Biodiversity of Thattekad Bird Sanctuary grows richer

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-08-19 07:20:22 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-26 02:29:39

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Nine new species recorded at Kerala sanctuary, reaffirming its biodiversity wealth

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, is rewriting the record books yet again. After being recognised as one of the richest ecological zones in the Western Ghats, a recent faunal survey has now added nine new species to the sanctuary's biodiversity treasure trove.

The three-day survey, the first multi-taxa approach to studying the sanctuary, was conducted by researchers from various Indian institutions, including the University of Kerala, which led the investigation. The team recorded nine species never before seen in the sanctuary's limits, bringing the total number of bird species to 434.

These newly-documented species include the Sri Lankan frogmouth, streaked reed warbler, Asian palm swift, brown-capped woodpecker, white-bellied woodpecker, black-naped monarch, gray-headed canary-flycatcher, dark-edged flycatcher, and forest eagle-owl.

Speaking to the Times of India, Dr. Shah Jahan, a researcher at the University of Kerala and the lead investigator of the survey, highlighted the significance of the findings. "The latest findings are a significant addition to the biodiversity profile of the sanctuary. It underscores the importance of such surveys in understanding the true ecological wealth of the region.", he said.

These findings are a testament to the immense ecological potential of India's wildlife habitats and their ability to surprise us again and again. With over 434 different bird species, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary stands tall as a birding paradise and a gem of biodiversity in the Western Ghats.

The recent survey only scratches the surface of India's wildlife riches, which are yet to be fully uncovered and appreciated.

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