Photographic evidence for Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli, ۱۷۶۹, Trochalopteron squamatum (Gould, ۱۸۳۵) and Lonchura malacca (Linnaeus, ۱۷۶۶) (Aves: Passeriformes) in the Pokhara Valley of Kaski district, Nepal

The Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli is a scarce winter visitor and passage migrant bird in Nepal being recorded mainly in the eastern part of the country. Similarly, the Blue-winged Laughingthrush Trochalopteron squamatum (Gould) is an uncommon resident of Nepal with rare observations reported from central-west to eastern Nepal. Also, the Tricolored Munia Lonchura malacca (Linnaeus) is considered as a local resident in Nepal especially in the Chitwan National Park, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Kathmandu Valley. None of these species have been photographed in the Pokhara Valley previously. This study presents the first photographic record of E. melanocephala and T. squamatum, and the first ever record of L. malacca from the Pokhara Valley, Nepal. Emberiza melanocephala was observed during the winter season in bushes of Ipomoea carnea while T. squamatum and L. malacca were recorded during the autumn and monsoon season in evergreen Schima-Castanopsis forest, and clumps of the reed Phragmites karka respectively.  

Keywords:

Passage migrant , Pokhara Lake-Cluster , rare birds , uncommon birds , winter visitor