Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus in the Andaman IslandsBhanu Sridharan, Nitya Prakash Mohanty, Krishna Anujan & Swapna Nelaballi

Sridharan, B., Mohanty, N. P., Anujan, K., & Nelaballli, S., 2017. Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus in the Andaman Islands. Indian BIRDS 13 (2): 46–50.

Bhanu Sridharan, Nature Conservation Foundation, 3076/5, IV Cross, Gokulam Park, Mysore 570002, Karnataka, India. E-mail: bhanu.sridharan@gmail.com [Corresponding author]

Nitya Prakash Mohanty, Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ Environmental Team, Wandoor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.Krishna Anujan, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, 1200 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027, USA.Swapna Nelaballi, Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.Manuscript received on 07 August 2016.

Swapna N

elaballi

IntroductionThe Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus is distributed throughout South-east Asia: Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam; and the Indian Subcontinent: Bangladesh, Bhutan, parts of north-eastern India, and the Andaman Islands (Ali & Ripley 1981; Rasmussen & Anderton 2012). Taxonomists generally accept two distinct races of Violet Cuckoos (Dickinson & Remsen 2013). The nominate is reported from north-eastern India, south-eastern Bhutan, north-eastern Bangladesh, Myanmar, south-central China (Yunnan), Thailand, Indochina, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Malay Peninsula, the Greater Sundas, and south-western Philippines (Palawan), while the race amethystinus is restricted to parts of the Philippines. The species is found in varied habitats, including low elevation tropical rainforests, secondary evergreen, deciduous, and mangrove forests, and human habitations, such as gardens and plantations (Robson 2008a; Payne 2016).

Despite its widespread distribution, the status of the species (whether resident, migratory, or vagrant) is not clear in parts of its distributional range. Though it has been reported from the Andaman Islands, information on its distribution and seasonal movement is patchy. Grimmett et al. (2011) describe it as a vagrant to the Andaman Islands; Payne (2016) treats southern populations, in which Andaman birds are presumably included, as residents. Rasmussen & Anderton (2012) suggest that Violet Cuckoos may be summer visitors, or residents at least on South Andaman Island.

In this paper, we describe the temporal patterns of Violet Cuckoo occurrence in the Andaman Islands based on our observations, historical records, and information reported on various ornithological databases.

Study AreaThe Andaman archipelago (10.50°N–13.67°N, 92.17°E–93.17°E) is located in the Bay of Bengal. The region comprises terrestrial habitats such as mangrove forests, rainforests, littoral forests, and human-modified areas. Our primary observations of Violet Cuckoos came from North Wandoor village (11.58°N, 92.61°E) of South Andaman Island [61, 62, 63]. The secondary observations we’ve compiled came from various locations on the South-, and North Andaman Islands, and from smaller islands near these areas. 61. An adult male Violet Cuckoo.

MethodsWe regularly observed Violet Cuckoos, in the study area, during September-November 2014. We recorded the date, and time of observation, and the age, sex, and behaviour of the species during these sightings. We also compiled all sightings of Violet Cuckoos from published sources, the global database—eBird (www.eBird.com), and the unpublished sightings of birdwatchers. We analysed these records to understand seasonal patterns in Violet Cuckoo movements in the Andaman Islands.

46 Indian BIRDS Vol. 13 No. 2 (Publ. 15 May 2017)

ResultsPrimary observationsBetween 27 September, and 28 October 2014, we observed two adult male Violet Cuckoos, one juvenile, one sub-adult male, and one female (Table 1). All sightings were between 0630 and 1042 hrs. Birds were consistently seen together, in combinations such as: two adult males and one juvenile, or one adult male and one sub-adult male. The birds were spotted on an electric wire, and occasionally on a Ziziphus mauritiana tree, close to human habitation at the edge of the Kanaidera forest. We also observed the birds feeding on a flush of the handmaiden moth (Arctiidae: Amata) [64], which congregated around the fruiting Z. mauritiana tree. The adult males, and the sub-adult male were observed sallying after the moths. They were perched close to one another on a wire, or on guava Psidium guajava, and papaya Carica papaya trees in the home gardens, adjacent to a road.

We also observed a solitary female, in a multiple-windowed wooden cottage (into which it may have blundered), at the Andaman and Nicobar Environment Team field station, located in the same site. The habitat at the field station was characterised by planted rainforest tree species, and arecanut Areca catechu plantations. The bird remained in the cottage for approximately an hour.

Secondary informationA total of 49 Violet Cuckoo records were found in published literature, online sources, and personal communication, reported between 2002 and 2016 (Table 2). Few published records were available prior to 2002 (Walden 1874; Ali & Ripley 1981; Davidar 1997). Most records (41) were from locations on South Andaman Island.

Violet Cuckoos were recorded predominantly in winter, between November and March (Fig. 1), with maximum sightings reported in December (nine), and March (eight), followed by January and February (four records each). Two sightings were from May, two during the monsoon months of June and July, and three in August (Table 2; Fig. 2).

47

Pics

: Sw

apna

Nel

abal

li

62. A first-winter male Violet Cuckoo on a Ziziphus mauritiana tree.

64. Violet Cuckoos fed on this handmaiden moth Amata species (Family Arctiidae).

63. A juvenile Violet Cuckoo.

SridharaN et al.: Violet Cuckoo

Table 2. Violet Cuckoo sightings from the Andaman Islands with information relating to age/sex, location, and month, based upon information gleaned from literature, online databases, and unpublished observations of individuals. X = Presence reported without details.

Sl. No. Number Age/Sex Island Locality Habitat Month Date Reference

1. 1 Juvenile South Andaman - Evergreen forest May 5/ 5/ 1873 Walden 1874

2. 1 Female South Andaman Port Blair Evergreen forest July 14/ 7/ 1873 Walden 1874

3. 1 Sub-adult Male South Andaman Port Blair Evergreen forest July 23/ 7/ 1873 Walden 1874

4. 2 Sub-adult males South Andaman - Evergreen forest August - Hume 1874

5. X - South Andaman - - March - Ali & Ripley 1981

6. X - South Andaman - - May - Ali & Ripley 1981

7. X - South Andaman - - July - Ali & Ripley 1981

8. X - South Andaman - - August - Ali & Ripley 1981

9. X - North Andaman - - - 1992-94 Davidar et al. 1997

10. X - South Andaman - - - 1992-94 Davidar et al. 1997

11. X - Havelock Havelock - - 1992-94 Davidar et al. 1997

12. X - John Lawrence - - - 1992-94 Davidar et al. 1997

13. X - Long Island - - - 1992-94 Davidar et al. 199714. 1 - South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest February 23/02/2002 Prasad (2002)

15. 1 - South Andaman Chidiyatapu Evergreen forest April 16/04/2007 Hornbuckle (2007)

16. 1 Female Not Specified - - August 16/08/2007 Mukherjee (2007)

17. X - South Andaman Chidiyatapu Evergreen forest December 22-29, 2007 Rheindt (2007)

18. 1 - South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest December 22-29, 2007 Rheindt (2007)

19. 1 - South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest March 05/03/2008 Robson (2008b)

20. 1 - South Andaman Sippighat Wetland December 22/12/2008 Riding (2008a)

21. 1 - South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest December 23/12/2008 Riding (2008b)

22. 1 - South Andaman Sippighat Wetland December 26/12/2008 Riding (2008c)

23. X Female South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest December 15/12/2009 del Hoyo (2009a)

24. X - South Andaman Chidiyatapu Evergreen forest December 16/12/2009 del Hoyo (2009b)

25. 1 Adult Male North Andaman Chalis Ek Near sea shore February 15/02/2011 Korpade & Manchi 2013

26. 1 Sub-adult male South AndamanMount Harriet National Park

Evergreen forest September 2/09/2011 Kuriakose (2011)

27. 1 Juvenile South Andaman Bichdera - March 26/03/2012 Praveen (2012)

28. X - Havelock Havelock Evergreen forest February 13/02/2013 Bhatia (2013)

29. X - Havelock Havelock Evergreen forest February 15/02/2013 Suvarna (2013)

30. X - South Andaman ANET mangroves Forest edge March 14/03/2013 Devarajan (2013)

31. 1 - South AndamanJirkatang- Ferrargunj

- November 24/11/2013 Santosh B.S. (2013)

Table 1. shows Violet cuckoo sightings primary observations between 27 September and 11 November 2014 in North Wandoor village (11.582°N, 92.610°E), South Andaman Island

Number of individuals

Age/Sex Habitat Observation date Observation start time eBird Checklist

1 Adult male Forest edge 27 September 2014 — —

1 Juvenile Forest edge 10 October 2014 0630 hrs —

1 Adult Forest edge 11 October 2014 0645 hrs S30397205

3 Two adult males, and one immature Forest edge 12 October 2014 0800 hrs S30397356

2 Adult male, and immature Forest edge 13 October 2014 0800 hrs S30397462

3 Two adult males, and one juvenile Forest edge 14 October 2014 0730 hrs —

3 Adult male, sub-adult male, and juvenile Forest edge 15 October 2014 0645 hrs S30397521

1 Adult female Human settlement 28 October 2014 1400 hrs —

1 Adult male Forest edge 10 November 2014 0630 hrs —

48 Indian BIRDS Vol. 13 No. 2 (Publ. 15 May 2017)

Table 2. Violet Cuckoo sightings from the Andaman Islands with information relating to age/sex, location, and month, based upon information gleaned from literature, online databases, and unpublished observations of individuals. X = Presence reported without details.

Sl. No. Number Age/Sex Island Locality Habitat Month Date Reference

32. 1 - South Andaman Chidiya Tapu Evergreen forest November 29/11/2014 Mu-Chi Tsai (2014)

33. X - South Andaman North Wandoor Forest edge December 01/12/2014 Tasneem Khan, Pers. Comm.

34. 1 - South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest January 27/01/2015 Khan (2015)

35. 1 - South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest January 31/01/2015 Dey (2015)

36. 1 - South Andaman North WandoorHuman habitation/ Forest edge

March 21/03/2015 Quader (2015)

37. 1 Adult male South Andaman North WandoorHuman habitation/ Forest edge

September 10/09/2015 Naveen Ekka, Pers. Comm.

38. 1 Adult male South Andaman North WandoorHuman habitation / Forest edge

September 25/09/2015 Naveen Ekka, Pers. Comm.

39. 1 - South Andaman ANETHuman habitation / Forest edge

December 29/12/2015 Prabha Mallya, Pers. comm.

40. 1 - South Andaman Namunaghar - January 19/01/2016 Russel (2016)

41. 1 - South Andaman Jirkatang Evergreen Forest January 24/01/2016 Sivakumar (2016)

42. 1 - South Andaman Chidiyatapu Evergreen Forest March 13/03/2016 Kumar (2016a)

43. 2 Adult male and female South Andaman Jirkatang Evergreen Forest March 14/03/2016 Kumar (2016b)

44. 1 - South Andaman Malapuram Evergreen forest March 15/03/2016 Kumar (2016c)

45. 1 Adult male South Andaman Mount Harriet NP Evergreen forest June 01/06/2016 Purushotham (2016)

46. 1 Adult male South Andaman Shoal Bay Forest edge June 02/06/2016 Anujan (2016)

47. 1 - South Andaman Chidiyatapu Evergreen forest September 04/09/2016 Singh (2016)

48. 1 - South AndamanPuducherry University

Human habitation September 14/09/2016Sojitra (2016)

49. 1 - South Andaman Chidiyatapu Evergreen forest September 18/09/2016 Reghuvaran (2016)

Habitat and behaviourOur sightings of five individuals in a single location are unusual, as the bird (particularly male of the species) is usually known to be solitary, or in pairs (Rasmussen & Anderton 2012). However, such congregations, around a flush of insects, have been reported previously (Payne 2005). Our observation of Violet Cuckoos feeding on handmaiden moths adds to our knowledge of their diet, which is known to include ants, caterpillars, flies, beetles, and fruit (Payne 2005). The Tables (1, 2) clearly indicate that

the bird uses a variety of habitats ranging from primary forests to human settlements. Such a flexibility of habitat choice has been noted earlier by Robson (2008).

Migratory status of the Violet CuckooFrom primary, and secondary, observations it is clear that the birds have been recorded regularly in the Andaman Islands (Fig. 1). The contention, that the species is a summer visitor (Abdulali 1965; Rasmussen & Anderton 2012), does not hold, due to the numerous observations from winter (October–March) (Tables 1, 2). The prevalence of records from those months may point to the bird being a winter visitor. However, records also exist from summer (April–August) (Table 2). We found more pre-2002 records from summer. The dearth of recent summer records might be attributed to a lack of birding activity at this time. For instance, eBird shows only a few checklists were uploaded from the Andaman Islands during this season. In this region, heavy rainfall during May–August hinders field-based research, including birding, which could be a reason for the reduced number of records of Violet Cuckoo during these months.

Given that the bird has been seen in all months, we infer a resident population exists in the Andaman Islands. Ali & Ripley (1981) have hypothesized that the population on South Andaman Island maybe a resident, and Rasmussen & Anderton (2012) that it could potentially even be an endemic race of slightly smaller size. Only the records from South Andaman Island, and the nearby Havelock Island span both seasons while the only record from North Andaman Island (with seasonal information) reports the species in winter (Table 2). However,

Fig. 1. Monthly sighting records of Violet Cuckoo from the Andaman Islands, clearly showing their occurrence throughout the year, with most sightings from winter.

49SridharaN et al.: Violet Cuckoo

No.

of r

epor

ts

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec No data

Months of sighting

the predominance of records from South Andaman Island is also expected, as most of the limited bird-watching on the Andaman Islands is concentrated there. Thus, it is difficult to decide, based on available information, whether the species is locally migratory.

By compiling primary observations, historic records, and citizen science information on Violet Cuckoos, we have provided evidence that its resident status in the Andaman Islands must be considered. Observers should look out for any breeding evidence, particularly, instances of its young being fed by host species like Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis.

AcknowledgementsThe authors thank Ashwin Viswanathan for useful suggestions and feedback on the manuscript, and Mike Prince, and Craig Robson for their insights. We are also grateful to the Andaman and Nicobar Environmental Team (ANET) for hosting us at their field station during this period. Finally, but most importantly, we are extremely grateful to all those who gave us information directly or by recording their observations online.

ReferencesAbdulali, H., 1965. The birds of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Journal of the

Bombay Natural History Society 61 (3): 483–571 (1964).Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D., 1981. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan together with

those of Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Ceylon. Stone Curlews to Owls. 2nd ed. Delhi: (Sponsored by Bombay Natural History Society.) Oxford University Press. Vol. 3 of 10 vols. Pp. i–xvi, 1–327 [p. 223].

Anujan, K., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S30543228. [Accessed: 26 November 2016.]

Bhatia, G., 2013. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S19900715. [Accessed: 26 November 2016.]

Davidar, P., Yoganand, T. R. K., Ganesh, T., & Joshi, N., 1997. An assessment of common and rare forest bird species of the Andaman Islands. Forktail 12 (August): 99–105.

del Hoyo, J., 2009a. Website: http://www.hbw.com/ibc/video/violet-cuckoo-chrysococcyx-xanthorhynchus/brief-view-female-perched-repeated-slow-motion [Accessed: 26 November 2016]

del Hoyo, J., 2009b. Website: http://www.hbw.com/ibc/sound/violet-cuckoo-chrysococcyx-xanthorhynchus/bird-singing-several-times [Accessed: 26 November 2016]

Devarajan, K., 2013. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S27850415. [Accessed on 26 November 2016.]

Dey, S., 2015. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S21974553. [Accessed on 26 November 2016.]

Erritzoe, J., Mann, C. F., Brammer, F. P., & Fuller, R. A., 2012. Cuckoos of the world. 1st ed. London: Christopher Helm. Pp. 1–544 [pp. 340–341].

Grimmett, R., Inskipp, C., & Inskipp, T., 2011. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. 2nd ed. London: Oxford University Press & Christopher Helm. Pp. 1–528.

Hornbuckle, J., 2007. Website: http://www.surfbirds.com/trip_report.php?id=1140. [Accessed on 26 November 2016.]

Hume, A. O., 1874. Contributions to the ornithology of India. The Islands of the Bay of Bengal. Stray Feathers 2 (1,2&3): 29–324 [pp. 191–192]. Website: http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/94439#page/191/mode/1up. [Accessed on: 15 December 2016.]

Khan, A., 2015. Webiste: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S21584085. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Koparde, P., & Manchi Shirish, S., 2013. Avifaunal Records from Chalis Ek, North Andaman Island: Insights into Distribution of Some Andaman Island Birds. Check

List. 9 (1): 034-041. [Website URL: http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?SL056-12.]Kumar, V. G., 2016a. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S28377398.

[Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]Kumar, V. G., 2016b. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S28461339.

[Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]Kumar, V. G., 2016c. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S28462460.

[Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]Kuriakose, J. 2011. Website: http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?Bird_

ID=428&Bird_Image_ID=53365. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]Mu-Chi Tsai, 2014. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S20950199.

[Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]Mukherjee, D. 2007. Website: http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.

php?id=22032. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]Payne, R. B., 2005. The Cuckoos. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pp. i–xxii,

1–618.Payne, R., 2016. Violet Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott,

A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A., & de Juana, E., (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (Retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/54822 on 6 October 2016).

Prasad, A., 2002. Website: http://www.kolkatabirds.com/tripreportandamans.htm#LIST%20OF%20BIRDS%20OBSERVED. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Praveen J., 2012. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S16380239. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Purushotham, C., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/india/view/checklist/S30112962. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Quader, S., 2015. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S22482425. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Rasmussen, P. C., & Anderton, J. C., 2012. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide: attributes and status. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C. and Barcelona: Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions. Vol. 2 of 2 vols. Pp. 1–683 [p. 227].

Reghuvaran, P., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S32601168. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Rheindt, F., 2007. Website: http://www.surfbirds.com/trip_report.php?id=1347. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Riding, K., 2008a. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/ S27387019. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Riding, K., 2008b. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S27387024. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Riding, K., 2008c. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/ S27387015. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Robson, C., 2008a. A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia. 3rd ed. London: New Holland.

Robson, C., 2008b. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S24463247. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Russel, D., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S27301616. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Santosh B.S., 2013. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S17402167. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Singh, A., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31429838. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Sivakumar R., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S27307324. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Sojitra, M., 2016. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S31697461. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Suvarna, R., 2013. Website: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S19378863. [Accessed on: 26 November 2016.]

Walden, A., 1874. On a further collection of birds made by Lieutenant Robert Wardlaw Ramsay, F.Z.S., in the Andaman Islands. Ibis 16 (2): 127–149.

With the compliments of

G.B.K. CHARITABLE TRUSTB-1/504, Marathon Innova, Ganapatrao Kadam Marg, Lower Parel,

Mumbai 400013.

50 Indian BIRDS Vol. 13 No. 2 (Publ. 15 May 2017)