Which are the best birding areas in Kerala?

South India is known for its species richness, with a great variety of birds and mammals ranging from Asian Elephant and Nilgiri Langurs to the rare Mouse Deer. Bird species found in South India include White-bellied Treepie, Rufous Babbler, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Wayanad and Palani Laughingthrushes, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Mottled Wood Owl, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Fish Owl, and Spot-bellied Eagle Owl. You should also be able to sight the Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Indian Pitta, and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.

 Two of the most popular birding destinations in South India are Thattekkad, and Munnar. These destinations are not only home to lush picturesque forests, but a variety of wildlife endemic to the Western Ghats.

When travelling here, your trip begins in Cochin, or Kochi where you can visit the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, the Dutch Palace and the Chinese fishing nets. 

 From Kochi, you will travel onward to Thattekkad bird sanctuary. Thattekkad, officially known as the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is a lowland forest with several types of ecosystems – Riverine, Grasslands, Evergreen, Scrub, Dry Deciduous, Lowland Forest, enabling it to be one of the best birding destinations in India. In Thattekkad, you can enjoy many bird-filled walks in the jungles, which can be very rewarding.

Specialties here include Grey-headed Bulbul, Wayanad Laughingthrush, White-bellied Treepie, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Red Spurfowl, Sri Lanka Bay Owl, Rufous Babbler, Blue-faced Malkoha, and Brown-breasted, White-bellied, and Rusty-tailed Flycatchers. Other species include Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, White-bellied and Heart-spotted Woodpeckers, Black-throated Munia, Black-naped Monarch and Brown Hawk-Owl. Relax for a few hours during the heat of the day  before looking for nightjars in the bouldery patches known to the local guides. The nightjars seen here include Great Eared, Jerdon’s, Jungle and Savanna. Here you can also look for Grey Junglefowl, Jungle Owlet, Plain Flowerpecker, Rufous Babbler, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater and many other species. Moreover, Thattekkad is ideal for seeing a good number of butterfly and mammal species.

From Thattekkad, you move further to the popular hill station of Munnar. Located at an altitude of 1600m above sea level, Munnar is a haven for peace and tranquility. From vast tea plantations to an array of trekking trails and magical waterfalls, the place is blessed with several scenic spots which are capable of making your southern journey experiential. Munnar has several temples, viewpoints, and waterfalls one can visit, as well as the famous tea plantations. Some of the popular sightseeing places here include the Munnar Tea Plantation, Mattupetty Dam for boating, Munnar Tea Museum. Visit the scenic beauty of Places like Pothamedu, Lock heart point or Gap Road, or take a jeep Safari to Koluthumalai to see the mountain heights of Munnar. One can also shop for farm-fresh spices here, including cardamom, coffee, pepper, cloves, and more.

 

Apart from the scenic beauty, Munnar is also a fantastic wildlife and birding destination. Around Munnar, the pockets of the “sholas” (a type of alpine meadow specific to the Western Ghats) and Nilgiri mountain grassland ecosystem are home to several of the endemic birds and various mammals including the endemic Nilgiri Tahr. The nearby Eravikulam National Park, and several sholas make for a variety of endemic species.

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Thattekad Bird Sanctuary – How to Reach, Best Time to Visit and Other Details

Located around 60 km to the northeast of Kochi and stretched over 25 sq. km, 

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful bird park in Kothamangalam, Ernakulam, Kerala. It is well located by Periyar River’s north bank.

It generally receives a tropical climate and plays an important role to attract migratory birds. This region receives around 3000mm of average rainfall. The rainfall starts here in May till July. So, you need to avoid these months to visit this park as it remains closed. It receives a pleasant climate throughout the rest of the year. You can spot the rarest birds of India due to its climate.

Thattekad was discovered as the richest habitats for birds in peninsular India by Dr. Salim Ali in 1930. In 1973, it became a bird sanctuary. The forest has been capped with a wide range of evergreen and deciduous trees and makes a safe haven for birds. So, it really attracts a huge population of bird watchers and wildlife lovers all year-round.

Here are some of the common and rarest birds found in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary –

Orange Headed Thrush

Indian Pitta

Large Billed Leaf Warbler

Indian Cuckoo

Jerdon’s Nightjar

Oriental Darter

Cormorants

Collared Scops Owl

Whiskered Terns

Ceylon Frogmouth

Yellow-Browed Bulbuls

Pompadour Green Pigeon

Best Time to Visit

As discussed above, don’t visit this park from the months of May to July as this place becomes inaccessible during the monsoons and you won’t be able to enjoy the sightings. November to February is the best time to visit the park as it is also the time of migration for most birds from foreign lands and Himalayas. Kerala receives a soothing and pleasant climate at this time. You can visit the sanctuary at this time. The sanctuary remains open 12 hours every day from 6 am to 6 pm and you can complete the visit within 4 to 5 hours. It is highly recommended to visit this park in the daytime because you can also find insects by the time you finish off. You can enjoy your trip without any stress.

Getting There

By Air – The nearest airport is located around 45 km from Thattekad Bird Sanctuary. From Kochi airport, you can book a cab to Thattekad. It takes around 1 hour to get to the destination from the airport.

By Rail – Aluva is the closest railway station which is located around 50 km. You can also take a cab to get there.

By Road – Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is located around 65 km from Kochi and can be accessed easily by road.

Things to Do

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is definitely known for bird watching. You can take an elephant ride to get insight into rare migratory birds. You would be accompanied by the well-trained elephant mahouts. You can find lots of peculiar birds on the elephant’s back.

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Fauna Species Found Majorly in Western Ghats of South India

Lies around Sahyadri ranges are the great Western Ghats separated through a steep plain from the Deccan plateau.  This mesmerizing green valley has thousands of wildlife species, including over 325 globally endangered ones.

The Western Ghats have around 139 species of reptiles, mammals, and amphibians (including the rare purple frog), 102 fish species, annelids, mollusks, 508 species of birds (including the most anticipated Malabar parakeet and Malabar grey hornbill) and over 6000 insect species.

The hills and national parks of Western Ghats are the major corridors for wildlife, including Indian elephants, big Indian cats, rare Gaur (Indian Bison), wild boars, and the rare sloth bears. Along with the wild species listed here, you can also find the unique species of India in the Western Ghats like Indian giant squirrel, Indian flying fox, and Nilgiri goat. These reasons are enough to make Western Ghats listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in India.

Bird Species

The Western Ghats are the most bio-diverse hotspot in the world with over 508 bird species in the Nilgiri biosphere reserve. Some of the endemic birds in the Western Ghats are Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar parakeets, grey-headed bulbul, Malabar grey hornbill, Nilgiri flycatchers, and various flying predators. Malabar parakeets are some of the most beautiful endemic bird species in Palani hills. 

Mammal Species

The Western Ghats also houses thousands of beautiful and rare mammals, such as Black Panther (the big cats of India), the Royal Bengal Tiger and leopards. The Malabar large-spotted civet and lion-tailed macaque are some of the endangered mammals of Western Ghats. A lot of endemic mammal species in the Western Ghats are so rare that they are not spotted anywhere in the world. Huge numbers of Asian elephants call the biosphere of Nilgiri Mountains their home. Nilgiri Tahr and Nilgiri Marten are some of the rarest animals in the Western Ghats.

Reptile Species

You can find a great diversity of reptiles in the Western Ghats, including Vipers, one of the world’s most dangerous snake species. It has over 13 reptile species, including the dwarf gecko, the giant monitor lizard, and Malabar flying lizard. King Cobra, the most poisonous and deadly snake species, is found in the Western Ghats.

King Cobra preys and inhabits the dense forests of Kerala and rainforests of Western Ghats. You can also spot other exotic and venomous reptiles and dangerous crocodiles in the Western Ghats.

Amphibian Species

The rich population of amphibians lives in the Western Ghats. Out of 179 amphibian species, over 80% of these are endemic ones, including the near-extinct purple frog and Malabar flying frog. Also called a pig nose frog, the purple frog also serves as a living fossil to the forest.

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Bird Watching in Kerala – Famous Bird Sanctuaries Worth Checking Out

Visiting Kerala is all about marveling at the beauty of nature while sailing through the untouched and calm backwaters on a lavish cruise. If you have done the backwater cruise, God’s Own Country has something more to explore.

The wonderful ecosphere of Kerala houses the beautiful range of avian species having both migratory and local birds. It is truly a bird watchers’ paradise. If you are a crazy adventurer and have a soft corner for these creatures in your heart, don’t miss visiting these bird-watching spots in Kerala –

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

On the banks of Vembanad Lake in the district of Kottayam, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is one of the well-revered spots for bird-watching in the nation. Stretched around 14 hectares, Kumarakom has a lot of avian and rare species in the premises. You can spot different local birds like cuckoo, waterfowl, cormorant, heron, darter, and moorhen. There are also migratory birds like teal, Siberian crane, flycatcher, and lark.

Top Attractions – You can have a beautiful evening by the misty Vembanad Lake, embark on a cruise for birding, or trek through the Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls. 

 Getting there – Cochin airport is the nearest airport located 80 km from Kumarakom bird sanctuary.

 When to visit? – The best time to visit is from November to February due to moderate temperatures.

 Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary

Located just in the heart of bustling Kochi city, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is no less than a paradise. The “Green Lung of Kochi” itself, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary is well regarded for various migratory birds living in its dense mangrove jungles.

While controlling the city’s pollution, the sanctuary is also a great tourist spot by having over 30 bird species.

Attractions – You can witness the traditional Kathakali performance, explore the rich history in Fort Kochi, and learn about the unique fishing techniques of fishers in Cochin.

Getting There – Cochin International Airport is located just 35 km from the sanctuary, which takes an hour’s drive.

Approx budget – Rs. 800 per day for each

When to visit? – Winter months starting from October to January are known to be the best time to get here as temperature ranges from 17oC to 33oC, so you can spot different birds.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is the first in Kerala to have a great ecosphere. Its premises consist of lowland forests stretched along the Periyar River, which is the longest river in the state. Hence, you can explore both water birds and forest birds. The sanctuary houses over 300 species of birds along with exotic ones like racket-tailed drongo, Sri Lankan frogmouth, white-bellied treepie, bronzed drongo, rufous babbler, yellow-browed bulbul, and Malabar grey hornbill. 

Attractions – You may visit the huge Bhoothathankettu Dam, hike along the Thettekad Bird Sanctuary, and picnic at Bhoothathankettu Park with family.

Getting There – Cochin airport is located 45 km from the sanctuary.

 When to Visit? – The best time to visit is October to February when you can spot a lot of migratory birds.
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