Coimbatore: Erode forests home to 135 species of birds and 118 species of butterflies
Coimbatore: Erode forests house 135 species of birds and 118 species of butterflies. A bird and butterfly census was conducted in the reserve forest in Erode Forest Range on the 12th and 13th. Chief Forest Officer Naganathan and District Forest Officer Vismiju Viswanathan led the survey with about 50 people including forest department personnel, forest enthusiasts, researchers, volunteers and members of the Tamil Nadu Butterfly Organization in groups of 5.
The survey was conducted in areas filled with the vines and water bodies where the teams surveyed the birds and butterflies in person. Several species of blues and cross butterflies were found in large numbers. The survey of birds and butterflies was conducted earlier due to the onset of the migratory season. The survey recorded 35 species of birds includingSpotted Dove, Malabar Parakeet, Red Spurfowl, Painted Spurfowl, Green Imperial Pigeon, Sirkeer Malkoha, Jungle Nightjar, Crested Treeswift, Barred Buttonquail, Black Eagle, Brown Fish-owl, Indian Gray Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker-Black, Black-headed Cuckooshrike and Grey Wagtail and 18 species of butterflies including including Southern Birdwing, Common Jezebel, Dark Wanderer, Glassy Tiger, Rustic, Bamboo Tree Brown, Striated Five-ring, Baronet, Long-banded Silverline, Monkey Puzzle, Red Pierrot, Golden Angle and Moore's Ace.
According to wildlife enthusiasts, 13 species of water-based bird species have been identified as well as 6 species of predatory bird species and 6 species of owls. They have also requested for a research on the bird and butterfly species that are abundant in these forests.
The survey was conducted in areas filled with the vines and water bodies where the teams surveyed the birds and butterflies in person. Several species of blues and cross butterflies were found in large numbers. The survey of birds and butterflies was conducted earlier due to the onset of the migratory season. The survey recorded 35 species of birds includingSpotted Dove, Malabar Parakeet, Red Spurfowl, Painted Spurfowl, Green Imperial Pigeon, Sirkeer Malkoha, Jungle Nightjar, Crested Treeswift, Barred Buttonquail, Black Eagle, Brown Fish-owl, Indian Gray Hornbill, Rufous Woodpecker-Black, Black-headed Cuckooshrike and Grey Wagtail and 18 species of butterflies including including Southern Birdwing, Common Jezebel, Dark Wanderer, Glassy Tiger, Rustic, Bamboo Tree Brown, Striated Five-ring, Baronet, Long-banded Silverline, Monkey Puzzle, Red Pierrot, Golden Angle and Moore's Ace.
According to wildlife enthusiasts, 13 species of water-based bird species have been identified as well as 6 species of predatory bird species and 6 species of owls. They have also requested for a research on the bird and butterfly species that are abundant in these forests.