Even within a metropolis like Madras (or Chennai as it is officially called now!) one can observe rich and varied bird-life. Some of the treasure-houses of wildlife and Nature are the areas in and surrounding the Guindy National Park (GNP) (off Sardar Patel Road) which include the campus areas of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (its next-door neighbour!) as well as the neighbouring Central Polytechnics (Taramani, on the Canal Bank road), in which Matscience is situated. The wooded lands of the Theosophical Society (TS) on the banks of the river Adyar as well as the Adyar Estuary are also some of the better preserved natural reserves within the city. Another beautiful wooded campus abounding in bird-life is the Madras Christian College (MCC), in Tambaram. In the north, in Perambur, is the Simpson industrial estate, Sembian, which, surprisingly enough, is a nesting ground for water birds. The nearby lakes at Madhavaram and Manali also attract many species, dominant among which is the pheasant-tailed jacana. One of our latest discoveries lies in the Southern extreme of the city: the Nanmangalam Reserve Forest in Medavakkam. This rocky, raviny, scrubby land is home to the great horned owl and several other delightful species. Another interesting spot for birds, along with the exhibition among relatively natural habitats, is the Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur. The swampy marshes at Velachery afford a habitat to many marsh and scrub land birds.

An interesting spot for water birds including many migratory species is the backwaters of Lake Pulicat, some 40km North of the city limits. In the southern side, at a few tens of kilometers is the Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, nesting ground for many a migratory bird that you can spot if you come in the right season.

Checklist for Madras

This is a list compiled from my own sightings, with some additions reported by others.

scientific name in typewriter face, local name (Tamil unless otherwise specified) in italics, followed by other characteristics including where they were spotted and approximate numbers seen.
indicates that the bird's call has also been heard.

1. Dabchick or Little Grebe
         Tachybaptus ruficolis, Tanni pullu, Mukkulippan.
         23cm, Swimmer and diver, IIT (8-10), Madhavaram Lake (2), Adyar Estuary (4-5).
2. Little Cormorant
         Phalacrocorax niger, Neer Kaakka.
         50cm, Swimmer and diver, IIT (5-6), Madhavaram Lake (20-30) .
3. Darter (snake bird)
         Anhinga melanogaster, .
         IIT (2-3, nesting)
4. Large Egret
         Ardea alba, Chennarai.
         91cm Wader, Adyar Estuary.
5. Median Egret
         Egretta intermedia, Vellai kokku.
         80cm Wader, Adyar Estuary, IIT
6. Little Egret
         Egretta garzetta, Chinna vellai kokku.
         62cm, Wader, Adyar Estuary, IIT, Madhavaram Lake .
7. Cattle Egret
         Bubulcus ibis, Unni kokku.
         50 cm, Adyar Estuary, Madhavaram Lake .
8. Pond Heron
         Ardeola grayii, Kulattu kokku, Madai kattan.
         45cm, Wader, Adyar Estuary, IIT, Matscience (after rains!), Madhavaram Lake.
9. Purple Heron
         Ardea purpurea, Peria vellai kokku
         58cm, Madhavaram Lake (4), Velacheri (3-4).
10. Grey Heron
          Ardea cinerea, Sambal narai
          58cm, Madhavaram Lake (2), IIT (3).
11. Night Heron
          Nycticorax nycticorax, Vakka.
          58cm, Nocturnal fisher, IIT, Adyar Estuary.
12. Little Green Heron
          Ardeola striatus, Doshi kokku.
          45cm, fisher, IIT (1), Adyar Estuary (1).
13. Yellow Bittern
          Ixobrychus sinensis, Manal narai.
          38cm, Near water, IIT (1), Velacheri (4-5).
14. Chestnut (or Cinnamon) Bittern
          Ixobrychus cinnamomeus, Manal narai.
          38cm, Near water, Velacheri (4-5).
15. Black Bittern
          Ixobrychus flavicolus, Karuppu narai.
          58cm, Near water, IIT (2), Madhavaram Lake (1), Adyar Estuary (1).
16. Lesser Whistling Teal
          Dendrocygna javanica ,
          Swamps, Velacheri (20-25).
17. Red-wattled Lapwing
          Vanellus indicus, Allkatti.
          33cm, Near water, IIT, Madhavaram, Adyar Estuary, Nanmangalam, flying over Matscience.
18. Yellow-wattled Lapwing
          Vanellus malabaricus, Allkatti.
          27cm, One seen on the beach outside TS.
19. Wood Sandpiper
          Tringa glareola, Kottan, Vaya ullan.
          23cm, Marsh, Adyar Estuary, IIT, Velacheri.
20. Common Sandpiper
          Tringa hypoleucos, Kottan.
          20cm, Marsh, Adyar Estuary .
21. Marsh Sandpiper
          Tringa stagnatilis , Kottan.
          24cm, Marsh, Adyar Estuary .
22. Redshank
          Tringa totanus, Kottan.
          26cm, Marsh, Adyar Estuary (20-25).
23. Little Ringed Plover
          Charadrius dubius, Chinna Kottan.
          17 cm, Marsh, Adyar Estuary (10-12).
24. Little Stint
          Calidris minuta
          15cm, marsh,in a large group, Adyar Estuary.
25. Black-winged Stilt
          Himantopus himantopus, Pavazha kaal ullan.
          37cm, Wader, Adyar Estuary .
26. Open-bill Stork
          Anastomus oscitans, Naththai kuththi narai.
          80cm, Fisher, nests in large colonies on a tree, IIT .
27. Flamingo
          Phoenicopterus ruber, Pun narai, Urian.
          130cm, local migrant, wader, Adyar Estuary (3 individuals seen in '97, 1 in '99) .
28. Curlew
          Numenius arquata, Kuthirai malai kottan.
          58cm, Adyar Estuary (group of 12 seen in '98) .
29. Black-tailed Godwit
          Limosa limosa,
          Adyar Estuary.
30. Gull-billed Tern
          Gelochelidon nilotica, Kadal kuruvi ,
          38cm, Madhavaram.
31. Paraiah Kite
          Milvus migrans, Paria parundu.
          65cm, Predatory, airborne, very common .
32. Shikra (Hawk)
          Accipiter badius, .
          33cm, predatory, largely arboreal, common .
33. Black-winged Kite
          Elanus caeruleus, .
          35cm, Velacheri (2, '99).
34. Honey Buzzard
          Pernis ptilorhyncus, Ten parundu
          68cm, Nanmangalam (1).
35. Common PeafowL
          Pavo cristatus, Mayil,
          92-120cm, Vandalur (3).
36. Grey Partridge
          Francolinus pondicerianus, kondari, kauthari
          60cm, dry scrub land, Taramani, Nanmangalam.
37. White-breasted Water-hen
          Amaurornis phoenicurus, Kanan kozhi,
          32cm, Adyar Estuary, IIT, Velacheri.
38. Coot
          Fulica atra,
          30cm, Madhavaram Lake.
39. Purple Moorhen
          Porphyrio porphyrio, Tanneer kozhi
          32cm, Velacheri (10-20: difficult to estimate because of cover and scattered occurence).
40. Moorhen
          Gallinula chloropus, Tanneer kozhi
          28cm, Madhavaram Lake, IIT, Velacheri.
41. Pheasant-tailed Jacana
          Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Manal pura, Miwa
          31cm, Wader on floating vegetation, resident breeder at Madhavaram Lake (~50-70 sen in '98), Velacheri.
42. Stone Curlew
          Burhinus oedicnemus, Kannadi al katti
          41cm, mainly on the ground, IIT (4).
43. Blue Rock Pigeon
          Columba livia, Mada pura.
          32cm, very common .
44. Little Brown Dove
          Streptopelia senegalensis, Tavuttu pura
          27cm, Nanmangalam.
45. Spotted Dove
          Streptopelia chinensis, Pulli pura.
          30cm, Matscience, Velacheri, IIT, MCC.
46. Rose-ringed Parakeet
          Psittacula krameri, Kili.
          40cm, common .
47. Indian Koel
          Eudynamys scolopacea, Kuyil.
          42cm, Arboreal, common .
48. Small Green-billed Malkoha
          Phaenicophaeus viridirostris ,
          42cm, MCC (1).
49. Coucal (crow-pheasant)
          Centropus sinensis, Kalli kakka, Chempakam.
          47cm, Matscience, GNP, Nanmangalam, Vandalur.
50. Pied Crested Cuckoo
          Oxylophus jacobinus, Kala papiya (hindi).
          33cm, Arboreal, Matscience, Vandalur .
51. Brain-fever Bird or Hawk-cuckoo
          Cuculus varius, Upak (Hindi).
          33cm, Arboreal, Matscience, TS , Vandalur.
52. Grey Spotted Owlet
          Athene brama, .
          20cm, Nocturnal, arboreal, Matscience.
53. Barn or Screech Owl
          Tyto alba, Chavu kuruvi.
          60cm, Nocturnal, Besant Nagar (4 in '97) .
54. Great Horned Owl
          Bubo bubo, Komban kottaan
          60cm, Nanmangalam (~5 seen in '99).
55. Edible-nest Swiftlet
          Collocalia fuciphaga
          13cm, Matscience, Adyar Estuary.
56. House Swift
          Apus affinis, Babeela (Hindi).
          15cm, Matscience, IIT .
57. Palm Swift
          Cypsiurus parvus, Ulavara kuruvi.
          13cm, Matscience, Madhavaram.
58. Common Indian Nightjar
          Caprimulgus asiaticus,
          25cm, Nanmangalam (6-7 seen in '99).
59. White-breasted Kingfisher
          Halcyon smirnensis, Meenkotti, Vichuli.
          27cm, Matscience, Tiruvanmiyur, Adyar Estuary, Madhavaram, Velachery, Nanmangalam, Vandalur.
60. Common Kingfisher
          Alcedo atthis
          18cm, IIT, Madhavaram Lake, Vandalur .
61. Black-capped Kingfisher
          Halcyon pileata
          30cm, IIT (1 seen in '98) .
62. Pied Kingfisher
          Ceryle rudis, Meenkotti.
          28cm, IIT, Madhavaram Lake, Velachery, Nanmangalam, Adyar estuary.
63. Small Green Bee-eater
          Merops orientalis
          22cm, Matscience, TS, Madhavaram.
64. Hoopoe
          Upupa epops, Chaval kuruvi .
          27cm, Tiruvanmiyur, IIT, GNP.
65. Blue Jay
          Coracias benghalensis, Pal kuruvi.
          31cm, on a telephone wire in Velachery.
66. Crimson-breasted Barbet or Coppersmith
          Megalaima haemacephala, Chinna kukuravan.
          15cm, Matscience, IIT, Vandalur.
67. Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker
          Dinopium benghalese, Maram tolachi, Tachchan kuruvi.
          28cm, Matscience, TS, IIT, Mylapore, GNP, Vandalur.
68. Southern Bush Lark
          Mirafra affinis,
          14cm, scrub bushes, Taramani, Nanmangalam, Velacheri, MCC.
69. Ashy crowned Finch Lark
          Eremopterix grisea Vanampaadi kuruvi
          13cm, Adyar bank.
70. Oriental (or Indian Small) Skylark
          Alauda gulgula
          15cm, Velacheri.
71. Red-vented Bulbul
          Pycnonotus cafer, Kondai kuruvi.
          20cm, common near trees and vegetation.
72. Red-whiskered Bulbul
          Pycnonotus jocosus
          20cm, Matscience, GNP, Nanmangalam Vandalur, MCC.
73. White-browed Bulbul
          Pycnonotus luteolus, Manjal kondai kuruvi.
          20cm, Matscience, IIT, GNP, TS, Vandalur, Nanmangalam, MCC.
74. Paradise Flycatcher
          Terpsiphone paradisi, Val kuruvi.
          20cm+, Matscience, IIT, GNP .
75. Golden Oriole
          Oriolus oriolus, Manja kili.
          25 cm, Matscience, IIT, Vandalur, MCC.
76. Common Myna
          Acridotheres tristis, Nahanavai.
          22cm, common .
77. Brahmini Mynah
          Sturnus pagodarum, Rawanati, Papata pariki, Pappatti nahanavai
          22cm, IIT.
78. Indian Tree Pie
          Dendrocitta vagabunda, Vaal kakai.
          45cm, Matscience, Vandalur, MCC.
79. House Crow
          Corvus splendens, Nalla kakka, maniyan kakai.
          45cm, common.
80. Jungle Crow
          Corvus macrorhyncos, Karung kakai.
          50cm, common.
81. Black Drongo
          Dicrurus adsimilis, Kari karuman, Karichan, Karuvattu vali .
          30cm, common.
82. Ashy Swallow-shrike or Wood-swallow
          Artamus fuscus,
          10cm, Madhavaram Lake, Vandalur.
83. Common Wood Shrike
          Tephrodornis pondicerianus,
          14cm, Nanmangalam, Vandalur.
84. Brown Shrike
          Lanius cristatus,
          18cm, winter visitor, Adyar Estuary (1), IIT(1).
85. Long-tailed Shrike
          Lanius schach,
          18cm, IIT (1).
86. Common Iora
          Aegithina tiphia Chinna mampazha kuruvi
          14cm, Nanmangalam, IIT, GNP, Vandalur, MCC.
87. Small Minivet
          Pericrocotus cinnamomeus,
          17cm, Nanmangalam, Vandalur, GNP.
88. White-headed Babbler
          Gampsorhynchus rufulus, Thavittu kuruvi.
          23cm, common .
89. Common Babbler
          Turdoides caudatus Huni
          23cm, Nanmangalam.
90. Large Grey Babbler
          Turdoides malcolmi
          28cm, Adyar Estuary (1 seen in March '99).
91. Ashy Wren-Warbler
          Prinia socialis,
          13cm, Nanmangalam.
92. Streaked Fantail Warbler
          Cisticola juncidis,
          10cm, Madhavaram.
93. Plain Wren-warbler (prinia)
          Prinia subflava,
          14cm, Nanmangalam, Velacheri.
94. Blyth's Reed Warbler
          Acrocephalus dumetorum,
          12cm, Adyar Estuary, Matscience, winter visitor.
95. Indian Great Reed Warbler
          Acrocephalus stentoreus, Nunni chirai,
          19cm, Velacheri.
96. Tailor Bird
          Orthotomus sutorius, Thaiyal chittu.
          13cm, common.
97. Pied Bushchat
          Saxicola caprata ,
          15cm, Velacheri.
98. Magpie Robin
          Copsychus saularis
          20cm, Matscience, IIT .
99. Indian Robin
          Saxicoloides fulicata
          16cm, Nanmangalam.
100. Paddy-field Pipit
           Anthus rufulus
           12cm, TS, Madhavaram, Velacheri.
101. Black-headed Yellow Wagtail
           Motacilla flava g, .
           21cm, Velacheri
102. Large Pied Wagtail
           Motacilla maderaspatensis, Vannathi kuruvi, kulatthhu kuruvi.
           21cm, Matscience, IIT, Tiruvanmiyur, Madhavaram.
103. Forest Wagtail
           Dendronanthus indicus
           18cm, GNP (1 in '97).
104. Purple Sunbird
           Nectarinia asiatica, Then-kudi.
           10cm, Matscience, Madhavaram, Nanmangalam.
105. Purple-rumped Sunbird
           Nectarinia zeylonica, Pukudichan.
           10cm, Matscsience, IIT, TS, Vandalur.
106. Loten's or Maroon-breasted Sunbird
           Nectarinia lotenia, Ten chittu.
           13cm, Matscsience, Vandalur.
107. House Sparrow
           Passer domesticus, Ur kuruvi, Adaikalang kuruvi.
           15cm, common .
108. Streaked Weaverbird
           Ploceus manyar, .
           15cm, Velacheri (4-5 spotted but may be many more).

     Other birds: ( I haven't spotted these yet!)

109. Baya Weaver Bird
110. Scarlet Minivet
111. Ashy Minivet
112. Spotted Munia
113. Indian Pitta ( Local migrant)
114. Red-winged Crested Cuckoo
115. Black-faced Munia
116. Kestrel

Birding Around Madras:

• Lake Pulicat
  
• Vedanthangal Sanctuary
  

Links: Birds sites and Books

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Last updated on 16th April 1999

Text and sketches by Radhika Vathsan