UDHAGAMANDALAM
, APRIL 11, 2019 23:05 IST
UPDATED: APRIL
12, 2019 07:35 IST
Records
right from 1839 reveal that the birds have never been recorded within or near
the town
A Great
Indian Hornbill, a rare bird species, was documented probably for the first
time within Coonoor town in the Nilgiris by birdwatchers on Wednesday.
The bird,
which is known to populate the lower slopes of the Nilgiris up to an elevation
of around 1,200 meters above mean sea level, came as a surprise to birdwatchers
and conservationists, as the Hornbill is an elusive species which tends to
steer clear of major towns and human habitations.
The bird
was photographed by wildlife enthusiasts Samantha Iyanna and P. J. Vasanthan,
both Coonoor residents.
Speaking
to The Hindu, Mr. Vasanthan said that the Great Hornbill, which is the
largest of four Hornbill species seen in the Nilgiris, had not been documented
in or around Coonoor town limits. “Perusal of birding and spotting records
right from 1839 reveal that Hornbills have never been recorded within or near
the town,” he said, adding that this “rare occurrence,” needs to be analysed
further.
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