Bird Walk at Vedanthangal Bird sanctuary, Vedanthangal, Tamil Nadu
- Vedanthangal
- 26 July, 2026
- Rs 250 per head (including the park entry fee)
- Fee collected goes entirely to the bird guide. Ataavi does not retain or profit from this amount.
About Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is India’s oldest waterbird sanctuary and one of the country’s most celebrated birding destinations. Located about 75 km from Chennai, this historic wetland has protected nesting birds for over two centuries through community-led conservation. The sanctuary consists of a large irrigation tank surrounded by Barringtonia trees, shallow marshes, mudflats, and agricultural landscapes that provide ideal breeding and feeding habitats for thousands of resident and migratory waterbirds. During the breeding season, the trees transform into bustling nesting colonies, creating one of South India’s most spectacular wildlife experiences.
Vedanthangal is renowned for its enormous congregations of pelicans, storks, ibises, spoonbills, herons, and cormorants, attracting birdwatchers, photographers, and researchers from across the world. Beyond birds, the wetland supports diverse aquatic life, reptiles, fish, and insects, playing an important role in regional biodiversity and groundwater recharge. Although protected, the sanctuary faces challenges from changing rainfall patterns, water scarcity, pollution, and increasing pressure from surrounding development. Sustained wetland management and community participation remain essential to preserving this internationally significant breeding 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
Vedanthangal is famous for its spectacular breeding colonies of large waterbirds, where thousands of nests fill the trees during the nesting season. Highlights include the magnificent Spot-billed Pelican, Painted Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-headed Ibis, and Glossy Ibis, all of which can often be seen feeding and nesting together. The wetland also supports Little Cormorants, Little Egrets, Indian Pond-Herons, Little Grebes, and the striking Pied Kingfisher, making every visit a rewarding experience for bird enthusiasts.
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.
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
- Fee collected goes entirely to the bird guide. Ataavi does not retain or profit from this amount.
