Indian Golden Oriole, Brown Shrike, and Booted Eagle sighted during bird census in Tamil Nadu’s central region

The Chest-nut Headed Bee Eater was spotted during synchronised terrestrial bird census conducted in Pudukottai district.
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Special Arrangement

Several migrant and resident bird species were recorded during the synchronised Terrestrial Bird census that was carried out for 2025-26 in Tiruchi and other districts in the central region on Saturday and Sunday. 

The two-day annual Statewide census was done at identified locations in the region by the field-level Forest department officials involving bird enthusiasts, volunteers, and college students in the respective districts.

In Tiruchi district, over 80 Forest department staff and about 100 volunteers participated in the census that was carried out across 20 locations in the reserved forests and other areas.  It was carried out at locations including Sengattupatti reserved forest, Kaliyamman Kovil Thittu reserve forest, Solamathi reserve forest, Kannimar Shola reserved forest, Rettamalai Ondi Karuppar Kovil, Thinnanur, Upper Anaicut reserve forest, M.R. Palayam reserve forest, Kannuthu reserve forest, Thachamalai reserve forest, and Kumarikatti reserve forest.

The terrestrial bird census was undertaken to record bird species and population numbers, assess their habitat conditions and support habitat management and conservation of resident and migratory birds. The census recorded a high diversity of terrestrial bird species with more than 100 different species documented during the survey period.

Terrestrial birds play an important role in maintaining ecological balance; help in seed dispersal, pollination, and act as natural pest control thereby supporting forest regeneration and agricultural productivity. The presence and diversity of terrestrial birds are key indicators of healthy forest ecosystems, a press release from the Forest department here said. 

In Pudukottai district, the census was carried out in 25 locations by multiple teams comprising Forest department officials and volunteers. It was carried out at places including Narthamalai reserve forest, Mullur reserve forest, Maniyachi reserve forest, and Veppangudi area. 

The migrant bird species recorded in Pudukottai district during the census include Indian Golden Oriole, Brown Shrike, Booted Eagle, and Blue Tailed Bee Eater. The resident bird species recorded included Skylark, Jerdon’s bushlark, Plain prinia, Spotted Dove and Red-vented bulbul and little cormorant, said a department official. In Nagapattinam district, the census was carried out at Point Calimere Wildlife and Birds Sanctuary at Kodiyakarai.