Birding in Masinagudi
Resident birds are species that inhabit this region all year round, but are not confined only to this region and may be found elsewhere as well.
Jungle Bush Quail
Yellow-wattled Lapwing
Vernal Hanging Parrot
Malabar Prakaeet
Banded Bay Shrike
Blue-faced Malkoha
Jerdons Nightjar
Indian Scimitar Babbler
Yellow-browed Bulbul
Grey Junglefowl
Black Eagle
Savanna Nightjar
Brown Wood Owl
Brown Fish Owl
Crested Treeswift
Asian Palm Swift
White-cheeked Barbet
Rufous Woodpecker
Lesser Yellownape
Asian Fairy Bluebird
White-bellied Drongo
Black-headed Cuckooshrike
Tawny-bellied Babbler
Yellow-eyed Babbler
Large grey Babbler
White-spotted Fantail
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Indian Nuthatch
Orange-headed Thrush
White-rumped Shama
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Endemic species are those that are unique to a specific geographic location or habitat type, and are not found anywhere else in the world. The following species are endemic to the Nilgiris region:
Painted Bush Quail
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
Nilgiri Blue Robin
Roufus Babbler
Dark-fronted Babbler
Black-chinned Laughing Thrush
Nilgiri Pippit
Nilgiri Flowerpecker
Malabar Lark
Malabar Woodshrike
White-bellied Treepie
Grey-footed Green Pigeon
Grey-bellied Cuckoo
Indian Scops Owl
Blue-bearded Bee-eater
White-cheeked Barbet
White-naped Woodpecker
Greater Goldenback
Yellow-throated Bulbul
Hume’s Whitethroat
Grey-headed Bulbul
White-bellied Minivet
Jerdon’s Bushlark
White bellied Woodpecker
Great Hornbill
Malabar Grey Hornbill
Malabar Whistling Thrush
Lesser Hill Myna
Crimson-backed Sunbird
Red Spurfowl
Grey Jungle Fowl
Emerald Dove
Sirkeer Malkoha
Spot-bellied Eagle Owl
Who takes you birdwatching?
When you go bird-watching in and around Jungle Retreat, you will be accompanied by one or both of our bird-watching guides, Rajesh and Rajkumar, depending on the size of the group.
As part of the initiative to develop ornithology in the area, we combined Rajesh and Rajkumar’s inherent skill and local knowledge with our own research. We further drew on our experience of setting up this wilderness lodge along with guidance from ornithology experts from India and abroad.
Our guides are well equipped with relevant birding books, binoculars, scopes and tripods. They are adept in the use of state-of-the-art cameras & have played a significant role in creating an audio-visual birding guide, shot entirely in and around campus, and which serves as a handy tool for veteran & amateur birders alike.
Both guides are from the Irula tribe and hail from Thottalingi tribal village, just under 2kms from Jungle Retreat.
Rajesh
Rajesh, also known as Sira, is a soft-spoken and astute observer. He studied in a local Tamil medium school and while he was taught the English script, only learnt spoken English at Jungle Retreat, where he started working in 2012. Today, he is fluent. His confidence has steadily grown and he is now comfortable communicating effectively with people from around the world. In addition to being an excellent guide on walks and game drives, his passion for birding makes itself apparent in his ability to pick up on the tiniest of details that may lead you to the bird you seek.


Rajkumar
Rajkumar joined Jungle Retreat in 2010. Energetic and cheerful, when not accompanying guests on activities, Rajkumar will most often be found either setting up his scope or camera in various places, looking for birds or pouring over research material and films related to the subject. His natural and contagious interest in the ecology, calm disposition and a sharp eye make him a delightful companion on walks and drives.