hunt in a packs of 6-7 and rely on their enormous stamina to exhaust the prey animal before starting to feed on it live. Sightings of this dog are unpredictable. They have a tendency to migrate from area to area, so if they do come into the Park sightings are regular. At the same time they can move outside of the Park boundary for months at a time making them very difficult to spot.

HYENAS (FAMILY NAME: HYAENIDAE)

Striped Hyena (Latin Name: Hyaena hyaena, Local Name: Lakkad bagga)
This scavenger has a buff body and black stripes on the flanks and legs. It also has a dark crest on its back with the throat and breast being black. Very little is known about this creature due to its extremely shy and nocturnal and nocturnal nature, which makes it almost impossible to spot.

BEARS (FAMILY NAME: URSIDAE)

Sloth Bear (Latin Name: Melursus ursinus, Local Name: Bhalu)
The Sloth Bear is the most widespread of bears in India. It can be easily identified by a long snout and long sharp claws. People are familiar with this was used as a performing bear on the streets of India (now banned). The sloth Bear has poor sight which makes it very deadly when encountered. They account for a large number of attacks on humans living around the forest. It is omnivorous, eating everything from termites to wild fruit. The best time to spot this bear in Bandhavgarh is March-June. The bears seem more active at this time of the Year. In March they come to feed on the Mahua fruit blossoming in the forest.

MONKEYS (FAMILY NAME: CERCOPITHECIDAE)

Rhesus Macaque (Latin Name: Macaca Mulatta, Local Name:Bandar)
The Rhesus Macaque is a very common monkey throughout India. In fact in some areas they have become feral pests. They are found in Multi-male groups dominated by a single Alpha male. It is an aggressive nature monkey that is very obvious when you come across one. The Macaque’s in the park can be easily spotted, usually in large groups, especially around Hardia.

Hanuman Langur (Latin Name: Semnopithecus entellus)
People throughout India are familiar with this monkey as it is venerated by Hindus as a god. It has a silver body with a black face. The Langur shares a unique association with the Spotted deer. Both warn each other if a predator is around( Langur has a good sense of sight while the deer have a good nose). In addition the Langur unknowingly provide the deer with fresh leaves and fruit as they jump around feeding on tree tops. The Langur is very common in Bandhavgarh. Here you can see the special association between monkey and deer as well.

DEER (FAMILY NAME: CERVIDAE)

Sambar Deer (Latin Name: Cervus Unicolor, Local Name: Sambar)
The Sambar is the largest deer in India. It is a forest dwelling deer that is mainly a browser and is rarely seen browsing. The males can grow very large and are much darker than their female counterparts. When a Sambar gives out an alarm call, one can almost certainly presume that a tiger is around. In Bandhavgarh there is a very healthy population of this deer. In winter they can be easily spotted in the hilly areas of the park, while in summer they descend down to the waterholes to eat the fresh shoots in the water.

Spotted Deer (Latin Name: Axis axis, Local Name: Cheetal)
The spotted deer is the most common deer in India. It is also the only predominately spotted deer in India. The males and females are similar excepting the size and antlers that are present in males. They are well known to share a unique association with the Langur monkey and therefore often seen together. Bandhavgarh has a very good population of the Spotted deer. It provides the tiger with a suitable prey base.

Indian Muntjac/Barking Deer (Latin Name: Muntiacus Muntjak, Local Name: Kakar)
This is the smallest deer found in Bandhavgarh National Park. It has a distinct glossy brown coat with no under fur. When alarmed it gives out a sharp bark, which explains its name. In the park this shy deer can be seen under thick bamboo under growth. They are very inconspicuous and often go unnoticed.

ANTELOPS (FAMILY NAME: BOVIDAE)

Nilgai/Blue Bull (Latin Name: Boselaphus tragocamelus, Local Name: Nilgai)
The Nilgai is India’s largest Antelope. The shoulder is about the height of a horses, but slopes downwards to a low rump. The males have a slate blue body while the females and calves are Tawny brown. The best time to see this Antelope is from April to June.

Indian Gazelle (Latin Name: Gazella bennettii, Local Name: Chinkara
This is the only Gazelle species in India. Although more prevalent in Northern India, it has been spotted in the more arid areas of the park. This antelope is biscuit coloured with very short fur. It is very good at avoiding heat loss from the sun and can get all its water requirement from the moisture in the plants and bushes it consumes.

WILD PIGS (FAMILY NAME: SUIDAE)

Wild Boar (Latin Name: Sus Scrofa, Local Name: Jungli Suar)
This ancestor of the domestic pig has a dark brown body with a black mane. It forages for tender shoots that it unearths by digging the top soil with its long snout and small tusks. The Boar has a nasty reputation for charging people and is capable of causing a lot of harm. They charge without being provoked. Wild Boar can be seen easily inside as well as on the fringes of the park. In fact at night the Jungle Lodge comes alive with the sounds of these pigs, as they feed on the undergrowth.

CIVET (FAMILY NAME: VIVERRIDAE)

There are two types of Civets found in this park:

The Small Indian Civet (Latin Name: Viverricula indica, Local Name: Kasturi) and:

Common Palm Civet (Latin Name: Paradoxurus hermophroditus, Local Name: Khatas),
Civets are nocturnal animals and have an omnivorous diet of insects, fruit and honey. Often they can be seen at the lodge at night, perhaps attracted by the smell of fruits.

MONGOOSES (FAMILY NAME: HERPESTIDAE)

Grey Mongoose (Latin Name: Herpestes edwardsii, Local Name: Newala)
This Mongoose has tawny grey fur with darker legs. In India people catch these snakes and train them to fight and kill snakes in front of an audience. They too have an omnivorous diet consisting of insects, frogs, lizards and fruit. In rare cases Mongooses will catch and kill snakes too.

Ruddy Mongoose (Latin Name: Herpestes smithii, Local Name: Newala)
This is a large Mongoose found in Peninsular India. It does resemble the Grey Mongoose but has a red infusion in its fur. A characteristic trait of this Mongoose is that it carries the tip of its tail pointed upwards while foraging for food on the forest floor.

There are many lesser mammals in the Bandhavgarh National Park. Given below is a list of these animals:

SHREWS (FAMILY NAME: SORICIDAE)

Indian Tree Shrew (Latin Name: Anathana Eliotti, Local Name Chuchundar)

Grey Musk Shrew (Suncus Murinus)

FRUIT BATS (FAMILY NAME: PTEROPODIDAE, LOCAL NAME: CHAMGADAR)

Flying Fox (Latin Name: Pteropus giganteus) and;

Fulvous Fruit Bat (Latin Name: Rousettus leschenaulti)
PIPISTRELLES (FAMILY NAME: VESPERTILIONIDAE, LOCAL NAME: CHAMGADAR)

Indian Pipistrelle (Latin Name: Pipistrellus coromandra)
This is the smallest of the bat species in Bandhavgarh. It can be seen in the Badi Gufa caves.

FALSE VAMPIRES (FAMILY NAME: MEGADERMATIDAE)

Lesser False Vampire (Latin Name: Megaderma Spasma)

RODENTS

Five Striped Palm Squirrel (FAMILY NAME: SCIURIDAE) (Latin Name: Funambulus Pennanti, Local Name: Gillehri)

Indian Mole Rat (Latin Name: Bandicuta bengalenses)

Porcupine (Latin Name: Hystrix indica, Local Name: Sehi)

HARES (FAMILY NAME: LEPORIDAE)

Indian Hare (Latin Name: Lepus Nigricollis, Local Name: Khargosh)

PANGOLIN (FAMILY NAME: MANIDAE)

INDIAN PANGOLIN (Latin Name: Manis crassicaudata)

BADGERS (FAMILY NAME: MUSTELIDAE)

Honey Badger (Latin Name: Mellivora capensis)

Please note that while the above mammals are found in the Bandhavgarh National Park, their sightings are a matter of chance. We have had guests that have seen most of the mammals, while others have seen fewer. All we are saying is that you should not have very high expectations. With high expectations come bigger disappointments, so do spend time taking in the sights and sounds of nature and enjoy the forest in its totality.