Birds and Wildlife of Valparai in Western Ghats

History of Valparai Tea Gardens

The history of tea gardens in Valparai dates back to the 19th century. The tea plantations came to Valparai in 1859 after the British introduced tea cultivation to the area in the early 1800s. Several tea estates that produce some of the best tea in the nation are located in Valparai today. In addition to providing a livelihood for the locals, the tea gardens are a top tourist destination with breathtaking views of the lush green tea plantations.

Valparai’s Forests and Types

Valparai is encircled by thick forests supporting various plant and animal life. The Western Ghats have UNESCO-recognized heritage and biodiversity sites, and the Annamalai National Park is one of them. Valparai is an extension of the Annamalai from a wildlife diversity point of view. The zone has Moist Deciduous Forests, Tropical Semi-Evergreen forests, and Tropical Evergreen forests.

Wildlife in Valparai 

Valparai is home to various mammals, including several endangered species. Indian gaur and Asiatic elephants grazing in the tea gardens are a common sight in Valparai. There is an impressive population of leopards in Valparai, and a couple of jeep safaris in the evening can get you a glimpse of them. Though tiger sightings are less frequent, the big cat is present in Valparai hills. The place is globally known for the Lion-tailed Macaque, an endemic and endangered primate species of the Western Ghats. Another Western Ghats endemic primate seen here is Nilgiri Langur. Depending on the time of your visit and luck, you may also encounter wild dogs, sloth bears, palm civets, Nilgiri Thar (On Pollachi-Valparai Road) and wildcats. If you’re super lucky, you may even see the rare endemic nocturnal flying squirrel, the Malabar flying Squirrel. 

Birds of Valparai

The most famous resident of Valparai is the Great Indian Hornbill. There is a large population of them in and around the town (Valparai-Chalakkudi road). I recall seeing a congregation of more than 50 in a single tree during my visit in 2018. The Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Trogon, Indian Pitta,  Oriental Honey-buzzard, and Black-and-Orange Fly are the few additional birds in Valparai.

The winter months, from October to February, are the best for spotting these birds because many migratory birds stop by the area during this time. Therefore, I am adding an e-Bird report on birds of Valparai here.