Bird Walk at Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary, Vedanthangal, Tamil Nadu
- Vedanthangal
- 26 July, 2026
- Navneeth Krishnan
About Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Bird Guide: Navaneeth Krishnan
He is a naturalist, bird guide, and wildlife photographer with over 12 years of experience leading bird walks, treks, and immersive nature experiences. Holding a Master's in Wildlife Science and having worked with organizations like WWF-India and the Wildlife Institute of India, he combines scientific expertise with engaging storytelling to help people connect with birds, wildlife, and natural history across diverse habitats.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Away from the water, the surrounding woodland and scrub host species such as Greater Coucal, Golden Oriole, Rufous Treepie, White-throated Kingfisher, White-browed Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Oriental Magpie-Robin, and Spotted Dove. Raptors like the Shikra patrol the skies, while Asian Palm Swifts sweep overhead catching insects in flight. The remarkable diversity of wetland and woodland birds, combined with one of Asia’s largest mixed-species breeding colonies, makes Vedanthangal an unforgettable destination for birdwatchers throughout the year.
Ashy Prinia
Asian Palm Swift
Black-headed Ibis
Eurasian Spoonbill
Glossy Ibis
Golden Oriole
Greater Coucal
Indian Pond-Heron
Little Cormorant
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Oriental Magpie-Robin
Painted Stork
Pied Kingfisher
Rufous Treepie
Shikra
Spot-billed Pelican
Spotted Dove
White-browed Bulbul
White-throated Kingfisher
Summary of Walk
The guided bird walk at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, led by Navaneeth Krishnan, welcomed 10 participants to one of India’s oldest and most celebrated bird sanctuaries. Famous for its colonial nesting waterbirds and seasonal migrants, the sanctuary offered participants a remarkable opportunity to observe birds in their natural breeding habitat while learning about wetland ecology, migration, and conservation. As the group explored the sanctuary, discussions focused on identifying waterbirds, understanding nesting colonies, and appreciating the ecological importance of protected wetlands. A total of 30 bird species were recorded, making it one of the most species-rich walks of the weekend.
The highlights included spectacular sightings of Spot-billed Pelicans, Painted Storks, Asian Openbills, and Black-headed Ibises, along with numerous egrets, herons, cormorants, and other wetland birds that breed within the sanctuary. Participants enjoyed observing large nesting colonies while gaining insights into the behaviour and adaptations of colonial waterbirds. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary has long served as a vital breeding ground for thousands of birds and remains one of South India’s most significant wetland conservation success stories. The walk inspired participants to appreciate the importance of protecting wetlands, ensuring that these extraordinary habitats continue to support rich birdlife for generations to come.
