Hornbill and Forest Bird Watching, Athirappilly: History, highlights and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Hornbill and Forest Bird Watching

Accounts of the Chalakudy river basin record roughly 270 bird species. The river valley around Athirappilly and Vazhachal is a recognised Important Bird Area and is the reported home of all four south Indian hornbill species. The Kadar community living in the Vazhachal division have long been associated with the forest's conservation.

Useful facts

Hornbill and Forest Bird Watching facts at a glance

Location

Athirappilly–Vazhachal forest, Thrissur district

Species

Great, Malabar pied, Malabar grey and Indian grey hornbills are reported

Best time

Dawn to mid-morning

Status

Important Bird Area, Vazhachal forest division

Access

From public roads and marked viewpoints; no off-road walking

Why it matters

Why Hornbill and Forest Bird Watching is worth your time

The Vazhachal forest division is recognised as an Important Bird Area, and published accounts describe it as the only place in the Western Ghats where all four south Indian hornbill species are found together, the great hornbill, the Malabar pied hornbill, the Malabar grey hornbill and the Indian grey hornbill. That makes it unusual even by the standards of the Ghats.

The birds depend on large fruit trees and old trees with nesting cavities, which in turn depend on intact forest. This is the practical reason the proposal to dam the river upstream was so contested. Watching hornbills here helps explain why conservationists, the Kadar community and many local people argued to keep the forest unbroken.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   Four hornbill species

   The region is reported to hold all four south Indian species, a rarity in the Ghats.

2. 02

   Fruiting trees

   Tall fig and other fruit trees near the river are the best places to scan for feeding birds.

3. 03

   Mammals and other birds

   Nilgiri langurs, Malabar giant squirrels and sunbirds are often seen along with the hornbills.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

The best birding is along the stretch from Athirappilly to the Vazhachal checkpost and just beyond, where tall riverine trees line the road. Be there at dawn, before traffic builds up, and park at a safe pull-in. Scan the tops of tall fig and other fruiting trees, where great hornbills and Malabar pied hornbills feed on ripe fruit.

Listen as much as you look. Hornbills are often heard first, with loud, honking calls and heavy wingbeats as they cross the canopy. Binoculars make a large difference, and a camera with a long lens helps. Do not play recorded calls, do not approach nesting trees and never leave the road or enter the forest on foot without permission.

Other birds include sunbirds, leafbirds and raptors, and travellers report Nilgiri langurs and Malabar giant squirrels in the canopy. Report sightings to staff at the checkpost; they can sometimes tell you where birds were seen that week.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Athirappilly–Vazhachal forest, Vazhachal forest division

Time needed

2–4 hours in the early morning

Best time

Dawn to mid-morning; December to February is often cited for good visibility

Walking level

Easy

Senior comfort

Much of the birding is done from the car or from a short roadside walk, which is easy for most visitors. Early starts and limited facilities are the main difficulty; carry water, a hat and a seat or stool if you want to wait quietly.

Tickets and access

Staying on public roads and viewpoints is straightforward. Entering the forest on foot is prohibited without permission under wildlife law, and organised walks or naturalist guides, where offered, are arranged through the Forest Department or local operators. Confirm what is available.

Plan it with

FAQs