Four must-see birds this migration season in Coimbatore

As winter paints Coimbatore’s skies with a softer light, the city’s wetlands stir with the promise of arrivals from distant lands. From Siberian steppes to Himalayan foothills, migratory birds chart ancient routes, guided by instinct and the allure of southern sanctuary. By March’s end, they will leave as quietly as they came, but for now, they fill the air with their calls and the waters with their grace. To celebrate their arrival, we spoke to four birders, each sharing stories of a winged traveller that turns the city into a seasonal sanctuary.

European Bee-eater

One fascinating migratory bird that visits Coimbatore is the European Bee-eater. This species, a passage migrant, stops here in October on its way south, with some continuing to Sri Lanka. It returns briefly in March and April en route to Europe. The first time I saw one was in 2017 at Ponnuthu Hills, near the Ponnuthu Amman Temple. I spotted it perched on an electrical wire, holding a cicada in its beak—a striking sight given its vibrant colours and size, much larger than the Green Bee-eater. I had been scouting for this bird for a long time.

European Bee-eaters have become more common in Coimbatore over the years, with large flocks occasionally reported. A birder friend once recorded a flock of 500 birds in a single location. Before 2015, sightings were rare, but growing awareness among birders has led to better documentation. Ponnuthu Hills remains a popular spot to see these birds during their migration seasons.  

What makes bee-eaters unique is their feeding technique. They primarily hunt bees but cleverly remove the sting by bashing them against a branch before eating. I’ve also seen them prey on cicadas, adding variety to their diet. In the evenings, these birds exhibit communal roosting, gathering in groups of five to ten on a single branch, creating a charming sight.

The European Bee-eater’s migration story is tied to food availability. During harsh European winters, insects hibernate, leaving little sustenance for these birds. They migrate to tropical regions like India, where food is abundant. However, come summer, they return to Europe, drawn by plentiful insects, fewer predators, and ample nesting spaces.

Threats to these birds include widespread pesticide use, which depletes their insect food sources and causes toxins to build up in their systems. This impacts their breeding, leading to thinner eggshells or infertility. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon affecting bee populations, could also pose a long-term risk.

(By Balaji PB, senior member, Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS). To go birding with CNS, contact 9842261279)

Indian Pitta

The Indian Pitta, or Navrang, is a stunningly colourful bird, named for its nine vibrant colours. A favourite among bird photographers, it migrates from the Himalayan foothills to South India, reaching as far as Sri Lanka. In Coimbatore, they arrive in October, and sometimes found in gardens or balconies, exhausted. They recover quickly and are usually unharmed, though some well-meaning locals mistake their natural markings for injuries.  

Known for their distinctive calls, Pittas are among the first to sing at dawn, making them easier to hear than see. Their camouflaged plumage blends seamlessly into the forest floor, where they forage for insects and small reptiles by flipping over leaves. In Coimbatore, they are commonly spotted near Siruvani foothills, Chinnavedampatti Lake, and Selva Chinthamani Lake.  

Pittas are solitary and navigate vast distances with remarkable precision, often returning to the same spot each year. However, their migration isn’t without risks. Habitat destruction and occasional hunting in central India pose challenges. While they are safe from hunting in South India, human interference, such as caging, remains a concern. These birds eat only worms and can’t survive on regular food, making captivity fatal if mishandled.  

Despite their beauty and ecological role in pest control, Indian Pittas are listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. This status, coupled with their elusive nature, means they are not extensively studied. Most observations rely on their calls rather than sightings, as they are small and blend into dense foliage.  

My most memorable encounter with an Indian Pitta was near Palakkad one misty morning. I watched it forage on the ground, mesmerised by its vivid colours. Though I had my camera, I chose to savour the moment instead of rushing to take a photo.  

The Indian Pitta’s presence is a reminder of the delicate balance in nature and the importance of preserving habitats for these beautiful birds.

(By R Mohammed Saleem, President, Environment Conservation Group. To go birding with him, contact 9787878910)

Blyth’s Reed Warbler

Blyth’s Reed Warbler is one of the most common migratory birds in our region. Breeding across Europe and parts of Asia, its entire global population winters in the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Despite its plain brown appearance, it is easily recognised by its distinctive call, often heard in gardens. These birds migrate here to escape harsh winters in their breeding grounds, finding food and shelter during our monsoon season when insects are plentiful. By April, they return to Europe, where spring offers optimal conditions for nesting and raising their young.  

I eagerly await this bird’s arrival each year. Hearing its call in my backyard fills me with joy, signalling that both their breeding and wintering grounds are safe. The presence of migratory birds like the Blyth’s Reed Warbler is a sign of a healthy environment, as they rely on suitable habitats and rich insect populations to survive. However, habitat loss, including the clearing of bushes and vegetation, poses a significant threat to them. Insects dwindle without greenery, leaving these birds without food or shelter. Thankfully, when my backyard bushes regrew after the rains, the warblers returned, proving that if the habitat is restored, so are the birds.  

Unlike many European species that winter in Africa, Blyth’s Reed Warbler migrates to Indian subcontinent, a choice that remains a mystery. Its journey is part of a larger global cycle where migratory birds travel vast distances for survival. While some species stop along the way, others make the journey in one stretch, taking advantage of monsoonal insect booms here before heading home as temperatures rise.  

Though common, this bird is vital to our ecosystem, keeping insect populations in check and maintaining balance. Yet, their abundance often leads to neglect in conservation efforts. We must prioritise preserving their habitats before their populations begin to decline.  

My first encounter with this bird was in Valparai in 2015, guided by my mentor, Dr P Jeganathan. Hearing its call for the first time was magical. Since then, I’ve found comfort in its call, it’s almost like hearing from a friend.

(By Selvaganesh K, Tamil Birders Network. To go birding with him, contact 9786175613)

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail also known as the dabbling ducks are regular visitors to Coimbatore’s wetlands, but this year, their arrival might be delayed. Many wetlands are flooded and more polluted than usual, likely pushing these birds to nearby, less disturbed areas.

Northern Pintails use the Central Asian-India flyway to migrate from beyond the Himalayas, likely from Mongolia or Siberia, and settle across India’s wetlands during winter. They are predominantly feed on plant based diet by dipping their heads into the water to reach the aquatic plants, seeds and its roots. During the nesting season, this bird eats mainly invertebrate animals, including aquatic insects, molluscs and crustaceans with their iconic pintail tail often pointing skyward. Their chocolate-brown heads shimmer like velvet in the sun, a sight that never fails to fascinate me.

In Coimbatore, we spot these birds in small groups, often 10-15, at wetlands like Kolarampathy, Perur Sundakkamuthur and Sengulam tanks. These sites are part of noyyal and rain-fed wetlands that provide food and shelter. Northern Pintails usually arrive here in the second quarter of the winter season, between December and February, when the rains have stopped, water levels stabilise with less contamination and vegetation, and the wetlands become ideal for feeding.

Migration for Northern Pintails is a survival strategy. During Siberian winters, frozen landscapes force them to seek non-frozen regions with abundant food. They make several stops along the way—from Nothern part of Europe to Mongolia, through China, and finally into India. Coimbatore’s interconnected wetlands allow them to move between sites with minimal effort, especially when some wetlands are more suitable than others.

However, urban wetlands face increasing threats from pollution and habitat degradation. For instance, Ukkadam Big Tank, once a haven for hundreds of Northern Pintails and other ducks, has suffered due to effluents and drainage.

Thankfully, efforts by groups like Kousika Neerkarangal have revitalised rural wetlands like Agrahara Samakulam, making them ideal habitats with clear water and minimal disturbance. This year our birdwatchers spotted them there during our Winter Bird Migration Study between November 12 to 18, 2024.

I first spotted a Northern Pintail at Ukkadam Lake in 2013, during my early birding days. Back then, bird populations were larger, and habitats were healthier. Preserving these wetlands is crucial to ensuring migratory birds like the Northern Pintail continue to visit Coimbatore each year.

Northern Pintail breeds in the northern areas of Europe and across the Palearctic and North America.

(By Prakash G,senior member, Coimbatore Nature Society (CNS). To go birding with CNS, contact 9842261279)