A feathered surprise perched quietly in Kannur’s coastal skies. Kerala’s state bird, the Malamuzhakki Vezhambal, or Great Hornbill, made an unexpected appearance far from its forest home. Locals near Kakkampara, close to Ezhimala, were the first to notice.
Rare Visitor Far from Its Forested Range
The bird was first seen on May 24, resting on a fig-heavy Ficus exasperata tree. Later, it flew towards the Ezhimala Naval Academy’s campus. Birdwatchers Manoj Karingamadathil, P. Jameela, and student Abhinav Jeevan confirmed the sighting.
Abhinav’s relatives first photographed the hornbill without realising its rarity. They shared the images as WhatsApp statuses, which soon caught Abhinav’s attention. He quickly reached out to local birdwatchers, said Manoj.
The male hornbill stayed for nearly two weeks in the area. It fed on fruits and flew between nearby spots, according to observers. Manoj called the sighting unusual, especially given the coastal location.
An Ecological Signal from the Skies
The Great Hornbill usually lives deep inside Kerala’s forests. Common habitats include Silent Valley, Aralam, Nelliampathy, Athirappilly and Parambikulam. Its rare coastal appearance is being seen as an ecological signal.
There have been informal reports from Karimbam and Aralam farms. But these were never officially documented, said Manoj.
Ramanthali grama panchayat president V. Shyma welcomed the sighting. She said it proves the region's biodiversity remains strong despite human activity. "This reflects the ecological richness of the area," she said.
Experts Call for Focused Study and Protection
Sneha Subhash, head of Forestry at Sir Syed College, also spoke at the event. She said more studies are needed on hornbill movement to coastal hills. "Such sightings near the sea show the area’s ecological value," she noted.
Listed as endangered by the IUCN, the great hornbill holds Schedule I status under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act. Its rare appearance in Ezhimala has raised hopes for better local conservation efforts.
The hornbill’s visit may have lasted two weeks. But its message about nature’s reach and resilience may stay much longer.
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