Housing more than 200 resident and wintering bird species, Chennai (formerly known as Madras) has long been a haven for bird watchers. It is the one of the few urban areas in India with diverse range of birds including greater flamingo, black baza, osprey, Indian eagle-owl, Coppersmith barbet, Spot billed pelican and pied avocet can be seen. The following are some known birding hotspots in and around Chennai.
Guindy National Park
Guindy National Park (GNP) is one of India's smallest national parks covering an area of 2.7 km2. It is situated in the midst of the city, and is often called 'the lungs of Chennai'.
The habitat consists of dry evergreen scrub, thorn forest, open grassland and small water bodies. The star attractions of the Guindy National Park are the blackbuck antelope and the Indian star tortoise. Spotted deer, golden jackal, civet cat, pangolins and various species of snakes and butterflies can also be seen in the national park.
Highlight: Guindy is the only place in Chennai where the very rare raptor, the black baza has been recorded during winter. The red winged crested cuckoo is another uncommon bird species found here.
Over 100 resident and migratory bird species have been recorded so far, the commonest raptors being: Oriental honey buzzard, white-eyed buzzard and shikra. Migratory raptors including black baza, common kestrel and booted eagle can be seen during the winter months. Resident birds include red-vented bulbul, red-whiskered bulbul and white-browed bulbul, coppersmith barbet, sunbirds, yellow-wattled lapwing, Indian robin, lesser flameback woodpecker and spotted owlet.
How to reach Guindy: Google Maps
Theosophical Society Gardens
The Theosophical Society Gardens is one of the best birdwatching spots in Chennai. Being adjacent to the Adyar Estuary, TS hosts more than 50+ species of resident and migrant bird species.
The habitat consists of thick woodland, some fruiting trees, undergrowth, flower garden and the estuary.
The Theosophical Society Gardens has a good number of golden jackal, and housing many flowering trees and nectaring plants, this place is good for butterfly and insect lovers too. During the winter a large number of waders and other water birds can be seen near the estuary.
Highlight: This is one place in Chennai where the black-capped kingfisher has been recorded.
Some of the resident bird species seen here are lesser flameback woodpecker, coppersmith barbet, hoopoe, southern coucal, rufous treepie, Asian koel, sunbirds, yellow-billed babbler, common hawk-cuckoo, shikra, spotted owlet, spotted dove, rose-ringed parakeet, common kingfisher, pied kingfisher, white-breasted kingfisher and Oriental honey buzzard.
During winter one can see Indian paradise flycatcher, Asian brown flycatcher, brown-breasted flycatcher, Indian pitta, Blyth's reed warbler in the TS gardens, and in the estuary herons, egrets, sandpipers, black-winged stilt, godwits and plovers can all be seen.
How to reach Theosophical Society Gardens: Google Maps
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Campus
Adjacent to the Guindy National Park, the IIT campus has a few patches of well-wooded forest which are very good for birdwatching. The presence of multiple micro-ecosystems in a small area located in an urban environment makes it an ideal place to see many species of birds (up to 50 species in 2 hours during the winter season). Over 100 resident and migrant bird species have been recorded here. Prakriti, a wildlife club run by the students, staff and residents of IIT takes part in conservation activities and helps protect the biodiversity in campus.
The habitat consists of dry evergreen forest, reed beds, well-wooded forest, open grassland, dry scrub and undergrowth. The main inhabitants here are blackbuck antelope, spotted deer, Indian grey mongoose, golden jackal, monitor lizard, snakes, and over 40 butterfly species.
Highlight: The wintering sub-species of orange-headed ground thrush (Zoothera citrina citrina) can be seen here.
Resident bird species seen here include lesser flameback woodpecker, coppersmith barbet, hoopoe, greater coucal, rufous treepie, Asian koel, sunbirds, yellow-billed babbler, common hawk-cuckoo, shikra, spotted owlet, spotted dove, rose-ringed parakeet, common kingfisher, pied kingfisher, white-breasted kingfisher, collared scops-owl, Asian openbill stork, brown boobook, slaty-breasted rail, white-breasted waterhen, purple moorhen, common moorhen, blue-faced malkoha, red-vented bulbul, white-browed bulbul, red-whiskered bulbul and Oriental honey buzzard.