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Coorg is a haven for nature lovers and bird watchers.
In a place like Coorg, watching birds is an enjoyable
pastime, and could be a forerunner to a scientific
study of the faunal world. Aesthetically, what is more
beautiful than a bird? Also, bird watching is an
invigorating activity requiring walks in treed areas
and sometimes expeditions to trace rare species.
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Here's why Coorg remains a haven for birds and
therefore, for bird watchers. Most of Coorg lies in
the Western Ghats, in the path of the South-West
Monsoon. The annual rainfall in Coorg ranges from 4000
to 8000 mm over the Western Ghats decreasing in the
plains to the east to about 2000 mm. It is one of the
34 environmental hotspots with rich bio-diversity in
the world.
The total number of bird species that inhabit the
earth has been estimated to be about 8600. The Indian
subcontinent itself is home to over 2060 species and
sub-species. It is amazing to note that nearly 25% of
these are found in Coorg alone! However,
deforestation, tree felling, submergence and
encroachment of forestland gravely threaten the rich
flora and fauna of Coorg. Forest fires and clearing
forests for ginger cultivation are fast becoming major
threats to the survival of plant and animal life of
Coorg.
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Among the Coorgs (Kodavas), there is a unique way of
protecting small forest areas: From time immemorial,
Devarakaadus (sacred forests) have been set apart and
designated for worshipping various deities. Felling
trees in these sacred groves is strictly prohibited
and hunting is restricted. A reported number of 1214
Devarakaadus covering a total area of 3,650 sq. kms
have been earmarked as bio-buffers in Coorg. These
Devarakadus reflect the concern for preservation of
the flora and fauna among the Coorgs. |
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Recent related awareness projects undertaken by the
Forest Department, NGOs and other research
organisations have brought new hope to
conservationists and nature lovers. They have
motivated local public to form their own committees to
preserve their own Devarakaadus. These Devarakadus
reward bird watchers with sights of not less than 50
bird species at a time! Birds like the Malabar Trogon,
the Nilgiri Laughing-Thrush, the Great Black
Woodpecker, and the Malabar Whistling-Thrush can be
considered as keystone species for the Coorg district.
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The other flagship species are the Great Pied
Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Wynaad and
Grey-breasted Laughing Thrushes, Blue-winged Parakeet,
Grey-headed Bulbul, White-bellied Treepie, the Nilgiri
and White-bellied Blue Flycatchers, Black Eagle and
Ceylon Frogmouth.
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There are names for nearly 80% of
birds found in Coorg in the Coorg dialect! These
include names for birds like House Sparrows (mane
pakshi), Mynas (kuruli), Bulbuls (kottumbudcha),
Herons (poley), to migratory birds like Wagtails
(balaatimonni) and rare birds like Laughing Thrushes
(telibaaya). |
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SOME
IMPORTANT DATA REGARDING BIRDS OF COORG: |
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Number of bird
species in India: over 1250 (in 96 families) |
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Number of bird
species in India including sub-species: Over 2060 |
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Number of bird
species in Coorg: 307 (in 62 families) |
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Number of birds
that migrate to Coorg during winter: |
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43 (Bar-headed
Goose, Pintail, Sandpipers/Snipes, Rosy Starling, Golden
Oriole, Wagtails, Warblers etc.) |
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Number of
critically endangered species: |
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2 (Indian
White-backed Vulture and Niligiri Laughing Thrush) |
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Number of
vulnerable species: |
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28 (Darter,
Storks, Grey Junglefowl, Nilgiri Woodpigeon, Forest
Eagle-Owl, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Grey-headed Bulbul,
Broad-tailed Grass Warbler etc.) |
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DOS AND DON'TS
FOR BIRD WATCHERS: |
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Equip yourself
with a copy of "Feathered Jewels of Coorg", a camera |
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and a pair of good
binoculars |
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Wear dull
coloured clothes that blend with the surroundings. Avoid |
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bright, gaudy
clothing. |
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Walk slowly and
quietly. Avoid running, making unnecessary noise and |
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talking loudly. |
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Learn to spot small
movements in foliage from the corners of your |
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eyes. |
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Learn to observe
bird activities from a distance. Do not go too close to |
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the birds; they may
fly off, hide in foliage or stop singing or calling. |
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If you see a bird's
nest, eggs or young, do not touch or disturb them. |
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Birds keep a watch
on the movements of intruders, including bird |
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watchers, and thereafter eat or destroy their own eggs or chicks. |
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Birds are busiest
during mornings and evenings, when they return to |
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their nests. These times
are the best for watching birds and hearing |
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them sing |
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The
content for this article has been contributed by Dr S.V.
Narasimhan, a medical practitioner of Virajpet and author of
the book “Feathered Jewels of Coorg”.
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