birding...

Kole Wetlands

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Kole Wetlands are a winter wildfowl area of international importance. The Kol lands (marshlands & open paddy fields) surrounding the town of Thrissur and are famed for birding. The traditional farming lands of Central Kerala grow rice, coconuts and other spices. Here Red Avadavat, Streaked Weaver, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Malabar Lark, abound as do many water birds.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

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Kumarakom is a large backwater lagoon. While moving around the lagoon, you are likely to see White-breasted Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Small Blue Kingfisher, Little Cormorant, White-breasted Waterhen, Black Bittern, Chestnut Bitten, Little Egret, Cattle Egret and Median Egrets. You may also see Great Cormorants, Open-billed Storks, Grey Herons, Yellow Bitterns, White Ibis, Cotton Teal, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Koras, Black-caped Kingfishers, Ruddy Crakes, Gull-billed Terns and Shikras.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

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Parambikulam - Periyar is well located as a centre for seeing most of these ornithological specialties of the Western Ghats, as well as large numbers of other resident hill species and migrants. It is also one of the best-managed Tiger Reserves in the country and is home to large herds of elephants, bison, bears, leopards and tigers. Its attraction for birdwatchers is enhanced by the proximity of low-lying plains on three sides. There is considerable local migration of lowland species, often in the drier weather, up into the foothills, and several interesting examples of ecological counterparts in pairs of wet zone and dry zone species can be found, e.g. the Barbets. This is particularly noticeable at Thekkady, conveniently sited near the top of a steep 450m/1500ft ghat above the dry Tamil Nadu plain. In deciduous forest around Thekkady the commonest species in mixed foraging flocks are, in descending order Racket-tailed Drongo, Scarlet Minivet, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Bronzed Drongo, Grey Tit, Golden-backed Woodpeckers, White-bellied Treepie, Jungle Babbler, Indian Rufus Treepie, Yellow-browed Bulbul, Large Wood Shrike, Ashy Drongo, Small Minivet, Gold-fronted Leafbird, Small Green Barbet and a variety of Flowerpeckers. Other common birds include Orioles, Fairy Bluebird, Leaf Warbler, Flycatchers and Quaker Babbler. Almost all species recorded in the sanctuary can be seen at one time or another in the Tourist Zone, although it is necessary to climb to the grassy hilltops find some, such as Brown Pipit and Pied Bush Chat.

Silent Valley National Park

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The Silent Valley National Park is a unique preserve of natural rainforests. Within an area of 237. 52 Sq.km, it houses a rich mosaic of varied habitats. Out of these springs the amazing variety of life forms some of them endemic to the Western Ghats.

Thattekkad

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If one makes a birding trip to Kerala try not to miss out on Thattekkad - the only tropical bird sanctuary in India. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is 12 km NE of Kothamangalam in Ernakulam District, Kerala state, about 50 km east of Kochi. This is the prime birding destination in South India. Specialties here include Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Red Spurfowl, Bay Owl, Rufous Babbler, Blue-faced Malkoha, Brown-breasted, White-bellied Blue-tailed and Rusty-tailed Flycatchers, Grey-headed Bulbul and Wynad Laughing Thrush. Moreover, Thattekkad is ideal for seeing a good number of the 16 endemics of the Western Ghats. The more difficult birds are Wynad Laughing Thrush and Grey-headed Bulbul. Proceed to Orullathany, at one end of the reserve, for the Bulbul and Laughing Thrush. Also visit Edamalayar Power Plant land and the South side of the river for the owls, Streak-throated Woodpecker and Yellow-billed Babbler. Other notable species likely to be seen within the Reserve are Red Spurfowl, Ceylon Frogmouth, Blue-faced Malkoha, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-bellied and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Rufous Babbler, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, White-bellied Treepie and Black-throated Munia.

Wayanad Wildlife Santuary

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Established in 1973, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve , which has been established with the specific objective of conserving the biological heritage of the region. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest. Elephant, spotted deer. Bison, tiger, cheetah, wild bear etc. can be spotted here. Elephant rides are arranged by the Forest department.

Number of endemics: 16 Western Ghats Endemics
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Rufous Babbler, White-bellied Treepie, Grey-headed Bulbul, Wynad Laughing Thrush, Black & Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Blue Flycatcher, Nilgiri Pipit, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Nilgiri Laughing Thrush, White-bellied Shortwing, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Grey-breasted Laughing Thrush

* Field Guides & Bird Song

For a comprehensive list of recommended titles covering India as a whole - please see the main India page of Fatbirder

A Book of Kerala Birds

Edited by KK Neelakantan, C Sashikumar and R Venugopalan 146 pages, col plates [identifying 28 birds], b/w illus [for 12 more], map. WWF India
ISBN: 35080
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Bird Sounds of Goa and South India

Hannu Jannes, WildSounds
ISBN: 156613
Buy this book from NHBS.com

State Bird

Great Hornbill

Eravikulam National Park

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In the forested high ranges of the south Indian state of Kerala is a valley watered by three rivers. The mountains that hunch out of the valley are covered in manicured slopes of tea. This is the Eravikulam National Park, known for the Nilgiri Tahr, a goat in dire need of the dedicated protection given by the State Forest Department and the company which owns the tea estates in Munnar. This is a good stop-over for wildlifers entering Kerala from Ooty and going toward the Periyar National Park.

Pampadum Shola National Park

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Pampadum Shola National Park is the smallest national park in Kerala state, South India...

Periyar National Park

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The birds include darter, cormorant, grey heron, ibis, great malabar hornbill and grey hornbill, kingfishers, ospreys and kites as well as orioles, hill mynas, racket tailed drongos, parakeets, including the unusual blue winged paraket and flycatchers.

Periyar National Park

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Due to the abundant water bodies located all over the park, Periyar National Park is nothing short of a haven for bird life. Predominant among them are: Darters, Cormorants, Ospreys, Kingfishers, Racket Tailed Drongos, fish owls, Kites, Great Hornbills, Gray Hornbills, Hill Mynahs, Grey Herons, White Egrets and Orioles. There are over 200 bird species that have been in recorded in Periyar National Park.

Periyar Tiger Reserve

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The forests of Periyar can be divided into four categories. The open grasslands are home to the Elephants, the Bison and herds of deer. The moist deciduous forest is dominated by trees like Terminalia and Teak which shed their leaves seasonally. The semi-evergreen forest occurs along wet stream areas and is often adjacent to the tropical evergreen forest. Lastly, the Sholas or tropical evergreen jungle which is typical of the entire western Ghats in the state, abounds in this Reserve.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary - Thattekad

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On the western side of the Indian subcontinent is the rainward side of the western ghats, a lush green part of the country watered by every passing cloud. Here lies the quiet but beautiful Kerala, haven for a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna. Thattekad, on the banks of the river Periyar, is a dense monsoon forest, not very far from the port town of Cochin. Salim Ali described it as the birder`s paradise. A plantation forest with teak, mahogany and fruit-bearing trees along with the natural wild tropical deciduous vegetation, it is home to nearly 350 species of birds, most notably the Malabar grey hornbill. Other exotic birds are the Ceylon frogmouth, Malabar trogon, White-bellied treepie and Heart-spotted woodpecker. Elephants also live here, happy with the easily accessible ponds on the side of the river. It is now protected as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Thattekkad

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The Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary, one of the most important bird santuaries in South Idia, was established by Dr. Salim Ali, the famous ornithologist, in 1998. Thattekkad Sanctuary is situated in Kerala in the Devikulam Taluk of Idukki District...

All India Birding Tours

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Your Birding itinerary depends upon your interests, the duration of the planned trip, and other matters such as your budget...

Anytime Tours - 13-Days Birding the Western Ghats & South India

Tour

This tour focuses on the endemic birds of the Western Ghats and South India. There is a good chance of picking up most of the endemic bird species associated with the Western Ghats. Species include White-bellied Treepie, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, Nilgiri Woodpigeon and Nilgiri Flycatcher, Ceylon Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon and Indian Pitta...

Asian Adventures

Tour Operator

...This is a tour specifically designed to sight all the 16 endemics of the Western Ghats as well as most of the 68 South Indian endemics, besides the more than 500 species of birds in the peninsula. The tour encompasses Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary at Thattekkad, Periyar, Munnar, Top Slip, Ooty, Masinagudi, Bandipur, Ranganthittu & Kokre Bellur...

Birding Pal

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Local birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...

Ficus Wildlife and Natural History Tour

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We organize natural history tours in south India and specialize in tours to the Western Ghats of south India, a mountainous eco-region, which are considered as a global biodiversity hotspot. We offer custom made itineraries to individuals and groups with specific interests on birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians as well for those with a broad interest in the natural history of the region...

Kalypso Adventures

Tour Operator

Kerala has indeed been a well-recognized birders' destination for many years now; exhibiting considerable diversity of terrain and vegetation. From towering mountains and thick forests to the beautiful backwaters and rivers. Moreover, with its equable climate and an educated population, Kerala has been known to be a destination for the world traveler...

Sinclairs Bird Watching

Tour Operator

Hotel Sinclairs offers three exotic destinations for bird lovers, namely Dooars, Portblair and Ooty. A pursuit for families, groups and individuals, birdwatching is becoming increasingly popular today. Birding is easy and inexpensive, requiring minimal equipment, skill and physical fitness. With their diverse habitats and hospitable climate, it is easy to see why the three destinations among the best for birdwatching in the Indian sub-continent...

keralabirder

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To post to list:keralabirder@yahoogroups.com
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A Discussion Forum for Birdwatchers of Kerala. In trend with the growing interest in birds and birdwatching in Kerala, we have set up an e-group for such people to interact and gather remotely through the fast facility of electronic access. This mailing list has been set up with the following interests in mind. Praveen J - Moderator

Idle Mind

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A blog on birding, nature and conservation in India…

Birds in Thattekkadu

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Thattekkadu is located in Cochin district at kerala and is the one of the best Birdwatching hot spots in kerala…

Birds of Kerala

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A Complete Guide to Birding in Kerala, India. Kerala has abundance of forests, wetlands and a long coastline – making it rich in avifauna and hence a very rich destination for birding enthusiasts. This land is home to more than five hundred species of birds – some of them found nowhere else in the world. According to Birdlife International, it is also one of eight centers of endemism in the Indian sub continent.

Photographer - Praveen P Mohandas

Gallery

Really stunning images from an award winning photographer...