Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, India

Tamil Nadu is an ideal tourist destination for Bird watching. This southern State of India is rich in flora and fauna. About 18 percent of the total geographical area of the state is under forests.

Vedathangal Bird Sanctuary is the oldest Bird Sanctuary in India, located in Tamil Nadu of India. 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. This sanctuary can be visited on the way to Mamalapuram, which is just 53 kms away and 85 kms from Chennai.

Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary is located 33kms south of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. 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.

Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary is an extension of Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary. Apart from the various types of animals, it houses birds like Peacock, Grey Jungle Fowl, Red Spur Fowl, Grey Partridge Quails, Goggle Eyed Plower,

Malabar Whistling Thrush, large Racket-Tailed Dronge, The Magpie-robin, Spotted Babbler, Small Green Barbet, Green Pigeons, Brown Dove, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Bulbuls, Mynahs, etc. Among them,Eagles, Hawks, Buzzards, Harriers, Falcons and King Vulture are predominant, besides some migratory water birds.

This sanctuary, spread over 9.58 Sq.kms, can be reached through Topslip in Anamalai Hills on the Western Ghats. Apart from the wild animals, birds like Racket Tailed Drongo,Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Flycatcher, Whistling Thrust, Emerald, Dove, Green Pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian Malabar pied Horn Bill, Fiary Blue Bird and green Billed Malkhoha etc. are found here.

Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary in Nagapattinam District, is spread about 17 sq.kms and is a perfect combination of sun, sea and sand. Apart from the large number of animals, it houses birds like Teals, Curlews, Gulls, Terns, Plovers, Sandpipers, Shanks, and Herons and Flamingoes in winter and Koels, Mynas and Barbets in spring. This beautiful Bird Sanctuary is just 42 km from Thiruthuraipoondi Railway station and 225 km from Tiruchirapalli Airport.

Do you know any other famous Bird Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu? If so, please add it to this list in the comment.

Updated on Sept.3,2011. One of the readers has mentioned the following bird sanctuaries too, to this list.

1. Vetangudi Birds sanctuary in Sivagangai district.

2. Chitrangudi Birds sanctuary, (Ramanathapuram District)

3. Kanjirankulam Birds sanctuary,(Ramanathapuram District)

4. Melaselvanoor-Keelaselvanoor Birds sanctuary (Ramanathapuram District)and

5. Therthangal Birds sanctuary (Ramanathapuram District)