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Birds of Blackberry Hills

Birdwatching at Blackberry Hills

A field guide that moves with the forest.

Some birds announce themselves from the canopy. Others appear for a few seconds at the edge of a pathway. Use this page to learn the birds around Blackberry Hills, keep track of your own sightings and turn a quiet walk into a small treasure hunt.

41 birds

Searchable, filterable and ready for your own sightings. Your progress is saved on this device.

Your sightings0 of 41
Best habitListen before you look.
Good timeEarly morning.
Good placeCanopy, paths and forest edge.

Morning mission

One bird. One walk. No rush.

Pick a random bird before you step out. You do not have to find it. The point is to start noticing where you look, what you hear and how much is happening when you slow down.

Malabar Grey Hornbill

Kozhi vezhambal

Listen for a resonant call through the valley, then scan the canopy for a large slaty-brown bird with a long curved bill.

Birding by ear

Sometimes the first sighting is a sound.

Four birds worth listening for before you start scanning the trees.

Whistle

Malabar Whistling Thrush

A rich dawn whistle that can sound uncannily human.

Hammer

Coppersmith Barbet

A repeated tuk-tuk-tuk, like a tiny hammer somewhere in the canopy.

Resonant call

Malabar Grey Hornbill

A carrying voice that may reveal the bird before its silhouette does.

Deep note

Southern Crow Pheasant

A low coop-coop from dense vegetation or the forest edge.

Small things worth knowing

Bird trivia for the path.

Good birding is full of tiny clues. A tail shape, a bill, a patch of colour or a repeated sound can be more useful than trying to memorise an entire bird.

Look up

The kestrel can appear to hover in place.

Rapid wingbeats let it hold position while it watches the ground below for prey.

Look down

Not every bird is in the canopy.

Painted Bush Quail, Grey Junglefowl and Southern Crow Pheasant can all reward attention to the ground and low cover.

Look closely

A white eye-ring can solve an ID instantly.

The tiny White Eye is named for the conspicuous pale ring around its eye.

Bird bingo

Can you mark three in a row?

Tap a square when you spot the bird. These marks are tied to your sightings in the field guide below.

Complete field guide

Find a bird.

Every bird is visible by default. Search and filters simply narrow the list, so the guide still works even if interactive features are unavailable.

41 birds shown · 0 marked seen
Common Indian Myna at Blackberry Hills

01

Common Indian Myna

Kavalam Kili, Madatha, Nattumyna

23 cmMynas & Bulbuls

Dark brown with a black head, bright yellow bill and legs, bare skin around the eyes and a conspicuous white wing patch. Often seen in pairs.

Quick clueLook for the white wing patch when it flies.
Southern Hill Myna or Southern Grackle at Blackberry Hills

02

Southern Hill Myna or Southern Grackle

Kattu Myna

25 cmMynas & Bulbuls

Glossy purple-green plumage with a white wing patch and bright orange-yellow facial skin. Loud, varied calls are a useful clue.

Quick clueKnown for an astonishing ability to imitate sounds.
Southern Jungle Myna at Blackberry Hills

03

Southern Jungle Myna

Kinnarimyna

23 cmMynas & Bulbuls

Grey-brown and slightly darker than the common myna, with an erectile tuft on the forehead and large white wing patches visible in flight.

Quick clueThe little forehead tuft is a useful ID feature.
Red Whiskered Bulbul at Blackberry Hills

04

Red Whiskered Bulbul

Irattathalachy

20 cmMynas & Bulbuls

Recognised by its pointed black crest, white underparts, red whisker patch and crimson below the tail.

Quick clueIts red cheek patch makes it one of the easiest bulbuls to recognise.
South Indian Black Bulbul at Blackberry Hills

05

South Indian Black Bulbul

Myna bulbul, Karimpan kuttu bulbul

23 cmMynas & Bulbuls

Dark slate coloured, slightly slender, with a pointed crest, red bill and legs. Often moves noisily through leafy treetops.

Quick clueRed bill plus dark slate plumage is the quick clue.
South Indian Redvented Bulbul at Blackberry Hills

06

South Indian Redvented Bulbul

Nattubulbul

20 cmMynas & Bulbuls

Smoke-brown with a partially crested black head, scale-like breast markings and a conspicuous crimson patch below the tail.

Quick clueWatch for the red vent when it flicks its tail.
Scarlet Minivet at Blackberry Hills

07

Scarlet Minivet

Theekuruvi

20 cmForest Canopy

A slim, brilliant treetop bird. Adult males are black and scarlet; females are greyer with orange-scarlet and yellow.

Quick clueOften moves through the canopy in small flocks.
Spotted Dove at Blackberry Hills

08

Spotted Dove

Aripravu, Chakkarakuttapravu

Pigeons & Doves

A slender pinkish-brown and grey pigeon with a spotted black-and-white neck patch and white on the abdomen and tail edges.

Quick clueThe spotted collar is the giveaway.
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon at Blackberry Hills

09

Nilgiri Wood Pigeon

Marapravu

42 cmPigeons & Doves

A large pigeon with a grey head, black-and-white chequered hind neck and rich brown upperparts with a metallic sheen.

Quick clueLook for the chequered patch on the back of the neck.
Emerald Dove at Blackberry Hills

10

Emerald Dove

Omanapravu

Pigeons & Doves

Brownish pink with glistening emerald-bronze upperparts, a white forehead and eyebrow, and pale bars on the wings.

Quick clueOften encountered close to the forest floor.
Parakeet at Blackberry Hills

11

Parakeet

Poomthatha

35 cmForest Canopy

Slender grass-green or yellowish-green parakeet with a long pointed tail and very fast, direct flight.

Quick clueYou may hear its sharp flight call before you see it.
Sunbirds at Blackberry Hills

12

Sunbirds

Thenkili

10 cmNectar Feeders

Tiny nectar-feeders with long, narrow, down-curved bills. Males may show bright colours while females are generally olive above and yellow below.

Quick clueWatch flowering trees and shrubs.
White Eye at Blackberry Hills

13

White Eye

Vellikannikuruvi

10 cmSmall Forest Birds

A tiny square-tailed greenish-yellow bird with a conspicuous white ring around the eye. Often seen in parties or flocks.

Quick clueThe white eye-ring is unmistakable.
Velvet Fronted Nuthatch at Blackberry Hills

14

Velvet Fronted Nuthatch

Tandon kili, Goulikili

10 cmSmall Forest Birds

Purple-blue above with greyish lilac underparts, a coral-red bill and a velvety black forehead. Active on trunks and branches.

Quick clueOne of the few birds you may see moving head-first down a trunk.
Tickell’s Leaf Warbler at Blackberry Hills

15

Tickell’s Leaf Warbler

Podikuruvi

10 cmSmall Forest Birds

A restless olive-brown bird, brighter yellow below, often flicking its wings nervously as it searches for insects.

Quick clueSmall, restless and easy to overlook.
Malabar Whistling Thrush at Blackberry Hills

16

Malabar Whistling Thrush

Choolakaka

25 cmThrushes & Flycatchers

A glistening blue-black thrush with cobalt highlights and a rich, human-like whistling song.

Quick clueListen at dawn. Its song can sound almost like someone whistling.
Nilgiri Flycatcher at Blackberry Hills

17

Nilgiri Flycatcher

Neelakilipattapidian

15 cmThrushes & Flycatchers

About sparrow-sized. Males are dark grey-brown washed with bluish green; females are duller.

Quick clueOften sings from an exposed twig.
Black & Orange Flycatcher at Blackberry Hills

18

Black & Orange Flycatcher

Maenypakshi, Karimchemban paatapidian

13 cmThrushes & Flycatchers

A striking flycatcher with black and orange plumage, usually keeping to the understory and low bushes.

Quick clueA jewel of the shaded undergrowth.
Grey Junglefowl at Blackberry Hills

19

Grey Junglefowl

Kattukozhi

Ground Birds

Domestic-hen sized. Males show crested grey plumage with a metallic dark tail; females are brown with pale streaks.

Quick clueEarly morning and dusk are good times to listen for it.
Painted Bush Quail at Blackberry Hills

20

Painted Bush Quail

Manykkada

18 cmGround Birds

A colourful small quail that may keep in small groups and emerge in the morning or evening to dust itself.

Quick clueIf flushed, the whole group may burst from the grass at once.
Pied Bush Chat at Blackberry Hills

21

Pied Bush Chat

Chuttendalkili

13 cmOpen & Edge Birds

Males are jet black with white rump and wing patches; females are earthy brown with a paler rusty rump.

Quick clueOften perches conspicuously before dropping to the ground for insects.
Pied Bush Shrike at Blackberry Hills

22

Pied Bush Shrike

Asurappottan

14 cmOpen & Edge Birds

A small black-and-white flycatcher-like bird, often holding a hunched perch posture while hunting insects.

Quick clueIts low, purposeful perch is a useful clue.
Indian Kestrel at Blackberry Hills

23

Indian Kestrel

Virayan pullu

Raptors & Aerial Birds

A richly coloured small falcon, often rusty-toned, famous for hovering in place before dropping onto prey.

Quick clueLook up over open slopes for a bird apparently hanging in the air.
Malabar Grey Hornbill at Blackberry Hills

24

Malabar Grey Hornbill

Kozhi vezhambal

59 cmForest Canopy

A large slaty-brown hill bird with a long curved bill, often encountered in pairs or flocks.

Quick clueIts resonant calls can carry through the valley before the bird appears.
Kerala Scimitar Babbler at Blackberry Hills

25

Kerala Scimitar Babbler

Cholakuduvan

Small Forest Birds

Dark olive-brown with white throat and breast, a prominent white eyebrow and a curved yellow bill. Often moves through dense cover.

Quick clueNamed for its long, curved scimitar-like bill.
Yellow Wagtail at Blackberry Hills

26

Yellow Wagtail

Charathalayan valkuruvi

Open & Edge Birds

Bright olive-green above and yellow below, with grey crown and eye area.

Quick clueThe constant tail action gives wagtails their name.
Grey Wagtail at Blackberry Hills

27

Grey Wagtail

Valkulukki

17 cmOpen & Edge Birds

Blue-grey above with a pale eyebrow and yellow underparts. Often associated with forest roads and small streams.

Quick clueWatch wet edges and running water.
Grey Breasted Laughing Thrush at Blackberry Hills

28

Grey Breasted Laughing Thrush

Chiluchilappan vadakkan

20 cmThrushes & Flycatchers

A crested olive-brown bird with rufous underparts and a conspicuous white eyebrow with black lines.

Quick clueOften easier to locate by its lively calls than by sight.
Golden Oriole at Blackberry Hills

29

Golden Oriole

Manjakkili

25 cmForest Canopy

Bright golden yellow with black wings and tail and a dark streak through the eye. Usually seen high in trees.

Quick clueA flash of yellow high in the canopy may be your first clue.
Small Green Barbet at Blackberry Hills

30

Small Green Barbet

Chinnakkutturuvi

23 cmBarbets

Green with dark head markings, a pale eyebrow and whitish throat and breast.

Quick clueIts repeated short calls can reveal a bird hidden in foliage.
Coppersmith Barbet at Blackberry Hills

31

Coppersmith Barbet

Chembukotti

17 cmBarbets

A heavy-billed green bird with yellow throat and a red-streaked crown and breast.

Quick clueIts repeated tuk-tuk-tuk call resembles a coppersmith’s hammer.
Brahminy Kite at Blackberry Hills

32

Brahminy Kite

Garudan, Krishnapparunthu

48 cmRaptors & Aerial Birds

A rusty red or deep chestnut raptor with a white head, neck and breast.

Quick clueThe white head against chestnut wings is distinctive in flight.
Black Drongo at Blackberry Hills

33

Black Drongo

Anaranthi, Kakathampruriti

31 cmOpen & Edge Birds

Glossy jet black with a deeply forked tail. Watches for insects from exposed perches and captures prey in the air.

Quick clueThe forked tail is the instant clue.
Southern Crow Pheasant at Blackberry Hills

34

Southern Crow Pheasant

Uppan, Chempoth

48 cmGround Birds

Jungle-crow sized, glossy black with chestnut wings and a long tail. Often walks through undergrowth.

Quick clueIts deep resonant coop-coop call can travel surprisingly far.
Common Swallow at Blackberry Hills

35

Common Swallow

Kanakathirikkili

13 cmRaptors & Aerial Birds

Glossy dark above with a deeply forked tail, built for fast aerial insect hunting.

Quick clueWatch open airspace rather than the trees.
Indian Common Wood Shrike at Blackberry Hills

36

Indian Common Wood Shrike

Asurattani

16 cmSmall Forest Birds

Plain greyish-brown with a dark stripe below the eye and a pale eyebrow. Usually moves from tree to tree searching for insects.

Quick clueSubtle plumage, active feeding behaviour.
House Crow at Blackberry Hills

37

House Crow

Penakaka

Crows & Robins

Dusky grey-necked, highly adaptable and gregarious, closely associated with human habitation.

Quick clueIts grey neck separates it quickly from the Jungle Crow.
Indian Jungle Crow at Blackberry Hills

38

Indian Jungle Crow

Vaelikaka, Balikaka

Crows & Robins

Uniformly glossy jet black with a heavy bill and a deep guttural voice.

Quick clueNotice the heavier bill and all-black plumage.
Southern Magpie Robin at Blackberry Hills

39

Southern Magpie Robin

Mannathipullu

Crows & Robins

Black above and white below with a white wing patch and white outer tail feathers. Frequently flicks and cocks its tail.

Quick clueA confident garden and edge bird with a distinctive tail posture.
Tickell’s Flowerpecker at Blackberry Hills

40

Tickell’s Flowerpecker

Ithikkannikuruvi

Nectar Feeders

Ashy olive-brown above and greyish buff-white below, with a thick bluish finch-like bill.

Quick clueTiny, restless and often moving through foliage.
Indian House Sparrow at Blackberry Hills

41

Indian House Sparrow

Angadikuruvi

15 cmCrows & Robins

A familiar human-associated sparrow. Males show chestnut, black and grey markings; females are ashier and less contrasting.

Quick clueMost likely around built-up edges rather than deep forest.
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