Its song is filled with energy and joy of a school boy which resulted in its nomenclature as Whistling school boy by britishers during their Indian reign. The sounds of streams and rivulets, which are its typical habitats, provide back ground score to its song. It look like a male Koel or a lean House crow at a distance. But on close observation the dark blue patches on forehead and shoulder and black coloured beak and legs can be seen. While walking along the forest tracks of South India in search of birds, flowers or some soothing natural experience and if you stuck by a melodious call from the bushes, you can assure that you are in the musical arena of Malabar whistling thrush. It is a bird whistles like a human being who tries to sing the lines of a song repeatedly. If you stay at the heart of Munnar, Thekkady or any forest part of South India where human interference be very less, your day begins with the music of Malabar whistling thrush.
Malabar whistling thrush deserves the position of the icon of Western ghat mountain range, because of the ecstatic moments it provide from the heart of nature during the early mornings and late afternoons. During the day time, it spends under the moist and cool shades of the trees feeding on insects and fallen fruits. At that time they produce a high pitch call also, especially when threatened.
Malabar whistling thrush open a window towards pristine nature of South India through its melodious larynx and that is why South Indian Naturalist Tours suggest you it is a must hear of sound our land. We are very happy to share this element of nature with you so as to aware you about the unnoticed fascinations of South India and the dormant rejoice with them. We will be thankful to you in sharing it with people in your familiarity and to neglect it if you find them unwanted, as well.
You can enjoy the whistling of bush during our ‘Kerala Altitude trip’…Please visit ‘Kerala Journeys’