The genus Chloropsis contains a large number of birds of bright green plumage which are found in Southern and South-eastern Asia. Seven species occur within Indian limits.
Chloropsis is always placed among the Bulbuls, but, with the exception of the very short tarsi, there is nothing in common between the two to point to any close relationship.
In this genus the bill is slender and curved, and about as long as the head; the tip is notched, and the nostrils are oval; the rictal bristles are weak ; the frontal feathers are advanced up to the nostrils; the head is not crested; the wing is rounded, and the tail is short and square; the tarsi are very short, shorter than the middle toe with claw.
Key to the Species.
a. Forehead rich orange-yellow.
a1. Chin and throat bright blue……………….C. aurifrons, p. 234.
b1. Chin and throat black……………….C. malabarica, p. 235.
b. Forehead greenish or yellowish.
c1. Abdomen orange-brown……………….C. hardwickii, p. 236.
d1. Abdomen green.
a2. Outer webs of primaries blue……………….C. chlorocephala, p. 237.
b2. Outer webs of primaries green.
a3. A bright patch of colour on the wing-coverts.
a4. Moustachial streak a mere short narrow line……………….C. zosterops, p. 238.
b4. Moustachial streak broad, and occupying the whole cheek……………….C. jerdoni, p. 238.
b3. No bright patch of colour on wing-coverts……………….C. cyanopogon, p. 239.
Add new comment