Bird Walk at Tal Talaab, Behind Tal Tiger Resort, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- 5 May, 2026
- Prateek Kashyap and MP Tourism
About Tal Talaab
Tucked away near Tal Talaab, behind Tal Tiger Resort, this quiet corner of Kanha Tiger Reserve offers a more intimate glimpse into the park’s rich wilderness. The landscape here is a beautiful blend of moist deciduous forest, scattered bamboo, and open patches surrounding the talaab (waterbody), creating a lifeline for wildlife. The presence of water attracts a variety of fauna—from grazing herbivores visiting the edges to smaller creatures thriving in the undergrowth. Towering sal trees and dense vegetation provide shelter and nesting spaces, while the talaab itself supports aquatic life and seasonal plant growth, making this microhabitat especially vibrant and dynamic.
For birders, Tal Talaab is a hidden gem where forest and wetland species converge. The still waters draw in kingfishers, jacanas, and egrets, while surrounding trees host hornbills, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and drongos. Early mornings here are filled with layered bird calls and subtle movements, offering rewarding sightings in a peaceful setting away from busier safari routes. However, even such secluded spots are not free from pressure. Increasing tourism infrastructure, disturbance around water sources, and habitat alteration in buffer areas pose growing challenges. Protecting these smaller yet critical habitats—through responsible tourism and mindful conservation—is essential to ensure they continue to support the incredible biodiversity that makes Kanha so special.
Bird Guide: Prateek Kashyap
A statistician-turned-wildlifer with over 12 years of birding experience in the Terai, with key roles in Bengal Florican and Dudhwa Rhino conservation projects. Known for documenting rare birds and snakes, combining field expertise with ecological insight.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Tal Talaab
The tranquil surroundings of Tal Talaab, just behind Tal Tiger Resort within Kanha Tiger Reserve, create the perfect setting for a rich and lively birding experience. The waterbody draws in species like the Cotton Pygmy Goose and Bronze-winged Jacana, while the edges echo with the calls of Red-wattled Lapwing. Bright splashes of colour from Indian Roller and Orange-fronted Leafbird stand out against the forest greens, as nuthatches quietly move along tree trunks in search of insects. Kingfishers—including the Common Kingfisher and White-throated Kingfisher—bring flashes of blue along the water’s edge, while species like Black Drongo and Brown Shrike keep watch from open perches. From the lively chatter of parakeets and treepies to the subtle presence of robins and tailorbirds, this mix of wetland and woodland birds makes Tal Talaab a dynamic, ever-changing haven for birdwatchers.
Cotton Pygmy Goose
Indian Roller
Black Drongo
Indian Grey Hornbill
Common Kingfisher
White-throated Kingfisher
Indian Robin
Oriental Magpie Robin
Indian Pied Starling
Brown Shrike
Rufous Treepie
Plum-headed Parakeet
Eastern Cattle Egret
Greater Coucal
Red-wattled Lapwing
Bronze-winged Jacana
Common Tailorbird
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch
Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch
Orange-fronted Leafbird
Summary of Walk
The bird walk at Tal Talaab, located behind Tal Tiger Resort in the Khatiya–Narangi region of Mandla, brought together 9 participants for an enriching exploration of this quietly thriving wetland habitat. Surrounded by forest edges and marshy patches, the site once again proved its ecological richness. Early into the walk, participants were greeted by the distinct calls of the Indian Pitta, signaling the arrival of this vibrant seasonal visitor. The wetland and its fringes created perfect conditions for observing both vocal and visually elusive species.
A total of 41 species were recorded, with the Greater Painted-Snipe emerging as the standout highlight—an especially exciting and rare sighting that reflects the health of the marsh ecosystem. The walk also offered fascinating insights into bird behaviour, particularly nesting activity. Yellow-footed Green-Pigeons were observed quietly nesting high in the trees, while Common Mynas and White-rumped Munias were actively carrying nesting material into dense grasses and shrubs near the wetland edge. The documentation of White-rumped Munia outside the Kanha zone added further significance to the outing. Overall, the walk reinforced Tal Talaab as a hidden gem that continues to reveal new layers of biodiversity with every visit.
Number of Participants
0
