Black Shouldered Kite

Elanus caeruleus 31-35cm

Karunthol Parunthu in Tamil (கருந்தோள் பருந்து)

Widespread resident. Small size. Grey and white with black shoulders. Flight buoyant, with much hovering. Juvenile has brownish-grey upperparts with pale fringes, with less distinct shoulder patch. Grassland with cultivation and open scrub.

Large Grey Babbler

Turdoides malcolmi 28cm

Periya Saambal Silamban in Tamil (பெரிய சாம்பல் சிலம்பன்)

Resident. Whitish sides to long, graduated tail; unmottled pinkish-grey throat and breast, pale grey forehead and dark grey lores. Open dry scrub and cultivation.

Wire Tailed Swallow

Hirundo smithii 14cm

Kambivaal Thagaivilaan in Tamil (கம்பிவால் தகைவிலான்)

Widespread resident. Chestnut crown, glistening white underparts and underwing-coverts, and fine filamentous projections to outer tail feathers (often broken or difficult to see). Juvenile has brownish cast to blue upperparts, and dull brownish crown. Open country and cultivation near fresh waters.

Black Headed Gull

Larus ridibundus 38cm

Karupputhalai Kadarkaakkai in Tamil (கருப்புதலை கடற்காக்கை)

Widespread winter visitor and passage migrant. Smaller than brown headed gull, with finer bill and narrower and more pointed wings. Distinctive white 'flash' on primaries/primary coverts of upper wing; black on wing tips and upperwings is much less extensive than in brown headed in all plumages. Bill blackish-red and hood uniform dark brown in breeding plumage. In non-breeding and first winter plumages, bill tipped black and head largely white with dark ear-covert patch. Coasts and large inland lakes and rivers.

Lesser Racket Tailed Drongo

Dicrurus remifer 25cm

Thuduppuvaal Karichaan in Tamil (துடுப்புவால் கரிச்சான்)

Tufted forehead without crest, square ended tail, and smaller size and bill than greater racket tailed; has smaller flattened rackets which are webbed on both sides of shaft (rather than longer, twisted and webbed only on one side of shaft). As in greater, tail streamers and rackets can be missing or broken in adult, and are missing in immature. Moist broadleaved forest.

Black Hooded Oriole

Oriolus xanthornus 25cm

Karunthalai Maanguyil in Tamil (கருந்தலை மாங்குயில்)

Widespread resident. Adult has black head and breast. Immature has yellow forehead, black streaked white throat and yellow breast. Open broad leaved forest and well wooded areas.

Scaly Breasted Munia

Lonchura punctulata 10.7-12cm

Pullichchillai in Tamil (புள்ளிச்சில்லை)

Widespread resident. Adult has chestnut throat and upper breast, and whitish underparts with dark scaling. Juvenile has brown upperparts and buffish underparts; bill black. Open forest, bushes and cultivation.

Chestnut Headed Bee Eater

Merops leschenaulti 18-20cm

Senthalai Panchuruttaan in Tamil (செந்தலை பஞ்சுருட்டான்)

Resident and partial migrant. Chestnut crown, nape and mantle, and yellow throat with diffuse black gorget. Tail has slight fork. Juvenile washed out version of adult, but crown and nape dark green on some; has rufous wash to lower throat, diffuse black gorget and turquoise rump. Near stream in deciduous forest.

White Breasted Kingfisher

Halcyon smyrnensis 28cm

Venmaarbu Meenkothi in Tamil (வெண்மார்பு மீன்கொத்தி)

Widespread resident. White throat and centre of breast, brown head and most of underparts, and turquoise upperparts. White wing patch. Cultivation, forest edges, gardens, freshwater and coastal wetlands.

Loten's Sunbird-Female

Nectarinia lotenia 13cm

Loten Thenchittu in Tamil (லோட்டன் தேன்ச்சிட்டு)

Resident. Sickle shaped bill. Male has dusky brown belly and vent. Female dark olive green on upperparts; lacks supercilium and masked appearance of purple. Call is a hard chit chit, lacking buzzing quality of purple. Well wooded country.

Northern Pintail

Anas acuta 51-56cm

Oosivaal Vaathu in Tamil (ஊசிவால் வாத்து)

Widespread winter visitor. Long neck and pointed tail. Male has chocolate brown head, with white stripe down sides of neck. Female has comparatively uniform buffish head, slender grey bill and shows white trailing edge to secondaries and greyish underwing in flight. Freshwater wetlands and brackish lagoons.

Yellow Wattled Lapwing

Vanellus malarbaricus 26-28cm

Manjalmookku Aalkaati in Tamil (மஞ்சள்மூக்கு ஆள்காட்டி)

Resident. Mainly in India. Yellow wattles and legs. White supercilium, dark cap, and brown breast band. Open dry ground.

Yellow Eyed Babbler

Chrysomma sinense 18cm

Manjal Kan Silamban in Tamil (மஞ்சள் கண் சிலம்பன்)

Widespread resident. Yellow iris and orange eye ring, white lores and supercilium, and white throat and breast. Tall grass, bushes and reeds.

Yellow Crowned Woodpecker

Dendrocopos mahrattensis 17-18cm

Manjal Netri Marangothi in Tamil (மஞ்சள் நெற்றி மரங்கொத்தி)

Resident. Yellowish forehead and forecrown, white spotted upperparts, poorly defined moustachial stripe, dirty underparts with heavy but diffuse streaking, red patch on lower belly, and white barring on central tail feathers. Open woodland, open country with scattered trees.

Yellow Billed Babbler

Turdoides affinis 23cm

Manjal Alagu Silamban in Tamil (மஞ்சள் அழகு சிலம்பன்)

Resident. Creamy white crown, dark mottling on throat and breast, and pale rump and tail base (although juvenile more similar to jungle). Scrub.

White Cheeked Barbet

Megalaima viridis 23cm

Ven Kanna Kukkuruvan in Tamil (வெண் கன்ன குக்குருவன்)

Resident. Brownish bill. White supercilium and cheeks contrasting with brown crown and nape. Whitish throat, and bold white streaking on breast. Call is pucock, pucock, pucock. Wooded areas, gardens, groves.

White Browed Fantail

Rhipidura aureola 18cm

Venthondai Visirivaal Eeppidippaan in Tamil (வெண் தொண்டை விசிறிவால் ஈப்பிடிப்பான்)

Widespread resident. Broad white supercilia which meet over forehead, blackish throat, white breast and belly, and white spotting on wing coverts. Forest and wooded areas.

White Browed Bulbul

Pycnonotus luteolus 20cm

Venpuruva Chinnaan in Tamil (வெண் புருவ சின்னான்)

Resident. White supercilium and crescent below eye, and dark eye stripe and moustachial stripe. Otherwise nondescript. Dry scrub and forest edges.

White Breasted Waterhen

Amaurornis phoenicurus 32cm

Venmaarbu Kaanaankozhi in Tamil (வெண் மார்பு கானாங்கோழி)

Widespread resident. Adult has grey upperparts, and white face, foreneck and breast; undertail-coverts rufous-cinnamon. Juvenile has greyish face, foreneck and breast, and olive-brown upperparts. Thick cover close to fresh waters.

White Bellied Minivet

Pericrocotus erythropigius 15cm

Venvayitru Minchittu in Tamil (வெண் வயிற்று மின்சிட்டு)

Resident. White wing patch and orange rump. Male has black head and upperparts, and white underparts with orange breast. Female has brown upperparts and white underparts. Dry open scrub and forest. 

White Bellied Drongo

Dicrurus caerulescens 24cm

Venvayitru Karichaan in Tamil (வெண் வயிற்று கரிச்சான்)

Widespread resident. Whitish from belly downwards in all plumages. Open forest and well wooded areas.

Little Tern

Sterna albifrons 22-24cm

Siriya Aalaa in Tamil (சிறிய ஆலா)

Resident. breeds locally, widespread in non breeding season. Fast flight with rapid wingbeats, long bill, and narrow based wings. Adult breeding has white forehead and black tipped yellow bill. Adult non breeding and immature have blackish bill, and black mask and nape band. Juvenile has dark subterminal marks to upperpart feathers. Mainly freshwater lakes and rivers, also coastal waters.

Spotted Owlet

Athene brama 21cm

Pullichiru Aandhai in Tamil (புள்ளிச்சிறு ஆந்தை) 

Widespread resident. White spotting on upperparts, including crown, and diffuse brown spotting or barring on underparts. Pale facial discs and nuchal collar. Call is a harsh, screechy chirurr-chirurr-chirurr...followed by/alternated with cheevak,cheevak,cheevak. Habitation and cultivation.

Spotted Dove

Streptopelia chinensis 30cm

Pullippuraa in Tamil (புள்ளிப்புறா)

Widespread resident. Spotted upperparts, and black and white chequered patch on neck sides. Cultivation, habitation and open forest.

Spot Billed Pelican

Pelecanus philippensis 140cm

Pulli Alagu Koozhaikkada in Tamil (புள்ளி அலகு கூழைக்கடா)

Resident. Widespread in non breeding season. Much smaller than Great White and Dalmatian, with dingier appearance, rather uniform pinkish bill and pouch (except in breeding condition) and black spotting on upper mandible (except juveniles). Tufted crest/hindneck usually apparent even on young birds. Underwing pattern similar to that of Dalmatian showing little contrast between wing coverts and flight feathers and with paler greater coverts producing distinct central panel. Adult breeding has cinnamon pink rump, underwing coverts and undertaidl coverts; head and neck appear greyish; has purplish skin in front of eye,and pouch is pink to dull purple and blotched with black. Adult non-breeding dirtier greyish white, with pouch pinkish. Immature has variable grey brown markings on upperparts. Juvenile has brownish head and neck, brown mantle and upperwing coverts (fringed with pale buff) and brown flight feathers; spotting on bill initially lacking. Large inland and coastal waters.

Spot Billed Duck

Anas poecilorhyncha 58-63cm

Pulli Mookku Vaathu in Tamil (புள்ளி மூக்கு வாத்து)

Widespread resident. Yellow tip to bill, dark crown and eye stripe, and spotted breast. Nominate has red loral spot, and boldly scalloped flanks; white tertials and green speculum.Freshwater wetlands.

Small Sunbird

Small Minivet-Female

Pericrocotus cinnamomeus 16cm

Chinna Minchittu in Tamil (சின்ன மின்சிட்டு)

Widespread resident. Small size. Much racial variation. Male has dark grey to pale grey upperparts, black to dark grey throat, and deep orange to mainly white underparts. Female's underparts vary from mainly orange-yellow to mainly white. Open wooded areas.

Small Blue Kingfisher or Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis 16cm

Siriya Neela Meenkothi in Tamil (சிறிய நீல மீன்கொத்தி)

Widespread resident. Orange ear coverts. Greenish blue on head, scapulars and wings, and turquoise line down back. Fresh waters in open country, also mangroves and seashore in winter.

Plum Headed Parakeet

Psittacula cyanocephala 36cm

Senthalaikkili in Tamil (செந்தலை கிளி)

Widespread resident. Head is plum red on male, pale grey on female. Yellow upper mandible, and white tipped green tail. Head of female is paler grey than in slaty headed, and lacks black chin stripe and half collar; has yellow collar and upper breast. Forest and well wooded areas.

Shikra-Female

Accipiter badius 30-36cm

Vallooru in Tamil (வல்லூறு)

Widespread resident. Adults paler than Besra and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Underwing pale, with fine barrings on remiges, and slightly darker wing tips. Male has pale blue grey upperparts, indistinct grey gular stripe, fine brownish orange barring on underparts, unbarred white thighs, and unbarred or only lightly barred central tail feathers. Female has upperparts more brownish grey. Juvenile has pale brown upperparts, more prominent gular stripe, and streaked underparts. Open woods and groves.

Shikra-Male

Accipiter badius 30-36cm

Vallooru in Tamil (வல்லூறு)

Widespread resident. Adults paler than Besra and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Underwing pale, with fine barrings on remiges, and slightly darker wing tips. Male has pale blue grey upperparts, indistinct grey gular stripe, fine brownish orange barring on underparts, unbarred white thighs, and unbarred or only lightly barred central tail feathers. Female has upperparts more brownish grey. Juvenile has pale brown upperparts, more prominent gular stripe, and streaked underparts. Open woods and groves.

Rose Ringed Parakeet

Psittacula krameri 42cm

Pachaikkili in Tamil (பச்சை கிளி)

Widespread resident. Green head and blue green tip to tail. Male has black chin stripe and pink collar. Forest, wooded areas and cultivation.

Red Whiskered Bulbul

Pycnonotus jocosus 20cm

Sivappu Meesai Chinnaan in Tamil (சிவப்பு மீசை சின்னான்)

Widespread resident. Black crest, red whiskers, and white underparts with complete or broken breast band. Red vent. Juvenile duller and lacks whiskers. Open forest and secondary growth.

Red Wattled Lapwing

Vanellus indicus 32-35cm

Sigappu Mookku Aalkaati in Tamil (சிகப்பு மூக்கு ஆள்காட்டி)

Widespread resident. Black cap and breast, red bill with black tip, and yellow legs. Open flat ground near water.

Red Vented Bulbul

Pycnonotus cafer 20cm

Chinnaan in Tamil (சின்னான்)

Widespread resident. Red vent. Black head with slight crest, and white rump. Mantle and breast vary from pale brown, and heavily scaled, to blackish. Open deciduous forest and secondary growth.

Red Rumped Swallow

Hirundo daurica 16-17cm

Sivanthapittathagaivilaan in Tamil (சிவந்தபிட்டத்தகைவிலான்)

Widespread resident. Rufous orange neck sides, rufous orange rump, finely streaked buffish white underparts, and black undertail coverts. Summers in upland cultivation and grassy hills; winter in open country and forest clearings.

Purple Sunbird

Nectarinia asiatica 10cm

Oodha Thenchittu in Tamil (ஊதா தேன்சிட்டு)  

Widespread resident. Male mettalic purple. Female has uniform yellowish underparts, with faint supercilium and darker mask (some greyer and whiter). Call is a buzzing zit and high pitched, wheezy swee. Open deciduous forest and gardens.

Purple Rumped Sunbird

Nectarinia zeylonica 10cm

Oodha Pitta Thenchittu in Tamil (ஊதா பிட்ட தேன்சிட்டு)

Resident. Male has narrow maroon breast band, maroon head sides and mantle, and greyish white flanks. Female has greyish white throat, yellow breast, whitish flanks, and rufous brown on wing. Juvenile uniform yellow below, with rufous brown on wing. Calls include a high pitched ptsee-ptsee and a metallic chit. Cultivation and secondary growth.

Purple Swamphen

Porphyrio porphyrio 45-50cm

Neela Thazhaikozhi in Tamil (நீல தாழைகோழி)

Widespread resident. Large size, purplish blue coloration, and huge red bill and red frontal shield. Juvenile greyer, with duller bill. Large marshes.

Purple Heron

Ardea purpurea 78-90cm

Senneela Kokku in Tamil (செந்நீல கொக்கு)

Resident and winter visitor? Widespread. Rakish with long thin neck. In flight, compared to grey, bulge of recoiled neck is very pronounced, protruding feet large, underwing coverts purplish(adult) or buff(juvenile) and lacks white leading edge to wing. Adult has chestnut head and neck with black stripes, grey mantle and upperwing coverts, and dark chestnut belly and underwing coverts. Juvenile has black crown, buffish neck, and brownish mantle and upperwing coverts with rufous buff fringes. Mainly inland waters with tall cover.

Plain Prinia

Prinia inornata 13cm

Kathirkuruvi in Tamil (கதிர்குருவி)

Widespread resident. Smaller than jungle with finer bill. Pale or rufous fringes to tertials. Song is a rapid trill, tlick tlick tlick; calls include plaintive tee-tee-tee and nasal beep. Tall crops, reeds, grassland, scrub and tall grass, and mangroves.

Pied Thrush

Zoothera wardii 22cm

Porippoonguruvi in Tamil (பொரிபூங்குருவி)

Resident. Male black and white, with white supercilium and wing bars, and yellow bill. Female has buff supercilium and wing bars, and scaled underparts. Juvenile has buff streaking on mantle and breast. Open broadleaved forest and secondary growth.  

Pied Crested Cuckoo

Clamator jacobinus 33cm

Sudalaikkuyil in Tamil (சுடலை குயில்)

Widespread resident and partial migrant. Black and white with crest. Upperparts browner, underparts more buffish on juvenile. A metallic piu....piu....pee-pee piu,pee-pee piu. Forest, well wooded areas, also bushes in semi desert.

Pied Bushchat-Male

Saxicola caprata 13.5cm

Karuppu Vellai Putharchittu in Tamil (கருப்பு வெள்ளை புதர்சிட்டு)

Widespread resident. Male black, with white rump and wing patch; rufous fringes to body in non-breeding and first winter plumages. Female has dark brown upperparts and rufous brown underparts, with rufous orange rump. Mainly cultivation and open country with scattered bushes to tall grass.

Pied Bushchat-Female

Saxicola caprata 13.5cm

Karuppu Vellai Putharchittu in Tamil (கருப்பு வெள்ளை புதர்சிட்டு)

Widespread resident. Male black, with white rump and wing patch; rufous fringes to body in non-breeding and first winter plumages. Female has dark brown upperparts and rufous brown underparts, with rufous orange rump. Mainly cultivation and open country with scattered bushes to tall grass.

Pheasant Tailed Jacana

Hydrophasianus chirurgus 31cm

Neelavaal Ilaikozhi in Tamil (நீள வால் இலைகோழி)

Widespread resident. Extensive white on upperwing, and white underwing. Yellowish patch on sides of neck. Adult breeding has brown underparts and long tail. Adult non breeding and juvenile have white underparts with dark line down side of neck and dark breast band. Freswater wetlands.

Indian Peafowl

Pavo cristatus M 180-230cm, F 90-100cm

Neelamayil in Tamil (நீலமயில்)

Resident. Male has blue neck and breast, and spectacular glossy green train of elongated uppertail-covert feathers with numerous ocelli. Female lacks elongated uppertail coverts; has whitish face and throat and white belly. Primaries of female are brown (chestnut in male). Forest undergrowth in wild; villages and cultivation where semiferal.

Pale Billed Flowerpecker

Dicaeum erythrorynchos 8cm

Tickell Malarkotthi in Tamil (டிக்கெல் மலர்க்கொத்தி)

Widespread resident. Pale bill, greyish olive uppeparts, pale grey underparts. Open broadleaved forest and well wooded areas. 

Painted Stork

Mycteria leucocephala 93-100cm

Manjalmookku Naarai in Tamil (மஞ்சள்மூக்கு நாரை)

Widespread resident in plains. Adult has downcurved yellow bill, bare orange yellow or red face, and red legs; white barring on mainly black upperwing coverts, pinkish tertials, and black barring across breast. Juvenile dirty greyish white, with grey brown (feathered) head and neck and brown lesser coverts; bill and legs duller than adult's. Inland and coastal wetlands.