Bird walk at Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

About Mettupalayam

Nestled at the foothills of the Nilgiri Mountains, Mettupalayam in Coimbatore district lies at about 314 m above sea level and covers roughly 7.2 sq. km, forming a transitional landscape between the plains of Kongu Nadu and the rising Western Ghats. Around areas such as Sennamalai Murugan Temple, the terrain is characterised by dry scrub forests, rocky hillocks, agricultural fields and scattered plantations of coconut, banana and arecanut, interspersed with village tanks and seasonal streams. This mosaic of habitats supports a surprising diversity of flora and fauna. Native trees such as tamarind, bamboo and neem mingle with cultivated groves, while the scrub and hill slopes provide refuge for mammals like spotted deer, wild boar and occasionally elephants from nearby forested slopes. Birdlife is particularly notable—Indian Peafowl, Spotted Owlet, bulbuls, drongos and various warblers are frequently seen around temple groves and farmland edges.

For birders, the Sennamalai hill and surrounding countryside offer rewarding foothill birding, where agricultural landscapes blend into semi-natural scrub and woodland patches. Early mornings bring the calls of peafowl echoing from rocky slopes, while raptors soar over open fields and small passerines forage in thorny hedgerows and temple groves. Such sacred landscapes sometimes act as informal refuges where wildlife persists alongside religious and rural life. However, this biodiversity faces increasing pressure from urban expansion, agricultural intensification, invasive plants such as lantana, and habitat fragmentation along the Nilgiri foothills. Conservation efforts in the region increasingly emphasise protecting remnant scrub habitats, maintaining traditional temple groves, and promoting awareness of wildlife-friendly practices among local communities and visitors. With careful stewardship, places like Sennamalai can continue to function not only as spiritual landmarks but also as small yet vital pockets of biodiversity in the rapidly changing foothill landscape.

Partnered with

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Mettupalayam

The scrub-covered slopes and farmlands around Sennamalai Murugan Temple in Mettupalayam support a rich mix of common foothill birdlife. Raptors are especially noticeable, with species such as the Indian Eagle-Owl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Shikra, Black Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, and the striking Brahminy Kite often seen soaring above rocky hills or scanning fields for prey. As dusk approaches, the soft calls of nightjars emerge from the scrub, while the open countryside and hedgerows host ground birds like Bush Quail and Grey Francolin. The trees and temple groves are lively with smaller birds including the colourful Small Minivet, noisy bulbuls, ever-present crows, and the winter visitor Orange-headed Thrush (sometimes locally referred to as a creamy thrush). Together, these species reflect the characteristic bird community of the Nilgiri foothills, where rocky hills, scrubland and farmland meet to create a diverse and rewarding birding landscape.