Pallikaranai Marshland, Chennai

Pallikaranai wetland is a fresh water swamp situated in Chennai with a geographical area of 80 square kilometer. The habitat consists of fresh/saline water bodies, reed beds, mud flats and floating vegetation.There are more than hundred species of birds that can be spotted here. They include the resident birds as well as migratory birds.

Resident bird species include Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Purple Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Common Coot, Spot-billed Duck, Spot-billed Pelican, Prinias, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Pied Crested Cuckoo, White-breasted Kingfisher and Grey Heron.

Raptors like Shikra, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Red-necked Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Montague's Harrier and Booted Eagle can also be seen here.Fulvous Whistling Duck, Grey-headed Lapwing, Greater Flamingo and Waders like Pied Avocet, Sandpipers & Ruffs can be seen here during wintering months.

During the winter thousands of Waders and migratory ducks fill the marsh, which becomes a paradise for bird watchers. Osprey, Greater Flamingo, Northern Pintail duck, Northern Shoveler, Garganey teal, Black-tailed Godwit, Pied Avocet, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Marsh Sandpiper, Whiskered Tern, Rosy Starling, Yellow Wagtail, Little Stint, Grey-headed Lapwing, Glossy Ibis and Black-headed Ibis, Ruff and Greenshank all visit the Pallikaranai marsh.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birding_in_Chennai

Plain Prinia

 Purple Swamphen

Pheasant-tailed Jacana

Black-winged Stilt

 American Coot

Indian Spot Billed Duck

The Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)