The state of Kerala, India, has 567 bird species within its boundaries.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of the IOC World Bird List, version 11.2. This list also uses British English throughout. Any bird names or other wording follows that convention. The species list and English names are entirely based on the Checklist of Birds of Kerala published in November 2015.
The following tag has been used to highlight accidental species. The commonly occurring native species do not fit within this category.
(A) Accidental - Also known as a rarity, it refers to a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Kerala-typically less than ten confirmed records.
Ducks, geese, and swans
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Fulvous whistling duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) Lesser whistling duck, Dendrocygna javanica Bar-headed goose, Anser indicus Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea Cotton pygmy goose, Nettapus coromandelianus Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata Gadwall, Mareca strepera Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope Indian spot-billed duck, Anas poecilorhyncha Northern pintail, Anas acuta Eurasian teal, Anas crecca Common pochard, Aythya ferina (A) Ferruginous duck, Aythya nyroca Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
Pheasants and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Grey francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus Rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica Jungle bush quail, Perdicula asiatica Painted bush quail, Perdicula erythrorhyncha Red spurfowl, Galloperdix spadicea Painted spurfowl, Galloperdix lunulata Grey junglefowl, Gallus sonneratii Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus
Frogmouths Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae
The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bill and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects.
Sri Lanka frogmouth, Batrachostomus moniliger
Nightjars
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
Great eared nightjar, Lyncornis macrotis Jungle nightjar, Caprimulgus indicus Jerdon's nightjar, Caprimulgus atripennis Indian nightjar, Caprimulgus asiaticus Savanna nightjar, Caprimulgus affinis
Treeswifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae
The treeswifts, or crested swifts, are closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage.
Crested treeswift, Hemiprocne coronata
Swifts Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Indian swiftlet, Aerodramus unicolor Edible-nest swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus White-rumped spinetail, Zoonavena sylvatica Brown-backed needletail, Hirundapus giganteus Asian palm swift, Cypsiurus balasiensis Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba Common swift, Apus apus Blyth's swift, Apus leuconyx Little swift, Apus affinis
Bustards Order: OtidiformesFamily: Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.
MacQueen's bustard, Chlamydotis undulata Lesser florican, Sypheotides indicus
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Many are brood parasites.
Greater coucal, Centropus sinensis Lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis Sirkeer malkoha, Taccocua leschenaultii Blue-faced malkoha, Phaenicophaeus viridirostris Chestnut-winged cuckoo, Clamator coromandus Jacobin cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus Asian koel, Eudynamys scolopaceus Banded bay cuckoo, Cacomantis sonneratii Grey-bellied cuckoo, Cacomantis passerinus Square-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus lugubris Fork-tailed drongo-cuckoo, Surniculus dicruroides Large hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx sparverioides Common hawk-cuckoo, Hierococcyx varius Lesser cuckoo, Cuculus poliocephalus Indian cuckoo, Cuculus micropterus Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus
Sandgrouse Order: PterocliformesFamily: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes.
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles exustus
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock dove, Columba livia Nilgiri wood pigeon, Columba elphinstonii Oriental turtle dove, Streptopelia orientalis Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto Red collared dove, Streptopelia tranqubarica Spotted dove, Spilopelia chinensis Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis Common emerald dove, Chalcophaps indica Orange-breasted green pigeon, Treron bicinctus Grey-fronted green pigeon, Treron affinis Yellow-footed green pigeon, Treron phoenicopterus Green imperial pigeon, Ducula aenea Mountain imperial pigeon, Ducula badia
Rails, crakes, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Slaty-breasted rail, Lewinia striata Spotted crake, Porzana porzana (A) Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus Eurasian coot, Fulica atra Grey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus Ruddy-breasted crake, Zapornia fusca Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla Slaty-legged crake, Rallina eurizonoides Watercock, Gallicrex cinerea White-breasted waterhen, Amaurornis phoenicurus
Grebes Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
Flamingos Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume and, uniquely, are used upside-down.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus
Buttonquail Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
Yellow-legged buttonquail, Turnix tanki Barred buttonquail, Turnix suscitator
Stone-curlews and thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The stone-curlews and thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Indian stone-curlew, Burhinus indicus Great stone-curlew, Esacus recurvirostris
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus
Stilts and avocets Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.
Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta
Plovers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.
Yellow-wattled lapwing, Vanellus malabaricus Grey-headed lapwing, Vanellus cinereus Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius [historical] White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus Pacific golden plover, Pluvialis fulva American golden plover, Pluvialis dominica (A) Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus White-faced plover, Charadrius dealbatus (A) Lesser sand plover, Charadrius mongolus Greater sand plover, Charadrius leschenaultii Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
Painted-snipes Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Rostratulidae
Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.
Greater painted-snipe, Rostratula benghalensis
Jacanas Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found throughout the tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat.
Pheasant-tailed jacana, Hydrophasianus chirurgus Bronze-winged jacana, Metopidius indicus
Sandpipers and snipes
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Eurasian whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres Great knot, Calidris tenuirostris Red knot, Calidris canutus (A) Ruff, Calidris pugnax Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii Long-toed stint, Calidris subminuta Sanderling, Calidris alba Dunlin, Calidris alpina Little stint, Calidris minuta Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis (A) Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos (A)