8 Days - South India Birding Tour

Welcome to India! Arrive early in the morning at Cochin and transfer to Thattekkad, one of the finest birdwatching destinations in South India.

This compact yet bird-rich area, covering approximately 25km², has recorded over 270 species, making it a key site for birders exploring the Western Ghats. The region’s mix of lowland forests and wetlands provides ideal conditions for both resident and migratory birds. Specialty species found here include the spot-bellied eagle-owl, ceylon frogmouth, red spurfowl, bay owl, rufous babbler, blue-faced malkoha, brown-breasted grey-headed bulbul, and wynad laughingthrush. Thattekkad’s diverse habitats also attract numerous raptors, flycatchers, woodpeckers, and nightjars, offering excellent birding opportunities.

Stay for the first of three nights at the Hornbill Camp eco-lodge, set in a peaceful riverside location surrounded by nature.

Thattekkad is one of the best locations to observe a variety of endemic bird species unique to the Western Ghats. The reserve’s diverse habitats, ranging from dense evergreen forests to riverine patches, support a high concentration of birdlife.

Travel to Orullathany, located at the far end of the reserve, where the brown-breasted grey-headed bulbul and wynad laughingthrush can often be spotted among the foliage. Continue to the Edamalayar Power Plant area and the southern banks of the Periyar River, which provide excellent opportunities to see nocturnal species such as the spot-bellied eagle-owl and bay owl. This area is also known for sightings of the streak-throated woodpecker and yellow-billed babbler, along with other woodland species. With its combination of dense canopies, open riverbanks, and well-wooded surroundings, Thattekkad offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Spend time searching for the wynad laughingthrush and grey-headed bulbul, two key species found in the forests of Thattekkad. These shy and often elusive birds are typically seen foraging in the undergrowth or moving in small, active flocks.

The area is also home to several other sought-after species, including the red spurfowl and Ceylon frogmouth, both of which are more easily detected with patience and careful observation. Look for the striking blue-faced malkoha and blue-bearded bee-eater, which add vibrant flashes of colour to the canopy. The Malabar grey hornbill, a Western Ghats endemic, can often be heard calling before being spotted among the treetops.

Thattekkad is also a prime location for woodpeckers, including the white-bellied and heart-spotted woodpeckers, which are frequently seen clinging to tree trunks in search of insects. Other highlights include the rufous babbler, white-bellied treepie, and a variety of flycatchers such as the white-bellied blue-tailed and rusty-tailed flycatchers. Keep an eye out for the black-throated munia, often seen in small flocks near forest clearings or riverbanks.

In the late afternoon, drive to Munnar, a hill station set at an elevation of 1,450m in the heart of South India’s tea-growing region. The two hour journey offers scenic views of rolling tea plantations, mist-covered valleys, and the rugged slopes of the Western Ghats. While much of the landscape is dominated by tea estates, pockets of native shola forests and high-altitude grasslands still support a remarkable variety of endemic bird species.

In these remaining habitats, birders have the chance to spot the nilgiri wood pigeon, often seen perched quietly in dense forest canopies. The grey-breasted laughingthrush, another key species, moves in noisy flocks through the undergrowth. Munnar is also a prime location to observe several flycatchers, including the nilgiri flycatcher, black-and-rufous flycatcher, and white-bellied shortwing, all of which favour the cool, shaded interiors of the shola forests. In the grasslands, the nilgiri pipit can be found foraging along open slopes, blending well with the terrain. Keep an eye out for the painted bush quail, a shy and well-camouflaged species that emerges in small coveys from the grassy edges of forest patches.

On either side of the High Range Plateau, sheltered valleys are home to dense patches of natural evergreen forest, providing critical habitat for a range of endemic and rare species. These remaining shola forests and montane grasslands support a unique ecosystem found only in the higher elevations of the Western Ghats.

Explore the Nilgiri Hills and Rajamalai, an area within Eravikulam National Park, located just 8km from Munnar. This park protects one of the largest surviving tracts of high-altitude grassland and shola forest, making it an important site for birdwatching and wildlife conservation. The cool, mist-laden forests are home to species such as the Nilgiri wood pigeon, black-and-orange flycatcher, and white-bellied shortwing, while the open grasslands provide opportunities to spot the Nilgiri pipit and painted bush quail.

The grassy plateau is also one of the last strongholds of the endangered nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat endemic to the Western Ghats. With its curved horns and sturdy build, this species is well adapted to the steep, rocky slopes of the region. Though once heavily hunted, conservation efforts within Eravikulam National Park have helped stabilise the population, offering visitors a rare chance to see these animals in their natural habitat.

Depart Munnar in the morning and drive towards Ooty, a journey of approximately 6 to 7 hours by car. Along the way, stop at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, about 60km from Munnar (a 2-hour drive), located in a distinctive rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats. Unlike the lush forests of Munnar, Chinnar’s landscape consists of dry thorn scrub, open grasslands, and riverine patches, creating a habitat that supports a unique mix of birdlife and wildlife.

This arid ecosystem is home to species such as the yellow-throated bulbul, white-bellied drongo, and blue-faced malkoha. Raptors like the crested serpent eagle and Bonelli’s eagle can often be seen soaring above the rocky hills, while jungle bush quail and Indian paradise flycatchers move through the undergrowth. Chinnar is also known for its population of grizzled giant squirrels, an endangered species that can be spotted among the treetops.

After the stopover, continue the journey towards Ooty, a 4 to 5-hour drive through winding mountain roads that pass through tea estates, pine forests, and misty valleys. Arrive in Ooty by evening and check in for a two-night stay at Regency Villas, a comfortable base for exploring the birdlife and high-altitude landscapes of the Nilgiri Hills.

Spend the morning birdwatching at Cairnhill Shola, one of Ooty’s remaining patches of high-altitude forest, known for its rich birdlife and cool, misty environment. The dense canopy and undergrowth provide excellent opportunities to spot species such as the grey-breasted laughingthrush, white-rumped shama, and speckled piculet. This area is also home to woodpeckers, including the striking white-bellied woodpecker and the white-naped woodpecker, both of which can be seen clinging to tree trunks in search of insects.

Later, drive towards Masinagudi, descending through the Kallatti Ghats, a scenic route with steep, winding roads that cut through montane forests and open scrubland. Along the way, keep an eye out for raptors such as jerdon’s baza, black baza, and the distinctive eurasian eagle owl perched on rocky outcrops. The bird-rich slopes also support species like the streak-throated swallow and sirkeer malkoha, while open grassy patches are good for spotting the rain quail and blue-breasted quail.

In the more open woodlands, look for the large grey babbler moving noisily in small flocks, while the lesser whitethroat can often be seen flitting through the foliage. The blue-bearded bee-eater, with its striking plumage, is another highlight, frequently seen perched on exposed branches scanning for insects. The oriental scops owl, though harder to spot during the day, can sometimes be found roosting in shaded areas. Return to Ooty in the late afternoon.

Return to Cochin for onward travel to another Indian city, or an international flight home. You also have the option to extend your birding our to other regions of India if you haven’t had your fill yet.