#Ocyceros griseus

[birdblues]

Malabar Grey Hornbill

[herpsandbirds]

Malabar Grey Hornbills (Ocyceros griseus), female (L) and male (R), family Bucerotidae, order Bucerotiformes, Thattekad, Kerala, India

photograph by Harish Kumar Kohli

[birding-with-tortoise]

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus)

Sighted at Goa, India

[tropic-havens]

Malabar grey hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) having fruits with beautiful background at Coorg, Karnataka, India

[cuteness--overload]

Malabar grey hornbill (Ocyceros griseus) is a hornbill endemic to the Western Ghats and associated hills of southern India. Goa, India [2048x1365] [OC]

Source: https://bit.ly/32hdTkp

[guideguy35-blog]

NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK

It is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park’, is one of India’s best known wildlife reserves. This place beckons tourists from all over the world to have a rendezvous with nature and wildlife. It was set up in 1955, enriched with greenish forest cover, little streams, softy valleys and spectacular waterfalls, is one of the best-managed parks in the country.

Naga means snake , hole means pond or stream in local parlance. There is a steam in the west side of the park called Nagarhole. So the name of the park

Fauna of Nagarhole National Park

Sambar deer in nagarhole

Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) , Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum) also known as Three Striped Palm Squirrel, Indian giant squirrel ( Ratufa indica ) or Malabar Squirrel, Flying squirrel ( Biswamoyopterus biswasi) , Slender loris (Loris tardigradus), Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris or Panthera tigris bengalensis), Sambar (deer) , Porcupine , Wild Boar , Panther , Pangoline , Otter, Striped necked mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis), Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus), Common Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsi) , Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata) , Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), Barking Deer (Muntjac) ,Mouse Deer (Chevrotain), Spotted Deer ( Axis axis) , Common Langur (Hanuman Langur or Presbytis entellus), Wild Dog, Jackal , Civet Cat , Gaur and Elephant.

Birds of Nagarhole National Park

Nal salovar

Peafowl ( Pavo cristatus) , Common Babbler(Turdoides caudata ), Reed Warbler, Bea-eater, Red-whiskered Bulbul ( Pycnonotus jocosus ) , Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) , Brown dove, Blue-winged Parakeet ( Malabar Parakeet or Psittacula columboides) , Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria) , Ring-Necked Dove (Streptopelia capicola), Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis), Malabar Grey Hornbill ( Ocyceros griseus ) , Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus) , Crested Hawk eagle ( Nisaetus cirrhatus cirrhatus) , Crested Serpent Eagle ( Spilornis cheela or Kanmuri-washi ) , Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax ) , Blyth’s Myna (Sturnus malabaricus blythii) , Small Minivet ( Pericrocotus cinnamomeus ) , Lorikeets, Blossom-headed Parakeet (Psittacula roseata) , Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), Southern Treepie (Dendrocitta leucogastra) , Green Imperial Pigeon (Ducula aenea) , Malabar Trogon ( Harpactes fasciatus ) and Bar-winged Flycatcher shrike ( Hemipus picatus ).

Reptiles of Nagarhole National Park

King Cobra, Spectacled cobra ( Common cobra or Naja naja), Banded Krait (B. fasciatus), Bamboo viper ( Trimeresurus stejnegeri ) , Pit viper, Russell’s viper, Indian Rock Python (Python molurus ), Monitor Lizard, Tortoise and Toads.

Elephant in nagarhole

Location

Nagarhole National Park spreads over two districts of Karnataka state – Mysore and Kodagu. Its a relatively large national park covering an area more than 600 sq. kilometers ( 230 sq miles)

Nagarhole Opening Hours

The main road through the park is open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m., all year round. Safaris take place in the early morning from 6 a.m to 9 a.m., and again in the afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Nagarhole Cost

The park entrance fee is 200 rupees ($4.50) for foreigners. The forest department runs one hour safaris for 65 rupees ($1.50). Alternatively private vehicles can go on safari for 550 rupees ($12) per car or jeep, plus 200 rupees for the cost of a guide (required). Trekking costs 75 rupees ($1.80) for one day, plus 250 rupees ($6) for a guide. A 30 minute elephant ride costs 75 rupees. Jeeps can be hired for around 800 rupees ($18) per day from the forest department office in Hunsur, 45 kilometers before the park. Hotel operators also run safari tours and other activities.

MaleGaur in Nagarahole

Nagarhole Travel Tips

Nagarhole can be explored by jeep, elephant back, and boat. Visitors can also go trekking. The park offers the opportunity to see elephants close up in their natural habitat, and it’s not unusual to see herds of elephants on the river bank. However, the likelihood of seeing a tiger here is rare compared to parks such as Bandhavgarh in the north. A good thing about Nagarhole is that the main forest reserve office (where the safaris start from) is located right inside the park. This means that visitors can pass through quite a bit of the park area on their own.

How to get there

Tiger

By Road

Nagarhole National park is well connected to adjoining areas of Karnataka. Motorable highways link the park to the towns of Madikere (90 km) and Mysore (96 km) . The journey from both places lasts approximately 2 hours.

By Rail

The nearest well-connected railway junction is Mysore.

By Air

The nearest international airport is Bangalore (220 km). Various airlines link Bangalore to the rest of the nation.

Gallery

Deers at night

Sambar deer in nagarhole

Elephant in nagarhole

MaleGaur in Nagarahole

Nagarhole park entry

Tiger

  Nagarhole National Park NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK It is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve also known as 'Rajiv Gandhi National Park', is one of India’s best known wildlife reserves.

[birding-with-tortoise]

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus)

Sighted at Thattekad, Kerala, India

[birding-with-tortoise]

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus)

Sighted at Goa, India

[birdblues]

Malabar Grey Hornbill

[guideguy35-blog]

Ocyceros griseus

The Thattekad Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river. Close to Munnar along the lower reaches of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary attracts nature lovers especially bird watchers in droves. Thattekad was developed by the untiring efforts of India’s birdman Dr Salim Ali.

The sanctuary was notified in 1983 based on a recommendation made by Dr. Salim Ali many years previously. Ali described Thattekad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala

Wildlife Species

Manas National Park Elephant

Mammals

Serpent Eagle

Leopard, Bear, Porcupine Etc. The Elephant Is An Occasional Visitor.

Birds

Indian Roller, Cukoo, Common Snipe, Crow Pheasant, Jungle Nightjar, Kite, Grey Drongo, Malabar Trogon, Woodpecker, Large Pied Wagtail, Baya Sparrow, Grey Jungle Fowl, Indian Hill Myna, Robin,Serpent Eagle, Jungle Babbler And Darter.

Reptiles

Python, Cobra etc.

Venture Into The Thattekad

Tropical evergreen forests, tropical semi-evergreen forests and tropical deciduous forests make up this sanctuary. The whole ambience is made heavenly by the melodious high pitch notes of various beautiful birds. As you proceed further, you will find them in varied natural moods. Take time to feel the composed ambience. It is so much soothing and relaxing that you will love to come here again & again. The rare surroundings amidst the musical notes are the true place to relax.

Near by attractions

Cattle Egert in manas

Nearest attractions are – Alleppey, Cradomom Hills, Backwater Boat Cruises. You can also go to – Periyar Tiger Reserve, Madurai, Cochin or Kochi (71 km), Kottayam, Ernakulam, Munnar. All these place are unique and bewitching. Something you should not miss in Kerala are Backwaters and Beaches. Also taste the exclusive South India cuisine here.

How to Get There

By Air

International Airport : At Chennai & Bangalore. Nearest airport is at Kochi, 71 kms. The new airport at Nedumbassery is probably closer.

By Rail

Aluva is the nearest railway station, 48 kms

By Road

The sanctuary is 13 km north-east of Kothamangalam along the Pooyamkutti road. Regular buses available.

Gallery

Eudynamys scolopacea

Ocyceros griseus

Coracias benghalensis

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary-Ahmedabad

Ducks at Bird at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary

Nal salovar

Kingfisher

D.R.Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Manas National Park Elephant

Cattle Egert in manas

Serpent Eagle

  Thattekad Bird Sanctuary-Kothamangalam The Thattekad Sanctuary, also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar river.