Munnar is a home to many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. As this wonderful destination exhibit stupendous natural beauty, this is a favourite spot for the travellers reaching Kerala. They find time to visit this hill station not only to watch the nature’s gifts like valleys, waterfalls etc. but also to enjoy the romance of cool climate and its seduction. Munnar holds a magnetic beauty that attracts travellers from all corners of the world. The abundance of forest areas in the Western Ghats provided the birds and animals a safe shelter to live. You can see a number of rare birds and animals in the protected areas in Munnar. Kerala has got many spots that attract bird watcher and ornithologists like Thattekkad, pakshipathalam, Kumarakom etc. Still Munnar is a hotspot for them because of the presence of some birds that you can see exclusively on Munnar only.
The mighty Western Ghats is a treasure trove of many rare and beautiful birds. There are about 500 species of birds found at the Western Ghats. Some of them are endemic species. Rufous breasted Laughingthrush, the vulnerable Nilgiri Wood pigeon, White bellied Shortwing and Broad-tailed Grassbird, Grey breasted Laughingthrush, Black and rufous Flycatcher are some of them. Malabar Parakeet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White bellied Treepie, Grey headed Bulbul, Rufous Babbler, Wayanad Laughing thrush, White bellied Blue flycatchers and the Crimson-backed Sunbird etc. are some of the other rare birds found at Western Ghats.
Munnar is a paradise for many birds. The spots apt for bird watching in Munnar are Bodinayakanur and Rajamalai. Bodinayakanur is a small town and you can spot many rare birds at here. Eravikulam National Park is famous for the presence of Nilgiri Tahr which is an endangered animal. This park is also a habitat for many birds too. About 130 species of birds are found in the park. This include many endemic birds like Nilgiri Pipit, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White Bellied Shortwing, Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher, Kerala Laughingthrush, Black and orange Flycatcher etc. Pambadum Shola National Park is another hotspot for bird watchers at Munnar. You can spot Nilgiri Wood pigeon, White-bellied Shortwing, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Blue Rock thrush, Blue capped Rock thrush and Nilgiri flycatcher, and Black and orange Flycatchers etc. at here.
Great Indian Hornbill is found in the forest areas of Western Ghats and is the official bird of Kerala. Nilgiri Wood Pigeon is a large sized bird. It is usually dark grey in colour. This is an exclusive attraction of Western Ghats and you can spot them in the forest areas of Munnar. Nilgiri Pipit is an endangered bird species found in Munnar. It is found in the grass lands. There are many more birds to see at Munnar. Come and enjoy their chirping, and make your trip melodious.
Jyothis MP