birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. Great eared nightjar Jungle nightjar, காட்டுப் பக்கி Jerdon's nightjar, நீண்டவால் பக்கி Indian nightjar, சின்ன பக்கி Savanna nightjar Treeswifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae The treeswifts, or crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage. Crested treeswift, kondai uzhavaran Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Indian swiftlet White-rumped spinetail White-throated needletail Brown-backed needletail Asian palm swift, panai uzhavaran Alpine swift, malai uzhavaran Common swift Blyth's swift Little swift House swift, nattu uzhavaran Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. Great Indian bustard Lesser florican, varagu kozhi Cuckoos Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Many are brood parasites. Greater coucal, shenbagam Lesser coucal Sirkeer malkoha, chevvaayan Blue-faced malkoha, pachai vayan Chestnut-winged cuckoo Jacobin cuckoo, sudalai kuyil Asian koel, kokilam Asian emerald cuckoo Banded bay cuckoo, senkkuyil Plaintive cuckoo, ' kuyilGrey-bellied cuckoo Square-tailed drongo-cuckoo Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo Large hawk-cuckoo Common hawk-cuckoo, akka kuyilHodgson's hawk-cuckoo Lesser cuckoo Indian cuckoo, kuyilCommon cuckoo Sandgrouse Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, kal kowdhariPainted sandgrouse, varna kowdhariPigeons and doves Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Rock dove Nilgiri wood pigeon, nilagiri kattu puraOriental