15 Species of Malabar Birds and Animals – Wildlife of Kerala
Malabar is a coastal region geographically in the line of Western Ghats and also the wettest regions in southern India. The Malabar Coast lies between the plain of Karnataka and Kerala states, Malabar rainforests host endemic species of birds known as Malabar Birds.
Malabar whistling-Thrush
Malabar whistling thrush known as whistling schoolboy, make whistling calls just like a schoolboy. The blue and blackish thrush bird is a resident of the Western Ghats but also reported from Eastern Ghats and Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh.
Malabar Trogon
Malabar trogon is the most beautiful bird of the Western Ghats, mainly found in the hill forest of Western Ghats and some parts of the Eastern Ghats. The Malabar trogons are not a migratory bird,found in the forests of Sri Lanka and peninsular India.
Malabar Barbet
Malabar barbet is a beautiful species of Indian barbet, native to the Western Ghats and has a similar rapid calls like coppersmith barbet. This species of barbet birds are usually seen in pairs from Goa to southern Kerala in coffee estates along with green pigeon and myna.
Malabar Parakeet
Blue-winged parakeet is known as Malabar parakeet, endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India and range extended to hills of Palnis and Nilgiris. Malabar parakeet bluish grey parrot with a very long yellow-tipped tail and common in Southwest India.
Malabar Starling
Malabar Starling is one of the beautiful species of starling found in India, Looks very similar to the Chestnut-tailed starling. Sturnia blythii or Blyth’s Starling has white forehead and orange underparts, usually seen in pairs or flocks.
Malabar Lark
Malabar lark also known as Malabar crested lark is smaller than the Eurasian skylark and very similar to the crested lark. The Malabar crested lark is a common bird of open country and found only in the western India.
Malabar Imperial-Pigeon / Nilgiri imperial pigeon (Ducula cuprea)
The imperial pigeon (Ducula cuprea) is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. A large bird from pigeon family and only found in montane forests and lowland forests.
Malabar Woodshrike
Malabar Woodshrike found only Malabar region of Western Ghats with ashy gray upperparts and white underparts. This bird is endemic to the Western Ghats and also has a loud ringing call like other species of woodshrike found in India.
Malabar grey-Hornbil
Malabar grey hornbill is endemic to the forest of Western Ghats and nearby hills of southern India. They are found mainly in and around dense forest, feeding on figs and forest fruits, Are the smallest of the Asian hornbills and different than Indian grey hornbill.
Malabar pied-Hornbill
Malabar pied hornbill is the second largest species of hornbill found in India, A common resident breeder of India and close to oriental pied hornbill in appearnce. The rich forest around Karwar city is best known place to spot Great pied hornbills and Malabar pied hornbills in Karnataka.
Malabar Large Spotted Civet
Malabar large-spotted civet is a large species of viverrid found in India, endemic to the Western Ghats and listed as Critically Endangered. The Kannan chandu and Male meru named wild animal threatened by habitat destruction and hunting.
Malabar Giant Squirrel
Malabar giant squirrel is a diurnal, arboreal and one of the largest tree squirrel found in India, distribution range includes from the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats to Satpura Range in Pachmarhi of Madhya Pradesh.
Malabar Pit Viper
Malabar pit viper is a beautiful looking colorful venomous pit viper species found in India, The Pit viper is endemic to the Western Ghats and inhabits on the rocks present in stream beds from Maharashtra in the Amboli hills, Castle Rock of Goa and in Malnad region of Karnataka. PIC- jlrexplore
Malabar Gliding Frog
Malabar gliding frog found in the Western Ghats of India, One of the flying or gliding animal found in India. The green frog build foam nests above small pools of water, Like many moss frogs found in Western Ghats.
Malabar Snakehead
Malabar snakehead is a freshwater fish found in the Western Ghats, differs from all other species in the genus and listed as a Vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List.
Malabar Tree Nymph
Malabar tree nymph is beautiful large butterfly found in India with a wingspan of 120–154 mm and found in South India especially in the Western Ghats.
Wild Animals Found in Kerala
The Malabar Coast is a source of biodiversity in South India, variations in terrain and elevation lead to high biodiversity.
King Cobra – The king cobra has a wide distribution in South India, A male King Cobra captured in Kerala measured up to 3.75 m (12.3 ft), Longest Venomous Snake in the World.
Lion-tailed Macaques – Silent Valley is home to the largest population of lion-tailed macaques, an endangered species of primate.
Nilgiri Tahr – Also known as Nilgiri Ibex is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and Western and Ghats, The largest regional population of Nilgiri tahr found in Eravikulam National Park of Kerala.
Great Hornbill – Great hornbill the official Kerala state bird and the larger members of the hornbill family found in India, Lion-tailed macaques and Malabar Giant Squirrel have been seen to forage alongside these hornbills.
Gray slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) also known as Malabar Grey Slender Loris, A a threatened and nocturnal primates found in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Frogmouth – Sri Lanka frogmouth is a frogmouth bird found in Kerala and parts of Western Ghats, one of the nocturnal bird found in India like Nightjars.
Civet Cats – The Western Ghats and Malabar region of Kerala is home to lesser known Civet Cats including Asian palm civet, Malabar civet, Large civet and Brown Palm Civet.
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve are home to rare and endangered Animals species such as Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, Lion-tailed macaque, Asian palm civet and King Cobra.
