Birds from the Sahyadri and its Foothills

Published by Abhinav / Last updated: Dec 13, 2025

Sahyadri, or the Western Ghats, which runs along the south-western part of India, is a hotspot containing different types of ecosystems - from shola mountain forests, grasslands, to evergreen, deciduous, and dry forests. Due to this kind of varying altitude, rainfall, local climate, and vegetation, it is home to nearly 500 species of birds. I could photograph around a hundred of them until now, which I am sharing here.

Within the western ghats, there are several sub hotspots. Here are some of them that I've visited so far:

Munnar and surrounding areas
Pampadumshola National Park
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Masinagudi & Mudumalai (Nilgiris)
Ooty & surroundings (Nilgiris)
Thattekad
Changaram Wetlands
Kottayam (my homeplace)

125 species photographed so far and counting…

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Malabar Grey Hornbill
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon / Munnar
Black and Orange Flycatcher (male)
Nilgiri Flycatcher (male)
Bronzed Drongo
Indian Paradise Flycatcher / Masinagudi
Bay-backed Shrike, Masinagudi, TN
Indian Scimitar Babbler, Munnar
Black & Orange Flycatcher, Munnar
Ceylon Frogmouth
Black Baza
Rufous Babbler
Nilgiri Thrush
Nilgiri Flycatcher
Indian Blue Robin

About Abhinav

I have been interested in nature photography since around 2011. Besides having photography as a passion, I have realized the importance of documenting and studying the biodiversity around us, and studying the ecology that sustains us.