Distribution records and extended range of the Sri Lanka Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger (Aves: Caprimulgiformes: Podargidae) in the Western Ghats: a review from 1862 to 2015

Main Article Content

Anil Mahabal
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2182-758X
Sanjay Thakur
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9960-0142
Rajgopal Patil
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0059-3833

Abstract

The Sri Lanka Frogmouth (or Ceylon Frogmouth) Batrachostomus moniliger is an endemic resident bird confined to the evergreen and secondary forests of Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India.  The earlier distribution range of the Frogmouth was from the Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka to the southern tip of India and most of Sri Lanka.  Recently, the range has been extended further north to Goa and up to Mumbai in Maharashtra.  A number of observations summarized into 202 distributional records (published reports and records uploaded to eBird basic data set, Oriental Bird Images, and GBIF.org from the years 1862 to 2015) of the Frogmouth have been tabulated with its maps, and reviewed for their state-wise distribution records.  The need of undertaking surveys to fill up the gaps in their distribution range as well as any further northward extension till the culmination of the Western Ghats has been discussed.  It is urged that taxonomical and molecular phylogenetic studies are required to be carried out in different populations of Frogmouths across the entire range.

 

Article Details

Section
Reviews
Author Biographies

Anil Mahabal, Institute of Natural History, Education & Research (INHER), B1-602, Kumar Parisar, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038, India

DR. ANIL MAHABAL has completed his doctoral research on population ecology of Common Myna. He served for 37 years in Zoological Survey of India, retiring as the Additional Director/Scientist 'F'. He has also authored many scientific papers related to the population, roosting behaviour, status reports, reviews, checklists and colour aberrations particularly in Aves and other animals. He is also president of Institute of Natural History Education and Research (INHER), Pune.

Sanjay Thakur, Biome Conservation Foundation, 18 Silver Moon, 1/2A/2, Bavdhan (Kh), Pune, Maharashtra 411021, India

SANJAY THAKUR is a naturalist and an avid natural history enthusiast. He has authored many research papers on Aves and reptiles. He has been working for the conservation of our natural heritage.

Rajgopal Patil, Institute of Natural History, Education & Research (INHER), B1-602, Kumar Parisar, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038, India

RAJGOPAL PATIL is an IT professional and a natural history enthusiast. He has been observing birds for the last 28 years. He is keenly interested in bioacoustics of birds and has been recording and analysing calls of birds and other animals. He has published papers and articles on this topic.

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