South India is a great destination for bird watchers. There are many bird sanctuaries in South India.

Most of them are in the periphery of wildlife sanctuaries and national Parks. Some of the popular Bird sanctuaries are here.

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary

Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is one of the popular National Parks in Kerala, South India. It is located on the northern bank of River Periyar. The famous ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali designed this sanctuary. It is home for birds like Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon etc.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in Kerala, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. It is home for local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, and migratory birds like the siberian stork, Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, egret, darter, heron and teal.

Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary

Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary is the oldest Bird Sanctuary in India, located in Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India. This sanctuary can be visited on the way to Mamalapuram, which is just 53 kms away and 85 kms from Chennai. Every year, a large number of migratory birds like Grey Heron, Cormorant, Egrets, Darter, Open-billed Stork, Spoonbill, White Ibis, Grebes, Night Herons and Grey Pelican visit this Sanctuary. It is home for other birds like Cormorants, Darters, Herons, egrets, Open billed Storck, White Ibis, little Grebe, Indian Moorhen, Black Winged Stilts etc.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, is another important tourist destination. The sanctuary is now a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and bird watchers. It is a small sanctuary, comprising six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River, and is very close of the historic town Srirangapatana. Birds like Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork-billed Kingfisher and other common birds like egrets, cormorants, Oriental Darter, and herons are here.

Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary

Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary is located 33kms south of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, another southern state of India. Kunthakulam is a small and natural scenic village, which is covered with natural forests and ponds. Many birds migrate here during January to April from countries like Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, USA, and Australia.

Kawal Sanctuary

Located 50-kms from Mancherial in Andhra Pradesh, another southern State of India, Kawal Sanctuary is home for birds like Peacocks, Patridges, Quails, Vultures, Eagles, Kites, Owls, Mynas, Pigeons, Tree – pies, Kingfishers. Also animals like Sloth Bear, Panther, Tiger etc are here.

Kolleru Bird Sanctuary

Situated in Andhra Pradesh in Godavari District, 60 kms from Vijayawada, this picturesque bird sanctuary of India is a great tourist attraction. The prime attraction of birds are Painted storks, open bill storks, Grey Herons, cormorants, white Ibises, glossy Ibises, egrets, Reef Herons, Ducks, Coots, Shovellers, Terns, Jacanas, Moorhens etc.

Manjira Bird Sanctuary

Located near Sangareddy in Medak District, Andhra Pradesh (50-km From Hyderabad), the Manjira Bird Sanctuary is a haven to a variety of migratory as well as domestic feathered species. The birds include Painted Storks, Herons, Coots, Teals, Cormorants, Pochards, Black and White Ibises, Spoon Bills, Open Billed Storks etc.

By: Lakshmi Menon