Coimbatore Forest Division recorded 275 bird and 229 butterfly species in 2020 report

Coimbatore Forest Divison conducted a year-long assessment in 2020 and documented 275 bird and 229 butterfly species. This survey report was released by I Anwardeen, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Coimbatore circle. District forest official also revealed that 2020 recorded more species as compared to 2019. In 2019, around 226 birds and 192 butterfly species were sighted. Organisations like Coimbatore Nature Society, The Nature and Butterfly Society and WWF-India conducted this survey. During this survey, seven forest ranges were covered. It was supervised by Assistant Conservator of Forests M. Senthil Kumar. This survey involved 70 naturalists and 43 Forest Department staff.

In the list of 275 bird species documented, the passerine group of birds were highest with 133 species. Other groups of birds were waterbirds with 36 species, raptors with 23 and barbets and woodpeckers with 15, A total of 13 species of doves and pigeons were documented along with 11 species of cuckoo, eight of swifts and seven owls. Out the total number of birds documented, 45 were migratory species while the remaining 29 were birds like ground-feeding birds, Sandgrouses, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, Rollers, Hornbills, Nightjars, Trogons and Parakeets.

In the list of 229 butterfly species recorded belonged to the families such as swallowtails with 16 species while 27 species of whites and yellows were recorded. Other butterfly species were documented were 68 from Nymphalidae family while 66 from blues and judies and 52 skippers.