A coordinated one‑day survey in Thiruvananthapuram recorded 188 bird species, underscoring the district’s value for both resident and migratory birds. The census, led by the bird monitoring and conservation group WINGS, covered ten selected sites across the district and brought together scientists, college students, nature enthusiasts and forest guides.
Thiruvananthapuram bird survey highlights key hotspots
Surveyors found the greatest diversity in Kottoor forest, which yielded the highest number of species during the exercise. Observers recorded 85 species at Kottoor alone, including several common and regionally important birds such as the Indian pariah kite, common myna and the white‑throated babbler. The team also noted a mix of resident species and passage migrants, indicating the area’s continued significance for avian movement.
Thiruvananthapuram Zoo and the nearby Kesavadasapuram fields together accounted for 46 species. The zoo paddocks hosted several native ground‑dwelling and perching species, including jungle bush‑quail and small wagtails. Vellayani and its freshwater marshes were home to 76 species, where waders and waterfowl were prominent, while Akkulam and Veli wetlands together produced 51 species.
The natural pond and backwater at Kathinankulam near Kottoor produced records of 36 species, among them several fish‑eating and marsh birds. Observers in the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden added another 50 species to the tally. Bonakkad and Ponmudi foothills also contributed significant counts, with 73 and 67 species respectively, including forest specialists and occasional high‑altitude visitors.
Notably, the team recorded species that are generally more difficult to spot in the Western Ghats, such as the macaque‑associated thrush recorded in patchy forest pockets. Several local breeders and seasonal migrants were documented across sites, providing a snapshot of avian distribution in both urban‑fringe and protected areas.
Forty‑two participants took part in the exercise. The group included scientists, experienced birdwatchers, college students and nature lovers, supported by guides from the Kerala Forest Development Corporation. The survey was inaugurated by Thiruvananthapuram Social Forestry Assistant Conservator Saju S. Nair. Speakers at the event included KITS Director Dr M.R. Dileep, WWF‑India State Director Ranjan Mathew Varghese and WWF project officer S.S. Anushreedh, along with WINGS regional coordinators A.K. Shivakumar and Govind Girij.
Organisers said the one‑day census aimed to raise awareness of local biodiversity and to generate data for future monitoring and conservation planning. The exercise highlights how coordinated, short‑term surveys can yield substantial information when conducted across multiple habitats on the same day.
Field records from the day will be compiled and shared with local conservation bodies and citizen science platforms to aid longer‑term studies. Observers emphasised the importance of protecting wetland habitats and forest patches that support both resident populations and migratory stopovers, especially as urban expansion continues at the district’s fringes.
The survey is a timely reminder of Thiruvananthapuram’s rich birdlife and the value of community participation in conservation efforts. Continued monitoring and targeted habitat protection will be essential to maintain the diversity recorded during this census.
Key Takeaways:
- Thiruvananthapuram bird survey records 188 species across forests, wetlands and zoo grounds.
- Kottoor forest, Vellayani and the zoo grounds emerged as key hotspots for resident and migratory birds.
- The survey was conducted by WINGS with scientists, birdwatchers and local guides, involving 42 participants.
