Birds of Nandi Hills – An ode to the Feathery Angels

Nandi Hills may have begun as a simple sunrise destination for us. But our staycation there during the Covid lockdown unveiled a hidden side of this place we had never noticed before. Having abundance of time to soak in the surroundings, we discovered the vibrant avian life that calls this hilltop home. 

Birds of every size and color adorned the trees, bushes, and even the pathways, filling the air with their chirps and chatters. Without the usual crowds, these feathered friends seemed braver, some venturing remarkably close without hesitation. It was an absolute delight to see them up close and witness their fascinating behaviour. That was when we first picked up the camera to capture these winged wonders.

Now, on every visit we eagerly spend hours spotting and photographing them, as morning melt into afternoon and afternoon fades into evening. It seems bird watching has a way of becoming irresistibly addictive.

Over the years, we’ve spotted many beautiful birds, some captured through the lens and some in our hearts. This blog is an ode to these feathered beauties – the ones that have brought immeasurable joy to our hearts and keep drawing us back.

Most active areas for birds

You can spot birds almost everywhere at Nandi Hills. But certain areas stand out as hotspots. The vicinity of Nehru Nilaya and the trails near the Nursery close to the parking lot are especially rewarding. The area around the cottages, in particular, seemed to teem with bird activity.

While most birds can be observed across these locations, some species seem to prefer specific areas. For instance, the Blue Rock Thrush has been consistently spotted near the cottages, while the Blue-headed Rock Thrush is found in abundance near the Gandhi and Nehru Nilaya area. 

Birds we spotted

Indian Paradise Flycatcher

Perhaps the most elegant bird of Nandi Hills, the Indian Paradise Flycatcher is a sight to behold, especially the males with their striking long tails that seem to dance as they move.  So its hard to miss it flying around or simply grooming itself perched on the branches. We spotted both the white and the rufous ones.

Sunbirds

During our December visit, we were delighted to spot sunbirds in abundance. Two varieties graced our sightings – the Purple-rumped Sunbird and Loten’s Sunbird. They seemed especially fond of the tall Bougainvillea arch near Nehru Nilaya. We also found them flitting around and feeding on the vibrant Red Powder Puff (Calliandra Haematocephala) flowers.

We’re glad we managed to capture a few shots, even if they aren’t the sharpest. Photographing these constantly moving birds made us realise just how challenging it is to freeze their lively energy in a frame.

Read our other blogs about Nandi Hills.