Visiting Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary in November 2018 was a blend of serene water, lush islands, and avian spectacle, made even more memorable by the thrill of a boat ride that brought rare birds into close view.
The morning mist clung to the riverbanks as my boat slipped into the still waters of Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka’s famed haven where rivers meet islands and the air buzzes with wings. Camera ready, heart expectant, each gentle push of the oar revealed a living canvas, painted by some of South India’s captivating birds.
Almost immediately, the river’s bounty appeared. A Spot-billed Pelican glided, regal and effortless, across the water’s glassy surface, while a cluster of Eurasian Spoonbills swept their spatulate bills in careful arcs, searching for breakfast. The Indian Cormorant dove with athletic grace, surfacing with a flash of silver and then vanishing beneath again.
Perched among the trees, the Grey Hornbill stayed watchful, its massive beak an improbable shield. Overhead, the elegant Wire-tailed Swallow traced luminous loops, sharing the skies with Mud Swallows and their earthy charm. The River Tern, striking white against blue, hovered and dived, each movement a dance over shimmering currents.
Brahminy Kites circled and soared, their chestnut wings illuminated in morning light. The Grey-headed Fish Eagle—one of the trip’s sought-after subjects—made its imperial stance from a tall riverside branch, its gaze fixed and intense. From the boat, I clicked eagerly, grateful for the sanctuary’s perfect vantage point.
In the shadowy shallows, a Night Heron (juvenile) hunched, patient and precise, while Stone Plovers and Warblers darted along the edges, their subtle colors challenging both eye and lens. Suddenly, a Stork-billed Kingfisher exploded into view, blue and orange wings flashing as it swooped after a meal.
The Common Tailorbird chimed from the leafy undergrowth, tiny but vibrant, and the Asian Paradise Flycatcher stole the show with flowing ribbons of tail. Each bird posed, however brief, for its portrait: a catalogue of river life—Grey Hornbill, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Spot-billed Pelican, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Night Heron (juvenile), Stork-billed Kingfisher, Mud Swallow, Stone Plover, River Tern, Indian Cormorant, Eurasian Spoonbill, Warbler, Wire-tailed Swallow, Brahminy Kite.
Ranganthittu blurred the boundary between observer and wild. In the hush of the boat gliding on mirrored water, with cameras singing and birds answering, the sanctuary’s spirit revealed itself—a symphony of feathers, water, and light
Common Tailorbird
Grey Hornbill
Asian Paradise Flycatcher
Spot-billed pelican
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Night Heron (Juv)
Stork-billed Kingfisher
Mud Swallow
Stone Plover
River Tern
Indian Cormorant
Eurasian spoonbill
Warbler (ID)
Wire-tailed Swallow
Brahminy kite
