Shikra

Kerala : Kerala is dominated by tropical forests, rivers, lakes, lagoons, backwater, grasslands, hence rich bio-diversity is embraced here. The abundant rainfall and the excessive humidity create climate and greenery which are much different from the neighbouring states. Nearly 500 species of birds, of which 16 are endemic, have been recorded in Kerala. On periphery of forests and along the backwaters are located homely lodges and resorts.

Munnar : In northern Kerala, Munnar is the base for Rajamalai National Park. It is a hill station with plenty of tea estates and some Raj influence as well. Birds to be observed here are : Grey-breasted Laughing Thrush, Nilgiri Woodpigeon, White-cheeked Barbet, Nilgiri Verditer, Malabar Whistling Thrush etc.

Eravikulam : Eravikulam National Park is another name of Rajamalai National Park, at short distance from Munnar. The park is situated in the high range of Nilgiri hills. Birds to be observed are : Nilgiri Pipit, White-bellied Sortwing, Indian Hill Swallow, Nilgiri Verditer, Tickell's Warbler, Black Bird, Grey-breasted Laughing Thrush, Bonelli's Eagle, Black Eagle, Blue Rock-thrush, Malabar Whistling-thrush.

Periyar : Periyar National Park is one of the 27 Project Tiger reserves, designated to conserve tigers in India. However, their sighting is not as common here as in Ranthambhor or Bandhavgarh.

The park contains some tracks of ever green forest, dry deciduous wood lands, teak plantation and open grass lands. It is centered around a huge man made lake. The boat trip across the lake brings one closer to wild Elephants feeding on the shore. It is rich in bird life. 'The Birds of Periyar' (by Andrew Robertson and Michael C.A. Jackson, published by Tourism & Wildlife Society of India, which is represented by the hosts of this web site) lists 266 species positively recorded in the area, prominent being :
 

Crested Serpent Eagle	Shikra, under observation.

Little Grebe, Cormorants, Darter, Herons, Egrets, Bitters, Storks (Painted, Woolly, Black), Ducks (Garganey) are the prominent aquatic species.

Raptor Paradise : Black-shouldered Kite, Black-crested Baza, Oriented Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Shikra, Crested Goshawk, Besra Sparrow Hawk, Common Buzzard, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Booted Eagle, Rufous-bellied Eagle, Black Eagle, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Red-headed Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Pallid Harrier, Montague's Harrier, Pied Harrier, Eurasian Marsh Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Crested-serpant Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Oriental Hobby, Red-necked Falcon, and Common Kestrel.

The nocturnal species are likewise interesting : Oriental Scops Owl, Collared Scops Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Jungle Owlet, Brown Hawk Owl, Spotted Owlet, Brown Wood Owl, Short-eared Owl. Great-eared Nightjar, Indian Nightjar, Francolin's Nightjar, and Grey Nightjar.

Gray Partridge, Quails, Red Spurfowl, Grey Junglefowl, Common Peafowl, Rails, Crakes, Snipes, Red-wattled Lapwing, Little-ringed Plover, Sandpipers (Marsh, Green, Wood and Common), Whimbrel, River Tern, Pigeons, Doves, Parakeets, Cuckoos (Red-winged Crested Cuckoo, Pied-crested Cuckoo, Common Hawk-cuckoo, Indian Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Banded Bay Cuckoo, Grey-bellied Plaintive Cuckoo, Drongo-cuckoo, Koel, Small Greenbilled Malkoha, Sirkeer Malkoha, Greater Coucal, and Lesser Coucal) - quite a feast to eyes and ears

Frogmouth : The Ceylon Frogmouth is observed here. Swifts, Trogons (Malabar), Kingfishers (Lesser-pied, Common, Blue-eared, Stork-billed, White-throated, Black-capped), Bee-eaters, Rollers, Hoopoe, Hornbills (Malabar Grey and Great), Barbets (Brown-headed, Small Green, Crimson-throated, and Crimson-breasted), Woodpeckers (Eurasian Wryneck, Speckled Peculet, Rufous, Lesser Yellow-nape, Black-rumped Flameback, Greater Flameback, White-naped, White-bellied Woodpecker, Brown-capped Pygmy, Heart-spotted), Pitta, Larks, Swallows, Martins, Shrikes, Orioles, Drongos, Wood Swallow, Starlings, Mynas, Crows, Treepies, Jays, Minivets, Leafbirds, Fairy Bluebird, Bulbuls, Babblers, Laughing Thrushes (White-breasted, Waynad), Flycatchers, Warblers, Chats, Tits, Nuthatch, Pipits, Wagtails, Flower-peckers, Subirds and Spider Hunters, White Eye, Sparrow, Baya, Munias, Common Rose Finch etc. A week is sufficient for birding, if backwater safari is included then add couple of days more.