Kumarakom

Rich birdlife at Pathiramanal

The island is home to about 90 species of birds and 30 species of butterflies. There are about 160 species of plants, 55 species of fish and 20 species of spiders on the island.

As human disturbances are minimal in the island, it has become a roosting place for water birds, mainly of the cormorant family. Other birds seen include the darter, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Indian Pound Heron, Large Cormorant, Night Heron, Black Bittern, Chestnut Bittern and Yellow Bittern, Little Egret, Median Egret, Large Egret, Cattle Egret and Grey Heron.

Common teals, Pheasant-tailed and Bronze-winged Jacanas, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Watercock, Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Whiskered Tern and Smooth Indian Otters (Lutra lutra)  also inhabit the island.

The backwaters between the island and the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary are a favourite haunt of migratory birds from Siberia and Europe.

Flora of Pathiramanal