𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗞𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗨'𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗪𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦

🔥.ILLATHUKUNNU is known for its mix of mountains, hills, quarries, and ponds. These natural features create different habitats that support a wide range of birds. The area attracts both local birds and long-distance migratory species every year, making Illathukunnu a strong location for nature tourism and birdwatching.

⛰️VILLAGE MOUNTAIN'S

Illathukunnu is known for its rough, uneven mountain landscape. The hills here aren't small bumps - they're wide, steep, and covered with dense trees that give the entire area a thick green look. Many parts of the village sit between rocky slopes, ponds, and old quarries, so the terrain feels natural and untouched.

The most important and clearly recognizable mountain is Mundala. It stands higher and wider than the others, and you can see it from almost anywhere in the village. If someone says "the mountain" in Illathukunnu, they're probably talking about Mundala, Kuman rock and Nari para - it's the landmark people use to identify directions. The top gives a sharp view of the surrounding hills, ponds, and forest patches.

THIS IS THE VIEW OF MUNDALA MOUNTAIN

Illathukunnu is not just a scenic place but also a valuable bird habitat. The combination of mountains, hills, quarries, and ponds makes it a natural attraction for tourists, students, photographers, and bird lovers. The presence of both resident and migratory birds highlights the ecological importance of the region
Quarries
Several abandoned quarries in the village have naturally turned into mini wetlands over time. These water-filled pits with surrounding shrubs provide food, nesting areas, and shelter for many bird species.

🔥EVENING VIEWS 

THIS IS PLAY GROUND OF ILLATHUKUNNU

THIS IS THE AIDED SCHOOL IN ILLATHUKUNNU.  NAME IS GEMFORD WORLD SCHOOL

🐦‍🔥BIRD LIFE IN ILLATHUKUNNU

Illathukunnu has many local birds that stay throughout the year. They thrive in the forests, farmlands, hills, and wetlands of the village.

COMMON RESIDENTS BIRDS INCLUDE

 

             1.HERON

2.EGRETS

 



3.KINGFISHERS









4.BULBULS



 
5.DRANGOS

6.SUNBIRDS

Migratory Birds Visiting Illathukunnu

Every season, the natural habitats of Illathukunnu attract several migratory species that travel thousands of kilometres.
Well-known migratory birds seen in the area include:

1.INDIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE

The Indian Golden Oriole is a bright yellow migratory bird known for its striking colour and clear, flute-like call. The male has a brilliant yellow body, black wings, and a black eye-stripe, making it very easy to identify. Females are duller, with olive-green and yellow mixed on the body for better camouflage.

Golden Orioles prefer tall trees, especially in areas with thick greenery, orchards, and village woodlands. They feed mainly on fruits, nectar, berries, and occasionally insects. They migrate seasonally and are commonly seen in many parts of India during warmer months.

The species is known for its fast, smooth flight, and its habit of staying high in the canopy, which makes it easier to hear than to see. Their nesting style is unique: they weave a deep, hanging cup-shaped nest between forked branches.

2.SIBERIAN CRAIN

The Siberian Crane is a large, long-distance migratory bird known for its pure white plumage, long black wingtips, and red face patch. It has a long neck and long legs, making it easy to identify even from a distance. When flying, its fully stretched neck and white body stand out sharply against the sky.

This species breeds in the Arctic region of Siberia and migrates thousands of kilometres to spend winter in warmer regions. It prefers wetlands, shallow lakes, marshes, and large ponds, where it can easily find food like aquatic plants, roots, insects, and small animals.

Siberian Cranes are known for their slow, graceful flight and their loud trumpeting calls that carry over long distances. They are considered critically endangered, mainly because of habitat loss and disturbance along their migration routes.

3.CORMORANTS (നീർകാക്ക)

Cormorants are medium to large water birds known for their dark feathers, long neck, and hooked beak. They are e

xcellent divers and catch fish by swimming underwater using their strong webbed feet. Their plumage is less waterproof than other water birds, which is why you often see them sitting on rocks or branches with their wings spread out to dry.

They prefer ponds, rivers, lakes, backwaters, and coastal areas. Their diet is almost entirely fish, making them efficient hunters. Cormorants have a straight, fast flight, often seen in V-shaped formations or small groups.

4.Family Tyrannidae species (flycatchers)

Tyrannidae is a large family of small to medium-sized insect-eating birds, widely known for their aggressive hunting style. They mainly catch insects in mid-air, using fast, sudden flights. Because of this, they have broad, flat bills, often with bristles at the base to help trap insects.

They usually have simple, dull colours-grey, brown, olive, or yellow-because they depend on quick movement, not bright colour, to attract mates or hunt. Their behaviour is more important than their appearance.

Tyrant Flycatchers are active, energetic, and territorial. They often sit on open branches or wires, suddenly dart out to catch insects, and return to the same perch. This hunting technique is called "sallying."

5.GARGANEY

The Garganey is a small migratory duck that

arrives in Kerala during the winter months. It's known for its fast, low flight and preference for shallow wetlands, flooded paddy fields, ponds, and marshy areas.

The male is easy to identify:

📌A bold white stripe running over the eye,

📌Brown head and neck,

📌Grey body with patterned feathers.

The female looks similar to other female ducks - brown, mottled, and cryptic - but has a more slender shape and a slightly sharper face.

Garganeys feed on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, seeds, and plant matter, usually dabbling at the water surface rather than diving. They migrate from Central Asia and Europe and are among the earliest ter visitors to Kerala's wetlands.

Why Bird Tourism Works in Illathukunnu?

Diverse landscapes create multiple habitats.

Clean water bodies attract water birds.

Thick vegetation supports insect-eating birds.

Seasonal ponds and quarries act as ideal stopover points for migratory birds.

Illathukunnu is not just a scenic place but also a valuable bird habitat. The combination of mountains, hills, quarries, and ponds makes it a natural attraction for tourists, students, photographers, and bird lovers. The presence of both resident and migratory birds highlights the ecological importance of the region

THANK YOU

BY:SARANG