View of the bird islands from the boat jetty, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located on a protected branch of the Cauvery River near Srirangapatna, about 20 kms from Mysore. Several small islands with shrubs, bamboo and trees are favourite nesting sites of hundreds of birds. Some are resident, though most are migratory visitors between November to February. The sanctuary is open from 6 am to 6 pm. There are row boats for hire, and watch towers from which to see the birds.
On 6th January 2024 evening, we visited the Sanctuary with our friends Hema and Ramesh Oruganti from Singapore. We went in a shared boat ride, with my Sony A7C + 70-300mm telephoto lens. On the 12th January, we returned with a 200-600mm lens and hired a private 4-seater “photography” boat. This does not have sides or a roof so offers unhindered views of birds on the bush, in the water and in flight.
Large colonies of birds include spot-billed pelicans (Pelecanus philippensis), painted storks (Mycteria leucocephala) and Asian openbill storks (Anastomus oscitans). Some of these monopolise an island, though there is also sharing. In one tree, we noticed painted stork, spot-billed pelicans, openbill storks, white ibis and cormorants together in the middle and upper branches. Night herons occupied the bottom tier.
The pelicans breed in December. We saw a number of nests with families including chicks that had not yet got their flight feathers. The adults frequently took off to fly slowly perhaps in search of food for their young.
Painted storks and openbill storks which breed in February were busy flying back and forth between islands. Some carry nesting materials in their beaks. Perhaps others are looking for good nesting spots.
Asian openbill in flight
Painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala) in flight, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Painted stork in flight
Asian openbill in flight with nesting material
Openbill stork flying with nesting material, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka, India
Asian openbill fledgling with adults
Pair of Asian openbill storks
Asian openbill stork drinking in the river
Asian openbill stork drinking in the river
Many birds have their breeding plumage. Eurasian spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia), named for its distinctive spoon-shaped bill, are particularly beautiful when breeding. It has bright snow-white feathers with a yellow patch on its breast, a crest of fine yellow feathers, and a patch of red and yellow beneath its bill. The shiny black bill with a yellow tip and delicate black legs make a striking contrast.
Eurasian spoonbill in breeding plumage, underside of bill visible
Eurasian spoonbill in breeding plumage
Pair of Eurasian spoonbills in breeding plumage
Eurasian spoonbill in breeding plumage walking
Eurasian spoonbill in breeding plumage showing top of bill
Eurasian spoonbills in breeding plumage
Little egrets (Egretta garzetta) develop fine crest feathers during breeding. One had a distinctive red patch between its eye and nose (lores) that indicates the height of courtship.
Little egret (Egretta garzetta)
Little egret (Egretta garzetta)
Little egret (Egretta garzetta), red lores in front of eye indicates height of courtship
Little egret (Egretta garzetta) portrait
A few Brahminy kites (Haliastur indus) and eagles were soaring overhead. We saw assorted song birds, a pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), hornbills and mercifully very few house crows (Corvus splendens).
Several crocodiles were basking in the sun on rocks near the water. One had its mouth open showing powerful teeth that could benefit from a toothbrush and paste. Water birds walked close to the crocodiles without fear.
Crocodiles basking on a rock, with Eurasian spoonbill, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Crocodile basking with open mouth
Head of crocodile basking on a rock, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Grey heron, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
One tree had no birds but many black bats hanging from the branches fast asleep. We were fortunate to see one of them stirring and spreading its wings. These are Indian flying foxes (Pteropus medius) also known as the greater Indian fruit bat.
Bats sleeping in a tree, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Bat hanging from tree with wings partly open, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Bat hanging from tree with wings partly open, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
Besides birds, Ranganathittu has a well-laid out park with a playground for children, a souvenir shop and a toilet. The park has many trees, including imposing banyan trees and rain trees. A sign in Kannada lists 30 species of trees. As no eatables are allowed into the park, there are snack shops in the parking lot outside.
Island near the west end of the sanctuary
Wood Lot with list of trees (Kannada common names, English scientific names), Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Mandhya District, Karnataka, India
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