Bird Walk at Nelliyampathy Hills, Palakkad, Kerala

Name: Bird Walk at Nelliyampathy Hills, Palakkad, Kerala
Start: 2026-02-21T06:00:00+05:30
End: 2026-02-21T08:00:00+05:30

About Nelliyampathy Hills

Rising gracefully from the plains of Palakkad in Kerala, the Nelliyampathy Hills are a breathtaking stretch of the southern Western Ghats, known for their rolling tea and coffee estates, dense evergreen forests, and sweeping mountain viewpoints. Perched at elevations ranging from about 500 to over 1,500 meters, this serene hill landscape is shaped by cool mountain air, mist-laden valleys, and seasonal streams that sustain a rich and fragile ecosystem. The hills host a mosaic of tropical evergreen forests, moist deciduous woodlands, grasslands, and plantation habitats, each supporting its own unique community of life. Towering trees, wild orchids, ferns, and flowering shrubs thrive here, creating a lush green canopy that changes character with every season.

Nelliyampathy is also a haven for wildlife and birdlife, offering refuge to species such as Indian gaur, sambar deer, bonnet macaques, and Malabar giant squirrels. For birdwatchers, the hills are especially rewarding, with colorful residents like hornbills, barbets, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and laughingthrushes inhabiting the forests, while raptors soar above the valleys. The region’s location within the biodiverse Western Ghats makes it an important corridor for both resident and migratory birds. However, increasing tourism pressure, habitat fragmentation, plantation expansion, and climate change pose growing threats to this fragile mountain ecosystem. Sustainable tourism practices, habitat protection, and community awareness are essential to preserving Nelliyampathy’s natural beauty ensuring these misty hills continue to inspire nature lovers, birdwatchers, and explorers for generations to come.

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Common birds of Nelliyampathy Hills

Nelliyampathy Hills, nestled within the Western Ghats, are alive with the calls and colors of some of southern India’s most iconic birds. Towering forest canopies echo with the deep wingbeats of the magnificent Great Hornbill, alongside the endemic Malabar Pied Hornbill and Malabar Grey Hornbill, while flocks of Malabar Imperial Pigeons and the elusive Malabar Wood Pigeon glide silently between treetops. The vibrant Flame-throated Bulbul, Kerala’s state bird, brings flashes of gold and crimson to the forest, joined by other Western Ghats specialties like the Malabar Barbet, Malabar Starling, Malabar Parakeet, and the melodious Asian Fairy-bluebird, making every trail a celebration of endemic biodiversity. Open slopes and forest edges offer equally exciting encounters, from the elegant Blue-capped Rock Thrush and the subtle Rusty-tailed Flycatcher to the cheerful Indian Yellow Tit and Yellow-browed Bulbul. Overhead, raptors like the powerful Booted Eagle patrol the skies, while rocky cliffs host agile Dusky Crag Martins in graceful flight. As dusk falls, the haunting calls of the Brown Fish Owl emerge from forested valleys, adding to the hills’ wild charm. Together, these species make Nelliyampathy a truly rewarding destination, where endemic treasures and charismatic birds define the magic of birding in the Western Ghats.