For the amateur and professional ornithologists, the nearby Kumarakom Bird sanctuary becomes a paradise in the months from June to August. Birds to look out for include Waterfowl, egrets, water ducks, cuckoos, teal, herons, darters, cormorants, kingfishers etc.
Kerala is also one of the eighteen ‘biodiversity centres’ of the world. This land is home to more than 500 birds and 330 butterfly species, 37 of these endemic to the region. According to Birdlife International, it is also one of eight ‘centres of endemism’ in the Indian Subcontinent. Comprising of the largest butterfly in India, the Southern or Western Ghats Birdwing (Troides minos) with a wingspan of about 25 cms to the smallest, the Grass Jewel (Zizula hylax) with only 1.5 to 2 cm wingspan, the Kerala butterfly fauna is rich, diverse and scientifically very interesting.
