Tamil University, a new home for Jerdon’s leafbirds

According to C Sivasubramanian, Head, Department of Environmental and Herbal Science, till recent years, these birds were spotted only in the Western Ghats in Mettupalayam, Pollachi, Anaimalai in the state. “But for the last few years, the leafbirds are often spotted in the campus. They have the capacity to mimic the voices of other birds,” said Sivasubramanian. 

So far, six pairs of leafbirds have been spotted in the campus particularly during winter season. The species they belong to were confirmed by the Bombay Natural History society (BNHS) and the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). 

One of the reasons for the bird to visit the university is for its thick tree population and the small fruits. “These birds used to migrate from Himalayas to Sri Lanka and on their way they might have found Tamil University with lots of trees as an ideal habitat,” Sivasubramanian added. 

The Department of Environmental and Herbal Science so far recorded the presence of 77 bird species in the sprawling 800-acre campus of Tamil University. Of them, 17 are migratory birds.