BIRDS

Grebes

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Pakistan.

Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Shearwaters and petrels.

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Jouanin's petrel, Bulweria fallax (A)
Flesh-footed shearwater, Ardenna carneipes
Wedge-tailed shearwater, Ardenna pacificus (A)
Short-tailed shearwater, Ardenna tenuirostris (A)
Persian shearwater, Puffinus persicus

Storm petrels.

The storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Pakistan.

Wilson's storm petrel, Oceanites oceanicus

Tropicbirds.

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Pakistan.

Red-billed tropicbird, Phaethon aethereus
Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda

Pelicans.

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Pakistan.

Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
Grey pelican, Pelecanus philippensis
Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus